I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 173 This rebellious son is extremely rebellious!

The day of early morning court arrived soon.

Liu Ju had to get up early again, yawning as he sat in a carriage, carrying a blank ivory tablet and heading to the Weiyang Palace.

This time he was familiar with the route, and as soon as he entered the Xuanshi Hall he sat on his special seat on the right side of the podium, facing the civil and military officials who seemed to be secretly glancing at him.

On the contrary, Wei Qing seemed to be avoiding him today. When they met, he neither opened the window to him nor even looked at him more than once.

Not long after, Liu Che arrived.

The meeting was still presided over by Prime Minister Zhao Zhou, and the important officials of each department reported to Liu Che in turn.

The contents were still the same old routine, first reporting the good news, then focusing on the bad news, and the whole article was still dominated by two words: "want money" and "want people", which made Liu Ju feel overwhelmed.

The only difference is.

This time, Liu Ju finally met the Prince's Tutor Shi Qing, who had not been seen for a long time.

This "non-stick pan" that had been in hiding ever since he asked the question about "the deposed crown prince" at the very beginning could no longer hide and appeared before him as the Imperial Censor.

at last.

When the officials from various departments had answered almost all the questions and Liu Che had given their different answers, Liu Ju thought the bell for the end of get out of class was about to ring.

Prime Minister Zhao Zhou took several deep breaths before he stood up, walked into the hall, bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, I have something else to report."

"allow."

Liu Che seemed to know something, but after frowning, he still nodded.

"Recently, I received a joint impeachment letter signed by more than 170 people, most of whom are Confucian scholars from the Imperial College and virtuous and talented scholars from all over the country. I dare not conceal the content of the letter, so I have to bring it to your majesty for your review."

As he spoke, Zhao Zhou took out a rather thick scroll from his bosom and presented it with both hands raised above his head.

"I won't look at it myself. Just tell me, who are they going to impeach?"

Liu Che did not ask Su Wen to take it, but just said lightly.

"Reporting to your Majesty, the people impeached by these Imperial College Confucian scholars and virtuous scholars are the Minister of Agriculture Kong Jin, the Minister of Agriculture Dongguo Xianyang, and Sang Hongyang."

Zhao Zhou continued,

"Everyone has been impeaching them since the three of them took charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and managed the salt and iron business."

"Salt and ironware are becoming increasingly expensive. Not only can the people not afford them, but they often have nowhere to buy them, forcing the poor to either plow the fields with wood or hoe the ground to eat. This policy has now become the root cause of the people's suffering and has destroyed the foundation of agriculture."

"Take iron tools as an example. Before this, ordinary people only needed ten coins to buy a sickle, and it could be used for at least five years after repeated sharpening."

"Nowadays, ordinary people need at least 30 coins to buy a sickle, and in some places it is even more expensive. Moreover, the quality is worrying. It is easy to break and the blade often becomes blunt in less than half a year. After being sharpened, it is even more difficult to last. It can't even cut grass in a few days. It is better to weed by hand. Farming is becoming more and more difficult."

"So the government-run salt and iron business has now become a matter of competing with the people for profits."

"As a result, officials and businessmen are one, engaging in corruption and malpractice, causing suffering to all people in the world and causing the people's morals to become increasingly corrupt. If this continues for a long time, it may shake the foundation of the country."

"Therefore, these Confucian scholars and virtuous scholars of the Imperial Academy request Your Majesty to dismiss and punish the three people, Kong Jin, the Minister of Agriculture, Dongguo Xianyang, and Sang Hongyang, to calm the people's hearts. Abolishing the government-run salt and iron business will benefit the people. Emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce will prevent the people from putting the cart before the horse. This is the strategy for long-term peace and stability!"

After hearing these words, all the officials in the hall lowered their heads even more.

Although Zhao Zhou's words were subtle, everyone knew that the state-run salt and iron business was actually led by Liu Che, and Kong Jin, Dongguo Xianyang and Sang Hongyang were just the people who implemented it.

Therefore, this joint impeachment seems to be impeaching the three of them.

In fact, it was aimed at Liu Che's state-run salt and iron policy, and the ultimate goal was to persuade Liu Che to abolish the state-run salt and iron policy and allow private individuals to boil salt and smelt iron.

And this problem is a commonplace.

After all, the policy of state-run salt and iron had been implemented for seven or eight years, and almost every year there were people who jumped out to oppose it, especially those virtuous and literati, who took a completely negative attitude and often criticized it both in the court and the public.

Liu Che did not immediately comment upon hearing this, but looked at Kong Jin, Dongguo Xianyang and Sang Hongyang in the hall and asked:
"Are the things these people are impeaching true?"

The three of them quickly stood up and went to the hall to pay their respects.

As the chief minister of agriculture, Kong Jin had no choice but to take the blame on himself:

"Your Majesty, I failed to manage the company properly and made the wrong choice of personnel. I will immediately order someone to investigate. Once verified, I will punish the offender severely and give Your Majesty and the people a satisfactory explanation."

"I only give you one month, I hope you won't let me down!"

Liu Che snorted coldly.

"I obey your order!"

Kong Jin, Dongguo Xianyang and Sang Hongyang quickly bowed lower and responded in unison.

It was obvious that Liu Che was avoiding the main issue again and asked Kong Jin and the other two to drink three cups of wine as punishment.

Liu Che himself understood it, these three people understood it, and the civil and military officials in the hall also understood it.

In fact, Liu Che had long been disappointed with Kong Jin and Dongguo Xianyang.

These two people were the most famous iron and salt merchants in the country. In the early days of the salt and iron government, Emperor Liu Che did not have anyone knowledgeable in the business, so he accepted Zheng Dang's recommendation and ordered one of them to be responsible for iron and the other for salt. However, these two people were eager for quick success when they established the salt and iron government offices across the country.

The salt and iron officials selected were mostly the existing local salt and iron merchants. Although these people were familiar with the salt and iron business, they often abused their power for personal gain and were extremely good at finding loopholes, which in turn created a monopoly situation that was more serious than before.

The only difference is that the Han court will now also share from this part of the revenue, and it has become an extremely important source of finance. It is natural to say who will pay for this part of the revenue.

Of course, Kong was only as eager for quick success as Dongguo Xianyang.

The fundamental reason is Liu Che's eagerness for quick success.

When the state-run salt and iron industry was first implemented, the war between Han and Xiongnu was at its most intense stage. Liu Che really could not afford to support Wei Qing and Huo Qubing in launching a decisive battle against the Xiongnu. Therefore, no matter what means he used, even if it was to drain the pond to catch fish, as long as the minister could raise money for him, he would be considered a capable minister.

As a result, the tone of the state-run salt and iron industry was not set well from the beginning, and the policy was implemented simply to make money as quickly as possible.

Naturally, there will be a large number of businessmen who take advantage of policy loopholes and become rats in every link.

Unfortunately, the salt and iron industry is still supported by these rats. If they want to change it now, they will probably have to bleed. Even if they bleed, Liu Che doesn't know how to change and supervise it, and he is reluctant to cut such a large chunk of fiscal revenue, so for the time being, he can only drag it on like this...

As for Sang Hongyang.

Although he also comes from a merchant family, he is actually only responsible for calculating profits. To put it bluntly, he is the accountant of the Minister of Agriculture, so he cannot be blamed.

At the same time, after participating in operations over the years, Sang Hongyang gradually gained a certain understanding of the salt and iron business.

In the past two years, he has proposed some suggestions for changes and supervision to Liu Che on this basis, but the results seem to be minimal at present, and the problem is still only a temporary solution and not a fundamental one.

However, Liu Che still had hope for Sang Hongyang.

Sang Hongyang had been Liu Che's companion since childhood, so he had confidence in this merchant's son's ability to calculate and talk about profit. As long as he was given more time and space to grow and learn...

"and many more!"

With this in mind, Liu Che was originally prepared to announce his withdrawal from court to avoid being entangled in this matter.

As a result, his eyes just happened to catch the back of a head that was very close.

It was the back of Liu Ju’s head, the rebellious son, whose occipital bone was raised high like his...

There was no such thing as "rebellion" at that time, but he still felt a tightness in his chest when the back of the head came into his sight.

"This rebellious son was able to create the Tianlu Box. Could he know something about iron smelting?"

"Also, a few days ago, Sang Hongyang proposed a proposal called "Liquor Brewing". This rebellious son went to Donglai to wait for the gods, and he brewed a strong liquor that would make me drunk after just a few cups. Does he also have research on brewing?"

"So does he still have some extraordinary insights into this matter?"

Unfortunately, Liu Che did not want to take the initiative to summon Liu Ju, let alone ask Liu Ju in private. Otherwise, it would seem like he, as the father, had something to ask of this rebellious son, and wouldn't this rebellious son be so proud of himself?
So Liu Che got excited and took this opportunity to ask in a cold voice in public:
"Liu Ju, what do you think about this matter?"

"ask me?"

Liu Ju was stunned for a moment when he heard the voice, pointed at his sleepy face, and subconsciously turned around to look at Liu Che.

The moment Liu Che saw this annoying face, he immediately began to regret it.

What do you mean by "ask me"? We are now in the imperial court. I am the emperor and you are his son. Watch your words and actions!
Unfortunately, it was too late to regret after saying this. Liu Che glared:
"Since I have ordered you to assist me in governing the country, I will naturally test and teach you from time to time!"

"Then I will speak freely. If what I say is wrong, please forgive me, father."

Liu Ju suddenly became alert and quickly stood up and saluted Liu Che.

"!"

When Liu Che saw Liu Ju's sudden spirit and heard what he said, his heart suddenly tightened. He wanted to quickly order Liu Ju to sit down.

"!"

Wei Qing, who was sitting in the hall, also felt his heart tighten at this moment.

Element detection!

It was obvious that these words were not good. Was this ancestor going to say something shocking and rebellious in public again?

Your Majesty is really...

Can you tell me what you are thinking? Wouldn't it be better to let this ancestor sit there and act as a mascot? Why do you have to provoke him? Are you starting to feel uncomfortable if you don't listen to what he says?

"..."

Even the civil and military officials present held their breath silently, and with a bad premonition, they lowered their heads even lower.

then.

Liu Ju's unhurried voice was heard in the Xuanshi Hall:
"Some people always say that the government-run salt and iron industry is a strategy to compete with the people for profits, which is harmful in every way and has no benefits."

"From the current situation, this move is indeed competing with the people for profit. Father, it would be better for you to directly increase the taxes on the people. After all, the nature is the same, and the infamy they carry is no different."

(End of this chapter)