From the Red Mansion, you can travel through the world of martial arts

Chapter 340 Impeachment
Jia Wei, Lin Ruhai and Zhao Zongxian met the emperor in the west warm pavilion.

After some formalities, Emperor Xuanwu saw that Lin Ruhai was extremely thin and was very worried. He immediately summoned the imperial physician for a diagnosis.

Jia Wei looked at the little emperor and was inevitably surprised. He thought, although my father-in-law looks bad, your emperor is not much better. What use is this imperial hospital? I'm afraid it has been infiltrated like a sieve...

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I am in good health. Please take care of your health, which is the blessing of the country." Lin Ruhai also expressed his gratitude.

Emperor Xuanwu waved his hand and quickly looked at the old doctor: "How is Lord Lin's health?"

Emperor Xuanwu's concern was not fake. The struggle in the court was fierce, and he was in need of such loyal and capable ministers. Otherwise, those people would not have tried so hard to discredit Lin Ruhai.

The imperial physician pondered for a moment before saying, "Lord Lin has just recovered from a serious illness. Although his constitution is still weak, his pulse is normal. I suggest that Lord Lin take some medicinal food to recuperate and then rest assured. He will be fully recovered."

Emperor Xuanwu was relieved when he heard this. If Lin Ruhai, such an important chess piece, was dragged down by his illness, his effectiveness would be greatly reduced.

He then looked at Zhao Zongxian and said, "Thank you for your hard work in rectifying the Lianghuai salt business."

Zhao Zongxian immediately said, "Your Majesty's grace is so great that even if I sacrifice my life, I can't repay you even a fraction. My humble efforts are not worth mentioning."

Jia Wei lowered his head, inevitably showing some disdain.

If Zhao Zongxian was a scholar who practiced what he preached and was upright and honest, and who would maintain his integrity in front of the emperor, then Jia Wei would still respect him even if he had an enmity with him.

But now it seems that he is nothing more than a hypocrite who fawns on his superiors and is arrogant to his subordinates.

The emperor was very satisfied with his answer and nodded, saying, "The reform of the salt tax system is a great achievement for the country. The three of you have rectified the salt tax system in Lianghuai and achieved very good results. I have decided to implement the new salt tax policy from Lianghuai to salt fields across the country."

For a moment, Jia Wei and Lin Ruhai looked at each other and frowned slightly.

The emperor's claim that the new salt policy was very effective was nothing more than an extra five or six million taels of silver a year, and all of this silver was snatched from the salt merchants' interest groups.

The resistance involved can be imagined.

The new policy of Lianghuai Salt Administration was able to be so smooth, all because Jia Wei led the Jinyiwei and used the Embroidered Spring Knife to split the local interest network abruptly. In addition, Lin Ruhai had been deeply involved in Lianghuai Salt Administration for many years and knew both himself and the enemy, which led to such results.

Otherwise, an imperial envoy sent by an emperor far away would at best return empty-handed, or at worst cause chaos in the area.

The young emperor's action was obviously because he only saw the extra money collected by the Lianghuai Salt Administration, and he was obsessed with money, but he didn't know the difficulties of this matter. In addition, he was young and hot-tempered, and he was eager for quick success, so he was so irrational...

"Lord Zhao, I have decided that you will be in charge of this matter."

After hearing this, Zhao Zongxian's face instantly turned red. In order to promote the national salt tax reform, he must first take charge of the Ministry of Revenue.

The emperor wants to use him!
Lin Ruhai was still a loyal and patriotic minister, and he quickly advised: "Your Majesty, the new policy of Lianghuai Salt Administration has just been put on the right track, and it still needs to be tested to see its drawbacks. In my humble opinion, it would be prudent to wait for the new policy to be implemented for two or three years, and then gradually roll it out across the country according to actual conditions."

Emperor Xuanwu didn't care. Now that his throne was secure, what could he not accomplish? Besides, the salt tax reform was a benevolent policy that benefited the country and the people, so it was a natural outcome.

If we wait another two or three years as Lin Ruhai said, wouldn't we save tens of millions of taels of silver?

But before he could speak, Zhao Zongxian immediately retorted: "Lord Lin, the new policy is several times better than the old one. What's wrong with it? The salt ticket system is more beneficial to the people than the salt permit system. It is in line with the will of heaven and the harmony of people. If it is quickly implemented, it will benefit the whole world soon."

Emperor Xuanwu waved his hand and said, "What Minister Lin said is not without reason. Minister Zhao should also act with caution in promoting the salt business."

"Yes." Lin Ruhai was not a minister who gave direct advice and sought fame, so when he heard that Emperor Xuanwu had made up his mind, he kept silent.

Emperor Xuanwu pondered for a moment and said, "Draft an imperial decree to promote Zhao Zongxian to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and to the title of Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, and to enter the cabinet today."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your inquiry. I will do my best and work tirelessly!"

Emperor Xuanwu waved his hand and said, "My dear Lord Zhao, you must be tired from the journey. Go down and rest."

Zhao Zongxian stood up and clasped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I have something else to report!"

Emperor Xuanwu nodded, "Approved."

Zhao Zongxian turned around and glanced at Jia Wei, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I want to impeach Yong'an Marquis Jia Wei. When I was in the Southern Province, I heard that Yong'an Marquis demanded a bribe of 300,000 taels of silver from the salt merchants. The salt merchants were afraid of his majesty and even sent him a famous Qinhuai prostitute."

"Those who refused to obey, such as the Jiang, Ma, and Cheng families, were all framed by the Jinyiwei, confiscated their property and exterminated their families. Such corrupt officials and cruel officials are rare in ancient and modern times! Your Majesty, please investigate the Marquis of Yong'an strictly."

Emperor Xuanwu frowned. Zhao Zongxian and Jia Wei were both his capable men. Why were they fighting among themselves?

Jia Wei held three important posts: Jinyiwei, Longjinwei, and Jingying Military Commander. He was the primary helper in his ability to sit firmly on the throne. Emperor Xuanwu still remembered the first two rebellions vividly.

Even if what Zhao Zongxian said was true, he would not punish Jia Wei at this critical juncture.

"Mr. Jia, what do you say?"

Jia Wei also knew the truth and was not panicked at all. He sneered and said, "Does Lord Zhao have any evidence to prove what he said?"

Zhao Zongxian asked, "Aren't the two famous Qinhuai prostitutes, Liu Rushi and Dong Xiaowan, in the Yong'an Marquis's mansion?"

"Is it a crime for me to buy two actors? Lord Zhao is evading the issue so much. I don't think there is any evidence at all."

Jia Wei said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, Zhao Zongxian made a false accusation. According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, a false accusation is a counter-indictment. I ask Your Majesty to put Zhao Zongxian in prison and punish him."

Although Dai Quan had reminded him to be more restrained before, Jia Wei could see the situation clearly. The struggle in the court was still fierce. If Emperor Xuanwu wanted to divide his power, it would undoubtedly be like cutting off his own arm.

Even if the emperor was dissatisfied with him, it would take him a year or two to deal with Jia Wei...

Zhao Zongxian was so angry that his face turned blue: "You...!"

"All right!" Emperor Xuanwu said sternly, "Mr. Jia has made great contributions in his journey south. Mr. Zhao, please stop listening to these groundless rumors and go back to rest."

Zhao Zongxian lowered his head and said, "I will take my leave."

The atmosphere in the hall was a little tense. After Zhao Zongxian left the hall, Emperor Xuanwu waved his hand and said, "Come here, give the two ministers a seat."

Lin Ruhai was greatly shocked and refused three times in failure. After thanking the emperor for a while, he finally sat halfway on the seat, feeling extremely nervous and honored.

Jia Wei was used to sitting, but seeing his father-in-law's reaction, he had to put on a show and pretend to be moved before sitting down.

Emperor Xuanwu smiled faintly on his pale and handsome face, and waved his hand, saying, "You two have made special contributions to the country and to me, and you deserve this grace..."

(End of this chapter)