back to ancient times to be emperor

Chapter 8
How could the accompanying eunuch dare to be negligent, and immediately ran all the way to invite Xu Chongguang respectfully.Not long after, a thin old man walked into the imperial dining room under the leadership of the young eunuch.

Lu Chengqi is drinking a bowl of sweet ginseng porridge, which is a great tonic, and ginseng is real wild ginseng, unlike later generations, a ginseng that has been artificially grown for only two years to ripen can be called wild ginseng ginseng?

Lu Chengqi's body is weak, so he naturally needs to make up for it.This body is capital, Lu Chengqi doesn't want to age prematurely.Even if you have ambitions, you must have the destiny to realize them.

The little old man was wearing an official uniform, but no matter how he looked, he looked like a farmer in the countryside.Seeing Lu Chengqi, the little old man said loudly, "I have seen Your Majesty."

While drinking porridge, Lu Chengqi glanced at the little old man, and found that although the little old man looked as simple as an old farmer, his eyes were bright and clear, and he felt good in his heart.Put down the bowls and chopsticks, and told the left and right: "Come here, give Xu Qing a pair of bowls and chopsticks, I want to have dinner with Xu Qing."

A hint of puzzlement flashed in Xu Chongguang's eyes, but the king's order is hard to break, so he had to thank: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"

Lu Chengqi didn't say much, after finishing his ginseng porridge, seeing Xu Chongguang drinking happily, he didn't bother him, he looked at it with interest for a while, and then drove to the imperial garden.

In the past few days, his daily routine has been like this. He drinks a bowl of ginseng porridge in the morning, and then starts to exercise.After all, to lay the foundation for the future, the body is too weak.

Seeing that Lu Chengqi was about to leave, Xu Chongguang was so frightened that he quickly swallowed the hot ginseng porridge. Lu Chengqi said with a smile: "Xu Qing, take it easy, there's no rush, I'll wait for you in the imperial garden first." After finishing speaking, he walked out of the imperial dining room immediately.

After Lu Chengqi ran two laps in the imperial garden, Xu Chongguang arrived slowly.Lu Chengqi took the sweat towel handed over by the little eunuch, wiped his sweat twice, and said with a smile: "Xu Qing came so fast, come on, what can I do with you?"

Seeing that Lu Chengqi's style of work was completely different from the past, Xu Chongguang was already at a loss, and asked, "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

Lu Chengqi had prepared his speech a long time ago, and immediately said: "My Dashun dynasty's martial arts flourished, and as the emperor, I should lead by example. Strong limbs and body are the way of a gentleman. And a gentleman who learns the six arts must also have the art of archery. I'm just trotting around twice, it's nothing."

Xu Chongguang thought about it for a while, and felt that there was nothing wrong with it. It was better for the little emperor to exercise his body than to do nothing and play with things.He said: "Your Majesty has such an idea, it is very good. However, His Majesty has ignored the government for many days, and the minister is worried that the state affairs will be ruined, so I specially report it to Your Majesty."

Lu Chengqi naturally understood that the Household Department was in charge of the economy, and Xu Chongguang was the Secretary of the Household Department, the government office with the most money and water. He eagerly reported affairs to himself. If he had no ulterior motives, he would be a loyal minister.Lu Chengqi paid attention, and immediately said: "Xu Qing, please go to the pavilion and talk slowly."

The two sat down, and the little eunuchs and maids withdrew respectfully and brought tea and cakes.Seeing that there was no one around, Lu Chengqi said, "Xu Qing, please speak."

Xu Chongguang cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, the Yellow River broke its embankment a month ago, and the people lost their homes. They changed their children to eat, and starved to death for thousands of miles. It was terrible. The money allocated by the household department was rarely sent to the hands of the people. Micro I really couldn't bear to see this, so I had to ask His Majesty for help. Please issue an order to give me the power of arbitrariness to deal with the affairs of the Yellow River.

Anger suddenly appeared on Lu Chengqi's face, but he suppressed it in a blink of an eye, and said slowly: "Corrupt officials have accumulated a lot, and it is not a temporary achievement. Xu Qing is loyal to state affairs, and I am very relieved. It's just not the time yet! "

It turned out that Lu Chengqi had already sensed that this was an opportunity, an opportunity to cut off Taishi Yang's minions.If it is so easy to authorize Xu Chongguang, it is still too late.Three days later, it will be the Li Dynasty, and then it will be the time for Lu Chengqi to reveal his glory!
Xu Chongguang originally didn't intend that the little emperor would easily authorize it, so he just sighed and stopped talking.Lu Chengqi smiled and said: "With Xu Qing as a loyal minister in the court, I have more confidence in my heart."

Xu Chongguang is also a smart person, he was startled when he heard this, but he didn't speak.Lu Chengqi continued: "Now the Taishi is powerful, the tree is big and the roots are deep, and the radish is pulled out with mud, let alone such a force that has been in business for decades? Xu Qingruo is really doing it for the good of the people, for the good of the Dashun Dynasty , you should know what to do."

Although Xu Chongguang was calm on the surface, the turmoil in his heart was already monstrous.After a long time, he said: "The old minister is right. Your Majesty is a hero of the generation. Youdao is the side of the couch. How can you allow others to snore? The grand master thinks he is brilliant, but he has already lost a game. The old minister is not talented, I wish you For His Majesty's cattle and horses, for driving."

Lu Chengqi smiled and said: "I know, Xu Qing, you are always a loyal minister, so you dare to say such things to Qing. Xu Qing, please take a look, and you will know the outcome after three days. I have a plan, and I need Xu Qing's cooperation."

Xu Chongguang said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please give me your instructions!"

Lu Chengqi said: "Xu Qing only needs to do this..."

After Xu Chongguang heard the words, he said with emotion: "Your Majesty has forbeared for a long time, but the old minister was surprised. According to the old minister, this matter is probably possible."

Lu Chengqi's eyes flashed brightly, and he said in a deep voice: "What I want is to succeed, and I've done my job! It's time to clean up this official! Xu Qing, please help me!"

Xu Chongguang was also so excited that he fell to the ground, tearing up: "The old minister was entrusted by the late emperor to help His Majesty, and he should be so heartbroken to learn from his loyalty!"

Lu Chengqi quickly helped him up, and said, "Xu Qing can't, I know."

The two confided their hearts to each other again, before Lu Chengqi asked slowly: "I don't know how much the treasury's tax revenue is now?" Xu Chongguang didn't dare to lie, and said: "The total amount of money is 3000 million guan. Today, 500 million guan has been spent, and 500 million guan is left. But , the autumn harvest has not yet been harvested, if it is harvested, it may be worth tens of millions."

"What, this is the only money left in the national treasury?" Lu Chengqi was taken aback. He really didn't expect that the national treasury was so empty!Even the Ming Dynasty, known for its low tax revenue, had an annual income of more than 500 million taels of silver!Not to mention the Song Dynasty, at its peak, tax revenue had reached 6000 million guan!A mere 3000 million sticks, Lu Chengqi really couldn't think of it!

Money, money, why are there so few taxes?Lu Chengqi was furious, this made him more determined to deal with corrupt officials.But this is only a temporary solution, not the root cause. We must find a way to get money and block the hands of those corrupt officials!
Lu Chengqi asked calmly: "What kind of form should I pay taxes?"

Xu Chongguang was stunned for a moment, but quickly got used to it: "Your Majesty, land tax, salt tax, iron tax, and tea tax are the majority, and the rest include city entry tax, population tax, etc..."

Although Lu Chengqi was mentally prepared, he still felt dizzy when he heard that the means of taxation were so lacking.Even if Xu Chongguang didn't say anything, Lu Chengqi knew that if he hadn't been the secretary of the household department, the national treasury might have been empty by now.

Lu Chengqi was worried: "It seems that financial reform is imminent. Not only culture, military equipment, officials, but also finance. This throne is not easy to sit on!"

Seeing that Lu Chengqi was preoccupied and Xu Chongguang was depressed, he could tell that the little emperor in front of him was not just pretending to be worried.Lu Chengqi thought about it for a while, and felt that there were so many things going on, and he didn't know where to start.Youyou sighed: "The cutting is constant, and the arrangement is still messy! It seems that the meal has to be eaten in one bite."

Seeing that Lu Chengqi had recovered, Xu Chongguang quickly said, "Your Majesty is right."

Lu Chengqi said: "Okay, I won't keep you anymore, you go back and prepare. On the day of the imperial court, I need a complete plan!"

Xu Chongguang said solemnly: "The old minister will definitely live up to His Majesty's great trust!" He left the palace immediately, but all this was seen by a servant.

(End of this chapter)