Soon, the cabinet officially announced the detailed rules for the integrated payment of grain by officials and gentry.
But this time, the shock caused was much stronger than before. All civil and military officials in the capital launched a heated discussion on this matter.
"In the past dynasties, scholars have always been the object of preferential treatment by the imperial court. Why has everything changed now?"
"Your Majesty must have been deceived by treacherous ministers. If this continues, my Ming Dynasty will be ruined!"
"It's ridiculous. The gentry paying taxes is an unprecedented curiosity!"
Under the influence of the atmosphere, some hot-headed officials decided to jointly submit a letter begging the emperor to withdraw his order.
If the gentry could previously argue about whether the integrated grain payment system for officials and gentry would be implemented or not, the current situation has forced them to pay more attention to it, because the emperor's knife has been placed on the necks of the entire gentry class. !
Some of these gentry soon realized that the emperor wanted to completely abolish the gentry's privilege of not paying taxes. If they backed down, the good days of the gentry would be over!
Among the many officials running around for this matter, Li Ding, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, seemed quite eager.
There is no other reason why Li Ding is so eager, because the policy that the emperor is about to implement to integrate officials and gentry into paying grains will greatly damage the rights and interests of his family.
Li Ding's family is located in Pingyang, Shanxi, and is also a well-known family in the local area. With Li Ding, a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites and Right Minister, his family occupies countless fertile lands in the local area. Not only that, but there are also countless The people took the initiative to bring the land they owned to join the army.
If the integrated grain payment system between officials and gentry is officially implemented, he will inevitably lose his tax-free privileges, which will be an extremely heavy blow to Li Ding and the family behind him.
For this reason, Li Ding took the initiative to invite Ying to lobby his immediate boss, Li Chunfang, Minister of Rites.
He hoped that Li Chunfang could sign his name in the petition to the emperor. In this way, even the emperor would have to pay attention to the signature of the Minister of Rites.
With such expectations, Li Ding came to Li Chunfang's mansion in the capital and knocked on the door.
…
Capital City, Yan Mansion.
At this moment, Yan Shifan was seen hurriedly running into the study room where Yan Song was located, reporting to him the news he had heard.
"Father, something bad is going on. Ever since the cabinet officially announced the detailed rules for integrating government and gentry into paying grains, it has attracted opposition from many officials!"
"At this moment, they are holding rallies in tandem with each other and plan to jointly submit a letter to implore His Majesty to take back the order!"
"Father, what should we do next!"
After Yan Song patiently listened to what Yan Shifan had heard, he put the brush aside, glanced at Yan Shifan, and gave instructions unhurriedly.
"Why are you panicking? Tell the people under our command that they will never attend tonight's rally!"
"Otherwise, there will be consequences at your own risk!"
After Yan Shifan listened to Yan Song's instructions, his anxious and restless heart calmed down a little.
At this moment, the housekeeper came to report.
"Mr. Yan Ge, Luo Longwen, Yan Maoqing, Zhang Runde and others are asking for a meeting outside!"
Hearing this, Yan Song had a look of helplessness on his face, sighed, and immediately gave instructions.
"Let them in!"
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
The housekeeper quickly left the room after responding.
Yan Song looked at Yan Shifan, who was still dazed, and reminded him: "What are you still dazed for? Come with me!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he suddenly came back to his senses and responded quickly: "Oh, yes, father!"
When Yan Song arrived at the waiting room of Yan Mansion with the support of Yan Shifan, he suddenly discovered that Luo Longwen, Yan Maoqing, Zhang Runde and other officials had already gathered in the waiting room.
Seeing Yan Song coming, everyone seemed to have found a backbone. They quickly bowed slightly and said in unison: "Old Yan Ge!"
Seeing this situation, Yan Song's face was full of displeasure. After looking around, he said: "You come to me with such a big fanfare, aren't you afraid of His Majesty's side..."
Yan Song did not finish his words, but snorted coldly and sat at the top of the waiting room.
After that, Luo Longwen, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, mustered up the courage to stand up and explain.
"Mr. Yan Ge, we have no choice but to deal with the current situation in the capital. Only you can think about it for us..."
After listening to Luo Longwen's statement, Yan Song shook his head and said slowly.
"This matter is very simple. All you need to do is go home now, thank the guests behind closed doors, and see no one!"
"I can guarantee that you will all be safe from now on!"
"If anyone dares not to listen to my advice, then wish yourself good luck."
"Okay, I have finished what I have to say, you can leave now!"
After Yan Song finished speaking, he retracted his gaze and then looked at the ground casually without saying a word.
Everyone did not expect that the advice given by Yan Song would be so simple, and they all looked at each other in confusion. After a while, Yan Maoqing stood up and suggested to everyone.
"Since Mr. Yan Ge has told us what to do, let's just follow the plan!"
After Yan Maoqing finished speaking, Zhang Runde, the minister of punishment at the side, also stood up and followed closely.
"Yes, when has Mr. Yan Ge ever let us down?"
I have to say that Zhang Runde's words touched the hearts of most people present.
For so long, Yan Song, as the chief minister of the cabinet, has never let everyone down. Even in the last critical situation when Qingliu was pressing harder and there was a traitor inside, he still managed to turn the corner.
"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge, I won't disturb your rest any longer!"
"I'll leave right away!"
Soon, many officials who had gathered in the waiting room left in various directions. Seeing this, Yan Song couldn't help but turn around and give instructions to Yan Shifan who was beside him.
"Continue to inquire about this news. If there is any situation, just tell me directly!"
"Yes, father!"
…
At this moment, Lu Fang looked at the Cultivation Heart Hall, which was very close at hand, but there was a hint of hesitation on his face.
Lu Fang was worried that when the emperor learned about the current situation in the capital from him, he would be furious. By then, His Majesty's body would most likely...
Lu Fang didn't dare to think about it any more. After a long time, Lu Fang seemed to have made up her mind, and she entered the Heart Cultivation Hall with heavy steps.
Lu Fang looked at the figure sitting on the dragon chair and said respectfully.
"This slave has met Your Majesty!"
After hearing this, Jiajing put down the book in his hand and immediately asked Lu Fang.
"Lu Fang, did you find anything?"
After Lu Fang heard this, he hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, took out a list from his sleeve, and reported it.
"Your Majesty, since the details of the integrated grain payment policy for officials and gentry were officially announced, most of the civil and military officials in the capital are opposed to it!"
"In addition, some unscrupulous officials held rallies and incited the Imperial College students."
"They are currently communicating with each other, trying to make Your Majesty take back your life through a joint letter!"
"Here is the list of officials involved in this matter!"
When Lu Fang said this, he paused and continued to add.
"In addition, not long ago, Luo Longwen, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, Zhang Runde, the minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Yan Maoqing, etc., ran to Yan Song's house with great fanfare, and I don't know what they were discussing."
(End of chapter)
