"My son, I will meet my father."
Princess Zhaoyang strode into the south study room with her head held high and her steps steady, like a female general returning to court after a victory.
"Well, what's the matter with you?"
Emperor Ning Kang looked at His Highness's daughter, and his gloomy face finally became a little warmer.
Although Princess Zhaoyang has never complained about him at all since he asked Princess Zhaoyang to get married and returned after going through life and death and hardships, he still felt a little guilty in his heart, so he promoted her to the eldest princess and gave her such a huge gift. The eldest princess's mansion.
In Emperor Ning Kang's heart, this daughter has been very sensible since she was a child.
Princess Zhaoyang did not immediately answer Emperor Ning Kang's words. She glanced at Jia Lian and the fourth prince first, and then glanced at King Zhongshun who was kneeling on the ground. Her handsome eyebrows were slightly raised, and she turned around and said politely: "Reply to my father." Your Majesty, since my son returned from the Western Regions, I have seen the ferocity and cunning of foreign peoples and the vastness of our country, Wei Dynasty, and then I have realized that my father is powerful and adds foreigners to foreign barbarians and controls the people's hard work. Therefore, I often think of sharing my father's worries.
However, although my son is of the bloodline of his father, he is still a female. On top of military and state affairs, even if he wants to help his father solve his problems, he knows that he is unable to do so. Therefore, I feel very regretful and deeply regret that I was not born as a man and could take charge of my father's role on my own.
The day before yesterday, I was in the Queen Mother's Palace and heard what the Queen Mother said. My father wanted to unify all the land in the world in order to eliminate taxes. This is a grand national policy that will benefit our Wei Dynasty for thousands of years. However, if you want to achieve such a big thing, even if your father is the lord of ten thousand chariots, there will definitely be some resistance.
After I returned home, I thought that my clan occupies the most land in the world. If my father's policy can be supported by the clan, not only will the clan's land be taxed, but it will also set an example for the world and all people will be convinced. , then this grand plan can be half accomplished.
But then I thought about it, our imperial family in the Wei Dynasty has been strong for a hundred years and has luxuriant branches. Although there are people who care about the world and share the worries of the king and father, most of them are mediocre and short-sighted, and they are conservative. These people may not be able to understand the father's good intentions, and the father is burdened by state affairs and will not have any extra energy to deal with these people.
The son-in-law then thought that he could not worry about the affairs of the world for his father. However, as his father's son and heir, he should work for his father-in-law and relieve his worries about the family affairs within my clan.
Therefore, if the father can trust his son, he might as well ask the son to go to each family and mansion of the clan, talk to his uncles and elders about justice, and persuade them to fully support the father's new tax law reform. "
As early as halfway through Princess Zhaoyang's words, Jia Lian already understood what Princess Zhaoyang meant.
In fact, the last time Princess Zhaoyang took the initiative to discuss this matter with him, Jia Lian realized that Princess Zhaoyang must have some thoughts because she was so concerned about this matter.
Unexpectedly, he actually wanted to use this to gain an opportunity to perform meritorious service in front of Emperor Ning Kang.
But it is hard to say whether this opportunity is an opportunity or a trap. Jia Lian has not figured out the exact thoughts of Princess Zhaoyang, so he can only put down his worries and wait and see what happens.
Emperor Ningkang did not expect that Princess Zhaoyang came here to take over this matter.
For a moment, he felt a little moved in his heart. Because, he is also worried about not being able to find a suitable candidate to take on this responsibility.
But let Princess Zhaoyang go...
Emperor Ning Kang felt something was wrong. One look at King Zhongshun, who would rather kneel on the ground and cry than accept the mission, and you will know that this matter is not simple. She is a woman and a junior. How easy is it for her to successfully explain those stupid and stubborn people?
"My father knows what you mean. But this matter is not as simple as you think. You..."
Seeing that Emperor Ningkang wanted to refuse, Princess Zhaoyang smiled calmly and said: "I know this matter is not simple. If my father has other candidates, then that's it. If there is none for the time being, you might as well let me give it a try.
If it can be done, I will naturally be filled with joy. If it doesn’t work…”
Princess Zhaoyang smiled calmly, "Anyway, I am just a woman. Even if I am rejected and scorned by my uncles and elders, it is just a small matter and has nothing to do with my father's face. There is still room for change in the future."
When Emperor Ningkang heard this, his heart moved.
King Zhongshun, who had been kneeling all the time, knew that the main reason why Emperor Ningkang was dissatisfied with him was because he did not agree to persuade the clan. Seeing someone take the initiative to take over this matter, he was naturally eager to do so, so he quickly advised: "The good niece is so filial, why don't you help her and let her have a try. I think it would be better to let the good niece go." My dear brother, please be kind.
First of all, niece Xian is a daughter and a junior. If she comes to visit, her uncles and elders will naturally be embarrassed to be disrespectful. Secondly, a good niece is different from a younger brother. No matter where the younger brother goes, what he says or what he does, everyone thinks it is the emperor's brother.
But niece Xian is different. Even if she can't convince those people, let her listen to the specific thoughts of the people in the clan. As long as you know their true thoughts, brother, you will naturally be able to implement this tax law in the future. It's much easier. "
Before King Zhongshun finished speaking, Emperor Ning Kang glared at him.
How could Emperor Ningkang not know what King Zhongshun meant? He was probably sure that Princess Zhaoyang would not be able to influence anyone in the clan. That's why he asked him to listen to the "true thoughts" of the people in the clan. I'm afraid that these so-called true thoughts are the true thoughts that King Zhongshun dare not say to his face.
Sure enough, when people face immediate interests, they will lose their righteousness and public spirit. In the past, he felt that King Zhongshun was still a useful person, at least very loyal to him, but now when he compared it with Princess Zhaoyang, he felt so disappointed.
"Okay, then I'll let you give it a try. If it's beyond your ability, you don't have to force it."
Emperor Ningkang stopped looking at King Zhongshun and turned to Princess Zhaoyang.
Princess Zhaoyang bowed to accept the order, and then said: "By the way, father, I have one more request."
"you say."
"My son wants to ask his father to issue a decree to let him temporarily take a position in the clan mansion..."
Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said: "My son, this is also for convenience. Otherwise, if I go to visit my uncles and elders like this, I'm afraid they won't even let me in. In this case, my son will have three heads and six arms. There is nothing we can do.”
Although Princess Zhaoyang smiled easily and what she said was reasonable, it still made Jia Lian feel a little shocked.
I see.
He said that Princess Zhaoyang couldn't afford to go to all the trouble to get this hard job, and that was the original purpose.
Even Jia Lian couldn't help but admire that Princess Zhaoyang had grasped this opportunity so well! At this moment, Jia Lian raised his eyes and looked at Princess Zhaoyang in front of him. This princess had long been his own woman. Although he could only see half of her face, Jia Lian already believed that this woman would become as she had promised. His biggest help.
King Zhongshun's reaction was slower than Jia Lian's, but he also realized something, and his spirit suddenly tightened.
You know, Princess Zhaoyang was originally a princess with an official title, just like a prince after being crowned a king, with a higher status than a prince.
Not to mention, she is now a veritable eldest princess, with a status far above the princes and princesses, second only to the prince.
In this way, the status of Princess Zhaoyang is even higher than that of the prince. Because the eldest princess is like a prince, and there is only one prince. As long as the prince grows up, he can be granted the title as long as he does not make a big mistake.
According to this calculation, if Princess Zhaoyang wants to enter the clan's mansion, her position will definitely not be low, because it would be inappropriate for her to be low.
King Zhongshun suddenly regretted it. If he had known that Princess Zhaoyang had such thoughts, he would never have spoken for her just now.
What's more, he had just made Emperor Ning Kang dissatisfied with him. If Emperor Ning Kang got mad and gave his position to Princess Zhaoyang, wouldn't all his years of hard work and painstaking efforts be wasted in one day?
He looked at Emperor Ning Kang eagerly, with pleading eyes.
Emperor Ningkang also thought about it and felt that Princess Zhaoyang's request was reasonable. He also knew that for those in the clan, the clan mansion was probably even higher than him, the emperor! It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter if you give a position to shock those people.
Just as he was thinking about what position to give him, he suddenly caught a glimpse of King Zhongshun's eyes, and for no apparent reason, he felt a ghostly fire in his heart.
He was so familiar with King Zhongshun that he couldn't understand the worry in his eyes. For a moment, he really wanted to use this to put his position aside temporarily and make him reflect and be alert. After all, I thought that this was my brother from the same mother, and he worked hard for his great cause, running forward and backward.
So he snorted, "In that case, I will let you take the position of deputy clan commander for the time being, and together with your fourteenth uncle, assist Prince Su Lao and act as the agent of the clan mansion. You can wait until you report the specific matters to the old prince." "
For Emperor Ning Kang, adding a deputy chief minister was nothing more than a trivial matter. But in his heart, he finally managed to settle a matter on his mind, whether it would succeed or not, it was a gratifying thing for him that someone took the initiative to take over the job of lobbying.
Now that this matter is out of the way, it's time to talk about those bastard things.
When he thought of this, Emperor Ning Kang couldn't help but feel murderous intent in his heart. He worked so hard for the revitalization of Jiangshan Sheji that he didn't even get a good night's sleep in the past few days. Instead of saying they understood and supported him, these people in the clan slandered him secretly. It's really unforgivable!
"What else can you say about your good son and that bastard thing?"
Emperor Ningkang looked at King Zhongshun with a faint voice.
King Zhongshun had not yet recovered from the jealousy and dissatisfaction that Princess Zhaoyang was so easily on an equal footing with him in the Zongren Mansion, when he suddenly heard these words, his heart trembled.
As well as Emperor Ning Kang knew him, he also knew his royal brother too well. His tone showed that today's incident really angered him.
His heart was spinning, and he actually changed his previous attitude of wanting to plead and quibble, and he knelt down very simply and said: "My brother's lax discipline caused the unfilial son to get mixed up with the bastard in the clan. After my brother returns, If I didn't beat him until he couldn't get out of bed for three months, I would be sorry for the word 'Wei' on my brother's body, and even more sorry for the love and trust that the emperor has for me!"
He has several sons, and Emperor Ning Kang’s trust must not be lost.
His reaction finally made Ning Kangdi's dissatisfaction with him dissipate a little, and he said coldly: "There is no need for you to do anything, I think you can't discipline him well, so let me discipline him for you.
Dai Quan. "
"The slave is here."
"Go tell those bastards. If they are really dissatisfied with the government and me, I will give them a chance to come over and make a clear distinction with me in person."
Dai Quan shrank his neck, knowing that Emperor Ning Kang was speaking out of anger. Who in the world would dare to come to you in person to argue with you? Even if there were, it would definitely not be the few incompetent playboys in the clan.
"It's limited to one hour. If they don't dare to come, don't blame me for not giving them a chance. I think they have lived a comfortable and comfortable life for a long time, and they don't know the filial piety of the king and his ministers, let alone the hard-earned power of their ancestors.
So I sent a group of imperial guards to take them to the Ancestral Temple and let them reflect on their ancestors' spiritual thrones. They were not allowed to be released without my will. "
Dai Quan went to receive the decree. Seeing that Emperor Ningkang had made up his mind, King Zhongshun also left in despair.
The fourth prince was dissatisfied, "Father, they scolded you so much, how could you let them go so easily and just let them go to the Ancestral Temple to keep vigil for the ancestors?"
As soon as Emperor Ningkang heard the sound of the fourth prince's stabbing, he instinctively wanted to sacrifice the "seven wolves". But today, for some unknown reason, he only glared at the fourth prince, and his eyes softened involuntarily.
Probably, he felt that his son was not in vain, and he still knew how to protect his father.
So he asked calmly: "What do you think we should do with them?"
"You can't be soft on those bastards. In my opinion, even hitting them eighty times is considered easy!"
Emperor Ningkang quietly looked at the fourth prince who was speaking seriously, and suddenly sighed in his heart. No matter how he behaves, it is better to live a peaceful and smooth life than to spend his whole life working hard and scheming on his own.
Jia Lian happened to see Emperor Ning Kang's soft eyes looking at the fourth prince, and thought to himself that this boy is indeed a fool with a lot of luck. Perhaps, in Emperor Ningkang's heart, such a naughty and disobedient son was his ideal salvation.
Jia Lian somewhat understood why Emperor Ningkang dealt with those clan children in this way. It's easy to beat them up, but it's not necessary.
There are many clan members involved in the incident today, and most of them are from mansions with a high status in the clan.
Emperor Ningkang now needs to be united with the clan and is not in a position to exert power. Moreover, such a punishment may seem slight, but in fact it frightens the clan members and the mansion behind them the most. The effect is better than a beating.
As long as these clan members stayed in the Ancestral Temple, the clan would have a handle in Emperor Ningkang's hands, and they could have an attack whenever they wanted.
The fourth prince didn't know what Emperor Ning Kang was thinking, and he was still nagging him to persuade him to be punished severely.
But he seemed to have forgotten that he had been busy for most of the day. He didn't even eat, and his stomach was already empty.
While he was "reasoning" with Emperor Ning Kang's penis, his stomach suddenly let out a continuous alarm sound, which stunned everyone who heard it, including himself.
The fourth prince immediately covered his unsatisfied belly, wishing he could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
Emperor Ning Kang laughed instead and asked, "Why, you haven't had lunch yet?"
"Didn't I say it before? We were originally going to eat, but we met Wei Xianxiao... and those bastards delayed us."
Emperor Ning Kang then waved to the eunuch next to him and said, "I ordered the imperial dining room to pass on the meal."
Jia Lian saw that the father and son were harmonious and did not want to be disturbed, so he took the initiative to resign.
The fourth prince is a loyal boy, "Father, in order to help you catch those bastards, Jia Lian has delayed eating until now. Let him stay and have dinner with me."
Emperor Ningkang said to Jia Lian, "You can stay too."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Father, I happened to have little lunch and am a little hungry. Let me have a meal with Ling'er and the others."
Emperor Ningkang looked at her, and Princess Zhaoyang also looked back generously.
Emperor Ning Kang didn't know what to say. He knew that his daughter must like Jia Lian, but everyone...
Forget it, she probably shouldn't have agreed to let Jia Lian be her emissary in the first place. She gave Jia Lian a chance to save the beauty as a hero. I'm afraid she will never forget Jia Lian now. She is now idle in Beijing and doesn't know which husband to settle down with for the rest of her life. If she is still thinking about another married man... This girl, I will be worried to death.
Nodding, he suddenly said: "It is not easy to get people in the clan to agree to support the new tax law. At the critical moment, you can agree and say that in addition to the acres exempted according to the title, the part collected will be paid in the future. The rewards will be returned to them in the form of annual rewards.
How to say it specifically is up to you to think about. "
Emperor Ningkang and the ministers of the DPRK had been discussing for so long, how could it be possible that there was no feasible way at all.
Originally, he was going to tell King Zhongshun this way, but as soon as King Zhongshun heard the beginning, his head shook like a rattle, making him unable to speak the rest of his words.
Princess Zhaoyang smiled when she heard this and said, "If this is the case, I will be more confident. Thank you very much, Father."
"Um."
…
