"Clear the fields?"
The Supreme Emperor finally sat upright, as if he heard this word for the first time.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Jing quickly explained the meaning of land clearing to the Supreme Emperor, emphasizing that the imperial court must clear the land and estates of the clan kings and relatives of the emperor one by one. His words were quite inflammatory.
Sure enough, as his words fell, the kings of the clan at the front on the right side of the hall became unable to sit still.
"What Mr. Xiao Ge said is right!" An old prince suddenly stood up and walked towards the middle of the palace, crying: "Old brother, you have to make the decision for us. Life is really unbearable...
Our clan in the Wei Dynasty was already suffering more hardships than the previous dynasties. All the family’s income depended on Zhuangzi’s meager output.
You know that my younger brother has been stupid and unloved since he was a child. Although he is the son of his father, he has always been just a county prince. His salary is only five thousand taels of silver a year. What is enough?
My family has a large population, and life is already hard. I usually ask the housekeeper to buy more pork, but I don’t dare to buy too much. I’m afraid that I have to do something serious, and I don’t have enough money to send the messenger... It’s okay, it’s in my brother’s hands. At least I'm still hungry.
But my brother, my brother, is almost seventy and is about to be buried. When I die, there will be only one Duke left in our family, and his salary is even pitifully low. If the income from Zhuangzi is gone, how will the more than ten unsatisfactory sons of my brother live? …”
A tearful expression that made people angry and funny. Are you kidding me? The prince of the Wei Dynasty can’t even afford pork. It’s really a strange news!
However, some people lamented that the clans of the Wei Dynasty were indeed no better than those of the previous dynasty. All the clans were detained in the capital. Not only could they not serve as officials, but they could not even serve as officials unless there were special circumstances. Under such circumstances, those idle clans were indeed living in a bit of poverty.
But regardless of whether what the old prince said is true or false, the position he represents is in line with the interests of many people.
Therefore, as soon as the old prince finished speaking, seven or eight more people stood up on the seats in the clan. Without exception, these people were either princes or county kings.
They all gathered in the center of the hall and knelt down, echoing the opinions of Xiao Jing and the old prince, and begging the Supreme Emperor to make the decision for them and cancel the land clearing policy.
Emperor Ningkang looked at the clan kings kneeling on the ground. While he was angry, he could not help but feel a chill.
If he remembers well, many of these princes have expressed their willingness to support the New Deal before...
Are they taking advantage of the situation now, or are they premeditated? Was his previous statement just to delay and paralyze him?
If it was premeditated, where did their courage come from? "It's a good birthday, but you guys have messed it up."
The Supreme Emperor finally spoke, and he expressed his dissatisfaction in the first sentence.
Just when Xiao Jing and the kings were pleading guilty, the Supreme Emperor changed his words: "But since we have said it all, let's make it clear."
As he spoke, he glanced at the magnificent hall, "What about you, do you think this policy of clearing land is a good idea or not? Should it be implemented?"
Following the Supreme Emperor's question, all the princes and ministers in the palace looked at each other in confusion.
Originally, it was thought that the policy of clearing the imperial land was imperative. Even many people whose interests were harmed were just thinking about ways to avoid harm and reduce losses as much as possible.
Who would have thought that with all the twists and turns, there would be room for change in this matter?
Although everyone knew that expressing his position at this time would definitely make Emperor Ning Kang dissatisfied. However, there is only one chance. When it comes to their own interests, most people are very smart and decisive.
"Wei Chen feels that Mr. Xiao Ge is right. To ensure the solid foundation of the Wei Dynasty, I would like to cancel the land clearing policy!"
"I second the proposal."
"I second the proposal."
"..."
One after another, and then one after another, soon more than half of the people in the hall stood up and knelt down, expressing their truest thoughts.
The remaining people on the seats are either the leaders and supporters of this land clearing policy, or their families have no land at all, so this land clearing has little to do with them.
In short, they were very nervous when they saw so many people kneeling down and begging the Emperor to cancel the land clearing policy.
Everyone understands that at this time, a single word from the Supreme Emperor can basically decide whether this national policy, which has been discussed by the government and the opposition for several months, can be implemented!
How will the Supreme Emperor choose?
Jia Lian, who was sitting in the middle on the right, shook his head. In fact, we can see a little bit of the Emperor's intention from the fact that the Emperor did not immediately scold Xiao Jing and others, but instead allowed them to discuss national policy at his birthday banquet.
As for what you meant by asking Guangdong ministers and workers later? This is somewhat like interviewing people on the train whether they have bought tickets or not.
Who doesn't know that this state affairs, from project establishment to decision-making, was almost all enforced by Emperor Ningkang and a handful of "reformers". Most ministers, especially ministers whose families have a lot of land, disapprove of it in their hearts, but they are just forced by the general trend and dare not disobey it.
Now Xiao Jing and others are taking the stage to sing, and the trend has reversed. What do they mean at this time?
Anyway, with Xiao Jing and others supporting him from the front, even if Emperor Ning Kang wants to settle accounts with Qiu Hou, Xiao Jing and others will support him. Naturally, they will dare to express their true inner thoughts.
Sure enough, the Supreme Emperor looked at the dark crowd of heads under his Highness and quickly understood the public opinion. He said calmly: "Since all of you feel that the land clearing policy is inappropriate, let's put this matter aside for the time being. Now …”
"Father!"
Even though he had a premonition, Emperor Ning Kang couldn't help but tremble when he heard that the Supreme Emperor had vetoed the national policy he had worked so hard to formulate.
If it was an ordinary matter, even if it was just to please the Supreme Emperor, he would not argue with the Supreme Emperor.
But the matter of clearing the land was of great significance and importance to him and to Wei. He really didn't understand why the Supreme Emperor listened to the words of Xiao Jing and others, and why he interfered with him!
Being interrupted by Emperor Ningkang, the Supreme Emperor looked a little displeased. He looked at Emperor Ningkang and said indifferently: "I have told you a long time ago that as a king, the first priority is the stability of the country, and the second is clear rewards and punishments.
There is nothing wrong with you wanting to clear the land of the world. But do you know that this matter is not as simple as sending people to the border to annihilate a few Tatar tribes, or killing a few corrupt officials.
Since ancient times, land has been the foundation of the people and the country. Even every decision I make on this issue is made with great caution. I am deeply afraid that a single oversight will destabilize the country, unsettle the country, and betray the great trust of the late emperor. , the inheritance of our ancestors.
But what about you? Act recklessly and eager for quick success. Do you know what consequences your so-called land clearing policy will have once it is promulgated? "
Emperor Ningkang had not been reprimanded by the Supreme Emperor in person for many years, but this time he was in front of a palace full of princes and ministers. His mood was very complicated. However, he couldn't think too much, he wanted to keep the national affairs that he had spent so much time formulating!
"I know! There are just some people on the left and right, who will try every means to hinder the New Deal because of their own interests. But my father, how can it be smooth sailing if you want to reform the New Deal? As long as I can be sure that the New Deal is beneficial to the court and the country, I think it should be carried out resolutely. How can I be timid just because someone obstructs me?
I also ask my father to take back my order. I believe that I, my son, will be able to handle this matter well and will never shake the foundation of Wei Dynasty! "
"Huh, can you handle this? Let's not talk about how many people will support you after your new deal comes out of Beijing. What will you do with these people now? Kill them all to show that you are implementing the new deal. determination?"
The Supreme Emperor waved his hand and motioned to the hundreds of princes kneeling below. With that casual attitude, it seemed that the life and death of the princes in the palace was just a trivial matter in his eyes.
Emperor Ning Kang subconsciously looked at the people below who couldn't help but shrink their necks when they heard the words. The Emperor's meaning is easy to understand. Not to mention getting the support of the world, you can't even get the support of the princes, nobles, civil and military ministers under your nose in the capital, so how can you handle this matter successfully? Seeing that Emperor Ningkang was speechless, the Supreme Emperor waved his hand and said: "Okay, there is no need to discuss this matter anymore. Hum, everyone usually talks about being loyal to the emperor and filial piety. I think it is just duplicity. If they were really loyal to the emperor and filial piety, they would not be today. Trouble me with these bad things!"
Xiao Jing, who was below, saw that the Supreme Emperor was angry and quickly kowtowed: "It is the death penalty for a humble minister. Please give me a punishment from the Supreme Emperor."
Looking at the Emperor with one arm resting on the armrest and a displeased expression on his face, it seemed that if these people in front of him dared to say anything that made him unhappy, he would walk away. Emperor Ning Kang stood there for a few seconds, then bowed and withdrew without saying a word.
Seeing that the matter was settled, the old eunuch of the Chonghua Palace stood up, waved his whisk and said: "All ministers retreat, let's have a birthday banquet!"
Accompanied by the sharp sound of his voice, thick and festive sounds of gongs, drums, bells and chimes immediately sounded around the hall.
The atmosphere forced by the music suddenly broke the tense atmosphere in the hall.
Many ministers ignored him and returned to their seats with relaxed expressions.
Many people are sighing in their hearts, it is better for the emperor to be the emperor. He is worthy of being an old saint loved by all officials. How can he do such obviously unhumane national policies as clearing the land? It's good to put it aside, it's good to put it aside.
"Oh, I'm so angry. These people are so shameless..."
Beside Jia Lian, while the ministers were returning to their seats and making a slight noise, the fourth prince immediately cursed to express his dissatisfaction.
"Jia Lian, you don't know, that Prince of Cheshire is that old man! How dare he say that his family's life was miserable, haha, ha, I've been to his house in person, and their Prince's Palace is even better decorated than my Prince's Palace. To be extravagant, which one of his wives, daughters-in-law and grandsons-in-law is not wearing gold and silver?
You dare to say that their family doesn't even dare to buy more pork. Damn, I still obediently called him the Nineteenth Emperor's uncle. It really disgusted me to death. I bet that his family must have a lot of farmland, far more than 100,000 acres, otherwise he would never have fought against his father's farmland... to measure the land. "
The Fourth Prince's voice was not too quiet, but it was not too loud either. It could only reach the ears of seven or eight people around him. In fact, he didn't know whether this policy of clearing out acres of land was good or bad, because he had a newly established palace with a few villages in his name that were awarded by his father, totaling about seven or eight thousand acres. This new policy was not good at all. It doesn't affect him.
He just knew that his father spent a lot of energy to implement this new policy. This time, because of the opposition of these people, the emperor forcibly put it on hold. He could see that his father was very unhappy.
Faced with the strong complaints from the fourth prince, what can Jia Lian say?
Not to mention that he was not involved in this matter at all. Even if he was involved, what could he do or say in the face of such a trend?
Even Emperor Ningkang was suppressed, and the Minister of Household Affairs, who was in charge of the country's financial power and fully supported Emperor Ningkang's new policy, only argued a few words with Xiao Jing at the beginning. After the Supreme Emperor spoke, he could only shut up obediently and let the situation develop without daring to say more than one sentence.
This is a battle between the Supreme Emperor and Emperor Ningkang. Obviously, Emperor Ningkang is completely at a disadvantage.
He couldn't help, although he also felt that if Emperor Ningkang could implement the national policy of clearing land, even if it was not perfect, it would be a good thing for the country and the people.
Seeing that Jia Lian didn't reply to his words, the Fourth Emperor opened his mouth and said nothing more.
"Birthday gift~~!"
Accompanied by the old eunuch's singing, the eunuchs outside the palace immediately brought in a batch of birthday gifts in the arranged order.
"The Governor of Sichuan presented a pair of thousand-year-old white jade Ganoderma lucidum."
"The Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi presented a pair of pure gold foreign guns."
"The governor of Liangjiang presented a pair of dragon and phoenix jade vases."
"The governor of Shandong presented a painting of Boating."
When the Supreme Emperor celebrates his birthday, except for officials of fifth rank or above in Beijing, they can enter the palace to celebrate his birthday. If officials above the local prefect level are serious, they can prepare birthday gifts in advance and send them to the capital.
Of course, according to custom, senior local officials at the governor and governor level must give birthday gifts.
However, there were too many people giving gifts. Today alone, there were one or two thousand people entering the palace (most of whom were nobles in the clan). If the Supreme Emperor could see each item, he would not be able to see them all in one day. Moreover, many birthday gifts are not interesting, so those that can be carried into the Chonghua Palace and presented to the Supreme Emperor in person have been carefully selected by the eunuchs, at least they cannot be cheap.
The birthday gift can also be said to be the most interesting and interesting part of the Emperor's birthday.
After all, for most people, they cannot find or afford expensive and special birthday gifts. Looking at what others have prepared is also a time to watch the excitement and gain insights.
After several rounds of birthday gifts, not to mention that the courtiers found it quite eye-opening, even the Emperor, who was obviously unhappy before, gradually changed his expression. With the attentive and joyful introduction of the person who presented the gifts, he was in the mood to ask some questions. When you meet someone you really like, you will also give a few words of praise.
Many people who were worried that the Emperor's birthday party would be spent in depression secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Beijing Prince's Mansion presents an ivory screen."
"The Rongguo Duke's mansion presents a pair of jade unicorns."
"The Duke of Zhenguo presented two pure gold fishing rods."
"Linzi's uncle's house presents a pair of five-hundred-year-old ginseng."
Next to Jia Lian, the fourth prince who had been silent for a while suddenly heard the words "Rongguo Mansion" and immediately turned his head and patted Jia Lian's sleeve, "Ha, your family has been chosen too!"
Looking down at Jia Zheng, who was standing upright behind Beijing Palace Chief Shi, preparing to introduce birthday gifts, Jia Lian smiled slightly.
Jia Zheng paid special attention to preparing birthday gifts for the Supreme Emperor. This pair of jade unicorns was placed in Rongxi Hall when Jia Zheng was a child. It can be said that they are some of the most valuable antiques in Rongguo Mansion, and they were also taken out this time.
Jia Lian knew that Jia Zheng knew that he was going to be promoted, so he wanted to gain favor in front of the royal family so that the emperor could arrange a better job for him.
But Jia Lian wanted to say that Jia Zheng's thoughts were probably completely different. Judging from the current situation, I'm afraid that the more innovative the birthday gift you present today and the more it pleases the Supreme Emperor, the less it pleases Emperor Ning Kang, and the greater the chance of being scolded in the future.
Thinking of this, Jia Lian was a little lucky to give this opportunity to show his face to Jia Zheng today.
"Kirin?"
Sure enough, when the pair of jade unicorns polished by Jia Zheng appeared in front of the Supreme Emperor, the Supreme Emperor seemed to be a little interested.
Jia Zheng was overjoyed, and was about to tell the Supreme Emperor clearly about the past and present life of this pair of treasures, when he heard the Supreme Emperor say: "It's just a dead thing, but I heard that your Jia family has a Qilin son, Yun Wen Yun Wu , I really want to see this living Qilin'er."
The Emperor's words aroused the attention of the whole palace.
Most people present knew who Jia Jia Qilin'er was talking about. What is incredible is that the Supreme Emperor, who is so high up that he can't even meet the cabinet ministers, not only knows that Qilinzi is born in the Jia family, but at this time, he personally asks to see him by name?
What an honor this is.
For a time, many people glanced at Jia Lian, who was in a daze, with envious eyes.
"Why, he didn't come?"
Seeing that Jia Zheng was a little slow to react, the Supreme Emperor frowned and asked. Although Jia Zheng's official position was not high, he had been an official in the central government for many years and was qualified to go to court. The Supreme Emperor also recognized him.
"No, no, report back to the Supreme Emperor, he is here..."
Jia Zheng was a little at a loss. When he realized what he was doing, he replied and waved to Jia Lian who was watching the show.
Jia Lian had no choice but to get up and leave the table quickly, came to Jia Zheng's side, and gave a big gift to the Supreme Emperor.
(End of chapter)
