"So, sir, I believe that the South Korean prince will definitely make suggestions behind the scenes to push my father's policy of increasing commercial taxes to failure, and he will have to use the original policy of treasure money... right?" Zhu Su touched his chin.
"That's right." Liu Bowen was very sure.
Zhu Su raised his eyes and glanced at him. Liu Bowen had always behaved like a humble gentleman who "does good to all things without fighting". Even when he was competing with Li Shanchang's Huaixi lineage in the past, he had never spoken such evil words and slandered him. This time he was actually outspoken and spoke out Li Shanchang's possible plans in almost "hurtful words", which shows that he is sincere in his heart.
"I'm going to meet Father Chen right now." After thinking about it, Zhu Su stood up and said. The imposition of commercial taxes is not only related to future national policies, but also related to whether the imperial court can have enough funds to support shipbuilding, steelmaking, improving guns, and even going to sea, conquering Japan, and seizing America and Australia. These are all important matters, and there is absolutely no room for error. It is better to believe that they are true than to believe that they are not true. Even if they are false, you should be prepared for the worst.
"Your Highness, go quickly." Liu Bowen nodded, without instructing Zhu Su not to tell Lao Zhu what he said. This made Zhu Su trust Liu Bowen three points more: Dare to be so outspoken to Lao Zhu, this can be regarded as risking his own life. This is in sharp contrast to the old gentleman's prudent and self-protective attitude before. It seems that he really believes that the end of the Ming Dynasty will occur in three hundred years, and is willing to dedicate his strength to it.
After hesitating for a while, Zhu Su said to Liu Bowen: "...Sir, remember to pay attention to your health. In the past two years, you must not be infected by the wind or cold."
According to historical records, Liu Bowen died of wind-cold infection in the eighth year of Hongwu. These words made Liu Bowen stunned for a moment, and then his eyes flashed with light: "If your life span is already this, why do you need to extend it?"
"It's ridiculous that I was timid before. I only knew how to calculate prophecies, but I didn't want to be brave enough to take action... If I only have two years left to live, why bother thinking about protecting myself?"
Liu Bowen murmured to himself.
Zhu Su listened silently. From Liu Bowen's words, it can be known that this old gentleman is indeed good at prophecy. Could it be that he had previously calculated the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty, and now the two phases are consistent with the Shaobing Song? Or maybe the Shaobing Song was really calculated by Liu Bowen later, but was just mentioned in advance by himself?
What the truth is is no longer important. Everything has been turned into a mess. Anyway, if this person is willing to contribute to the New Deal, then he will do a lot of good.
Zhu Su put away his thoughts, ordered people to harness his horses and prepare his chariot, and went to the imperial city to see Lao Zhu.
…
"Liu Ji said that?" In Kunning Palace, Lao Zhu put Zhu Xiongying back into Queen Ma's hand, his thick eyebrows already twisted into the character "Sichuan". This couple really regarded Zhu Xiongying as a treasure. Several times they entered the palace, and they were seen taking Xiao Xiongying with them every step of the way. Even when discussing important matters, Zhu Xiongying must be at hand.
It seemed that his prediction that Zhu Xiongying would die in infancy made the couple even more obsessed with their eldest grandson.
"That old man, don't be fooling around with Old Li again. The two of them have disliked each other since the founding of the country... But hasn't Liu Ji stopped caring about worldly affairs a long time ago? Why did he suddenly say such a thing? Radical words? It’s not like what he would do." Lao Zhu asked doubtfully.
"Double eight, don't make rash judgments. Mr. Liu has always served the public and the people, and he will never speak nonsense for his own selfish interests." Empress Ma interceded for Liu Bowen. When it comes to understanding people's nature, this queen is actually even more vicious than Lao Zhu. He turned to Zhu Su and said, "Xiao Wu'er, Mr. Liu must have some profound meaning when he suddenly asks you to deliver a message like this."
"Tell me, what did you and Mr. Liu talk about?"
So Zhu Su told Lao Zhu and his wife everything about how Liu Bowen had seen through many previous flaws and came to ask about his future, as well as the "Shaobing Song" and its origin in later generations.
After listening carefully, Lao Zhu snorted and said, "Liu Bowen is indeed a man of great talent. We relied heavily on his contribution to our battles in the world in the past."
"If you say that he knows those magic tricks... we will believe it. But if you say that he can predict things like Shaobing Song, we will definitely not believe it."
"If this is true, he can seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, so why should he be careful in everything and keep a hand against us from the beginning to the end..." Halfway through his words, he remembered that he had gone on a killing spree in history, killing almost all the founding heroes of the country. Surviving, wouldn't it prove that Liu Bowen was right to protect himself in everything... Thinking of this, Lao Zhu touched his nose in embarrassment, hummed twice, and skipped the topic.
Queen Ma seemed to have thought of this, so she lightly glanced at her husband beside her. He always didn't want Lao Zhu to go on a killing spree. However, this husband was sometimes very murderous and could not be persuaded. This scared talented people like Mr. Liu to walk on thin ice and did not want to be too deeply involved in government affairs. Offer advice easily.
But this time Liu Bowen was uncharacteristically different. Although he borrowed Zhu Su's words, it was obviously a rare opportunity for him to speak out and give advice. Empress Ma said: "Chongba, I think you should think carefully about what Mr. Liu said."
"With his temperament, he would never take the risk of criticizing a meritorious official like Mr. Han. Unless it is for the sake of the country, it is really possible that Mr. Han will obstruct the tax administration..."
"Li Shan has always been in love with power, and we all know it..." Lao Zhu thought about it. He remembered that he had previously hinted that Li Shanchang would resign, and that Li Shanchang was reluctant to leave him, and that Li Shanchang was liquidated by himself many years later and was included in Hu Weiyong's party.
I remembered that the reason why Hu Weiyong was appointed prime minister before was because Li Shanchang firmly disagreed with this matter. Could it be that Li Shanchang deliberately opposed it because he knew his own temperament?
Therefore, the historical self later discovered the little tricks Li Shanchang had done behind the scenes, so he was angry and used this old crime to kill people...
It’s not impossible!
"In short, there will be no change in the increase in commercial taxes." Lao Zhu said. "Liu Ji's plan to establish a new tax department is indeed insightful. However, how can we find the manpower in such a hurry?
"In our opinion, it is better to wait for this wave of business taxes to be collected first and meet the immediate needs before setting up a tax department."
"Yeah. So safe." Zhu Su also agreed. On the one hand, we are raising commercial taxes, and on the other hand, we have to take action on the Ministry of Household Affairs. This is really too much, and we may encounter even more difficulties.
"Your Majesty, the cabinet has an urgent report..." From a distance, I heard Erhu shouting outside the door.
"Send it up!" Lao Zhu said.
Hearing this, the guards Erhu went down the stone steps of the palace, took the urgent note from the hand of the servant who came to report, then opened the palace door respectfully and handed it to Lao Zhu. Lao Zhu did not shy away from Zhu Su and directly unfolded the urgent report in his hand. Zhu Su was startled. It turned out that this was a treatment that only his eldest brother Zhu Biao had. Not daring or wanting to look any further, I quietly moved to the side.
Unexpectedly, Lao Zhu only glanced at it for a few times before slamming the memorial directly on the table and angrily yelling with a red face:
"Hubu! How dare you bully me like this!"
(End of chapter)
