After passing Luoyang, it was a smooth journey. Along the way, Liu Chengyou occasionally rode lightly to check the public sentiment. The Central Plains region harvested relatively early, and the autumn harvest is coming to an end. The busy scene of harvest is no longer visible for the time being. It is known from cursory observation that due to the spread of the previous drought, the grain harvest was severely damaged.
However, no matter how little the output from the fields is, the taxes still have to be paid. The government officials have begun to go to the countryside and villages to collect grain and tax. Although Liu Chengyou issued an edict that the autumn tax would be levied on October 1, it started early at the county, town and village level.
There were a lot of troubles regarding tax collection. Nowadays, the Han Dynasty's political power cannot even reach counties, let alone villages and towns. Coupled with the lack of available grassroots officials, in terms of tax collection, they can basically only supervise the state government level. In terms of specific implementation, due to the lack of supervision, there are many problems between officials and the people.
The school officials' rough style is only a small part of it. Of course, if you want to collect grain and tax smoothly, necessary tough measures are unavoidable.
In Zhengzhou, after some exchanges with the military and political chief Jing Fan, in order to avoid provoking a civil uprising, Liu Chengyou immediately issued an edict to collect taxes from all prefectures, prefectures, counties and towns, and they were not allowed to levy excessive taxes or infringe the countryside. civil. In addition, if the tax money is insufficient, the equivalent value of grain and rice can be used to offset it.
Nowadays, when the imperial court collects taxes, the people still pay with money. Liu Chengyou's policy was also based on the idea of benefiting the people. The taxes set by Wang Zhang were already very heavy. At a time when money was in short supply, the people could use grain directly to offset the tax, which would save them from selling grain at a low price to raise tax money and relieve the people's great suffering.
However, Liu Chengyou's authority is now in a period of rising. It is no longer like when he first ascended the throne. Every time he issued an edict, he had to worry about the perfunctory actions of state and county officials.
In response to this matter, Liu Chengyou also realized that it was urgent to select and train a team of bureaucrats loyal to the emperor and the court. In addition, the supervision system also urgently needs to be rebuilt.
After passing Zhengzhou, it's not far from Kaifeng. Liu Chengyou is almost familiar with this road.
"Zhao Li!" On the chariot, Liu Chengyou leaned on a wide pillow and glanced at the censor with a faint gaze.
"I'm here."
Zhao Li was sitting on a small stool at the entrance of the carriage, his body tensed and he looked very nervous. Several members of his family were summoned into the army "in a daze" by the Imperial Guardsmen holding the emperor's imperial edict, and followed them eastward. After several days, he was finally summoned again, and he was honored to be able to board the imperial chariot for questioning.
"If I leave you in Luoyang, do you know what will happen to you?" Liu Chengyou asked.
After hearing the question, Zhao Li thought seriously, with a bit of bitterness on his face, and shook his head: "With the way Duke Zheng handles things, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to survive. Demotion and exile may be a good outcome, and it may even affect my family. ....."
"So, I summoned you to Tokyo as a servant of the imperial censor, which is quite a kindness. Do you recognize this kindness?" Liu Chengyou asked leisurely.
Zhao Li immediately bowed and said, "Thank you!"
Liu Chengyou's posture became more and more lazy, and he withdrew his gaze and asked: "Although you have a strong temper, you are not too pedantic. Since you know that impeaching Zheng Guogong and others may harm your family, why do you take the risk to remonstrate?"
After hearing the question, Zhao Li said seriously: "I see that the political corruption in Xijing has reached the point where it has to be rectified. For the sake of the country and the people, I don't care about much!"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile on his face, and said to himself in a slightly mocking tone: "It has been less than two years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, and it has only been half a year since I succeeded to the throne. I never thought that in Luoyang, Xijing, There is also a small official of the eighth rank who I have never heard of. He is worried about the affairs of the country and is loyal and forgets his own safety, but it is rare..."
As he spoke, Liu Chengyou paid attention to Zhao Li's expression, which was awkward and yet calm.
"I didn't deal with Shi Hongzhao. Are you disappointed?" After a few glances, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.
To Liu Chengyou's surprise, Zhao Li shook his head: "I am just a one-word official. I give advice and advice just to fulfill my duty and awaken His Majesty's ears and eyes. How to deal with it depends on His Majesty's will. I dare not say more, let alone think too much!"
His eyebrows were raised. What Zhao Li said was true to his heart and went with his wishes. Slowly sitting up straight, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhao Li seriously, his eyes slightly wandering: "You know, you are not afraid of the powerful, you speak frankly to the king, and impeach Shi Hongzhao, what do I think?"
A bit of anxiety emerged between his brows. Zhao Li lowered his head and whispered: "I don't know."
"If you hear something from the gossip, just invite your favor!" The cold comment came directly from Liu Chengyou's mouth.
Upon hearing his words, Zhao Li was stunned, his face turned pale, he shrank his body and buried himself even lower. His lips trembled: "My lord, my lord..."
"If I am a foolish king, or if my power is neglected, your life, and even the life of your family, will be difficult to protect." Liu Chengyou looked at him and said.
"Your Majesty is serious!" Zhao Li couldn't help but kowtowed heavily.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou murmured softly: "Of course, if I am really a fool, you may not have the chance to see me..."
"Get up!" Seeing that Zhao Li was very frightened, Liu Chengyou stretched his crossed legs to make himself sit more stable, and his expression returned to his usual calmness.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Li stood up, still nervous. Due to the bumpy driving, he almost stumbled and lost his manners in front of you.
Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "Since the Tang Dynasty, the world has been in chaos for decades. Ritual and music have collapsed, moral principles have been weakened, and the authority of the imperial court has been damaged. The supervision matter is now just a decoration, with almost no prestige. It can be said. In Luoyang, you, a small imperial censor, dare to criticize the powerful in front of me, but I am quite surprised."
After listening to Liu Chengyou's eloquent words, Zhao Li slowly let go of his hanging heart, but he still bowed his waist and cupped his hands.
"Just be your official and admonisher! I hope that when I get to Tokyo, my ambition will not change! Although your words may not be pleasant to the ears, if they can have a striking and pleasing effect, it will be a good thing for me and the country!" With his hand, Liu Chengyou moved his fingers and ordered: "Get back!"
"Yes!" Zhao Li replied with his head buried in his chest.
The chariot was paused. When Zhao Li got off the car and stepped on the ground, he stumbled and fell down in a very shameful manner. When he was lifted up by a soldier, even if he stepped firmly on his feet, his legs could not help but feel weak.
Looking up at the imperial chariot respectfully, Zhao Li took a deep breath, feeling extremely complicated in his heart. This emperor is so smart, he is like accompanying a tiger to his emperor. However, if the emperor does not govern wisely, how can he give others the opportunity to make progress.
After the car got on, Liu Chengyou slowly lay down again and closed his eyes to rest.
Being strong may be true, but being straightforward is not necessarily true. In this era of martial arts, truly pedantic people will not live long.
Not long ago, Zhang Peng, the deputy envoy of the Chengde Army who went to Beijing to report on his duties, was passing through Daming Mansion on his way south. He angered Gao Xingzhou with his words and was picked up by Gao Xingzhou. He was asking the court to kill him.
