Although he was reserved, it could be seen from the details of Zhao Kuangyin's eye movements that he was still somewhat moved by what Zhao Kuangyi said. Marrying your daughter to the East Palace is an unexpected blessing, but it would be better if you could marry a princess.
Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but look at Zhao Dezhao. He was very satisfied with his de facto eldest son. Thanks to his good tutoring, he was also a handsome gentleman with a good reputation in the capital. Zhao Kuangyin also had high hopes and wanted to carry on the family legacy. With him, in his opinion, she was worthy of a princess.
Zhao Dezhao, who is already twenty years old, has reached the age to find a good match. There are many ladies from famous families in the world for him to choose from, but if he can be a princess, the other noble girls will seem ordinary.
While thinking, Zhao Kuangyi spoke again: "Second brother, although I have just returned, I heard that during this period, there are undercurrents within the imperial court and rumors are spreading in the capital!"
Zhao Kuangyin was slightly stunned when he heard this. He followed his gaze and saw Prime Minister Zhao Pu standing alone under the imperial steps, looking a little lonely. With a strange color in his eyes, Zhao Kuangyin took a sip of wine and said lightly: "Kangyi, your ears and eyes are also very sensitive!"
"There is no need to inquire about such things, someone has already heard about it!" Zhao Kuangyi said with a calm expression: "Our Mr. Zhao is really courageous. I don't know what his intentions are, but he actually wants to find out. My strong man’s foundation!”
There is irony in Zhao Kuangyi's words. He also has a title, enjoys the treatment of a noble, and has a smooth career. Of course, it is difficult for him to have a good impression of Zhao Pu.
"Kang Yi should be careful about what he says!" Zhao Kuangyin immediately stopped him, thought for a while, and said leisurely: "Prime Minister Zhao is a capable person, with the ability and magnanimity to govern and assist the world. His Majesty also said that he is the best person in the court who can do things. !
With such high praise and such heavy favor, how could Prime Minister Zhao not make some achievements? The Northern Expedition was a huge waste of money, and the country's finances were indeed in some difficulties. Over the past few days, the imperial court, from the political hall down, had all been operating around the word 'money'. Prime Minister Zhao has his own considerations in relieving the country's worries. It is not because of his own selfish thoughts that he misdirected state affairs and corrupted the government..."
Zhao Kuangyin's words seemed to understand Zhao Pu very well, and they sounded quite pertinent, but even though they were insincere, Zhao Kuangyi also heard it and smiled slightly: "Although I am in the local area and not very familiar with central affairs, I am familiar with the situation of the big man. , I still have some understanding of it. The national treasury deficit and financial constraints are only caused by the excessive expenditure of the Northern Expedition. They are temporary losses. Although the fiscal and tax revenue is affected, it will be restored as long as time is given.
What's more, the imperial court is already adjusting policies and implementing restoration measures, and things will gradually get better in the future. Zhao Xiang wanted to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, but his ideas were too bold and too arrogant.
I'm just afraid that this is actually an attempt to make changes in the name of improving finances! If it is allowed to happen, I'm afraid Chao Gang will be corrupted by it..."
After listening to Zhao Kuangyi's words, Zhao Kuangyin still looked as calm as a mountain, but his brows furrowed. When it comes to political sensitivity, he is still somewhat inferior to Zhao Kuangyi.
Of course, it is not that he has not thought deeply about him. The worries of the nobles can also be found in Zhao Kuangyin. From an objective point of view, it is not that Zhao Kuangyin cannot understand the influence of the noble class on the court and the increasingly heavy burden it will bring to the court in the future, but understanding is still understanding, and the butt still determines the head.
This is the Liu family's world, not his Zhao family's. It is one's duty to be loyal to the country, but it is also human nature to consider one's family. This group of people, starting from their father Zhao Hongyin, have earned their current wealth through hard work and hard work.
If we count it less than ten years from the time when Bao Ce was awarded the title, someone has been targeting them and trying to steal their cake. How can this be accepted and how can it be tolerated?
As Zhao Kuangyi said, the Han Dynasty's financial constraints were only temporary and not as serious as it seemed. Even if the court wanted to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, it should not target them, those who had made great contributions to the country.
What's more, what's causing the country's financial burden to increase is not just supporting the nobles. This is certainly a fixed and huge expenditure for the current Han Dynasty, but how much does it account for for the entire country? The bulk is still in administration, official salaries, war, garrison, disaster relief, and large-scale construction.
It is obviously unfair and even a bit excessive to point the finger at the wealth that these meritorious officials earned from their land and salary. This is also unacceptable to Zhao Kuangyin. As for the future, it is not what Zhao Kuangyin has to consider. Now it is time to protect his own interests.
Zhao Kuangyin didn't know what other people thought about this matter, and he didn't contact, complain, or curse impatiently like some nobles. However, Zhao Kuangyin felt that many people's ideas would probably not deviate from his, including those close to Emperor Liu and the elders.
After coming back to his senses, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Zhao Kuangyi, who was still graceful and calm, and asked: "Kangyi, you have met a lot of people in the past two days since you returned to Beijing!"
Zhao Kuangyi smiled softly: "I have been working abroad for many years and have not returned to Beijing for a long time. Just a heartfelt chat with some old friends!"
Noticing his confident and calm look, Zhao Kuangyin sighed inwardly, this younger brother is now more assertive and has his own power and influence.
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Kuangyin, as his elder brother, warned: "There is no conclusion yet on this matter, and it is difficult to predict how it will develop. If you are not careful, it will cause a storm. Don't get involved hastily, so as not to get angry." !”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi took a sip of wine and said: "Second brother, although Zhao Pu is the prime minister, he is not worthy of being so afraid!"
Zhao Kuangyin sighed: "Zhao Pu is not afraid, but what about the people behind him?"
Zhao Kuangyin had something to say, and Zhao Kuangyi also realized something, his expression slightly condensed and he became solemn.
"Don't worry, little brother!" Soon, Zhao Kuangyi responded with a low voice: "However, if it is allowed to be noisy, it will be difficult for our Zhao family to do anything. The second brother may let his sister-in-law go to the East Palace more. In the future, we may have to On my niece..."
The two brothers looked at each other and seemed to have a tacit understanding. They quickly changed the topic. Zhao Kuangyin asked: "You have been in power in Annan for many years and have made great achievements. The court thinks highly of your political talents!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi shook his head and said: "After all, it is a remote place, and the people it governs are mostly stubborn people. Transformation into a king does not happen overnight, it is not easy!"
"In the past few years, a large number of Annan slaves have flowed into the Han Dynasty. Is it all under your control?" Zhao Kuangyin said.
"Any questions?" Zhao Kuangyi asked.
"The imperial court has always been wary of these foreign Tibetan people, and has never reached a conclusion about the introduction of foreign slaves. I don't know whether this matter is a blessing or a curse, a merit or a fault!" Zhao Kuangyin said.
In recent years, no less than 200,000 natives of various ethnic groups have been imported from Annan into the country to supplement the labor shortage. Most of them were enslaved as official slaves or assigned to nobles who lacked farming population, and as time went by, they almost formed an industry.
Tian Qinzuo was in Annan to destroy the rebels. In addition to killing, he also sold some strong prisoners into the country to use as military income. In the south, there were even some private slave-catching teams.
Slavery is prohibited in the Han Dynasty. Such a change in customs seems to conflict with the policy. Of course, this is also aimed at the people of the Han Dynasty. Some people are not treated as Chinese.
After listening to Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Kuangyi thought about it carefully, and then said: "Most of the things I handled could withstand investigation. They had also been instructed by the central government before. Those imported into the mainland were mostly sent to the mines and salt ponds in the south, or used as weapons. To build roads and bridges, there should be no doubt!”
Zhao Kuangyin nodded, with a smile on his face: "After debriefing, are you sure about your next step?"
Mentioning this, Zhao Kuangyi smiled slightly: "I went to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to talk. His Majesty's intention conveyed by Zhong Shangshu will probably fall on Annan Road or Luoyang Mansion. Choose one of the two!"
"We should try our best to win over Luoyang Mansion!" Zhao Kuangyin said firmly.
Between Luoyang Mansion and Annan Road, anyone would choose the former, and the same goes for Zhao Kuangyi, who cupped his hands and said, "Maybe we should rely on the help of my second brother!"
"Brothers you and I should support each other, but you don't have to do this!" Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand.
"Congratulations to my second brother for being promoted to the cabinet!" Zhao Kuangyi toasted again and said.
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and said with a hearty smile: "I'm just a martial artist. I'm not very clever with my tongue, and I can't even use a pen. To get a bachelor's degree from me is tantamount to being crowned a monkey and making me laugh!"
Having said that, Zhao Kuangyin was obviously in a good mood. In the Northern Expedition's reward discussion, in addition to some titles and increases in rank and salary, Zhao Kuangyin was also worshiped as a cabinet scholar, alongside Wei Renpu, the Duke of Yu State.
