On this day, the wind was beautiful and the weather was full of spring. Emperor Liu called the prince and several prime ministers from the political hall to the imperial garden to drink spring tea. Of course, these core figures of power in the Han Dynasty would not regard this gathering as a simple symposium.
Sure enough, before he finished his drink, Emperor Liu asked the financial envoy Wang Zhu: "Has the tax amount for this summer been determined?"
After hearing the question, Wang Zhu immediately stood up and respectfully reported: "Back to Your Majesty, I am seizing the time to determine the amount of tax."
"Hurry up?" Emperor Liu said mockingly: "It's already mid-March, and it's still being planned. Why are you delaying it? Do you have to wait until the end of the summer harvest? The government's financial and taxation plans are so negligent and perfunctory. Your work style?"
Faced with Emperor Liu's sudden reprimand, Wang Zhu was a little confused. Wasn't it always like this in the past? He did not dare to show his grievances, but carefully reminded Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty, in the past, the imperial court determined the amount of summer taxes every year before late March or April, and allocated them to all the states in the country... "
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled indifferently and stared at the king: "According to Wang Qing, you think there is still enough time, so there is no need to rush?"
"That's not what I meant!" Wang Zhu couldn't help but panic and said hurriedly: "The establishment of tax amounts is a detailed and complicated matter. It requires multiple weighings, comprehensive considerations, and repeated deliberation, especially since the development status of each state is different and the gap between the rich and the poor is obvious. More careful consideration is needed..."
Listening to Wang Zhu's explanation, Emperor Liu smiled again: "It makes sense, and it should be regarded as the working principle of the Financial Secretary. However, I have heard that in the past, the Financial Secretary set tax quotas only in the previous year. Basically, deletions, deletions, and deletions. Some people even say that it doesn’t take much effort. How come this year, there are so many reasons?
I can see that even important central departments such as the Financial Secretary are so procrastinating. No wonder the delay and neglect of government officials in various places has increased recently, and all kinds of chaos are emerging in endlessly. I learned this from you! "
This unabashed rebuke made Wang Zhu unable to hold on any longer, his face changed drastically, his legs went weak, and he kowtowed and apologized: "Your Majesty, please punish me for your incompetence in doing things!"
Looking at the trembling Wang Zuo, Emperor Liu looked coldly and continued to ask coldly: "What is the annual summer tax quota for the past five years?"
Wang Zhu was already a little panicked. Emperor Liu's questioning tone made him feel like his heart was on fire. He said nervously: "The tax in the summer of the 23rd year of Kaibao was more than 32.2 million yuan, and the summer tax in the 22nd year was more than 31.7 million yuan. 31.2 million in twenty-one years, twenty years..."
Wang Zhu responded while recalling, but when it came to twenty years, he couldn't recall the data despite racking his brains, and there was no need to mention it any earlier. He had only been the financial envoy for these few years.
Emperor Liu looked at him coldly, while the others watched from the other side. Wang Zhu was a little at a loss, with cold sweat oozing out of his forehead uncontrollably, and his voice trembled a bit.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu no longer allowed him to make a fool of himself. He glanced around at all the ministers present and said sternly in a warning tone: "This is the financial envoy of the Han Dynasty, the great steward of the treasury. He doesn't even know how much money he has in his family." !」
"I am ignorant! Your Majesty, please punish me!" Wang Zhu heard this and kowtowed vigorously, almost in a begging tone. ….
Seeing Wang Zuo's prostrated look, Emperor Liu's cold face finally softened a little. He stared at him for a while and finally waved his hand: "Get up!"
Wang Zhu was stunned for a moment, but did not move. He just buried his head and said: "I don't dare!"
"Get up!" Emperor Liu's voice rose a little higher.
Wang Zhu then stood up, but he did not dare to look at Emperor Liu, and just stood there awkwardly, at a loss what to do. Emperor Liu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Go home! Live a good life and retire!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone including Liu Yang was shocked, but they quickly regained their composure. It was not surprising that Emperor Liu made the decision to depose without saving face for Wang Zhu.
When Wang Zhu heard the words, his body stiffened for a moment, and he finally looked up at Emperor Liu. Seeing his emotionless eyes, his lips twitched a few times, and finally he bowed with a trembling voice: "Your Majesty. Thank you!"
After saying that, under the gaze of Emperor Liu,
Next, he hunched over his body and left in despair. His back view inevitably gave people a sense of desolation. When others saw this, they also had mixed feelings. This king held a high position. Although he had no outstanding talents or outstanding achievements, he never made any big mistakes. In addition, he was a veteran of Emperor Liu, and he was still among the top three in the political affairs hall. The prime minister was deposed so easily, and bystanders couldn't help but feel like a creature hurting its own kind.
As for Emperor Liu, he had already given Wang Zhu a chance and even made an exception to remind him, but he obviously didn't listen. In the Central Han Dynasty, under the eyes of Emperor Liu, there was no room for bureaucrats to lie down.
So what about loyalty? Although Emperor Liu valued this, it was by no means the only criterion for his trust in talents. In this regard, Wang Zhu was far inferior to the troubled Lu Duoxun back then.
Looking away, Emperor Liu's face was calm, and he looked at Wang You, the deputy financial envoy, and said: "The responsibility of the financial secretary should be shouldered by Wang Qing. I have no other requirements. I should take the king as a warning!"
Wang You, who was silent like everyone else, immediately stood up when he heard the words, bowed his waist and said, "Yes!"
His immediate boss fell, and he, the deputy envoy, became a regular official. From Wang You's point of view, he should feel lucky. However, at this moment, Wang You really couldn't be happy.
Emperor Liu is not easy to serve... Wang You is already over sixty, sixty-six years old at that time. He is old, has a thin face, and seems to be in average spirits. Of course, no matter how you look at it, it is worth celebrating that you have finally reached the pinnacle of your official career at such a late age.
"Come, drink tea!" After completing the replacement of the chief financial officer, Emperor Liu showed a smile that he thought was as warm as spring, and gestured to everyone, and said.
Everyone responded, but they could no longer appreciate the comfort brought by spring tea. They had different expressions and many worries. Zhao Kuangyi glanced at the old Wang You and secretly thought that it was a pity that Wang had resigned as prime minister. He was not surprised and did not have much sympathy. He did not look down on this so-called veteran minister of Qianyou.
It is a pity that Emperor Liu acted too quickly and decided on his successor on the spot. Naturally, he was a little tempted by financial power, and he couldn't help it. This was second only to the official department among the functional departments of the imperial court. It’s the yamen.
However, even if it is impossible to take the financial envoy into his arms, he can take the opportunity to install some people and increase his influence. Zhao Kuangyi thought about it secretly while drinking tea.
Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help but glance at Li Fang, who was now more senior than the Prime Minister. Zhao Kuangyi's mouth curled up slightly. Originally, Zhao Kuangyi was very wary of Li Fang because of his qualifications, prestige and relationship with the prince. But after they actually worked together, his fear grew. But it gradually weakened.
How to put it this way, this person is talented and knowledgeable, but he is too bookish and his character is too soft. Compared to the wily and scheming Zhao Kuangyi, he is a level weaker.
Looking at Wang You again, this man got an advantage. However, as he thought about it, his brows couldn't help but wrinkle. When Shen Yilun took office and was succeeded by Wang You, was Emperor Liu already ready for this person to take over? Why were there no warning signs beforehand?
While Zhao Kuangyi was thinking, Emperor Liu spoke again, put down the tea cup, and said softly: "Since the Financial Secretary is mentioned, let's take the opportunity to talk about the current tax system issues in the Han Dynasty!".
Mi Muli
