Chapter 1299 Cui Shao’s murderous intention!
Just a cup of tea after Gu Sansi received the news, Cui Shao, who was in the Ministry of Revenue, also received the news at the same time. However, compared to Gu Sansi's shock and fear, Cui Shao was much calmer about the news.

Although he had served as the governor of Youyan and had many old subordinates in Youyan, most of these people were related to Liu Zhengyue. Therefore, with the arrest of Liu Zhengyue, these people were uprooted by Ye Mingsheng. This incident made Cui Shao look embarrassed and miserable for a while, but in the end Cui Shao managed to get through the incident safely.

After that, there were basically no people from the Cui faction in the Youyan Provincial Administration Office, with only one or two people who could barely be considered peripheral members of the Cui faction.

Since it had nothing to do with him, Cui Shao didn't care. While Gu Sansi was busy dealing with the aftermath of the matter, he finished his work and got on the carriage back home.

At 15:00 in the evening, Cui Shao returned to his own mansion. This was because New Year's Eve was the day Ye Mingsheng founded a new dynasty. Many veteran heroes of the Fengwu Army were rewarded by Ye Mingsheng. Therefore, everyone was particularly happy on this New Year's Eve. As a result, the streets and the high-end mansions around Cui's mansion were filled with a festive atmosphere.

In this festive atmosphere, the indifference of the Cui Mansion seemed a little out of place. Because a lot of things had happened in the Cui Mansion during this period, some people in the Cui Mansion suggested that on this New Year’s Eve, as the master was being conferred the title of Duke, they should do a good job to bring joy to the Cui Family...
Cui Shao had considered this suggestion, but ultimately he rejected it. Although it was a great honor for a civil official to be named Duke of Rong by Ye Mingsheng as an exception, Cui Shao would have been very happy if nothing had happened before.

But unfortunately, not long ago, Cui Shao’s legitimate son, Cui Ziban, who was also the successor that Cui Shao had spent a lot of effort to cultivate, passed away!
The death of a young person was a huge blow to Cui Shao, and Cui Zibo also suffered from such a disease.

Although the news of Cui Zibo's syphilis was suppressed as much as possible by the Yijing court, there is no wall that is impenetrable. Cui Zibo's illness was still known to everyone, and several versions of the story were derived. These rumors also led to the family style of the Cui family, and even Cui Shao himself was questioned!
Therefore, even though some time had passed, Cui Shao still had not gotten over the impact of the incident and had no intention of making a big fuss about it.

After returning home, Cui Shao had a simple meal and then went back to the study to carefully look at the memorial in his hand. In order to get rid of the influence of the pain of losing his son, the simplest way Cui Shao could think of was to work. Let the heavy work numb his nerves and leave him no chance to think about those things...
Although Ye Mingsheng has been preparing for the establishment of Daqian for a long time, there is still a lot of work to be done since the establishment of the new dynasty.

In particular, Daqian was born out of Dazhou, which also led to Daqian inheriting some ills of Dazhou for hundreds of years. While awarding great rewards this time, Ye Mingsheng also determined the basic policy of using deepening reforms to solve these ills. Since Ye Mingsheng, as the emperor, has determined the general direction, Cui Shao, as the Minister of Revenue, will be responsible for more specific content.

In fact, after Daqian was established, Ye Mingsheng and Cui Shao also had a private conversation. During the conversation, Ye Mingsheng first expressed his condolences to Cui Shao for the unfortunate experience of Cui Zibo and Gongsun Qiaoqing, and hoped that Cui Shao could mourn and take care of his health!
Secondly, Ye Mingsheng also expressed his gratitude to Cui Shao for his contributions to the Fengwu Army, the Yijing Court, and the current Daqian Dynasty over the years. He praised Cui Shao as the pillar of the country and once again emphasized his full trust in Cui Shao. He hoped that Cui Shao would continue to shine in Daqian and make more contributions.

Cui Shao also expressed his gratitude to Ye Mingsheng for his trust and reliance. He also stated that he and the Cui family would continue to be loyal to the Daqian Dynasty and to Ye Mingsheng.

After finishing all this, Ye Mingsheng and Cui Shao started talking about the economy. Cui Shao first gave Ye Mingsheng a report on the work of the Ministry of Revenue, telling Ye Mingsheng how much money the Ministry of Revenue had now, how much money it would receive in the next six months to a year, and what the expenditures would be...

Because Ye Mingsheng has always been very concerned about financial work, he has learned a lot about Cui Shao's reports. Therefore, Ye Mingsheng is also clear that the current financial work of the Ministry of Households is indeed under great pressure, there are many problems that need to be solved, and a lot of work needs to be implemented and promoted.

After reporting on the work, Cui Shao also put forward his views. Cui Shao believed that although the reforms promoted by Ye Mingsheng have been moving forward and there have indeed been a lot of progress, the Ministry of Revenue is indeed short of money now. The little wealth that had just been saved was also lost because of the wave of rewards after the founding of the country. Therefore, Cui Shao also suggested that Ye Mingsheng could resume collecting taxes in some tax-free areas.

Cui Shao believed that because of the tax-free policy given by Ye Mingsheng, the development of Huainan, Yunbing, Jingchu, Guanzhong, Yongliang, Anqing, Sichuan and other places in recent times can be said to be in full swing, and a certain economic foundation has been established.

Therefore, even if Ye Mingsheng resumes collecting taxes now, it may affect the development progress of these places, but it cannot change the development momentum of these places!

Ye Mingsheng said that he would consider Cui Shao's suggestion. At the same time, Ye Mingsheng also pointed out that there are many ways to solve financial difficulties, not just resuming tax collection!

Ye Mingsheng hopes that Cui Shao can exercise his subjective initiative in solving the problem of financial difficulties, think about the problem more actively, and think of more other solutions.

Although Cui Shao agreed to this on the surface, he had other ideas in his mind...

In fact, when Cui Shao made this suggestion to Ye Mingsheng, he knew that his suggestion would most likely be rejected by Ye Mingsheng!
After all, the tax exemption within a few years was a boast made by Ye Mingsheng at that time. Although Ye Mingsheng was not very concerned about his reputation at that time and felt that reputation was not as valuable as substance, as he has been in a high position over the years, Ye Mingsheng has also realized the necessity of maintaining his own image. Therefore, Ye Mingsheng also pays more attention to his own reputation.

And now Ye Mingsheng has become the emperor again. The emperor's words are golden and every word he says is as good as gold. So resuming tax collection now would undoubtedly be a slap in the face for Ye Mingsheng. It would be a blow to his prestige and dignity!
Therefore, even if Ye Mingsheng said that he was aware of the financial difficulties, he would most likely brag and grit his teeth to fulfill the boasts he made back then!

The reason why Cui Shao proposed this idea even though he knew that Ye Mingsheng would most likely refuse was that he wanted to use this suggestion to shut Ye Mingsheng up and tell Ye Mingsheng that as the Minister of Revenue, I have already proposed a solution to the problem, and if you don't adopt it, then it's your problem.

As the Minister of Finance, Cui Shao certainly knew that the solution to financial difficulties was not just to resume taxation, but the problem was that those methods were also difficult and might even offend people. Cui Shao knew very well that the banner of reform was not easy to resist and that being at the forefront would easily lead to backlash...
At his age, he no longer has the drive he had in the past, so it is better to be prudent and protect himself. It is better to let the young people carry the flag and charge. Cui Shao supports them and cheers for them! To be honest, Cui Shao is so prudent and protects himself. In fact, he has some resentment towards Ye Mingsheng in his heart. Although the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the court's purse and has great power, it is the absolute powerful department in the court. The Minister of Revenue is also a senior official of the court, but compared with the Ministry of Personnel and the Minister of Personnel, who is called the Heavenly Official, it is still inferior!
When the Fengwu Army defeated the Luoan court and established the Yijing court, Cui Shao was determined to get the position of Minister of Personnel, but unfortunately, things did not go as she wished. Ye Mingsheng gave the position to Gu Sansi, and then handed the Ministry of Revenue to her, Cui Shao.

At that time, Ye Mingsheng's decision also caused quite a stir in the Yijing court, making many people realize that Ye Mingsheng intended to train Gu Sansi to replace Cui Shao.

Seeing that the situation was gradually escalating, Ye Mingsheng also talked to Cui Shao privately in order to stabilize Cui Shao. At that time, Ye Mingsheng also highly affirmed Cui Shao's abilities and contributions.

Ye Mingsheng also said that the reason why he let Cui Shao serve as the Minister of Revenue instead of the Minister of Personnel was because in his eyes the Minister of Revenue was in charge of government affairs and in charge of the court's purse, and must be held by a mature and steady person, so that he would feel more at ease.

Cui Shao certainly didn't believe Ye Mingsheng's words, but although Ye Mingsheng didn't say it explicitly, he hinted to Cui Shao that when the new dynasty was established, he would confer the title of Duke on Cui Shao and let Cui Shao serve as the chief minister of the cabinet...
Cui Shao still cared a lot about Ye Mingsheng's hint. As a traditional civil servant, Cui Shao still cared a lot about his reputation. Although many people believed that Cui Shao was second only to the emperor in the Yijing court and firmly sat in the top position of the civil service system.

However, Cui Shao's status was not actually reflected in the Yijing court. Moreover, if he could become the first prime minister of the new dynasty, it would definitely be remembered for generations, which would greatly satisfy Cui Shao's vanity.

Therefore, under the temptation of Ye Mingsheng's two boxes, Cui Shao did not dwell on the position of Minister of Personnel and continued to contribute to the development of the Yijing court at that time.

After Ye Mingsheng ascended the throne this time, Cui Shao was looking forward to Ye Mingsheng fulfilling his promise. However, Ye Mingsheng only fulfilled part of his promise this time. Although he made him the Duke of Rong and allowed the Cui family to inherit the throne, he did not make Cui Shao the chief minister of the cabinet as he had hinted that year.

Although Cui Shao didn't say anything about Ye Mingsheng's breach of promise, he felt very upset in his heart. He also felt that his efforts had been wasted to a certain extent, which resulted in Cui Shao not being as motivated now.

If he, Cui Shao, were the Prime Minister of the Cabinet now, then he, Cui Shao, would naturally do what the Prime Minister of the Cabinet does, but since he, Cui Shao, is not that now, then he, Cui Shao, would only do what the Minister of Revenue should do, and only do his own job and ensure that no mistakes are made.

Therefore, under Cui Shao’s attitude, although this secret talk between him and Ye Mingsheng made some progress in the work, they did not produce too many work results.

After reading the memorial for a while, Cui Shao felt a little tired. Just as he was about to take a rest, his butler walked into the study with a stack of files and reported to Cui Shao:

"Master, I got the stuff!"

Although Cui Fu did not say what this thing was, this master and servant who had lived together for decades still had a tacit understanding. Cui Shao immediately realized what Cui Fu was talking about. The fatigue in his expression was immediately swept away, and he returned to his original shrewd, capable and shrewd appearance.

After recovering, Cui Shao began to study the files that Cui Fu had brought.

Although Cui Zibo's departure was mainly due to his own misconduct, Cui Shao, who had investigated all of this, knew that the reason why Cui Zibo became like this was inseparable from a key person, and that person was the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Hu Ming!
Although Cui Zibo was not a gentleman before, he had never been as obsessed with women and lingered in places of entertainment as he has been recently.

After investigating Cui Zibo's past, Cui Shao discovered that the bastard Hu Ming played a big role in Cui Zibo's depravity.

If Hu Ming had not fanned the flames and instructed the women to seduce Cui Zibo, Cui Zibo might still be alive and well today!
Whenever he thought of this, Cui Shao felt very sad and blamed himself. Before, because he realized that Ye Mingsheng wanted to focus on the development of Jiangnan, he also asked Cui Zibo to establish a good relationship with Hu Ming. However, the reason why Cui Shao did this was that he wanted Cui Zibo to get the help of these people in Jiangnan, so that he could have a better development in his career.

However, Cui Shao never expected that his good intentions would eventually harm his son like this. Thinking of this, Cui Shao felt so heartbroken that he felt suffocated!
Cui Shao thought that since he had made this mistake, he needed to make up for it. Since Cui Zibo was dead, Hu Ming, the culprit, must not live alone. So Cui Shao had made up his mind and was determined to kill Hu Ming and let Hu Ming go to the underworld to atone for his sins to Cui Zibo!

Hu Ming also realized that he had offended Cui Shao because of Cui Zibo's incident, so when he accompanied Ye Mingsheng on his southern tour, he specifically asked Ye Mingsheng to stay in Jiangnan and did not return to Yijing...

(End of this chapter)