Chapter 250: Mr. Zhou suffers the most, so he tries to have fun in the midst of suffering

After writing his replies to the two memorials, His Majesty the Great Xia picked up a copy of the Tianjing News on the table and took a look.

Because the last incident had already implied criticism of the imperial court, this kind of thing can only happen once and not twice. Zhou Tieyi understood this, and Si Lu Qingkonggui had also reminded him of this.

Therefore, before the Emperor of Great Xia gave his approval today, Zhou Tieyi did not let the Tianjing News insinuate that there might be corruption issues in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Revenue behind the businessmen. Instead, he stuck to the facts and continued to let Wu Qian write about the proposal for the "luxury tax".

The Great Xia Emperor nodded with satisfaction, drew a red circle on the luxury tax with a red pen, and then handed two memorials and a newspaper to Su Xibi, "Keep them on file and pass them on, and let them discuss and decide."

Su Xibi received the order and went down immediately to handle the matter.

At this time, the Great Xia Emperor smiled and looked at the Queen beside him, "I have wise men at home and loyal people outside, so I can bring peace to the world."

The Queen sighed in her heart. This Zhou family member was really meticulous and could not find any opportunities for her. So she also laughed and said, "This is all the great blessing brought by your majesty's extensive moral cultivation."

When His Majesty the Great Xia heard this, he burst into laughter.

······
Because the Ministry of Revenue was located on Yujing Mountain, memorials from the palace were first transmitted to the Ministry of Revenue.

The person who submitted the memorial of "Not Waiting for the Right Time" was Yang Guangzhen, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. After receiving the memorial from the Imperial Household Department, he asked his subordinates to take the eunuch who had delivered the message to the side to have some tea first, and then opened the memorial.

When I saw 'I cultivate morality, and I believe that God is merciful, so I will only punish the main culprits and execute them in the autumn,' I breathed a sigh of relief.

I'm not going to get involved in this.

Then he looked at the second decree that was passed down, which was a newspaper from today, with a red pen drawing a circle around the word "luxury tax".

Naturally, the tax matters were handled by their Ministry of Revenue. In the past, they would at most report to the Ministry of Law. But today was different. The proposal was made by the clerk beside Zhou Tieyi, which represented Zhou Tieyi's opinion.

He thought for a moment and walked to the tea room next door.

When the eunuch delivering the imperial edict saw the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue approaching, he did not dare to act arrogantly and stood up, bowed and said, "Sir Yang."

Yang Guangzhen returned the greeting, "Eunuch, did the emperor have any other instructions when he sent down the newspaper?"

The eunuch who delivered the decree smiled and said, "The emperor asked you to discuss it."

Who to discuss with?

Yang Guangzhen's mind raced, and he instantly realized that Zhou Tieyi must be among those participating in the discussion.

This means that the luxury tax cannot be circumvented by Zhou Tieyi and the God-Slaying Office...

This is not in line with the system. What if the Ministry of Revenue is unwilling to delegate power?
Yang Guangzhen thought of the four words "behead in the autumn" again.

Suddenly he understood what the emperor meant. Before the execution in autumn and before the luxury tax was finalized, Zhou Tieyi could "try" the main culprits again. If anyone was implicated by then, it would not be the emperor's fault, but the fault of the Ministry of Revenue for being ignorant.

This incident started with a businessman and ended up being blamed on the businessman, so it can be said that there is cause and effect.

Yang Guangzhen nodded and said, "I'll go discuss it right away."

He certainly couldn't wait for Zhou Tieyi to come to him for this matter, but had to go to the God-Slaying Division himself.

At the same time, he was also very curious about what Zhou Tieyi wrote in his memorial that ultimately led the emperor to make such a decision.

Although we will know in two days, the sooner we know about political matters, the less likely it is to get into trouble.

On the side of the God-Slaying Division, it was Su Xibi who delivered the imperial edict, which in itself was a manifestation of favor.

Zhou Tieyi took the two edicts and said to Su Xibi with a smile, "Su Bandu, this matter still requires General Manager Feng to come over. Please trouble Su Bandu to notify him."

Although Su Xibi was somewhat unhappy that Zhou Tieyi had mentioned to him in person that he needed to hand over power to Feng Zikuan, he was the eunuch who accompanied his studies, and while he was closest to power, he also needed to be most disciplined in his desire for power.

Just as Zhou Tieyi knew that he could not unite with Su Xibi, Su Xibi also knew that he could not have a "strong ally" like Zhou Tieyi in the outer court. While feeling regretful, he could only do his job impartially and inform Feng Zikuan.

Not long after Su Xibi left, Yang Guangzhen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came to visit.

Zhou Tieyi thought about it and decided not to leave Yang Guangzhen out. He notified Jiao Guoping in the warehouse and then received Yang Guangzhen in the side hall of the God-Slaying Division.

"Master Yang."

Zhou Tieyi stood at the door of the side hall and took the initiative to greet people, and Jiao Guoping followed suit.

Yang Guangzhen bowed in return. He had been prepared to be bullied today, so it was normal for Zhou Tieyi to leave him alone to drink tea for several hours.

But Zhou Tieyi's courtesy made him even more alert.

"Master Zhou, Master Jiao."

Yang Guangzhen formally bowed in return, and even took Jiao Guoping with him.

Jiao Guoping was flattered. Yang Guangzhen was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, while he was only the Director of the Warehouse Department of the God-Slaying Division. The gap of two ranks was already a world of difference. Now that he received such a formal return gift from Yang Guangzhen, he felt very pleased.

Zhou Tieyi led Yang Guangzhen to drink tea nearby. After drinking a cup of tea, Yang Guangzhen was about to speak, but Zhou Tieyi smiled and said, "Don't worry, there is still an adult who hasn't arrived yet?"

There is one more person?
Are you a Legalist?
While Yang Guangzhen was thinking, Feng Zikuan also arrived. Before he arrived, his voice came first, "My lords, I am not late, am I?"

Zhou Tieyi and the other two stood up and walked forward to greet them, "Manager Feng, you've arrived at the perfect time."

Feng Zikuan was grateful and ignored Yang Guangzhen. He bowed to Zhou Tieyi and said, "Lord Zhou has been working hard to share the emperor's worries during this period."

He was grateful for two things. The first was that Zhou Tieyi was really helping the Emperor of Great Xia. For the eunuchs like them who depended on the Emperor of Great Xia for their livelihood, he was a person they both respected and feared.

After Zhou Tieyi became "rich", he did not forget his political ally. When he heard that today's matter was a good thing, Zhou Tieyi immediately asked him to do it, which meant that the credit was delivered to his doorstep.

Yang Guangzhen was ignored by Feng Zikuan. According to his previous temper, he would definitely snort coldly.

But now I can only pretend not to see it for the time being and settle the matter first, so that it won’t become more and more complicated. The anger I suffer in the meantime is all on behalf of those incompetent people below.

After sitting down again, Yang Guangzhen was somewhat impatient to speak.

Zhou Tieyi stopped Yang Guangzhen and handed him the memorial approved by the emperor. "Sir Yang, the emperor asked us to discuss it. Do you think this matter can be handled?"

Yang Guangzhen took over Zhou Tieyi's memorial and read it carefully.

During this period, Zhou Tieyi asked Wu Qian to come in and take minutes of the meeting.

After reading the memorial, Yang Guangzhen paused for dozens of breaths to think. There was no accusation as imagined, but he simply stated the facts and added a sentence at the end, "Please execute the three clans."

How cruel!

This was Yang Guangzhen’s first feeling.

But after thinking about it for a while, Yang Guangzhen compared the three answers.

Please kill all three clans.

Never wait.

Only the main culprit will be punished.

Zhou Tieyi said the harshest words, but he knew that if he did not provide more "evidence", his proposal would most likely be directly rejected.

Say the cruelest words and do the softest things.

However, this "softness" does not mean giving in, but using the opponent's force to counter attack.

Zhou Tieyi's request to execute all three clans was rejected, so the emperor had a reason to reject his own request.

I have not indulged my close confidants, let alone people like you.

I have cultivated my moral character and have a kind heart, so I must show kindness to the people of the world and also to you officials.

I am really kind to you, otherwise you should do as Zhou Tieyi says!
I hope you will take good care of yourself and not be ungrateful.

This is a reason for the officials, not for the people. As long as the matter is not executed, it will be a sword hanging over the head of the Ministry of Revenue, which can make the officials of the Ministry of Revenue behave themselves for at least three months.

After Yang Guangzhen figured it out, Zhou Tieyi smiled and said, "The emperor asked us to implement a luxury tax, but I think this is a new tax after all, so I will try it out in Tianjing first, and let our God-killing Department collect it first. After confirming that there is no problem, we will include it in the regular tax. The Ministry of Revenue can send someone to check the account book. What do you think, Lord Yang?"

Zhou Tieyi is indeed not a pushover. The account books of the confiscated property have not yet been shown to their Ministry of Revenue, and now he wants to collect new taxes.

However, this is extra money. As long as Zhou Tieyi can collect it, it will not be considered a loss for their Ministry of Revenue. It can only be considered an exchange of political interests.

Use the short-term power of the luxury tax in exchange for Zhou Tieyi not continuing to make trouble in the warehouse burning case.

Yang Guangzhen pondered for a moment, and did not directly refute Zhou Tieyi's authority to take away the luxury tax. Instead, he asked, "When will it be made a regular tax?"

The taxation authority was divided by outsiders, so he needed to leave a solution for the Minister of Revenue to see, otherwise he would lose power and bring disgrace to the ministry!
Zhou Tieyi smiled and said, "When it is extended to the whole country, it will naturally become a regular tax."

Wu Qian's body couldn't help but shudder slightly. He almost felt the essence of the Legalist seventh level of "power" in his mind.

This was brought to him by the luxury tax he proposed, and also by Zhou Tieyi.

Then Zhou Tieyi turned to look at Feng Zikuan, "Since it is not a regular tax, then the tax money should be collected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs first and used as a subsidy to the palace. After all, Your Majesty has worked hard to cultivate the Taoism and promote morality for the world. I think the palace should also build a Taoist temple for Your Majesty in the past two years, otherwise it will not be enough to show off Your Majesty's morality."

Feng Zikuan was stunned for a moment, then tears welled up in his eyes, and he raised his hands to the sky, "Your Majesty has such a loyal minister as Lord Zhou to assist him. I, a servant, am really happy for Your Majesty."

Yang Guangzhen listened quietly, without saying a word, and unable to speak.

Zhou Tieyi continued, "But the people below need new clerks to do their work, and collecting taxes also requires traveling. I thought of taking part of the taxes to subsidize the people working in the God-Slaying Department. Why not put 70% into the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare to build a Taoist palace for His Majesty, and keep the remaining 30% in the warehouse to pay salaries to the clerks who collect taxes and subsidize the daily expenses of the God-Slaying Department."

Zhou Tieyi spread his hands, looking helpless. "General Manager Feng, you also know that the God Execution Department has not received any salary from the Ministry of Revenue. It's such a large department, and Dean Jiao has been working hard to maintain it. Please ask General Manager Feng to convey the difficulties of Dean Jiao and the people below us to His Majesty."

Jiao Guoping was also moved to tears, and quickly said, "It's okay for me to suffer a little, but I can't let the people below suffer with me. Of course, the one who suffers the most is Lord Zhou, who has to share the worries of the emperor and consider the people below. This is the most difficult thing."

Zhou Tieyi waved his hands repeatedly, "I have been blessed by God, how can I say that it is hard? It is hard, but I can find joy in the midst of hardship."

Feng Zikuan immediately patted his chest and promised, "I will report your difficulties to His Majesty truthfully."

Then he looked at Yang Guangzhen and sneered, "As an inner court official, I shouldn't have said anything about the affairs of the outer court, but Lord Yang, no matter how hard it is, you can't let a loyal minister suffer. Otherwise, if the emperor blames you, Lord Yang won't be able to bear the consequences!"

This set of mixed boxing techniques is rarely performed even in official circles.

Yang Guangzhen looked at Feng Zikuan and Jiao Guoping, who were in tears, and at Zhou Tieyi, who was worried.

It seemed as if the three of them were the great wise ministers, and he himself was the real treacherous minister.

If I hadn’t estimated how much money you collected this time, I would have almost believed it!
Otherwise, I will pay you the salaries now, and you can hand over the money collected this time to the Ministry of Revenue.

However, if this kind of words were said, then the warehouse burning case would not be closed as easily as it is now.

Yang Guangzhen turned his head away and said nothing.

Zhou Tieyi smiled and said, "Now that the luxury tax has been decided, the main culprit in the warehouse burning case has also been decided. I will handle the official documents for a month and then send them to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Law. What do you think?"

Yang Guangzhen got the response he wanted and was able to go back and explain. He sighed and said, "That makes sense."

Feng Zikuan, who represented His Majesty, would certainly not refuse. He nodded and said, "Lord Zhou is still steady and prudent."

This warehouse burning case, which was like a sudden storm, ended with Zhou Tieyi helping the God-Slaying Division to seize financial power. At the same time, he also showed benevolence to the emperor and put a leash on the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Education for several months.

This is much more beneficial than killing people and causing rivers of blood.

This is political exchange, not to mention that this is only what you get on the surface, you get much more in private.

After seeing off Yang Guangzhen, Feng Zikuan and Zhou Tieyi, they notified Qian Guangyun to come over.

In front of Qian Guangyun, Zhou Tieyi didn't need to stand up to greet him, and Qian Guangyun didn't dare to sit down, so he just stood in front of Zhou Tieyi.

After dealing with these things, the day passed by like water.

Zhou Tieyi took a sip of tea and looked at Qian Guangyun. "The emperor wants to execute only the main culprit. You can see who has not been reported yet and send the list to me. Then go to the prison as the business consultant of the God-killing Division to assist in interrogating the prisoners and see if their confessions are correct. I will give you one month. Is that enough?"

Qian Guangyun instantly understood what Zhou Tieyi meant. He would keep the most useful merchants caught in prison in his hands, and if anyone dared to have other ideas, he would kill the main culprit this time.

After the main culprit is executed, their business cannot be disrupted. The Southeast Chamber of Commerce must be responsible for taking over and cannot affect the lives of the people.

Actually it's very simple.

Because merchants are not producers but only movers, as long as the time is managed well and someone can take over the market, the scope of the impact will be almost zero, so Confucianism says that merchants have no foundation.

Zhou Tieyi could not do this matter, so he could only let himself, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, do it. Anyway, after the merchants joined the Chamber of Commerce, they naturally had to obey the constraints of him as the president of the Chamber of Commerce. This was the rule among the people.

"I will take care of it."

Qian Guangyun suppressed his trembling body and asked in a low voice, "Sir, we saw the proposal of luxury tax in the newspaper. We in the Chamber of Commerce have failed to live up to the grace of God in the past, and we want to make up for it, but we don't know where to pay it."

Zhou Tieyi smiled and said, "There's no rush. Wait until the law is issued and printed in Tianjing Daily and Legal Daily. Then you will know how much you should pay and where to pay it. This rule cannot be broken. President Qian, don't you agree?"

Qian Guangyun bowed his hands in admiration and said, "Your Excellency is wise, I am far behind you."

After Qian Guangyun left, Zhou Tieyi sat down and reviewed the recent events.

Now he has re-established his prestige in the Zhushen Division and truly gained financial power, transforming the Zhushen Division step by step in the direction he wants.

With the warehouse burning case here, the Confucians probably won't cause trouble for me in the next two months. They must be waiting for what happens to Li Jianhu.

During these two months, he can practice with peace of mind, and at the same time wait for the small flags from all over the country to come to Beijing, select the real talents, and start to cultivate his own combat power in the God-Slaying Division. After all, Shinto will not talk to him about power and intrigue, but only about fists.

Well... at least now they can only use their fists to fight me. When they find that they can't beat me, they will probably find someone to reason with me.

······
Xiluozhou, Tangzhou Prefecture.

When he saw the boundary marker, Li Jianhu looked a little dazed.

It’s not because the journey is too dangerous, but because it is too simple.

It took them ten whole days to slowly leave Shantong Mansion, without any attacks along the way.

Shantong Mansion is obviously the base camp of the He family and also the place where the He family has the strongest influence. Logically speaking, if they want to take action, the success rate will be the highest in Shantong Mansion.

Li Jianhu turned to look at Cui Yu, "Mr. Cui, in ten days, if we enter the Luo River and go downstream, will we soon reach Tianjing?"

Cui Yu nodded solemnly.

Mo Tianheng next to him sighed, "The He family is really not simple. They can keep their composure even here."

Cui Yu thought for a moment, "After all, they went to Tianjing to consult the man in General Huwei's mansion, so it's normal for them to get some instructions. Of course, I'm not surprised that He Qigong has his own plans."

Li Jianhu glanced at his teacher Mo Tianheng, then asked Cui Yu, "Mr. Cui, you seem to be very familiar with the He family?"

The teacher had a bet with He Qigong in the past, and was eventually defeated by He Qigong, so the teacher was very familiar with He Qigong, and Li Jianhu was not surprised at all.

Cui Yu smiled and said, "He and I were classmates before."

Li Jianhu and Mo Tianheng fell silent. This was the first time they heard Cui Yu talk about this.

The friendship between classmates is a very important word. It refers to the kind of people who will help you when you are in the most difficult time.

"and after?"

Li Jianhu asked.

Cui Yu smiled and looked at Mo Tianheng, "People with different ideals cannot work together. When I heard about the bet he made with you, I thought he was wrong, so I cut ties with him and moved out of the dormitory."

(End of this chapter)