Chapter 825 I Am the Regent
I remember when I first met Lao Qi, he was in charge of the government, confronted the empress tit for tat, faced the Tai Tuo, the empress and the Nanhuai king's party, he was well-measured and never leaked. At that time, although life was full of calculations, he had no plans , knocked down one by one.
Now, he is indeed not as decisive as before. Perhaps, the Empress Dowager is right, because he has concerns in his heart, so he always looks forward and backward when doing things, and binds his hands and feet.
In Xiwei Palace, the Empress Dowager changed her harshness and viciousness just now, "I scolded you just now, and my ancestors felt bad, but you really disappointed the Ai family."
"I'm sorry, old ancestor, I know I was wrong." Murong Jie said softly, his eyes were full of guilt, but he didn't say anything else, if this time, the old ancestor didn't come back, he would be doomed.
The old ancestor's words were a slap in the face and made him wake up.
He taboos the emperor in everything, and even knows that the emperor's behavior is deviant, but he doesn't care about it. He even said that he can't control it, and told himself, no matter how big it is, is it bigger than the imperial power?
He has made the most mistakes when things have developed to this point.
"Forget it, Ai's family won't scold you anymore, you and Ai's family will go to the imperial study to see what foolish things your imperial brother has done."
"Yes!" Murong Jie stood up and helped her out.
However, after the emperor recovered from his illness, all he did was target him and eliminate dissidents, and re-consolidate his own power. It stands to reason that he didn't do anything to harm the people. Why was the ancestor so angry?
The ancestor was so angry, since he could remember, it was mostly because of the affairs of the country and the people, other things were mostly tolerable.
However, when he came to the Imperial Study Room and saw the files that his ancestor had brought up, he was really shocked.
He increased the taxation, the general tax and the tax of the department were half heavier than before. The household notes in the department were originally not included in the national government, but for the princes, princesses, and ministers of the fiefs, but now they are all included treasury.
In addition, the field tax has also added rat consumption, and newborn babies have to pay small tax when they register their household registration. There are seven or eight items like this.
Not to mention these tricks, it is the tax that the cultivator must pay. After a year, he will die without even being able to eat a full meal.
"These are all promulgated?" Murong Jie asked in shock.
"It has been promulgated." The Empress Dowager said.
"When was it promulgated? Why don't I know?"
Increasing taxes is one of the most important matters for the country. It needs to be submitted to the cabinet for discussion first, and then it will be discussed at the court. It will take at least half a year from the drafting of the motion to its implementation. Already enacted?
"Before Ai's family returned to Beijing, it was announced that when you and Zi'an had an accident, all the ministers in the cabinet were replaced. Now the cabinet is headed by Mr. Sun Tu. These two people were promoted by the emperor. Yes, so, this measure can be implemented so quickly, and there is no voice of opposition, it is because of this."
"Is he crazy?" Murong Jie was annoyed, "When the emperor was here, he paid lightly and lightly taxed, saying that only in this way can the people have enough to eat and the Great Zhou can be stable. Is he trying to force the people to rebel?"
The Empress Dowager said indifferently: "Yes, I want to force people to rebel, but it's not him, but you."
"Me?" Murong Jie was startled.
"Look," the Empress Dowager took out a file, "The historian remembers here that you advocated the exorbitant taxation, and it was you who planned and implemented it. The emperor is still ill. Presumably, the report on the increase in taxes is covered It's your big seal, the people will be angry and complain, it's for you Murong Jie alone, waiting for him to set things right and force you to step down, but he has collected taxes for at least half a year, filled the treasury, and also harvested the Holy King's blessing Reputation, this kills two birds with one stone."
"What sinister intentions! Now that there is no war in the country, why does he need so much money?" Murong Jie said angrily.
"Look on!" The Empress Dowager snorted coldly.
Murong Jie then opened the second file. Here is a summary of the emperor's recent work. First, he built a large garden palace on the west side of the imperial palace. Second, he ordered a large number of weapons, and ordered a A batch of bows and crossbows, and large-scale conscription began. Conscription was carried out every year, but it was not mandatory, but now it is mandatory. If there are two sons in a family, one of them must serve in the military.
Mandatory conscription is only enforced when the country is at war.
Today, the Great Zhou is peaceful, there is no external trouble, and the internal strife is only Nanhuai King, who is not troublesome. Why does he want to conscription on a large scale?
Murong Jie looked at the notes handed over by the official department, the official department recommended many people with martial arts, it seems that they want to install generals in each army.
"He wants to build his own army." Murong Jie was very disappointed, "He doesn't believe me, even the generals and soldiers of Da Zhou."
The Empress Dowager said meaningfully: "Lao Qi, he doesn't kill you, but he plots every step of the way and forces you to retreat. He wants you to be ruined. He is no longer attached to the throne, but also to fame. In a short period of time, you have achieved quite a few political achievements and won the hearts of the people. Both your father and Aijia had high hopes for you. Presumably this has planted a grudge in his heart. He didn't realize it at that time. When you really came out , that trace of grievances swallowed him up like a flood."
Murong Jie slowly closed the file, "Why did you build a garden and other palace? It can't be for enjoyment, he is not a person who indulges in pleasure."
"He invited many people from Miao Jiang who know how to play Gu to the capital. These people will be placed in the other courtyard in the future. After the other palace is built, he will often go to live there."
Murong Jie understood, "He wants to treat illnesses."
"He forced Ai's family back, but he knew in his heart that Ai's family might not try his best to save him, so he had already made second-hand preparations."
Murong Jie crossed his fingers and placed it on the scroll, "Old Ancestor, what do you want me to do?"
The Empress Dowager looked at him, "I ask you first, what will you do?"
Murong Jie pondered for a long time, and said: "The ancestor will never let him die, he will definitely save him. Now that the crown prince is appointed, the position of the crown prince is certain, and the situation in the court must be stable. Since I am the regent, your majesty During the treatment period, you should take over the power, and return the power to the emperor after he recovers."
In just a few words, although I didn't set any great ambitions, but it won the heart of the Empress Dowager, she nodded with satisfaction, "Well, it's good if you know how to do it. Watching him die and not saving him, everyone will die, sooner or later, but he has made a lot of troubles and formed all kinds of bad relationships, and he has to pay it off before leaving, go, child, Aijia will Live in this Xiwei Palace to support you."
Murong Jie got up and bowed deeply, "Yes."
He raised his head, his eyes were a little firmer, "However, before leaving the palace, I want to see the emperor."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "Go to see him, and go to see him as a winner, so that he will know that he has lost this game, a complete defeat, and you can also formally declare war with him and crush him first. "
Murong Jie bowed deeply again, "I know."