Catching Monsters

Chapter 450 What Does Your Excellency Want?

After listening, Xiao Yuzheng's eyes lit up slightly. He subconsciously glanced at Feng Yu beside him and said, "Feng Yu, you and Jiang Yun should work together on this..."

"Cough cough cough..."

Perhaps due to excessive excitement, Xiao Yuzheng couldn't help but cough violently, and he also couldn't stop spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath to calm himself down.

He knew very well that his days were numbered.

As for the so-called consuming those alchemists' elixirs, that's utter nonsense.

but……

If we can find the Imperial Seal of the State, we can locate the Sacred Tomb and open it.

And if there is a complete map.

It's not impossible that I could find a way to prolong my life in the sacred tomb, or even have a great adventure, like the founding emperor of the previous dynasty, and become a saint.

To become a saint.

For Xiao Yuzheng, who was about to die and had ruled the world for thirty years, this kind of thing was too tempting.

"Make sure to find the other map as well."

Feng Yu guessed Xiao Yuzheng's thoughts, and he quickly knelt down, respectfully saying, "This servant obeys the decree!"

……

The three southwestern provinces, with their numerous mountains and prefectures, are now completely occupied by Wang Longzhi's 400,000-strong army.

Local taxes, military and political power were all concentrated in Wang Longzhi's hands, and the local people initially welcomed the king's army with joy.

Previously, the rebels had caused chaos, and the people of the three provinces were in dire straits.

Finally, the royal army arrived, and the local wealthy merchants and common people naturally welcomed it with great enthusiasm. However, they soon discovered that there was something strange about this royal army.

The taxes levied on them were even higher than those levied on rebels.

After all, those rebels were originally poor people who were driven to desperation by the court's harsh taxes, which led them to rebel.

After the rebellion, aside from the burning, killing, and looting, at least their taxes were much lower than those of the imperial court.

The taxes in the three southwestern provinces were mainly supported by land tax, corvée labor, and industrial and commercial taxes.

When the rebels first rose up, the land tax was only one-thirtieth, the same as when the Great Zhou Dynasty was founded, but the corvée labor...

If you join the army or the rebels, you will be exempt from corvée labor.

Commercial and industrial taxes were not considered, as the three southwestern provinces were under blockade at the time, making it difficult for commerce to circulate.

But now, with the imperial army led by Wang Longzhi arriving, the land tax has increased by nearly seven or eight times compared to when the rebels were in power.

The corvée labor was even more arduous, involving the construction of fortifications.

The business tax is shockingly high.

Many people cricketed in private. When it comes to exploiting the people, those rebels are really like elementary school students in front of the imperial court.

Of course, there are reasons for the heavy taxes.

The three southwestern provinces are too poor; the food, drink, and other expenses for an army of 400,000 cost a fortune.

Previously, they were supported by the imperial court, but later, they had to support themselves.

The government office in Chongshan County has been used by Wang Longzhi as a military center.

Xiao Min'er had just returned to Chongshan County when she found Wang Longzhi.

At this moment, Wang Longzhi was in his study, looking through a lot of documents. When he saw Xiao Min'er return, he hurriedly got up and said, "Min'er, you're finally back. Many people in Chongshan County are struggling to survive. Do you think the taxes should be reduced a little?"

"If taxes are continued to be so heavy, I'm afraid the people of the three southwestern provinces will revolt again."

Xiao Min'er calmly sat down in the chair, glanced at the tax collection report, and said, "Isn't this good? The taxes have all been collected on time." Wang Longzhi frowned and said in a low voice, "But as far as I know, many people are already selling their children..."

“Chongshan County had already rebelled once before. Those with a little backbone would have joined the rebels long ago.” Xiao Min’er said calmly, “The people who didn’t dare to join the rebels back then are even less likely to join now.”

"There are many benefits right now. Not only can we raise a lot of military funds, but the people will also resent our actions against the Zhou court."

"Once we announce the uprising, these people will happily join us and shed their blood for us."

Wang Longzhi was slightly taken aback, then sighed softly. Xiao Min'er was much calmer than ordinary people when it came to these matters.

Looking at Wang Longzhi's expression, Xiao Min'er also spoke up: "I know you feel reluctant, but those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. With your fickle personality, you will never achieve anything."

"In addition, I have some good news. The Demon Spirit Cult and those rebels won't be able to hold out for much longer. Before long, we will be able to officially declare an uprising."

"At that time, those rebels can be used as our cannon fodder, and the experts of the Demon Spirit Cult can also provide protection for our army's middle and high-ranking generals."

One of the reasons why Xiao Min'er delayed announcing the uprising was this.

As for top experts, they only have one sword god, Xie Yifeng.

Xie Yifeng could easily protect Wang Longzhi's safety.

The generals needed for the war are scattered all over the country. If the top experts sent by the Zhou state kill them one by one...

This war can't be fought.

"Is it finally time for an uprising?" Upon hearing this, Wang Longzhi sat in his chair, feeling somewhat conflicted.

“Things have already come to this point, there’s no going back.” Xiao Min’er patted his shoulder and said, “I know you think the Zhou court has always treated you well, and I’ve always given you chances to turn back.”

“I understand,” Wang Longzhi said, then asked, “But the Sixth Prince Xiao Jingqi is dead. What grounds can we use to start our rebellion?”

“Only we know that Xiao Jingqi is dead; no one outside knows,” Xiao Min’er said. “There are many people in the Demon Spirit Sect who are skilled in disguise; they can impersonate Xiao Jingqi and impress ordinary soldiers.”

Just as the two were discussing, Xie Yifeng was meditating cross-legged in a room in Chongshan County.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide, as if he had realized something.

He raised his hand and pointed, instantly blasting the roof apart. Then he leaped up and quickly arrived at the roof of the room where Wang Longzhi and Xiao Min'er were.

He looked into the distance and saw a figure rushing towards him at an extremely fast speed.

The person who arrived was none other than Eunuch Qin, Qin Hong.

Qin Hong landed steadily on the opposite rooftop.

They stood facing each other across a courtyard.

"Where did this expert come from?" Xie Yifeng said coldly.

Qin Hong, who was in charge of the Tongyou Guard and had access to intelligence throughout the world, knew the other party's identity and said slowly, "Xie Yifeng, one of the Four Great Sword Gods, has unexpectedly become someone else's watchdog."

"Hmph." Xie Yifeng snorted coldly, knowing that Qin Hong was deliberately provoking him, but he didn't care at all. He said indifferently, "You know my identity, yet you still dare to come. You must be no ordinary person. Why don't you state your name?"

Qin Hong, dressed in black, couldn't help but shake his head: "Just some nobody. I've come to collect something. If you give it to me, I'll leave and never bother you again."

What do you desire, sir?

Qin Hong narrowed his eyes and stared at Xie Yifeng: "The Imperial Seal of the State."

Xie Yifeng slowly raised his hand, and seven flying swords instantly flew from the room where he had been meditating, circling around him: "So you mean there's no room for negotiation?"

Qin Hong slowly turned his palm into a claw.

Just then, Qin Hong glanced at the government office and the surrounding area and said, "If the two of us were to really fight here, there would probably be many dead and wounded. Since you want to have a contest, why don't you find another place?"

"Alright then." Xie Yifeng narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

The two transformed into streaks of light and flew rapidly towards the outskirts of Chongshan County.

(End of this chapter)