A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 66 Enlightenment
Are all the merchants in the country rebelling?

Then we can only hope that the heads of these people are worthy of the 109 marquises.

The Imperial Censor Mei Gao's face turned ashen. Under this system, even wealthy merchants and powerful figures in the Han Dynasty who did not want to rebel might be forced to do so. Those aristocratic families, powerful clans, and influential figures had long been itching for a fight.

Even if one doesn't reach the rank of a marquis, the ability to be exempted from lifelong corvée labor or to serve as a court official is enough to make people flock to one another.

As the crown prince, he ruthlessly eliminated His Majesty's business partner.

and many more.

What about money?
Mei Gao was taken aback, his eyes turning to Yan Yi, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and Zhao Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Treasury. What exactly happened that night?

Noticing the Imperial Censor's gaze, Yan Yi smiled in response. Zhao Yu appeared slightly guilty, and it was this guilt that made Mei Gao tremble.

The money in the national treasury and the imperial palace... could it be... could it be...? Mei Gao couldn't imagine that the crown prince had unknowingly taken control of His Majesty's money and its source.

Is there anything more chilling than begging for money from someone with your palm facing up?
Especially since that person was his own young son.

Mei Gao was in a state of great turmoil and did not even respond when Gongsun Hong announced the passage of the new vehicle and vessel tax policy. Wuqiu Shouwang sensed that something was wrong with his old friend and cast an inquiring look at him, only to receive a bitter smile in return.

If the speculation is true, His Majesty in Ganquan Palace will immediately become restless.

"The fourth new policy is to completely abolish the support for surrendered foreign tribes, allow intermarriage between Chinese and foreigners, and transfer all local finances to the imperial court."

Looking at the officials, marquises, and members of the imperial family from both the central and foreign courts, Zhang Tang said, "In the past ten years or so, thanks to the unparalleled achievements of Grand Marshal Wei Qing and Colonel Piao Yao, our Han Dynasty has won one victory after another in its wars against foreign powers. Foreign tribes have surrendered at the mere sight of us, and some have even submitted to us as a whole. We have fulfilled our great original aspiration and mission of 'Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to Han; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of Han.'"

A magnificent imperial panorama unfolds before everyone's eyes. The performances and achievements of Han generals such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing on the battlefields against the Xiongnu and other foreign powers are so vividly portrayed that they stir the heart.

It washed away the humiliation of the siege of Baideng during the reign of Emperor Gaozu and the forced marriage alliance. Calling it "great" is not an exaggeration at all.

The officials in the central and northern courts found this argument very wrong. They kept talking about the merits of the generals, but what about His Majesty?

Before anyone could ask a question, Zhang Tang continued, "However, all of this comes at a price. Leaving aside the intangible cost to the people, the most direct cost is the loss of real money."

The relocation of the Dong'ou people, the ceasefire between the two Yue tribes in southern Fujian, the opening of the Western Barbarian Road, the ambush at Mayi, river management, the construction of Longyuan Palace... and so on—these need no further elaboration.

Wuqiu Shouwang and the others were panting heavily. "Your Majesty, this is all you want to say?"
"The imperial court spends hundreds of millions at a time, and the amount is countless. For Your Majesty's holy vision, our subjects have done their utmost."

Looking at the officials from the Central and Eastern Dynasties whose faces were flushed with anger, Zhang Tang slowly said, "We have no complaints!"

Mei Gao and Wuqiu Shouwang stared intently at Zhang Tang. If these words are not considered complaints, then what are they?

"We can tolerate everything, except betrayal!"

"Minister of Justice, what has His Majesty betrayed you about?" Prince Wuqiu Shou could no longer hold back and asked.

If it's confirmed that the emperor has betrayed his subjects, His Majesty could abdicate immediately.

"To elevate people of other races to the status of superiors is treason!"

"That's a means to win over more alien races."

King Wuqiu Shou walked into the hall and answered directly: "Treating surrendered barbarians well can reduce the morale of foreign tribes, increase the chances of our army winning battles, and reduce the casualties of our soldiers on the battlefield."

"I only know that what you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get anywhere else!" Zhang Tang said firmly. In an instant, the eyes of the officials, marquises, and members of the imperial family sharpened. Most of them had stood here not because of their favors to foreign tribes, but because of their fearless and bloody battles.

If you can't win on the battlefield, but you can win by treating surrendered prisoners well, isn't that a joke?
"you……"

Wuqiu Shouwang was slightly flustered, and Mei Gao promptly entered the hall and said, "Minister of Justice, 'surrendered barbarians' was what those people used to be called. Now that they have submitted to our dynasty, they are now citizens of our country. The two ethnic groups have different customs, so we must give them time to adapt."

"May I ask, Grand Censor, how long does it take to get used to dismounting and farming?"

Zhang Tang spoke quickly, not giving anyone a chance to respond, and asked, "One year? Two years? Three years?"
Twelve years have passed, Imperial Censor!
Twelve years...twelve years. It's been twelve years since the first batch of captives surrendered. Do you know how the people of our Great Han have spent these twelve years?

Mei Gao and Wuqiu Shouwang were speechless.

According to His Majesty's decree, all surrendered captives who come to the court "will receive generous rewards, and their food and clothing will be provided by the local officials," relying entirely on local finances for support, which will cost hundreds of millions.

During these twelve years, Zhang Tang was not the only one who mentioned to His Majesty the idea of ​​letting the surrendered captives support themselves. His Majesty's answer was very simple, consisting of only five words.

"The empire doesn't care."

However, the crown prince cares, as do the ministers, marquises, generals, members of the imperial family, and the common people of both dynasties!
To have reservations about the emperor's policies is an act of defiance, but why is everyone standing on the opposite side?

"Since we are all Chinese, we should treat each other equally."

Gongsun Hong spoke very sincerely, “At this critical time for our dynasty, everyone should contribute money or labor. Whether it is opening up mountain roads or repairing river embankments, the people of our country are all equal.”

The officials of both dynasties nodded sincerely.

Some Confucian officials opened their mouths but did not utter a sound. His Majesty's intention in treating surrendered barbarians well was to demonstrate the empire's wealth and strength, not to truly treat them as his own people. This is why intermarriage between the Han and Xiongnu was not permitted.

Non-my family, its heart must be different.

As a result, some clever Confucian officials took the initiative to take on the "important task" of educating the surrendered enemy. For the past twelve years, those surrendered enemy soldiers have become a treasure trove for Confucian scholars to enhance their reputation. Now, it seems that this treasure trove is about to be demolished.

Oral and personal cultural education, or the role of the Minister of Justice or the heir apparent, is too slow. It is much cheaper and faster to educate people through shared labor.

Being the crown prince is obstructing the Confucian way!

The unusual movements of the Confucian officials caught the attention of many. The Confucian scholars actually wielded considerable power in the court, with Chancellor Gongsun Hong in the outer court and Scholar Dong Zhongshu in the inner court. However, their efforts were ineffective because they could not unite their strengths.

Gongsun Hong felt the gazes of the Confucian officials and lowered his eyes slightly.

The new policy abolishing preferential treatment for surrendered prisoners of war was passed.

Zhang Tang's brilliance was so overwhelming that the Chengming Hall could hardly contain it. The officials in the hall exchanged glances, and most of them shared the same thought: How could one person be so arrogant?
The officials of the Central and Northern Dynasties, especially Mei Gao and Wuqiu Shouwang, were exchanging glances. The Great Han Dynasty would not allow such an arrogant person to exist!

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(End of this chapter)