Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

November 18th, western suburbs of Beijing.

Shen Qingci stood on a newly leveled site, holding a hand-drawn planning map in her hand.

Before her stood more than three hundred wounded soldiers, some sitting and some standing.

People missing limbs, blindfolded, or with deep, visible bone scars on their faces all stared at her longingly.

"here,"

She pointed ahead with her riding crop.

"Thirty rows of brick and tile houses will be built, with two people living in each room."

There's a heated kang (traditional brick bed), so it won't get cold in winter.

He then pointed to the left: "That's the canteen. They provide three meals a day, all you can eat. There's meat, once every three days."

Then he pointed to the right: "That's the workshop."

They would invite craftsmen to teach skills—basket weaving, carpentry, blacksmithing, and sewing.

Once you've learned how, you can make your own things and sell them; the money you earn is yours.

She paused, then raised her voice:

"Most importantly—the imperial court pays salaries every month."

It's not much, but enough for you to support yourselves and your families. It will continue until you die.

Dead silence.

Then, a one-armed veteran asked in a trembling voice, "Mother, Your Majesty... how much... how much will this cost? Where will the imperial court get so much silver..."

"I will take care of the matter of the silver."

Shen Qingci put away the blueprints.

"All you need to know is this: you are shedding blood for the Nangong family, and the court cannot allow you to shed blood and tears as well."

She glanced at everyone and said, "But there's one rule—this isn't a place to keep lazy people."

Everyone who is able to move must learn a trade and do work.

Those who are truly unable to move can help with tasks such as guarding the door, keeping accounts, and training new employees.

"I am giving you a way out, not as charity, but as an exchange."

"In exchange for the rest of your lives, you can continue to contribute to this country."

"Is it possible?"

More than three hundred people knelt down in unison!

"Yes—!!! Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life—!!!"

The roar was tinged with a sob.

Shen Qingci nodded, mounted his horse, and said to the accompanying Ministry of Works officials:

"You've seen the blueprints."

I want to see the house built within three months.

The money will be allocated from the Ministry of Revenue; if that's not enough, it will come from my private treasury.

The Vice Minister of Works wiped his sweat: "Your Majesty is merciful!"

However... there might be some criticism in the court, saying that wounded soldiers should be allowed to return to their hometowns...

"Going back to my hometown?"

Shen Qingci reined in his horse and turned to look at him.

"Lord Li, you are also a man who has led troops."

What can a veteran with a broken leg do when he returns to his hometown?

Farming? He can barely stand.

Work? Who wants someone crippled?

In the end, they would either starve to death, become beggars, or be bullied by thugs.

Is this how the imperial court treats its meritorious officials?

The Vice Minister of Works was speechless.

"Let's do it this way."

Shen Qingci rode away.

"If anyone has any objections, let him come and find me."

---

November 25th, Ministry of Revenue.

Shen Qingci sat in the main seat, with a thick stack of account books spread out in front of him.

The Minister of Revenue and several vice ministers stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to utter a sound.

"As of yesterday, the special wartime tax law has collected a total of 2.37 million taels of silver."

She flipped through the summary sheet.

"Of the 1.8 million taels, 570,000 taels were used for military supplies in the northern border region."

She looked up: "Now that the war is over, the tax laws should be adjusted."

The Minister of Revenue asked cautiously, "Does Her Majesty mean... to restore the old system?"

"No." Shen Qingci pulled out a form she had drawn herself.

"Implement a progressive tax system."

The table clearly lists:

Those with assets of less than 10,000 taels are exempt from tax.

Ten thousand to one hundred thousand taels: 10% tax.

100,000 to 500,000 taels: 20% tax.

Five hundred thousand to one million taels: 30% tax.

For incomes exceeding one million taels: 40% tax. In addition, for annual incomes exceeding one million taels, an additional 10% "poor relief tax" is levied on the excess amount.

The document also includes detailed collection methods, verification mechanisms, and penalty clauses.

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue passed the forms around, all of them dumbfounded.

"Your Highness...this...this will offend all the powerful clans!"

A vice minister's voice trembled.

"Especially that 'poor tax'..."

"offend?"

Shen Qingci sneered.

"While the soldiers in the North were risking their lives on the front lines, they were living a life of luxury in the rear."

The country needs money to resettle wounded soldiers, provide relief to orphans, and rebuild the northern border. Is it considered an offense if they contribute some money?

She paused, then continued, "Moreover, I have investigated—the eight great families of Jiangnan..."

Last year, through tax evasion, land consolidation, and monopolizing salt and iron, he profited at least ten million taels of silver.

If they were less greedy, it would be enough to feed 100,000 wounded soldiers.

"But what if they unite in a boycott..."

"Then investigate."

Shen Qingci pulled out another booklet from under the table—

Those were the pieces of evidence that Tingfenglou had secretly collected over the past month.

"The Zhao family of Yangzhou has made 800,000 taels of silver from smuggling salt over the past three years. Here is the evidence."

The Wang family of Suzhou colluded with the government to seize 3,000 mu of farmland, driving 17 farmers to their deaths. Witnesses are waiting outside. Hangzhou…”

With each name she read out, the faces of the officials from the Ministry of Revenue turned paler.

"Tell them," Shen Qingci said, closing the booklet.

"Either pay according to the new tax system, or—I will help them 'settle their accounts'."

"I will give them three days to consider."

"Three days later, those who haven't paid will be investigated one by one according to the charges in the book."

"Find one, copy one."

---

On the third day of the twelfth month, in the northern border, fifty miles outside Blackstone City, at the border market.

Shen Qingci stood on the newly built wooden platform, looking down at the lively scene below.

The people of the northern desert drove their flocks of sheep and horses, carrying furs and medicinal herbs.

The people of Xiling carry snow mountain specialties, minerals, and handicrafts on their backs.

The merchants from Nangong displayed tea, silk, porcelain, and ironware.

The three groups mingled together, their voices a cacophony of bargaining, laughter, and the calls of cattle and sheep.

Batu—the leader of the Xiling White Wolf tribe—stood respectfully behind Shen Qingci.

"Your Majesty, the trade market has been open for three days and the transaction volume has exceeded 100,000 taels."

For the first time, we Xiling people... can honestly exchange furs for salt and iron, without having to resort to robbery anymore.

Shen Qingci nodded: "This is just the beginning."

Once spring arrives and the trade routes are fully open, this place will become the largest distribution center for goods in the North.

She turned to look at Batu: "But I have already said that the rules of the trade must be followed."

Fair trade, no forced buying or selling allowed.

In particular, the oppression of the people of the Northern Desert is strictly forbidden.

Batu was taken aback: "The Northern Desert people? They are..."

"We are a defeated nation now, but we will be a trading partner in the future."

Shen Qingci said calmly,

"The war is over, but the hatred cannot be passed on forever."

The people of the northern desert need food, and we need their horse hides; each gets what they need.

She paused for a moment: "Besides, although the Northern Desert royal family is gone, the grassland tribes still exist."

Rather than letting them starve on the grasslands before they come to rob us...

Why not give them a way to survive?

"Trading wool for food is better than trading a knife for a life."

Batu was filled with awe: "Your Majesty is truly insightful and far-sighted."

Shen Qingci did not respond.

She looked down at an old man from the northern desert, his hands trembling.

He traded two fine fox pelts for a bag of salt and a packet of tea.

Then he knelt on the ground and kowtowed towards the high platform.

This is what she wanted.

Binding each other with shared interests lasts longer than conquering with swords.

---

December 15th, side hall of Yangxin Hall.

This place has been transformed into "Fengge"—the place where Shen Qingci handled government affairs.

It is separated from Nangong Ye's "cabinet" by only one wall, with a door in between, so they can communicate at any time.

At this moment, Shen Qingci is reviewing memorials.

Ten days after the implementation of the progressive tax system,

Of the eight great families in Jiangnan, six dutifully paid their taxes.

The other two companies attempted to coordinate a boycott, but she sent Mo Shisan with evidence to "visit" them.

He paid an additional 100,000 taels of silver overnight as a form of "repentance."

The foundation for the Veterans' Home has been laid, and the progress report submitted by the Public Works Department shows that the first batch of housing will be completed before the spring.

The transaction volume of border trade markets continued to climb.

The Ministry of Revenue estimated that this was the only item...

Next year, it will bring at least 500,000 taels of tax revenue to the imperial court.

Everything is proceeding according to her plan.

"Your Majesty," Jinshu said quietly as she entered, "His Majesty has arrived."

Shen Qingci paused, pen in hand: "Please."

Nangong Ye pushed open the door and came in, carrying a bowl of soup.

His complexion was better than before, but he still walked slowly, and Xuan Ying was still waiting outside the door.

"I heard you didn't have lunch." He placed the soup bowl on the table. "Ginseng chicken soup, drink it while it's hot."

Shen Qingci glanced at him but didn't move: "Does Your Majesty have something to say?"

Nangong Ye sat down opposite her.

After a moment of silence, she said softly, "You've done a lot this past month."

"It's all part of the job."

"But in the court..." Nangong Ye paused, "some people are getting restless."

Shen Qingci put down his pen: "Who?"

Several senior officials jointly submitted a memorial, accusing you of being "womanly indignation."

The Veterans' Home was extremely expensive, the progressive tax system "competed with the people for profit," and the border trade was "aiding the enemy."

Nangong Ye looked at her,

"They are begging me... to revoke your regency."

Shen Qingci smiled.

His smile was cold.

"What did His Majesty say?"

"I have burned the memorial."

Nangong Ye said,

"Then tell them—what the Queen does is what I will do."

If you have objections, you can retire and return to your hometown.

He spoke casually, but Shen Qingci knew that there must be ruthless methods behind it.

"You don't have to..." She started to say, but then swallowed the words back.

"Nothing is necessary?"

Nangong Ye looked at her,

"I don't need to protect you?"

"Qingci, I have said that I would give you half of this empire, and I did not just say it."

He reached out to touch her hand, but then withdrew it.

Like being afraid of being rejected.

"I know you still hate me and don't trust me."

His voice was very low.

"It's alright, we'll wait."

"Wait until you understand—this time, I'm serious."

Looking into his eyes, which were filled with complex emotions, Shen Qingci suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.

She looked away, picked up the bowl of soup, and took a sip.

The temperature is just right.

"The soup is good," she said. "Thank you."

Nangong Ye's eyes lit up: "If you like it, I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare it again tomorrow..."

"No need."

Shen Qingci interrupted,

"Your Majesty should go back and rest. The imperial physician says you need to recuperate for three months."

An order to leave.

But her tone was softer than before.

Nangong Ye stood up, walked to the door, then turned back: "Qingci."

"Um?"

"If you're tired... take a rest," he said. "I'm here."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and left.

Shen Qingci sat behind the table, staring at the half-eaten ginseng chicken soup in the bowl. After a long while, she murmured to herself:

"Nangong Ye..."

"Are you acting this time, or are you really...?"

She didn't finish speaking.

Because Mo Shisan's urgent voice came from outside the door:

"Your Highness! There's something unusual happening at Prince Jing's residence! Their people... are making contact with those tribes in Xiling that haven't yet submitted!"

Shen Qingci's eyes instantly turned cold.

She put down the soup bowl and stood up.

"Inform Xiao Jue to lead three thousand elite soldiers and secretly head north."

"I'd like to see that!"

"How big of a gamble does Prince Jing intend to play this time?"