Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

After pondering for a moment, Bai Su instructed, "Da Qiao, go prepare pen and ink for me; I need to write a memorial..."

.......

soon.

Empress Zheng summoned her ministers to the main hall, and a storm was brewing.

The officials in the imperial court looked at each other, their eyes filled with doubt.

Today, Hu Yi will temporarily oversee the government, while Zheng Jie will retreat to the inner palace.

Logically speaking, this is not a big deal, and there is no need to summon all the civil and military officials. Does Your Majesty have something else to say by making this arrangement?

After everyone waited, Sister Zheng arrived late.

She wore a jade crown and a black dragon robe, exuding elegance and nobility. Her long, smooth black hair was styled in a high bun, her fair skin was like jade, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were like autumn water, her nose was high and straight, and her lips were like painted cinnabar.

His phoenix eyes held a majestic air as he surveyed the surroundings, and no one dared to meet his gaze.

Even the usually oblivious Hu Yi couldn't help but feel a surge of tension. Faced with her mother, a woman of power, wisdom, and beauty, her earnest gaze was something even she dared not look directly at.

Bai Su, on the other hand, remained completely calm and even made faces at people.

Zheng Jie's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

The assembled officials bowed their heads in greeting, unaware of the subtle interaction between the two men.

The Empress took her seat, and the courtiers bowed in greeting.

Zhengjie said calmly, "My dear ministers, you may dispense with the formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

These people bowed and then fell silent.

The Empress Dowager's phoenix eyes swept over the officials below, and she said, "If you have something to report, please do so; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

No one stepped forward, and just as they were about to leave the court, a cheerful voice suddenly came from behind.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Everyone turned around and saw that the person who spoke was Bai Su.

This surprised everyone. In the public's impression, Bai Su was someone who would slack off and leave early every few days. It was quite rare for him to take the initiative to speak today.

Intelligent people like Li Si and Fu Su couldn't help but frown when they saw Bai Su step forward.

After all, based on their understanding of Bai Su, this guy usually doesn't speak much, but when he does, he's always surprising everyone. Could it be that this guy is up to something again?

Zhengjie feigned surprise, her phoenix eyes looking at Bai Su with interest: "Bai Su, what do you have to say?"

Bai Su cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I suggest that salt and iron be brought back under the jurisdiction of the imperial court and managed by the government."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Even Li Si, Fu Su, and the others were momentarily stunned.

Although they were mentally prepared for Bai Su to make a big splash, they didn't expect the news she released to be so big.

Taking all salt under state control... this is tantamount to taking action against the Tian family of Qi.

One of the Confucian officials, after a moment of stunned silence, stepped forward and rebuked, "Lord Bai, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

Following closely behind, Kong Le, the leader of the Confucian school, stepped forward. With a furrowed brow, she said, "Yes, sir, it is appropriate for those skilled in the trade of salt and iron to manage these products. Blacksmiths should forge iron, and salt merchants should sell salt. This has been the way since ancient times."

“The ancient sages valued virtue and despised profit.”

“If the government were to engage in the salt and iron business, wouldn’t that be competing with the people for profit? Moreover, this move would greatly damage the prestige of the court and establish an image of someone who values ​​profit over morality and wealth over righteousness.”

"If we take from whoever has money, wouldn't everyone in the world be in danger, and the court lose the people's hearts?"

"Forcibly monopolizing salt and iron will surely corrupt the simple and peaceful social atmosphere among the people."

Hearing their rebuttal, many officials in the hall nodded slightly.

What these Confucian scholars said was not wrong.

In the past, the government was responsible for managing and regulating salt and iron products. I have never heard of the government personally running these businesses like merchants.

If the government were to forcibly seize these things simply because they are wealthy, it would be difficult to convince the public.

Bai Su smiled and said, "That's not right."

The scholar was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by that, Lord Bai?"

Bai Su snorted and said, "Let me refute you one by one. First, you say that the ancient sages valued virtue over profit. May I ask how vast their territories were, how many people they had, and how many soldiers they had? Can they be compared to these sages?"

"If we don't find ways to adapt to local conditions and make changes, but simply copy the old methods, then the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Sichuan and Chongqing will never be completed, and the land of abundance will never be known as the Land of Abundance."

"When Shang Yang entered Guanzhong, there was no need for reforms. The Great Xia Dynasty would have been destroyed by the six states of Shandong long ago. How could we have achieved the unification of the world today?"

"If you really want to follow the old ways, then you'd better not eat the rice I grow. The rice seeds I offered you are now being eaten quite deliciously, aren't they?"

Kong Le was taken aback for a moment, then retorted, "That's different. No matter what, it's a lose-lose situation for the government to compete with the people for profit."

Bai Su sneered: "She has lost the people's hearts. Is she even one of the people?"

Kong Le couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"

Bai Su said, "These salt merchants have always regarded the people as straw, harvesting them as soon as they are done. They hold the power of the imperial regalia but never do anything of importance."

“When a real famine strikes, they never provide timely disaster relief or stabilize prices when supplies are needed. Instead, they take advantage of the situation to hoard supplies and sell them at high prices, exploiting the people.”

"Taking advantage of the people's desperation, they amassed large amounts of prime land at low prices, forcing countless people to sell their children, causing their families to be destroyed and their lives to end, leaving them as refugees. Meanwhile, they themselves ate their fill of meat and fat, their pillows covered in the corpses of countless people.

Faced with Bai Su's relentless pressure, Kong Le couldn't help but take a few steps back.

Bai Su continued, "The government took over the salt and iron products and made them state-run. Regardless of whether it was a flood or a snowstorm, they were sold for five coins before and after, keeping prices stable."

"The money the imperial court earned through salt and iron was used to pay the craftsmen who built official roads and waterways throughout the country, and to reward the soldiers who were conscripted."

"And those salt merchants, after making money, used it to curry favor with officials, annex land, befriend江湖人士 (jianghu figures), and keep thousands of retainers."

"Tell me, for the common people, is it the imperial court that is taking profits from them, or are it the merchants?"

"You spout so much benevolence and morality, so much talk about the people's hearts and the masses, but when you say 'the people,' do you really mean the common folk, or...?"

"Those aristocratic families and wealthy merchants?"

Kong Le's face turned deathly pale, his legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground, his mouth slightly open but unable to utter a word for a long time.

The surrounding officials were stunned by what they saw.

Unexpectedly, Bai Su refuted Kong Le, the leader of Confucianism, into silence with just three questions and three answers.

So it seems Bai Su has won.

Li Si's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyes, as clear as autumn water, glanced at the Empress Dowager on the dragon throne.

From a purely pros and cons perspective, bringing salt and iron back under state control would indeed be more beneficial, but this matter involves more than just pros and cons.

His Majesty promised the Tian family a life of wealth and luxury, so it's rather unreasonable for him to openly renege on that promise now.

Sure enough, Zhengjie spoke up quickly: "Bai Su, the Tian family is loyal to the court and has made great contributions by surrendering the city. How can you lay a hand on her? Let's drop this matter."

Fu Su couldn't help but shake her head. She had to admit that Bai Su's words had really stirred her blood, and she completely agreed with them.

It's just a pity...

Mother wouldn't target a meritorious person for no reason; all his efforts have been in vain.

Facing the complicated gazes of the crowd, Bai Su smiled and said, "Your Majesty values ​​the Tian family highly, but they have failed to live up to Your Majesty's trust."

Chapter 299 How exactly did he do that?

The ministers paused, wondering what Bai Su was up to now.

Zheng Jie looked at Bai Su with her phoenix eyes, feigning a puzzled expression: "Bai Su, what do you mean by that?"

Bai Su cupped his hands and said, "According to reliable sources, the Tian family of Qi is secretly colluding with foreign tribes to smuggle salt, iron, and armor. They are full of rebellious intentions."

hiss!

Everyone gasped.

Li Si's gaze towards Bai Su changed.

Fu Su looked utterly astonished, her lips parted in disbelief.

Although she had already sensed that Bai Su might drop some bombshell news and had mentally prepared herself, her head still buzzed when she actually heard it.

Colluding with foreign tribes, smuggling salt and iron, and secretly forging armor—any of these are serious crimes.

The Tian family actually committed so many violations in one go.

This is practically Zhong Kui jumping into a cesspool, going to extremes to cause trouble!

All the officials stared blankly, never expecting that Bai Su would pin such a crime on Tian Shi.

The Tian family of Qi is one of the most powerful families in the Central Plains. How could they suddenly rebel? Could it be that Bai Su made a false accusation?

This thought involuntarily crossed the minds of many officials.

Zhengjie remained calm. Her phoenix eyes met Bai Su's for a moment before she looked away: "The imperial court has treated the Tian family well, how could they do this..."

Her tone was icy, and everyone could hear the dissatisfaction in it.

Some officials from the Tian family, or those from prominent families closely related to the Tian family, finally came to their senses from their shock.

They immediately stepped forward and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is slander. The Tian family is loyal to the court and has no intention of disloyalty whatsoever. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I would never commit such a treasonous act."

"Our Tian family has been loyal subjects of the Great Xia since Your Majesty unified the six kingdoms..."

In an instant, a large group of people stood up in the court. Most of these people were related to the Tian family or were nobles from the six states who were also involved in the salt and iron business with the Tian family.

At first glance, the dark mass of people caused a stir, prompting many to think that the Tian family of Qi was indeed formidable, their intricate network of relationships was truly chilling.

The other officials in the court frowned and pondered. This matter had happened too suddenly, and rashly taking sides would likely result in a terrible death.

It's best for them to remain silent until things become clear.

Zhengjie coldly looked at the officials pleading for mercy below. If she didn't have so many concerns, she really wanted to drag all of them out and behead them.

When it's time to get things done, there are hardly any capable people; but when it's time to hold people accountable, they all band together in a group.