Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 912: Chapter 43: It’s the Wang Family’s Turn

In He Lianfang’s study, he was playing chess with Zhao Yao.

"Did you really write about the tax reform policies to Zhao Zheng?"

Zhao Yao nodded and said, "Yes, when Father asked about the land taxation situation, I conveniently also mentioned the other policies."

He Lianfang was aware of these three policies since they had already been implemented in Swamp Prefecture.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Father actually asked only now." Zhao Yao expressed disdainfully, "I’ve mentioned the land taxation in my secret memorial. I thought Father would notice immediately. I didn’t expect him to just notice now; Father really is quite oblivious." In his previous memorial, he hadn’t explicitly stated what the reform entailed, but he did mention tax exemption for head tax and taxation based on land size. He thought Father would write to ask about it immediately after reading, but surprisingly, Father didn’t ask.

He originally planned that if Father asked him, he would explain the policy in detail. If Father didn’t ask, he wouldn’t elaborate. After waiting a while and seeing that Father had not mentioned the tax reform, he thought Father didn’t care and had forgotten about it. To his surprise, many days later, Father suddenly remembered it, which was indeed... slow in reaction. Could it be that Father got slower due to age?

"The policies you proposed can be easily implemented in Swamp Prefecture or even the entire Lingnan, but implementing them across the Great Zhou would not be so easy." Zhao Yao had complete control of Swamp Prefecture, and his words were law. Whatever policies he wished to implement, he could do so without opposition from officials or nobility. However, it was different at the court. Most ministers came from noble families, and the tax reform would harm their interests the most since they owned large tracts of land.

"If Zhao Zheng truly wants to implement the three policies you proposed, I fear the court ministers will oppose it."

"Opposition is normal, it’d be strange if they didn’t." Zhao Yao sneered disdainfully at the thought of those ministers’ faces, "As long as there’s any threat to their interests, they will strongly oppose. Back then, when Father wanted to carry out the imperial examination system, they openly and secretly tried to stop it, but ultimately failed."

"The three policies you proposed harm their interests more directly and rapidly than the imperial examination system." The exams affected the noble families’ interests indirectly and over a longer process, as successful candidates from humble backgrounds had to start from low official positions. However, the proposed tax reforms immediately impacted the interests of noble families and the powerful.

"The court will be very lively during this period."

"It’s a pity we won’t see the excitement." Zhao Yao grinned mischievously, "I wonder if this time any ministers will resort to drastic measures in opposition."

He Lianfang shared a similar smile, "Perhaps there will be."

Zhao Yao, full of regret, said, "It’s a shame we won’t see it." Back when the imperial examination was proposed, ministers threatened to harm themselves in protest, hoping to intimidate Father, but Father wasn’t afraid and even urged them on. Father said he had never seen ministers take such actions and invited them to show him their resolve.

With Father’s words, no minister dared to take such drastic actions again. The court had experienced Father’s temperament multiple times. When Father said he wanted to see it, he genuinely meant it. With Father’s mischievous nature, he might even applaud saying, "Good job" or "Well done" after seeing it.

"With Father’s nature, no matter how they oppose, it’s useless." Father was impervious to threats, especially hard ones. The more opposition and pressure the ministers exerted, the more determined Father would be to implement the policies.

"Zhao Zheng is cunning and might use this situation against someone."

Zhao Yao thought He Lianfang’s words were likely. He pondered for a moment and guessed, "Perhaps it’s Wang Family’s turn."

He Lianfang nodded and said, "It is about time for the Wang Family."

"Since the incident at Duke Zhen Country Mansion, the Xie family has fallen from its position at the top among the noble families, and the Wang Family took the opportunity to rise, becoming the new leader among the nobles." Zhao Yao stroked his chin, squinting, "These past years, the Wang Family has secretly engaged in quite a few maneuvers. They’ve taken several bites of meat from the Xie family amidst their troubles."