Novel Full Chapter 931 - 52: Toying with Them in the Palm of His Hand
Chapter 931: Chapter 52: Toying with Them in the Palm of His Hand
Returning to the story, the noble families and power elite group, led by Marquis Wuping, collectively opposed the emperor’s implementation of three policies: levying land taxes, reclaiming fire tax, and making both officials and gentry pay taxes equally. Initially, they sat in silence outside the Imperial Study for seven days. The emperor had thought they would only last three days before feigning illness, but unexpectedly, they sat for seven days, which surprised the emperor.
After seven days of silent protest, Marquis Wuping and those with him fell ill and collectively missed court sessions. Upon learning of their illness, the emperor specifically sent the Imperial Physician to treat them. The physician reported back that Marquis Wuping and the others were merely exhausted and nothing serious. As a result, the emperor rewarded them with tonic medicines for them to rest well at home.
Prince Chu and his group thought that Marquis Wuping and his allies wouldn’t dare be sick for long, predicting they would recover in four or five days at most, but unexpectedly, their "illness" lasted quite a while.
During their illness, rumors suddenly emerged in the capital, claiming the emperor was mistreating the noble families and influential individuals who had followed the former emperor in building the empire. Then stories surfaced about Marquis Wuping and his cohort’s heroic deeds for Great Zhou when they helped the former emperor establish the dynasty. In these tales, they were depicted as exceedingly loyal to the former emperor, mobilizing their entire family to assist him. They sacrificed many clan members and spent substantial wealth for this cause. Essentially, the tales portrayed them as extremely faithful, making the emperor seem rather mean-spirited and ungrateful.
These rumors spread vigorously throughout the capital, with some people secretly fueling the flames, leading to widespread discussion among the citizens.
Sun Kui, upon hearing these rumors, was exceedingly upset and, after much hesitation, finally decided to report them to the emperor.
Unexpectedly, when the emperor heard this, his expression was very calm, without a trace of anger.
"Your Majesty, why aren’t you angry?" Marquis Wuping and his group are audacious, even suggesting that you are stingy towards them. "Your Majesty, these rumors must be spread by Marquis Wuping’s group."
"Why should I be angry?" Not only was the emperor not angry, but he smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Ah?" Sun Kui scrutinized the emperor’s face carefully and saw he was genuinely not upset, feeling very perplexed inside, "Your Majesty, Marquis Wuping’s group spread rumors to disparage you, are you not angry?"
The emperor didn’t answer Sun Kui’s question but instead asked with great interest, "Do you believe Marquis Wuping’s group spread the rumors?"
Sun Kui nodded vigorously, "It must be them, trying to resist your new policies."
The emperor extended his finger and shook it lightly, "It’s not them."
"Ah, it wasn’t Marquis Wuping’s group who spread them, how could that be possible?" Sun Kui looked disbelieving, "Besides them, who else would dare do such a thing?"
The emperor pointed to himself, raising the corner of his mouth in a meaningful smile, "It was me."
Upon hearing this, Sun Kui widened his eyes in surprise, filled with disbelief, "Your Majesty, you mean you sent people to spread those rumors?" What is the emperor up to? Also, who would spread rumors against themselves? Right now, there are quite a few people in the capital who think you are being unfair to Marquis Wuping’s group, and some even say you are ungrateful.
The emperor nodded slightly, "Yes, it was I who sent people to spread them."
Sun Kui asked with a face full of confusion, "Your Majesty, why did you do this?" My dear emperor, there are now quite a few people criticizing you.
The emperor blinked at Sun Kui and said, "For fun."
Sun Kui: "..." Hearing the emperor say it was for fun, he somehow found it normal. Given the emperor’s temperament, he really could do such a thing.
"Your Majesty, many people now think you are unfair to Marquis Wuping’s group." Sun Kui dared not say some were criticizing the emperor.
"Aren’t there also people accusing me of ingratitude?"
Sun Kui was shocked, "You know?"
The emperor said with profound meaning, "Do I not know anything?"
Sun Kui, hearing the emperor’s words, felt even more puzzled internally.
"You know, why do you still do this?" Even if you find it amusing, Your Majesty, you shouldn’t do this. "Your Majesty, this is not good for your reputation."
Upon hearing the word "reputation", a look of disdain appeared on the emperor’s face.
"Since when did I care about reputation."
Alright, he forgot, the emperor truly doesn’t care about his reputation.
"Your Majesty, being criticized is generally not a good thing, right?" An emperor inviting criticism, maybe only the emperor would do such a thing.
"I am walking their path, leaving them no options." The emperor rested his face on his right hand, grinning cunningly, "What do you think Marquis Wuping’s group will react to when they hear these rumors?"
"They must be delighted, and might even secretly fuel the flames."