Jian'an City, Imperial Palace, Mingde Hall.

Emperor Qingyuan looked through a stack of secret reports on the table, and after a long time he said with emotion: "It seems that the impact of Pei Yue's actions is better than we imagined."

There are two important ministers in the hall, namely Xu Huiyan, the chief minister of the cabinet, and Xian Chunqiu, the Marquis of Jubei.

Xu Huiyan pondered: "Your Majesty, for the whole government and the public, Pei Yue is just a ray of north wind. We can take advantage of the situation, but we cannot place all our hopes on people's hearts. The most serious problem of our government now is the embezzlement of land and

To evade taxes, headed by the Nandu family and the local wealthy families in the south, these powerful families wantonly occupied land and concealed the true land information, resulting in a situation where private individuals became increasingly rich, public offices became increasingly poor, and the country hid and the people became poor."

He raised his head and glanced at Emperor Qingyuan, and said in a serious tone: "On the surface, the people seem to be very wealthy, but the land, gold and silver are completely concentrated in the hands of wealthy families, and the people's life is becoming increasingly difficult. In order to improve military equipment and maintain the Tiancang River defense line, the national treasury

These years of not being able to make ends meet, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance's hair has turned gray."

Emperor Qingyuan nodded and said, "What Ai Qing said is true, but it's not that easy to solve this problem."

Xu Huiyan said: "Your Majesty, Pei Yue's remarks at the Donglin Literary Society were an opportunity. I have sent people to agitate among the young literati and use them to pry up this layer of ice. This opportunity must not be missed and will not come again. I will

I think now is the time to make up my mind."

Emperor Qingyuan was moved in his heart and asked: "What are you going to do?"

Xu Huiyan took a breath and said decisively: "Two acres of land, clear grain!"

Emperor Qingyuan's temples were now slightly white, but these six words seemed to inject a powerful force into his body. He slowly sat up straight and said solemnly: "Tell me carefully."

Xu Huiyan said unhurriedly: "I have eight laws in mind for the Qingzhang, which are called the rules of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They discuss the officials who should be appointed, the amount of the faction that should be restored, the grain of the original levy, the law of strictly bullying the hermits, and the rules of the emperor.

During the Qing Dynasty, the method of measurement and calculation and the payment of paper supplies will be carried out."

Then he began to explain the Eight Methods of Qingzhang in detail, breaking them apart and smashing them one by one. Emperor Qingyuan listened attentively, and the expression on his face kept changing, from confusion at the beginning to shock later, and finally his face was full of emotion.

Xian Chunqiu looked at Xu Huiyan who was talking eloquently. At this moment, his mood was very complicated.

The chief minister has chosen a rough road full of thorns. If he is not careful, he will fall into the abyss. Logically speaking, Xian Chunqiu should be happy, because this will be extremely beneficial to his subsequent plans. However, looking at Xu Huiyan

With the deep wrinkles on his face, Xian Chunqiu couldn't help but feel admiration.

After clearly explaining the eight methods of clearing the father-in-law, Xu Huiyan added: "Your Majesty, clearing the land of the father-in-law is only the first step. The next step is to reform taxes and solve the stubborn problems that have plagued the imperial court for nearly a hundred years."

Emperor Qingyuan fell into deep thought. Of course he understood the value of Xu Huiyan's suggestions, but it was difficult to achieve these things. Even if some literati began to build momentum, there was the threat of war brought by Beiliang, and the consequences caused by Pei Yue during this period.

The excitement of marriage and the shameful connotation of marriage and marriage are currently a very rare opportunity, but it is still difficult.

Because Xu Huiyan was targeting a wealthy family, which constituted the main class of the Southern Zhou Dynasty, it would be extremely difficult to force them to cut off their flesh, and the resistance would be unimaginable.

Xu Huiyan knew the emperor's worries very well. A magnanimous smile appeared on his face and he said loudly: "Your Majesty, I suggest that Qingzhang Tianmu first choose a place as a pilot, and then implement it nationwide."

Xian Chunqiu's expression changed. He had roughly guessed what Xu Huiyan was thinking.

Emperor Qingyuan did the same and asked with a complicated expression: "Where?"

Xu Huiyan said calmly: "Qinghe County."

Emperor Qingyuan was silent for a moment, his eyes gradually became sharper, showing the domineering and decisiveness that an emperor should have: "Ai Qing, let go and do it, I will be your most solid backing."

"I thank your Majesty for your kindness." The stone in Xu Huiyan's heart fell to the ground. As long as the emperor could fully support him, he was determined to tear open the iron curtain that shrouded the sky of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Emperor Qingyuan sighed with emotion: "How can a country be strengthened by immutable laws? I should thank you for your willingness to carry such a heavy responsibility on your shoulders."

Xian Chunqiu, who had been silent all this time, interjected: "Sir, since the first step is to clear the land of the father-in-law, a pilot project is too little. Yonghe County, where the Xian family is located, is willing to work with Qinghe County to implement the Eight Methods of Clearing the Father-in-law at the same time."

Xu Huiyan said slightly unexpectedly: "Master Hou understands the righteousness, so naturally it is better."

Xian Chunqiu hesitated and said: "It's just that the Xian family's influence in the military is limited. If Pingjiang Town is willing to stand up, the opposition from the government and the public may be much smaller."

No matter whether this proposal was made out of justice or selfishness, no one else could fault it. As the representative of the Nandu family, the Qinghe Xu family also has a scholarly family that has been passed down for thousands of years. In addition, Xu Huiyan is now the chief minister of the cabinet, so he took the initiative to accept it.

Clearing Zhang Tian Mu can naturally stop the mouths of many wealthy families. If the Fang family of Pingjiang can do the same, with Fang Xiexiao's status and the Fang family's influence in the military, Qing Zhang Tian Mu can definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

However, Emperor Qingyuan shook his head and said: "The Duke of Zhen Guo has been suffering from the pain of losing his son recently. I can't give an explanation to the Fang family, so I will put this matter aside for the time being. After a period of time when he calms down, I will talk to him personally."

At the end of the banquet two days ago, after most of the officials had retired, Fang Xiexiao earnestly requested Emperor Qingyuan to order the arrest of Pei Yue and avenge Fang Yunhu and hundreds of Pingjiang descendants. In the end, Emperor Qingyuan did not agree, so Fang Xiexiao

Almost disheartened, he took Fang Yuntian away from Jian'an City and returned to Chengbei Camp.

Xian Chunqiu witnessed it with his own eyes, and he vaguely realized that Fang Xiexiao would never give up, and that Pei Yue's return to the north would be full of dangers.

Even if Fang Xiexiao can restrain himself, how can so many martial officers promoted by him in the army keep the overall situation in mind?

His suggestion just now was just a secret test, but Emperor Qingyuan's answer immediately made Xian Chunqiu feel a little wary.

The emperor and Xu Huiyan seemed to intentionally exclude Fang Xiexiao. Why was this?

His thoughts were racing at this time, but his face remained as calm as ever: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. I didn't think carefully, but I still pray for forgiveness."

Emperor Qingyuan waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I love you. I hope you can help Duke Zhenguo manage Wu Xun's relatives and try not to cause trouble to Xu Qing's family."

Xian Chunqiu respectfully said yes.

After a while, he saw that the monarch and his ministers were still discussing details, so he took the initiative to stand up and leave.

After he left, Emperor Qingyuan and Xu Huiyan looked at each other and said slowly: "Have you found out about that matter?"

Xu Huiyan said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I have verified clearly that Pei Yue had made preparations early that night. He laid a large number of traps in a dense forest to the north of Donglin, causing a large number of casualties to the Fang family's children. Then he also laid an ambush in advance by Danxia Lake.

Here are dozens of masters from Taishitai Pavilion in Beiliang."

Emperor Qingyuan said with a gloomy face: "Is this Xian Chunqiu's handiwork?"

Xu Huiyan sighed lightly: "Unless Pei Yue has the ability to predict the unknown, he will never be able to be so thorough. In addition, according to the investigation results of the city defense camp, when Pei Yue accepted the challenge outside the Sifang Pavilion, someone witnessed Xian Chunqiu's youngest son.

Xian Xiaoshi and Fang Yunhu appeared together."

Emperor Qingyuan thought for a moment and said calmly: "This matter ends here, don't let the news leak for the time being."

Xu Huiyan nodded and said, "I obey your order."


Chapter completed!