Chapter 25: The Initial Discussion on Court Affairs

Li Qing finally understood why Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to see him. It was all due to the excessive interpretations of this group of literati.

It has to be said that they really know how to do reading comprehension!

Damn it! I've been screwed by these people... Li Qing let out a sigh and said with a bitter smile, "Empress, do you believe all this?"

Empress Ma smiled softly, "It doesn't matter whether I believe it or not, nor does it matter whether the Emperor believes it or not. What matters is that all the literati, scholars, and members of the Hanlin Academy in the capital think this way."

Li Qing was silent for a moment and then said, "I beg the Empress to teach me what to do."

"I can't teach you." Empress Ma shook her head. "This poem was written by you, and you have the final say on its interpretation. I'm showing you these things just to let you be mentally prepared. As for how to deal with it, it's up to you."

"Hoo~" Li Qing nodded. "Thank you, Empress, for telling me this."

Seeing that he quickly regained his composure, a hint of admiration flashed in Empress Ma's eyes. She smiled and asked, "Is it okay to start the acupuncture treatment?"

"Yes, it is."

...

Two quarters of an hour later, Li Qing withdrew the silver needles and left the Qianqing Palace.

"You're finally out." Mao Xiang grabbed Li Qing and dragged him towards the Imperial Study. "The Emperor has been out of the court session for a while. When you answer his questions later, be honest and don't talk nonsense."

"... I understand!"

Li Qing nodded helplessly and thought to himself: Nothing has even happened yet, and you're already trying to shift the blame?

In the Imperial Study.

After getting permission, the two of them walked into the hall together.

"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty, the Emperor, and His Highness, the Crown Prince."

"Rise." Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorials and looked at Mao Xiang. "Where is that Mr. Li?"

"Your Majesty, I have brought Mr. Li here." Mao Xiang replied respectfully. "The author of that poem is Li Qing, a thousand - household officer under my command."

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback, and Crown Prince Zhu Biao was also greatly surprised. They both looked at Li Qing.

Li Qing summoned up his courage, took a step forward, and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, what the Commander said is true. I am the one who wrote that poem."

"Li Qing." Crown Prince Zhu Biao was the first to "launch an attack". "Leaving aside the quality of your poem, just the fact that you used it to subtly allude to and insinuate the court is a serious crime. Do you admit your guilt?"

"I..." Li Qing instinctively wanted to protest his innocence, but suddenly remembered what Empress Ma had said. He swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, lifted his robe, and bowed. "Your servant admits his guilt and is filled with fear."

He knew that Zhu Biao was trying to help him. Zhu Biao had directly changed a debate topic into a multiple - choice question.

At the same time, he also understood that if he tried to argue at this moment, it would not only be of no use but would also make Zhu Yuanzhang dislike him.

Just as Empress Ma had said, it didn't matter whether the Emperor believed it or not. What mattered was that everyone thought this way.

Li Qing knew that even if he had a hundred mouths, he couldn't argue with those well - educated scholars. So he simply admitted it.

Seeing that he was so sensible, a smile played on the corner of Zhu Biao's mouth, and he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Biao and then said indifferently, "Mr. Li said, 'It's a pity that one is always misled by the slender waist.' Could you tell me what this'slender waist' refers to?"

"Your servant is filled with fear." Li Qing said respectfully. "I am a member of the Jinyiwei and have no right to comment on state affairs."

"You've already commented!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone suddenly became stern, and his imperial aura burst out. The eunuchs and maids were so scared that they fell to their knees.

Mao Xiang also knelt down to plead guilty. "I have been lax in governing my subordinates. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"It's not your fault." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and stared straight at Li Qing. "Answer me directly."

Li Qing took a deep breath and replied directly, "Your servant believes that when encountering a problem, what should be done is to solve the problem, not just deal with the people who are at fault.

Just like the case of stamping on blank papers, the officials in charge of the seals have deceived the Emperor and committed unforgivable crimes. But killing them doesn't solve the problem. If the system is not reformed, such things will still happen in the future."

"Li Qing!"

"Shut up." Zhu Yuanzhang glared at his son, then turned back to look at Li Qing. "Go on."

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang wasn't angry, Li Qing relaxed a little. As long as he was given a chance to speak, that was fine. "Your Majesty, in your servant's humble opinion, the court should establish another institution specifically responsible for detailed accounts.

Gather the accounts of the local areas and the accounts that need to be reconciled with the Ministry of Revenue in this department, and let them be responsible for collecting and checking the accounts.

In this way, it will also save local officials from having to travel back and forth, and the time saved can be used to do more practical things.

With the addition of a third - party institution, it will also greatly reduce the possibility of favoritism and malpractice, and ensure greater fairness."

"This is already being done by the court. You just didn't know about it." Zhu Yuanzhang said indifferently. "Don't think you're the only smart one."

Li Qing was stunned for a moment, then sighed in admiration, "Your Majesty is wise."

"Stop trying to be evasive." Zhu Yuanzhang wasn't impressed at all. "Aren't you quite capable?

Go on. If you say something good, I'll forgive you. If not, hmph..."

Li Qing had no choice. After thinking for a while, he said, "Your servant believes that the tax system can be adjusted appropriately. Paying taxes in kind is time - consuming and laborious. It would be better to collect money directly. This would not only be more convenient for the common people, but also greatly increase the court's tax revenue."

"Abolish the tax in kind?" Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes lit up. After thinking for a while, he shook his head. "No, food is the priority for the people. The court must have control over the things related to people's food, clothing, and daily use."

Li Qing secretly sighed: In the final analysis, it's because the credibility of the Daming banknotes is not enough. Even the issuer himself thinks so, so what else is there to say?

So he made a compromise and said, "Your Majesty, not all things related to food, clothing, and daily use are suitable for paying taxes in kind. For example, fruits.

The transportation cost is extremely high. The manpower and losses during the transportation from the local areas to the capital account for more than half of the tax itself. For things like these that are difficult to store for a long time, it would be better to convert them into money at the market price."

"Hmm... That's true." Zhu Yuanzhang said with satisfaction. "This is a good proposal."

"Anything else?"

"No more." Li Qing added, "Not for now."

It's better to reveal ideas gradually, and besides, he didn't know much about state affairs. He wasn't sure whether his ideas were suitable for implementation.

Today was just a small attempt, and it was enough to gain Zhu Yuanzhang's appreciation.

"Okay." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Take him away and give him twenty strokes of the rod."

"What?" Li Qing was stunned. "Your Majesty, you asked me to speak!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I did ask you to speak, but I'm not punishing you for that. You were punished because you insinuated and alluded to the court. Twenty strokes of the rod is a lenient punishment for you."

"... Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."

...

"Father, this man has extraordinary vision and unique insights. He can be a pillar of the country." Zhu Biao frowned slightly. "If you punish him too severely and scare him into silence, it will be a great loss."

"Hehe..." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. "You still lack experience in judging people. Don't be deceived by his submissive appearance. In fact, this man has audacity beyond measure. This slight punishment won't scare him at all."

Zhu Biao didn't agree, but he didn't refute either. He forced a smile and said, "Father, why don't you give this man to me?"

"Look at your lack of ambition." Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily. "In the future, the whole of Daming will be in your hands. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Haha... Long live Father." Zhu Biao said with an embarrassed smile. "Your son just thinks that with this man's talent and learning, being a thousand - household officer in the Jinyiwei is a waste of his ability. Why not let him..."

"No way."

Zhu Yuanzhang refused firmly. "Biao'er, don't think that what Li Qing said today can't be seen by others. In fact, local officials and even capital officials understand this truth, but not a single one of them has submitted a memorial. Do you know why?"

"Is it because... of interests?"

"Exactly." Zhu Yuanzhang said. "Once he enters the civil official system, he will have only two outcomes. One is to blend in with the crowd and become mediocre, and the other is to be excluded and unable to achieve much."

"Only in the Jinyiwei can he maintain his original aspiration."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Not only should he not be allowed to enter the civil official system, but he should also be made to stand on the opposite side of the civil officials. Only by relying on the Emperor's favor can he survive. In this way, he can be completely used by us."

As he spoke, he let out a sigh. "The remnants of the Yuan Dynasty have not been eliminated, and they continue to harass Daming. The interior of Daming is also unstable, with many local chieftains rebelling. The reason why I have followed the Yuan Dynasty's system in many places is to quickly stabilize Daming.

In fact, how could I not want to reform? But Daming simply doesn't have the conditions for reform yet."

"Father..."

Zhu Biao looked at his father, who had already grown a lot of white hair, and felt very distressed.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand. "Don't worry. I will definitely remove all obstacles for you while I'm still alive, so that you can carry out reforms with peace of mind after you ascend to the throne."

Zhu Biao sniffed and said with a choke in his voice, "Your son is incompetent."

"Ah? You've already done a good job. It's just that sometimes... you're too soft - hearted." Zhu Yuanzhang helped Zhu Biao up. After a pause, he said, "However, Li Qing's small reforms won't have a great impact and can be implemented.

You should sort it out later and submit a memorial during the afternoon court session." Zhu Yuanzhang reminded, "Remember to skillfully reveal to the civil officials that it was Li Qing who proposed this strategy, so that he will be hated by others."

"Father..." Zhu Biao was a little hesitant.

"When you carry out reforms after ascending to the throne, you must have someone by your side who is both capable and absolutely trustworthy." Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily. "Just do as I say."

"Your... your son obeys the order."