Frontier Army Warrior

Chapter 745: Enemies with Officials

Han Qi nodded. "I acknowledge that Commander Lin's reforms have been successful. However, the people are already prosperous. We must consider the overall situation and consolidate the foundation of the court. This is the path to long-term development."

Lin Feng sneered: "If we talk about considering the overall situation, shouldn't the officials of the court set an example and lead by example?"

An official in the queue sneered.

"Since ancient times, there has never been a saying that officials pay taxes."

Lin Feng sighed.

"Ordinary people work tirelessly to make a living, yet still rely on the weather for their livelihood. Yet, you high-ranking officials receive salaries thousands and even tens of thousands of times greater than ordinary people, yet you don't have to pay a cent. Is this fair?"

"This is the rule of the court. Otherwise, who would be willing to be an official?"

Lin Feng looked at the young official and said lightly.

"Tell me your name. You became an official for the salary and tax exemptions. I guess your career has ended."

The young official's face turned pale instantly and his lips trembled.

"I... Your humble servant... That's not what I meant..."

Grand Tutor Wan said coldly, "Don't avoid the important issue. What we are discussing now is whether the seven prefectures in Zhenxi should pay taxes."

Lin Feng pointed at Han Qi.

"Prime Minister, you know that these prefectures and counties are all IOUs from the Imperial Guards. They are all debts owed by the Grand Tutor when he led the army. Shouldn't you be the one to pay them back?"

"What a joke! I commanded the Imperial Guards and risked my life to fight against the rebels. How can I protect Kyoto without food and supplies?"

"What we're discussing now is whether you should repay these debts. What are you talking about risking your life for? Just because I didn't risk my life, you can avoid paying the debt, but I should pay taxes if I risk my life for you?"

"you..."

"What do you mean by 'you'? You've been defeated time and time again, and you can even refuse to pay back your debts. I, Lin Feng, have been victorious time and time again, yet I have to pay taxes to the court. Let the emperor judge this, and let all the officials listen to this rule. From which dynasty did it come?"

All the officials remained silent, standing there blankly pondering this problem.

They were all extremely surprised that the current Grand Tutor was speechless after being refuted by Lin Feng. Is this still the Grand Tutor Wan who could make the whole hall tremble with a stomp of his feet?

Prince Rui waved his hand and smiled, "Lin Feng, you have made outstanding military achievements, and the court will certainly reward you. However, if the prefectures and counties do not pay taxes, the national treasury will be empty, and we will not be able to guarantee the supply of the army. You said that the officials should set an example, but this has almost emptied my family's funds. Does this count as setting an example?"

Lin Feng bowed and said, "I believe what the prince said. I also believe that the emperor's inventory is empty, but what about them?"

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to gesture to the officials behind him.

"In the face of national crisis, haven't you made any contribution to the court?"

Lin Feng turned around, put his hands behind his back, and strolled in the aisle between the civil and military officials, glancing left and right at the officials on both sides.

"It is said that when the rebels besieged the city, only four or five officials insisted on attending the emperor's court meeting. So... where did you all go?"

As he spoke, he turned around and strolled back.

"Is there anyone who dares to come forward and explain the situation? Perhaps the emperor will understand your suffering."

No one spoke, and no one stood up.

When Emperor Zhao Zhen heard Lin Feng say this, he felt secretly happy in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it out loud.

Ninety percent of the civil and military officials in the entire hall had never been present when the rebels besieged the city. If they turned against each other and investigated the matter, the court meeting would be unable to continue.

Lin Feng could say this, but as the emperor he could not turn his back on his father in public.

Han Qi frowned and changed the subject: "Commander Lin, if you were the prime minister, how would you solve the current dilemma?"

Lin Feng returned to his seat and spread his hands.

"I'm not a prime minister, so I... don't know."

All the officials were shocked. Although this man was young, he could argue and speak eloquently in the court.

Facing several big guys, he was not afraid at all, and felt relaxed, but few people can do that.

Han Qi was also helpless and had to follow Lin Feng's example and spread out his hands.

"The court needs to maintain itself without taxes. Currently, only the seven prefectures in Zhenxi have money and food..."

Having said this, he looked at Lin Feng and stopped talking.

Lin Feng did not avoid the question and spoke directly.

"Do you know why the seven prefectures in Zhenxi are so economically prosperous and their people so wealthy?"

Without waiting for anyone to ask questions, Lin Feng continued.

"The key lies in the institutional reforms that are implemented. The implementation of such a system will produce such a positive social effect that everyone will become rich, have food to eat, a house to live in, fields to farm, and money to spend."

Prince Rui waved his hand: "Lin Feng, do you want to fully implement such a system?"

"Your Highness, only in this way can the lives of the people be improved and can we achieve true national prosperity and strength."

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but say, "Since it's so good, I can consider reforming the current system."

Han Qi quickly asked, "Commander Lin, please tell me the basic outlines of this system."

"It's very simple. Officials and citizens alike pay taxes and donations, perform corvée labor, collect grain based on the number of acres of land, and pay taxes based on the amount of property..."

Before Lin Feng could finish his words, the entire hall was already buzzing with discussions, drowning out his voice.

Everyone here opposes such a system, and they oppose it strongly.

Since ancient times, who among the officials would pay taxes and who would perform labor service?

Not to mention being an official yourself, as long as there is an official in your family, you can avoid taxes in almost any way you want.

Emperor Zhao Zhen and Prince Rui Zhao Xun both smiled bitterly.

The royal family doesn’t care. All the money will be paid into the national treasury, which is equivalent to handing it over to the Zhao family.

However, the ministers in the palace were not happy about this. Without their privileges, who would still want to be an official? Just for this reason, Lin Feng became the public enemy of the entire court.

Originally, Lin Feng defeated the rebels, and most officials had a good impression of him.

As a result, not only did the little bit of goodwill that was left disappear, but hatred also arose in my heart.

The chaotic discussions never stopped and the court meeting could not continue. Emperor Zhao Zhen had no choice but to wave his hand at Zhu Qisheng.

Zhu Qisheng shouted loudly: "Dismiss the court."

After shouting, he turned around, helped Zhao Zhen up, and walked straight to the side door of the imperial road.

All the court officials knelt on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor!", and then when the emperor disappeared, they immediately scattered.

No one paid any attention to Lin Feng anymore.

Ma Buxuan originally wanted to say hello to Lin Feng.

He followed Lin Feng into battle, benefited from his success, and became famous in one battle. After returning to Beijing, he boasted about it to everyone.

At the same time, he admired Lin Feng from the bottom of his heart and his affection for him doubled.

Who would have thought that this bit of goodwill would melt away in an instant like ice and snow falling into a hot pot.

In less than half a minute, only Prince Rui, Prime Minister Han Qi, and Lin Feng who was standing silently were left in the Zhengde Hall.

Prince Rui walked up to Lin Feng.

"Lin Feng, your system reform is on hold. Should we first collect some silver to help the court?"

Lin Feng looked at King Rui's earnest gaze and shook his head firmly.

"Your Highness, if this matter remains unresolved and you continue to impose taxes on the people, I...do not agree."

Prince Rui turned to look at Han Qi in disappointment, and saw the same helpless look in Han Qi's eyes.

Is this Lin Feng determined to be an enemy of all officials in the world?

Why did he do this?

What benefits does it bring to you?