Frontier Army Warrior

Chapter 715: Tax Collection

The entire inner court of the imperial palace and the Zhao family can consume half of the city of Kyoto.

Han Qi wrote the memorial and ordered someone to prepare a sedan chair.

He wanted to go to the palace to meet with the emperor and have a good discussion on how to collect the tax money from Lin Feng.

He and Wan Quan had Lin Feng's leverage in their hands, so they were not afraid that he would dig up old scores, even though Zhao Wenqi and Jiao Sanqiang would expose them.

If Lin Feng dares to overturn the table, it will be a situation where both sides will perish.

In fact, Lin Feng's sins were much more serious than theirs.

No man wants to be cuckolded, and the emperor cannot tolerate such an insult. If he turns against her, the first person he will take action against will definitely not be Han Qi.

Everyone present at the time saw clearly that Concubine Wan and Lin Feng's bodies were exposed, including what should and shouldn't be exposed. Lin Feng's guilt was definitely proven.

Han Qi sat in the sedan chair carried by eight people, feeling very proud.

Although it took some thought, the effect was very good. I avoided a bloody disaster and accomplished a great thing, which significantly improved my sleep quality at night.

At the age of sixty-three, he actually gave his concubine a surprise. One could feel her satisfaction from the concubine's face.

Han Qi became more and more proud as he thought about it, and then he began to hum a little tune.

It was already three quarters past three in the morning when we entered Chengde Hall from the palace gate.

The young eunuch came back and forth and said that the emperor was still sleeping and had not gotten up.

Han Qi shook his head and smiled bitterly. The emperor slept much better than himself.

After waiting for half an hour, the emperor walked into the hall with square steps.

Han Qi bowed quickly.

"May your Majesty be well. I have something important to report to you, and I am sorry to disturb your Majesty's leisure."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "The Prime Minister's affairs are of national importance. How can they be compared with my personal affairs? Please report it to me."

As he spoke, he had already sat down behind the dragon desk.

Han Qi came to the desk and held the memorial in both hands.

"Your Majesty, the rebellion has wreaked havoc across most of the country, leading to years of poor harvests and a depleted treasury. I have heard that the people of the seven prefectures of Zhenxi, Dingyuan, Sanjiang, Shanglin, Tongsheng, Tianzhi, and Jingxi are prosperous, and the government coffers are full. It is time to collect the taxes owed over the years."

When Zhao Zhen heard this, he immediately widened his eyes.

Of course, you know very well about your own family affairs.

I have no money left.

Treasury?

Not only did he lose all his money, but he was also heavily in debt and owed a huge amount of money.

This tax must be collected, and more must be collected.

"Well, my dear minister, you are absolutely right. Let's do it immediately. Since we have money, we must pay taxes and levies. There must be no mistakes in this matter."

"Your Majesty is wise, but..."

"Hmm? Any questions?"

"Your Majesty, these seven prefectures were all taken by Lin Feng. The officials there are all Lin Feng's men. If you want to collect taxes, you must first give Lin Feng an order."

Zhao Zhen frowned: "They are all under the jurisdiction of the Great Sect, how did it become Lin Feng's territory? Even Lin Feng is under the jurisdiction of the court, right?"

"Your Majesty, that's what you said, but if we want to collect taxes smoothly, we still have to rely on Lin Feng."

Han Qi gave further suggestions.

"Alright, alright. I will immediately draft an edict to have Lin Feng comply with taxation."

"The Emperor's Holy Might."

Zhu Qisheng quickly drafted the imperial edict and stamped the imperial seal on it under Zhao Zhen's nose.

Han Qi took the imperial edict with both hands with a smile and did not leave.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. To issue this decree, we need the cooperation of Prince Rui."

"Why?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Rui strongly supports Lin Feng. If he speaks up, Lin Feng will naturally be more forthright."

Zhao Zhen frowned and nodded.

He knew very well that in Lin Feng's eyes, his imperial edict was indeed not as important as the words of King Rui.

He waved his hands impatiently: "Go ahead, go ahead. You should know what to do."

Han Qi then bowed and took his leave, holding the imperial edict and walking out of the hall.

Prince Rui didn't take it seriously and readily gave Han Qi a warrant.

This is because all under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people in the world are the king's subjects. The people in the prefectures cultivate the royal land, so naturally they should pay taxes.

However, when Han Qi handed the imperial edict and Prince Rui's order to Lin Feng, Lin Feng was very dissatisfied.

Looking at Han Qi sitting calmly beside him and drinking tea, Lin Feng became furious.

This old guy is always thinking about scheming against himself.

When we fought back against the rebels, he didn't stand up to support me.

Lin Feng became more and more certain that he had fallen into a trap set by this old man.

When I entered Wenjun Building, it was he who urged me to go in and receive the award.

When I left, he tried his best to stop me.

If you say that the honey trap has nothing to do with him, I'm afraid even a pig wouldn't believe it.

Lin Feng pondered for a while before speaking.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, these prefectures were promised a three-year tax exemption, yet now, in most places, it's been less than a year. This is just a reversal of policy."

Han Qi chuckled and said, "Commander-in-chief, the tax exemption was a local act at the time, not a court policy. This is understandable."

"Wouldn't that destroy my reputation?"

"Alas, how can the prestige of the commander-in-chief be compared with the life and death of the court? Now the national treasury is empty, and even my salary has not been paid for three years."

Lin Feng said with a smile: "The Prime Minister's family wealth is enough to last for another thirty years, so don't cry poor in front of me."

Han Qi's expression straightened. "Commander-in-Chief, I have always been law-abiding and dedicated to my work. My family of seven hundred people all rely on my salary to survive."

"Seven hundred children? How fertile are you?"

"Ahem...even the servants are included."

Lin Feng shook his head: "The Prime Minister has only twenty immediate family members, and yet you have seven hundred people serving him. I wonder how much your salary is?"

Han Qi knew that he had let the cat out of the bag, and his eyes rolled around.

"Commander, we have strayed from the topic. Now the emperor has issued an order to collect taxes. Please don't hold me back."

Lin Feng sneered: "How can you have the nerve to ask for tax repayment? At that time, there was war and the people were living in poverty, and the court did not provide relief to the people. Now the people have just had a few days of good life, and the court is asking for tax repayment. You have the nerve, but I am not so thick-skinned."

Han Qi looked embarrassed: "Commander, this is the emperor's order. I am only here to pass on the order."

"If you don't tell him, will the emperor remember to collect taxes?"

Lin Feng looked disdainful.

"This... This is my job, but..."

Lin Feng waved his hand to interrupt Han Qi.

"If you want to go, go ahead and take whatever you want. I don't care. This matter won't be held against me."

"Commander, they all listen to you."

"I am currently the commander of the Imperial Guards and have no responsibility for taxation. At the time, the people were exempted from taxes because they listened to me. If the court wishes to change this, you, the Prime Minister in charge of taxes, must personally explain it to the people."

"Ah, do you want me to explain to the people?"

"Why, aren't you thick-skinned enough?"

Although Han Qi was much older than Lin Feng in terms of both official position and age.

However, Lin Feng was not polite at all to this person.