jdhmnovel Chapter 76 Review
Chapter 76 Review
Chapter 76 Review
Beijing, the Forbidden City.
Emperor Chongzhen, Zhu Youjian, yawned, looked at the memorial in his hand for a while, and suddenly frowned.
"Bang!" Zhu Youjian slammed the memorial onto the table angrily.
"The sons of noble families are capable of all kinds of evil deeds, and it is truly despicable that a mere county magistrate dares to levy taxes without authorization!" Zhu Youjian said viciously.
"Your Majesty, it's already past midnight. You should rest early!" Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, hurriedly reminded Emperor Chongzhen, fearing that he would upset himself.
"Sigh... I'll rest after I finish reviewing the remaining memorials." Zhu Youjian picked up another memorial.
"Huh?" Zhu Youjian looked at the memorial and was completely confused.
This memorial was submitted by Li Hongye, the prefect of Hezhou, accusing the newly appointed Tongpan (assistant prefect) of Yu Wuzhen. The matter presented was the same as the previous memorial, but the conclusion was completely opposite. Li Hongye was entirely on Wang Wenzhou's side, supporting Wang Wenzhou's proposal to levy a city tax. Moreover, Li Hongye praised Wang Wenzhou to the skies, saying that if every county in the Ming Dynasty levied a city tax, the national treasury would be overflowing.
"Cheng'en, have you read these two memorials?" Zhu Youjian asked.
“This old servant has reviewed it. According to ancestral rules, an entry tax cannot be levied. However, if what Lord Li says is true, and the people enthusiastically support an entry tax, it would be a good way to replenish the national treasury.” Wang Chengen knew that the Chongzhen Emperor’s treasury was empty.
The ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty, similar to a modern constitution, was the supreme authority, and even the emperor dared not easily change it.
"These mediocre people in the court only know how to fight amongst themselves and deceive their superiors. I don't know who to believe, or who I can trust. On the same matter, two memorials are completely contradictory!" Zhu Youjian lamented.
Zhu Youjian was 25 years old this year, young, but already had white hair. Chongzhen ascended the throne at the age of 16 and swiftly eliminated the eunuch faction, showing some signs of being a wise ruler.
When Wei Zhongxian was alive, the national treasury was relatively full. However, after Zhu Youjian executed Wei Zhongxian and eliminated the eunuch faction, the national treasury began to run dry. Despite this, Zhu Youjian still fully supported Yuan Chonghuan's strategy to pacify Liaodong, tightening his belt to ensure Yuan Chonghuan's military expenses.
However, Yuan Chonghuan's boasts were too grandiose. Not only did he fail to pacify Liaodong in five years, but the Manchus also brazenly seized Beijing, with their army parading around the city several times. The political situation then descended into chaos, with the Manchus growing increasingly powerful and the rebel forces in the northwest rising in strength.
From this point on, Zhu Youjian became increasingly distrustful of the ministers in the court.
Now that Zhu Youjian saw Wang Wenzhou's method of taxing people entering the city, he had an idea.
"Cheng'en, go to Hezhou and investigate the city entry tax system firsthand. If it is as Li Hongye described in his memorial, I will adopt it. Even if it violates ancestral rules, I will still push it forward," Zhu Youjian said.
"This old servant obeys!"
"Go secretly and don't make a scene, after all, paying the city entrance tax violates ancestral rules. If those mediocre people in the court find out, they will definitely oppose it immediately," Zhu Youjian warned.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant knows what to do." Wang Chengen nodded repeatedly.
……
The backyard of the county government office in Hanshan County.
Ever since the four talented young men harassed several policewomen on the street a few days ago, Wang Wenzhou has been having Zhang Jiao dedicate two hours each day to teaching the policewomen martial arts. Policewomen need to have fighting skills; just crying won't cut it.
That day, Wang Wenzhou had nothing to do, so he came over to watch the female police officers train.
Wang Wenzhou was well aware of Zhang Jiao's kung fu skills; he had been beaten by the violent girl quite a bit. Under Zhang Jiao's tutelage these past few days, the policewomen had also become quite adept at boxing.
"Punch!" Zhang Jiao, with her hands behind her back, slowly paced forward and gave the command.
"Whoosh!" The policewomen unleashed a powerful punch.
Wang Wenzhou looked at Zhang Jiao with a smile. Zhang Jiao had been very well-behaved these past few days and hadn't laid a hand on him. Zhang Jiao, who wasn't hitting anyone, looked quite pretty in her black policewoman uniform from a distance. These days, Wang Wenzhou's mother had been worrying about his marriage. His mother often talked about Zhang Jiao, praising her as a good girl.
However, there's still no clear candidate for a suitable wife. After all, Wang Wenzhou's father hasn't inherited the title yet, and many noble families with eligible daughters are waiting to see what happens. If Wang Wenzhou doesn't become the Earl of Xinjian, his social status will be significantly lower.
Wang Wenzhou wasn't worried about marriage. His most desired wife was, of course, the goddess Sheng Lan—gentle, virtuous, and the perfect wife and mother. However, getting past his mother would be a difficult hurdle.
A series of hurried footsteps sounded, and Wang Wenzhou turned his head to see Wang Qiang and Sheng Liang rushing over.
"Young Master, Spring Breeze Pavilion is open again!" Wang Qiang said.
Wang Wenzhou frowned and said irritably, "Xiao Qiang, are you stupid?! Didn't I tell you that as soon as Chunfeng Pavilion opens for business, you take the constables to check the good citizen certificates. Make it impossible for them to stay in business!"
“We did investigate! But it was no use! There’s only one brothel in Hanshan County now, and the customers are willing to go to great lengths for the girls. Before entering Chunfeng Pavilion, they bring their good citizen certificates and have them checked by the yamen runners,” Wang Qiang said with a wry smile.
The girls at Chunfeng Pavilion had all obtained their good citizen certificates, and since they were operating legally, they couldn't be taken to the yamen anymore. Wang Qiang had no choice but to cause trouble for the customers, but who knew that the customers were truly not afraid of trouble for the sake of the girls.
"Hey!" Wang Wenzhou laughed and scolded, "You two are so stupid! You can't check the good citizen certificate, but you can check other things! Come on, I'll give you another lesson!"
In no time, Wang Wenzhou arrived at Chunfeng Pavilion with his men.
As soon as Wang Wenzhou entered the lobby, he noticed a middle-aged man looking at him with a grin.
"Oh, isn't this Boxin?" Wang Wenhua stood up and greeted Wang Wenzhou with a smile.
Wang Wenzhou was stunned for a moment before he realized that this was his cousin, Wang Wenhua. The "Boxin" he mentioned was his courtesy name.
"Brother! You really don't treat your younger brother like a brother at all. I am the magistrate of Hanshan County, and you didn't even come to see me when you arrived in Hanshan!" Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
"I just arrived today. I heard that my second aunt is also in Hanshan. My eldest brother was just about to go and pay his respects to her," Wang Wenhua said with a smile.
Who are you trying to fool? I'm a conman! Wang Wenzhou thought to himself with a laugh, "Don't think I don't know you've already arrived in Hanshan."
"Lord Wang! You know each other?" Ma Deyun asked, feigning surprise.
“Wang Wenzhou is my cousin,” Wang Wenhua said.
"Your Excellency, have you come to check the good citizen certificates in person again today?" Yang Shan asked with a mocking expression.
"No! I'm so busy, how could I spend all my time doing such trivial things?" Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
"Pah!" Ma Deyun cursed inwardly. "You shameless idiot Wang! A county magistrate personally leading a team to check citizen certificates, and you have the nerve to do that? With your cousin here today, do you still have any shame?"
"Brothers, you guys have fun first. I have official business to attend to. Someone, quickly check the fire safety measures in the building!" Wang Wenzhou turned around and ordered.
Upon hearing the order, the constables rushed upstairs and began banging on the door, shouting, "Come out here! We need to check the fire prevention measures!"
"Lord Wang, what are you doing?" Ma Deyun asked irritably.
"Mr. Ma, don't be angry! Summer is almost here, and fires are more likely to break out. I'm doing this for your own good, bringing people here specifically to inspect fire prevention measures. Safety is paramount! A fire could be a matter of life and death! After the officials have finished their inspection, they will issue you the inspection report. If the fire prevention measures are not in place, your shop will have to make rectifications and temporarily close!" Wang Wenzhou replied with a smile.