It was the end of April in a blink of an eye.

According to the regulations set by Liu He, a grand court meeting will be held today.

Liu He was wearing court robes and accepted the worship of all officials.

In the past half month, the court's pacification strategies against the Xianbei and Qiang people have been implemented, and the effect has begun to appear. Several Qiang tribes have experienced civil strife. Many tribal leaders and generals under Bu Dugen have also moved to the mansion given to them by Liu He, enjoying the titles and salary of the court, and living a very peaceful life as a rich man.

Although Fuyu and Goguryeo have separated from these primitive tribal models, especially Goguryeo, their political system is almost the same as that of the Han Dynasty. In addition, the current Goguryeo monarch is also considered a hero, so this strategy has not been significantly effective in Youzhou.

But even so, Zhao Yun joined forces with Tian Yu and Tian Chou to fight against the enemy troops of the two countries, and they won many battles. Although they did not wipe out the opponent's main force, they did not allow the rebels to capture a large city of Seoul.

Because of this, Liu He was in a good mood and his face was full of red on the dragon throne at this moment.

"My dear friends, this time, the good news from all over the country is frequent. I am very happy and I am determined to hold a banquet at Chongde Hall tonight to celebrate."

All the officials congratulated each other: "Your Majesty is blessed with great blessings, the country is very lucky, the people are very lucky, and the world is very lucky."

Liu He twisted his beard and said, "Do you guys have any instructions to report?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Taichang Wang Qian stood up: "Your Majesty, the old minister has the foundation to report."

Liu He looked at him. Wang Qian was not the same as him and often disobeyed him. However, last time he won over Wang Yun and suppressed Du Ji, Zhao Rong and others. Wang Qian claimed to be a branch of the Wang family in Taiyuan. For many years, he only followed Wang Yun's leader, so after that, he was considered to be a return home.

After that incident, many aristocratic families changed their previous practice of stopping recommending talents, but instead recommended juniors from the clan to the court. In order to fill the huge gap in officials and to balance the court, Liu He hired the vast majority of these people as officials.

Wang Qian's two sons, three nephews, two sons-in-law, and four nephews are now all court officials, including his second son Wang Tong, who had head-on conflicts with Chen Lie and Liu He himself in Yunhai County, was also released to Jizhou at the beginning of the year to become a county magistrate.

In addition, his eldest son Wang Can, who was originally one of the "Seven Sons of Jian'an" in history, not only had outstanding verses but also had great talent, and was highly valued by Liu He. He was just released from a county magistrate at the beginning of the year. The so-called love for the house and the selves. Liu He has naturally changed his mind about Wang Qian now.

"What's the matter with Wang Aiqing?" Liu He smiled warmly.

Wang Qian's tone was extremely decisive: "The old minister risked his life to advise and beg His Majesty to cancel the tax reform."

Liu He's smile froze on his face, but at this ceremonial meeting, he still endured the displeasure that arose in his heart.

"Oh? Why did Wang Aiqing say this?"

Wang Qian said: "Your Majesty's holy heart is kind and wants to reduce taxes, and spread favors all over the world, and sprinkle rain and dew in all directions. This is a great blessing for the country. However, the taxes reduced in this restructuring are all about promoting the common people, and even cheapening merchants and evil businessmen. However, the number of people who are rich in gentry has increased instead of reducing. Doing this way is not the way of a saint. Please think twice."

When Liu He heard this, his first reaction was to glance at Wang Yun. Seeing him standing there, looking at his nose and his heart, looking at his nose, looking at his heart, and looking at his own affairs, Liu He knew it in his heart.

"After all, this old guy can't be the same as me. You still didn't catch the last chance I gave you."

Liu He was not anxious or angry, and asked in court: "Yes, I have increased taxes to those big families. The court and the traitor Cao Cao have been unable to win many battles. Even I have almost died in Yuzhou. Shouldn't we rectify our military, recruit new recruits, and enrich the national treasury?"

His retort was obviously something Wang Qian had never expected before. He was speechless for a moment and stood there on the spot.

"This... the old minister has no intention, it's just..."

"Since my dear also agrees that the treasury should increase income, why don't we support tax increases? Is it too good that there are other good strategies that can make the treasury rich and double the annual income? If so, I will listen carefully."

"This...this...this...the old minister...the old minister has no choice..." Wang Qian became a little embarrassed.

Liu He then pulled his face down: "My dear agrees to rectify the military, but does not agree to increase taxes. What? Could it be that he thinks that this tax reform will make your Wang family pay a lot of land taxes in more than 8,600 acres of land in more than a year, so he feels distressed?"

The tone of his two sentences became colder and colder. At the end of his hearing, Wang Qian felt scared, and his legs became weak and he knelt down.

"Old minister...How dare the old minister depose the public for personal gain? The old minister has no intention, no intention..."

Liu He sneered: "Does this meant? I will find out what else to say? If it is gone, then don't you retreat?"

Wang Qian was shocked by this shout, and his body was shocked. He stood up tremblingly, bowed and retreated back to his position.

All the officials looked at each other, and each person's eyes and expressions were different. Some looked at Wang Qian with a sarcastic look, some were sympathetic, and some secretly glanced at Liu He, with a look of awe, while others were complicated, inexplicable, and even more were complicated.

Liu He glanced around and saw that no second person stood up to oppose the reform, so he spoke: "Hey..."

His word "ji" had just been spoken to his mouth, but before he could say it completely, another person stood up.

"Your Majesty, the old minister has a report."

Liu He looked over and saw that this man was tough and had a curly beard, and he looked a bit majestic, but he was a little thin and wearing a Jinxian crown on his head. He was obviously a civil servant, and he was the new servant Cui Yan.

Cui Yan was a famous scholar in Jizhou. His prestige among the scholars was even faintly above the Boling Cui family where Sikong Cui Lie was. After Liu He wiped out Yuan Shao, he took over and served as the Bingzhou Bingzhou. After the incident of Feng Fang, the Grand Secretary, he transferred him back to the center and served as the Grand servant of one of the nine ministers.

Cui Yan is a noble person and is a well-educated person. He keeps his mouth shut. He is a saint and has a very cold personality. He does not like to interact with others. He never forms cliques in the court, nor does he flatter. Although he is from a gentry, he is a lonely minister. This is one of the reasons why Liu He valued and trusted him.

Liu He saw that he was standing up, and he was a little surprised: "What, is it that the Taifu also opposed the tax reform?"

Cui Yan shook his head slightly: "I fully agree with what Your Majesty said just now. If you are separated today, there are restless people in the world, and there are rebels who cause chaos inside, and the barbarians invade outside. It is urgent to consolidate troops and build military affairs, which is related to the unity of the world and the peace of the country. It is necessary to deal with it. It requires a large amount of money and food to consolidate troops. Now the court supports more than 700,000 troops. Your Majesty is kind and every time there is a disaster, he allocates several times the money and food that is used for disaster relief and reconstruction. Therefore, although the national treasury is not empty, it is difficult to support the need for military consolidation."

"What's more, after Your Majesty ascended the throne, he repeatedly lowered taxes and kept rich in the people. Now the country needs it, and the people of the world should serve their own duties. How can you only care about your own interests and ignore the great affairs of the country?"

Liu He was somewhat unexpected to his answer: "Your dear is very wise and deserves to be a pillar of the country and a famous scholar in the world."

As soon as Liu He finished praising, Cui Yan immediately changed the subject: "However, I think that the world is not about poverty but about inequality. Your Majesty reduces taxes for the people, merchants and craftsmen, but only increases taxes for the wealthy families and local major households. I forgive me for saying frankly that this move is inappropriate."

Liu He frowned a little: "What's wrong?"

Cui Yan said: "The country is not a country with a family of gentry; the country is not a country with a family of gentry. Your Majesty is protected by God and inheriting the great throne is an example of the Han people. How can you favor one and the other? Now that the country is in trouble, why do you only increase taxes to the major gentry families, and not increase but reduce the number of farmers, industry and commerce? Doing this way may lead to unstable people's hearts and no benefit to the country."

His words were so powerful that every sentence was reasonable, which attracted many officials to nod and agree.

"I agree with the words of the Taifu. The peace of the Han Dynasty requires all people to work together and shoulder to shoulder. I beg Your Majesty to increase taxes on all people, and there is no difference. In this way, the people will be at peace, the army will be at peace, and the country will be at peace."

Dozens of ministers stood up one after another.

Liu He looked at them and thought to himself, "That's right, less than I expected. I just don't know if the others who didn't speak really want to give up their family for everyone, or if they want these people to stand up for them, hide behind the scenes, and enjoy the fruits of their own."

However, the truth they said is flawless in any aspect, and Liu He seems to be difficult to refute.

"Well... all my dear words are reasonable. They are all for the sake of the country and the country. Naturally, everyone should be equal. This seems to be because I have no consideration."

Liu He followed the advice so quickly, which caught the ministers off guard. Cui Yan, the only one, knelt down on the ground and gave a big gift.

"Your Majesty is wise and truly a wise ruler for all ages."

The other ministers also hurriedly shouted: "Your Majesty is truly a wise monarch for all ages."

"Your Majesty, all the ministers, I have something to say." A voice interrupted them. It was Qian Li.

He walked to Cui Yan and saluted respectfully first. Cui Yan hurriedly said, "The Sili School Captain is an important minister of the country. How dare Yan accept your great gift in front of His Majesty?"

Qian Li said respectfully: "When I am following the rituals, I respect the Taipu as my senior, not because of my official position."

Liu He also said, "The Tao is always very polite, so there is no need to be humble."

Cui Yan accepted it and returned the favor to Qian Li.

Seeing Qian Li's actions, everyone thought he was here to help and advise him. They thought he was a close minister of the emperor and would naturally be better if he talked with him.

However, Qian Li's next words not only shocked all the ministers, but also made Cui Yan so angry that he almost burst into smoke.

Qian Li faced Liu He and said respectfully: "I think what the Taifu said just now is simply a distortion of black and white, and there is no distinction between right and wrong. There is no gentleman's style, nor the way of a minister. The emperor is sorry for the saint's etiquette, Your Majesty is very kind, and the people are sorry for the people. The soldiers of the three armies seem to be confident, but in fact they are devoted to themselves. However, they still say that one country and the other is the heart of the people and the morale of the army is shameless."

"You are arrogant!" Many ministers directly refuted: "Mr. Cui is a famous scholar today, with a noble character. He just said, every word is a pearl, and even His Majesty deeply agrees. How dare you speak so rudely?"

Although Cui Yan himself, although he didn't say anything, his face turned blue and purple, and his eyes were fixed on Qian Li.

Wang Yun looked at the sudden scene and frowned slightly, as if he was a little confused.

Liu He pretended to be unhappy and shouted: "Sili Captain, you must not be so rude in the court. Why don't you apologize to the Taifu?"

"Reply to Your Majesty, I will never compensate you for this crime."

Qian Li's words became more and more angered Liu He. He slapped the table and shouted: "Dare you bold Qian Li, do you think you are my fellow countryman and playmates when you were young, and you dare to be so arrogant in the court? Do you really think I dare not kill you? Who is Cui Aiqing? All officials are obvious to everyone. After he said this, it makes sense. How prominent is the name of Cui in Qinghe? How could he do this shameless thing that harms the country and benefits himself? The person who came dragged the Sili School Captain out, slapped twenty rods, and then brought it to the hall to test his wounds."

Cui Yan and the ministers were relieved when they saw that Liu He treated Qian Li like this.

"It seems that His Majesty was deceived at the beginning and decided on such a reform plan. I think it must be the reason for this money. He has always been in charge of the treasury for the court, and this strategy can only come from his mouth. Fortunately, His Majesty is very clear."

Among all the officials, Wang Yun was the only one. When he looked at the scene in front of him, his eyebrows not only did not relax, but instead twisted tighter.

Qian Li broke free from the two imperial guards who went to the palace to arrest him and kowtowed to Liu He and said, "Your Majesty, after I finished speaking, Your Majesty and all the ministers will feel that I am talking nonsense and slandering you, then, don't say that I want to apologize, even if the servant wants to be accused of some money, I will give it to him."

Liu He's face was slightly angry and waved his hand: "Hmph, I don't believe you can tell anything else. Tell me quickly. If I notice that there is a frame-up, I will definitely punish you severely!"

"There are my husbands who follow the order."

Qian Li bowed and then turned to look at Cui Yan, who was already angry with him, but at this time he no longer had the respect he had just now, and there was an aggressive look in his eyes.

"You and I are ministers in the same palace. Now I am issuing an order. If you have something to ask, the servant must tell you the truth."

Cui Yan's face turned pale, gritted his teeth, and said, "Just ask, "That's all. Although Cui is not talented, he also knows loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness. It is a great ritual for a person and is related to the important matters of the court. In front of His Majesty, Cui has no reason to deceive."

Qian Li's eyes kept staring at his eyes, making Cui Yan feel uncomfortable.

"What Taipu said just now is that the affairs of the world should not be affected by poverty but unevenness. The country and country are not owned by one person and one family. We should uphold fairness and contribute to everyone. Is this true?"

Cui Yan couldn't guess what he wanted to say, but he nodded and said, "Yes, Cui did think so."

"Okay, it's good if the servant admits it."

Qian Li then walked in the hall for a while and suddenly shouted, "Do you know, what is fairness? What is unevenness?"

All officials were confused by his question. Wang Qian said, "Why did the Sili School Captain have this question? Guanzi says: "The heaven is fair and selfless, so all beauty and evil are overturned; the earth is fair and selfless, so all small and big are recorded. The so-called fairness is equal to everyone, and they are selfless in the country and the country. From royal relatives to the vast majority, they all do their best. This is fairness. On the contrary, it is uneven."

"Okay, it's so easy to learn." Qian Li praised.

"In this way, I will ask you something. Do you think the tax system currently in the court is fair?"

Everyone became more and more confused by his question.

Cui Yan asked back: "Your Majesty has been in power for many years, has light taxes and taxes, and has returned to his heart. How could it be an unfair policy?"
To be continued...