After hearing this, Zhang Weixian smiled, reached out and put down the teacup in his hand, and said with a smile: "What was expected."

"Father, do you think there is a conspiracy in this matter?" Zhang Zhiji looked at Zhang Weixian and asked with a little hesitation.

After hearing his son's words, Zhang Weixian became interested immediately. He smiled and asked, "Okay, then let me tell you what you think."

After getting older, Zhang Weixian was willing to raise his son.

After hearing his father's words, Zhang Zhiji nodded and said, "The whole thing makes people feel a little weird. Is Duke Cheng really that stupid? And I always think there is something wrong with this matter. Did Your Majesty force him?"

"It seems that there is no benefit for him to do this. Although His Majesty gave him a reward and made him the governor of the Beijing camp, now everyone knows that these things are false. Can he offend all the nobles and relatives for this benefit?"

After looking at his son, Zhang Weixian nodded and said with emotion: "It would be great that you can think of this, but this idea is not allowed to come back in the future. All thoughts must be rotten in my stomach."

"From today on, you can only remember that this matter was done by Chengguo, and he did it voluntarily, without any persecution. He is such a person who seeks rewards in order to receive the merits and to get the grace of His Majesty."

"Don't worry, father, I understand." Zhang Zhiji said quickly.

Then he showed a tangled look on his face, and he said helplessly: "What should we do? There have been a lot of visits in the mansion these two days, and they are all here to visit. Our family is the first noble family. If we don't stand out, no one of these people will dare to stand out. But if our family stand out, we may offend His Majesty."

"What do you think of Your Majesty now?" Zhang Weixian asked as he looked at his son.

"The decisive killing is not easy to serve." Zhang Zhiji said slowly: "From the actions of His Majesty after he ascended the throne, he should not care about the old ministers, nor about the kindness of the generations of national grace. It can be seen from the affairs of the Old Fu King that His Majesty is not ruthless when he starts."

Zhang Weixian nodded, sighed softly, stood up and said, "Don't talk about His Majesty today. After so many years, are there few nobles and honorary relatives who have been dismissed in the Ming Dynasty?"

"In my opinion, Your Majesty is to be Taizu and Chengzu today. No matter how the evaluation of Taizu and Chengzu is like, there are their own set of evaluation criteria among the nobles and relatives."

"First of all, it's about Emperor Taizu. Emperor Taizu is rewarded with great kindness. As for the nobles and relatives who were killed by Emperor Taizu, you can tell what they did. But at the same time, it also explains one thing, that is, Emperor Taizu killed people without blinking, and he was definitely a cruel and ruthless person."

"As for Emperor Chengzu, he was also a talented and stubborn master. He fought with him back then, but he ended up having a good end. But in fact, the nobles and honorary relatives of Chengzu had already learned their lessons and dared not be as arrogant as those of Emperor Taizu's time, otherwise they would be dealt with."

Zhang Zhiji instantly understood that his father said that His Majesty should learn from Taizu and Chengzu instead of simply learning one, which only means one thing: His Majesty can be as cruel and ruthless as Taizu, and can also give his ministers who are dedicated to their efforts a good end like Emperor Chengzu.

Seeing his son's face showing a clear expression, Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "It would be best if you can understand."

"Have Your Majesty ever treated one of those who have done things for Your Majesty? Where are the people who are right now?"

"The nobles and honorary relatives rely on the royal favor. Without the royal favor, what else can we have left?"

"If we hold military power, Your Majesty may have taken some consideration. But for more than 200 years of Ming Dynasty, what are we left with us?"

"During the Jiajing Dynasty, we had almost lost it. At that time, Qi Jiguang was fighting, and all those who could fight were recruiters. Our subordinates would have been unreliable. If it weren't for the royal family's heart, we would have been gone long ago. The main reason why our British Duke's Mansion was able to maintain its current status was not because we did the right thing at the right time?"

"Yes, what my father taught me." Zhang Zhiji said quickly.

"Look at those civil servants. Which civil servants in the court are easy to meet now? None of them are aggressive. Don't they know the reason for the loss of their lips and teeth? If we all pay taxes, they can escape?

"But they still support the tax payment of farmland. Do you know why? The reason is very simple. Whether in the cabinet or the six ministries of the court, there are His Majesty's people. Even if someone wants to object, they will be removed immediately."

"Although Your Majesty lives in the West Garden all day, everything in this court is just a matter of His Majesty's words. Where are the people who clamored a few days ago? They are all gone!"

"What my father meant is that we do the same?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly.

"Okay, I want to tell you something. You have to remember it: our family is the Duke of England and the number one in the Ming Dynasty. It seems that there is no promotion and no reward, but it is the most difficult thing to keep our position. If we don't make a move this time, do you believe your father or not, I will be taken down soon?"

"At that time, our family just had a name. Besides, this time it was not a big deal. It was just a tax on some farmlands. How much could it be paid? It was just a little less spent every year, and it was not a big deal."

"You have to remember that at the critical moment, in order to save the family, you can give up your life." After saying this, Zhang Weixian reached out and patted his son on the shoulder and said, "Prepare, I want to enter the palace."

"Father, are you going to meet His Majesty and talk about the land tax?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly.

"This kind of thing should be done sooner rather than later, because the nobles you are worried about can understand it naturally. If you can't understand it, the ones you can't understand are the wisdom of the wise, and there may not be much left after this time."

"Since you have to recognize it sooner or later, it's better to get a reward sooner. Maybe this time, your father, I can get you a reward."

After saying this, Zhang Weixian patted his son on the shoulder, turned around and walked out.

Watching his father leave, Zhang Zhiji stood there thinking about his words.

In the West Garden.

The weather here is pretty good today. Zhu Youxiao did not hide in the house, but took Concubine Yuan to wander around outside.

After several days of getting along, Concubine Yuan's attitude towards Zhu Youxiao has also changed a lot. Although she is still afraid, she seems even more intimate.

The two of them were walking outside, basking in the sun, and the atmosphere was harmonious and harmonious.

At this time, Chen Hong walked over from outside and came to Zhu Youxiao and said, "The Emperor, the British Duke is asking for a meeting."

"It's coming very early." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

He reached out and patted Yuan Fei's hand, and Zhu Youxiao said, "You go back first. I will go to your side after I finish these things."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yuan Fei said in a gentle tone: "But Your Majesty should not stay outside for too long. Although the weather is good today, it is winter after all, and it will be bad if you suffer from wind and cold."

"Don't worry, my dear concubine, I'll be done soon." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

After Concubine Yuan left, Zhu Youchao asked Chen Hong and said, "Let's go! Go and meet our British Duke."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao walked forward first.

Zhu Youxiao could probably guess the purpose of the arrival of British Duke Zhang Weixian.

The reason is very simple, that is, the matter of farmland tax. As for whether Zhang Weixian came to oppose or agree with this matter, there is no need to think about it, it must be here to agree with it; if he objected, he would not come.

An old minister like a British official has experienced several generations of emperors and several major cases. He knows it in his heart that it is impossible to represent the opposition. He will not do such stupid things. So since he has come here now, he can only agree with it.

When he saw the Duke of England, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said with a smile: "Okay, don't have to kneel anymore. It's cold and you have old arms and legs, so it won't be cured if you hurt it again."

"I thank Your Majesty." Zhang Weixian said hurriedly.

After Zhang Weixian stood up, Zhu Youproofreader said to Chen Hong: "Come to bring a chair to the British Duke."

"Yes, the emperor." Chen Hong quickly moved a chair himself and brought it to the Duke of England.

Zhang Weixian hurriedly said, "I'm working-in-law."

After saying this, Zhang Weixian sat down gently, with a calm expression on his face.

He said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I have entered the palace today because I want to tell you something."

"Is that so? Let's talk about it." Zhu Youxiao also said with a smile, with expectation in his eyes.

"I recently heard a news outside: Duke Cheng hopes that the court will impose taxes on farmlands. I heard that Your Majesty is unwilling, so I came to the palace today to talk to Your Majesty." Zhang Weixian said.

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's face sank and said directly: "You must not take this matter seriously, it's just a drunken show for Duke Cheng!"

"I have asked someone to give him a reward and praise his intention to be a country and a king. The tax exemption of this farmland is a rule set by the ancestors. How can I change it if I say it?"

"I just need to understand your patriotism in my heart. How can I really implement it?"

Seeing that Zhu Youxiao's face became serious, Zhang Weixian's expression also became serious. He said directly: "Your Majesty's words, I do not agree with you. We nobles and relatives can be said to have received the kindness of the Ming Dynasty in the world, and have been prosperous and wealthy all these years. I would say a heart-to-heart word, only when the Ming Dynasty gets better and better will I get better and better."

"Now the imperial court is insufficient, so we ministers should naturally express it. If we send money directly to the palace, it would be inappropriate and would damage Your Majesty's reputation. However, we have not paid the tax on this farm for more than 200 years. To put it bluntly, it is enough. Even if the ancestors have made great contributions, it is really enough to do this."

"What's more, it's just a tax on the farmland. Which of the nobles and relatives in the court lacks this little rice? If anyone lacks this rice, let them come to the minister to tell me."

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said firmly: "This is not good. Since ancient times, you have not competed for profit with the people. How can I compete for profit with nobles and relatives?"

"Your Majesty, this is not a fight for profit, but a gathering of people's hearts. Now most of the nobles and military officials in the court are degenerate, and most of the younger generations are incompetent. They are also a horse-ridden throughout the day. Not many people can ride horses on the battlefield to contribute to the country."

"Many people know in their hearts, but everyone still has the intention to serve the country. Duke Cheng made a good proposal. Although we cannot fight, we are still loyal to the emperor and the country. We just changed the way, which is all the hearts of the ministers. If Your Majesty refuses this, it may have ruined the hearts of the ministers!"

"This person's hearts gather and the rise and fall of the country have been said since ancient times. I am a rough man and don't understand these principles, but I also know that this person's hearts are exchanged for others, and four taels are exchanged for half a pound. The ministers have the intention of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, and Your Majesty must not refuse!"

After saying this, Zhang Weixian stood up, knelt directly on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I am for the country and country of the Ming Dynasty. Please think deeply!"

Zhu Youxiao, who was sitting on the dragon throne, looked at Zhang Weixian kneeling on the ground, feeling quite moved.

Old fried dough sticks are old fried dough sticks!

Look at this attitude, look at this style, and listen to this statement.

Ginger is still spicy, so it’s not okay if you don’t accept it.

Standing up from the dragon throne, Zhu Youxiao hurriedly walked down the steps, came straight to Zhang Weixian, reached out to help him up and said, "What are you doing? Get up quickly, get up quickly!"

After helping Zhang Weixian up, Zhu Youxiao turned to Chen Hong and said, "The Duke of England is old. If you enter the palace again, take a bus. If you don't need to pay a lot of respect to me, you will be there."

"Yes, I have written it down, the emperor." Chen Hong quickly agreed.

"I thank Your Majesty." Zhang Weixian immediately showed excitement on his face, and said thanking him in a very ashamed tone.

Zhu Youxiao frowned and looked at Zhang Weixian hesitantly and said, "What I said makes sense, but this matter is of great importance after all, I have to think about it carefully and listen to what others say. Please step down first."

What should be said has been said and the loyalty to be expressed has been expressed. Zhang Weixian naturally knew that it was time to leave.

So he bowed and said respectfully: "That minister has surrendered."

At the same time, Zhang Weixian also understood Zhu Youxiao's subtext and was about to go back and get some people to come out to agree.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, looked at Zhang Weixian's back as he left, thought for a while and said, "It's almost time. Go and tell Wei Zhongxian that the Censorate can move. Don't make it too loud, just make some noise."
Chapter completed!