In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 690 - 672: Raising Military Pay_1

Chapter 690: Chapter 672: Raising Military Pay_1

"Well, it is to be expected after all. His status is different now than it was in the past."

Qin Yi remained silent for a while before uttering these words, his voice laden with deep disappointment.

He was a child of just nine years old. It was remarkable enough that he had developed the capabilities he had now. How much more could he really expect?

"No matter! Let’s just take it one step at a time."

Ye Han shook his head, "Since you have returned, go and carry out your duty in the palace to avoid suspicion. At present, I’m merely a clay idol crossing the river, struggling to even safeguard myself! You must tread carefully, and not let others seize upon your lapse."

"I understand."

Even though Qin Yi was secretly anxious, he forced himself to stay calm and requested an audience with His Majesty in the palace.

Fortunately, the presence of the amiable eunuch reassured him considerably. From the expression on the eunuch’s face, His Majesty must still hold some affection for him.

It was not long before he heard the eunuch summoning him in front of His Majesty. Qin Yi quickly straightened his attire before entering.

Now, Qin Feimo, showing none of the youthfulness of earlier times, sat solemnly behind the dragon desk. An array of memorials were arrayed on the desk, with several ministers standing by his side, reading the submissions.

Qin Yi cautiously approached, kneeling on one knee to greet him, "Your humble servant, Marquis Yingwu, humbly greets your Majesty. Long live, my Emperor."

Qin Feimo lifted his head from the numerous memorials before him, casually glancing at Qin Yi before tossing the document in his hand onto the dragon desk.

"Qin Yi, shouldn’t you be at Hezhong Prefecture at this moment? Who allowed you to abandon your post without permission? You do have quite the courage!"

Once the words were spoken, a powerful aura surged forward.

Qin Yi lowered his head further, bowing again, "Your Majesty, I had no choice but to return. I ask you to allow me to explain the situation."

"Speak!"

Qin Feimo was completely different from before! Qin Yi was inwardly alert, but externally maintained a respectful and fearful demeanor.

"Your Majesty, the situation at Hezhong Prefecture is still stable, but the military is running short of provisions. Hezhong Prefecture is surrounded by enemy forces. The crisis is imminent. I have repeatedly submitted memorials to you but received no response. Therefore..." Qin Yi stole a glance at Qin Feimo’s expression, "Therefore, I risked my life to break out of the city to personally come to Jingzhao Prefecture and ask for provisions."

This statement caused Qin Feimo to furrow his brow.

"Is there really a shortage of provisions at Hezhong Prefecture?"

He turned to the silent elderly ministers by his side, "Uncle, Lord Zhang, how should we handle this situation?"

The shortage of food and fodder was clear to all, including the Emperor’s uncle and Lord Zhang. They knew all too well that they were simply not capable of covering these immense costs with the current national strength.

But being named by the Emperor, the uncle and Lord Zhang exchanged looks. Both hesitating and pushing the responsibility onto the other, neither willing to speak up.

"If you have something to say, then say it directly."

Qin Feimo, growing impatient, directyly named, "Uncle, the national treasury was managed by you. Tell me how it is. Are the provisions given to Marquis Qin really so scarce?"

There was nothing the uncle could do but step forward begrudgingly and bow to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, you should already understand the situation. On the surface, the national treasury of our Great Zhou still has several ten thousand taels of silver. But in reality, the national treasury does not even have one tael of silver. Even this month’s stipend for the courtiers come from the private funds of the Hua Family. However, everything needs to be rebuilt and as long as we can hold on until autumn, when the tax and grain money comes in from all directions, this gap can be greatly eased. By that time, our national treasury should also be replenished."

His words made Qin Feimo nod in agreement.

However, Qin Yi was sweating heavily. He quickly fell to his knees and reported loudly.

"Your Majesty, the several tens of thousands of soldiers in Hezhong Prefecture are fighting at the forefront and are in urgent need of life-saving provisions. We cannot wait even ten more days, let alone until autumn. I ask for your Majesty’s wisdom in this matter!"

Qin Feimo was also at a loss. He furrowed his brow and looked back at his uncle.

"Uncle, you heard what Marquis Qin said. To save lives is like putting out a fire. Do you have any solutions to this urgent situation?"

The uncle was furious inside his mind!

Initially, in pursuit of this vast wealth and power, he helped Qin Feimo ascend to the throne, using all the resources of his family to the point of exhausting his wealth. Now, he was poor and destitute. This matter of supplies was no small sum, what good solution could he possibly have?

After much consideration, he developed a plan.

"Your Majesty, there is only one solution to the current situation that can alleviate this urgent need."

Upon hearing a solution was available, everyone was overjoyed.

Qin Feimo was even more delighted. He quickly rose from behind the dragon desk.

"Oh? What is this solution? Uncle, please tell us quickly."

With a grit of his teeth, the uncle hesitated for a moment before bowing and replying, "At present, the only solution is to collect taxes in advance. We increase the Tribute Tax by double. Doing so, will ensure that we will gather enough food and fodder."

"Absolutely not!"

Both Qin Yi and Lord Zhang objected in unison. Exchanging glances, Lord Zhang stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the burden of taxes, can either be the boat which sails smoothly or the one which overturns. The commoners are like the water. Taxation is always a significant issue. Given that our Great Zhou is newly established, we should decrease taxes to win the hearts of the people. We must not increase taxes, thus driving people away. Absolutely not!"

"Hmmpf! Lord Zhang, why do you have to sensationalize this matter?"

As soon as the words of Lord Zhang fell, the uncle retorted in displeasure, "We have no choice but to do this. Or perhaps, Lord Zhang, you have a better solution. Yes, I’ve heard that you control numerous Salt Contracts and have a mountain of gold and silver at home. Why don’t you donate about one or two hundred thousand taels of silver to support His Majesty’s cause. His Majesty will surely remember your good deeds and will surely issue an Imperial Decree to reward you."

"Uncle speaks the truth. Lord Zhang, what are your thoughts?" Qin Feimo asked Lord Zhang, with a grin on his face.

As long as there are food and fodder, let alone one Imperial Decree to reward, even ten are not impossible. After all, these are extraordinary times.

"You..."

Seeing His Majesty clearly moved, Lord Zhang could hardly express his bitterness and had no choice but to groan and cry poverty in front of His Majesty.

"Your Majesty! At the beginning of our Great Zhou’s establishment, my Zhang Family scraped together and contributed 550,000 taels of silver. Since then, every member of my Zhang Family, even to the extent of the number of maidservants, we dare not have one spare. We have exhausted all our resources. I want to believe that your Majesty, as a wise and insightful ruler, will be able to tell right from wrong and give your servant some fairness."

Qin Yi quietly listened to the side, increasingly alarmed.

The Zhang Family was so wealthy? And they had even put forth such a large sum of money. Judging from the attitude of His Majesty, nine out of ten it is true. But he didn’t know, where had that large sum of money finally ended up?