Peace Order-Chapter 775 - 90 The Second Imperial Decree_2

Ji Zichang said, "So, Pharmacist, where do you think all this silver coin has gone?"

Li Guanyi said, "Isn’t that obvious?"

The dishes had been served, and Li Guanyi took a bite before continuing, "You’re aware of the recent events in the city, aren’t you? Sword Madman Murong Longtu has challenged the grandmasters of the Martial World, the Palace Master of the Academy, and even those lofty legends of Jianghu."

"Logically, no one would dare to stir trouble under such circumstances," he added.

"But when I arrived, I discovered that someone had increased the head tax at one of the city gates to five times its original amount, seizing the opportunity to amass wealth, and that someone is the Commandery Princess’s consort."

Ji Zichang’s eyes cast downward, carrying a hint of gloom. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Li Guanyi called for a pot of wine, and while drinking, his innate talent for statecraft at the dinner table naturally emerged as he discussed, "The problem is already quite clear. Not to mention a few friends of mine, even someone like me can see it clearly."

"Central State, merely a thousand miles in radius, isn’t as rich in land as the Central Plains or Guanzhong, nor does it match Chen Country in commerce and trade or the abundance of goods, and even in terms of goods transportation, it doesn’t compare to the similarly sized entirety of the Jiangnan Eighteen States."

"Then why does it have so many members of the Imperial Family and aristocratic families?"

Ji Zichang said, "Because of tributes from various states."

Li Guanyi answered, "In the past, there were tributes from the states, and lords who couldn’t produce gold and taxes when due would even risk losing their titles, but now, in Chen Country and Ying Country, who would hand over the majority of a country’s taxes?"

"Three hundred years ago, Central State lost power, and the blood of the Imperial Family flowed along the Imperial Path."

"Chen Country and Ying Country have broken away from Central State, only offering part of their tributes, which compared to the past, is pitiably little. Yet, in such conditions, Central State’s large families, clans, and even the Imperial Family, display no reduction in their extravagant and ostentatious ways."

"Instead, they exaggerate their wastefulness and ostentation when they meet defiance from Chen and Ying Countries, flaunting their influence more absurdly. Knowing that both countries no longer care about them, they still persist, and the world is full of such people."

Ji Zichang’s face turned steely.

His fists clenched tight. Though these were flaws he had already been aware of, his constant presence within the Imperial Palace had kept him from realizing their severe extent. He lifted his head, looking at Li Guanyi who was leisurely sipping his wine, his expression serene and indifferent as he gazed outside.

Then, reversing his gaze, he said, "Well then, I ask you, Chang Wen."

"With the tributes from the two countries reduced and the endless desires of the great families,"

"where then does the money come from?"

Ji Zichang’s clenched fists gradually relaxed as he whispered softly, "...the common people."

Li Guanyi replied, "You are mistaken."

"I too initially thought it came from the common people, only to realize later that it isn’t just them. These families have lived through long years, witnessing the majestic aura of Emperor Chen Wu three hundred years ago after he had won over the hearts of the common people."

"Yes, it comes from the Emperor."

Li Guanyi said, "It was only upon arriving here that I discovered the use of the Emperor’s name to justify extortion, and indeed, taxes were ostensibly levied, but these accounts are all fabricated."

"Perhaps the Emperor is a good one, the officials competent, and the peasants diligently toil the fields, but still, none can live as they wish."

"Between the Emperor and the common people, they exploit at every layer, like termites."

"When the fury of the people reaches its peak,"

Li Guanyi’s chopsticks, held like a sword, slashed down as he placidly declared:

"It’s merely about changing the Emperor."

This statement struck Ji Zichang like a thunderbolt.

He looked at Marquis Qin Wu, who held his chopsticks as if they were a sword.

Black hair fluttered slightly in the wind at the temples of Marquis Qin Wu, but his expression remained tranquil.

At this moment, Ji Zichang realized that the person before him was not the same as the one who had drunk with him before, or even helped him climb over walls – a student, a Taoist. His gaze still fixed on the world,

he bore a resolute demeanor no less formidable than the founders of nations.

Li Guanyi urged Ji Zichang to drink, casually remarking:

"Changing the Emperor to pacify the public ire, while the elders within the royal family still hold real benefits and authority, puppets? No."

"The Emperor is merely a grand shield used to protect their own interests from damage, the residual power of the Red Emperor just a slogan to amass wealth. From this perspective, there must be incredibly astute strategists within the royal family, viewing situations as clearly as if through fire."

"If my guess is correct,"

"within the lineage of Great Emperors of Central State, there mustn’t be a lack of young emperors, still robust and strong, or at least with the inner strength of third layer heaven, who nonetheless begin vomiting blood and succumb to mysterious diseases in their prime."

Crash!

Ji Zichang’s hand pressed down on the table, causing the plates and utensils to clatter loudly. His expression shifted dramatically, yet he could not deny the truth in Li Guanyi’s words.

Li Guanyi’s face bore an apology as he said, "I apologize."

"It’s just my nature; I forgot your position, brother."

Ji Zichang opened his mouth.

The enthusiasm he had carried in his heart suddenly extinguished. It wasn’t because he alone hadn’t tried, but because with his perspective and judgment, he had already understood that the Emperor had become a sacrifice common to eight hundred years of the Red Emperor’s family.

These eight hundred years of accumulating nobility, these interests, had transformed into threads that, while seemingly soft, accumulated together like ropes, binding the Emperor tightly to the Imperial Family.

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