Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

Evening·Qingwang Mansion·Study center

"Two big things." Zhao Zeyong put down the teacup and said slowly: "First, increase the city tax in the commercial tax; second, the emperor set an example and persuaded farmers to teach mulberry."

Guo Da immediately looked at Rong Youtang when he heard the words, and jokingly said: "Shopkeeper Xiaorong, the city tax is going to be increased, what about your cloth shop?"

"Follow orders, the imperial court has the final say." Rong Youtang said solemnly: "Everyone in the world has to pay taxes. Farming has household tax and small tax, business has city tax and customs duty, and I'm not the only one."

With a swipe of his imperial pen, Emperor Chengtian ordered the construction of Beiying. From the initial relocation to the final completion, the initial budget exceeded tens of millions of taels of silver. The cost was huge and the treasury was in a hurry.Since ancient times, taxes and silver have to be "taken from the people" before they can be "used to the people".Therefore, the increase is expected.

Having said that, it makes sense.

But the shopkeeper Xiaorong still couldn't help asking nervously: "Your Highness, in the city tax, all cloth houses have to pay the cloth tax and sitting tax. I don't know which one is going to increase? How much?"

That appearance is so pitiful...

Zhao Zeyong took a sip of tea slowly, lowered his head slightly, concealed a smile, and then gently informed: "The courtiers have initially agreed that the tax will not be paid, and the tax will be increased by five."

Shopkeeper Xiao Rong breathed a sigh of relief, and felt that it was acceptable, so he was lucky to be happy: "It's okay, it's okay. It's just an extra five, from ten thousand dollars to fifteen."

Guo Yuan, the servant of the household department, added: "This change is not intended for those of you who are doing business, but for passing business."

"Business?" Rong Youtang contemplated for a moment. He is a businessman in the capital and has always attached great importance to relevant policies.He vaguely had a guess, and asked tentatively: "Since ancient times, there have been merchants traveling all over the world, but I don't know if this merchant is...?"

"You already know it, right?" Guo Yuan asked.

Rong Youtang said yes in his heart, but his family was a businessman present, so he said implicitly: "Students dare not speak nonsense."

"Afraid to say it? It's the 'guo' of yanguo plucking hair!" Guo Da pointed out loudly.

Over business, geese over plucking.

Guo Yuan nodded solemnly, and said solemnly: "From next month, the imperial court will impose a new tax on merchants: Anyone who enters the city to sell goods without a fixed shop will be taxed three times."

Rong Youtang's face was serious: From now on, ordinary people in the suburbs carrying baskets to sell vegetables, fruits, eggs, etc., will have to take part of the profits to pay taxes when they go out of the city, in addition to paying a fixed fee when entering the city.

"It has long been heard that the imperial court has this intention." Rong Youtang said with emotion: "Finance is nothing more than 'increasing income' and 'reducing expenditure'. If you don't have money in hand, you won't even be able to save money."

Zhao Zeyong nodded in agreement: "That's right. Beiying is frugal enough, but the expenses are obvious. The treasury has a fixed amount of money, and the deficit must be made up in time, otherwise it will be more difficult every year."

"New taxes have been collected. This is not an easy task." Guo Da curled his lips, gloating: "His Majesty sent His Royal Highness the Second Prince to supervise the implementation, and also requested that it be effective within a certain period of time."

"The Second Highness Pai?" Rong Youtang thought thoughtfully.

"My brother will help from the side." Guo Da looked at his brother sympathetically, and solemnly reminded: "Brother, you must hold back when the time comes, that master has always had his own ideas and thinks highly of himself, so he won't listen to advice easily."

"Xiaoer is not bad, he has benefited a lot, and he actually understands this." Guo Yuan nodded in relief, his whole body was upright and rigid.

Guo Da quietly rolled his eyes and lowered his head to drink tea: You are my brother, not my wife!

"Xiaoer, be careful with your words. The emperor has his own deep meaning in employing people." Zhao Zeyong reminded.

"Understood." Guo Da lazily agreed, and muttered: "There are no outsiders here, just tell the truth."

Rong Youtang could empathize very much, and said worriedly: "It's okay for us to pay taxes as a merchant, but because we don't have a fixed place of business, we are often driven away by the nine guards under the city guard. Now we have collected taxes again. I'm afraid..." Small vendors carrying baskets and burdens in the suburbs will definitely not understand or accept it.

Guo Yuan said bluntly: "The new taxation is a new deal, and it is naturally difficult to implement and promote it."

Zhao Zeyong sat upright in his free time, and calmly said: "There is a deadline of two months, I will wait and see for the second brother to come out."

"The first thing has been ordered and arranged properly." Rong Youtang leaned forward and asked with concentration: "What about the second thing? Persuading Nong Sang. In my impression, besides the young Ninth Prince, you Besides, the rest of the princes have been hand-picked." Including the weak King Rui.

As a counselor, Wu Sipeng was cautious in his words and deeds, mostly listening and thinking.At this moment, he twisted his beard, and said leisurely: "The plan of a year lies in spring. This year, the snow melts very quickly, and the sky is warm. Farming and mulberry are the foundation of a country. The emperor is holy, and he personally presides over the spring plowing ceremony every year. But, I don't know. Which prince will His Majesty appoint this year to help Fuli?"

Guo Da was even more enthusiastic: "At this time in previous years, my cousin has already gone to the Northwest by order, and it is rare to stay in Beijing this year. Even if it takes turns, it should be you, right?"

"Father has not yet made a decree on this matter." Zhao Zeyong said while sitting firmly on the mountain.

Rong Youtang was full of hope: "I really hope that you are the one appointed by His Majesty!"

Zhao Zeyong smiled, and said indifferently: "You will know when the time comes. The Spring Plowing Festival is for good weather and peace for the country and the people. As long as the heart is pious, it will be the same for anyone who goes."

it's the same?It's not the same at all!

Rong Youtang couldn't help but worry about King Qing:

Because agriculture and mulberry are the foundation of a country, the spring plowing ceremony presided over by the emperor is especially important, and it can be called the most important!After offering sacrifices to heaven and earth and praying for a year of good weather, the emperor will go to the fields in person to set an example.Among them, the emperor appointed a prince to assist with plowing in a regular meeting, and plowed the land together in front of all civil and military officials.

What an honor and honor!It has always been understood as the emperor's hint to the candidate for the crown prince——

But Emperor Chengtian is quite different: since he ascended the throne, he has appointed the prince to help the plow every spring plowing every year, but he never specifies which one, nor does he do whatever he wants. In order to help out... Therefore, except for the ninth prince who is only 11 years old and the third prince who is absent for some reason, the rest of the princes have already had the experience of "helping the father and the emperor with the plow".

"Has the spring festival been decided this year?" Rong Youtang asked eagerly.

"Qin Tianjian has chosen March [-]th." Zhao Zeyong said.

Rong Youtang said seriously: "March [-]th? Okay. Let's wait a little longer, we will probably have a decree in a few days."

Guo Da laughed: "Brother Rong is more anxious than anyone else!"

Rong Youtang generously admitted: "I'm really anxious. After all, among the adult princes, only our Highness has never been there."

It was customary for them to talk about business first, and after several decades of tea, when the night was already deep and they were about to part, they naturally chatted a few words.

"Brother Rong, have you caught the person who framed you?" Guo Da asked with concern.

Rong Youtang shook his head: "When Zheng Bao came into contact with Liao's mother, he used a pseudonym, and probably changed his appearance a little. He is very old-fashioned and cautious, and has rich experience. I can only go to the yamen to inquire about the progress of the case."

"At the Son of Heaven's feet, you can't even catch a prisoner?!" Guo Da frowned.

"This is not an appalling and important case. I can't cause disturbances all over the city and panic among the people. The city guard handles the case with due diligence. I can only blame myself for accidentally offending someone." Rong Youtang smiled wryly.

"Do you know who it is?" Guo Da asked curiously.

Zhao Zeyong looked at Rong Xiaocun meaningfully——

"I don't know." Rong Youtang shook his head, with a cheeky face, sincerely and honestly: "In business, if you want to make money and hurt friendship, you will inevitably offend people. If you talk about competition, I have indeed offended many colleagues. I guess everyone has a grudge. Think about it Think, I'm not really sure which one it is."

"Hahaha~" Guo Da couldn't help laughing, his shoulders trembled, and he pointed at Rong Youtang and cursed: "Oh, you are honest!" He stretched out his hand, flicked Rong Youtang's finger, and jokingly said: "I thought it was a rabbit, I didn't expect it to be a little fox."

Wu Sipeng's eyes were wise and insightful, but he appreciated it: "Brother Rong dares to act boldly, without losing his openness."

Rong Youtang hurriedly humbled himself.

"It's getting late." Guo Yuan drank half a cup of tea in one gulp, got up first and said, "Your Highness, rest early and don't overwork yourself. This is what the ancestors told you before they came."

Zhao Zeyong respectfully said: "If you can combine work and rest, please tell grandma to rest assured."

"I'm leaving, I won't disturb your rest." After drinking tea, Wu Sipeng stood up slowly while leaning on the armrest of the armchair, and left with a smile.

"Let's all go back and rest, go slowly." Zhao Zeyong nodded politely, but turned his head and said to Rong Youtang: "Stay here, I have something to ask you."

Rong Youtang, who was about to resign, said "yes" while subconsciously observing the reactions of the others—fortunately, they were all smart and self-cultivated, and they didn't even move their eyebrows.

"Xiao Er?" Guo Yuan, who had stepped out of the study threshold, greeted without looking back.

"Oh! Cousin, I'm home." Guo Da hurriedly put down his teacup, grabbed his coat and chased him out.

"Go."

Zhao Zeyong smiled and watched his cronies leave.

There were only two people left in the study.

Zhao Zeyong was sitting, and Rong Youtang was standing not far from the door.

"Come here." Zhao Zeyong said.

"What are your orders, Your Highness?" Rong Youtang suddenly remembered some past events, and stood still.

Zhao Zeyong tapped the table a few times with his fingers, looked directly at the other party majesticly, stared at him for a while, and suddenly asked: "You don't know Zheng Bao, but you know Ke Yan?"

"Ke Yan?"

Rong Youtang pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought: It's not counted as acquaintance, but I remember!Ke Yan is the treasurer of the Nishang Pavilion that was overthrown by me and my colleagues!

How did His Highness know?

Rong Youtang turned pale in astonishment, hesitated to speak, and remained silent for a while, looking at King Qing wonderingly, asked cautiously: "What's wrong with Ke Yan?"

"There's nothing wrong with him." Zhao Zeyong frowned, his eyes were full of smiles, and he asked firmly: "The cloth shop where Zhou Renlin's daughter ran the house and practiced handicrafts was brought down by you, right? Ke Yan is the shopkeeper, and he was scolded a lot. Turn around and check you out."

Haha, Zhengchou doesn't know how to subtly express my position to His Highness!

Rong Youtang changed his mind, immediately held his head high, and admitted confidently: "That's right, I did it! It's the Zhou family's fault!"

"Oh?" Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows.

Rong Youtang was indignant, and said contemptuously: "The Nishang Pavilion is short of great virtue! Your Highness, you don't know, they are like robbers, imitating the proud clothes of other shops, digging out embroidery workers privately, and robbing the inherent elders of each shop. Customer, so many evil deeds! I can't stand it, so I made a fool of myself." After a pause, Rong Youtang wondered in a low voice: "Who knew they would close down all of a sudden?"

Sharp teeth!

Zhao Zeyong laughed softly, pretending to be angry and said: "If you want others to be ignorant, you must do nothing yourself. You are a student of the Imperial Academy, and you will be an official in the future. You should let go of business matters. Since ancient times, you can't have both have to."

"Yes." Rong Youtang also understood this truth, and felt very regretful: "My father and the others are managing the shop now, and he has the same meaning as you, telling me to leave it alone."

"It should be so." Zhao Zeyong said solemnly: "Thanks to the people I sent out to investigate to stop Ke Yan, otherwise the Zhou family will be stabbed. How are you going to 'defeat' the third-rank officials of the court?"

His Highness sent someone to check on me again?

Rong Youtang was startled, and approached involuntarily. While expressing his gratitude, he asked: "I was reckless, thank you Your Highness for your help. But, what are your people investigating? Zheng Bao?"

"Hmm." Zhao Zeyong stretched out his hand to pull the man in front of him, and said: "There is a mixed bag of fish and dragons in the capital, and the whole city is gathered in one city. The man's alias is 'Zheng Bao'. This king found many Zheng Baos, but all of them Not the one who framed you. Be more careful when you come and go in the near future, and be careful when sailing for thousands of years."

Alas, if it is found out, I will be relieved instead, saving myself from worrying day and night.Now riding a tiger is difficult, and I don't know where to start if I want to confess.

Rong Youtang was so worried that he unconsciously tugged at King Qing's robe sleeve, rubbing it back and forth: yes.The top-quality silk silkworm material is embroidered with auspicious clouds and auspicious animal patterns, and the tentacles hang smoothly.

The temperature of the floor heating is properly controlled, warm but not hot, and it is very comfortable to stay in the room with the coat off.

"I am at odds with the Zhou family!" Rong Youtang blurted out suddenly.

"You have already crushed the Nishang Pavilion." Zhao Zeyong reminded with a smile.

"Anyway, the Zhou family and I are at odds!" Rong Youtang was very serious.

"Okay." Zhao Zeyong nodded broadly, only thinking that the other party was young and vigorous, like a tiger cub with teeth and claws.He stretched out his hand to caress Rong Youtang's stomach, and rubbed it slowly: "Does it still hurt?"

Rong Youtang said: "I don't feel much anymore, but the doctor ordered me to drink a few more doses of medicine."

"Take good care of him, don't take it lightly." Zhao Zeyong took advantage of the situation and asked, "Where's Zhou Minghong? What are you going to do with him?"

"You will know tomorrow!" Rong Youtang proudly raised his chin.

In the evening of the next day, Rong Youtang, who was already able to ride a horse, rushed to Beiying excitedly, with brisk steps and high spirits, he was in a good mood when he saw it, and all the acquaintances along the way jokingly asked, "I have picked up gold and silver treasures".

The demolition of old houses, the removal of wood and stone, the sound of yelling and beating, the whole Beiying was full of dust.

Rong Youtang greeted and greeted people all the way, walked to the main tent, and after the announcement, he immediately shouted: "Your Highness!"

Zhao Zeyong, who was writing at his desk, raised his head, quite surprised, and asked with a smile, "So happy? What's the happy event?"

"Yes." Rong Youtang hastily washed his hands and dried them, familiar with the nature, poured two cups of tea, and couldn't wait to come forward and tell: "A big event happened in the Imperial College today!"

"What? The bad student demolished the house? Or did the master punish someone out of his own mind?" Zhao Zeyong guessed leisurely.

"Neither of them." Rong Youtang said happily: "It was Zhou Minghong who cheated and framed his classmates, which caused the two factions of yin, gong, and sheng to be at war. As a result, he was dismissed!"

Zhao Zeyong approved a document, took it out to hang aside, put down his pen, and asked clearly: "What did you do?"

Rong Youtang nodded proudly, and sighed: "That's great, I won't see Zhou Minghong in the Imperial College from now on."

"That's right, I thought you were helpless, and this king was thinking of doing it for me." Zhao Zeyong relaxed, sat for too long, got up and walked around to stretch his muscles and bones.

"I can solve it myself!" Rong Youtang hurriedly reminded: "You promised not to interfere."

"The premise is that you don't get caught again." Zhao Zeyong smiled happily. He had been busy for a long time, his eyes were slightly sore, and he slowly kneaded the center of his eyebrows.

"Don't be afraid to catch them. They offended me first!" Rong Youtang was not afraid at all, and handed over a handkerchief from the cold water, asking, "Did you rest at noon? Are you busy?"

Zhao Zeyong shook his head: "The criminals act as husbands, and it is not easy to govern, but the emperor has a purpose, so we can only find a way. From now on, the people and the criminals will be divided into two parts by using the central axis as the boundary, which can not only reduce conflicts, but also improve the quality of life." Urge each other."

Rong Youtang nodded in agreement, and persuaded: "Go to the back and lie down for a while? You still have to go back to the city at night."

Zhao Zeyong looked tired, and instructed: "The defense plan on the table is handed over to Ziyan. He is waiting for it urgently. He is in the North Watchtower."

"Yes." Rong Youtang immediately wanted to execute the order, but just as he turned around with the paperwork, he saw a food box on the carbon cage in the corner of the tent——

"Is it from the eldest princess? Or from Miss Guo?"

Guo Huixin, Guo Da's younger sister.

Zhao Zeyong suddenly had a headache: "My cousin sent it, saying that I feel sorry for Xiao Er not eating well in Beiying."

Tch, it's obviously because I feel sorry for my cousin's bad food, right?

The girl's thoughts are so obvious, but she always thinks that others can't see it, and she sends this and that every now and then, being gentle and careless.

Hey~

Rong Youtang was inexplicably very uncomfortable, but tried his best to restrain his emotions, and said solemnly: "The most difficult thing to bear is the beauty, Your Highness, you—"

Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows in silence, and quickly raised his hand——

"You rest for a while, I have to go to work!" Rong Youtang hurriedly jumped away, stopped wisely, turned around and ran out.

"Humph."

bastard.

Zhao Zeyong shook his head with a smile, went to the back tent to take a rest without looking at the food box.He has always only regarded his cousin as his younger sister. If he was tempted, he would have already taken action.

——As soon as I mentioned Miss Guo, he was so anxious!

Still raising your hand, what do you want to hit someone? !

Rong Youtang rushed out of the main tent, and walked towards the north area amidst the dust and flying.Suddenly seeing Zhuo Kai approaching with several guards, he hurriedly adjusted his mood and greeted with a smile: "Brother Kai, are you busy?"

Because the Seventh Prince was banned for three months, it was rare for Zhuo Kai to live a peaceful life.He was in good spirits, and also smiled back: "It's okay for now, after the criminal's husband comes in, he will probably be busy."

"Actually, this policy is pretty good," Rong Youtang wholeheartedly agreed: "You don't have to stay in prison to survive, and you can eat and drink when you come out. Although there is no wages for working, it can pay off your sentence. It's worth more than anything else!"

Zhuo Kai echoed: "That's natural. However, only minor offenders are eligible, petty theft, petty disputes, and they have to manage rice and grain when the court locks them up. It's better to ask them to help with work. But serious criminals are not allowed. Even if the world is amnesty, the heinous ones will be skipped."

"Yeah, if you let it out, it won't scare the common people to death!"

Zhuo Kai couldn't help laughing, and smiled with straight white teeth, kind and sincere, and asked with concern: "Where are you going? It's a mess everywhere, sand and stones are flying, be careful."

"Thank you for the reminder. I'm going to the North Watchtower to find General Guo." Rong Youtang replied.

Zhuo Kai nodded, lowered his head to think for a while, and asked softly: "Brother Rong, there is something I want to ask you."

A few of the accompanying soldiers immediately backed away tactfully, looking out as if nothing had happened.

"What's the matter? Brother Kai, tell me first."

"Didn't Your Highness say to recruit troops at the beginning of the month? Why hasn't the notice been posted yet?" Zhuo Kai said helplessly, "You know, A Ji and the others are arguing day and night to join the army, and they can't help it."

Rong Youtang nodded, and said with a smile: "Leizi also inquires every day. This matter is not considered confidential, so I asked His Highness. His Highness said: It was originally scheduled for the first month of the month, but His Majesty sent down a decree that 'light criminals will be the husbands of the people'." , you must be busy first, and it is estimated that it will be in the middle and late ten days before you can free up your hands to recruit troops."

"Sure enough." Zhuo Kai was a little embarrassed: "I guessed it too, I just want to ask for confirmation."

"Actually, I, my news is not very well-informed. Brother Kai, you are His Highness' confidantes." Rong Youtang hurriedly said earnestly.

I am not a confidant, but you are His Highness's favorite person.

Zhuo Kai held the handle of the knife, he was kind and clumsy, he didn't say anything, just laughed.

The two chatted for a few words, said goodbye and went about their own business.

Zhuo Kai laughed so hard that Rong Youtang walked quickly, eating his mouth full of dust, saddened, and comforted himself: Don't think about it!His Royal Highness King Qing was born in the first class, and he will surely marry a noble daughter of a family for a hundred years in the future.

what am i

-

Late Night·Zhoufu

"Mother, yes, it is Rong Youtang, he must have harmed, harmed me, he counted, what... vomit..." Zhou Minghong vomited all over the floor, angry and angry, and repeatedly complained: "He, he is just, a traitor. Butthole rabbit, rabbit, I, I hate him..." After talking nonsense for a while, Zhou Minghong was completely drunk.

"Hong'er, Hong'er, are you alright?" Yang Ruofang didn't give any fat, feeling extremely distressed, and scolded the valet, "What a shameless thing! You asked Haosheng to serve you, but accidents happened one after another, do you still want to live? "

"Madam, please forgive me. The little ones never dare to leave the young master for half a step, except that they cannot enter the Imperial College—"

"Stop!" Zhou Renlin, who was returning home from the banquet, just walked to the second gate. When he saw his youngest son who was drunk, he became angry and asked angrily, "Did Hong'er be dismissed by the Imperial College?" ? Cheating? Framed classmates?"

"They are talking nonsense, my son was clearly killed by a traitor." Yang Ruofang didn't take it seriously, and said sarcastically, "Ha, it's spread all over the capital, only you, the father, know!"

"How do I know? I just filled a vacancy in the official department, can I be lazy? I am so busy every day that I hit the back of my head! Hong'er is really worry-free, causing trouble every day!" Zhou Renlin was furious, even though he was over five years old. Ten, but only a little fat, he is still a handsome and handsome man.

However, no matter how handsome and perfect his appearance is, after seeing him for more than 20 years, he is still just the stinky skin of a stinky man.

"What's wrong with Hong'er? You don't like him all day long, picking your nose and eyes!" Yang Ruofang raised her eyebrows, and ordered her servants: "What are you doing in a daze? Didn't you see that he was too drunk? Why don't you help him quickly? Go back to the room!"

The servants of the Zhou Mansion are in a difficult situation, and they have been in a difficult situation for more than 20 years.Caught between the head of the house and the mistress, they were at a loss as to whom to listen to.

"A loving mother often loses children!" Zhou Renlin couldn't bear it anymore, and scolded his stubborn wife: "Hong'er has developed such an arrogant and impetuous temperament, you—"

"What's wrong with me? You go out drinking and having fun every day. I work hard to manage the family. I don't even give credit for my hard work! You are capable, why don't you care about your son?" , although she knew that she should not humiliate her husband's face, she couldn't control it when she was angry.

"Why didn't I care?" Zhou Renlin also started to speak loudly, suppressing his anger: "Every time I make strict demands, you send your son to her mother's house—"

"Without my natal family? With you today?"

As soon as this remark came out, there was a dead silence.

As soon as Yang Ruofang finished speaking, she regretted it. Feeling resentful and uncomfortable, she touched her hair bun and peeked at her husband's face.

Zhou Renlin's eyes turned cold in an instant, he remained silent, extremely disappointed and exhausted, he stopped looking at his wife and walked towards the courtyard.

"Master, are you back? Are you tired?"

Su Yingying, the courtesan of Xichuan, and now Aunt Su hurriedly came out from the door of the moon cave in the side courtyard, her whole body exuded the light of reverence and dependence, she bowed her head softly and greeted her with all kinds of amorous feelings.

"Don't come out and wait, you're not used to the climate in the Northland, so you won't have to freeze." Zhou Renlin said distressedly.

"I'm fine, I just think about my master working hard outside, how can I sit still?"

The two cuddled together and walked away slowly.

Her arrogance forced her to stand on the sidelines, and Yang Ruofang barely bit her lip.

She couldn't compete with Su Yingying who was born in Fengyuechang.

"Say! Who is that Rong?" Yang Ruofang's face twisted, and she said hysterically, "How dare you harm Hong'er, I will make him die!"