Chapter 2074: Chapter 2071: Explanation
The higher the prices set by the sellers, the more silver coins the imperial court could collect.
“What do you all think?” Emperor Xuanming leaned back on the Dragon Throne and asked with a faint smile.
“I believe this improper trend really should be curbed,” Elder Zhong was the first to stand out.
Chu Heng naturally wouldn’t pretend to have nothing to do with it at this moment; playing it safe wasn’t appropriate now.
“I also think we should regulate the laws in this area. After all, the soldiers at the border regions are risking their lives for the safety of the people of the entire nation. We can’t have people fighting for our safety while others profit from it behind the scenes. Just take Grand Tutor Deng, who recently bought a shop with four storefronts, and a four-entry courtyard for just 300 taels. With so much silver, I say, Grand Tutor Deng, you really shouldn’t have accepted it. If everyone got three or four hundred taels, over time, the treasury deficit would be not just three to four hundred thousand taels.”
Grand Tutor Deng felt something was amiss when Emperor Xuanming suddenly brought this matter up.
He was planning to feign ignorance and take advantage of the chaos, hoping not to make a statement in court, otherwise, he would offend more than just Chu Heng.
In the end, Chu Heng actually had the audacity to openly bring up his matter in public.
It immediately set off a spark in the minds of the officials who had been somewhat dissatisfied just a moment ago.
“Emperor, I deserve to die,” Grand Tutor Deng reacted swiftly, kneeling at once.
Although he realized he had been used by Chu Heng, he could only swallow this bitter pill.
Because it was Emperor Xuanming’s intention, and it was clear that Emperor Xuanming wanted him to be the scapegoat.
Emperor Xuanming, like a kindly elder, said, “Grand Tutor, there is no need for such, to acknowledge one’s faults and to improve is the greatest virtue.”
Grand Tutor Deng felt increasingly bitter, yet he had no choice but to nod, “Thank you, Emperor, for giving this old minister a chance to turn over a new leaf.”
With those words, he was summoned to stand up.
Grand Tutor Deng moved to the side, unwilling to speak further.
There were still other officials in the court who strongly opposed this viewpoint, arguing with Elder Zhong and others.
Most of these people were of Gentry Clan origin.
It should be known that some Gentry Clans acted like Local Emperors in their regions, with substantial wealth.
Not to mention their century-old accumulations, they could utilize guilds to control some modity prices, which was a mon practice.
Now that this order had been issued, wasn’t it like cutting their flesh?
The costs increased, and their mercial taxes weren’t insignificant either. The noble families saw large profits; with such quantities, even small amounts could multiply significantly, not being a trivial number.
No conclusion came out of the morning court.
But Emperor Xuanming’s displeasure was visibly apparent.
As a result, after morning court was dismissed, these officials’ faces were devoid of smiles.
Upon seeing Chu Heng, whom they were initially rather apprehensive of, now they directly turned away in anger.
Toward Grand Tutor Deng, they originally intended to get along well, but after this incident, there was a rift in their hearts.
“Minister Deng, you’ve really made things difficult for all of us,” an official who used to have a good relationship with Grand Tutor Deng plained directly without pretense.
Grand Tutor Deng felt further aggrieved but had to explain with a stoic face, “I was also trapped by that scoundrel Chu Heng. This time, I apologize to you all.”
Grand Tutor Deng cupped his hands in apology.
“Did Chu Heng really report you to the palace?” a curious friend asked.
Toward someone like Chu Heng, who served the Emperor and had harmed the interests of many noble clans and great families, many Gentry Clan-origin officials in the official circle harbored no good feelings.
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