"I have been away from the court for a long ti and have lost my sensitivity to current affairs. Indeed! Now the National Treasury is empty, and solving the issue of military funding is an urgent priority. This is not only a major problem troubling the Emperor but also a significant headache for all the courtiers."
Liang Zhirui was deeply shocked by Gu Chengyu’s clear insights.
In fact, the tea tax proposed by Gu Chengyu is already considered a benevolent policy, having little effect on ordinary people and being better than increasing their tax burden, right?
The court had increased taxes once before, and later, so courtiers brought up the old issue again, but it was the Emperor who suppressed it.
If it really cos to a point of no return, increasing it again is not impossible.
Gu Chengyu admitted he had ulterior motives, but so what? He did not want to be a saint, nor did he have the ability to shoulder the heavy burden of a nation.
All he could do was exert his utmost effort to minimize the losses.
Liang Zhirui sighed, closed his eyes, and nodded, "Your approach is correct."
He finally understood why he had to give way to Xia Qing, just because his thods were too benevolent.
If Dayan were truly a ti of peace and prosperity, his thods would indeed be suitable.
However, now that the Dayan Dynasty faced internal strife and external threats, his indecisiveness and hesitance were indeed unsuitable for holding the position of Grand Secretary.
Xia Qing was not a good official who cared for the people, but his thods were ruthless and decisive, adaptable, which was indeed much stronger than his.
Previously, he had always been unconvinced, thinking the Emperor was annoyed with him over the alchemy matter.
Now thinking about it, the Emperor’s acceptance of his resignation was probably well considered. Ignoring Xia Qing’s confrontations with him before was also a long-held thought.
It was just for the sake of preserving his dignity that it was not directly ntioned!
Understanding these things, Liang Zhirui felt sowhat depressed.
Seeing Liang Zhirui’s lack of energy, Gu Chengyu felt a bit worried.
While his teacher verbally agreed with him, he feared his teacher couldn’t get over it in his heart.
"Teacher, if you truly feel this is inappropriate, should I offer another plan to the Emperor?"
Gu Chengyu didn’t want to upset his teacher. This was the greatest difference of opinion between them.
He possessed so modern thinking, but his teacher was a person of integrity and might not be able to accept it.
In truth, he thought he had already expressed enough, but if his teacher still didn’t agree, he would have to consider another approach so as not to harm their ntor-student relationship.
"No! You did nothing wrong; it’s I who am attached. Regarding the tea tax, those tea rchants and tea farrs do benefit, and military funds cannot be delayed. The borders still have Da Xing eyeing us, and how can we shortchange the soldiers who guard the territories?"
Liang Zhirui pushed aside his previous thoughts; the past was like clouds passing by. Since it’s already gone, there’s no point in holding onto it.
Looking at the upright young man before him, Liang Zhirui pondered whether this gifted youth was a blessing or a curse for the court.
But then he shook his head, didn’t he understand Gu Chengyu’s character by now?
This was a person of great loyalty; otherwise, even with his second brother treating him so, he tolerated it to this day.
Moreover, he was willing to abandon this matter if he disagreed; this was proof that the child, while clever, truly respected him.
However, he still needed to utter the necessary warnings. This was still a young man, and he didn’t want Gu Chengyu to be corrupted by the officialdom.
Gu Chengyu glanced at his teacher’s face, seeing that he had returned to normal and wasn’t speaking as if forced, he finally felt at ease.
"Since you have already ntioned this to the Emperor, how can you abandon it halfway? Wouldn’t that be deceiving the sovereign? Rest assured, I’m not that obstinate."
Gu Chengyu breathed a sigh of relief. He had intended to present the prescription for glass to stabilize the Emperor if his teacher truly disagreed.
After all, he had proposed the tea tax; declaring it unfeasible would imply making a fool of the Emperor.
"But beware, your nature is slick, and your mind sharp. I fear that as you navigate officialdom in the future, you might lose your original intention."
Liang Zhirui spoke with unprecedented seriousness.
"Rember, no matter when, you must hold onto your true self, and never do anything against your conscience."
This disciple had great abilities, and if he were to harbor ill intentions, no one could withstand him!
Gu Chengyu responded earnestly, "I will keep my teacher’s teachings in mind! I will strive to act without guilt in the future."
Liang Zhirui nodded, then realized what did he an by striving?
Gu Chengyu quickly grinned and said, "Teacher doesn’t trust ? With you watching over constantly, where would I dare?"
Liang Zhirui rolled his eyes in exasperation. This disciple always knew how to sweet-talk him, "Do you think I can watch over you for a lifeti? I’m getting on in years; the path ahead is for you to walk alone. Just rember my words from today."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu’s mood beca heavy.
"Teacher isn’t that old; you’re still young! Look, when you go out with , people will definitely think you’re my father."
Since he beca Liang Zhirui’s disciple at the age of eight, Liang Zhirui has treated him like his own, becoming one of his closest people in this world.
"You think I’m like your wife? Only wives like those sickly sweet words. At my age, I could even be your grandfather."
Not wanting to continue this heavy topic, Gu Chengyu imdiately shouted, "Oh! It’s already this ti, yet we haven’t visited your wife! Is there anything else that needs correction, Teacher? I still need to pay respects to her."
Knowing Gu Chengyu didn’t want to continue the topic, Liang Zhirui pointed out two minor details that needed modification in the docunt.
"Very well, you have written comprehensively, but you must include the reduction of land taxes for tea farrs."
It was his previous oversight of this issue that led to Liang Zhirui’s misunderstanding of Gu Chengyu.
"I was planning to leave this for the court session. Those..." Gu Chengyu shared his plan, and Liang Zhirui nodded, agreeing that it would be more acceptable to those officials.
However, "You an the Emperor actually allows you to attend the court session?"
No official below the standard fourth rank is permitted to attend the court session, yet the Emperor specially permitted Gu Chengyu to attend.
It appeared the Emperor valued this disciple much more than he had imagined.
"Indeed! The Emperor only asked for the morials to be presented to him for prior approval."
Though Gu Chengyu said this, he knew it was already a done deal.
He also understood the Emperor’s intention in allowing him to attend the court session: to contend with those courtiers verbally.
The Emperor was likely tired of the courtiers’ bickering, and since it was his proposal, he decided to pass the issue onto him.
"Nevertheless, it’s an honor for you. With such honor, you must be cautious and diligent in your future endeavors."
Gu Chengyu understood Liang Zhirui’s aning. Undoubtedly, there would be those who would beco envious and try to sabotage him.
"I will rember, Teacher!"
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