manynovel Chapter 591 Stealing the limelight
Chapter 591 Stealing the limelight
The emperor's eyes fell on Jiang Youzhen. The red robe he wore made the young man look like a jade, with red lips and white teeth, and his eyes were sparkling.
This sight made him feel better. He took another look and saw a row of young talents, which was pleasing to the eye. He glanced at Shang Yinsheng, the second place winner of the second class. He was in his forties and in poor shape, so he immediately turned his head away.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jiang Youzhen took a seat with everyone else.
"Just now I heard you all discussing the tea-inducing policy. Tell me what you think," the emperor asked as soon as he sat down.
The Prime Minister immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have just asked the new scholars, and I have different opinions."
"Oh? What about the champion? The tea-inducing policy was proposed by the champion. If there is anything that needs to be improved later, the champion should have a solution, right?"
The emperor turned his gaze towards Jiang Youzhen, with expectation in his eyes.
Jiang Youzhen was speechless. She hadn't even taken office yet, so why was she in such a hurry?
"Chen is here!"
Jiang Youzhen stepped out and bowed deeply, "I have made irresponsible comments on state affairs, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
For some reason, the emperor felt a little better when he saw Jiang Youzhen.
"I forgive you for your innocence. You have already entered the official career, and it is natural for you to participate in the government. Don't worry, just speak freely!"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Just let him talk, why are you still so gentle?
"The minister obeys the order!"
Jiang Youzhen then spoke of his own views, "In my humble opinion, it is not appropriate to release the tea tax policy at this time. I have just analyzed the reasons for this. For the safety of the border and the interior, the tea tax policy can only be controlled by a few people at present."
The emperor nodded, "I agree with you, but the merchants are very dissatisfied. They didn't make any profit, and I'm afraid they will become resentful in the long run. Although merchants are the lowest class among the four classes, if they work together, they can be a great force."
Now many businessmen are jealous and are trying to make trouble. If this continues, it will easily cause trouble.
"The merchants who raised the funds contributed money and effort, and that's what they deserve."
Although what Jiang Youzhen said is realistic, those in power only look at the overall situation.
The emperor looked at Jiang Youzhen in surprise. He thought that young people were mostly kind-hearted and soft-hearted, but he didn't expect that Jiang Youzhen already had the ruthlessness of a superior.
He frowned immediately. The imperial court needed cruel officials, drastic reforms, and the rotten flesh needed to be dug out. But if they were too cruel, how could they guarantee the service to the country and the people?
The other newly-appointed scholars were also dissatisfied when they heard this. Many of them wanted to speak but stopped themselves and could not help but start whispering.
"Why is Jiang Youzhen so cruel? I think she wants to protect the interests of a small number of people in the future..."
One of the Jinshi didn't say anything more, but everyone understood what he meant. This kind of person is easy to accept bribes, is very selfish, and does not seek benefits for the court and the people.
"Your Majesty, those in high positions are not concerned with trivial matters, as long as they can control the overall situation. However, Your Majesty has always governed with virtue and has always been benevolent. If you want to make up for it, you can find other ways. Why do you have to make up for it with the tea offer?"
Jiang Youzhen spoke in a slow and steady tone, and at this moment, everyone couldn't help but think that they were in the Hall of Supreme Harmony rather than the Qionglin Garden.
They were all jealous. If you have a good idea, just say it. She kept flattering people every three sentences. No wonder those superiors like her.
Sure enough, the emperor was very pleased to hear this. Who doesn’t like being told that he is a benevolent monarch?
Furthermore, from what Jiang Youzhen said, it seems that there are other ways?
"Does Lord Jiang have a good idea? Tell us quickly!"
Is this Jiang Aiqing? Everyone curled their lips. There were many senior officials and senior people present, and everyone watched Jiang Youzhen steal the show.
"I don't dare to be a good counselor, but I have an idea. The wine in our Dayun Dynasty is all water wine, and there is very little strong wine. And strong wine can be used for disinfection. Once our Dayun Dynasty soldiers encounter a war, how many will be killed or injured if they are infected? This kind of strong wine can be used for disinfection. As long as it is an external injury, this kind of wine can be used."
As soon as Jiang Youzhen finished speaking, the emperor became interested.
"High-proof liquor?"
"But strong liquor requires a recipe, and the raw materials required for such strong liquor are very expensive. If it is used for military supplies, it will increase the burden on the national treasury."
Minister of Rites Luo Chengyi was the first to raise doubts. He felt that Jiang Youzhen was really a bit too arrogant.
Young people are full of vigor and it is easy for them to become complacent.
"If it is only for military use, then of course it is unaffordable. But what if it is allowed for civilian use? As long as it is controlled by the court like salt and tea, why not? If you think strong liquor is difficult to obtain, then I do know a winemaker who has the skill to make it."
The emperor looked at Jiang Youzhen with an intriguing look. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Would the expert be willing to sell me the wine recipe?"
"That's a wine-making family. If we sell it, the inheritance will be lost, which is not good...forcing it, right?"
Jiang Youzhen looked embarrassed, but thought to himself: What wine-making family? That's me!
There are so many grains, flowers and fruits on her farm. She needs to find a market for the wine she makes, right?
The emperor suddenly laughed, and then said meaningfully: "If it is used for people's livelihood, it can also be a way to make money. Let the Ministry of Revenue handle this matter and let the fourth son supervise it."
The emperor looked as if he understood everything. Jiang Youzhen grinned. Smart people don't need to say much.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Is this what happened? Why did they think Jiang Youzhen was smuggling private goods? Or was he blatantly smuggling private goods, and the emperor agreed?
"Minister Jiang, please try to increase revenue for the national treasury. If you see results, I will definitely reward you!" The emperor was very pleased. He thought carefully and realized that if the liquor was used for people's livelihood, it would be a huge source of income.
"Give me some wine!" The emperor was delighted. After a moment's thought, he said, "Give my beloved Jiang the jade ruyi I was playing with yesterday!"
"I thank the emperor for his reward!" Jiang Youzhen hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
Such glory made everyone envious and jealous.
"As long as you are devoted to the court, I will accept your advice and work together for the well-being of the people of the world."
The emperor raised his glass as he spoke, and everyone immediately picked up the wine on the table and stood up, raising their glasses together, "I will be loyal to the emperor and love my country, and I will sacrifice my life for the country."
"Okay! Give everyone some wine!" The emperor seemed deeply moved and immediately gave everyone wine.
Jiang Youzhen found that the new scholars were immediately excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, and he couldn't help but find it funny.
It turns out that PUA existed in ancient times. The emperor has seen a lot of things, so how could he be moved by these two slogans? This is just a brainwashing process!
The emperor then said a few more words of encouragement and then excused himself.
Everyone did not expect the emperor to be so amiable, and they were all full of hope for their careers.
Jiang Youzhen watched with a smile on his face and cold eyes.
It depends on how many of these people still have ambitions after one year. The political world is dark, and it is everywhere.
If you want to gain a foothold in the officialdom, how can you just have a heart of loyalty to the emperor and the country? You will only be slapped hard by reality.