Chapter 298: The King gives up his prime ministership
On this day, the wind was beautiful and the weather was full of spring. Emperor Liu summoned the prince and several prime ministers from Zhengshitang to the imperial garden to enjoy spring tea. Of course, these core figures of power in the Han Dynasty would not
This gathering was treated as a simple symposium.
Sure enough, before he finished his drink, Emperor Liu asked the financial envoy Wang Zhu: "Have the tax amounts for this summer been determined?"
After hearing the question, Wang Zhu immediately stood up and respectfully reported: "Back to Your Majesty, I am seizing the time to determine the amount of tax."
"Hurry up?" Emperor Liu said mockingly: "It's already mid-March, and it's still being planned. Why are you delaying it? Do you have to wait until the end of the summer harvest? Such neglect and perfunctory treatment of national finance and taxation plans is the result of the imperial court's recent
Your work style?”
Faced with Emperor Liu's sudden reprimand, Wang Zhu was a little confused. Wasn't it always like this in the past? He didn't dare to show his grievances, but carefully reminded Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty, in the past, the imperial court's annual summer tax amount was
It is in late March or before April that the tax amount is determined and distributed to the states across the country..."
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled indifferently and stared at the king: "According to Wang Qing, you think there is still enough time, so there is no need to rush?"
"That's not what I meant!" Wang Zhu couldn't help but panic, and hurriedly said: "The establishment of tax amounts is a detailed and complicated matter. It requires multiple weighings, comprehensive considerations, and repeated deliberation, especially since the development status of each state is different and the gap between the rich and the poor is obvious.
More careful consideration is needed..."
Listening to Wang Zhu's explanation, Emperor Liu smiled again: "It makes sense, and it should be regarded as the working principle of the Financial Secretary. However, I have heard that in the past, the Financial Secretary set tax quotas only in the previous year.
Basically, after deleting, deleting, and deleting, some people even said that it doesn’t take much effort. How come this year, there are so many reasons?
I can see that even important central departments such as the Financial Secretary are so procrastinating. No wonder the delay and neglect of government officials in various places has increased recently, and all kinds of chaos are emerging. I learned this from you!"
This unabashed rebuke made Wang Zhu unable to hold on any longer, his face changed drastically, his legs went weak, and he kowtowed and apologized: "Your Majesty, please punish me for your incompetence in doing things!"
Looking at the trembling Wang Zhu, Emperor Liu looked coldly and continued to ask coldly: "What is the annual summer tax quota for the past five years?"
Wang Zhu was already a little panicked. Emperor Liu's questioning tone made him feel like his heart was on fire. He said nervously: "The tax in the summer of the 23rd year of Kaibao was more than 32.2 million yuan, and the summer tax in the 22nd year was more than 31.7 million yuan.
31.2 million in twenty-one years, twenty years..."
Wang Zhu responded while recalling, but when it came to twenty years, he could not recall the data despite racking his brains. If it had been earlier, there would be no need to mention it. He had been the financial envoy for only a few years.
Emperor Liu looked at him coldly, while the others watched the fire from across the bank. Wang Zhu was a little at a loss, with cold sweat oozing out of his forehead uncontrollably, and his voice trembled a bit.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu no longer allowed him to make a fool of himself. He glanced around at all the courtiers present and said sternly in a warning tone: "This is the financial envoy of the Han Dynasty, the great steward of the treasury. He doesn't even know how much money he has."
!”
"I am ignorant! Your Majesty, please punish me!" Wang Zhu heard this and kowtowed vigorously, almost in a begging tone.
Seeing Wang Zuo's prostrated look, Emperor Liu's cold face finally softened a little. He stared at him for a while and finally waved his hand: "Get up!"
Wang Zhu was stunned for a moment, but made no move. He just buried his head and said, "I don't dare!"
"Get up!" Emperor Liu's voice rose a little higher.
Wang Zhu then stood up, but he did not dare to look at Emperor Liu. He just stood there awkwardly, at a loss. Emperor Liu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Go home! Live a good life and retire!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone including Liu Yang was shocked, but they quickly regained their composure. It was not surprising that Emperor Liu made the decision to depose without saving face for Wang Zhu.
When Wang Zhu heard this, his body stiffened for a moment, and he finally looked up at Emperor Liu. Seeing his emotionless eyes, his lips twitched a few times, and finally he bowed with a trembling voice: "Your Majesty.
Thanks!”
After saying that, under the gaze of Emperor Liu, he hunched over and left in despair. His back view inevitably gave people a sense of desolation. Seeing this, others also had mixed feelings.
, although he has no outstanding talents or outstanding achievements, he has never made any serious mistakes. In addition, he is a veteran of Emperor Liu and one of the top three ministers in the political hall. He was dismissed so easily. Onlookers can't help but feel a little weird.
The feeling of hurting others.
As for Emperor Liu, he had already given Wang Zhu a chance and even made an exception to remind him, but he obviously didn't listen. In the Central Han Dynasty, under Emperor Liu's eyes, there was no room for bureaucrats to lie down.
So what about loyalty? Although Emperor Liu valued this, it was by no means the only criterion for trusting talents. In this regard, Wang Zhu was far inferior to the troubled Lu Duoxun back then.
Withdrawing his gaze, Emperor Liu's expression was calm, and he looked at Wang You, the deputy financial envoy, and said: "Let Wang Qing shoulder the responsibility of the financial secretary. I have no other requirements. I should take the king as a warning!"
Wang You, who was silent like everyone else, immediately stood up when he heard the words, bowed his waist and said: "Yes!"
His immediate boss fell, and he, the deputy envoy, became a regular official. From Wang You's standpoint, he should feel lucky. However, at this moment, Wang You really couldn't be happy.
Emperor Liu is difficult to serve...Wang You is already over sixty years old, sixty-six years old at that time. He is old, thin, and his energy level is average. Of course, no matter how you look at it, at such a late age
In the year of 2016, it is worth celebrating that I have finally reached the pinnacle of my official career.
"Come, drink tea!" After settling the replacement of the chief financial officer, Emperor Liu showed a smile that he thought was as warm as spring, and gestured to everyone, saying.
Everyone responded, but could no longer appreciate the comfort brought by the spring tea. They had different expressions and were worried. Zhao Kuangyi glanced at the old Wang You and secretly thought that it was a pity that the king had given up his prime ministership. He was not surprised and had sympathy.
Not much, he didn't like this so-called right veteran.
It's a pity that Emperor Liu acted too quickly and decided on his successor on the spot. Naturally, he was a little tempted by financial power, and he couldn't help it. This was second only to the official department among the functional departments of the imperial court.
It’s the Yamen.
However, even if it is impossible to take the financial envoy into his arms, it can be done by taking the opportunity to install some people and increase some influence. While drinking tea, Zhao Kuangyi secretly thought about it.
Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help but glance at Li Fang, who was now more senior than the Prime Minister. Zhao Kuangyi's mouth curled up slightly. Originally, Zhao Kuangyi was very wary of Li Fang because of his qualifications, prestige and relationship with the prince. But after they actually worked together, he became more wary.
But it gradually weakened.
How to put it this way, this person is talented and knowledgeable, but he is too bookish and his character is too soft. Compared to the wily and scheming Zhao Kuangyi, he is a level weaker.
He looked at Wang You again and saw that this man had taken advantage of him. However, as he thought about it, his brows couldn't help but wrinkle. When Shen Yilun took office and Wang You succeeded him, had Emperor Liu already made a good plan?
Preparations for people to take over? Why were there no warning signs beforehand?
While Zhao Kuangyi was thinking, Emperor Liu spoke again, put down the tea cup, and said softly: "Since the Financial Secretary is mentioned, let's take the opportunity to talk about the current tax system issues in the Han Dynasty!"