"I know, but until the Guo Luoke rebellion is settled, Nian Gengyao cannot be touched for the time being." Saying this, Yinzhen himself felt aggrieved, but the situation was such that he had no choice but to refuse to agree.
"Let's not talk about this for now. I asked you to dig wells in the counties around the capital. How is it going? Did you find any water?"
Yunxiang smiled bitterly and said: "We have dug dozens of holes, but only three or four can produce water, and the amount of water is not much. In one hole, the water is only half a foot deep, so it is of no great use at all."
Yinzhen was disappointed: "But within five hundred miles, there are not many places where water can be transported, and there are more and more drought places. If this continues, will we have to go to the south to transport water?" Now
, the nearby water transportation has already made the imperial court quite strenuous. Going farther away, the cost will increase even more, and food... we can't rely on the south to supply all water and food. Even the richest places can't afford it.
Not to mention being responsible for the northwest side.
"If it doesn't work, we can only increase taxes." As soon as Yunxiang said this, he was categorically rejected by Yinzhen, "No, Huang Ama said when he was still alive that taxes can never be increased. I can't disobey Huang Ama.
What’s more, now that taxes are already heavy, if we add more, wouldn’t it mean that the people’s livelihood will be cut off?”
"Fourth brother, I know you care about the people and consider everything from their perspective, but sometimes, you still have to put the overall situation first."
"The overall situation, do you know what the overall situation is?" Yinzhen said sternly: "The people are the overall situation. Once the people lose their support, the Qing Dynasty will become history like the Ming Dynasty."
"Fourth brother, this is only temporary. After you get through the current difficulties, you can come down again. I believe the people can understand the pain of the court." Only Yunxiang dared to speak to Yinzhen like this.
"You have to cut off other people's food rations, and you still need people to understand you. Lao Shisan, when did you become so unhuman?" Yinzhen found it difficult to accept Yunxiang's statement.
"Fourth brother is too persistent. Do we have to wait until everyone is thirsty and starved to death before we regret it?" Yunxiang got excited and coughed again. The rapid coughing made Yin, who was already a little excited,
Zhen calmed down, waved his hands and said weakly: "That's not what I meant, I just hope there is a better way."
Yunxiang coughed and said: "Everything that can be thought of, the emperor and my brother have already thought about it. Not only are we at the end of the road, but we are also forced to do nothing. I have seen the bank account deposits, and there is still 10 million in June."
Two, but now it is less than six million taels. Your Majesty, if it is necessary to cut it off, let’s get over this natural disaster first. At most, we can just add a little less.”
"Thirteenth brother, you still don't understand my thoughts. Even if the imperial court only adds one point of endowment, when it goes down to the local government, it may become two points, three points or even five or six points. Although I try my best to eliminate the officials, after all, the time is right.
Days are still short, and there are still many corrupt and evil officials hiding in the country who suck the blood of the people. With these people around, I don’t dare to increase the wealth easily."
Yunxiang slowly stopped coughing and said in silence for a long time: "Fourth brother, you can't stop eating because of choking. If you are worried about those corrupt officials doing bad things, you might as well send spies to closely monitor the states and counties. If there is any act of corruption and taking advantage of the opportunity to make money,
,
I will immediately go to heaven to hear, and you will order the execution." He paused and said: "Actually, it is the most convenient method to give the secret agent the right to kill first and report later, but in this way, the secret agent's power is a bit too great and difficult to control.
.
Yinzhen sighed and said: "It has been decades since I received any additional gifts. Let me think about this matter again."
While he was talking, Su Peisheng walked in and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, Prince Yi, the imperial doctor who treated Mr. Lao is back. Mr. Lao... was too seriously injured and unable to save his life. He has passed away."
Although both Yinzhen and Yunxiang were mentally prepared, they were still shocked when they heard the news of the death of the old man. Nian Gengyao was really serious. Those fifty sticks were clearly intentional. He knew very well that with the old man’s body and bones,
He would definitely not be able to survive it. It was said to be a punishment from the rod, but in fact it was basically killing him in retaliation for his disrespect for him.
"According to the imperial doctor who came back, the old man had been cursing before he died..." Su Peisheng glanced at Yinzhen carefully and did not continue immediately. "
Yinzhen uttered three words coldly, "Tell it like it is."
Su Peisheng lowered his head and whispered in a frightened voice: "Yes, the old man has been scolding Duke Fu before his death, scolding him as a disaster to the country and bringing disaster to the country and the people. Only except for him can the Qing Dynasty be prosperous and prosperous."
"I understand, go down and tell the imperial doctor not to say anything that shouldn't be said." Yinzhen did not tell Su Peisheng not to talk nonsense, because if he didn't even understand this, Su Peisheng wouldn't have to wait by his side.
Su Peisheng stepped back as he was told and passed by Sixi who was walking in. He only heard Sixi say: "Your Majesty, the army led by Duke Fu has left the suburbs of Beijing."
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Su Peisheng, who had already walked outside the Yangxin Hall, suddenly ran in uncontrollably, with unspeakable ecstasy on his face, "It's raining, Your Majesty, it's raining!"
"What? Say it again!" Yinzhen, who originally wanted to scold Su Peisheng, suddenly stood up and asked in disbelief. Yunxiang next to him also looked normal.
Su Peisheng cried and laughed and said, "My servant said it's raining. Your Majesty, it's true. It's raining outside." As soon as he left the Yangxin Hall just now, he felt a chill on his face, wet and cold, like
It was rain, but it had not rained in Beijing for several months. How could this be possible? Soon, he knew it was true, because there was more coolness falling on his face, and every drop of it was filled with joy.
of wetness.
Yinzhen didn't bother to ask any more questions and walked out of the hall quickly, with Yunxiang following closely behind him. Sure enough, as soon as he stepped outside, he felt raindrops falling on his face, and more raindrops fell on his face that had been dry for a long time.
On the ground.
"It's raining, it's really raining!" Yinzhen opened his hands excitedly, his face filled with unprecedented joy. He had been waiting for this day for too long, almost to the point of despair.
"Yes, I finally waited." Yunxiang said with emotion, "I just hope this rain will fall faster."
God seemed to have heard Yunxiang's words, and the rain suddenly became heavier. The small raindrops turned into as big as soybeans and fell hard. The rapid raindrops hit his face, which hurt. But Yinzhen didn't feel it at all.
He didn't care, raised his head, and let the raindrops hit his face.
"Fourth brother, go in first. This autumn rain is very cold. If you get wet again, you might catch a cold." Seeing that the rain was getting heavier, and within a short time, most of the clothes were wet, Yunxiang advised from the side.
"It's okay, I'm so happy." Yinzhen shook his head, looking extremely happy. Nothing made him happier than this rain. God did not drive away its people, but rained down so that they could continue to live here.
A vast land.
With this rain, the issue of increasing taxes will be easily solved, and the people can live the same life as before. Although it is not easy, it will not be so heavy that it will break their waists.