Chapter Ten: Universal Amnesty

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By comparison, reducing taxes benefits the people; it is at least far better than weakening the vassal princes.

The ministers all breathed a sigh of relief, though still harboring doubts.

“Your Majesty, among all the nations, our Great Zhou already imposes the lowest taxes. The people have no complaints—why reduce them further?”

But Li Chen’s reply tightened the ministers’ nerves once again.

“Who said I intend to reduce the taxes on the common people? I mean to reduce the taxes levied on the vassal princes and nobility!”

At these words, everyone was shocked once more.

Ouyang Yu immediately spoke up.

“Your Majesty, taxation is the foundation of the state. The vassal princes and nobles pay taxes amounting to billions of silver taels annually. Why would you reduce that?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty, such a reduction would inevitably affect the treasury’s expenditures.”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

All the ministers spoke in unison.

Li Chen leaned on the desk, feigning deep thought.

After a long moment...

“Hm... you ministers make many valid points.”

“So... since you all worry that reducing taxes on the vassal princes and nobles will shake the very foundation of our realm, fine! Then let us increase the taxes on the common people.”

At this, several senior ministers nearly popped their eyes out.

Ge Siwang slowly stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, the law requiring vassal princes and nobles to pay extra taxes was established by the Grand Emperor Emeritus. How can it be lightly changed?”

“Moreover, this law has been in effect in Great Zhou for nearly a century. To this day, there have been no problems with it. It is precisely because of this law that Great Zhou has prospered and its people have grown strong. How can it be altered at whim?”

Other ministers echoed his sentiments.

Li Chen’s brows furrowed.

“Nonsense! It seems you just want to keep taking advantage! How many years have the vassal princes and nobles already paid? Isn’t it enough? One should not be too greedy!”

“Besides, times change. A thousand years ago, people still ate with earthenware and lived primitively—why don’t you?”

“In this era of peace and prosperity, where the people live in comfort, it is time for them to step forward and contribute to Great Zhou!”

Yet Ge Siwang was unconvinced by Li Chen’s words.

Bowing slightly, he said,

“Your Majesty, not to mention that ancestral laws must not be abolished, changing the taxation system so recklessly would indeed shake our dynasty’s foundation. We earnestly hope Your Majesty will rescind this decree!”

Li Chen sneered and suddenly stood up.

“Ge Siwang, are you ordering me around?”

“I dare not, Your Majesty.”

“Dare not? I think you dare too much. Ever since I mentioned reducing the power of the vassal princes, you have obstructed me at every turn. Now that I have changed my mind and want to lower their taxes, you still refuse?”

“Fine then, since you think you’re always right, why don’t you take my place on the throne!”

At these words, Ge Siwang trembled and immediately knelt.

“This old minister deserves death!”

“We deserve death for offending Heaven’s authority. We beg Your Majesty to forgive us!”

Suddenly, all the other ministers followed suit and knelt as well.

Li Chen looked around, not angry but smiling.

“Offending Heaven’s authority? That’s an exaggeration. You’re merely staging a palace coup!”

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Li Chen’s words swept through the hall like a fierce storm.

Everyone was stunned.

The words “palace coup” echoed relentlessly in their minds!

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

A palace coup?

This was a crime comparable to treason, punishable by extermination of nine clans.

No one dared speak.

After a few seconds of silence, Ouyang Yu took the lead, quickly kowtowing repeatedly.

“Your Majesty, we would never dare!”

“We would rather die than commit such an act!”

Li Chen chuckled and slowly descended the steps, looking down on the ministers below.

“What nonsense law! In my view, it’s fundamentally unfair. In the past, Great Zhou was embroiled in endless wars, so this law was enacted out of necessity to fill the treasury and support the war effort, but it unfairly burdened the vassal princes and nobles.”

“Now that times have improved, I declare here and now that I will gradually restore what the vassal princes and nobles have lost.”

“And I want everyone under heaven to know that the Li family is never ungrateful!”

“Court dismissed!”

...

Back at the palace,

Li Chen enjoyed Wan’er’s massage, eyes closed.

“Wan’er, the Moon Worship Festival is approaching soon. How are you and the maids doing with the dance practice?”

“Except for a few, the rest are quite familiar with the steps.”

Li Chen nodded in satisfaction.

“Very good. Wan’er, today at court I decided to reduce the taxes on the vassal princes and nobles. What do you think?”

Wan’er thought a moment.

“Of course it’s a good thing. The vassal princes and nobles will surely be grateful to Your Majesty. After all, no one wishes to spend so much silver every year unnecessarily, right?”

Li Chen smiled, thinking to himself.

Grateful? Ha! Then let them be grateful!

If you’re so eager to be the good guys, I won’t let you.

Everything the common folk think is good, I will snatch away for you.

When your influence fades and the people’s voices turn to complaints, I will be ready to reap the rewards of a tyrant emperor...

“Your Majesty, why are you smiling?”

“Oh? Am I smiling? Perhaps it’s because our Great Zhou is growing stronger and richer, and I, as emperor, am enjoying life too much.”

He smiled outwardly but was troubled inwardly.

Dealing with the vassal princes and nobles is indeed a way to become a notorious tyrant, but this method is slow and gradual.

Is there a way to bring down the nation’s fortune faster?

Just then, Wan’er spoke again.

“Isn’t enjoying life a good thing? It shows Your Majesty is a wise ruler.”

“Look at other countries—they have corrupt officials and treacherous ministers, far more than our Great Zhou.”

After Wan’er’s words, Li Chen’s eyes suddenly brightened, and he sat up with a snap.

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Excitedly, he grasped Wan’er’s hands.

“My dear, you truly are my lucky star!”

Thinking back to today’s court meeting, his decisions couldn’t be implemented immediately because too few ministers supported him.

If that’s the case, then I will cultivate more trusted confidants, more treacherous ministers who can bring ruin to the state. That should work, right?

...

Four hours later, Li Chen sat in his study.

The desk was covered with documents from the court and various provinces.

Wan’er sat nearby, gently fanning incense, her eyes shining as she looked at Li Chen, secretly thinking,

“Hmph, those foul ministers complain that our new emperor neglects his duties, but they don’t see how hard he works in private.”

“A ruler as outstanding as His Majesty—if I were one of his consorts, how happy I would be. Even if I were just a palace maid, I would gladly die for him...”

“Wan’er! Wan’er!”

Lost in her daydream, Wan’er only responded after being called twice.

“Oh... what is it, Your Majesty?”

“Hurry... send for Ouyang Yu at once!”

...

A moment later, Ouyang Yu arrived at Dangyang Palace’s study.

Seeing the desk piled with documents, he felt slightly pleased.

No matter what, the emperor was diligent in state affairs.

As for those absurd measures, they could be corrected gradually...

“Your Majesty.”

“You’re here. Please sit. Wan’er, pour some tea.”

Ouyang Yu accepted the cup.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Enough of formalities. I called you here because there is something I want you to announce at tomorrow’s court session. Have you seen these files on the desk?”

Ouyang Yu nodded.

“I have.”

“Good. Then take these lists and notify the Ministry of Justice to release all the prisoners named here at dawn.”

“I am preparing a general amnesty for the entire realm!”

Smack!

Ouyang Yu was stunned in an instant; the teacup in his hand dropped to the floor.

Li Chen laughed heartily.

In his mind, the anticipated message appeared:

[Congratulations, Your Majesty, for committing an act of a tyrant emperor. The fortune of Great Zhou has decreased by 500 points, with 8,350 points remaining.]

[Based on the current decline in national fortune, rewards are being distributed...]