Chapter 13 Go and collect taxes for me

"You still know that you deserve it." Chongzhen snorted coldly and said, "But considering that you are the old man that my brother relies on the most, I can spare your life and even continue to use you."

Wei Zhongxian thought he was dead, but unexpectedly he was able to survive. He excitedly kowtowed to express his gratitude!

Chongzhen waved his hand, and Wang Chengen immediately stepped forward, picked up the charge sheet on the ground, and put it away carefully.

In Wei Zhongxian's confused eyes, Chongzhen said coldly: "The premise is that you can complete the task I assign to you and make meritorious contributions. Otherwise, your sins will not be enough even if you die a hundred times."

Wei Zhongxian, who had escaped death, had no time to ask what the errand was. He kowtowed and agreed: "It is my duty to work for the emperor, even if it means going through fire and water, I will do it without hesitation!"

Chongzhen nodded, sat up straighter, and said condescendingly: "I will send you to Jiangnan to do what you are best at."

Wei Zhongxian was stunned. What was he best at?
What I am best at is dealing with the Donglin Party members. Could it be that the emperor is dissatisfied with the Donglin Party and wants me to go to the Donglin Party’s lair and kill them?
This is not difficult, but isn’t the emperor close to Donglin?

Before he could think of an answer, Chongzhen had already jokingly said, "Go collect taxes in Jiangnan!"

"Collect all the salt tax, mining tax, and customs duty for me. No one is allowed to evade even a penny of tax!"

Wei Zhongxian was shocked and secretly frightened.

It can be said that all profitable businesses in Jiangnan, such as salt, mines, and docks, are in the hands of landlords and gentry. These people are not only the biggest financiers of the Donglin Party, but also the financiers of all officials.

As for collecting money from these people, even when Tianqi was in power, he would not dare to go too far.

However, according to Chongzhen's meaning, not only should this tax be collected, but it should be collected without any exemption or reduction.

This is simply putting himself on the fire. By then, all the civil and military officials in the court will probably wish him dead.

But Wei Zhongxian didn't care. After all, people all over the world had been wishing him dead. Moreover, he was going to the Donglin Party's territory to stir up trouble. It could be said that Wei Zhongxian had no psychological burden.

Then she kowtowed and accepted the order, patting her chest and saying, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will collect the commercial taxes even if I sacrifice my life!"

Chongzhen nodded in satisfaction, and then instructed: "You can collect taxes, but remember to only collect taxes from the rich gentry, and not harm the common people, understand?"

Although Chongzhen had just ascended the throne, he knew that sometimes the court's decrees would change when they reached the local level.

The original intention was to collect taxes from wealthy households, but the officials in charge deliberately misinterpreted the intention and did not deal with the wealthy. Instead, they imposed heavy taxes on the people, making their lives miserable.

So I deliberately emphasized it.

Wei Zhongxian agreed immediately.

I remembered what Wang An said: Whether people like Wei Zhongxian can be used well depends on the emperor's skills.

Chongzhen couldn't help but feel competitive, looking at the table and said, "If you do your job well, I will never treat you unfairly. But if you don't work hard when you get to the place, the previous charge will still be waiting here."

Wei Zhongxian wiped the sweat off his forehead and kowtowed hurriedly to assure him, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will do my best to serve you."

"Very good," Chongzhen nodded and said, "I estimate that I will need silver in the next one or two months. How long will it take for you to collect the tax silver?"

Wei Zhongxian was secretly surprised that as soon as he was assigned the task, he was anxiously asking how long it would take to collect the money.

However, Wei Zhongxian did not dare to say much after finally saving his life. He cautiously probed: "I don't know how much your majesty wants to spend. I'm new to Jiangnan, so I'm afraid it will take some time to use my power. Otherwise, those misers in Jiangnan will not pay taxes obediently." Chongzhen thought for a while and said, "There is always enough silver. Anyway, you should do your best to collect taxes. You should release as much as you have. Don't let your subordinates embezzle even a penny, otherwise I will hold you accountable!"

Wei Zhongxian hurriedly agreed, and Chongzhen waved his hand and asked Wei Zhongxian to leave.

But when Wei Zhongxian was about to step out of Wenhua Hall, Chongzhen suddenly said coldly: "I don't want to hear the three words 'Nine Thousand Years Old' again, understand?"

Wei Zhongxian was so frightened that he quickly turned around and knelt on the ground, hastily assuring: "Please, Your Majesty, there will no longer be a Nine Thousand Years Old Man, only a loyal dog by your side!"

Chongzhen then waved his hand.

After Wei Zhongxian left, Chongzhen was not idle either. He immediately summoned Wang Chengen to meet with officials from the cabinet and six ministries to discuss state affairs.

Soon, the chief minister Huang Liji, the minister of war Cui Chengxiu, as well as Cheng Jiming, Qian Qianyi and others rushed to the Wenhua Hall.

Before Chongzhen could say anything, Cheng Jiming stood up impatiently and asked, "Xuan Da was invaded. I wonder if Your Majesty has made a decision?"

Cheng Jiming's voice was loud and urgent. People who didn't know would think that Cheng Jiming was questioning the emperor just by listening to the voice.

However, even the officials present only regarded Ji Ming as someone who cared about national affairs. Some minor officials who were inclined to Donglin even cheered secretly, saying that he was worthy of being a member of the Donglin Party who cared about the country and the people and dared to ask questions directly in front of the emperor.

Chongzhen frowned, feeling slightly unhappy. But he said kindly, "I summoned you all here today for this matter. You don't have to be anxious."

Huang Liji and others were all surprised when they saw this. When they learned that Xuanda had been attacked yesterday, Chongzhen looked anxious, but today he looked so confident and calm.

All the ministers were waiting for Chongzhen to make a decision, but Cheng Jiming asked anxiously: "Your Majesty, please do not listen to slander and kill loyal officials!"

As he said this, he glanced at Cui Chengxiu.

Cui Chengxiu rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Chongzhen was a generous man, but also a stingy man.

He could unconditionally trust and support the ministers he admired, but he would not be so patient with the ministers he disliked.

Cheng Jiming kept answering and asking questions, acting like a remonstrating minister, which made the young Chongzhen quite unhappy.

His mind changed, and he smiled instead of getting angry: "Don't worry, my dear Cheng. I think what you said makes sense. How can you compromise with Lin Danhan and punish the ministers and meritorious officials of the Ming Dynasty?"

"Besides, this Lin Dan Khan actually forced a reward. How is this different from a robber threatening and extorting? So I have decided to go to war with Lin Dan Khan!"

Cui Chengxiu felt a headache after hearing this, and had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "Your Majesty, please think twice! Lin Danhan has 100,000 brave soldiers and horses under his command. Our Ming Dynasty is currently deploying troops in Liaodong. If we start a war, we will have no troops to mobilize!"

Cheng Jiming immediately jumped out and cursed at Cui Chengxiu.

"You eunuch, it's fine if you just sit there doing nothing, but why do you want to boost others' ambitions and destroy your own prestige?"

"As a great Chinese nation, should we be afraid of a barbarian?"

"You..." Cui Chengxiu was furious and glared at Cheng Jiming.

(End of this chapter)