“Seize…seize how little?”

Even Zheng Yi was a bit surprised this time.

Damn it.

The total annual tax revenue of the Great Yu is only four to fifty million taels.

Simply confiscating the Wang Family and the Eight Great Bing Merchants could accumulate nearly twenty years’ worth of tax revenue for the Great Yu!

This…

At this moment, Zheng Yi’s mind was filled with thoughts of ways to confiscate the remaining Noble Clans for himself!

How much money would he have then?

Not to mention training an army of a hundred thousand, training a million would only be a matter of time!

Liu Cheng’en, not knowing what Zheng Yi was thinking, continued talking to himself:

“Indeed, Your Majesty, this is merely the amount of silver found in their cellars and shops.”

“Other assets like gold, jewelry, pearls, antiques, calligraphy, paintings, land, and land title deeds haven’t been accounted for. If all these assets were fully quantified, it would take at least half a year.”

“Preliminary estimates suggest the property seized would be approximately between 1.8 billion and 2 billion.”

“The Wang Family’s assets are the most; they alone have over three million acres of land, with uncountable treasures of gold and silver…”

“Hiss…”

This time, Zheng Yi was truly shocked—over three million acres of land, and how many refugees could that feed?

And the most important thing is, these three million acres of land are tax-exempt!

How much tax revenue is lost every year just from these noble families and officials in Great Yu?

The Wang Family alone is this way, not to mention the other noble families.

Especially the southern noble families, which, compared to the northern ones, are only more and not less!

“What else?”

Liu Cheng’en took out an account book from his bosom and respectfully handed it over.

“Your Majesty, this is the account book compiled by this old slave, which records all the assets confiscated from the Wang Family and the Eight Great Bing Merchants, but does not include their lands, properties, etc.”

Zheng Yi opened the account book, and after a cup of tea’s time, suddenly smiled and said, “I heard you deceived them into the military camp under the guise of celebrating your sixtieth birthday?”

Liu Cheng’en embarrassedly replied, “Your…Your Majesty, to prevent alerting them prematurely, this old slave had no choice but to adopt such a strategy to capture them all in one go.”

“Otherwise, if we directly raided their homes, it would not only provoke their strong resistance but could also trigger a chain of unforeseen incidents.”

“Each of the Eight Great Bing Merchants’ homes is practically fortified as if to repel mountain bandits and robbers, but in this old slave’s view, it was entirely in preparation for rebellion.”

“Every house has a storeroom filled with armaments and armor; without extraordinary methods, it would be tough to take them down.”

“After all, the Eight Great Bing Merchants have developed in Bingzhou for many years, especially the Wang Family, which seems to have fully infiltrated the Bingzhou border areas.”

“If it weren’t for Grand General Xu Mujun’s assistance, unexpected events might have occurred.”

Zheng Yi nodded and said, “You have worked hard.”

“Some of the treasures are birthday gifts from the Eight Great Bing Merchants to you for your fiftieth birthday.”

“Since they were given to you, I won’t take what’s yours, consider it all yours!”

Liu Cheng’en was taken aback, quickly saying, “Your…Your Majesty, this…this old slave is wholeheartedly loyal to Your Majesty, definitely not for these external objects…”

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, “For merit, there must be a reward. You have rendered great service to me; if I don’t reward you, what would others think of me?”

“In the future, who will loyally work for me?”

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty! This…this old slave is terrified…”

He hesitated for a moment and ultimately gritted his teeth and said, “Your…Your Majesty, this…this old slave has one more thing to report.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“This…this old slave also privately accepted women sent by the Eight Great Bing Merchants—Da Tong women, there were thirty-two, no…thirty-four!”

Zheng Yi casually tossed the account book onto the table and looked at Liu Cheng’en, seemingly laughing yet not, “I thought you wouldn’t mention it.”

With a ‘thud,’ Liu Cheng’en immediately knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing, “Your…your Majesty, spare my life! This…this old slave, with failing eyesight, made such a muddle-headed move, please spare my life, Your Majesty!”

“Old Liu, you still lied.”

“Your Majesty?”

Liu Cheng’en looked up, his eyes strange, “This…this old slave does not know…?”

“You did indeed receive thirty-two Da Tong women from the Wang Family and the Eight Great Bing Merchants, but the other two were likely seized during the household raid, right?”

“Those two should be concubines of Wang Zhong’s offspring, correct?”

“Besides them, there seemed to be two more women whom you requested from the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

“Your…Your Majesty!”

Liu Cheng’en banged his head hard against the ground, making a series of ‘thud thud’ sounds.

“This old slave is muddle-headed! This old slave is muddle-headed! Enchanted by that woman, I did such a…”

“Enough.”

Zheng Yi said, “Thirty-two Da Tong women, they are all pitiful people, ask them their intentions. If they wish to follow you, let them stay.”

“But if they do not wish to follow, give them each some silver coins and set them free.”

Liu Cheng’en’s forehead was pressed to the ground as he trembled and said, “Yes, Yes, Your Majesty!”

“As for the other two, verify if they are pregnant. Those who are, send them to the Celestial Prison, await further instructions.”

Zheng Yi said coldly, “Those not pregnant, have their identities verified by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and handle them accordingly.”

Liu Cheng’en’s body shivered, and he kowtowed frantically, “Your Majesty! This old slave realizes the error, this old slave realizes the error…”

“Your loyalty to me, I am fully aware, but I do not want any leverage left within our own ranks, understand?”

“This old slave understands!”

“You may leave.”

“Your…Your Majesty, those two Da Tong women requested from the Embroidered Uniform Guard are…are gifts to Your Majesty!”

Liu Cheng’en knelt and said, “Those two women are outstanding among the Da Tong women, trained by professionals, originally intended to win over high officials, and were acquired by this old slave.”

“Though those two women are of humble origins, their appearance and figure are both top-notch, compared to the palace consorts…”

“Alas…I can’t bear to see these pitiable children, leave them at the palace then.”

Zheng Yi waved his hand and said, “After you finish handling your private affairs, come serve again.”

“Yes!”

Liu Cheng’en kowtowed once more in earnest, then retreated on his knees, just like an old dog.

Only when he backed to the palace hall’s threshold did he kowtow a few more times before slowly rising, stumbling his way out of the hall.

“Liu Cheng’en…”

Zheng Yi murmured, “After all, he’s just an ordinary person, and he’s already fifty years old, with few years left to live.”

“Just let him enjoy his remaining years in peace within the palace.”

That night.

Zheng Yi favored two Datong women in Baiyu City.

It must be said, they indeed lived up to the title of ‘the foremost of the Four Famous Courtesans’ compared to ordinary women, they were more passionate and alluring, leaving Zheng Yi mesmerized.

The 7th Year of Zhengyong, New Year’s Day.

The Emperor led all officials to the Grand Ancestral Temple to worship the heavens, and on this day, a heavy snow fell, bringing joy to the people.

Auspicious snow foretells a bountiful year, truly a great fortune!

The 7th Year of Zhengyong, January 10th.

Liu Cheng’en, by imperial decree, confiscated the properties of the Datong Wang Clan and its Eight Great Bing Merchants.

They confiscated silver amounting to eight billion six hundred million taels, gold amounting to thirty million taels, and countless antiques, calligraphy, paintings, gold, silver, and jewelry.

Moreover, there were large amounts of land, forests, properties, shops, etc., awaiting confiscation.

More than sixty officials from the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Rites were dispatched to carry out the confiscation, monitored by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and it was expected to take about three months to complete fully.

The 7th Year of Zhengyong, January 15th.

During the Lantern Festival, the Emperor personally bestowed the Lantern Festival upon the people, celebrating it with joy.

That night, seventy-two fires broke out in the Capital City, burning two hundred thirty-five military and civilian houses, with fifty-two civilian casualties.

The Emperor was furious and reprimanded the Five Cities Military Department and the Chief Magistrate of the Capital City, ordering a thorough investigation.

At the same time, he ordered the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Industry to repair civilian houses and aid victims of the disaster.

The 7th Year of Zhengyong, January 30th.

At the Great Court.

Twenty-one officials of the fifth rank and above impeached Chief Eunuch Liu Cheng’en of the Ritual Department, accusing him of accepting bribes, suppressing dissent, and harming loyal subjects.

Furthermore, they accused him of accepting bribes and seven women from the Bing Merchants case, enriching himself, and occupying national property, and demanded his immediate execution!

Liu Cheng’en looked angrily at the twenty-some officials standing before him, his gaze almost murderous.

He was serving Your Majesty!

All those treasures, Your Majesty had already agreed to give them to me.

And those seven women followed me willingly, I am a good person.

If I let them go, they have no other skills but to serve men. Wouldn’t their final destination still be the pleasure quarters?

So why not stay with me and enjoy a peaceful and stable life?

Though I cannot perform, I have treated them very well.

How could these officials claim that I am occupying good family women?

It’s… a grave injustice!

“Your Majesty…”

Liu Cheng’en turned back with difficulty, his life was in Zheng Yi’s hands.

If Zheng Yi wanted to kill him, it was just a matter of a word.

Only now did he understand the terrible nature of power.

Zheng Yi said quietly, “I am aware of all that Liu Cheng’en has done, and it was my idea.”

With a single sentence, Zheng Yi quashed the officials’ impeachment of Liu Cheng’en.

Numerous officials had no choice but to step back in resignation.

At this point, Xu Mujun suddenly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I have a matter to report.”

“Oh? What important matter does Xu Aiqing have?”

Xu Mujun said, “I have returned to the Capital for more than a month. Although the Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States have just stabilized, there are still many spies and bandits from Wu Country within the states. I wish to return to Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States as soon as possible to quell the unrest.”

Zheng Yi said, “Xu Qing, there’s no hurry. I have other important matters to discuss with you.”

He did not want Xu Mujun to leave the Capital so soon, as the issues with Xu Xuanwu had not been resolved.

Xu Mujun replied, “I wonder what important matters Your Majesty has?”

Zheng Yi was inspired and said, “I intend to establish the Great Yu Military Academy, to select and teach suitable young officers and literati intending to develop in the military, educating young officers like the Imperial College.”

“Huh?”

Not only Xu Mujun but even other ministers were bewildered by Zheng Yi’s sudden proposal.

A military academy…

What kind of institution is this?

A place specifically to train officers?

But my Great Yu has already occupied two states of Wu Country, and the rebels within Great Yu have been suppressed, so there’s nowhere to fight.

Why does His Majesty still want to cultivate military generals?

“As the saying goes, ‘Be cautious in times of peace,’ we have occupied two states of Wu Country, and Wu Country will never let go of this enmity.”

Zheng Yi said, “Once the new king of Wu Country is established, they will surely counterattack the Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States. Therefore, we in Great Yu should focus more on cultivating young military generals to strengthen our army.”

“Do you have any objections, dear ministers?”

This…

Many ministers were in heated discussion, their expressions odd.

Establishing a military academy?

On par with the Imperial College?

Wouldn’t that mean the martial men, who are only good at fighting, would be on the same level as us civil servants?

All the ministers’ eyes turned toward the front of the Cabinet.

Currently, there were only three people left in the entire Cabinet, and its power was much diminished.

Lu Xiangqing hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, all the scholars of Great Yu are proficient in the Six Arts of the Gentleman, excelling in rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.”

“In my humble opinion, in times of national crisis, we civil officials can also take up arms and fight the enemy. Therefore, I hope this matter can be discussed at length.”

Li Yuanhao also stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, what Lord Lu says is very true.”

“The immediate priority is still to complete the ‘Five-Year Plan’ that you set up.”

“The Yongzhou Grand Canal has not yet begun due to the rebel issue, and the Jing’an Grand Canal has just started. These two projects require the mobilization of a million workforce.”

“The Imperial Court’s energy is indeed limited.”

The other counselor, Zheng Zongbing, however, did not speak, seemingly lost in thought.

“Uncle Bing, what is your opinion?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep