Chapter 32

Zhu Yuanzhang's brows involuntarily tightened.

Because Old Zhu knew that Chongzhen was indeed speaking the truth.

Governing a great country is like cooking a small fish.

Once commercial taxes rise, the Shibi Society will inevitably give merchants a reason to raise prices.

And in Chongzhen's reign, this is a year of disaster.

It is precisely when disaster-stricken people need to buy grain in large quantities.

In this way, merchants will inevitably pass all these price hikes onto the disaster victims.

Instead, it will have the effect of exploiting the people and forcing them into rebellion by official oppression.

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was troubled.

Jiang Huan, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, suddenly appeared inside the Qianqing Palace.

"Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his head, looking at Jiang Huan with some confusion, and asked,

"Has something happened?"

Jiang Huan nodded slightly and said,

"Yes."

"Who?"

After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Huan spoke in a low voice,

"Su Qiao."

Hearing Su Qiao's name, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became alert.

He casually put down the tea cup in his hand, stood up, and asked,

"What's wrong with that kid again?"

Jiang Huan spoke in a low voice,

"Reporting to Your Majesty, after Su Qiao, my lord, left court today, two people dragged him onto a carriage and sent him to a courtyard within Jingcheng."

"Two hours later, several carriages stopped outside the courtyard."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, somewhat unable to believe it,

"Did this kid accept silver from someone else?"

Jiang Huan nodded slightly.

"Yes, at least two hundred thousand taels of Bai Yin!"

"Hiss~!"

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang had already mentally prepared himself.

He still couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath of cold air.

Good heavens!

Two hundred thousand taels of silver!

Zhu Yuanzhang stared fiercely at Jiang Huan and asked,

"Was it sent by the Prince of Yan?"

Jiang Huan shook his head and said,

"No, it was Hengtong Shipping, a merchant."

"A merchant?!"

A look of shock inevitably appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

I know merchants are rich.

But I never thought these merchants were rich to this extent!

I myself usually have to be stingy even when spending a few taels of silver.

These merchants bribe with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver at a time?!

Just thinking this.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to suddenly realize something.

"Not good!"

As soon as the words left his lips, Zhu Yuanzhang himself opened the chat group nearby...

31, Huang Zicheng: Your Majesty, I wish to report!

Sensing that the situation was somewhat wrong, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately sent a message to Chongzhen on the other end.

Emperor Taizu Gao:

"Did you say you wanted to raise commercial taxes, and someone opposed it?"

Emperor Sizong Lie:

"Yes."

"Please instruct me, Great Grandfather."

Emperor Taizu Gao:

"Whoever shouts the loudest, you confiscate their entire family's wealth!"

Inside the Qianqing Palace, a trace of killing intent inevitably appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face!

To be able to casually produce two hundred thousand taels of silver for bribery.

The merchants of Great Ming are far richer than Zhu Yuanzhang imagined!

Let alone merchants.

Even the Great Ming's Board of Revenue couldn't necessarily produce two hundred thousand taels of silver on the spot right now!

These merchants, just because Su Qiao said a couple of words in court about the sea ban.

They can fork out two hundred thousand taels of silver?!

If we let these merchants quietly make a fortune for two hundred years.

What would become of things?!

Jiang Huan, standing before Zhu Yuanzhang, could not see Old Zhu's chat group.

He just stood dumbly to one side.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's expression gradually soften.

Jiang Huan slowly opened his mouth and asked

"Your Majesty, what about this Su Qiao matter?"

Zhu Yuanzhang drew a deep breath and said softly

"Pretend we know nothing about it."

Jiang Huan immediately cupped his hands, rose, and left the great hall, vanishing into the night.

And in a certain residence within Jin Ling city.

Huang Zicheng was bent over his desk, writing furiously.

Still muttering nonstop

"You little wretch, let's see if you die this time!"

The steward beside him watched Huang Zicheng with a look of concern and said

"Master, it's late — shouldn't you be resting?"

Huang Zicheng didn't even lift his eyes and said loudly

"Even if I don't sleep tonight, I will absolutely finish writing this ten-thousand-word memorial!"

"If it can get Su Qigo flayed and stuffed with straw, what's one less night of sleep for me?!"

……

……

At the Cirichao Society the next day.

Amid the mountain-shout of "Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon carriage slowly ascended the dais.

Just as Su Qiao was still fretting over how to let Zhu Yuanzhang discover his "bribery."

He suddenly saw Huang Zicheng, sporting two enormous dark circles under his eyes, step forward at once and declare loudly