Chapter 612: You dare ask me for money?

"Three hundred taels?"

"Is it really only three hundred taels?"

Wu Zhao's expression was strange, her phoenix eyes fixed tightly on Gao Yang.

Three hundred taels of silver—for ordinary people, this is an astronomical sum, but for Gao Yang, could he even look at it?

Gao Yang's expression remained unchanged, his heart not panicking in the slightest. He nodded and said, "Correct, it is exactly three hundred taels!"

"Deceiving the Emperor is a grave crime; how would I dare to swindle Your Majesty!"

"Three hundred taels, not a single wen more!"

Wu Zhao looked thoughtful but did not continue to speak.

Instead, Cui Xinghe knelt down directly, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold ground, his expression extremely ugly.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

"I still thought too little... that is why I proposed this absurd suggestion, almost committing a massive mistake."

Although Cui Xinghe was extremely unwilling in his heart, he still took the initiative to plead guilty to Wu Zhao.

What Gao Yang said had almost become a certainty; from these perspectives, the failure of the Green Sprouts Law was destined.

He had been thinking too one-sidedly.

The core of the Green Sprouts Law is for the imperial court to be the main body, allowing the court to lend money to replace the interests of the clans. But for the government to open up lending, it must bundle five households, or even ten, and it requires some wealthy households among them!

Otherwise, if the people cannot survive, they will flock to borrow, and if they cannot pay back, they will flee into the mountains. Once there are many people taking the money for free, it becomes a joke.

A bundling policy is imperative!

Gao Yang had even thought of this, using five or ten households as a unit, and requiring wealthy households.

Once someone cannot pay back, the others must pay together; this way, the problem becomes even bigger.

Wealthy households have grain and are unwilling to borrow themselves, while small households will think that as long as they borrow together, it doesn't matter if they can't pay back later, because others will help them pay.

In this way, under the trampling of human nature, no one can be spared!

Not to mention that once the new law is implemented, lower-level officials will inevitably use means to oppress the people to promote it!

Under these various reactions, the Green Sprouts Law will inevitably present two extremes: in the hands of honest local officials, the people will live and work in peace!

But if the official is corrupt, the Green Sprouts Law will inevitably harm the people!

Gao Yang had long anticipated this!

And the Green Sprouts Law will not only head toward failure but will also aggravate the factional strife already existing in the court, leaving behind endless harm.

Gao Yang had anticipated all of this!

He took it as a strategy to save the world, while Gao Yang took it to dig a massive pit to trap people. In an instant, the difference in their levels was clear.

Wu Zhao looked at Cui Xinghe and said indifferently, "The top scholar is also acting for the sake of the country; how could I blame you?"

"You may leave."

Cui Xinghe raised his head and stood up.

"I thank Your Majesty for your holy grace!"

"I take my leave."

Cui Xinghe looked embarrassed. Before leaving, he took a deep look at Gao Yang. That waist, which had always been straight, collapsed at that moment.

And he felt that it would be difficult for him to straighten it up again.

Looking ten steps ahead for every one step taken, even calculating the disasters decades later—what kind of ability was this? He had even anticipated all the disasters after the Green Sprouts Law was implemented!

Cui Xinghe admitted that he absolutely did not have this level of skill.

In the entire Great Qian, besides Gao Yang, who else could do this?

But at the same time, he truly sympathized with Yan Wushuang. Meeting Gao Yang was his great misfortune; not only was his three hundred taels gone, but he was also trapped in a mess!

Cui Xinghe shook his head and left.

After Cui Xinghe left, Gao Yang looked at Wu Zhao with dissatisfaction and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, as an emperor, how can you have the benevolence of a woman?"

"If I hadn't thought of this, and it were truly implemented, this Green Sprouts Law would definitely harm our Great Qian!"

Hearing this, the corner of Wu Zhao's mouth twitched slightly.

"Gao Qing, I advise you to be kind!"

"Regarding the previous assassination, I have always felt guilty toward the top scholar. Besides, in all fairness, the top scholar was able to realize the harm of land annexation and even thought of this Green Sprouts Law."

"At this age, and here in the city of Changancheng, this is already quite rare and extremely talented!"

Wu Zhao spoke slowly, her gaze toward Gao Yang carrying a hint of helplessness.

Gao Yang did not speak.

But he did not deny that Cui Xinghe had some substance. In terms of strategy, the Green Sprouts Law was an excellent and wonderful plan, and it had miraculous effects on land annexation!

But unfortunately, the requirements for the Green Sprouts Law were too many, and there were too many uncontrollable factors.

This led precisely to the opposite result.

Otherwise, it would truly be a strategy for governing the country!

But precisely because of this, Cui Xinghe was even more deserving of his fate!

This was the essential cultivation of a vicious strategist, but unfortunately, Wu Zhao harbored some guilt; let alone taking action, she hadn't even punished him.

But from another perspective, Wu Zhao not being that ruthless was also a good thing for him. ===== CHAPTER 614 =====