There were two factions in the royal court, the Reformist Faction and the Conservatives Faction.
The Reformist Party was led by Shang Rong while the Conservatives were hidden in the dark.
After what had just happened, although the Conservatives had lost two of their generals, they had a clear understanding of Di Xin's attitude.
However, it was precisely because of this that the Conservatives felt even more despair.
After all, with Di Xin's strong support, the reform was inevitable.
Anyone who dared to stand in the way of this great power would only have one outcome: to be completely crushed into pieces.
For a time, many officials in the court put away their thoughts.
There were even some who decided to join the Reformist Party after the court session.
Just as all the civil and military officials in the city were lost in their thoughts, the Minister of Rites, Sun Yang, stepped out and bowed. Then, he slowly spoke.
"Your Majesty, in half a month, it will be your birthday. How do you plan to organize it?”
Hearing this, Di Xin was stunned. Birthday?
Di Xin really didn't have such a concept.
In his previous life, he often forgot his birthday, let alone today.
The calamity was approaching, and there were many things to do. Di Xin was not in the mood to celebrate his birthday.
Just as he was about to simplify everything, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
All this while, Di Xin had been extremely dissatisfied with the 800 vassals. It wasn't just because they occupied Great Shang's territory and prevented him from obtaining the fate of the country.
More importantly, he knew that they were a bunch of ingrates who would betray him sooner or later, but he could not find a reason to deal with them. It was really frustrating.
His birthday was a good excuse. Di Xin's mind spun quickly as his eyes flashed.
"My birthday? The Ministry of Rites is responsible for producing a decree stating that I must celebrate with the heavens. In addition, order the 800 vassals to go to Zhaoge to attend my birthday banquet!”
"It just so happens that last time, I didn't meet many dukes. This time, I can have a good chat.”
Di Xin said casually. No one could see through his thoughts, and no one knew that he was planning a shocking plan in his heart.
The court session lasted for two hours. After everything was settled, Di Xin announced his withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the six departments had also begun a new day of operations.
Ministry of Rites.
Sun Yang quickly walked into the Ministry of Rites and started to prepare for Emperor Xin's birthday ceremony.
As the ruler of Great Shang, Emperor Xin's birthday was the most important event in Great Shang, and everything had to be arranged in advance.
Although there was still half a month left, in order to ensure that nothing went wrong, he naturally had to make preparations in advance.
This was especially true this time, when Emperor Xin was planning to invite 800 vassals to a banquet. This made Sun Yang feel even more pressured.
Four hours later, horses galloped out of the Ministry of Rites. These were the messengers responsible for delivering the invitations.
There were a total of eighty envoys, and they were soldiers that Sun Yang had specially selected from the military.
Just as Chaoge sent out the messenger, an old man in a straw raincoat and a sackcloth walked into Xiqi with a bamboo stick.
After Jiang Shang left the mountain, he did not rush to Xi Qi immediately. Instead, he started to travel around Great Shang.
He originally thought that the Chamber of Commerce was very chaotic. Otherwise, why would Xi Qi prosper?
However, things were completely out of his expectations. The people of Great Shang lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the government was clean and honest. Especially after some time, the officials of Great Shang were filled with heads.
He also made the officials of Great Shang do their best to fulfill their duties. Although the people under his rule did not dare to say that they did not close their doors at night, their faces were filled with smiles.
Therefore, as he gained more knowledge, the doubts in Jiang Shang's heart increased.
In the end, he gave up on traveling to Great Shang and headed straight for Xi Qi.
At the gate of Xi Qi City, Jiang Shang was waiting in line. Seeing that the people who entered Xi Qi had to pay a tax, Jiang Shang couldn't help but frown slightly.
At this moment, a woodcutter in front of Jiang Shang muttered,""A load of firewood is sold for ten knives. The city entrance tax is one knife, the sales tax is one knife, and the local tax is one knife. Sigh, I don't have enough money to buy medicine for Mother again.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shang, who originally did not intend to speak, could not help but frown."Little brother, this old man came from Great Shang, but I have never heard of such taxes?”
When he heard this, the woodcutter turned his head to glance at Jiang Shang. Seeing that he was already in his seventies, his tone couldn't help but soften.
"Old sir, you might not know this, but Xi Qi is the fief of Marquis of the West and is under his jurisdiction. It is different from the system of Great Shang, so the taxes are different.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Shang's brows did not relax.
"But according to what this old man knows, in Great Shang, a woodcutter like you doesn't need to pay taxes. Only those merchants need to pay taxes.”
A young man behind Jiang Shang couldn't help but laugh.
"Is this old man living in a dream?"
"Our Xi Qi's tax is already the lowest in the entire Great Shang.”
"I heard that within the Great Shang, the Shang King was extravagant and extravagant. He imposed exorbitant taxes and the people under his rule suffered. There were even people who were naked.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter immediately sounded from the crowd. Clearly, they agreed with the young man's words.
Seeing this, Jiang Shang did not argue with him. Instead, he changed the topic and said,"Little brother, where did you hear that from? He actually knew so many things. He was really amazing.”
Jiang Shang's praise instantly caused the young man's face to turn red, and his eyes were filled with excitement.
Young people all had the desire to show off, especially in public. The young man immediately puffed out his chest and said,"As long as you read more books, you will naturally know. Of course, the main thing is that the Marquisdom will spread news about the situation in Great Shang every day, as well as the injustice in the territories of the various dukes.”
"I heard that this is to increase our knowledge.”
At this point, in order to show off his knowledge, the young man continued to talk about the situation under the rule of the other dukes.
The people around them were amazed. When they compared their current lives, they couldn't help but stick out their chests, looking very proud.
Jiang Shang remained silent at the side. He seemed to be listening attentively, but in reality, his mind had already flown back to Kunlun.
"Fooling the people and forcing the wise. Master, is this really my place to achieve Dao?”
At this moment, Jiang Shang's eyes revealed a trace of confusion.
At this moment, a cautious voice sounded in front of Jiang Shang.
"Old man, is what you said true? Great Shang really doesn't collect taxes from me?”
Jiang Shang's heart trembled when he heard this. He immediately nodded." Of course it's true. This old man never lies."”
Hearing this, the woodcutter smiled," Thank you, old man. I'll go to Great Shang to sell firewood now. That way, I'll have enough money to buy medicine for my mother.”
After saying that, the woodcutter immediately left the group and walked in the direction of Great Shang.
Great Shang and Xi Qi weren't far apart, but Xi Qi was closer to Great Shang's city. In addition, Marquis of the West was famous for being virtuous, so Woodcutter chose Xi Qi.
Looking at the woodcutter's departing figure and then looking at Xi Qi City, the confusion in Jiang Shang's eyes was suddenly swept away, and a carefree smile appeared on his face.
Immediately, he left the group and walked towards Great Shang.
After the fifth watch, he wanted to continue, but the battery was out, and his phone was about to die. The main thing is that typing on the phone is too troublesome…Continue, votes, now focus on the evaluation votes, big shots, please help to vote ~
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