After listening to my voice, the villain became addicted to the plot

Chu Chengye has been having a hard time these days. These old men take turns to visit him every day. They only tell him about the years of war and the suffering of the people. The implication is that Chu Chengye should give up the war.

Chu Chengye held his head and looked at the documents handed over by the ministers.

Chu Chengye didn't want to fight, but it wasn't that he wanted to fight, it was the foreign countries that were eyeing Nan Qi, forcing him to fight.

When the late emperor was in power, the country did not go to war, but were the people of Southern Qi better off?

The people are suffering, there are many people dying of hunger, they are ceding land to pay indemnity, and they are living a cowardly and ruthless life. But are those foreigners satisfied?

After they knew that Chu Chengye had rebelled, they wanted to take advantage of the political instability in Southern Qi to unite with other countries to take down Southern Qi in one fell swoop.

It's not that he wants to fight, he has to fight.

Chu Chengye threw the fold aside casually with some irritation, but these old men were very stubborn. If Chu Chengye ignored them, they would hand over the exact same fold for several days.

Chu Chengye took it back and wrote on the fold.

Not long before Chu Chengye approved the document, Wei An informed him that several ministers were coming to meet him.

Don't think about it, they must have agreed to come together.

Nowadays, the officials in the DPRK and the Central Government have turned against each other. They had not talked so much about the war before Chu Huai'an returned to Beijing. Why did they have so many ideas once Chu Huai'an returned to Beijing.

Chu Chengye leaned on the dragon chair, rubbed his temples, and waved for them to come in.

Wei An shouted: "The Duke of Xuanguo, the Minister of the Ministry of War, and the Minister of the Ministry of Household are here to see you."

The three of them came in together and bowed first when they saw Chu Chengye.

Xu Fenghui and the Minister of War began to cry.

"Your Majesty, the army can no longer issue silver coins."

Chu Chengye frowned, "Isn't the household department here? Where is the money?"

The Minister of Household Affairs explained to Chu Chengye.

"Your Majesty, marching and fighting is a waste of life and money. News came from the front line asking the capital to sow silver taels in order to ask for food and grass. But now the country is fighting in more than one place, and the south is also resisting the enemy. I am afraid that if the south needs sowing silver taels again, I can’t get much more out of it.”

Chu Chengye clenched his fist and looked at the Minister of Household Affairs, "How could it be? Where is the money that was confiscated from Gao Zhanghai's house before?"

The Minister of Hubu replied: "Although the dirty money has been handed over to the treasury, the emperor also knows that fighting is the most expensive. The money distributed to the army has been used up long ago."

"Although Gao Zhanghai committed a heinous crime and raised taxes privately, he also solved the country's urgent needs."

Chu Chengye supported the table and looked at the Minister of Household Affairs, "Then what do you mean?"

The Minister of Household Affairs raised his head and said: "The emperor was considerate of the people and lowered taxes, but now that money cannot fill this big hole for war. Now if the emperor still wants to fight, he needs to adjust it back according to Gao Zhanghai's original tax quota. .”

Chu Chengye asked: "How much is the difference now?"

The Minister of Household Affairs said: "It is winter now, and the frontier is extremely cold. The soldiers need more clothes than usual, and there is less food and grass there. The frontier has already asked for ten million taels. The situation in the south is better, although it is not yet available. Open your mouth, but according to my calculations, at least five million taels are needed."

Chu Chengye's hands clenched and unclenched under the table.

It's not that he can't make up his mind, it's that he doesn't know how to choose.

When he first came to the throne, he discovered many omissions in the treasury, and tried his best to fill the holes in the previous dynasty.

But less than two years after he took the throne, the rebellion had already severely damaged the country's vitality. Before it could be repaired, border invaders invaded, and he had to send troops to fight.

This war lasted for more than a year. Although several cities were recovered, the damage to Southern Qi was not enough to cover up.

This would be the moment when those foreign countries took advantage of the civil strife in Southern Qi to unite. If they retreated at this time, those foreign countries would definitely become more arrogant.

So this battle must be fought.

Lack of money is indeed a big problem.

But if taxes were really raised as the Minister of Household Affairs said, the people would complain and be displaced, and they would definitely be restless.

If Chu Huaian takes advantage of this moment to collude with these refugees to strengthen his own power, Chu Chengye will not be able to defeat him even if he has Tongtian.

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.

Chu Chengye finally understood why those old stubborns suddenly had so many suggestions to make these days.

This policy has its own advantages and disadvantages. If they deliberately exaggerate this matter and say that Chu Chengye ignores the people of the world and insists on fighting to satisfy his own desires, Chu Chengye will be unable to argue.

Chu Huai'an just wanted to make Chu Chengye lose the support of the people and make the people complain about him.

Seeing that Chu Chengye had been hesitating, the Minister of Hubu, Xu Fenghui, and the Minister of War exchanged glances and said: "Please make a decision as soon as possible, Your Majesty. The soldiers at the border can't wait."

Chu Chengye raised his head and glanced at the Minister of Household Affairs. His expression was as usual, leaving Chu Chengye unable to find fault.

Chu Chengye waved his hand and said: "I understand, please give me some time to think about it."

"First, let's sow the money from the frontiers for clothing, food, grass, weapons, and silver, and I will think of something else for the remaining money."

"If it's okay, just step back first."

The three of them said goodbye together and walked out of the door of Yangxin Hall.

Xu Fenghui praised the Minister of Household Affairs and the Minister of War, "What the adults said just now is really watertight. Even if the Emperor has three heads and six arms, how can he make so much money? It's just a delaying strategy."

"There is no other way but to raise taxes. In fact, raising taxes is not a big deal. The country is going to war, and the people should also contribute some efforts, but they must have complaints. When the time comes, the people's will will change. It’s not far away.”

The two men bowed and bowed, "Anyway, I'm just following the Fifth Prince's words."

They laughed and said: "This world should belong to the fifth prince. It will only be a matter of time before the fifth prince takes the throne. I hope that when the time comes..."

Xu Fenghui stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Today, the two adults have made great achievements. When I go to the Fifth Prince, I will tell the prince what the two adults said today word for word. When the time comes, I will be awarded officials and titles. There will be less.”

"The prince is no better than the emperor. He is ruthless and ruthless. He seems to have no regard for the achievements and old feelings of the adults. The adults have dedicated their lives for Nan Qi and should not be treated like this."

"The Fifth Prince upholds benevolent government. You two adults will not be as frightened and worried about losing your heads if you follow the Fifth Prince as you do with the Emperor now."

The Minister of Hubu and the Minister of War looked at each other and smiled, then complimented: "Thank you, Your Majesty and the Duke of Guo, for the promotion."

"The two of us will work hard with the Fifth Prince."

Xu Fenghui walked towards the outside of the palace, then looked back at the main hall behind him, and said with a smile: "You two adults, don't worry."

The throne will soon change hands.

Chu Chengye sat in the Yangxin Hall and read through all the books he could use. He wanted to find a way to have both ends.

But there is no way to have both in this world.