"Your Majesty, won't this be too much of a burden on the people and a drain on resources…?" Grand Minister of Revenue Ouyang Ji chuckled.
The founding Emperor of Great Gan had made compromises with the united noble families in the past, but he had also laid down many stringent rules that influenced future generations.
Although military officials were difficult to wield power, civil officials also dared not be presumptuous regarding military authority.
This was because officials responsible for conscription in the past were subject to the supervision of the Emperor-appointed Shadow Guards and Censorate officials, strictly prohibited from abusing power for personal gain, and even from building their own power bases!
As long as the Shadow Guard force remained loyal to the imperial authority, the noble families of Great Gan would not dare to make any rash moves to usurp imperial power. They could only exert pressure on the Emperor through various pretexts!
An army not under their control was, in Ouyang Ji's view, worse than none, and it also interfered with their plans to collude with foreign powers…
"The revenue from the salt administration has greatly improved, and the Gongyang clan even donated four million taels as a gesture of sincerity. Let these revenues support conscription!" Xiao Qing said without hesitation.
He Wanli could not help but step forward to remind: "Your Majesty, the salt revenue has indeed improved, but these revenues should also be used to improve people's livelihoods. For example, the smallpox prevention promoted by Marquis Anguo is in urgent need of funds. Using these funds for conscription and training carries some implications of militarism…"
"Is that so?" Xiao Qing was taken aback.
These old foxes now knew to use her Brother Xiao as a shield, using his own weapon against him?
"Lord Liang, what are your thoughts?" Xiao Qing looked towards Liang Xiao.
At this moment, Dugu Qun and others looked at Liang Xiao, sneering in their hearts.
They did not wish to suffer the same fate as the Gongyang clan and were now determined to play dirty with Liang Xiao.
Smiling wolves in sheep's clothing, needles hidden in soft cotton!
Liang Xiao then said: "Your Excellencies' concern for the nation and its people is indeed admirable."
Dugu Qun and others nodded with smiles, expressing their humility one after another.
Wang Canghai, Gu Hong, and others were also in a difficult position.
Regarding the matter of conscription, the Emperor had been making arrangements, and several regions had already begun conscripting, such as Luzhou in Jiangnan.
They had also prepared to support the Emperor and argue with Dugu Qun and others.
Unexpectedly, these people had changed their approach to persuasion. On the surface, they spoke with sound reasoning, even bringing up Liang Xiao's smallpox prevention.
As always, their words were high-sounding!
"May I ask which esteemed ministers believe that conscription is not entirely appropriate?" Liang Xiao asked with apparent sincerity.
Xiao Qing understood and smiled, "All my ministers, those who believe that conscription should not proceed at this time, please step forward."
Dugu Qun and others exchanged glances, assuming that Xiao Qing would not strike them without reason. Thus, they stepped forward one after another, increasing their momentum.
The number reached nearly half of the officials, unlike before, when it exceeded half.
This was not because some of them had been demoted, but because Zhang Yang, Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, and others had been promoted, and some members of other families had been successively appointed by Xiao Qing and Wang Canghai, gaining the qualification to attend court. The proportion of officials supporting imperial authority in court had increased.
Liang Xiao then stood up, sighed, "Your Excellencies worry about the burden on the people and the waste of resources, which is also for the sake of the common people. However, conscription is imperative, and it is also for the protection of the people of Great Gan from foreign invasion. This matter presents a dilemma."
"Lord Anguo, surely you cannot expect the national treasury to conjure money out of thin air?" Ouyang Ji chuckled.
As the Grand Minister of Revenue, he knew the national treasury's finances better than the Emperor!
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, "The national treasury cannot conjure money, of course, but scholars bear the world on their shoulders. Your Excellencies possess immense wealth, yet you have never done anything to aid the common people. Always being so stingy, yet worrying about the nation and its people in court, is truly unreasonable. It would be better to donate some silver with this Marquis to support the national treasury."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall was stunned.
Donating money again!
He Wanli and others had extremely grim expressions.
Dugu Qun forced a smile and said, "Marquis Anguo, are you not making things difficult for us…"
Liang Xiao said solemnly, "The day I returned to the capital, I was bestowed ten thousand taels of gold by His Majesty. I can donate it all. All your Excellencies only need to collectively donate one and a half million taels of silver!"
After speaking, Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, grinned, "It's not much, is it?"
Xiao Qing, standing behind Liang Xiao, was struggling to suppress her laughter.
It's not much, is it?
He's at it again!
He Wanli had a sudden idea and looked at Gu Hong and others, "Prime Minister Wang and Minister Gu, do they also have to donate?"
Gu Hong and others' expressions changed. Gritting their teeth, they were about to respond.
Xiao Qing waved her hand, "Minister Gu and his colleagues are all supportive of conscription and are very cooperative. Furthermore, their families have limited wealth. How can I make things difficult for them?"
Wang Canghai added, "If the nation requires it, this old official can even donate his entire fortune. I wonder if… Minister Dugu, your families are willing to be as destitute as I am?"
Dugu Qun and others were startled and cursed Wang Canghai's ancestors in their hearts.
The barefoot were not afraid of the shod; this described people like Wang Canghai!
Wang Canghai was considered relatively poor among prime ministers throughout the dynasties. His situation was different from their families. The apparent wealth of each of their clans alone was at least twenty million taels!
Dugu Qun and others knew that they had been tricked by Liang Xiao again for no apparent reason.
But soon, Ouyang Ji patiently asked, "Marquis Anguo, are you truly going to donate the ten thousand taels of gold bestowed by His Majesty?"
Liang Xiao frowned, "What does Minister Ouyang mean by this? I made a promise before His Majesty. Could it be that I would commit the crime of deceiving the sovereign?"
Ouyang Ji's heart skipped a beat, and he looked back at Dugu Qun, He Wanli, and others.
Everyone immediately understood.
By forcing Liang Xiao to spend gold equivalent to one million taels of silver, could it accelerate the bankruptcy of Liang Xiao's bookshop, thereby indirectly accelerating the liberation of the Ouyang family's bookshop?
No one now wished for Liang Xiao's bankruptcy more than the Ouyang family!
Dugu Qun and others whispered amongst themselves, and finally, they all declared, "Your humble subjects are willing to donate a total of one and a half million taels of silver, but we implore Your Majesty to remember our contribution!"
"I remember!" Xiao Qing nodded with satisfaction, overjoyed in her heart.
These funds were nothing compared to the amounts they had embezzled and withheld over several generations!
Dugu Qun and others were so readily agreeable that even Gu Hong and Huang Xing were surprised.
A "mild" dispute cost both sides a total of two and a half million taels. What kind of game was this?
These old officials suspected they were no longer keeping up with the pace of Liang Xiao and Dugu Qun and their counterparts.
Fearing that Liang Xiao would continue to induce them to donate, Dugu Qun and others said no more. The matter of conscription was considered concluded.
After all, they could still get returns on their investment in bookshops, but accompanying Liang Xiao in donating money was always a case of killing one's enemy while losing more than half of one's strength. Enough was enough!
Grand Minister of Personnel He Wanli stepped forward again and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Anguo is now a consort. He is a member of the imperial clan. By rights, he should be enjoying happiness with the Princess. It seems rather unsuitable for him to participate in state affairs henceforth, doesn't it?"
Dugu Qun and others echoed his sentiments, and Wang Canghai frowned.
Another high-sounding remonstrance!
Xiao Qing said without hesitation, "Minister He speaks with reason. I cannot let Lord Liang work so hard. After all, he still needs to have… progeny with Princess Ningshuang."
Speaking of procreation, Xiao Qing was reminded of the indulgence she and Liang Xiao shared last night. A blush crept onto her small face, quickly dissipating as she regained her dignity.
Gu Hong and the others below were startled.
Was she really planning to strip Liang Xiao of his power?