Chapter 31: Probing the Edge of Death
Li Fan surprised Zhu Yuanzhang, not understanding what he was thinking.
He began to wonder about their identities, curiously asking:
“Aren’t you a merchant? Wouldn’t it be better if the emperor didn’t impose heavy taxes? Wouldn’t you earn more that way?”
Xu Miaoyun instantly became nervous, not expecting the emperor to be caught in Li Fan’s trap so quickly.
Now she had to find a way to make up for it, but at this moment, she couldn’t think of any way to cover it up.
She stood there, at a loss for what to do.
Zhu Yuanzhang, upon hearing Li Fan’s words, was momentarily speechless.
In his haste, he had forgotten his own identity.
Empress Ma’s mind raced, and she quickly spoke up:
“In fact, we are also concerned that policies might change and wanted to understand further!”
Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly nodded in agreement, saying:
“That’s right, we are worried about potential policy changes! So, we wanted to be prepared in advance!”
Upon hearing their explanation, Li Fan gradually relaxed his guard.
Commercial activities had always been subject to policy influence.
If policies were mishandled, ruin could happen in an instant.
It was necessary to reassure the two.
He then said:
“The policy of prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is set in stone and cannot be changed by the emperor. Even if there were attempts to change it, the officials in the court would not agree, especially those officials who benefit from the merchants, they would never agree. Any official who competes with the people will be stopped by the emperor!”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s face darkened, and he calmly said:
“But our current emperor is decisive. If he forcefully pushes through, the officials won’t be able to stop him. What then?”
Li Fan smirked, revealing a meaningful smile.
Disdainfully, he said:
“Our current emperor is bloodthirsty and stubborn, and he doesn’t listen to the advice of his ministers. If he wants to increase the commercial tax, then so be it. What difference does it make? Even if it’s raised from thirty percent to forty percent, or even seventy to eighty percent?”
Zhu Yuanzhang, hearing Li Fan call him bloodthirsty and stubborn, felt deeply insulted.
Was that his problem?
He only killed those who deserved it.
If he couldn’t even kill those who deserved it, what future did the people have?
And he wasn’t stubborn and deaf to others’ opinions, there were always troublemakers wanting to harm him.
All those officials only considered their own interests, they never thought about the court, so he didn’t need to listen to their opinions.
Looking at Li Fan, who seemed indifferent, he was furious, coldly saying:
“If the emperor is so stubborn, what if he continues to raise the commercial tax? What if it’s increased to thirty or forty percent, or even seventy to eighty percent?”
Empress Ma looked at Li Fan with some worry, afraid he might discover the emperor’s identity.
If he did, it would be troublesome.
Seeing the angry Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Fan walked up to him and patted his shoulder, speaking with deep meaning:
“Zhu, don’t worry. Even if the emperor doubles the commercial tax, it’s fine. The Ming Dynasty levies a cost tax, based on the cost price. Even if it’s doubled, it won’t affect the final price. And if the emperor dares to double it, those Confucian scholars would dare to protest outside the Meridian Gate by fasting. So, relax and don’t worry too much!”
Xu Miaoyun saw Li Fan patting the emperor’s shoulder, and stood there, trembling all over.
This was the emperor!
How could he pat the shoulder like that?
If the emperor were to pursue this, it would be a serious offense against his dignity, Li Fan really didn’t know the severity of the situation.
Empress Ma even asked herself to stop Li Fan, but how could she possibly do that?
Trembling, she said:
“Mr. Li, speaking is enough. It’s not appropriate to pat the shoulder so casually the first time we meet.”
Li Fan glanced at Xu Miaoyun, seeing her eyes blinking at him as if sending electric signals, he was full of curiosity.
While patting Zhu Yuanzhang’s shoulder, he asked puzzledly:
“I feel an instant connection with Zhu, what’s wrong with a pat on the shoulder? Don’t you agree, Zhu?”
Zhu Yuanzhang felt the pat on his shoulder, wanting to explode in anger and beat Li Fan up, but he hadn’t achieved the desired result yet, it wasn’t time to get angry, suppressing his anger, he gritted his teeth and said softly:
“You’re right, we do feel a connection. What would you suggest if His Majesty truly wants to prioritize agriculture and suppress commerce?”
Xu Miaoyun was astonished that the emperor wasn’t angry, her jaw dropping.
How could he not be angry in this situation?
But seeing the emperor’s teeth gritted expression, she knew he might be planning to settle the score later, she started to worry about Li Fan and felt it necessary to remind him.
She cleared her throat and said:
“Even though you have a connection, you should still be mindful of boundaries, especially since he is your elder. Respect should be shown.”
Li Fan, however, was indifferent, leading Zhu Yuanzhang to the backyard pavilion.
As they walked, he said:
“What’s the big deal? If your uncle doesn’t mind, it’s fine. We have a special bond; you wouldn’t understand!”
Xu Miaoyun was frustrated by Li Fan’s attitude, she had explained it so clearly, why couldn’t he understand?
Empress Ma, seeing Xu Miaoyun’s frustration, came over to comfort her:
“Hurry and catch up, or he might say something wrong again!”
“Your Majesty, what if he seeks retribution later?” Xu Miaoyun asked worriedly.
“Don’t worry, His Majesty is not petty. He is magnanimous and won’t blame Li Fan for this small matter!” Empress Ma reassured Xu Miaoyun, holding her hand.
Xu Miaoyun sighed with relief, feeling slightly better.
Li Fan and the emperor had already walked far away.
She had to catch up, otherwise, who knows what inappropriate things he might say.
Li Fan brought Zhu Yuanzhang to the backyard and saw him starting to sweat profusely.
Worried, he asked:
“Zhu, why are you sweating so much? Are you feeling unwell?”
