In the carriage, Ji Yuchen kept mulling about the tax system that Su Wen mentioned.
Su Wen said, “Old man, I’ve already told you everything that I can say. As for you, don’t disturb me in the future. Let’s pretend that we don’t know each other. If you want to tell His Majesty these things, tell him. But don’t bring my name with you. I don’t want to cause trouble!”
“His Majesty knows that you are the one who proposed the tax,” Ji Yuchen said.
Su Wen shook his head and said, “It’s fine if His Majesty knows, but no matter what suggestions you make to His Majesty in the future, it’s all your own doing. It’s all your own thinking! Don’t bring me along anymore. I don’t want to get involved in these matters.”
In Su Wen’s opinion, once he openly proposed reforms, he would be making the world his enemy.
He did not want to throw himself under the proverbial bus.
Ji Yuchen understood Su Wen’s thoughts. After a while, he sighed and said, “I won’t mention your name, Lord Su. I just want to tell you this: If everyone only cherishes their body, will there ever be a time when the world is clear?”
Su Wen shook his head and sighed. These policies were targeted at the powerful, the wealthy merchants, and the aristocratic clans. If these were to be proposed, the proposer would definitely become the target of public criticism.
He also knew that if he wanted to change, someone had to sacrifice and do it. How else could these tax systems be perfectly realized?
Most likely, it was going to be an uphill journey. This would take countless people years of perseverance, to supervise, to regulate, to show the effect bit by bit.
But doing something was better than not doing anything.
Su Wen didn’t feel that he had the power to do so, and he didn’t want to take the risk.
After all, he and Ji Yuchen were not the same kind of people.
Burning oneself to illuminate others?
If Su Wen became the sun one day, he would not mind doing so. However, at this moment, Su Wen felt that he was akin to a candle.
Trying to burn himself to illuminate others would be courting death.
He admired people like Ji Yuchen, but he did not want to become that kind of person.
In fact, if he had not seen Ji Yuchen standing outside for the entire night, Su Wen would not have said those words to him.
It was also because he was moved by this old fellow’s stubbornness that Su Wen told this old man everything he could think of.
As for what would happen and whether it would succeed, Su Wen did not know. He did not want to know either.
Perhaps it was good or bad, but it would have nothing to do with him!
Su Wen casually teased, “If everyone only cherishes their body, will there ever be a time when the world is clear and bright? Old fellow, you sure know how to use words. However, you’ve lived for 60 to 70 years, a decent age. I’m only 19 and I don’t want to die so early! How about this, you work harder and work for another decade or two to set me an example! After you die, I’ll take over your duty. What do you think?”
Ji Yuchen laughed out loud. “Hahaha! Then I’ll count on your blessings! I’ll live for another decade or two! Let’s see if I can do something for the people of Great Zhou!”
At that moment, Ji Yuchen made up his mind. He would take up an official appointment once again!
He had rekindled his fighting spirit!
But before that, he had to go back and think through what Su Wen had told him. He had to consider all the practical issues and come up with a truly feasible policy!
This was also his capital to be reinstated as an official in the royal court!
In the royal palace, Su Changqing and Emperor Zhou faced Cao Jin.
Su Changqing said in a deep voice, “Then let’s do it this way. Our Great Zhou will step aside and send people to the Yan Country to learn the crafting techniques of the Beast Spirit Armor. After the learning is complete, you will bring them to the border and we will determine whether or not they have truly learned the crafting techniques. If they have truly learned it, we will send people to withdraw from Fort Boulder. While you guys are advancing, you can hand the people over to us. How about it?”
Cao Jin’s eyes lit up.
In this way, the initiative was in the hands of Yan Country!
This gift was not for nothing!
“Alright, we’ll do as Minister Su says!” He immediately agreed.
After he left, Emperor Zhou smiled and said, “As you expected, he agreed immediately after you said that. However, the people we sent out will definitely be closely monitored by him. If we want them to transmit the manufacturing method of the Beast Spirit Armor out from Yan Country, I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult!”
Su Changqing said coldly, “How can it be easy when two countries are at war? If they fail, they’ll just die, and this deal will never be achieved.”
From the beginning, neither he nor Emperor Zhou wanted to complete the deal.
They just wanted to take the opportunity to steal the technology of Yan Country. They did not care about the lives of a few people to achieve their plan.
“By the way, Changqing, the Li Prefecture is now in chaos. Wu Kunhu has already departed, but because many sects are participating in this chaos, I want to send out the Martial Inspectorate to attack the Li Prefecture’s martial sects. What do you think?” Emperor Zhou asked.
Su Changqing smiled and said, “Since Your Majesty has decided, it’s naturally appropriate.”
“I want Su Wen to go too.”
“My son is someone from Martial Inspectorate to begin with, so according to normal reasoning, he should go.”
Emperor Zhou looked at Su Changqing as he gently rubbed his fingers. He then smiled, “It’s just that this young man needs to gain some experience. Changqing, don’t you think he has too many guards by his side? A martial artist in the end still needs to rely on himself, right?”
Su Changqing pondered for a moment before he answered, “I understand. I will let him go alone.”
After the talks, Su Changqing retreated.
Emperor Zhou grinned. “A young man won’t be able to achieve great things without going through hardships. If he only remains in the capital, without going through life and death trials, how can he ascend to the Heaven Rank in ten years?”
“Your Majesty is right!” The old eunuch was a bit worried. “But if he goes there like this, once something happens… I’m afraid that on Minister Su’s side… And furthermore since he is in possession of the Sorcerer God’s Golden Gu…”
Emperor Zhou pondered for a moment before shouting out, “Fu An!”
His bodyguard seemed to appear out of thin air in front of him.
“Go and follow Su Wen in secret. If he falls into a situation of certain death, save him. Don’t let him lose his life!”
“Understood!”
“This way, there won’t be any problems.”
Emperor Zhou was very satisfied with his arrangements.
Su Wen quickly received an order to go on a mission.
“Brother Jin, Chu He, quickly pack your stuff. We are going to Li Prefecture!” Su Wen immediately instructed.
Just as he gave the command, the door guard came to report that Su Changqing had arrived.
When father and son met, Su Changqing smiled and said, “Going on a mission?”
Su Wen nodded and consoled, “Father, you don’t have to worry. Although this trip to the Li Prefecture will be chaotic, I have Zhao Jin and Chu He as my guards, so it shouldn’t be a big problem!”
“What I mean is, don’t bring them along.” Su Changqing said in a low voice.
Su Wen: “????”
Su Wen looked at Su Changqing for a long while before sighing. “Father, I haven’t spent any of your money recently. We are father and son, why do you have to do this?”
Su Changqing slapped him with a wave of his hand and said furiously, “Do you think it’s because I don’t want you to bring people? It’s His Majesty! He told me to let you go alone!”
“I haven’t offended him recently!” Su Wen muttered. “Didn’t I just not sing for him the last time? Why is he making things difficult for me so soon?”
Su Changqing shook his head. “Can’t you tell? His Majesty wants to nurture your skills as a martial artist!”
