readbooksol Chapter 2332 You were born a young man, but why did you become a thief?
Chapter 2332 You were born a young man, but why did you become a thief?
Who was so brave? Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhu Ping'an raise his right hand, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Yang Yi naturally noticed Zhu Ping'an, who stood out from the crowd by raising his hand. She frowned, her brows furrowing so deeply they could trap a row of flies. Looking at Zhu Ping'an with displeasure, she questioned him in an unfriendly tone:
"Lord Zhu, what objection do you have to the silver?! Didn't I repeatedly ask for your opinions just now?! Why didn't you speak up then, and only now are you speaking up?"
Yang Yi's displeasure was plain to see and undisguised. He had a very bad impression of Zhu Ping'an. Although Yang Yi fawned over and groveled before Zhao Wenhua, it didn't change the fact that he despised, loathed, and resented Zhao Wenhua. In his heart, all of this was a compromise, a way of enduring humiliation, all to secure his position as Governor-General of Jiangnan. Zhao Wenhua had already impeached Zhang Jing and Zhou Chong; if he didn't curry favor, he would suffer the same fate as his predecessors. Only by securing his position as Governor-General of Jiangnan could he live up to the Emperor's trust and suppress the Japanese pirates.
Yang Yi dared not show any emotion towards Zhao Wenhua, but he didn't need to suppress his emotions towards Zhu Ping'an.
Actually, Yang Yi originally had a decent impression of Zhu Ping'an. Zhu Ping'an was fearless in the capital, offended the Yan faction, and was demoted to a minor county magistrate in Jiangnan. However, he gradually made a comeback and rose to a higher position.
What was originally a story of a young man defying the powerful and influential has taken a complete 180-degree turn into a story of a young man kneeling before the powerful and influential!
You were a young man, why did you become a thief?
These past two days, Zhu Ping'an has been riding in the same carriage as Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian, and staying at Zhao Wenhua's villa. Needless to say, Zhu Ping'an, like Hu Zongxian, has become Zhao Wenhua's disciple and a member of Zhao Wenhua's faction!
Yang Yi was extremely disappointed in Zhu Ping'an, feeling that he was a disappointment in his son's lack of ambition.
At the same time, because of his love for Zhao Wenhua, Yang Yi also extended his hatred to Zhu Ping'an, who was Zhao Wenhua's henchman.
If I can't handle the big ones, surely I can handle you, the little one!
Yang Yi wanted to make an example of Zhu Ping'an, and Zhu Ping'an happened to be of sufficient importance—he practically came knocking on Yang Yi's door!
Yang Yi looked at Zhu Pingan, waiting for Zhu Pingan to speak, and then he would make an example of him!
“Your Excellency, I have no objection to the silver.” Zhu Pingan shook his head.
"So you're saying that you, a top scholar and governor of a province, don't understand the principle of taking from the people and using it for the people?!"
Yang Yi pressed her hand on the table, leaned forward slightly, and stared intently at Zhu Ping'an, exuding a strong sense of pressure.
"I understand the principle of taking from the people and using it for the people," Zhu Pingan said slowly, exchanging glances with Yang Yi.
"Then why did you raise your hand? This is no place for child's play! Nor is this a child's game!" Yang Yi said unhappily, his face as dark as a storm cloud.
"Your Excellency, please calm down." Zhu Ping'an cupped his hands to Yang Yi and continued, "I just wanted to ask whether it is necessary to raise taxes to raise the tribute silver, or whether there are other ways?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Yi saw that Zhu Ping'an was not against paying the silver, and his expression was not so bad. He replied expressionlessly, "As long as you have a way to raise the silver, that's fine. Of course, you must not commit any crimes, otherwise, you will be severely punished."
"Of course." Zhu Pingan nodded.
"Do you have any other questions?" Yang Yi nodded slightly.
"May I ask, Your Excellency, what is the time limit for us to pay the tribute silver?" Zhu Ping'an asked, bowing respectfully.
"The deadline is three months. Everyone must hand over the full amount of silver within three months at the latest." Yang Yi glanced at Zhu Ping'an, then scanned the crowd, and said in an unquestionable manner.
"Three months, Your Excellency, isn't that too short a time? If we go back and arrange for increased taxes and then collect them, it will be difficult to complete the task in three months."
"It's only been three months, Your Excellency, please grant us some more time."
The governors and provincial treasurers below immediately erupted in a buzz of voices.
"Three months is the limit. An army marches on its stomach. The reinforcements will be dispatched soon. How can we succeed without supplies? You gentlemen are the pillars of the court. Think of His Majesty, think of the people. You must consider the big picture, not the difficulties!"
Yang Yi slammed her hand on the table and addressed the crowd with a serious expression.
"But even a skilled cook can't cook without rice; it's really difficult to raise enough silver in three months," everyone said, looking troubled.
"Your Excellency, the enemy troops are about to arrive, and provisions and pay are indispensable. However, it will take us time to raise the necessary funds. Could you please pay the funds in installments? We can pay half of the funds within three months, and then give us another three months for the remaining half."
Zhu Pingan cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and asked for instructions.
As soon as Zhu Ping'an mentioned installment payments, the governors and provincial treasurers suddenly realized what was going on and echoed, "Yes, installment payments are possible!"
"Yes, Your Excellency, we must consider the big picture and not dwell on the difficulties, but we must also be realistic. After all, no one's money grows on trees. Please give us some time, Your Excellency. Please allow us to raise taxes or use other methods to raise the funds for remittance."
"We humbly request Your Excellency to have compassion on our difficulties and allow us to pay the tribute in installments, half of the tribute every three months, and to pay it off in six months."
"Please understand, Your Excellency."
A group of governors and provincial treasurers spoke up, requesting Yang Yi to allow the payment of the tribute silver in installments.
As the governors and provincial treasurers pleaded with Yang Yi, Hu Zongxian looked at Zhu Ping'an, exchanged a glance, and smiled slightly.
Hu Zongxian understood why Zhu Pingan wanted to pay the tribute in installments. On the one hand, it was to buy time to raise the money, paying half in half to reduce the pressure. On the other hand, it was to prolong the time and wait for a change in the situation. Zhao Wenhua was already preparing to impeach Yang Yi. Six months was enough time for Zhao Wenhua to impeach Yang Yi. Once Yang Yi was removed from office, the outstanding tribute would naturally be forgotten.
Hu Zongxian was also pleased with this outcome.
Therefore, Hu Zongxian followed the crowd and requested to pay the tribute in installments.
Seeing that everyone was requesting to pay their tribute in installments, Yang Yi, sitting in the main hall, could not refuse their requests. He could only press down his hand and sigh, "Alright, alright, I understand your difficulties, sirs. So it's settled then. You can pay your tribute in installments, starting from this moment today. Pay half of the tribute every three months, without fail!"
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Zhu Pingan and the other governors and provincial treasurers bowed and expressed their gratitude.
"I have already understood your difficulties, sirs. You must not bring up any more difficulties or conditions with me. You must pay the tribute in installments on time. Otherwise, whoever does it will be punished for sabotaging the resistance against the Japanese pirates and will be subject to military law!"
Yang Yi emphasized this to everyone once again.
"Yes, Your Excellency! We will certainly pay the tribute on time and will not disappoint you." The crowd responded in unison. (End of Chapter)