MTL - Farming Space: The Lucky and Lovely Lady Come to Farm-Chapter 989 establish prestige

 Chapter 989 Establishing Prestige

A minister named Zhou Shilang, whose family owned a sea-going ship, finally couldn't bear it any longer, "Your Majesty, I feel that the overseas trade tax rate has been increased too much. Going to sea is extremely risky. If you are not careful, the ship will be destroyed and people will be killed, not to mention there will be pirates and plunder. Although the profit of going overseas is high, it also comes at the expense of one’s life.”

“If taxes were doubled, merchants might not be willing to go to sea.”

Xiao Yu said nothing but turned to look at Gu Fei. He was going to go on an expedition in a few days, and he had to let her deal with the courtiers by herself as much as possible.

Gu Fei said unhurriedly: "If the merchants are unwilling to go to sea, that's fine. The imperial court can purchase ships and set up a foreign trade department to specialize in foreign trade."

 Zhou Shilang looked up at Gu Fei, unable to believe that this woman was so ruthless and wanted to take over other people's jobs.

He became a little annoyed and snorted loudly, "No woman has the right to speak in the court."

“Women should take care of their children at home, how can you make such nonsense!”

Xiao Yu couldn't help it anymore and said in a cold voice: "It's my intention for the queen to supervise the country. Why, does Zhou Shilang have any objection to the real decision?"

Gu Fei glanced at Zhou Shilang coldly. It was her first time to go to court today. If she was suppressed by the minister, no one would listen to her words in the future.

Gu Fei shifted his gaze to Xue Chen and winked at him.

As the second-in-command of Jin Yiwei, if Xue Chen is familiar enough with the business, he must have some dirt on Zhou Shilang.

 She must knock down Zhou Shilang's arrogance today.

Xue Chen did not disappoint Gu Fei. He stepped out of the queue and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Queen, as far as I know, Zhou Shilang's family has two sea-going ships. The person in charge of the sea-going ships now is a steward of the Zhou family."

“Last year alone, Minister Zhou made a profit of 400,000 silver from overseas trade.”

 Zhou Shilang's face turned pale and he pointed at Xue Chen, "You-"

Gu Fei said coldly: "Is this the reason why Minister Zhou objects to increasing taxes?"

The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty looked at Zhou Shilang with unhappy expressions.

　　How can you earn so much money in a year when everyone is an official in the same court?

 You are so rich, how can you let others live?

Zhou Shilang's face turned red and he argued: "The ship is owned by my second brother and has nothing to do with me."

Xue Chen glanced at him and continued: "In August this year, Zhou Shilang's ship arrived at the port and only paid half of the tax. This is one of them."

“Secondly, Zhou Shilang accepted a bribe of 50,000 taels of silver half a month ago and placed an elected official from Shuntian Prefecture to Qi County as the county magistrate.”

 “Third—”

Cold sweat rolled down the forehead of Minister Zhou, and he knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately to the emperor and empress above him, "My lord, I have always been clean and self-sufficient, but I was obsessed and made a mistake for a moment. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Gu Fei glanced at Xue Chen approvingly, and Xue Chen silently stepped back.

Xiao Yu looked down at Zhou Shilang who was lying on the ground: "As a minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, you sell your official position and get a title. How can I tolerate you?"

 “If anyone comes, take off his Wusha and hand it over to the Ministry of Punishments.”

 Zhou Shilang collapsed on the ground and was dragged out by the guards.

Taishi Su was about to speak but stopped.

 The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty became quiet.

　　They looked at the emperor and empress above one by one, and they were silent.

No one dared to say anything. If the queen was offended, who knew what kind of black information this Jin Yiwei Master Xue had about them.

Xiao Yu said slowly: "My dear friends, do you have anything else to say?"

 The hall was still silent.

Just when Xiao Yu was about to signal the **** to retreat, an old man with gray hair walked out.

 (End of this chapter)