Chapter 1284: Counterattack (3)

‘Qi Haoran has soldiers, money, and manpower as well now. If he intends to stage a rebellion, would you be able to withstand it?’

Although the courtiers did not say it clearly, their words conveyed such a meaning. Not only Rong Xuan, but even Fan Zijin’s heart was in his throat.

Qi Xiuyuan directly expressed that his brother was not cut out to be an Emperor and would not want to be the Emperor.

Seeing that the courtiers were still harping on this topic, Qi Xiuyuan hinted, “Queen Consort Rong doesn’t like power. She won’t agree.”

Everyone was stunned for a long time before reacting.

King Rong was afraid of his wife!

If Queen Consort Rong didn’t want to be the Empress, would King Rong still want to be the Emperor?

As for why Queen Consort Rong didn’t want to be the Empress, the courtiers all thought that it was because she was a jealous woman who wanted her husband all to herself. If Qi Haoran became the Emperor, he would definitely have a vast harem. At present, she was already a Queen Consort, the second most respected woman in Great Qi, with a status that was even higher than the Eldest Princess’s. What was there to be discontent about?

The courtiers didn’t expect the Emperor to have confidence in King Rong because of Queen Consort Rong. The corners of their mouths twitched and they were speechless.

Fan Zijin stole a glance at Qi Xiuyuan and felt relieved.

Of course, Qi Xiuyuan didn’t trust his brother because of Mu Yangling. It was because he knew his brother’s personality and integrity well. Even if he handed the throne to him, he wouldn’t accept it.

The reason why he gave this reason was that no matter how much he swore that he trusted his younger brother, the courtiers would not believe him. In that case, he might as well give another reason, one that would convince them.

For example, this one.

Although it was very embarrassing to tell everyone that his younger brother was a henpecked husband, since the entire Great Qi already knew about it and this could help him fend off a lot of trouble, he would use this excuse.

Everyone felt that Qi Haoran was afraid of his wife, but Qi Haoran did not think so. He felt that he was the head of the family and had always been the one who decided on the big matters in the family. Ah Ling also listened to him. How was he henpecked?

Therefore, when he heard this rumor in a small town inn, he gnawed on a chicken indignantly. Then, he stared at Ah Ling and asked, “Let me ask you, am I afraid of my wife?”

Mu Yangling shook her head repeatedly. “You’re not afraid of your wife, but being afraid of one’s wife is a good virtue. You should work towards that.”

“Even if you want me to listen to you, you don’t have to make up such nonsense. I’ve never heard of henpecked being a good thing.”

“A man who listens to his wife stays away from big trouble.”

“That depends on the wife’s character. If the wife is a treacherous person and specially instructs her husband to do wicked things, wouldn’t it be disastrous?”

Mu Yangling tilted her head and thought for a moment before nodding. “That’s true, but do you think I’m a good person or a bad person?”

“Your heart is as soft as water. How can you be a bad person?”

Mu Yangling immediately smiled and said, “Then there’s no problem for you to be afraid of your wife. You’ll definitely stay out of big trouble this way.”

“I’m not afraid.” Qi Haoran smacked his lips and said, “I finally understand now. You’re trying to snatch the power of the head of the family. Fortunately, neither of us thought of snatching the throne. Otherwise, wouldn’t a female ruler appear in Great Qi?”

At the mention of this topic, Mu Yangling immediately asked, “Does Big Brother really believe us? Zijin wrote to me and said that even people in the harem are beginning to hint at His Majesty to be careful of you. I’m afraid that Big Brother will believe it if he hears the rumor too many times.”

Qi Haoran waved his hand nonchalantly and said, “Don’t worry. Big Brother knows very well what kind of person I am. No matter what outsiders say, he won’t suspect me.”

“Besides,” Qi Haoran said in a low voice, “I’ve already handed the commander’s seal to Big Brother. Even the appointments of the three armies have always been arranged by Big Brother. They’re all loyal to Big Brother and Big Qi. It’s only in the eyes of outsiders that I still hold military power.”

Mu Yangling heaved a sigh of relief and looked at him worriedly. “Aren’t you sad to suddenly lose your military power?”

Qi Haoran shook his head. “I’ve fought many battles in my life and can be considered to have made significant contributions to my country. I don’t have any regrets about this life.”

Qi Haoran reached out to hold her hand and chuckled softly. “I’ll be accompanying you and our children for my remaining days. Only when Great Qi needs me will I lend a helping hand. If I can help, I’ll do our best. If I can’t, we’ll wash our hands of it.”

When Qi Haoran said this, he felt a little melancholic, as would anyone whose identity changed all of a sudden. Even though Qi Haoran was optimistic by nature, he could not help but feel a little melancholic.

Mu Yangling clenched his hand tightly and whispered, “Haoran, thank you!”

Qi Haoran was in his prime. If not for the fact that he had many scruples because of her and the children, he could still stay in the capital to fight against the courtiers even if he angered everyone this time.

In the end, he left the capital in such a hurry for her and the children.

After all, although it was a little difficult to deal with Qi Haoran, it was much easier to deal with her and the children.

Just as the couple was looking at each other silently and affectionately, Tiger Head and Little Lion pulled their younger siblings into the private room and ran in, shouting, “Father, Mother, we went around the entire town and even heard a lot of gossip.”

When Mu Yangling saw that the children had entered, she was about to let go of Qi Haoran’s hand. However, Qi Haoran grabbed her hand tightly and tidied his sleeves to cover their hands, before asking naturally, “What did you hear that was useful?”

Little Lion’s eyes sparkled as he said, “According to the people in the town, their county magistrate is still considered responsible. There’s no corruption or bribery. The taxes and quota they are subjected to every year are the same as what the Imperial Court has stipulated.”

Qi Haoran nodded slightly. Seeing that the two children were so excited, it was obvious that there was more to the story. He asked, “What else?”

“The surprising thing is that this county magistrate doesn’t exploit ordinary people, but he has especially harsh requirements for merchants.” Little Lion said, “I happened to hear merchants complaining that the toll here is very high. The local merchants also say that the county magistrate often forces them to pay for the repair of the bridges and roads. That actually adds up to a higher sum than the merchant tax.”

“Also, do you know who he is?” Tiger Head raised his head and smiled. “He’s the son of the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs. The one who impeached Father the most.”

Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling looked at each other and asked, “How did the county magistrate force them?”

“How else can he force them? He’ll invite them to eat and drink, then ask for money at the banquet. If they donate, it’ll be fine. If they don’t, he’ll instruct the bailiffs to check their taxes and conduct all kinds of security checks every other day. In short, he’ll hinder them from opening for business. In the end, the merchants have no choice but to donate. It’s said that this county magistrate especially detests businessmen.”

“Then, does he use all the money donated to repair the bridges and roads?” Mu Yangling asked.

The two children shook their heads together. “How can we find out about such a thing?”

“That’s true.” Mu Yangling smiled and said, “I took it for granted.”

Qi Haoran said, “Great Qi supports industry and commerce. Although agriculture is still the most important sector, it doesn’t restrict the development of commerce. Great Zhou imposed a merchant tax of 3.33%, and there were also times when it was 5%. Since the founding of Great Qi, it has consistently been 3.33%. Two years ago, the tax on some goods was even reduced to 2%. This county magistrate is really bold to force donations openly.”

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