Eternal Life as False Emperor

"Official tax policy..."

Zheng Yi contemplated the reasons for implementing official tax policy back then. Apart from replenishing the national treasury, the most important reason was to force the rebellion of those large landlords and great families.

Now it seems, the effect is quite good.

The issuance of the official tax policy and a series of national strategies caused those large landlords, noble families, sects, or those who had long harbored rebellious intentions to all conspire to rebel.

For instance, forces like the Wang Family, Xu Mujun, Tianlong Temple, the Tuoba Clan, and Yuanhe Mountain.

In over two years, the world was in chaos, and all who were meant to rebel did so.

Those who remained either truly belonged to the Great Yu or were so tied to the interests of the Great Yu that they could not extricate themselves.

For example, Taiyii Dao, Lu Xiangqing, Xu Mujun, and others.

Since the predetermined goals have been achieved, then the policy of official tax... still cannot be repealed!

Frequent changes to decrees are a major taboo.

Although this policy has been in effect for five years, it also represents Zheng Yi and the Royal Family's dignity and cannot be easily repealed.

However, he already had a strategy to deal with this issue.

Zheng Yi said, "The official tax cannot be easily revoked, but exemptions can be made through other means."

"Exemptions?"

Lu Xiangqing asked curiously, "I wonder how Your Majesty proposes to implement these exemptions?"

"It's very simple." Zheng Yi replied, "Taxes must be paid. This ensures equal treatment and allows the people of the world a way to live."

"Officials must pay taxes just like the common people and merchants."

"However, officials are certainly individuals assisting me in managing the Great Yu, practicing the words of sages, and setting an example."

"When officials pay taxes, they can obtain exemptions through meritorious deeds, charity, donations, etc."

"Meritorious deeds? Charity? Donations?"

The few were silent, contemplating the feasibility of this policy, ultimately nodding lightly.

Just as His Majesty said, since the official tax policy is implemented, it cannot be repealed.

At the very least, it cannot be repealed in the coming years.

But exemptions can be made in other ways.

In this case, Lu Xiangqing could only comply and say, "I, Minister, will obey the decree."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Very well, regarding the policies for the second five-year plan of the Great Yu, you gentlemen may go back and discuss with the officials of each department, and present me with a memorandum three times. Deliver it in a week, and I will consider it carefully."

"We, ministers, follow the decree...!"

The crowd bowed and retreated, and Zheng Yi also let out a long sigh of relief.

Compared to these numerous and tedious government affairs, he still found cultivation to be somewhat interesting.

"Your Majesty, the old slave requests an audience."

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the door, and Zheng Yi's eyes lit up: "Elder Chen? Come in."

Soon, the shadow of Chen Liancang walked in respectfully, "The old slave greets Your Majesty!"

"Has Elder Chen emerged from seclusion? How is your cultivation?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, the old slave's root bone is low, and I am still only at the first layer of Qi cultivation stage."

After obtaining the "Netherworld Scripture" from the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum, Chen Liancang had been in secluded cultivation within the mausoleum.

To cultivate the "Netherworld Scripture," one must be in an extremely yin place.

And the area of the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum is undoubtedly the best place for cultivation.

Several months of cultivation, and Chen Liancang had just entered the Qi cultivation stage.

This shows that his spirit root aptitude could only be considered ordinary.

"Diligence can make up for inadequacy. Elder Chen, do not be disheartened, and you must continue to be diligent."

"The old slave thanks Your Majesty!"

Chen Liancang respectfully said, "By the way, Your Majesty, the old slave has an important matter to report."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Since half a year ago, when Bai Changying advanced to the Innate stage after finding a special fruit under a cliff, Your Majesty ordered the old slave to search for spirit herbs and spirit fruits within the Capital Region."

"Heaven does not let down those who have hearts. The Shadow Guard and Embroidered Uniform Guard were fully mobilized and found a total of seven suspected spirit herb and spirit fruit plants within the Capital Region."

"Oh? Seven?"

Zheng Yi's eyes lit up and asked, "What are they?"

Chen Liancang shook his head and replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, the old slave does not recognize them. However, one of them is very similar to ginseng, while for the other six spirit herbs, the old slave had an artist draw them and they were sent to the Imperial Palace."

"Oh? Drawings?"

Zheng Yi asked, "Is there anyone guarding these spirit herbs?"

"Each spirit herb is guarded by a team of Embroidered Uniform Guard or Shadow Guard, with the area within a kilometer radius made a restricted area, prohibiting anyone from approaching."

Chen Liancang said, "However, most of these seven spirit herbs grow in the mountains and forests where people are rare, making it very easy to protect them."

"Only one peculiar spirit herb grows in a village outside Wannian County, and the old slave has already notified the local county magistrate to prioritize its protection."

"Oh? A spirit herb that grows in a village?"

Zheng Yi was also a bit surprised. Spirit herbs and fruits are usually heavenly and earthly treasures, mostly growing in areas with abundant spiritual qi or unique terrains in deep mountains and famous mountains.

It is rare for them to grow in villages where people are crowded.

"Yes, Your Majesty, here is the image of this spirit herb."

Chen Liancang took out seven scrolls from his sleeve and picked one to hand to Zheng Yi.

After receiving it, Zheng Yi saw that the image depicted a spirit herb shaped like an octopus, clinging under a withered locust tree.

Strangely, the color of this spirit grass was actually light blue.

The roots entwined, and the leaves coiled together, forming a shape that resembled a skull when closely observed.

"Your Majesty."

Chen Liancang said, "This plant actually grows within the Chaotic Burial Mound outside Wannian County, resembling a skull during its growth and absorbs the surrounding plant vitality, causing all plants within a ten-meter radius such as locust trees, holly, and pine trees to wither and die!"

"This old slave feared it might also harm mortals, so I designated the entire Chaotic Burial Mound as forbidden ground, with guards stationed around it, allowing no one to enter!"

"This matter... is strange!"

Zheng Yi muttered, examining the other six scrolls again.

The spirit grasses depicted on these scrolls were all of peculiar shapes, with some forming pentagons, others blood-red, and some bearing sky-blue fruits clustered together, appearing very strange.

When would these spirit grasses mature?

"Your Majesty, there are also records on various spirit grasses and medicines in the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum's tomes, perhaps..."

Zheng Yi nodded, "Those records are with Noble Consort Cui, I'll have her check them."

"What Elder Chen must do is protect these spirit grasses and fruits well and ensure no harm comes to them."

"Moreover, continue sending people to vigorously search for spirit grasses and medicines in the Capital Region."

"Issue a search order, and anyone who discovers unusual plants like spirit grasses or peculiar events will be heavily rewarded upon reporting!"

"This old slave obeys the order!"

Seven streams of innate spiritual energy gathered in the Capital Region, surely causing great changes in heaven and earth, leading to a surge in heavenly and earthly treasures.

All the heavenly and earthly treasures in this place belonged to him, and no one was to take them!

A few days later, Noble Consort Cui emerged from seclusion.

She was over seven months pregnant, with her belly round and unsuitable for further cultivation, needing to care for her unborn child outside.

Through her identification, the specific names and effects of these seven spirit grasses were quickly recognized.

"Your Majesty, this spirit grass growing in the Chaotic Burial Mound in Wannian County is called 'Ghost Spirit Grass', a Tier Two spirit grass, and a primary ingredient for the Tier Two Elixir 'Soul Condensing Pill'. Consuming it can repair mental injuries and even enhance a trace of the power of divine thought, making it very precious."

"And the spirit grass that greatly increased Little Sister Feihe's father's martial arts cultivation seems to be a Vermilion Fruit."

"This medicinal plant is called Blood Coagulation Grass, a common spirit grass, used in refining various healing elixirs."

"This medicinal plant... should be Purple Spirit Ginseng! More precious than ginseng..."

"And this medicinal plant..."

Under Noble Consort Cui's identification, Zheng Yi quickly understood the names and specific effects of these seven medicinal plants and the three red fruits stored in the inner treasury.

Among the eight spirit grasses, aside from Ghost Spirit Grass being Tier Two, the rest were all Tier One spirit grasses.

However, to Zheng Yi and the others at the time, they were also extremely precious and not to be underestimated.

Upon learning about the Ghost Spirit Grass' value, Zheng Yi immediately ordered the number of guards doubled to ensure this spirit grass' safety!

Subsequently, Zhuang Yuheng and Yue Chan also emerged from seclusion.

Their pregnancies were nearly the same as Noble Consort Cui's, with only two to three months remaining until childbirth.

In the underground palace, only Jie'er and Yu'er were left.

Their pregnancies were just over three months, leaving over half a year till childbirth.

Strive to reach the first layer of Qi cultivation before giving birth!

During this time, Zheng Yi began having Zhuang Yuheng use the Spirit Testing Talisman to test whether the shadow guards in the palace possessed spirit roots.

Among the entire Imperial City, in terms of loyalty to Zheng Yi, the Shadow Guards, who were raised as death warriors from a young age, were undoubtedly the most loyal.

Next were the various imperial guards, Emperor Faction members, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, among others.

The three women focused on caring for their unborn children, while Zheng Yi received memorials submitted by the Cabinet and others.

The draft for the Great Yu Court's second five-year plan was among them.

Zheng Yi carefully reviewed it, made numerous revisions, and summoned a few individuals.

"We meet Your Majesty!"

In Baiyu City, Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Xuanyue, Li Changfeng, Zheng Zongbing, and Wang Anshi, the five Cabinet Ministers.

Along with Yuan Qichang, Cai Dashi, and other Cabinet Ministers.

"My beloved ministers, I have reviewed the memorials you submitted."

Zheng Yi said, "The core policy of the second five-year plan, in essence, is still about suppressing rebellion, is it not?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

They responded, particularly Li Changfeng, "Your Majesty, the rebel forces have largely been extinguished now, but there are still numerous refugees, rebels, deserters, and marauders wreaking havoc everywhere."

"Some of them have turned to banditry, gathering in the mountains, while horse thieves, mountain bandits, and water thieves are causing chaos, hiding in inaccessible wilderness, perpetrating great harm."

"Therefore, I request that even after eliminating the rebels, we should continue to dispatch troops to eliminate bandits, restoring a clear sky for the Great Yu!"

Zheng Yi replied indifferently, "So, are you planning to reinstate the State Governor System?"

The ministers hesitated momentarily, but Lu Xiangqing responded, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Reinstating the State Governor System allows military and political power to be consolidated in one individual, ensuring efficient administration, and quickly deploying county soldiers within a state to eliminate bandits."

"Of course, we are not suggesting reinstating the State Governor System in all of the Great Yu Thirteen States, but only in areas with severe bandit problems."

"For instance, Qingzhou, Jinggzhou, Shuzhou, and Yuezhou."

"These states have fierce people, challenging terrain, and hostile factions with deep local roots, which facilitate bandit activities and factionalism, making them difficult to eradicate."

Lu Xiangqing stated, "Hence, we request to reinstate the State Governor System in these major states to pacify the people!"

"This plan..."

Zheng Yi took a deep breath and said, "No."