I clearly wanted to be a tyrant, but how did I become the greatest emperor of all time?

Neo-Confucianism believed that excessive intervention by the imperial court at the grassroots level would disrupt the order of society.

This is actually immoral behavior.

Therefore, the differences between the two sides quickly extended from differences in the interpretation of Confucian classics to differences in the political direction of the Zhou court.

Of course, Lu Weibin was not to be outdone. He wrote ten articles in one breath to refute Xia Donglin's views.

The two sides started to debate with each other.

Everyone is watching this debate.

And under the call of the Salt and Iron Conference, various forces were also rapidly taking sides.

Almost all martial arts sects sided with the side of rationalism.

This concept of strengthening the branches is the direction that all major martial arts sects hope the court will take.

If the imperial court continues to strengthen the Six Gates' management of the martial arts world, the days of wandering the world will be gone forever.

Of course, the major salt merchants, gentry, and wealthy businessmen all stood on the side of Neo-Confucianism.

Of course, the power taken back by the court will be made up by them.

For them, if the imperial court really gave up its management power at the grassroots level, then they would be able to fill this vacancy!

In this way, the banner of science becomes even bigger!

Throughout Kyoto, the voices supporting Neo-Confucianism completely overwhelmed the voices supporting the School of Mind.

Xia Donglin’s new contribution, “Competing with the People for Profits,” was published.

The calls for abolishing the state-run salt and iron industries grew louder.

The state-run salt and iron system was implemented in the Han Dynasty.

The imperial court monopolized materials such as salt and iron, holding them tightly in its hands and selling them through official channels, which was equivalent to a tax levied on the entire society.

Salt and iron revenues were also the court’s main source of income before commercial taxes were levied.

Although the Zhou Dynasty court is now financially well-off, the income from salt and iron is still high.

The call to abolish the state-run salt and iron industries and completely hand them over to private management gradually became the mainstream.

The voices calling for benefits to the people are also gradually growing louder.

Tang Xiaoren walked into the cabinet full of worry.

At this time, Jia Renyi was also reading the new official newspaper carefully.

"Master Jia, how did they scold us again?"

The imperial court lifted the ban on newspapers, allowing those who spoke freely to be blameless.

The new imperial gazette turned from attacking psychology to attacking the imperial court.

The emperor cannot be scolded at will, so the cabinet becomes the worst sufferer.

Jia Renyi said: "Of course they say that we are disrupting the government and exploiting the people."

"There are also those who attack the collection of commercial taxes, saying that it is exploitation of the people."

"If merchants are taxed, prices will rise, which is equivalent to exploiting the people."

"There are also protests criticizing the imperial court's annexation of Dai Viet."

"I feel that the court is behaving unjustly because the cabinet has not properly advised Your Majesty."

"Master Prime Minister, didn't you see it?"

Tang Xiaoren curled his lips. He didn't expect that the public opinion would be so overwhelming this time.

Jia Renyi put down the newspaper, pressed his temple and said:

"This is a counterattack by local gentry, but I didn't expect it to be so fierce."

Tang Xiaoren said: "Since ancient times, dynasties have all perished due to annexation."

"The Great Zhou never suppressed mergers and acquisitions before, and has already fattened up these guys."

"The previous land tax system in Yuhang and the abolition of corvee labor by the imperial court have already harmed their interests."

"So this time we stand on the side of Neo-Confucianism and want to force the court to change its policy."

Jia Renyi also said: "Since ancient times, local gentry have always said the same thing."

"Let the imperial court vacate the power of the grassroots and let local wise men govern."

"Don't they know what Yuhang was like before?"

Tang Xiaoren said: "Of course they know, but all the academies in Yuhang are supported by the gentry."

“Only the children of local gentry can afford the tuition.”

“After passing the imperial examinations, the students of the academy further enhanced the reputation of the academy.”

"And the students who pass the examinations of the academy will of course advocate the theories of Neo-Confucianism."

Jia Renyi sighed and said, "Don't think that the Great Zhou is thriving now."

But if this relationship is not handled well, the court will soon begin to collapse from within.

"I don't know what your majesty means."

Everyone is paying attention to the palace. This Salt and Iron Conference will determine the direction of the Great Zhou.

Which doctrine will Emperor Li Tian support?

Li Tian certainly doesn't like watching these academic debates that quote from classics.

At this time, he was listening to Xiao Weizi's report.

Li Tian tapped the table with his fingertips and said, "Does that mean that most people now support Neo-Confucianism?"

Little Weizi nodded: "Neo-Confucianism has been spread for hundreds of years, and great scholars have come one after another."

"The market is full of voices supporting Neo-Confucianism."

With Li Tian as the writer, Neo-Confucianism is widely expected.

Then I will support the study of psychology!

Aren’t there many of you who agree? Then I will do the opposite!

I will make the whole world complain!

Otherwise, how could I ruin the country's destiny!

"What about the issue of the government-run salt and iron business?"

Little Weizi immediately said: "I heard that most of the great Neo-Confucian scholars and ministers also support the abolition of the state-run salt and iron system."

"The great Neo-Confucian scholar said that the salt and iron industry of the imperial court was inefficient."

"The Yuhang Salt Administration is seriously corrupt."

"This is all because of the government-run salt and iron business."

"Moreover, the government-run salt and iron business is competing with the people for profits, which is not what a holy emperor should do!"

"They called for the abolition of the government-run salt and iron business and for it to be run by local wise men."

"This will improve efficiency and reduce the price of salt and iron."

There is some truth to this statement!

But I just don’t!

Li Tian silently noted: "Continue to strengthen the official management system."

"Is there anything else that needs to be discussed?"

Little Weizi said: "Some also say that the court has too many officials."

"There are too many officials in the court, accounting for 30% of the court's expenses."

"The great Neo-Confucian scholar said that the countryside does not need so many officials nowadays."

"Reducing the number of officials and promoting more talented officials will lead to more effective governance."

"Too many officials will interfere with people's livelihood."

"So some officials should be dismissed."

Li Tian asked: "What does the Ministry of Revenue think?"

Xiao Weizi said: "The Ministry of Revenue also feels that the salaries of officials account for the main expenditure of the court."

"The number of officials on the rolls in the Great Zhou is now five times that of the early days of the Great Zhou."

So that’s it!

Okay, then I will increase the number of officials!

Li Tian continued to record it.

"Did Wulin say anything?"

Little Weizi said: "All the factions in the martial arts world also support Neo-Confucianism."

Li Tian nodded. It seemed that science was the prevailing opinion at the moment.

I know what to do!

Li Tian is ambitious. This Salt and Iron Conference must ruin the country's fortune by tens of thousands of points!

June ended in hustle and bustle.

[This month's national fortune is being settled! 】

【Settlement items:】

[Manage Lanwu Grassland: Dong Liao sweeps Lanwu Grassland, the grassland is stable, Da Zhou's national fortune: +2000 points! ]

[Beijing-Luzhou Railway opens: Great Zhou National Fortune: +1000 points! ]

[Stabilize Dai Viet: Dai Viet's economy prospers, Da Zhou's national fortune: +2000 points! ]

[Manage Western Frontier: Defeat the Moon Kingdom, Western Frontier surrenders, Great Zhou’s national fortune: +5000 points! ]

[National fortune points at the beginning of this month: 7 points! ]

[National Fortune Points at the end of this month: 7 points! ]