The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

At lunchtime the next day, An Lingrong was thinking about whether to go to Xianyue Pavilion or Bitong Academy to save herself a meal.

Before she could decide where to go, Su Peisheng came to convey the imperial decree, summoning An Lingrong to the Qinzheng Palace.

An Lingrong was in high spirits and came to the Qinzheng Hall. Dinner was already set on the table and Yongzheng was reviewing memorials.

"Greetings to the Emperor."

"Here they are!" Yongzheng put down the memorial and said calmly, "Sit down and have dinner!"

An Lingrong sat down as she was told and looked at the food on the table.

Yongzheng's meals were very simple, consisting of six dishes and one soup. An Lingrong thought as she ate, he was indeed a famous frugal emperor in history.

After dinner, Yongzheng continued to review memorials. As he reviewed them, he couldn't help but sigh.

An Lingrong sat aside, not daring to make any sound. Su Peisheng coughed lightly. An Lingrong looked over and saw that he was winking at her.

What's wrong? What do you mean? Do your eyes hurt?

Seeing An Lingrong's puzzled look, Su Peisheng had no choice but to get up and go outside to bring a cup of tea and hand it to An Lingrong, indicating that she should take it to the emperor.

An Lingrong had no choice but to stand up, wondering to herself, "I wonder how Sister Zhen behaves when she's accompanying the Emperor?" She'll have to ask for advice some other day.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea and rest for a while!" An Lingrong said in what she thought was the gentlest voice.

Yongzheng took a sip and said, "Oh, I'm upset!"

Should I continue asking? Would it be considered meddling in government affairs? If I didn't ask, would the emperor be embarrassed?

An Lingrong's mind was full of thoughts, and she could not help but flatter him. "Your Majesty has received the mandate of Heaven and cares about the people. This is truly a blessing for all people in the world, but Your Majesty must also take care of your health!"

Yongzheng nodded at the memorial beside him. "Years ago, Li Weijun, the Governor-General of Zhili, submitted a memorial, requesting that I follow the Emperor Kangxi's policy of 'increasing the population and never increasing taxes' and implement a tax-based system. I have already ordered the nine ministers of the Ministry of Revenue to discuss this. But six months later, they have already rejected Li Weijun's memorial, citing opposition from the landowners. Many ministers are passing the buck, remaining silent."

"Distribute the tax according to the land area?" An Lingrong murmured.

Yongzheng thought she didn't understand the meaning of "dividing the capitation tax into the land tax", so he explained: "The capitation tax will be divided into the land tax, and the tax will no longer be levied on the head of the population. Those with more land will pay more, those with less land will pay less, and those without any land will pay nothing."

An Lingrong was a little excited. This was a feat that would go down in history. It was precisely because of this policy that the population at that time grew rapidly, becoming the world's most populous country and creating the last prosperous era of the Chinese feudal dynasty.

"Your Majesty, this is a very good move." An Lingrong blurted out.

"Oh? Tell me, what's good about it?" Yongzheng became interested.

"Well, first, if taxes aren't levied on a per capita basis, the population will undoubtedly increase significantly. Second, land won't be lost, making it difficult for wealthy landlords to manipulate the land and conceal their wealth. All they need to do is register it during the year of taxation, which will greatly simplify the tax collection process. Third, if the tax is levied on land instead of people, household registration will naturally be relaxed. Those without land will find other ways to make a living, giving them more options, and other industries will flourish."

This is all learned in history class.

Seeing that she was making sense, Yongzheng's smile grew wider and wider. "All the ministers in the court are not as knowledgeable as a little girl like you."

After saying that, he scratched An Lingrong's nose affectionately.

An Lingrong acted shy, "Your Majesty, I grew up in poverty, so I only have a vague understanding of what ordinary people think!"

These words further strengthened Yongzheng's determination to implement the new policy.

Red candles were shining brightly, red waves were rolling, and the two people were having a deep communication on the wide dragon bed.

"Your Majesty, please be gentle~"

"I'm already very light."

"Huang Sang~"

Even the mandarin ducks sleeping in each other's arms in the Houhu Lake were moved by the soft sound of dripping water.

In the middle of the night, Yongzheng suddenly felt breathless. When he woke up, he found that one of An Lingrong's legs was pressing on his dragon belly. Looking at her bold sleeping posture, Yongzheng found it quite interesting. It was the first time that a concubine woke him up at night. He took her leg away and continued to sleep.

Fortunately, the Qinzheng Hall was cool and comfortable, with ice cubes available day and night, so An Lingrong slept soundly.

But what is uncomfortable is that the emperor has to get up at the beginning of the morning to handle government affairs, so the concubines who serve him in the bedroom naturally have to get up earlier to help the emperor change his clothes.

An Lingrong hadn't gotten up so early for a long time. She almost helped Yongzheng put on his auspicious clothes and crown, and then put on his court beads with her eyes closed.

Seeing her drowsy appearance, Yongzheng rubbed her face affectionately with the beads in his hand, "You little girl, you kept me awake at night, and now you are very sleepy."

"Your concubine, your concubine~" She mumbled, not knowing how to explain.

"Okay, you can sleep for a while and wait for me to come back here."

After respectfully seeing the emperor off, An Lingrong quickly lay back on the bed, not caring whether it was in accordance with etiquette or not. After all, the emperor asked her to continue resting, so she had to obey.

For four or five days, An Lingrong lived and ate in the Qinzheng Palace. During these days, An Lingrong accompanied the emperor in conversations ranging from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to poetry and songs, and from life ideals to border customs. The emperor customized a set of pajamas, three purses, and a table screen from her before allowing An Lingrong to return to his own palace on the morning of the fifth day.

An Lingrong felt that all the smiles in her life had been laughed out in these few days!

After seeing the emperor off, An Lingrong quickly came out of the Qinzheng Hall.

It was still dark, with only a hint of paleness showing in the east.

This emperor was too diligent in his work. He died in his prime. I don’t know if it was a sudden death.

Holding Su Ye's hand, the master and servant planned to return to the sky.

"Su Ye, I remember Bitong Academy is not far from here, right?"

"Yes, it's behind the Qinzheng Hall."

"Let's go to Bitong Academy."

Bitong Academy is surrounded by mountains and dense sycamore trees. It is a very quiet place.

People equate the tung tree with a symbol of purity and integrity, believing it can attract the phoenix. The dense tung trees here embody auspiciousness and tranquility. Their branches are filled with fragrance, and their dense leaves offer a respite from the summer heat, creating a tranquil and peaceful environment. It is the perfect place for a quiet reading.

When An Lingrong entered, only a few young eunuchs were cleaning the courtyard. Jin Xi, who was on night watch, heard the commotion and came out of her room. She quickly bowed and said, "Greetings to the young lady. My young lady is still asleep. Do you want me to wake her up?"

"No, no," An Lingrong waved her hand quickly and walked into the bedroom. "Su Ye, help me change my clothes. I want to sleep a little longer."

After changing her clothes, An Lingrong had just sat down on the bed when Zhen Huan woke up with a start. Seeing the time, she realized that she had just come out of the Qinzheng Palace. She moved a little further inside and said with a smile, "I thought it was a lecherous man who was picking flowers!"

When it comes to teasing beautiful women, An Lingrong believes she can't lose. "Although I'm not a pervert, I don't mind plucking this flower of yours."

After saying that, he put one hand around Zhen Huan's arm and touched her face with the other.

Zhen Huan was amused by her frivolous actions, "You!"

"Sister, I'm so sleepy, let's sleep a little longer!"

The two of them lay down, and before falling asleep, An Lingrong didn't forget to ask, "Is Sister Mei okay?"

"Well, she's fine, but a little busy. I haven't seen her for a few days..."

As soon as he finished speaking, An Lingrong fell asleep!