The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

Li Chengfeng sneered and tapped the table lightly with his fingers, making a crisp sound that was particularly clear in the silent imperial study.

"Xiao Liuzi, Qi Daokun is so old, why is he still acting like a child, playing such tricks?"

Little Liuzi bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I dare to guess that the Right Prime Minister may be anxious. After all, your reform knife has directly cut into their vitals."

"Life?"

Li Chengfeng repeated the word playfully.

"That's quite apt. Once the tax is changed, all their previous profits will be gone."

"I want to see how long they can keep jumping around."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the prosperous scene of the capital, but his eyes were cold.

"Since they want to play, I will play with them."

"Pass on my order. Tomorrow morning, I will announce a new tax plan!"

On the second morning, the atmosphere in the Golden Palace was solemn.

The ministers were whispering to each other, all wondering what new tricks His Majesty would come up with today.

Qi Daokun and his party were even more livid. They had already received news that His Majesty was going to take action on taxes, which would undoubtedly cut off their source of income.

Li Chengfeng sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes sweeping over the princes and the others, already looking forward to the next "good show".

"My dear ministers, I have an important announcement to make today."

He paused deliberately, looking at the nervous expressions of the people below, and then slowly said, "Reform the tax system!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly exploded, and the ears were filled with the sound of "no" one after another.

"Your Majesty, this is impossible! These taxes are the foundation of our country, how can we change them so easily?"

An old minister stood up tremblingly. He was Qi Daokun's follower.

"Yes, Your Majesty, this reform requires long-term consideration and must not be rushed!"

Li Chengfeng looked at these jumping clowns coldly, sneering in his heart.

He had anticipated such resistance and was prepared to deal with it.

Since it was just an announcement, there was no intention to give these ministers a chance to argue.

He waved his hand and stopped the fierce resistance in the hall.

"I have made up my mind, no need to say more."

"The new taxation plan has been drafted by me personally and will be distributed to all ministries later."

"You just need to follow the rules!"

After the court was dismissed, Li Chengfeng summoned Chen Tingshu, Wang Bo and Li Siming into the imperial study.

"My three beloved ministers, I still need your help with this tax reform."

Li Chengfeng spoke straight to the point.

"Your Majesty, please give us your orders. We will do our best."

Chen Tingshu was the first to respond. The image of His Majesty domineeringly ignoring his ministers in the hall was still playing in his mind.

Li Chengfeng nodded and handed the plan in his hand to them.

"These are the changes I've made based on the plan you submitted yesterday. Please review what else needs to be changed."

Chen Tingshu took the plan, read it carefully, and his brows gradually furrowed.

"Your Majesty, although this plan is perfect, I believe that we should first select a local area to test its effectiveness before rolling it out nationwide."

Li Chengfeng pondered for a moment and felt that Chen Tingshu's suggestion made sense.

"My dear minister, what you said is absolutely right. In your opinion, which place would be suitable?"

"I believe that Hexi is a remote area with simple folk customs and a relatively complicated taxation situation, making it suitable for a pilot project."

"Hexi?"

Li Chengfeng thought for a moment and felt that this was fate. He had originally wanted to send Chen Tingshu to Hexi to be led by Zhang Yuan, so he readily agreed.

"Very well, as you say, my dear minister, Hexi will be handed over to you. I appoint you as the governor of Hexi."

Chen Tingshu was flattered and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

"I thank you Lord for your kindness!"

"Zhang Yuan, the head of the Seal Verification Department of the Ministry of Personnel, happens to be serving as the prefect of Hexi. Go there this time and have a good chat with him."

Chen Tingshu must have understood Li Chengfeng's intentional cultivation of him. He thanked him again, and the three of them took their leave together.

Chen Tingshu's affairs had been arranged properly, but there were undercurrents in the court. If one was not careful, everything would be lost.

He thought of the Left Prime Minister Song Zelin, who had not attended court for three consecutive days, and felt a little uneasy.

In the "plot" before Li Chengfeng traveled through time, Song Zelin was a loyal minister and a good general who devoted himself to his work until his death.

But in the past few years, his health has been getting worse day by day. In two years, he will be terminally ill and pass away.

As soon as he died, the treacherous right prime minister Qi Daokun became the sole ruler, controlling the government and bringing chaos to Daqian.

Thinking of this, Li Chengfeng's heart tightened.

Life and death are determined by fate, and he cannot interfere, but as long as Song Zelin is alive, Qi Daokun will not dare to be too presumptuous.

He had to seize the time and implement this tax reform thoroughly while Song Zelin was still around.

"Come here, prepare the carriage and go to the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Inside the Prime Minister's Mansion, a faint smell of medicine permeated the air.

Song Zelin was lying on the sickbed, his face pale and his breath weak.

Song Yuwei was sitting beside the bed, carefully wiping his forehead.

Seeing Li Chengfeng arrive, Song Yuwei quickly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, your servant pays respects."

"No gift."

Li Chengfeng gave him a false helping hand and his eyes fell on Song Zelin, "My dear Song, I'm here to see you."

Song Zelin struggled to get up, but Li Chengfeng held him down: "My dear, there's no need to be so polite. Just have a good rest."

"I thank Your Majesty for your concern, but I'm afraid my body is no longer able to do anything..."

Song Zelin coughed a few times and his voice became hoarse.

Li Chengfeng sighed in his heart. Song Zelin's disease was a terminal illness in the "plot". With the current medical level, there was no way to save him.

Song Zelin's gaze fell on his daughter Song Yuwei, his eyes full of worry: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty has something to ask of you..."

Song Yuwei's eyes were slightly red and she gently held her father's hand.

"Song Aiqing, please feel free to speak."

Li Chengfeng understood what Song Zelin was thinking. He only had this one daughter and was afraid that Song Yuwei would be isolated and helpless after he left.

Sure enough, Song Zelin took a deep breath and said, "My daughter Yuwei is very talented. If anything happens to me, I hope Your Majesty can take care of me. Yuwei will definitely help Your Majesty to accomplish your great cause."

Li Chengfeng sighed in his heart. Song Zelin was always thinking about national affairs until his death, and now he wants his daughter to assist him. This loyalty moved him.

"Don't worry, Lord Song. I promise you, I will take good care of Yuwei."

Song Zelin heard this and a relieved smile appeared on his face: "In this case, I am relieved..."

Li Chengfeng then told Song Zelin about the progress of the tax reform and said that he had sent Chen Tingshu to Hexi to conduct a trial run.

“Hexi is a good place…”

"Chen Tingshu is also a promising talent."

Li Chengfeng nodded and said, "My dear Lord Song, please rest and recuperate. I will take care of the affairs of the court."

"I thank Your Majesty."

Li Chengfeng looked at Song Zelin lying on the sickbed, feeling a lot of emotions in his heart.

He turned to look at Song Yuwei: "Miss Song, don't worry, I will fulfill your father's last wish."

Song Yuwei looked at Li Chengfeng with tears in her eyes and said with a choked voice: "Thank... Thank you, Your Majesty..."