Author: Gongsun Wujiu

In February of the third year of the First Yuan Dynasty, a memorial requesting the "unification of Ding and Ding taxes" was finally sent to Chang'an by the Protectorate of the Western Regions.

Huo Guang became very interested after carefully reading Zhang Yue's memorial.

In fact, during this time, he was also thinking about how to restrict the development of local powerful people.

Although the Lingxian system is a good way to limit local powerful forces.

However, with the development of Guanzhong's population, the Guanzhong area has gradually become saturated.

It is foreseeable that in a few generations, the population of Guanzhong will exceed the upper limit of what it can bear.

In this situation, Huo Guang was not the only one, but actually all the officials of Chang'an were looking for a way out.

After seeing Zhang Yue's memorial, Huo Guang felt that it might be a way to restrain local power.

"Come here...invite the Prime Minister, General Chariot and Cavalry, Doctor Yushi, and General Zuo to come to the palace to discuss matters..."

Half an hour later, Che Qianqiu, Jin Rixi, Sang Hongyang, and Shangguan Jie arrived at Xuanshi Hall one after another.

The little emperor was already seated in the hall at this time.

Just as Huo Guang was about to distribute Zhang Yue's memorial to the four people, an uninvited guest appeared outside the hall.

"Get out of my way, princess..."

The shouts of the eldest princess of E were heard outside the door.

Huo Guang and others frowned unconsciously when they heard the sounds outside the hall.

At this time, the noise outside the palace became even louder. After Huo Guang confessed to the young emperor, he went outside the palace.

"Why are you making so much noise here?"

Huo Guang asked shamelessly.

The eldest princess of Eyi looked dissatisfied and said, "Huo Guang, before my father passed away... I ordered my eldest princess to be responsible for teaching the emperor... I should also enter the palace to listen to the government..."

Huo Guang said expressionlessly upon hearing this, "Although the late emperor ordered Lord Gai to teach His Majesty, he did not give Lord Gai the right to listen to the government!"

The eldest princess of Eyi said angrily, "How can I teach Your Majesty that I have no right to govern?"

Huo Guang's face was serious and his eyes were shining brightly. He stared at the Lord of E-Chang'an, "Does Lord Gai want to be Empress Lu?"

The eldest princess of E was shocked when she heard this, "Huo Guang'er is bold!"

At this time, Che Qianqiu and Jin Rixi also arrived outside the hall.

Che Qianqiu said bluntly, "This is not the place where Master Gai should respond... If Master Gai does not have the heart of Empress Lu, he should retreat as soon as possible..."

Although Jin Rixi didn't speak, his attitude could be seen from his actions.

The eldest princess of Eyi snorted coldly when she saw that the three ministers all spoke and behaved the same way, and reluctantly led them away.

However, this incident also made her harbor a grudge against the three of them, especially Huo Guang, but the Princess Eyi was moved...

Shangguan Jie and the eldest princess of E were lost in thought as they watched them leave.

The little emperor was sitting on the couch, also constantly observing everyone's reactions, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

After the eldest princess of Eyi left, Huo Guang and the others returned to the palace again.

"Your Majesty, forgive me!"

Huo Guang first apologized to the young emperor, and Che Qianqiu and Jin Rixi also apologized one after another.

"It's okay, gentlemen, please sit down, I'd like to hear your opinions!"

Although the little emperor is young, he already has the demeanor of the late emperor in his movements.

This also made Che Qianqiu and others feel very satisfied.

After the three of them sat down, Huo Guang first threw out Zhang Yue's memorial.

The little emperor also said at the right time, "I hope you will teach me!"

Huo Guang waited for the four people to read the memorial and then asked, "What do you think, Lord Yunyang, of the invitation?"

Che Qianqiu stroked his long beard unconsciously, "The "unification of Ding and Ding taxes" seems to be a good strategy, but those who oppose it in the various counties will probably be like the crucian carp crossing the river!"

Although Sang Hongyang was born as a businessman and his family was originally powerful in Guandong, this time he was fully supportive.

"What Marquis Yunyang said is a century-old plan. Not only the Western Regions, but the whole world should also implement it!"

Shangguan Jie supported Che Qianqiu at this time, "If we implement this strategy, I'm afraid the world will be boiling and it will be difficult to end!"

Three of the four people have expressed their stance, and only one Jin Rixi is left. His attitude is extremely critical.

Before Huo Guang could speak, the little emperor couldn't help himself.

The little emperor asked, "General Chariot and Cavalry, what do you think of this strategy?"

Jin Rihui stood up and said, "What do you think, your Majesty and the princes, that the place is powerful?"

Che Qianqiu was most familiar with the place, so he said without hesitation, "Since Emperor Gao, various places, especially Qi and Chu, have been trying to get rid of central control..."

The young emperor heard this and said, "Isn't this what Marquis Yunyang said? Does the imperial power not extend to the county?"

Che Qianqiu bowed and said, "That's exactly it!"

The young emperor said, "I have heard of many virtuous literature advocating local autonomy. Now the Marquis of Yunyang is doing the opposite. Which one do you think is better and which one is worse?"

Huo Guang stood up and said, "Your Majesty, would you like to be the emperor or the emperor of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty?"

The little emperor did not answer easily, but asked, "General, what is the difference between the two?"

Huo Guangdao, "As the emperor, I have the power to whip the world, but as the emperor of Zhou, I am just a puppet and make the world laugh!"

The little emperor said, "So, does it mean that all the virtuous writers want to harm me?"

Huo Guang said, "There are already famous quotes in Yunyang Hou's memorial!"

The little emperor suppressed his blush and said, "But the saying that "the butt determines the head"?"

Huo Guang said, "Exactly, although this sentence is crude, it tells the key point in one sentence. Marquis Yunyang deserves to be called a wise general!"

Jin Rixi also looked at it at this time and said, "That's why the emperor would explain that Confucianism can be used but not for great use. If the imperial power is not given, how can your majesty and the Han Dynasty feed the soldiers and pay them!"

The little emperor couldn't help frowning when he heard this and fell into deep thought.

Huo Guang turned around and said to everyone, "What do you think?"

Sang Hongyang said, "The country wants to be strong, but it must not lose control of the countryside!"

Che Qianqiu and Shangguan Jie also expressed their opposition to "imperial power not extending to the county"!

However, Che Qianqiu is still opposed to immediately following the Western Region's policy of "unifying Ding and Ding taxes"!

After some thought, Shangguan Jie said, "Why not start with the Western Region and the four counties of Hexi as a pilot project, and if it is effective, then promote it to Guanzhong and even the whole country!"

"If there are any obstacles, it will be limited to Hexi and the Western Regions..."

After Shangguan Jie finished speaking, Sang Hongyang agreed, "Good, governing a big country is like cooking small delicacies, don't rush it!"

After the two expressed their stance, Jin Rixi and Che Qianqiu also agreed.

Since all four ministers agreed, Huo Guang naturally followed the good advice.

At this time, the little emperor asked, "Are there any powerful people in Guanzhong?"

Everyone looked at each other, and in the end it was Jin Rixi who spoke first, "It's the same all over the world, but most of them are clans in Guanzhong!"

The little emperor said, "How powerful is my sister Gaizhu?"

Che Qianqiu bowed and said, "Yes and no!"

Hearing this, the little emperor nodded and said, "So I understand!"

Then he added, "If this is the case, why not try this strategy at the same time in Wuling?"

Huo Guang heard this and bowed, "Your Majesty, I wish you the best... Your Majesty should be the emperor of the ages!"

When the little emperor heard this, his face flushed with excitement, "General, are you serious?"

Huo Guang said, "How dare I deceive you!"

The little emperor suddenly stood up and said, "In this case, we will issue an edict that the four counties of the Western Regions, Hexi, and Wuling will be trialled at the same time..."
Chapter completed!