NFBE Chapter 300 Fighting for Parenting Rights
Chapter 300 Fighting for Parenting Rights
The King of Chu thought for a moment, and said with respect and admiration: "I have never seen Shu before, but I think it is similar to other places in the Song Dynasty. It is not as rich as the south of the Yangtze River, but better than the northern places.
The biggest difference in Shu today is that the people live and work in peace and contentment, and are full of hope and enthusiasm for the future. They are rebellious against you... The leaders of Shu support you, and the people are in favor of you. Millions of people have become one, and this cohesion is tremendous and should be indestructible. "
King Xiang also said in an affirmative tone: "Today's Western Shu is a brand new world in our eyes, full of vitality.
You have distributed farmland to ordinary people in Shu, but the taxes and rents you collect are 20% lower. But I don't know, so many soldiers and officials, whose salaries are higher than those of the imperial guards and officials in the capital, can Shu's tax revenue support them?"
The two big fat fish were biting the hook harder and harder, and Luo Wen'an finally experienced the fun of his younger sister and second brother's love of deceiving and fooling talented people.
Luo Wen calmly refilled the tea for the two princes, put down the teapot, and then slowly explained their doubts: "The change of dynasties is basically due to land annexation, wealth concentration, profiteering industry monopoly, corrupt officials, and greedy families and powerful landlords. The people can't survive, so they will follow the rebellion and overthrow the old dynasty to replace the new one.
After the establishment of a new dynasty, wealth and land resources will be redistributed so that poor people can have food to eat. Then, there will be another round of land annexation and concentration of wealth. This can last for hundreds of years or less than a hundred years before another round of dynasty change begins.
The King of Chu and the King of Xiang, who had read all the history books, nodded frequently as they listened. In history, every dynasty wanted to last for thousands of years, but which one could do it?
Luo Wen'an drank a few sips of tea to keep the secret, then put down the teacup and continued, "Wealth and land are concentrated in the hands of a few aristocratic families and wealthy and powerful people. The monopoly of the profiteering industries in business is in the hands of aristocratic families and wealthy and powerful people. However, the taxes and corvée of the court are mostly concentrated on the poor people who only have a few acres of land, or even no land.
Regardless of whether it is in line with the laws of nature or whether it is fair, the national treasury will definitely not be full over the years.
I might as well tell you two princes that after the implementation of the new policy in the prefectures and counties of Western Shu, this year's taxes have increased six times compared to previous years. Can't the officials and troops in Shu be supported?"
Both the King of Chu and the King of Xiang were shocked!
I was thinking hard in my mind, what is going on with this account?
Luo Wen'an smiled faintly: "Your Highness the King of Chu, Your Highness the King of Xiang, don't worry about it. The taxes that could not be collected from the aristocratic families and the wealthy and powerful in previous years have been collected this year. It's that simple."
King Xiang asked curiously, "When the new policy was implemented, didn't those aristocratic families and wealthy and powerful people unite to fight to the death?"
"Of course they resisted. Taking money out of people's pockets and dividing their land is more infuriating and uncomfortable than digging up their ancestral graves. How could they not unite and fight to the death?"
"Then why is there no chaos in Shu?" King Xiang asked puzzledly.
"The army pushed hard and mobilized the masses. Although the regular army was less than 30,000, the militia organizations you saw in Shu had 700,000 to 800,000 people. Even without receiving salary or food, the people still participated enthusiastically. Who could resist this powerful force? My two princes, do you understand why..."
"Even though they don't receive any salary or food, the people still participate enthusiastically because they are defending the food fields that can feed themselves!" King Xiang rushed to explain the reason.
Not bad, you can answer quickly. Luo Wen'an looked at King Xiang with approval and smiled with satisfaction.
The King of Chu was so shocked that he was thinking silently.
King Xiang became more and more interested, his eyes sparkling, "Lord Luo, can you let us two brothers participate in some government affairs in Shu, just give us a small official position."
Here they come! ... Luo Wen'an was so excited that he almost slapped his thigh, and silently admired his regent brother-in-law in his heart.
Suppressing his excitement, Luo Wenxian thought about it with difficulty, and finally agreed, "If Your Highness the Prince of Chu and Your Highness the Prince of Xiang want to learn about Shu's government affairs in person, then I will let the two princes serve as the new government observers!"
King Xiang didn't care how high the official rank of the inspector was, what rank he was, or how much his salary was. He looked at King Chu excitedly and said, "Brother, how about we stay in Shu for a few more days and become a small official to satisfy our desire for power?"
The King of Chu knew that his third brother was not seeking to satisfy his desire to be an official, but wanted to truly understand the new policy reforms in Shu. He nodded happily and said, "Then stay for a few more days."
Luo Wen'an didn't show any emotion on his face, but he was so happy that he wanted to sing a song in his heart. Regent King's brother-in-law, my elder brother-in-law lived up to your trust and brought talents into your camp...
As the month went by, Luo Li's sleepiness due to pregnancy disappeared. She entered the palace with a big belly and was carried by four eunuchs in a sedan chair to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, Empress Mingde tactfully asked to move out of the Cining Palace and gave the palace to the newly enthroned Empress Dowager.
Consort Li Xianfei still lingered in Shouning Palace, unwilling to move out of this luxurious and spacious palace. Empress Dowager Zhaoning did not bother with her and moved into Fengyi Palace near Cining Palace. Anyway, the emperor was still young and it was still early for him to get married and take concubines. Living closer to the Empress Dowager would also make it easier for him to pay respects and visit her.
Luo Li walked into the Cining Palace with her left hand on her belly and her right hand on her waist. The Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Zhaoning quickly stood up and helped her sit down with a smile.
"Li'er, you are getting older and you feel tired, so don't come to the palace to pay your respects all the time. Just stay at home and take care of your pregnancy. When you miss you, your mother will leave the palace to see you." The Empress Dowager smiled lovingly and advised with concern.
"She! If she could stay at home to take care of the baby, she wouldn't be our Li'er." Empress Dowager Zhaoning joked with a smile as beautiful as a flower.
"I'm just afraid that after not seeing you for so many days, you two young and beautiful Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager have become senile and have forgotten me?" Luo Li replied jokingly. Since she became pregnant, she had been spoiled and spoke more and more casually.
The Grand Empress Dowager glared at her in reproach, while Empress Dowager Zhaoning chuckled. She was already used to Luo Li teasing her about her and her mother's age.
Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, judging from the titles, they should be two old ladies with white hair and wrinkled faces, but the most respected titles in the harem are given to two young and beautiful young women.
"My mother will bring my nephew back to Beijing in a few days, and I may not have the time to come to the palace to see you so frequently." Thinking of her mother and nephew, Luo Li's face was filled with a happy smile.
"Your mother just had a granddaughter. She will see her grandson again. I think she will be very happy. Li'er, when the child is born, the Queen Mother and your mother will take turns to help you take care of the child, so you can continue to relax and have fun." The Grand Empress Dowager once again grabbed the right to play with her grandson.
Luo Li was reluctant to give up the child-rearing rights, and she acted coquettishly to defend her rights as a mother, "Oh no! That won't do. My mother and I are old. If you guys get tired out, it would be a great disrespect to me as a daughter-in-law. After the child is born, I will bring him up myself."
The Grand Empress Dowager continued to fight for it, arguing one by one, "I am young and can't be tired. I have more experience and patience in raising children than you do. You are young and playful. You have no experience in raising children. Your body needs more care. Would you rather you work harder?"
Luo Li counted on her fingers and fought back, "Mother, I am young and strong, and I have plenty of energy. I know medicine and more scientific parenting techniques. Breastfeeding can ensure the baby's nutrition and enhance immunity. Sleeping together is more conducive to the baby's psychological health and growth with a sense of security."
Empress Dowager Zhaoning covered her eyes with her hands and laughed, unable to bear to watch the two people arguing seriously for the parenting rights of the unborn child in their belly.
Unable to win the argument, the Grand Empress Dowager used her trump card and asked again: "Li'er, do you really want to breastfeed the child and leave the wet nurse unused? Aren't you afraid that your figure will be out of shape and Defang will dislike it?"
"If he dares to despise me, I will divorce him!" Luo Li raised her eyebrows and fought back with domineering attitude.
The Grand Empress Dowager was defeated. She smiled so hard that her shoulders shrugged as she tried to appease her domineering daughter-in-law. "Don't, don't, Li'er. If Defang dares to despise her, I will deal with him for you."
Princess Yongqing, who ran over upon hearing the news, responded at the door, "Sister-in-law, if my brother dares to dislike you, my mother and I will help you deal with him."