dognovel Chapter 1935 Chu Ning's Request
Chapter 1935 Chu Ning's Request
"Zheng is willing to serve you wholeheartedly, and only asks Your Majesty to show our family a way out!"
"Your Majesty, the entire Zhou family, listen carefully to the divine decree!"
"..."
For a moment, voices of agreement rose and fell in the pavilion.
Everyone was eager to express their opinions and handed the decision-making power entirely to Chu Ning, hoping that he could solve the mystery as soon as possible and end this mental torture.
Chu Ning listened quietly to the voices of loyalty, and his face still showed no joy or anger.
Only when all the noises died down did he nod as if with satisfaction.
"Okay, since all the family heads have this intention, it is a good thing."
He then gently raised his hand and waved his sleeves towards the musicians and dancers.
The music stopped abruptly.
The dancers, as if pardoned, quickly stopped their frozen movements, bowed, and then, with their heads lowered and taking small steps, quickly and silently exited the pavilion.
The exquisite fruits, wine and food were also quietly removed by the eunuchs.
In the blink of an eye, the only people left in the pavilion were the solemn guards in black armor, dozens of heads of aristocratic families standing respectfully with their hands hanging down, and Chu Ning sitting in the main seat, controlling everything.
After the illusion of prosperity and joy faded away, the atmosphere instantly became extremely solemn and auspicious.
Everyone knew that the prelude was over, and this was the real focus of the banquet. The moment that concerned the life and death of their family was about to come.
Every eye was focused on Chu Ning, waiting for the word of fate he was about to announce that would determine their future.
The music and dancing have stopped, and the wine and food have been removed.
The momentary, false atmosphere of relaxation in the pavilion disappeared, replaced by an almost solidified heaviness.
The eyes of all the heads of the noble families were fixed on Chu Ning sitting on the throne, their hearts as if being gripped by invisible hands, waiting for the verdict that would decide the fate of their family.
Chu Ning's gaze calmly swept across the faces below that were filled with tension and anticipation. He did not speak immediately, but seemed to appreciate their uneasiness at the moment.
This brief silence, like a blunt knife cutting flesh, further intensified everyone's inner torment.
Finally, he slowly spoke, his voice still steady, but every word was like thunder, exploding in everyone's ears:
"Since all the family heads have just expressed their sincere allegiance to the Great Chu, they are willing to serve me as their master."
He paused deliberately, emphasizing the word "sincerely", with a faint curve at the corner of his mouth.
"Then, I will naturally not treat you unfairly. Anyone who complies with the will of heaven will be able to maintain wealth and honor, and may even be able to rise to a higher level in the new dynasty."
These words, seemingly promising, instantly ignited a glimmer of hope in the eyes of many family heads, and their tense hearts seemed to loosen a little.
However, they knew very well that behind this fair treatment, there must be extremely harsh conditions.
Sure enough, Chu Ning suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming unquestionable:
"However, I believe you all understand that the foundation of our Great Chu nation lies in the equal distribution of land and wealth! This is our national policy and there is absolutely no room for change!"
The words "equal distribution of land" were like ice water poured over people's heads, instantly extinguishing the little hope that had just risen in their hearts.
The air temperature in the pavilion seemed to drop ten degrees suddenly!
Chu Ning ignored everyone's instantly pale faces and continued speaking in a cold tone as if stating a fact:
"Therefore, all the fields, estates, and forests owned by your families, except for the portion that the court is permitted to retain according to law, must be surrendered. The court will then measure and distribute them to the landless and land-poor people."
"This is the general trend and there is no doubt about it."
As if this blow wasn't heavy enough, he immediately threw out a second shackle:
"In addition, all profits from your family's salt and iron, grain transport, textiles, mining, and other industries will belong to you privately."
"From now on, all such businesses, regardless of size, must pay 30% of their annual profits to the court!"
"The land is divided equally! 30% of the profits must be turned over!"
These two policies, like two sharp guillotines, precisely cut at the two lifelines on which the aristocratic families depend for survival - land and commerce!
This is not just cutting flesh and bleeding, it is literally pulling out the tendons and skinning off the body. It is intended to fundamentally undermine the economic foundation and political influence they have accumulated over hundreds of years!
After a brief period of silence, the pavilion exploded like a pot of boiling water!
The huge fear and instinctive resistance instantly overwhelmed the awe of imperial power.
These family heads who usually pay attention to their demeanor and manners can no longer remain calm.
"Your Majesty! No!"
Wang Jing of the Taiyuan Wang family was the first to cry out in shock. He fell to his knees with a plop, his voice filled with tears.
"Your Majesty! My Wang family's ancestors have worked hard to build up our current land and property. This is the foundation of our family!"
"If all of it were distributed, how would our Wang family, with its thousands of members, survive? How would we support our children in education and enlightenment?"
"Your Majesty, this strategy... this strategy is tantamount to severing the lifeline of my family!"
He burst into tears and tried to impress Chu Ning by promising the survival of his family.
Li You of the Longxi Li clan also burst into tears, beating his chest and stamping his feet: "Your Majesty, please understand! Farmland is the foundation of the people and the basis of the nobles' lives!"
"A sudden equal division would inevitably lead to local unrest, displaced tenants, and deserted estates!"
"Moreover, our Li family's businesses are closely related to the livelihoods of people across the country. If profits drop by 30%, we will be unable to continue. This will affect the livelihoods of countless people!"
"Your Majesty, please think twice and don't act hastily!"
He tried to tie family interests to local stability and people's livelihood to increase his bargaining chips.
Zhao Kuo of the Xingyang Zhao family had a strong personality. Although he didn't dare to contradict directly, his face flushed red and he stiffened his neck and said:
"Your Majesty! The men of the Zhao family have also contributed to… the stability of this region! Now Your Majesty wishes to divide our land and property, seize our source of income. Wouldn't this only dishearten those who have pledged allegiance to us?"
"If every family is like this, who will be willing to serve Your Majesty in the future?"
He tried to apply pressure with chilling intensity and effectiveness.
The other family heads also became excited and expressed their opposition:
"Your Majesty! Most of my Zheng family's land is located in barren areas. If we divide it up, those peasants won't be able to cultivate it, and it will eventually go to waste, which will be of no benefit to the country or the people!"
"Your Majesty, a 30% profit margin is far too high! Now that the war has just ended and trade routes are blocked, businesses are already struggling to maintain their operations. If you continue to charge exorbitant profits, I'm afraid... I'm afraid many workshops and mines will have to close down, and countless people will be unemployed!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! My family has accumulated hundreds of years to reach our current size. The hardships we have endured are beyond the reach of outsiders! How can Your Majesty take this away with just a single word?"
"Your Majesty, please revoke your order! Or... or perhaps you can take a long-term view and proceed slowly!"
There was chaos in the pavilion, with voices of pleading, explanations, and even implicit threats intertwined.
They gave various reasons: family survival, local stability, people's livelihood and economy, the desire to be allied, and the difficulties of the industry.
Trying to make the young emperor realize how inhumane and inappropriate his policies were.
However, facing this almost one-sided fierce opposition, Chu Ning's expression on the throne did not change at all.
He was neither angry nor explaining, but just calmly looked at the group of out-of-control family heads below with his deep and cold eyes, as if he was watching a farce that had nothing to do with him.
Only when the voices of the crowd gradually died down due to excitement and fear and turned into an uneasy silence again did he move his body slightly and change to a more comfortable sitting position.
The sarcastic curve at the corner of his mouth became clearer and clearer.
Everyone's heart was in their throat, wondering how this unpredictable emperor would deal with this collective disobedience.
Is it a compromise?
Is it a tougher crackdown?
Or... is there another plan?