The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan
Chapter 312, what is your crime?

Chapter 312: 312, what is your crime?

Murong Ce regarded the courtiers with a proud gaze and spoke in a calm voice, "Since my esteemed subjects have no objections, let it be so. From today onward, the common people’s taxes will be increased by one more layer, and all funds derived will be dedicated to expanding the military arsenal."

With the Khitan military might so formidable, if one wished to make Yelu Yan obediently hand over Li Xianyun, one must win on the battlefield. Only then would there be room to set conditions at the negotiating table.

He was indeed very cruel, but he truly loved her, loved her to the point that he would gamble a nation for her.

Murong Ce’s eyes flickered slightly as he thought to himself, Xianxian, if you were to know all this, would you forgive me for having that insignificant maid of yours humiliated and killed? For your sake, I have gambled everything and set aside all other affairs.

After so many years, the image of her joking with her maids in the marketplace still remained vivid in Murong Ce’s mind.

If only he hadn’t allowed those bastards to corner her at that time, but instead had saved her, perhaps everything would have been different, and there would have been no concern of Yelu Yan at all.

It was he, Murong Ce, who had first encountered her.

When the courtiers heard Murong Ce speak thus, they could only kneel down, clasp their hands in a fist, and salute, "Yes."

Deep in their hearts, how could they not be aware that amidst the change of dynasties and the unceasing turmoil, with the economy damaged and a myriad of affairs awaiting attention, the common people’s lives had become even more fraught with hardship?

Now was the time for recovery and regeneration, when taxes should be relaxed rather than increased, let alone increased by so much. How could the common people bear an additional layer of taxation?

During the years of his seclusion, Murong Ce had demonstrated exceptional political acumen and an iron-fisted approach to governance.

These were issues that any clear-sighted person could perceive. How could he possibly not have considered them?

Having already centralized great power in his own hands and cleared away all obstacles, one truly did not understand his motives for such a hurried taxation and such an urgent desire to expand the army.

Having finished his announcement, Murong Ce kept a few court officials behind.

Within the grand palace, Murong Ce sat in his high seat, while several court officials stood respectfully below.

They were Murong Ce’s most capable supporters, having been with him since the very beginning when he initiated his cause, and for this reason, Murong Ce valued them greatly.

Looking at the several officials, Murong Ce said, "Dispatch people immediately to investigate the wealthy merchants across Houliang, and submit a list to me."

Mere plundering from the impoverished masses was never going to be enough, and it was also slow to collect money that way. On the other hand, those merchants who were rich as can be were different.

Most of them had risen to wealth through trade, holding no deep-seated power, and they had amassed considerable wealth. If one were to arbitrarily pin crimes upon them, wrecking their businesses, their wealth would naturally be confiscated to the state treasury, bringing in money quickly and in large amounts.

"Yes," the officials said respectfully.

With a casual wave of his hand, Murong Ce saw the officials bow and withdraw.

The Chief of the Palace Servants stepped forward and bowed, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, Xiang Rong has returned. She’s waiting at Zhaoming Hall, wishing to see you."

Murong Ce snorted coldly, "She still has the face to return."

Inside the Zhaoming Hall of the Harem, Xiang Rong lay prostrate on the ground.

Only after quite some time did she finally hear familiar footsteps, causing her body to lie even lower to the ground.

Xiang Rong had followed Murong Ce since her childhood and knew his every move like the back of her hand.

Murong Ce seated himself on the main seat and gazed at her with cold eyes, saying after a long pause, "Speak."

Xiang Rong didn’t dare to look up at Murong Ce but said nervously, "Your Majesty, I have come to confess my sins."

"What sin have you committed?"

"I shouldn’t have framed the Commandery Princess in my eagerness to defend your honor."

Seeing that Murong Ce remained silent, Xiang Rong, agitated and uneasy, continued, "Previously there were rumors that Yelu Yan greatly favored the Commandery Princess. I did not believe them, not until I saw Yelu Yan and the Commandery Princess together. I then became thoroughly convinced."