"I deeply regret the oppression and suffering that the Sheng Family has brought to the people of the world."
Zhang Yu's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into stagnant water, creating a barely perceptible ripple in the square.
"Haha, now you're apologizing and begging for forgiveness?"
It's too late.
Even if I die, I will never support you!
"So, now you know how to back down?"
"Why didn't you do this earlier?"
"That tactic won't work; we're not falling for it."
Mockery, insults, and disdainful sneers surged forth like a tide.
The apology not only failed to garner any support, but instead intensified the opposition.
Watching this scene, Zhu Wuyuan sneered inwardly, thinking that Zhang Yu was at his wit's end and could only resort to such clumsy tricks to gain sympathy.
Murong Bai was also anxiously wringing his hands, inwardly groaning – apologizing now? Wasn't it just a last-minute attempt to sue?
But at that moment, Zhang Yu's next words brought the clamor of the entire square to an abrupt halt.
To express my apology, I have decided to--
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the hundreds of beams of light, and said clearly, word by word:
"After ascending the throne, he abolished all taxes and levied no more money on the people."
In an instant, the entire square fell silent.
Even in the Image Jade Token, the people of various prefectures were stunned, their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.
Cancel... all taxes?
This... how is this possible?!
Zhu Wuyuan's eyes widened, staring intently at Zhang Yu as if he were seeing this person for the first time.
How dare he?
How dare he make such a promise in front of hundreds of millions of people?
Taxes are the foundation of Imperial Authority and the lifeblood of the nation.
Without taxes, how can the army be supported?
How to maintain the salaries of officials?
How to build water conservancy projects and provide disaster relief?
What's the difference between an emperor without money and a commander without troops?
With Zhu Wuyuan's intelligence, he could naturally conceive of the destructive power of this move.
But he also understood that, throughout history, no emperor would have used such a foolish move that "benefits others but not himself"!
But now, Zhang Yu has used it, and he made a personal promise in front of hundreds of millions of people!
Murong Bai was completely dumbfounded, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
Has Your Highness been driven mad?
How could they make such a foolish move?
Old Master Wang was so anxious that he stamped his feet. He was about to say something to make amends when Zhang Yu raised his hand to stop him.
"Old Master Wang, there's no need for further words."
Zhang Yu said calmly, "My mind is made up."
Sima Sheng stared intently at Zhang Yu, his eyes sharp, as if he had finally figured something out at that moment.
He thought to himself:
"This Your Highness... has such a cruel heart."
He didn't want to be emperor; he just wanted the imperial Jade Seal, the power to issue edicts and manipulate Fortune.
After...
Who cares about the raging flood?
As for the people of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, they chose this path themselves, so they must bear all the consequences.
"Actually, if taxes could be abolished, I think it wouldn't matter who is emperor."
"That's right, a good emperor is one who cares for his people. This Sheng Yu... seems pretty good too."
"Yeah, if it really could be tax-free, I'd be the first to support it!"
In an instant, public opinion in the square shifted dramatically.
Faced with absolute self-interest, even the deepest hatred can be swept away.
In the eyes of these people, all talk of national righteousness is false; taxes, on the other hand, are a real and tangible benefit.
They will support whoever can bring them greater benefits.
They supported Zhu Wuyuan only because Zhu Wuyuan had promised to reduce taxes by 70%.
However Zhu Wuyuan himself did not dare to truly abolish all taxes, because he knew that once the state apparatus lost its source of revenue, it would inevitably fall apart and the world would descend into chaos.
But Zhang Yu dared.
"Zhang Yu, what are your true intentions? How dare you spread such rumors and mislead the public?"
Zhu Wuyuan was furious, shouting angrily, his eyes blazing as he stared intently at Zhang Yu:
Do you know what you're saying?
How would a country function if taxes were abolished?
Where does the military pay come from?
How were the salaries of officials distributed?
Water conservancy, disaster relief, border defense... which of these doesn't cost money?
You're going to plunge the world into chaos and misery.
His barrage of questions bombarded Zhang Yu like a machine gun, attempting to shatter this "absurd" promise with the weight of reality.
However, Zhang Yu merely smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over hundreds of millions of his subjects, his voice steady as a bell:
"Does the lack of taxes mean that officials won't work?"
"If taxes are gone, will soldiers stop defending their country?"
He paused, then his tone suddenly rose, carrying a power that struck straight to the heart:
"Whether they are officials or soldiers, in the end, they are all public servants of the people."
As public servants, we should serve the people of the world free of charge, devoting ourselves to the cause until our dying breath.
Everyone agrees, right?
"Right--."
The roar was like a tidal wave, instantly drowning out Zhu Wuyuan's angry rebuke.
Those people who only care about their immediate interests find the idea of officials being public servants very appealing and naturally give it their full support.
Some insightful people saw the problem and wanted to refute it.
Faced with pressure from hundreds of millions of people, no one dared to speak up.
Therefore, opposing Zhang Yu at this moment is tantamount to opposing hundreds of millions of people.
Zhang Yu's move was not just a promise, but a blatant act of moral blackmail—and he played it more ruthlessly than anyone else.
He didn't care about the operation of the country, military pay and supplies, or the chaos that ensued.
All he wanted was that Jade Seal.
"Hahaha--"
Zhu Wuyuan suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the square, carrying a hint of mockery and a sense of relief.
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant."
I almost fell for your sweet talk.
He laughed so hard he almost fell over, as if he had seen through Zhang Yu's "trick," his eyes filled with smugness and contempt.
Your empty promise of "tax exemption" today is nothing more than a tactic to gain public support.
Once you've truly ascended the throne, what can we do to you if you go back on your word?
Do you really think that people in the world will believe you for a few empty words?
In Zhu Wuyuan's mind, this was not a groundbreaking move at all, but an obvious scam.
In his mind, no emperor would ever actually abolish taxes.
That would be tantamount to cutting off one's own foundation and digging one's own grave.
Therefore, he concluded that Zhang Yu's promise at this moment was merely a stopgap measure, a temporary political performance, and could not possibly be fulfilled.
How despicable!
Upon hearing this, Murong Qiushui immediately looked at Zhang Yu with disdain, as if he were a shameless scoundrel.
"I see!"
Murong Bai suddenly realized what was going on, then glared fiercely at Zhu Wuyuan, cursing inwardly, "Damn Zhu Wuyuan, if it weren't for your interference, His Your Highness's plan would have succeeded long ago!"
He also thought Zhang Yu was cheating, and even felt that there was nothing wrong with such a method.
Throughout history, rulers have been ruthless; if they are bound by propriety and morality, they will not achieve great things.
Sima Sheng, however, silently shook his head, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Zhu Wuyuan, thinking to himself:
"Old friend, you're probably going to miscalculate this time."
You have no idea how ruthless and cruel the person standing in front of you can be.
The emotions of the people were reignited after hearing Zhu Wuyuan's "exposure".
"Damn it, I almost fell for it. The Sheng Family really are born wicked."
"I knew it. They weren't that kind; they were just pretending."
Public opinion shifted again in an instant; all goodwill and wavering sentiments transformed into deeper hostility under the guidance of Zhu Wuyuan's words.
Zhu Wuyuan watched this scene with secret smugness, as if victory was already assured.
"Sheng Yu, you still want to play tricks on me?"
Impossible."
He sneered, about to deliver another blow and completely shatter Zhang Yu's "pretense".
But Zhang Yu's next actions caused his worldview to collapse completely once again.