Chapter 180

Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils contracted violently. His teacup shattered against the table with a sharp crack.

"I can register these two hundred acres under different officials' names." Zhu Xiongying's voice held terrifying calm. "Each plot declared at the minimum six-dan grain tax rate. The imperial treasury wouldn't collect a single grain."

The hall plunged into dead silence.

Tang He's ivory tablet clattered to the floor. Eunuch Feng stumbled back three steps.

Zhu Yuanzhang's knuckles turned white.

"Outrageous!" The emperor's palm struck the dragon table with thunderous force. "You dare teach me tax evasion?!"

Xiongying calmly folded his hands. "Your Majesty sees clearly. This is the unwritten rule of officialdom. Landlords register under officials to avoid taxes—mutually beneficial arrangements."

His voice suddenly sharpened. "The only cure is 'equal taxation for officials and gentry'!"

A vein throbbed at Zhu Yuanzhang's temple.

"There's more." Xiongying met the emperor's gaze unflinchingly. "Officials' salaries are too meager. Without corruption, they can't survive!"

"Nonsense!" The emperor roared. "Our Ming laws are strict. Who dares embezzle?"

"Precisely because of this." The crown prince stood his ground. "An honest official isn't necessarily good. After decades of study, if one can't feed his family, who would advocate for the people?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked thunderstruck. A piece of the dragon armrest splintered under his grip.

"Grandfather." Xiongying suddenly knelt and kowtowed. "When I ascend the throne, I will abolish these corrupt practices!"

"Treason!" The emperor kicked over the imperial table. "Guards! Seize this traitor!"

Commander Hu's legs buckled. "Your Majesty, reconsider—"

"Reconsider?" Zhu Yuanzhang bared his teeth in a snarl. "He's tired of living! Feng Gui! Where lies our easternmost territory?"

The eunuch collapsed to his knees. "Y-Your Majesty...Liaodong..."

"Good!" The emperor grabbed Xiongying's collar. "Today I strip you of your crown prince title! You're banished to Liaodong!"

Tang He suddenly lunged forward, clutching the emperor's leg. "Your Majesty! The crown prince is young and foolish—"

"Release me!" Zhu Yuanzhang shook off the old general. Yet Xiongying remained upright.

Those eyes—so like Empress Ma's—gazed at him with eerie tranquility.

The emperor's heart lurched violently.