Chapter 493: Countermeasures
The tax case involved tens of thousands of people.
The Eighth Investigation Department mobilized more than 2,000 agents, nearly 10,000 clerks at all levels, and more than 100,000 troops.
In the end, 30 people were tortured to death, 1,700 were beheaded, and 23,900 were exiled to the border.
More than 1,000 officials at all levels were dismissed, and 50 million gold coins were confiscated.
The wide range of involvement and the scale of killing were beyond imagination.
The most important thing is that everything was bypassed by the Ministry of Justice, without trial, and directly executed by the emperor's lackeys.
The Emperor of Daxia was the monarch who was most willing to restrain the imperial power in history, and there were few things that went beyond the judiciary.
At one time, people thought that the noble officials and the emperor really ruled the world together.
Until the reverse scale was touched, His Majesty the Emperor showed his fangs and let everyone see what an emperor is.
He was arbitrary, speaking the law of heaven, and he was the only one who could rule the law.
Feudalism, autocracy, and dictatorship were commonplace in this era.
No one jumped out to say that this was an obstacle to freedom, but they all felt that it was justified.
Even the Daxia Empire newspaper publicly supported it, claiming that it was a deterrent to illegal acts.
But to be honest, seeing the power of these henchmen in the Eighth Investigation Department, many people really restrained their arrogance.
After all, this world belongs to the emperor, don't really think that you are the master of the empire.
At this time, His Majesty the Emperor was constantly summoning ministers to test their ability in customs affairs.
Since Andrew was going to step down, he naturally had to choose a successor.
This successor could not be selected from within the customs. First, he was just implicated in the tax case. Even if he was not dismissed, he would definitely not be able to get away from it.
At this time, letting the people of the customs department be promoted would not cause trouble for himself and deny the achievements of the Eighth Investigation Department?
In addition, considering the impact of checks and balances, he also had to balance it.
However, it was difficult to find the right person after repeated selection.
It's not that the ministers have no talent. On the contrary, most of those who can enter the eyes of His Majesty the Emperor have some ability.
These capable people naturally have ideas, especially the king, who wants to show all his ideas.
That's why Derek feels a headache. The position of the Customs Commissioner is more about money than power, and stability is more important than innovation.
And all the innovations are just different ways to collect taxes, but they are still the same in essence.
After looking back and forth, Derek was not satisfied.
So he simply got up and walked out, maybe he would have new ideas.
...
Outside Swan Castle, the Royal Guards still maintain the tradition of riding and shooting.
Although it is now a world dominated by guns and cannons, Derek believes that bravery can still strengthen the spirit, so he has never lost it.
And many times, being strong and quick to react is also an advantage that cannot be ignored.
And the Royal Guards are inherited from the Knights of the North, and the symbolic significance is very important.
All ethnic groups and families often send their children to serve in the Royal Guards, which not only shows loyalty, but also allows their descendants to get closer to the emperor.
Secondly, it is also gilded, which is convenient for being sent out as an official.
These guards, apart from guarding the palace, practiced martial arts and riding and archery.
Although Derek was over 30 years old, he often went out to shoot arrows and ride horses.
So, he was bored and walked here unconsciously.
It happened that a group of young men were fighting on the field.
These were either good families from barbarians, northerners, and Rock people, or from imperial noble families, military nobles, or bureaucrats.
At this time, they were all dressed similarly on the field, fighting in a mess.
Derek was happy to watch. Although these people were fighting lively, they were actually active together all day and had a good relationship.
After several years of training like this, the noble children were no longer arrogant, and the good children were more confident and calm. With their strong bodies polished and continuous cultural and military education every day, they were the elite of the Great Xia Empire.
Whether they were sent out as officials or led a town, they could do it in a good manner.
"Your Majesty!"
Guli, the leader of the guard, hurried over. He was tall, with blue eyes and a high nose bridge. He was a real mixed-blood barbarian.
In the past, the emperor sent troops through his tribe, and later they had a relationship.
Guli went around and around, served as a soldier, a thousand-man commander, and experienced various positions. After the army was reorganized, he was transferred to the Guard Division.
Finally, when the Royal Guard was established, Derek chose him as the leader. He was a familiar face.
From a mixed-blood barbarian, a slave-like status to now, Guli has changed his own destiny.
Speaking of which, the legendary experience can be adapted into a novel.
Derrick saw him coming, took a look, and turned his head to enjoy the fight between the teenagers.
"How is it, have these guys been more honest recently?"
"After two months of training, they have been much more honest," Guli smiled.
Not long after the Royal Guard was established, he liked this position very much.
Derek watched with great interest for a while before sitting down and asking, "You should pay attention to the guards. They are all good talents for the future. I am counting on these guys to go out and guard the area for me.
How do you feel? Are you adapting?"
Gu Li nodded and said, "I am stupid, so I mostly follow the old rules of the northern knights. I practice constantly, with clear rewards and punishments, and supplement with military and cultural courses. So far, the effect seems to be acceptable."
Gu Li calls himself stupid, but what he does is not stupid.
Following the rules of others is also a kind of wisdom.
So, customs does not necessarily need people who are proficient in taxation.
Speaking of which, several chief officers have to do it themselves, as long as they have basic knowledge and are not easily deceived.
Second uncle Andrew was not proficient in taxation at the beginning, but he did a good job, right?
As soon as Derek's thoughts were opened, they immediately flowed like a spring.
He was in a good mood after solving a problem.
"Come on, Gu Li, let's go down and practice."
His Majesty is a martial artist, which is known to the world.
Even on the scene, he would go down and fight with the knights around him from time to time.
Therefore, Gu Li was not surprised, and simply changed into training armor and fought with unopened weapons.
Obviously, the movement here quickly attracted the attention of others.
A group of teenagers rushed over and made a loud noise.
"Your Majesty, kick him in the crotch, harder."
"Commander, didn't you eat? You were very strong when you hit me, right? Or do you want to let me win?"
These guys, who were at the age of wantonness, shouted loudly, and Guli's forehead was bulging with veins.
"I lost, I lost, Your Majesty, I won't fight anymore."
Guli's mind was distracted, and he was kicked to the ground by Derek, so he simply admitted defeat.
Derrick casually inserted the blunt sword into the ground and reached out to pull Guli up.
