Qi Yi recalled the essay he wrote during the Imperial Examination and his bold words at the Qionglin Banquet, and finally looked up at Emperor Jingyuan: "Your Majesty, I once vehemently advised, but did Your Majesty listen?"
Emperor Jingyuan's face darkened, his cold eyes like frost staring at Qi Yi: "Are you blaming me for not increasing taxes? But without increasing taxes, where would the silver come from to fight Da Rong? Should we kill the noble families and confiscate their assets for money? You have vehemently advised me not to casually turn against the noble families, so what do you mean now?"
