Ci Jinzhi

“Do you want to go to the West Market?” He Qingxiao asked.

Xinyou shook his head: "I'm not going."

She went to the scene when the people in Guchangbo Mansion were beheaded because the future was unclear and she had to see the fate of those people with her own eyes before she could be sure.

 But now that she has confidence, she doesn’t need to do this. After all, she has no hobby of watching beheadings.

“Sir He, I will look for opportunities to propose a new deal in the near future. If it goes well, I’ll treat you to a drink.”

He Qingxiao smiled and nodded: "Okay."

While the capital's attention was all focused on the **** West Market, an urgent report was delivered to Emperor Xingyuan.

 Snowstorms broke out in many key border towns and they are in urgent need of relief.

Border towns take defense as an important task, which is related to the stability of the country and cannot be ignored.

 When receiving the emergency report, Xin You was summoned to the palace. Listening to Emperor Xingyuan summoning the important ministers, she silently lowered her presence to avoid being sent away.

 Intuitively, the opportunity she had been waiting for had arrived.

 Soon the ministers rushed to the palace.

 The first person to arrive was the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. He noticed that Xin You was present and pretended not to see him.

 Ahem, he's just a money manager, so there's no need to worry about it.

The second person to arrive was the Minister of War. He caught a glimpse of a girl in green robe from the corner of his eye and quickly looked away.

Sure enough, you can't look around when entering the palace, as this can easily get you into trouble.

The third person to arrive was the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Zuo. Why didn’t the Minister of Industry and Commerce come? Oh, I was waiting in line to be beheaded in the imperial edict, but I couldn’t make it.

 When he found out that Xin You was present, he didn’t say anything.

The two ministers didn't say anything. As a minister, he couldn't talk too much.

The later Minister of Rites had high hopes from his colleagues, but the result was disappointing.

 Lao Sun, who has always been the most disciplined person, didn't even react!

However, Yang Qiming, the censor of Zuodu who arrived last, heard the emergency report of the snow disaster in Bian Town from Emperor Xingyuan. He glanced at Xin You and said loudly: "Disaster relief and people's livelihood are suffering. I think His Highness King Xiu should also listen." .”

As soon as these words came out, many people secretly sighed at Yang Qiming's courage.

Xin You also raised his eyes slightly and looked at the chief speaker.

Yang Qiming looked calm and completely selfless.

 When discussing state affairs, if the daughter’s edict of hardship can be listened to, why can’t the eldest son of the emperor who leaves the palace and opens a palace cannot listen?

King Xiu is about to reach his coronation year. As the only prince who is about to come of age, if he doesn’t participate in state affairs now, will he be able to act temporarily in the future?

The inheritance of the throne is extremely sensitive, but the emperor left his daughter to listen first, and the minister suggested that the eldest prince should also listen, so it was natural.

The ministers secretly lamented the boldness of Yang Qiming, the censor of Zuodu, and admired his courage.

It’s time to kill this evil trend. Even if the emperor doesn’t like King Xiu, he is still the eldest prince. How can he let a little girl suppress him everywhere?

In response to Yang Qiming's proposal, Emperor Xingyuan pondered for a moment and nodded: "It is said that King Xiu has entered the palace."

Not long after, King Xiu rushed to the palace: "My son has met his father."

Emperor Xingyuan said calmly: "There was a sudden snowstorm in Bian Town. I summoned all the ministers to discuss how to deal with it. You should also listen."

 “Yes.” King Xiu bowed deeply. Emperor Xingyuan looked around at the ministers and said, "Go on."

When talking about how many people will be mobilized for disaster relief, Yu Guangfu, the Minister of Household Affairs, was very excited: "With so many people, the amount of food, grass, carriages and horses is not a small amount. The new year is approaching, and the national treasury is already overwhelmed. How can we come up with so much money?"

Yang Qiming, the censor of Zuodu, was very dissatisfied with this rhetoric: "Yu Shangshu has been saying every year that the national treasury is empty. Is it possible that this disaster cannot be saved?"

Yu Shangshu was angry: "Over the years, the total annual tax revenue has not fluctuated much, but natural disasters have become more and more frequent. In addition, occasional rebellions require an increase in military pay, and palaces and dams need to be repaired. There is no need for money..."

 All dynasties paid little attention to arithmetic and emphasized writing scriptures, and Daxia was no exception. Even these important ministers who are well-read in poetry and books, except for those like the Minister of the Ministry of Finance who are in charge of the money bag, are not very sensitive to numbers. After listening to Yu Shangshu's list of ways to spend money, Yang Qiming frowned: "There are many ways to spend money, so we should open up more money."

Yu Shangshu wanted to spit at him: "General Yang, tell me how to increase revenue? Is it to increase taxes or raise tax rates?"

 “How can this be done?” Yang Qiming immediately objected.

 Increase taxes, which will be poked in the back by the people.

Yu Shangshu spread his hands and sneered: "That's it. Without a good way to increase revenue, it's hard for Yu to make a meal without rice!"

Seeing that the quarrel was almost over, Emperor Xingyuan said: "Since when it comes to Kaiyuan, one person is planning for shortcomings and two are planning for strengths. Why don't you all talk about countermeasures?"

The emperor had spoken, and the ministers either talked eloquently or babbled, one by one.

Yu Shangshu curled his lips without leaving any trace.

Over the years, he has been so worried that his hair has almost fallen out, and he has no good solution. How can these guys who don't understand arithmetic come up with good open source ideas?

impossible!

To him, there is no hope of increasing revenue, the only option is to reduce expenditure. For example, the palace should not be repaired if it is not necessary, and some of the rouge and gouache money of the ladies should be cut off... Of course, he has not lived enough yet, so this good way to save money should be left to his colleagues.

 After listening to a circle of methods that seemed to be nonsense in Emperor Xingyuan's eyes, he turned his attention to King Xiu: "Does King Xiu have any countermeasures?"

  King Xiu had long been prepared to be asked, but he really didn’t have a good solution to this problem.

There are so many capable ministers in Daxia, so if there is a good idea, we can’t wait for him to come up with it.

Therefore, King Xiu thought very clearly about this issue: he does not seek merit, but seeks no fault.

“I am young and inexperienced, so I dare not say that I have any good ideas for opening up new areas. In terms of how to solve the snow disaster in Bian Town, I think we can follow the strategy of dealing with the Dingbei earthquake in the twelfth lunar month last year.”

Emperor Xingyuan raised his eyebrows: "You mean fundraising?"

"Yes. My father is considerate of the people and never adds any taxes. There are many wealthy people. In this difficult time, they donated money and were rewarded by the court. I think this is the best of both worlds."

 More importantly, this method was originally proposed by my father.

Who would oppose their own ideas? He praised this method in front of the ministers, at least he would not offend his father.

King Xiu was well aware of Emperor Xingyuan's indifference to him. A year ago, he would never have imagined that he would ask his opinion in front of the ministers.

 At this time, he was nervous, excited, and happy, emotions he had never felt before.

 “Collect donations.” Emperor Xingyuan murmured, with no sign of like or dislike on his face, “What do you think?”

All the ministers looked at each other and did not dare to speak rashly.

Do officials have to participate in this fund-raising, or does it depend entirely on the private sector?

If it’s the latter, then I support it with both hands; if it’s the former, they can’t stand it if they do this every time the treasury is empty!

Emperor Xingyuan glanced at the ministers, and his expression became serious: "Although this method has solved the problem of relief funds for the Dingbei earthquake, in my opinion, it can be used occasionally, but it treats the symptoms rather than the root cause."

 Are all wealthy people fools?

Emperor Xingyuan looked at Xin You: "Does Xin Daizhao have any ideas?"