Zhumen Hangui

Chapter 398 Borrow money to envoy!
"Lord Li, it's not that the household department refuses to transfer the money, but that the household department has no money at all. It's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice. If you really want it, take it to me and peel it!"

What Zhu Hongchang said was both rascal and pitiful, who wouldn't spend money if they had money?
The emperor is sure that the sea market will be opened, can he still oppose it?
"But the court has so much tax every year, and the emperor is so frugal, where does the money go?"

Li Shangshu was very dissatisfied with this old man who cried poor every day. The soldiers guarding the border had delayed their salary for a month, and Zhu Shangshu said that he had no money.

Zhu Shangshu was so angry that he blew his beard and stared, "What do you mean? Is it possible that an official can still fill his own pocket? The imperial court conducts accounting every year, and the account books are clear. If you don't believe it, you can go to the treasury to have a look."

Li Shangshu glanced at him, and felt rather disapproving. Who doesn't know that the household department is a fat man?You say you are not greedy?That's farting.

"Zhu Shangshu, I don't mean that, it's because you are overthinking yourself."

Zhu Shangshu was choked up by the other party, and suddenly felt that he had ten thousand grievances to express.

"Your Majesty, how much money and food did the imperial court use in the relief of natural disasters in the past few years? Once the treasury's tax revenue comes up every year, it is used to make up for the shortage."

He said, wishing he could sit on the ground and cry.

"Take the fire in the Gongyuan this year as an example. Don't you need money to build the Gongyuan?"

Zhu Shangshu sighed as he spoke, "There have been frequent wars at the border in the past two years, and military conscription is required every year. Manufacturing weapons is already a big expense. Just like that, I still owe a month's salary, just waiting for this year's taxes. !"

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and he felt extremely wronged.

Su Yizhao watched the two bickering dumbfounded, and sighed in his heart, why is the national treasury so poor?
"Speaking of salaries, the salaries of border officers and soldiers have been in arrears for a month. When will the Ministry of Households plan to transfer the money?"

Li Shangshu looked at Zhu Shangshu's complaints and was not moved. If the household department had no money, he had to give him money. Anyway, Zhu Shangshu, who was in charge of the household department, had to find a way.

Zhu Shangshu was still crying just now, but when he heard this, he lost his voice.

He was so angry that his face was flushed, and he flicked his sleeves, "There is no money, even if you kill this official, you don't have any money. Is it possible that the money in the treasury will give birth to babies?"

The emperor only felt a splitting headache, "No matter what, the border guards must not be in arrears with their salaries."

"Your Majesty! The military salary alone costs one million taels a month, and that's not counting the expenditure on weapons and food. Aren't you embarrassing me?"

Zhu Shangshu wanted to wipe away old tears when he said it. If the imperial court can really open up the sea market, it will also be beneficial to the Ministry of Household Affairs.

The household department has no money, he is always at a loss what to do, and has to be handed down by the emperor.If the household department has money, why should he be so embarrassing?

"Your Majesty, there are constant disturbances from small countries at the border, and the soldiers are already tired of coping. If the payment of the army is delayed again, it will cause their dissatisfaction. What's more, the vassal state has tried repeatedly in the past two years, and I am afraid that it will not be able to hold back Now, we still need to prepare early!"

Li Shangshu was very worried. Anyway, the military salary cannot be owed.Food and grass cannot be deducted, otherwise the border will be chaotic.

Su Yizhao kept herself in the corner as much as possible, this was discussing a major political issue, could she, a little shrimp, listen to it?

"Why am I so eager to open a sea market? Don't I just want to enrich the treasury as soon as possible?"

The emperor sighed deeply, who is more eager than him?Doesn't he know the household department is difficult?

"But the initial investment is too huge. If this problem can be solved, then maybe it is feasible?"

Zhu Shangshu believes that this matter will probably be shelved for the past two years.

The emperor cast his eyes on Su Yizhao, "Su Aiqing, what's your opinion?"

Um?Can you really put a high hat on her, what's your opinion?
The two adults on the side also immediately cast their eyes on her, their eyes full of disdain.

The emptiness of the national treasury is a problem that has existed since the founding of the dynasty, and can it be solved by just one Su Yizhao?

"Reporting to the emperor, I can't think of any good strategy for a while."

As soon as Su Yizhao finished speaking, Zhu Shangshu gave her a blank look.

Li Shangshu even said directly, "Your Majesty, if you really open up the sea market, you have to recruit troops and buy horses, and there is no way to strengthen the navy."

Su Yizhao was a little surprised, she just wanted to take Joe, but she didn't expect Li Shangshu to have a solution, so let's listen to Li Shangshu's advice!
The emperor was also very pleasantly surprised when he heard the words, and immediately asked: "What is the solution?"

"Isn't the emperor just going to do military service next year? It's not difficult to move it to this year."

Su Yizhao frowned. This ancient time is no different from the previous life. Wars broke out without knowing when, and they were all cold weapons, the kind of fighting with the body.

But she can't change the status quo, she just can't bear it!
The emperor was silent for a long time, and finally he acquiesced.

"But this can't solve the fundamental problem, it's just missing one item of expenditure." Zhu Shangshu frowned.

Su Yizhao doesn't think he is a good person, but sometimes he is too selfish, and it is the common people who suffer.

She stepped forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, I have a plan, I wonder if it can be done?"

The emperor immediately said: "Quickly tell me."

"The imperial court doesn't have any envoys, so let's borrow envoys!"

Her words made the people present a little confused, what do you mean?
"Dare to ask the emperor? Who do you think is the richest person in this world?"

The emperor said without hesitation: "Of course they are merchants! They are the richest."

Zhu Shangshu had an idea, but after a while, he shook his head again.

"You mean to borrow money from those merchants? How can they agree to this? What's more, it would be embarrassing for the court to borrow money from them."

Su Yizhao is a little speechless, what time is it, and you still care about face?

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten the Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber of Commerce is not just about restraining those merchants. If you want to make money with the court, you have to pay some price. How can it be achieved only by taxation?"

Su Yizhao pondered while talking, "Isn't it just that the imperial court wants to select powerful merchants to go to and from various countries? Then let them pay for it. They can pay for various expenses such as building merchant ships and maintaining the army."

"In the name of donation, in the name of borrowing, etc. As long as it is beneficial to them, they will not be unwilling."

The emperor and the two adults couldn't help being overjoyed when they heard this. This is indeed a good idea.

If enough money can be borrowed, then the imperial court can open the sea market without spending so much money.

"It just happens to prevent some officials from using their power for personal gain and gaining benefits from it."

Of course, it is impossible to really eliminate it.

After all, there are so many merchants, and only the top few rich men will pay so much money. How can other small merchants and small merchant ships have such strength?
"Maritime trade must be developed by the imperial court. Only when the time is right, those merchants can act. The establishment of chambers of commerce and the dispatch of envoys to various countries are precisely to ensure their safety and rights. This is for their sake."

(End of this chapter)