Ci Jinzhi

"Want to visit the West Market?" He Qingxiao asked.

Xin You 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 feel confident.

But now that she has confidence, she doesn't need to do this. After all, she doesn't like to watch beheadings.

"Master He, I will look for opportunities to propose new policies in the near future. If it goes well, I will treat you to a drink."

He Qingxiao smiled and nodded: "Okay."

When the whole capital's attention was focused on the bloody West Market, an urgent report was delivered to Emperor Xingyuan.

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

The defense of the border town is an important task, which is related to the stability of the country and cannot be ignored.

When the emergency report was received, 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 one to arrive was the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. He noticed that Xin You was present and pretended not to see it.

Hey, he's in charge of money, so there's no need to worry about it.

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

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

The third person to arrive was the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Zuo Shilang. 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.

He didn't say anything when he found Xin You present.

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 respond!

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 that Yang Qiming was brave.

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 can be heard, why can't the eldest son of the emperor who leaves the palace and opens a mansion can't?

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

It was extremely sensitive when it came to the succession of the throne, 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 in a calm tone: "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: "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 treasury is empty. Is it possible that this disaster will not 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, military pay needs to be increased due to occasional rebellions. Palaces and dams need to be repaired. There is no need for money..."

All previous 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 on him: "General Yang, tell me how to increase revenue? Should we increase taxes or raise tax rates?"

"How can this be done?" Yang Qiming immediately objected.

Increasing taxes will poke people in the back.

Yu Shangshu spread his hands and sneered: "That's it. Without a good way to open up the source of income, 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 can think about shortcomings and two people can think about strengths. Why don't you all talk about countermeasures?"

The emperor had spoken, and all the ministers either talked eloquently or chattered 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 a good open source strategy?

impossible!

According to him, there is no hope of increasing revenue, only cutting expenditures. For example, the palace should not be repaired if it can be spared, and some of the ladies' rouge and gouache money 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 what Emperor Xingyuan thought was nonsense, 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 had no solution to this problem.

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

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

"I am young and have no experience, so I dare not say that I have any good ideas for open source. 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 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 object to 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 towards him, and 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.

"Collecting donations." Emperor Xingyuan murmured, with no sign of liking or disliking on his face, "What do you think, sir?"

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

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

If it's the latter, I applaud it with all hands; if it's the former - they can't stand this trick 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 rich people fools?

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