Chapter 388 What to do if the national treasury is empty?
Chapter 388 What to do if the treasury is empty?
Su Yizhao was a little surprised. Today was the grand ceremony of passing on the emperor. Originally, he just met the saint, received some encouragement, and then left the palace according to the procedures, mounted a tall horse, and paraded through the streets with the red flower of the number one scholar.
Why is this process different today than in the past?
Not only Su Yizhao was confused, but Baiguan and other candidates were also very confused, why did they take the exam on the spot?
"Becoming an official through the imperial examination is to share the worries of the court and to benefit the people. But how can being an official be so easy?"
The emperor's expression was very kind, but his eyes revealed majesty.
"I will test you today, so you don't have to be nervous, just speak freely."
Haha! In front of hundreds of officials, there are so many candidates here, you just take the test as you say, and you don’t give much time to think. Are you sure you are not embarrassing me?
Su Yizhao cursed in her heart, but how could she dare to refuse? She could only bite the bullet and go ahead.
Su Jinxun was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead. What did the emperor mean? It seemed that he was dissatisfied with what happened before.
"I respectfully obey the Holy Order." Su Yizhao quickly replied respectfully.
"The corrupt and tyrannical rule in the late Wu Dynasty made the people miserable. Emperor Gaozu stepped forward and founded the Dayun Dynasty."
The beginning of the emperor's narration left all the ministers speechless.
Su Yizhao suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Why did something sound wrong at the beginning?
No matter how bad the previous dynasty was, the royal family of subsequent dynasties generally would not discuss it in public. This was to preserve the dignity of the previous dynasty's royal family.
After so many years, the emperor still whipped the body of the last emperor of the previous dynasty, which, I have to say, made everyone a little embarrassed.
Sweat was pouring down his back, and Su Yizhao didn't even dare to raise his head.
"But the corruption in the court in the late Wu Dynasty was so serious that the treasury was empty for a long time. Coupled with the subsequent years of war, the treasury was empty since the founding of the Dayun Dynasty."
Huh? Su Yizhao was a little surprised, this direction was unexpected.
"Even after many years of rest and recuperation, the treasury of this dynasty still cannot be replenished." The emperor sighed heavily, making the officials of the Ministry of Revenue suddenly feel ashamed.
The Ministry of Household Affairs is the imperial court's purse. For so many years, there has been no good way to increase revenue for the imperial court.
"We discuss increasing taxes every year, but they still haven't passed. I don't want to use this matter to replenish the national treasury and make people's lives even poorer."
Su Yizhao still admired this. I heard Su Jinxun mentioned that the emperor was actually very frugal most of the time.
The imperial court had discussed increasing taxes several times before, but the emperor suppressed them.
Unlike the previous dynasties, which carried out large-scale construction of villas, gardens and palaces, the emperor did not throw extravagant banquets to entertain officials unless it was the birthday of the queen mother or empress.
Even for the emperor's birthday last year, he advocated frugality and did not hold a big banquet. Of course, gifts were still accepted.
"Master Zhuangyuan, let me ask you, is it feasible to increase taxes?"
The emperor's tone suddenly became harsh, and Su Yizhao was immediately miserable.
After all these years of discussion, you have come to no conclusion. She has just become the number one scholar. Is it a little too much for you to take the exam like this?
Su Jinxun secretly hated, how did Qin Tianjian view the almanac? Why did it have to be chosen today?
When the emperor asked this question, it was clear that he was in a dilemma. None of the ministers had an idea. You are asking a child whose hair is not fully grown.
E Chongming, who was standing at the forefront, glanced at the emperor in surprise. Does the emperor think so highly of Su Yizhao? He actually asked a child about such a major political matter?
"I dare to ask Your Majesty, when you refer to the increase in taxation, are you talking about commercial tax, or land tax on people's land? Or are they both?"
The emperor was a little surprised by Su Yizhao's calmness. He raised his eyebrows and said, "What about business tax? What about land tax for common people?"
"It is not feasible to tax land and land on a per-person basis. Many people do not have enough food and clothing. The per capita tax and land tax in this dynasty are already quite large, so we cannot increase the burden on the people."
"Oh! What do you mean, is it feasible to increase commercial taxes?" the emperor asked again.
"It's not feasible!" Su Yizhao shook his head, "It's like fighting on the battlefield, you must be famous. In what name can you increase taxes? After the merchants increased taxes for nothing, how can they be appeased if they have complaints?"
This matter related to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Zhu Hongchang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, felt that this son was just talking nonsense.
He immediately stepped out and retorted: "Then according to what you said, it means that taxes cannot be increased?"
"Xiaoguan just said that the increase in taxes must be justified, otherwise how can the merchants be convinced?"
"The whole world is not the land of the king!" Zhu Hongchang saluted the emperor, and then said: "This is a law enacted by the imperial court. Do they dare to resist? Besides, so many taxes are taken from the people and used for them.
As for the people, what right do they have to object?"
Zhu Hongchang thought this was a joke. This was imperial power and power.
Among scholars, farmers, and merchants, merchants were ranked last, and they were inherently lowly existences.
Zhu Hongchang is the auxiliary Duke, his eldest daughter is Concubine Rong, and his grandson is the fourth prince.
The fourth prince had praised Su Yizhao several times in front of him before, so he was deeply impressed by him.
When we met today, he admitted that he still had some courage, but it was inevitable for children to be arrogant.
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Even merchants are part of the entire country. If it can be mutually beneficial, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?"
Su Yizhao's words made Zhu Hongchang sneer, "The best of both worlds? Then tell me, how can you get the best of both worlds?"
Su Yizhao secretly sighed in his heart, there are some things that cannot be overstated.
She hasn't become an official yet! If she touches everyone's interests and makes everyone dissatisfied with her, then she won't be an official for long.
It is really difficult to think of a way to replenish the national treasury without offending officials!
"Master Zhuangyuan, I just said that you can speak freely."
The sweat on Su Jinxun's forehead has dripped onto the floor tiles. He now hopes that Su Yizhao will take it easy. This is the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Increased revenue and reduced expenditure are the first conditions for replenishing the national treasury. However, I believe that reducing expenditure will not replenish the national treasury much, so we still have to work hard to increase revenue."
The emperor nodded. He was frugal every day, and the concubines in the palace were not allowed to be extravagant. But what's the use?
"Open the sea market!" As soon as Su Yizhao said this, there was an uproar in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Your Majesty, this must not be done! In the middle of the Wu Dynasty, when it was still a peaceful and prosperous time, there was a proposal to reopen the Hai Market, but the proposal was not passed. It can be seen that the Wu Dynasty knew at that time that opening the Hai Market would do more harm than good."
This suggestion was strongly opposed by Zhu Hongchang, who was so excited that he didn't even wait for Su Yizhao to finish speaking.
"Those small countries are already eyeing me. If we open a sea market, we will be in constant trouble."
"I second the proposal!" Chief Assistant E Chongming immediately came out, his face was stern and his words were sharp.
"If the sea market is opened, it will be difficult for the court to control it. The merchants along the coast will taste the benefits and their desires will become stronger and stronger. The power of the merchants will become stronger and stronger, which will be detrimental to the court and the country."