"Master Li, it's not that the Ministry of Finance refuses to allocate money, it's that the Ministry of Finance has no money at all. It's hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. If you really want it, take me and peel it off!"
What Zhu Hongchang said was both scoundrel and pitiful. Who wouldn't give it to him if he had money?
The emperor is determined to open the sea market, can he still object?
"But every year the imperial court collects so much tax, and the emperor is so frugal. Where does this money go?"
Li Shangshu was very dissatisfied with the old man crying about poverty every day. The soldiers guarding the border had been delayed for a month, and Zhu Shangshu kept saying that he had no money.
Zhu Shangshu was so angry that he puffed his beard and stared, "What do you mean? Is it possible that this official can still enrich himself? The imperial court conducts accounts 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 quite disapproving. Who doesn't know that the Ministry of Revenue is a fat cadre? You said you are not greedy? That's bullshit.
"Zhu Shangshu, that's not what I meant. It's just you who are overly concerned."
Zhu Shangshu was choked by the other party, and he suddenly felt that he had ten thousand grievances to express.
"Your Majesty, how much money and grain did the imperial court spend on natural disaster relief in the past few years? When the national treasury receives tax revenue every year, it will make up for the previous shortage."
As he spoke, he wanted to sit on the ground and cry.
"Take the fire in the Gongyuan this year as an example. Doesn't it cost money to build the Gongyuan?"
Zhu Shangshu sighed as he spoke, "There have been frequent wars in the border areas in the past two years. Soldiers are recruited every year, and manufacturing weapons is already a big expense. Just like this, I still owe one month's salary, and I'm just waiting for this year's taxes.
!”
He couldn't help but burst into tears as he spoke, feeling extremely wronged.
Su Yizhao watched the two bickering in stunned silence, sighing in his heart, why is the national treasury so poor?
"Speaking of wages, the border officers' wages have been in arrears for a month. When will the Ministry of Accounts plan to release the money?"
Li Shangshu watched Zhu Shangshu complain and was unmoved. Even if the Ministry of Husbandry had no money, he would have to find some money for him. Anyway, Zhu Shangshu, who was in charge of the Ministry of Husbandry, had to find a way.
Zhu Shangshu was still crying about poverty just now, but when he heard these words, he suddenly lost his voice.
He was so angry that his face turned red, and he flicked his sleeves, "I don't have any money. Even if you kill me, you don't have any money. Is it possible that the money from the treasury will give birth to babies?"
The emperor felt a splitting headache, "No matter what, the pay of border officers must not be in arrears."
"Your Majesty! The military salary alone is one million taels a month. This does not include weapons and food expenses. Aren't you embarrassing me?"
Zhu Shangshu wanted to wipe away his tears when he talked about it. If the imperial court could really open a sea market, it would also be beneficial to the Ministry of Revenue.
If the household department had no money, he would always be helpless and would have to suffer from the emperor. If the household department had money, why would he be in such trouble?
"Your Majesty, there are constant nuisances from small countries at the border, and the soldiers are already tired of dealing with them. If they continue to default on their military pay, they will be dissatisfied. What's more, the feudal commanderies have been repeatedly tempted in the past two years, and I'm afraid they will be unable to restrain themselves.
Yes, we still need to prepare early!"
Li Shangshu was very worried. No matter what, military pay could not be owed, and food and grass could not be withheld, otherwise there would be chaos at the border.
Su Yizhao tried his best to huddle himself in the corner. They were discussing important political matters. Can a little shrimp like her listen?
"Why am I so eager to open the sea market? Don't I just want to enrich the national treasury as soon as possible?"
The emperor sighed deeply. Who could be more anxious than him? Doesn't he know that Hubei is in trouble?
"But the initial investment is too huge. If this problem can be solved, then maybe it is feasible?"
Zhu Shangshu believed that this matter would probably be shelved in the next two years.
The emperor turned his attention to Su Yizhao, "Su Aiqing, what do you have in mind?"
Huh? You can really put a high hat on her, how proud of it?
The two adults on the side also immediately turned their attention to her, their eyes full of disdain.
The empty national treasury has been a problem since the founding of the dynasty. Can Su Yizhao solve it?
"I'm reporting this to your Majesty, but I can't think of any good strategy at the moment."
As soon as Su Yizhao finished speaking, Zhu Shangshu rolled his eyes at her.
Li Shangshu even said directly, "Your Majesty, if you really open the sea market, it is not impossible to recruit troops and strengthen the navy."
Su Yizhao was a little surprised. She just wanted to take Qiao off, but she didn't expect that Li Shangshu actually had a way. Let's listen to Li Shangshu's advice!
The emperor was also very surprised when he heard this, and immediately asked: "What can we do?"
"Isn't it true that the Emperor will be doing military service next year? It's not difficult to move it to this year."
Su Yizhao frowned. This ancient time was no different from the previous life. War broke out at any time and they were all fought hand to hand with cold weapons.
But she couldn't change the situation, she just couldn't bear it in her heart!
The emperor was silent for a long time, and finally acquiesced.
"But this doesn't solve the fundamental problem, it just misses an expense." Zhu Shangshu frowned.
Su Yizhao doesn't think he is a good person, but sometimes he is too selfish, and it is the people who suffer.
She stepped forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, I have a plan. Is it feasible?"
The emperor immediately said: "Come quickly."
“If the imperial court doesn’t have enough money to envoy, then we need to borrow money to envoy!”
Her words made everyone present confused. What did she mean?
"May I ask, Your Majesty? Who do you think is the richest person in the world?"
The emperor said without hesitation: "Of course they are merchants! They are the richest."
Zhu Shangshu had an idea, but after a moment, he shook his head again.
"You mean borrowing money from those merchants? How can they agree to this? What's more, it would be a loss of face for the court to borrow money from them."
Su Yizhao was a little speechless. How long has it been? Do you still care about your face?
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten the Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber of Commerce does not just restrain those businessmen. If you want to make money with the court, you have to pay some price. How can you do it just by taxation?"
Su Yizhao thought as he spoke, "It just so happens that the imperial court wants to select capable merchants to travel to various countries? Then let them pay. 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 good for them, they will not be unwilling."
The emperor and the two adults couldn't help but feel happy after hearing this. This was indeed a good idea.
If enough money could be borrowed, the imperial court would be able to open the sea market without spending so much money.
"It just so happens that it can prevent some officials from abusing their power for personal gain and benefiting from it."
Of course, it is impossible to truly eliminate it.
After all, there are so many merchants, and only the wealthy ones at the top can provide so much money. How can other small merchants and small merchant ships have such strength?
"Sea trade must be developed by the imperial court. Only when the time is ripe can those merchants take action. The purpose of establishing chambers of commerce and sending envoys to various countries is to ensure their safety and rights. This is all for their sake."