Seeing that Wu Yuan seemed to be really angry, these ministers remained silent in anger.
Prime Minister Wen also hurriedly smoothed things over. He looked at Murong Haitang very politely and said: "This matter, to be honest, involves the national power of Dawu. The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue has the most say. I wonder if you have any good suggestions?"
In fact, Murong Haitang did not expect that Tian Wenxing would pose a difficult problem as soon as he came up.
There is actually no definite answer to this question, and Murong Haitang cannot guarantee that what he said is definitely correct.
"Prime Minister Wen is too polite. If you don't want to talk about good suggestions, I'll just talk about what I know. If I don't say it well, please forgive me."
Murong Haitang's voice is very soft and comfortable to listen to, making you feel like you are bathing in the spring breeze.
At least it sounded much more pleasant than Yan Fei's tone just now, and everyone responded with a smile.
Yan Fei looked a little uncomfortable, and the treatment was too bad.
If these people had the same attitude towards her just now, she wouldn't be angry.
This made Yan Fei couldn't help but turn around and glance at Wu Yuan resentfully. Wu Yuan turned away and pretended not to see him.
At this moment, Murong Haitang was also a little surprised that these people were so polite and directly recognized her identity as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Murong Haitang did not dare to hesitate and said: "You all know my previous background, and there is nothing to hide. What I want to say is that during the time when I was performing in the brothel, I saw all kinds of people.
There are all kinds of people, but do you know what these people give me the biggest feeling?”
Everyone was very curious, and they were even more impressed when they saw Murong Haitang talking frankly about his experience.
Murong Haitang also thought that instead of asking people to gossip behind his back, it would be better to admit it frankly.
"What's the biggest feeling?" Prime Minister Wen asked on behalf of everyone.
"The biggest feeling is that there are really many rich people in Dawu. Every day they spend thousands of dollars on beauties." Murong Haitang said with a somewhat humorous tone.
It also made everyone laugh for a while. If they saw this scene in a brothel, they would be very impressed.
But if I listen to these behaviors in another situation and in another identity, I feel quite silly.
"My lords, in my opinion, a brothel or a goulan is like a mirror. It can reflect a person's ugliness, and it can also reflect a person's truest side, and you can also see a person's worth."
At this point, everyone vaguely understood what Murong Haitang meant.
Prime Minister Wen even said bluntly: "Dawu is located in the Central Plains. It is rich in real estate and materials. There are many merchants from the country, and even foreign merchants come to do business, so there are indeed many wealthy merchants and gentry."
Tian Wenxing also said: "So does Lord Shangshu mean to increase taxes on merchants?"
This is indeed a good idea, and many people nodded secretly in agreement.
All the money has been made by merchants, and some people's wealth is even greater than that of the national treasury. To put it bluntly, there are still some big families whose wealth, after several generations of accumulation, can be said to be as rich as an enemy country.
And even Tianxia Family may not be able to compare with it. Although Tianxia Family has made a lot of money by relying on the franchise model, it is now gradually showing signs of weakness.
In other words, although the franchise fee can allow the Tianxia family to quickly accumulate a considerable amount of wealth, it is a bit like a one-time deal.
In other words, by next year, there will no longer be such a huge amount of money coming in, and the future will be weak.
However, those merchant families have always controlled considerable resources, and their business has a long history.
For example, cloth merchants, salt merchants, and more mysterious underground banks.
These must be controlled by big families and spread downwards, forming a monopoly to a certain extent.
But these people often take money very seriously and are easily jealous. There were many officials present, hoping to find opportunities to exploit their wealth.
So I strongly support increasing taxes.
However, Murong Haitang rejected the proposal, "Taxes cannot be increased easily, and His Majesty has reduced taxes before. If there is a sudden increase, I am afraid it will cause quite a stir, which will be extremely detrimental to my current military power.
"
Murong Haitang's analysis was very clear, and the others also frowned when they heard it.
Tian Wenxing agreed with Murong Haitang's words, but he didn't understand what was the use of Murong Haitang's words if he didn't increase taxes?
Murong Haitang did not sell out, and said bluntly: "I think we can find a way to let them voluntarily give money to the court."
"How is this possible?" Someone immediately stood up and retorted.
"That's right, this is simply impossible. It would be even harder to get them to take out the money from their pockets." Someone echoed.
Murong Haitang did not argue, but asked: "Then please tell me, sir, why didn't those people even blink an eye when they spent a lot of money in the brothel?"
"this?!"
"That's because I was seduced by beauty and in order to satisfy my own desires, I spent money lavishly." Someone gave an answer that most people had in mind.
Murong Haitang also nodded after hearing this, "What this gentleman said is good, I think so too."
"Then I would like to ask your Lords, can you understand it this way? It's not that these people are unwilling to pay, but that these people are unwilling to spend money on things they don't want to spend. But when they go out, our court can also give them things to satisfy their desires.
Are you willing to pay for it?"
Everyone, including Prime Minister Wen, was stunned.
Murong Haitang's way of speaking, which is to retreat and advance, can easily make people think deeply.
But there are still people who have no brains, "What do you call this? Are we asking our court to open a brothel for them and attract beauties from all over the world?"
These words caused a burst of laughter. If this was really the case, what would Dawu's court be like?
But it's obvious that Murong Haitang didn't mean this at all.
Murong Haitang also laughed dumbly. He was not angry. Instead, he chuckled and said: "Of course not. I don't think these merchants and gentry are only interested in women, and pointing at women can make them spend more money."
Woolen cloth?"
"Why don't you, gentlemen, think about it carefully? If you had huge wealth, what would you want most?"
The ignorant person just now also blushed a little, knowing that he had misunderstood.
Others also thought about it carefully.
Here, many people come from ordinary families, take scientific examinations and become officials in the court. It is indeed difficult for them to assume the role of merchants and gentry.
I couldn't think of a reason for a while, but there were also some children from aristocratic families among them.
Someone immediately stood up and said very confidently: "I know what those merchants and gentry want most."