When Gu Chengyu said this, the emperor also came to his senses. He thought about it secretly and found that what Gu Chengyu said was quite reasonable.
It's no good. Those salt merchants are definitely not willing to take this risk. Needless to say, the road to the border is dangerous. Wouldn't it be better for those salt merchants to sell in the nearby state capital? Why bother going there?
Therefore, when Gu Chengyu suggested that the tonnage and currency should be slightly relaxed, those salt merchants would definitely be tempted.
Not to mention that you can also take some goods to the state capital close to the border for sale, and bring back some precious furs and medicinal materials, and you can make a lot of money after reselling them.
As for the loss on the road, it is not worth mentioning in front of Yanbian. Selling salt can bring huge profits, and those big salt merchants know how to choose.
The emperor was really satisfied this time. Gu Chengyu really had something to hide. If he hadn't dug a hole for Gu Chengyu today, Gu Chengyu would have been reluctant to tell her.
"Then according to what you said, the imperial court only needs to provide grain and grass, and those salt merchants will also escort the grain and grass to the border for the sake of salt."
Gu Chengyu suddenly smiled and shook his head.
Seeing the confusion in the emperor's eyes, he continued: "Your Majesty, I still have a question, and I dare to ask your Majesty to clarify it."
"Tell me!" The emperor picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of tea. At the same time, he was thinking in his heart. He didn't know what good idea Gu Chengyu had thought of.
"Your Majesty, may I ask if the grain collected by the imperial court every year is enough to send to the border?"
Gu Chengyu has checked the relevant books and history. From the time of Emperor Jiaren, the imperial court's food supply at the border was somewhat reluctant.
It was not that grain could not be received, but that it was too troublesome for state capitals too far away from the capital to send grain to the capital, so the imperial court allowed these state capitals to exchange all or part of the grain for money.
As a result, less food was collected by the court.
The grain collected by the imperial court was not just sent to the border. More than half of it had to be converted into money. Otherwise, how could the national treasury have so much money?
Food must be kept in case of sudden disasters, so if the collected food is low, then it is necessary to go to the state capital with a lot of food production to collect food.
Gu Chengyu believes that this dynasty should be inseparable from Emperor Jiaren's time difference, after all, the tax law has not been reformed.
The emperor shook his head, "If we follow the annual grain tax, the collected grain will naturally be enough. However, some state capitals are far away from the capital. If we pay them in grain, a lot of money will be spent on the road, so it will be converted into money."
."
"But as a result, the collected grain will be less. Every year, the grain required by the border is not enough, and we have to go to other state capitals to collect part of it."
The emperor has some headaches about the consumption of grain and grass at the border. There are too many soldiers stationed at the border, and at most there are about 500,000. Besides, Dayan does not only have such a small army, but also has troops deployed in other places. The amount of grain and grass consumed every year is huge.
Not a few.
Naturally, the emperor hated Daxing, who was eyeing him with eager eyes. However, there were many warriors in Daxing, and they were all willing to fight for their lives. They, Dayan, were helpless against Daxing for a while.
Gu Chengyu confirmed his idea, calmed down, and continued: "Then if we raise food from the state capitals in Jiangnan and other places, and then escort it to the border, it will definitely cost a lot of money. Wei Chen wants to find another way to bring the imperial court to the border.
losses to a minimum.”
The emperor looked at Gu Chengyu and saw that Gu Chengyu was deep in thought, so he didn't bother him.
After only a few breaths, Gu Chengyu thought through the thoughts in his mind, and then continued: "If the salt merchants are allowed to purchase grain and grass by themselves and send them to the border, then the court will naturally not need to worry."
"Those salt merchants have many acres of land themselves, and they don't need to buy much. They then exchange grain for gold and silver to exchange for salt, and finally let them send it to the border by themselves. The court only needs to control the quantity of salt and grain.
That’s it, wouldn’t that save a lot of trouble?”
When the emperor heard this, he couldn't help but nodded. This method was indeed wonderful. Not only did the court save time and effort, the merchants also benefited a lot. It was a win-win situation!
"Then it seems that the Yan Yin issue cannot be delayed. The salt tax really needs to be reformed. You should quickly draw up a detailed package. I think the Yan Yin Yin can be implemented before the tea Yin Yin."
The emperor pondered for a moment. The salt tax has been implemented for many years, and reform is not difficult. There was no tea tax before, and if it is implemented suddenly, it will inevitably encounter obstacles.
The emperor didn't want to wait any longer and had to make a decisive decision. Once the salt yin was launched, it would be easier to launch the tea yin.
"I obey the decree!"
Gu Chengyu solved another troublesome matter for the emperor, so the emperor was naturally in a good mood.
After glancing at the emperor, Gu Chengyu did not resign, but was thinking about how to ask the emperor.
"Your Majesty, it's already time for lunch." Seeing that the two of them had finished their discussion, De'an hurriedly stepped forward to interject.
"Oh? More than half an hour has passed yet? Gu Aiqing, if you have nothing to add, then just kneel down and pay your respects! I'm tired too."
The emperor was indeed a little out of energy. The general dozed off just sitting down, feeling a little tired at the moment.
Gu Chengyu knelt down quickly, but hesitantly said, "Your Majesty! I have one more thing to ask for, and I hope your Majesty will grant me."
The emperor was a little surprised. Gu Chengyu has also been promoted. He has gained quite a lot of limelight today. What else can he ask for?
He pondered for a moment and suddenly thought that it was Gu Chengyu who proposed the tea tax. Could it be that Gu Chengyu was not satisfied yet and wanted to get some more benefits from it?
The emperor's face darkened, he wanted to see how Gu Chengyu spoke.
When Gu Chengyu saw that the emperor's expression was not good, she secretly scolded the emperor for being stingy and suspicious. She must have thought that he had some evil thoughts.
"Your Majesty, since I have been promoted to the sixth rank, I would like to ask for a favor from your Majesty and ask for a title for my mother."
Gu Chengyu knelt on the ground, waiting for the emperor's permission. He had already said a few good words for his parents in front of the emperor. If the emperor did not want to embarrass him, he would not refuse to agree to this small request.
This time the emperor was a little surprised. He didn't expect that Gu Chengyu was here for this matter.
"You do have a filial piety, and it's not in vain that your parents gave birth to you."
The emperor was very pleased that Gu Chengyu was so filial, and filial piety came first. Of course he would not refuse Gu Chengyu's request.
In the final analysis, this is just a small matter. Even if Gu Chengyu's mother is given a title, it will only be a salary every year! The money is not much, and the emperor will not be so stingy.
"I'm sure! When the official promotion documents come out, I'll ask the Hanlin Academy to draft the imperial edict for you!"
It was also because the emperor was very satisfied with Gu Chengyu's proposal today, otherwise Gu Chengyu wouldn't have been able to say this. If the emperor was still angry, then he would really have no expression if he mentioned this matter again.
"I thank you for your kindness! Long live my emperor!" Gu Chengyu could not be more calm, and his face was full of joy at this moment.