Chapter 326 326: Confirmation

Lord Ming cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, if all of Daqian receives tax exemptions, the national treasury will not collect a single cent in the future. The granaries in various regions will also be emptied, leading to an empty national treasury. This official believes we should only exempt the farmers, not the merchants. This way, the national treasury will not be completely depleted.”

In truth, the national treasury is already empty. Those other officials are all talk, oblivious to the hardship, always asking him for money and grain without ever considering where these resources come from, or if there’s anything left in the national treasury. Why did he propose exempting farmers but not merchants? Eight or nine-tenths of the silver in the national treasury comes from merchants; farmers only contribute a pittance each year. The Ministry of Revenue manages Daqian’s national treasury and the empire’s granaries, so he knows better than anyone how much tax silver is collected annually. Therefore, a three-year exemption is out of the question. If His Majesty insists, Daqian will face a crisis. So, never mind Xiao Yunjing; even the Ministry of Revenue wouldn’t stand for it. Besides, countless people petition the Ministry of Revenue for money and grain daily. With an empty treasury, what could he possibly provide? He certainly can’t use his personal funds. Even if he did, it would be a mere drop in the ocean. He might manage small sums once or twice, but large amounts would bankrupt him outright. He’s just an official; why should he be expected to pay out of his own pocket? And which of those in court doesn’t have their own businesses or shops? They not only have them, but they own a considerable number. How could he let such a measure benefit them?

At this moment, Imperial Censor Lord Feng stepped forward. “Your Majesty,” he said, “I fear Lord Ming’s proposal is inappropriate. All are subjects of Daqian; why exempt only farmers and not merchants? Merchants already hold a low status. Such a measure could incite public indignation. Though their status is low, merchants control Daqian’s economy. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!”

Xiao Yunjing heard this and asked Imperial Censor Feng, “Then, in your opinion, Imperial Censor Feng, what should I do?”

“This…?” Imperial Censor Feng was struck dumb. This official has no good solution. He hadn’t expected Xiao Yunjing to toss the problem directly to him. His role was to offer counsel, not to solve such matters! Wasn’t finding solutions the responsibility of the other ministers?

Xiao Yunjing surveyed the officials in the court. “My dear ministers,” he said, “feel free to speak your minds. We must devise a solution as quickly as possible.”

The military officials stood as steadfast as old pines, merely listening; these matters were headaches for the civil officials.

Hearing Xiao Yunjing’s words, the civil officials could only exchange glances, not daring to whisper amongst themselves. Those without solutions kept their mouths shut, afraid to make any ill-considered remarks.

They had all witnessed this new emperor’s capabilities, be it in literary talent or military strategy. Honestly, compared to Xiao Yunjing, these ministers were insignificant. They dared not speak rashly, terrified of being dismissed as a consequence.

Nevertheless, some officials did step forward.

This was Lord Chen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. He said, “Your Majesty, this official believes both Lord Ming and Lord Feng have valid points. Perhaps we could compromise: change the three-year period to one year.”

“And?” Xiao Yunjing neither confirmed nor denied, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials.

At this juncture, Senior Grand Secretary Zheng stepped forward. It was his turn to speak. If he, a Senior Grand Secretary, remained silent, he would appear utterly useless. So, he began, “Your Majesty, in this humble one’s opinion, exempting farmers’ taxes is feasible, while not exempting merchants’. However, we could permit merchants to participate in the Imperial Examination. Should they succeed, they would then be prohibited from engaging in commerce.”

Lord Zheng’s words immediately sparked a heated discussion among the ministers.

Another Imperial Censor declared, “Your Majesty, Senior Grand Secretary Zheng’s proposal is unacceptable! Since ancient times, merchants have never been permitted to participate in the Imperial Examination.”

Another minister chimed in, “Your Majesty, Senior Grand Secretary Zheng’s method is indeed unacceptable.”

“Your Majesty, this humble official believes Senior Grand Secretary Zheng’s method is acceptable. It would also grant merchants an opportunity. There are, after all, many talented individuals among them,” stated an official who supported Senior Grand Secretary Zheng.

“Hmph! What opportunity? Lord Wu, are you perhaps concerned because you have merchant relatives and wish to improve their family’s standing? Merchant families, even if not engaged in commerce for generations, often span several. Their backgrounds are hardly shallow!”

The implication was clear: merchants might not be upright, but they possessed considerable financial resources. If they then transformed into court officials, wouldn’t the consequences be dire? Did he not understand this?

“Lord Liu, why must you judge a gentleman with such a petty mind?” Lord Wu retorted, not to be outdone. “This old man is speaking of merchants nationwide, not any particular individual. Does Lord Liu’s own family not have a merchant relative or two?”

“You—”

Lord Liu was rendered speechless.

Xiao Yunjing watched coldly as the ministers engaged in their war of words. These were the men who received stipends from the court, yet they bickered like shrews in the marketplace right here in the imperial hall. He would purge these parasites sooner or later.

Seeing another argument brewing, Gu Xicheng stepped forward. “Your Majesty,” he said, “in my opinion, the ministers’ points are not without reason. Let us then reduce taxes nationwide, but only by one-tenth, and for just one year.”

This way, it would be seen as Your Majesty granting a measure of amnesty, and it would also placate public opinion. Moreover, the impact on the national treasury’s revenue would not be too significant. He also knew that Li’er and Xiao Yunjing possessed considerable wealth; a one-year, one-tenth reduction was something they could afford.

Xiao Yunjing glanced at him, then declared, “The Ministry of Personnel shall draft an edict. We will proceed as Lord Gu has proposed.”

“Huh?”

The ministers below were utterly astonished. Even Gu Xicheng himself was stunned. He had merely made a suggestion, and the Emperor had agreed just like that? Surely the other ministers wouldn’t think he had colluded with the Emperor beforehand?

Indeed, many ministers shot him suspicious glances.

Xiao Yunjing added, “Lord Gu’s suggestion is the most fitting.”

He offered a brief explanation: Gu Xicheng’s proposal aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. Reducing taxes too much would be unsustainable; one year at one-tenth was sufficient.

Seeing that none of the ministers below objected and were still dazed, Liu Desheng announced in a loud voice, “If you have memorials to present, do so now! If not, the court is dismissed!”

His booming voice seemed to jolt the ministers back to their senses. They immediately knelt. “We respectfully see Your Majesty off! Long live Your Majesty, for ten thousand years, for ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

Xiao Yunjing rose and returned to Taiqing Palace. He had risen so early this morning that he hadn’t even eaten breakfast. Liu Desheng promptly summoned a young eunuch to serve Xiao Yunjing’s morning meal.

“Liu Desheng,” Xiao Yunjing suddenly asked while eating his breakfast, “do you still remember the infant girl you brought from the Snow Maiden Clan?”

Liu Desheng paused for a moment, then nodded. “This old servant remembers, of course. This old servant has been searching for her ever since. Your Majesty asks this… Does Your Majesty know where the little girl is?”

Back when Yun No. 14 had interrogated him, he had suspected they must have been to the Snow Maiden Clan. Otherwise, they couldn’t have known about the clan hidden deep within the Tianshan Mountains, nor that he was the one who had taken the Saintess’s daughter. Although the Snow Maiden Clan was shrouded in mystery, it wasn’t impossible for outsiders to discover it. With His Majesty’s martial prowess, reaching the Snow Maiden Clan was entirely plausible.

The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel~fire~net

Xiao Yunjing glanced at him and beckoned to a young eunuch, instructing him to summon Wuyou. The young eunuch hurried off immediately.

A short while later, Wuyou arrived.

The moment Wuyou stepped into the room, Liu Desheng was utterly astounded.

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