Chapter 81 I have a good idea
Seeing this, Xie Xunfeng didn't ask any more questions.
After Cai Shoucai finished speaking, he bowed and left.
Seeing that he had found some peace and quiet, Xie Xunfeng locked himself in the room.
He didn't come out until the next morning.
After getting up early and exercising, he went to court.
He knew very well that the court would be extremely lively today.
…
On the way to the palace, Xie Xunfeng found that there were several people following him.
They should be Liu Mancang's subordinates.
Xie Xunfeng ignored him. He felt that it was a waste of his time to deal with such scum.
It's time for the morning court.
Xiao Shentian looked at the people in the hall and said, "My good sons, have you come up with a solution? If this problem is not solved today, everyone should not leave the court."
While Xiao Shentian was speaking, Xie Xunfeng's eyes were not idle either.
Looking at the princes present.
Only the eldest prince and the third prince had a look of certainty of victory written on their faces.
Princes, look at me, I look at you...
However, after the two looked at each other, neither of them was in a hurry to speak.
The Fourth Prince was extremely reserved at this time, and it was hard to tell that he had already come up with a solution.
"What's the matter? I asked you to think about it for a whole day, and you're just sleeping all the time! Wen Yan, you are the eldest prince, you should set an example!" Xiao Shentian said.
Xiao Wenyan glanced around and said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed thought of a solution. I don't know if it is mature or not..."
Xiao Shentian smiled and said, "Just tell me."
Xiao Wenyan said to Xiao Shentian, "Father, if there is anything wrong with my method, please forgive me, Your Majesty..."
Xiao Shentian said to Xiao Wenyan, "You can talk about it. Today we are discussing the disaster relief funds. I redeem you from all guilt."
Xiao Wenyan said to Xiao Shentian, "I think there is no other way now. We can only collect one year's tax from the people in advance. In this way, we can definitely solve the current difficulties."
Xiao Shentian snorted coldly and said, "You've been thinking for a long time, and this is the only idea you came up with?"
Xiao Wenyan said to Xiao Shentian, "Reporting to the emperor, please listen to my detailed analysis. I said that the tax collection in advance is not nationwide. Instead, it is divided into batches and regions. For example, in some wealthy places, such as the Jiangnan area. The people there are generally well-off. Collecting taxes one year in advance will not cause any difficulties in their lives. In addition, we can collect taxes from merchants in advance."
"I've heard that in Hua Man Lou, the sons of wealthy merchants spend money . In this way, with a small-scale collection, we can collect the one million taels! Here are the details of my specific collection..."
Xiao Wenyan said this and handed in a memorial.
Eunuch Chang stepped forward to take it and handed it to Xiao Shentian.
After Xiao Shentian saw it, he was still very surprised.
He originally thought that Xiao Wenyan would definitely take out one million taels from the Wu family in the name of fundraising.
But, no one expected that he really thought of a solution.
Moreover, this method is indeed feasible.
"Good! Good, it can indeed solve the urgent problem!" Xiao Shentian said with a slightly approving expression.
After hearing what Xiao Shentian said, Xiao Wenyan let out a long sigh.
This method was suggested by Yuan Yuan, who initially thought it was too troublesome.
At this time, the Third Prince said, "Father, I think that the method that my eldest brother suggested is unreliable. Collecting taxes in advance will hurt the people. Although the Jiangnan area is rich, there are still a large number of people living in poverty. If taxes are collected in advance, some people will fall into difficulties. Besides, although this method can solve the urgent problem, what about next year? If taxes are collected in advance this year, there will be less tax revenue next year. What if there is a natural disaster next year? Continue to collect taxes in advance?"
"Besides, the wealthy merchants you mentioned are a minority after all. Most merchants are not well off. If the tax is collected in advance, their funds will be cut off and they will have no choice but to go bankrupt. So what you are doing is nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul, which will provoke a civil uprising!"
"Third Prince, you say it so easily? From the look of you, you already have a way to deal with it?" Xiao Wenyan said with a bad look.
The third prince smiled faintly, nodded and said, "Of course."
"Oh? Third brother, then tell me...what good ideas do you have!" Xiao Shentian asked curiously .
The third prince clasped his hands and glanced at Yan Song subconsciously.
Obviously, this method was proposed by Yan Song.
"Father, I have an idea. That is to promulgate a new law that will require the princes to pay money to the court." The third prince said.
As soon as the third prince's words came out, the whole audience was in an uproar.
After hearing what the third prince said, the eldest prince looked at the third prince as if he were a madman.
"Are you crazy? Do you want to cause a mutiny? Is this your idea or Yan Song's..." The eldest prince spoke directly.
After hearing what the eldest prince said, Yan Song stepped forward and said, "Eldest Prince, this is what the Third Prince meant! It is also what I mean! Our Great Xia is a country with vast territory and abundant resources, and it is also the most powerful country among the Three Kingdoms. However, only we ourselves know that our Great Xia is strong on the outside but weak on the inside! The reason is that there are too many princes. The best one-third of our Great Xia territory was given to various princes! However, once the princes' territories are in trouble, they will ask the court for money. However, they have never given a single cent of their tax revenue to the court."
"The princes nowadays have become leeches clinging to Daxia! We are not trying to reduce the power of the vassal states, we just want them to hand over a portion of the taxes! I have made a preliminary calculation. If the princes of the country are willing to hand over one-third of the taxes, our Daxia treasury can earn 120,000 gold a year."
At this time, Wu Guozhang said quietly, "Grandmaster Yan, you are thinking too simply. If you ask the princes to surrender, will they surrender obediently? Since ancient times, there have been many civil strife caused by the reduction of the princes. Moreover, those princes are brothers of the previous emperor and your majesty! What is your intention in proposing this method? I think you want to provoke a mutiny and make your majesty fall into a situation of disloyalty and unfilial piety!"
Grand Tutor Yan said with a bad face, "My method is beneficial to the country and the people! The princes will always understand that when the water rises, the boat will rise! As long as Daxia is doing well, the princes will be well! But you are thinking of collecting taxes from the people in advance, which is a move that will harm the country. Did you come up with this idea with your buttocks?"
Seeing the two sides arguing fiercely, the fourth prince, who had been silent all this time, took a step forward and said, "Father, I have a good plan!"
