Treasury conundrum

Li Shimin was really happy. He knew that he had to have the best palace mounter carefully frame the calligraphy.

When it was finished, he would hang it in his study. This would not only allow his subjects to see his ambitions and confidence as an emperor, but would also inspire himself from time to time.

It was perfect, just perfect. If it weren't for other matters at hand, Li Shimin would have wanted to hug the calligraphy and return to the palace.

Moreover, the calligraphy by Xiao Zhang the shopkeeper was clearly different from his favorite Feibai, which inherited the regular script of the second prince, pursuing elegance and style.

Xiao Zhang's calligraphy was clearly unique and grand, which was even more appropriate for this poem.

In Li Shimin's eyes, it was suitable no matter how you looked at it, and he liked it no matter how you looked at it.

Hongyu was also amazed by it. She was not from a small family and could definitely make her own judgments on whether a poem was good or not.

But even with the most critical eye, she could not find fault with Xiao Zhang the shopkeeper's poem or calligraphy.

Upon closer inspection, Hongyu noticed that Xiao Zhang the shopkeeper didn't seem to be a weak scholar. Instead, he appeared to be very upright, more like a military general than a civil servant if she had to describe him in one word.

A military scholar, one who could both write poetry and lead troops to attack cities and seize land, like Zhou Yu in the Three Kingdoms.

Upon further thought, such a young man was already very outstanding. Now that he had a close relationship with the emperor and met in the market, they could be called friends, maybe he would become a duke in the future?

Thinking about these things, the more Hongyu thought, the more she became infatuated.

Empress Chang sun saw Hongyu's infatuated look and couldn't help but secretly smile. This little girl had previously looked so cold that she had thought Hongyu didn't want to get married.

But now, from her eyes, she was clearly a girl with a spring heart.

Li Shimin also calmed down from his excitement and sat down, smiling and saying,

"We are really carefree, with five thousand taels of cash lying outside on the carriage, yet we are discussing poetry and songs here. It is rare to have such a wonderful thing in the world."

Zhang Nuo was stunned upon hearing this. You brought money here, so what does this nonchalant attitude mean?

Is Li Shimin showing off and acting cool in front of me?

No way, how could Li Shimin be the only one showing off? Otherwise, what was the point of his presence on blog for so long?

Therefore, Zhang Nuo almost blurted out the word "money", but immediately swallowed it back. He casually called out to Mr. Fang and said,

"Mr. Fang, go outside and talk to the people that Li brought. Move the money directly to the back and don't delay our drinking and chatting."

Li Shimin smiled and gave Zhang Nuo a big thumbs up. Xiao Zhang the shopkeeper was amazing!

But he didn't forget to come today, and there was a big issue he needed to discuss with Xiao Zhang. It was the treasury revenue increase issue that he had been holding back on asking about several times.

At this morning's court meeting, not only the Ministry of War but also the Ministry of Personnel was discussing it.

The Ministry of Personnel found that the housing subsidies given to officials seemed insufficient. Many newly appointed officials who came to serve in Chang'an City couldn't find suitable housing even with the subsidies they received from the government.

But if their salary was included, they wouldn't have enough money to feed themselves.

The problem was brought to Chang Sun WuJi, but he had no solution. He knew that the rent in Chang'an City had increased, as his family had several properties for rent.

The Ministry of Personnel communicated with the Ministry of Revenue, but they simply replied that they didn't have the money.

This made Chang Sun Wu Ji frustrated. So, he decided to bring it up at the court meeting.

Of course, it ended up being a discussion of saving money and cutting back on expenses.

At the moment, they haven't found any places to save money, but they have many places to spend money.

Li Shimin had no choice but to come to Xiao Zhang for advice.

First, Zhang Nuo went to the kitchen to prepare the steamed pork belly, and then he instructed Da Zhuang and Xiao Zhuang before returning to the table to hear Li Shimin's question.

"Xiao Zhang, my friend, do you think there is a way to solve the treasury's deficit?"

Zhang Nuo looked at Li Shimin as if he were a fool and said,

"Li, are you okay? Why are you thinking about these things all day long? Is it because your food isn't tasty, or is it because your wife is making you unhappy? Just live your life, why bother with these things?"

Li Shimin didn't know how to reply to Zhang Nuo's statement. Wasn't this his job?

But he didn't want to reveal his identity so soon, so he used the excuse he had prepared earlier and said,

"Well, it's not me, but a relative of mine who works at the Ministry of Revenue. They have been worried about the treasury's deficit lately. If you have any good suggestions, my relative will report to the officials and mention your name."

"Maybe the emperor will know about your wisdom, my friend. After all, you will have to become an official someday!"

Zhang Nuo nodded in agreement. It seemed like a good idea to make a name for himself at the court meeting.

He then said,

"If that's the case, let me give you my opinion. The treasury's deficit is due to insufficient revenue, so why not collect more taxes?"

Li Shimin was a little disappointed. Why did Xiao Zhang also suggest raising taxes?

If they kept doing this, people's resentment would rise, and there could be an uprising.

Seeing Li Shimin's expression, Zhang Nuo knew he had misunderstood and laughed as he patted his shoulder,

"I said, Li, what are you thinking? You don't think that the taxes collected are from those poor farmers, do you?"

Li Shimin was taken aback. Wasn't it the farmers who were supposed to be taxed?

Zhang Nuo smiled and leaned back, his face faintly amused.

"Li, you have to understand that after toiling in the fields for a year, the farmers' harvests, after deducting their own food expenses, are only worth so much. Even if the government targets the farmers, how much can they really collect?"

"The most important thing is that if the agricultural tax changes, it will cause chaos throughout the country. How could I suggest such a bad idea to your relatives? That would tarnish my reputation! Or do you not trust me, Li?"

Li Shimin was used to being ridiculed by Zhang Nuo every time he visited him, and this time was no exception. He licked his lips and apologized to Zhang Nuo.

Zhang Nuo didn't mind and continued,

"Ultimately, if the treasury wants to increase revenue, it has to collect commercial taxes. That's where the real money is. If it's done right, the emperor may even exempt agricultural taxes in the future!"

Li Shimin didn't hear anything else, he only heard that collecting commercial taxes could exempt agricultural taxes, and his eyes immediately lit up!