Shaohua is Junqing

Chapter 192

Imperial Palace, Baohe Hall.

"Our war with Tuhun has ended. Although we won, our national strength has been damaged and the treasury is empty. Today, the Minister of Revenue reported that this war has consumed all the savings of the treasury in the past three years. We urgently need to find a way to fill the treasury and ensure the normal life of the people. The source of treasury resources has always been the collection of taxes, but taxes have already been collected from the people due to the war. There are also many people who have been displaced due to the war. They are also waiting to rebuild their homes. If we collect taxes again now, I am afraid it will increase the burden on the people. Once it causes public resentment, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Your Majesty is right. It is indeed inappropriate to collect taxes again at this time, but the treasury also needs to be filled."

"I summoned my uncle here today to discuss how to best handle this matter."

"Reduce the expenses of each palace and government, cut unnecessary expenditures, and sell off the idle items in each palace and government. In addition, I have some savings in my house that can be used to solve the urgent problem."

"I have the same idea. This method is the most effective at present, but it is somewhat difficult to implement. Most of the people in the harem and the various offices in the capital are pampered. If the use of poison and expenses are suddenly reduced, it may cause their dissatisfaction. The public resentment plus the dissatisfaction of the ministers may get out of control if they get out of control!" The emperor was extremely worried about this.

"I understand your concerns, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Your Majesty only needs to issue an edict to explain the situation, reason with them, and appeal to their emotions. Your Majesty loves the people like his own children, and your subjects should be of one mind with your Majesty. I am willing to be the first person to pave the way for your Majesty. If the princes, nobles, and ministers have any dissatisfaction, they should direct it at me. I will never embarrass your Majesty."

"This matter is not easy to handle. I will have to trouble you, uncle. I am sorry for that."

"This is my duty, so why should I feel hardship or injustice?"

"Okay, I will immediately order the Secretariat to draft an imperial edict and implement it as soon as possible."

"Yes, I will go back and prepare as well."

"Okay, let's go."

"My minister retire."

Beitang Mo Ran returned home.

"Siyu."

"The prince is back."

"You come with me."

Siyu didn't understand and could only follow them.

"Prince, why did you bring me here?" It turned out that the place Beitang Mo Ran took Si Yu to was the treasure house of the prince's mansion.

Beitang Mo Ran told Siyu what he had discussed with the emperor in the palace today.

"I plan to take out some of the things in here and sell them to fill the national treasury. You can pick out a few that you like and keep them."

"During this national crisis, Your Highness does not have to do this for me. All the things here belong to Your Highness, regardless of their value. You can do whatever you want with them. I have been running the food store for such a long time, and I have made some money. It is enough for daily expenses, and I can even take some out for emergencies."

"All the money you earn is yours. It's up to you to spend it as you wish. However, I'm not in such a difficult situation right now that I need you to pay for it. I will take care of it. Pick a few of the things here and keep them for future use."

"Okay, since the prince has said so, I will pick a few."

The decree really caused dissatisfaction among the nobles, and they wrote letters to oppose the matter. The emperor just listened but did not make any ruling. In the end, he pushed the matter to the prince. At first, the nobles united to find the prince to reason with him. He had expected this, and he explained the reason to them, moved them with emotion, and set an example himself. He even punished a few princes and nobles who were ignorant of the world. Gradually, the nobles who made trouble stopped and began to act according to the emperor's decree.

In just two months, through the mediation of Prince Chen and the efforts of various forces, a considerable amount of funds were raised, which not only filled the national treasury, but also solved the problem of reconstruction in the disaster-stricken areas. As a result, Prince Chen's reputation became widely known among the people.