Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 617 - 453: This Tax Is Not Feasible

Gu Chengyu was well aware of his relationship with He Jisheng. If there were any important matters, Gu Chengyu would not discuss them with him.

Therefore, it was possible that Yin Kun and Wu An were already privy to the secret, while he remained in the dark.

"Ministers, is there anything else to report?"

After about an hour, the Emperor, seeing that most court affairs had been addressed and the officials below remained silent, finally spoke.

The Eldest Prince seemed distracted, as if he had just seen Gu Chengyu outside the palace. But Gu Chengyu was only a Secondary Sixth Rank official; how could he be here?

Similarly, the princes and officials present had the same question.

Outside the hall, the daylight was bright, and Gu Chengyu’s legs were already numb.

He impatiently shifted his feet, looking at the red wall ahead, his heart surprisingly calm.

It seemed the officials attending court every morning did not have it easy either.

Before morning court, they dared not drink water or eat any liquid food for fear of an urgent need arising and causing a lapse in decorum before the hall.

The Emperor observed the silent courtiers. De An hesitated momentarily, unsure whether to announce the end of the court session.

"Hmph! Since you have nothing to say, I do. Where is the Minister of Revenue, Shen Shikang?" The Emperor suddenly shouted, startling Shen Shikang, who quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I am here!" Shen Shikang held his court tablet with both hands, bowing to the Emperor.

The Emperor’s sharp gaze fell upon Shen Shikang below, and he asked in a deep voice, "The Minister of War reported seven days ago that the court has not paid the frontier troops for over four months. Have you come up with a solution?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Shikang was caught off guard; this was unexpected!

Hadn’t the Emperor hinted before that the Grand Secretary might solve part of the issue? Why bring it up now?

Surely, they should wait for Yin Kun to return from Yingnan Mansion before discussing it further?

Xia Qing slightly lifted his eyelids and then lowered his head, staring at the floor tiles in front of him.

The other courtiers wished they could retract their heads into their necks, each not daring to breathe too loudly, as this was a recurring topic.

The National Treasury’s issue, the Emperor scolded them about it periodically.

Being the Minister of Revenue, Shen Shikang naturally bore the brunt of the criticism, and the Emperor showed no mercy when reprimanding him.

While they found satisfaction in Shen Shikang being scolded, the fact that his incompetence implicated them in the rebuke made it less appealing.

However, the issue of the empty treasury had long existed. Shen Shikang had held this position for around twenty years, and despite the reprimands, the Emperor never removed him, indicating Shen Shikang still held the Emperor’s trust.

Moreover, it wasn’t entirely Shen Shikang’s fault! How could one person reverse the current situation alone?

"This? Your Majesty! You know the National Treasury..." Shen Shikang had no choice but to reiterate the previous difficulties.

The Emperor waved a hand to interrupt Shen Shikang, unwilling to hear his excuses, "Hmph! Always the same old rhetoric. When has your Ministry of Revenue ever had a good idea? The court relies solely on annual taxes to sustain itself, yet when has my money pouch ever been full?"

The Second Prince was quite surprised, glancing at the bright yellow figure on the Dragon Throne. He had previously spoken to the Emperor about the treasury issue.

At that time, the Emperor had not been this serious. Now, with the Xia Zhou case alleviating the court’s immediate concern, why did the Emperor suddenly act with such urgency? It puzzled him.

The Eldest Prince, however, guessed part of his father’s intentions, surmising that Gu Chengyu’s presence outside the hall was definitely related to this matter.

"I am at fault, please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Shen Shikang did not know what the Emperor intended, but kneeling to beg for forgiveness was a universal tactic.

Shen Shikang was the Second Prince’s uncle. Whether out of consideration for their relationship or genuine concern, the Second Prince felt obliged to plead for him.

"Father! Even if Mr. Shen is incompetent, how can a clever woman cook without rice? Now, finding ways to fill the National Treasury is urgent, and we must be open to suggestions."

The Emperor’s temple twitched at these words; this Second Prince was unbelievably straightforward.

He felt a lump caught in his throat, unable to either spit it out or swallow it.

The Third Prince stifled a laugh; the Second Prince was indeed simplistic. He glanced at the Emperor’s face, noticing it was even more solemn than before.

The Eldest Prince, though mocking the Second Prince in his heart for displeasing their father again, decided to keep his head down to avoid inciting their father’s ire himself.

"So, does that mean I am incompetent?" The Emperor fixed an icy gaze on the Second Prince, sneering.

Seeing the Emperor’s displeasure, the Second Prince haltingly said, "How can this be blamed on you, Father? Had we adhered to the tax quotas of the previous dynasty, our revenue would be much more, and you wouldn’t be so worried. But you’ve always been compassionate, unwilling to burden the people with hardship, which is why they genuinely support you."

The Emperor’s expression improved considerably upon hearing this.

The Eldest Prince turned slightly to glance at the Second Prince; he hadn’t expected that he had underestimated him. The Second Prince spoke with unexpected eloquence.

"Nonetheless, this issue must be resolved. I have a method here today; why don’t you all advise on it?"

The courtiers glanced at each other, unsure if the Emperor truly had a solution or was merely criticizing them.

The Emperor picked up a memorial from the Imperial Desk and raised it toward them, "Eldest Prince, read it to everyone!"

The Emperor pointed to the Eldest Prince, instructing him to read the memorial’s content aloud.

Gu Chengyu had already stood outside the hall for an hour and a half, yet there was no movement inside. The timing should have been about right!

He couldn’t help but speculate whether the ministers had accepted it so readily. Was it that quick?

After about another quarter of an hour, a somewhat indistinct voice came, "Summon compiler of Hanlin Academy, Gu Chengyu, for an audience!"

Upon hearing his name, Gu Chengyu’s heart tightened. Wasn’t that his name being called? 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

If he hadn’t misheard, it seemed to be coming from the inner hall. More voices followed, clearly reaching his ears.

"Summon compiler of Hanlin Academy, Gu Chengyu, for an audience!"

...

The officials outside the hall turned to glance at Gu Chengyu, who stood at the end of the line; indeed, it was the Emperor’s special summons.

Gu Chengyu stepped left, then bowed and walked toward Taihe Palace with a solemn approach.

"Your Majesty, may I ask if this tea tax is proposed by that compiler Gu? In my humble opinion, this tax is not feasible," the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhang Shuo, was the first to raise an objection.

A few officials, seeing someone step forward, also quickly supported, "I concur!"

"Why is it unfeasible? You should speak up," the Emperor knew that implementing a new tax law would inevitably face resistance, especially from the court officials.

Zhang Shuo was Xia Qing’s senior disciple, and his first to object was due to Xia Qing’s disapproval of Gu Chengyu. As a disciple, he naturally had to step forward to express his position.

Xia Qing remained calm, knowing that this young man was quite capable; proposing the tea tax was not as shocking as it seemed.