Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 618 - 454 Deliberation

"Emperor! I believe that if we were to add new tax laws, it would be better to increase the existing taxes, for there is no difference between the two."

Zhang Shuo wasn’t entirely motivated by his teacher’s disdain for Gu Chengyu, but also because many officials’ interests were at stake, including his own.

"Emperor, implementing a tea tax is quite challenging. The most crucial point is that the court cannot cover every tea merchant and tea farmer, and private transactions, how would the court detect them?"

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Li Wei, pointed out an issue that hit the nail on the head.

What he said was well-grounded and lacked any personal sentiment, merely objectively stating the facts.

Xia Qing couldn’t help but be quite satisfied; Li Wei was indeed his trusted confidant, and his questions were posed ingeniously.

"Moreover, the manpower consumed by a tea tax is considerable; if the collected tea tax does not exceed the money the court has expended for it, wouldn’t it be utterly laughable?"

The Emperor frowned, these issues had already been mentioned in the memorials, yet these people continued to persist doggedly, suggesting some hidden agenda.

The Second Prince was intrigued upon hearing that it was Gu Chengyu’s proposal.

This person had been recommended by an adviser before, and he had sent people to investigate this man’s achievements. It was said that his literary skills were good, and the strategies he proposed were considered pragmatic.

However, he hadn’t really paid much attention to this person before. He knew that the adviser had backing from someone, but his death was somewhat suspicious.

By the time he realized and wanted to investigate, the adviser had already died, and the person behind remained unknown.

The Second Prince wasn’t particularly focused on Gu Chengyu, especially since Gu Chengyu was not a Champion Scholar at the time, unable to draw special attention.

However, today’s proposal on tea tax by Gu Chengyu had piqued his interest.

"Father, I actually believe this matter is quite feasible. In the Dayan Dynasty, the culture of tea is prevalent, even households with a little spare wealth would buy some for guests. Therefore, implementing the tea tax could alleviate the National Treasury’s crisis, potentially second only to the salt tax!"

The Second Prince had seriously considered that the main taxpayers would be tea merchants and tea farmers, with few commoners affected.

Commoners with tight household budgets would be reluctant to buy high-quality tea leaves, let alone buy much, so even if tea merchants raise prices, commoners would only pay a little more than before. Besides, if they really find it expensive, they can choose not to buy.

Those who can buy more and buy costly products would naturally be wealthy families, and these people wouldn’t mind the extra silver.

Therefore, he believed the tea tax was far better than intensifying other taxes, which are mandatory and unavoidable.

The Third Prince, however, thought this was unfeasible, as those tea merchants annually provided him with considerable tribute.

If this proposal were implemented, those tea merchants would lose benefits, wouldn’t it cause disorder?

The mentioned tea permit had many intricacies within; if a special government office were established, he would certainly gain fewer benefits.

All the benefits here would be distributed, which he could not consent to.

Gu Chengyu ascended the long stairs filled with resentment. How lengthy these stairs were, and whether the Emperor was anxious waiting for the summoned person was uncertain.

Once inside the hall, Gu Chengyu didn’t look around, moving forward and kneeling on the ground, loudly proclaiming, "Hanlin Academy Compiler Gu Chengyu pays respects to the Emperor! May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"

He didn’t need to glance to know that the courtiers standing on each side were all surely looking at him.

A Secondary Sixth-Rank Official dressed in a blue official uniform certainly stood out among the people.

The Emperor amiably called out, "Gu Aiqing, rise!"

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Only then did Gu Chengyu stand up, still standing at the center of the great hall.

"Gu Aiqing, everyone was just discussing the tea tax; explain to everyone the specific matters of implementing a tea tax."

The courtiers observed the Emperor’s attitude towards Gu Chengyu. They hadn’t expected such favoritism towards a small official of the Secondary Sixth Rank.

"I obey the decree!"

Gu Chengyu paused briefly before speaking, "Respected officials present, you must be aware of the content of the memorial I wrote."

"Firstly, I will talk about the differences between the tea tax and other tax laws; the group implementing the tea tax is made up of tea merchants and tea farmers. Surely, this point has no disagreement among the esteemed officials?"

Gu Chengyu intended to address issues one by one; since the Emperor mentioned it, there must be officials who disagree.

"Gu Xiu, do you think implementing the tea tax is solely targeting tea merchants and tea farmers? As everyone knows, merchants focus on profits; if they increase selling prices, wouldn’t the commoners suffer? And if they pass these costs onto the tea farmers and suppress prices severely, how would the farmers’ interests be ensured?"

Zhang Shuo, seeing the key figure, of course, wouldn’t let the opportunity pass. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Gu Chengyu smiled, "My lord! The tea tax differs from the salt tax, you say the commoners suffer, and indeed it’s true. But the commoners who can’t afford it may choose not to buy, suffering more are, of course, those wealthy large families, and these people shouldn’t really fuss over it."

The business-savvy merchants and court officials, would they lack silver to buy tea leaves?

This point coincided with what the Second Prince mentioned, even the Second Prince nodding in agreement.

"Then in that case, what if tea merchants don’t come to the government to buy permits but engage in private transactions, what then?" The Eldest Prince turned and questioned Gu Chengyu.

Upon hearing the Eldest Prince’s query, Gu Chengyu immediately replied, "Your Highness, the memorial has listed several points: firstly, setting up tax checkpoints in the tea-producing states, secondly, establishing a trading office for large tea fields to handle tea affairs, and thirdly, related penal codes must be formulated."

Gu Chengyu thought of the salt tax and used it as an example.

"Take the salt tax, the most significant tax revenue of this dynasty; the main reason is that salt is essential for the commoners, and secondly due to its strict enforcement. Smuggling salt is a felony; although some risk it, such individuals are still rare."

"Similarly, preventing every tea merchant or farmer from private transactions depends on how the local government executes it. I believe such occurrences would be rare; apprehending a few as an example would likely make them behave."

The Third Prince sized up Gu Chengyu, surprised at finding talent among the newly emerged court officials, having overlooked them previously.

"Gu Xiu, according to your statement, specifying purchase points, weight, sales period, taxes due, and the tax situations along the way on the permit is indeed convenient. However, those tea merchants were accustomed to freedom, and such strict court regulation; will they comply?"

Li Wei knew the faults they could pinpoint; Gu Chengyu had already thoroughly noted them in the memorials.

But if they didn’t express any objections, wouldn’t it make them seem too incompetent?

Besides, Chief Minister Xia wouldn’t be pleased; he needed to express his stance anyway.