Chapter 664: Waiting for the Tuyuhun

Not bad!

Li Shimin nodded slightly: "Worldly harmony has never relied on words, nor on compromise."

"I have always remembered Zi An's words, that dignity exists on the edge of a blade!"

"I don't care whether they obey; I don't want ten thousand nations to pay tribute, I want that as long as the Tang exists, it can forever be unafraid of any powerful enemy, even if foes arrive from all sides, it can face them calmly."

"And all of this premise cannot be separated from the efforts of generation after generation, from keeping pace with the times, and from the purse."

"The Tang's tax base ultimately falls far short."

"While the noble families are now quiet and their influence shrinks, I cannot only focus on my own wealth; I must let the Ministry of Revenue become prosperous as well."

"In this way, it is a plan for the long term!"

Empress Changsun was startled, then fell silent.

How to put it, she knows her shortcomings, fully aware that as a woman, her perspective on issues differs from theirs.

Sometimes she can appropriately voice her ideas; if they are adopted, that's best, and if Chen Yan and Li Shimin both disagree, she won't feel anything about it.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Chen Yan timely paid him a compliment.

Li Shimin glanced at him: "But there's one thing I don't understand, what does this have to do with fine salt?"

"You must be using the customs duty pretext to sidetrack the discussion, trying to pull a fast one, right?"

"I want the explanation you owe me; you haven't given it to me yet."

Chen Yan felt bitterness in his heart; why does this round just not go through?

"Your Majesty, that fine salt, when in your hands, truly cannot fulfill its greatest purpose; give it to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works......"

"I know that; can you say something I don't know?"

……Fine! Chen Yan gritted his teeth and said plainly: "If I had privately discussed with you in advance, you still wouldn't know how long you'd have to stall."

"After all, what is fine salt? It's not an exaggeration to liken it to a hen that lays golden eggs; in your hands, each day you get another golden egg."

"Even if I discuss with you and you agree, you'd probably still find a reason to delay for a while, then reluctantly give it to me."

"With that time, the Ministry of Works could have already gathered massive manpower, started large‑scale extraction of poisonous salt mines, even the entire production process would have been streamlined."

"Why should I discuss it with you?"

"Better to raise it directly in the Court, pressure you, then seize the item, and settle the matter."

After speaking, he gave Li Shimin no chance to get angry, continuing: "Of course, I also know that, given Your Majesty's temperament, there's a high probability you'll get a bit angry."

"But Your Majesty is ultimately that wise sovereign; we, as a family, close the door and speak frankly; I think you can understand me."

Li Shimin: "......"

Good fellow.

Good words, bad words, damn it, you just gave me, what should I say?

What else can I say?

Empress Changsun couldn't help but smile, inexplicably glancing at Li Shimin.

Chen Yan indeed spoke quite well.

The earlier Li Shimin was terribly poor; although now he's very rich, most of it is hoarded, and aside from necessary expenses, his food, clothing, and consumption are very frugal.

Although the fine salt hasn't been fully deployed in his hands, it has already become mainstream, yielding a daily income that's quite substantial.

If Chen Yan suddenly makes him pull it out, it's no wonder he wouldn't delay a while.

Indeed, a father‑in‑law and son‑in‑law.

Calculations are tight.

Li Shimin held his breath, his complexion flashing between pale and red: "Am I that kind of person?"

"In serious matters, when have I ever lagged behind?"

Yes, yes, Your Majesty certainly isn't. Chen Yan brushed off: "It's me interpreting a gentleman's heart with a petty mind; it's my fault."

Li Shimin: "......"

Chen Zian!!

"....... Ah." Chen Yan responded weakly, "Your Majesty, I'm here."

"You're being perfunctory with me!?"

"No, Your Majesty, you must have misunderstood; how could I dare be perfunctory to you?"

"You still say no? Just now you were all 'yes, yes'!"

"I was wrong; it's my clumsy mouth, it's my fault; Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Li Shimin: "......"

How to put it.

He suddenly felt as if a fist had struck cotton.

All his strength had nowhere to be used!

Chen Yan added another explanation: "Moreover, salt as a necessity for human survival, once released, will inevitably be heavily pursued by foreign merchants."

"After all, the foreign lands outside are not like the Tang; their various resources are quite abundant, and many outside countries are very lacking in salt."

"When foreign merchants come over, they each time purchase large quantities of salt to take away; if we first release fine salt, then set up customs duties, many salt‑deficient small states will have to swallow it with a clenched nose."

"There are other issues; I won't mention them, but you should understand them."

"In short, Your Majesty, this is all preparation for the future."

In the final sentence, Chen Yan's enunciation was a bit heavier.

Li Shimin's anger in his heart suddenly released.

Indeed.

Chen Yan does this, he gains nothing himself, and it's all for the court, for the Ministry of Revenue, for this Tang Dynasty.

If he keeps nitpicking, he'll appear petty.

Moreover.

The emergence of fine salt will inevitably become a monopoly product.

If there is better, cheaper salt, who would still eat the old sour, astringent salt, or even spicy salt?

The most important thing is that this can greatly expand the court's influence and lay a foundation for future reforms.

What else could Li Shimin say?

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Many words—I have actually heard far too many times."

"You always say you're preparing for the future; when exactly is the future?"

"When will we, again, be able to fully implement the progressive tax system and take the second step?"

"His Majesty, are you really asking me?" Chen Yan was somewhat doubtful.

He doesn't believe Li Shimin wouldn't understand this matter.

Li Shimin said nothing, just stared at him.

"Alright."

Chen Yan instantly understood that Li Shimin wasn't clueless; he wanted him to voice it himself, to give him more confidence.

"Progressive tax system......."

Chen Yan pondered for a long time, then said, "I think, once we subdue Tuyuhun, and Your Majesty performs the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, that moment should be the best timing."

"Subdue Tuyuhun..." Li Shimin's eyes flickered, "Doesn't that mean it's this year?"

"As for the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai... I can perform it at any time."

Chen Yan: "His Majesty, have you been putting it off for too long?"

"Hehe, whether I have been putting it off, you know that clearly in your heart." Li Shimin gave him a sideways glance, paused, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

He stood up, hands behind his back.

"Good, with those words of yours, I feel much more at ease. This second step, I've been looking forward to for a long time as well."

"When we annihilate Tuyuhun and complete the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, that will be the true debut of the progressive tax system!"