Chapter 972: Who Will Step Forward

Chen Xun opposed, and Yu Qian stepped forward to support Hu Ying—strongly and unequivocally.

The Minister of Revenue couldn't help but say: "The imperial court is not short of talent; why must Lord Yu keep submitting memorials about redundant officials when we still need to cultivate more?"

"Short-sighted!" Yu Qian said bluntly. "Talent isn't confined to the official path. Every trade and profession under heaven needs talent."

Hu Ying deeply agreed, fully endorsing Yu Qian's viewpoint with both hands and feet.

"True people's strength lies not only in food, clothing, and shelter, but in education. If the Great Ming can ensure every person eager to learn can read, write, understand propriety, and practice it, then the people are truly strong;" Yu Qian said. "When the people are strong, the state grows wealthy; when the state is wealthy and the people stronger still, then the world achieves great harmony."

The more Yu Qian spoke, the more his spirit stirred, his eyes bright as if he had rediscovered the grand ambitions of his youth.

He had forgotten this feeling for too long.

Before entering office, wasn't this exactly the future he had envisioned?

Both family and nation, even humanity itself, could advance further.

But after entering office, he devoted himself to relieving disasters, investigating corruption, and fortifying the borders—not just him, but countless ministers in court with lofty ideals did the same.

During the late emperor's reign, their greatest goal was to have him draw near virtuous ministers and distance himself from villains, to overthrow Wang Zhen, put out fires everywhere, and lighten the people's burdens.

Today, Hu Ying's proposal finally reminded Yu Qian that beyond putting out fires and easing the people's burdens, they could dare to dream a little more.

Yu Qian's spirit lifted, and he threw his full support behind Hu Ying's proposal.

Chen Xun was so furious his beard seemed ready to blow off. He kept repeating only one phrase: "The state treasury has no money."

Yet more than half of the officials supported Yu Qian and Hu Ying.

Chen Xun nearly resigned on the spot and gave no one a good face throughout the entire grand court session.

As he passed Yu Qian, he let out a loud, contemptuous snort.

Yu Qian paid no mind; instead, he casually draped an arm over Chen Xun's shoulder: "Brother Chen, I don't think this is a problem for you."

"Then let's swap," Chen Xun snapped. "You take the Ministry of Revenue, I'll take the Ministry of War. Why don't you go look in the state treasury? The rats there are nearly starving."

Yu Qian: "Each has his own expertise. Minister Chen excels at finance—he belongs in the Ministry of Revenue. The village schools won't even begin until next spring, and we won't start with a grand scale. In half a year, I'm certain you can spare this sum."

Hu Ying had drifted over from behind: "I believe it too."

Believe a damn thing—he didn't even believe himself.

Chen Xun frowned: "Jingchu had a favorable year—after harvest, adjust their tax rates?"

Yu Qian's expression turned cold. He pulled his arm from Chen Xun's shoulder and said sternly: "Minister Chen, don't keep raising taxes every time you need money. Jingchu suffered drought two years ago, then last year was hit by floods from Jiang-Zhe just as rice was about to be harvested. It was barely passable—no disaster, no fortune. This year they're only just recovering. Now to impose taxes is to cut off the very breath they've barely regained."

Hu Ying stroked his beard: "Minister Chen, aren't you afraid Jingchu might produce another Deng Maoqi?"

"If you use it for the people, you must take it from them. Can you expect me to lay eggs without a chicken?" Chen Xun bit back his anger.

Yu Qian: "If the Ministry of Revenue can only increase revenue by raising the people's taxes, why should it rank first among the Six Ministries?"

Chen Xun sneered: "You said the same thing to Cao Nai last time—when the Ministry of Personnel was first among the Six Ministries."

He glanced at Hu Ying beside him and sneered: "Will you turn right after I leave and tell Hu Minister that the Ministry of Rites should be first?"

Hu Ying also looked at Yu Qian: "Yes, Lord Yu, where does our Ministry of Rites rank among the Six Ministries?"

Yu Qian: "... Chen Xun, just tell me—do you have a way to increase state revenue? No raising the people's taxes. No printing more treasure notes."

Chen Xun glared: "You won't even let me print more treasure notes?"

Yu Qian said gravely: "It's the Emperor's will," he paused, then added: "And the State Master's advice. Because of the treasure notes, the court and imperial house have low credibility. Now we must restore that credibility—treasure notes must not be printed again."

Chen Xun turned and walked away: "This won't work, that won't work—then just wait for the state treasury to collapse."

It was just a tantrum.

As Minister of Revenue, he had more than just these two ways to increase income—these were merely the easiest.

Raising taxes on the people shifts the burden onto them;

Printing more treasure notes? They're already so depreciated—what difference would another devaluation make?

Other methods included adding "consumption fees"—levying extra charges for transportation and storage losses, distributed evenly across every taxpayer;

The Three Additional Levies: Northern Levy, Suppression Levy, Training Levy.

Last year the north just finished a major war; now they must remain on guard against the Wala, with border skirmishes breaking out frequently—so the Northern Levy funds the northern army.

The Suppression Levy funds quelling local rebellions; the Training Levy funds new army drills.

The Three Additional Levies could bring in substantial revenue—just like raising taxes.

Beyond that, salt tax, tea tax, and customs duties could be raised—all commercial taxes, not people's taxes—but the State Master is actively promoting open trade, so this would be inappropriate.

Without printing more treasure notes, we can't repeat last year's practice of paying salaries in notes. Thinking of low-ranking officials, Chen Xun sighed and crossed out this option. Last year, when salaries were paid in notes, even during New Year, officials returned home with armfuls of worthless paper—some impoverished clerks couldn't afford charcoal for winter.

This year, the State Master spoke up, the Emperor issued a strict order: no more printing of treasure notes. Salaries are now half-silver, half-notes. If we revert to notes again, not only would we fail to satisfy the Emperor and the State Master, but the officials' hearts would turn cold.

What about donations?

Chen Xun wrote two characters, then pondered: what official posts could the court sell right now?

They couldn't be real positions—only honorary titles. Otherwise his reputation would be too tarnished.

Chen Xun drew a circle around it.

Aside from these methods...

Chen Xun's pen unconsciously drew one circle after another on the paper, his expression grim.

There was still one other method: land survey!

It could uncover vast amounts of hidden land, increase land taxes, and raise head taxes. It would also expose many corrupt officials—confiscating their assets alone could yield substantial revenue. But!

Chen Xun frowned deeply, his breathing quickened slightly. But if he advocated this method, Chen Xun would either be shattered after success—or, after retirement, dragged to account for it.

The State Master has done so much, yet never openly spoken a word of reform. Must the hardest point be pointed out by him?

Chen Xun snapped back to reality, saw the messy circles on the paper, tightened his heart, and immediately erased them.

Yu Qian waited three days, pressed Chen Xun repeatedly—Chen Xun said nothing. Yu Qian knew: Chen Xun refused.

He thought for a moment, then personally wrote a letter and delivered it to him.

Chen Xun thought he was mad—why write a letter right to his face?

He tore it open in one motion, scanned it at a glance, and Chen Xun froze for a beat.

Yu Qian said, "The memorial on the land survey will be submitted by me. If Your Majesty agrees, I would ask Minister Chen to oversee the matter at that time; whatever consequences arise, Yu shall bear them."

Chen Xun tightened his grip on the letter, pressed his lips together in silence for a moment, then nodded.

And so the matter was settled.