Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 232: Taxes can only be increased if the people have money
"Uncle, why do you look so bad?"

Li Chengqian asked with concern.

Changsun Wuji complained in his heart that his nephew was asking questions even though he already knew the answer.

I don't look well, don't you know?
"Your Highness, I am worried about taxation recently."

Zhang Sun Wuji said frankly: "After discussing with Duke Liang, I will be responsible for the taxation."

"When I think about the fact that this year's growth will be no less than 30% of last year's, I can't sleep well and feel anxious all night."

This surprised Li Chengqian a little, as it was not a complaint.

But he also complained about the hardships of another job.

He also heard the helplessness in Changsun Wuji's voice.

What do you mean by discussing with Fang Xuanling that you will be responsible for taxation yourself?

It sounds nice to say, but in reality Fang Xuanling doesn't care about this at all.

Fang Xuanling was the prime minister, in charge of all affairs of the country.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs was a subordinate agency of the Secretariat. Any achievements, no matter how great, could not be separated from him, the Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat.

Fang Xuanling's great achievements in leadership should be recorded in the merit book.

Similarly, if the Ministry of Civil Affairs did not achieve any results, Fang Xuanling would also be held responsible.

But this time it was different. Fang Xuanling was sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai, very stable.

The promise was made by you, Changsun Wuji, and the goal was also set by you, Changsun Wuji.

All officials will not look for anyone else and will only recognize you, Changsun Wuji.

You have been newly transferred to the position of Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat. What you agree to in front of all the officials will become your assessment this year.

The completion of tax collection was due to Fang Xuanling's contribution. If it was not completed, it was not his fault, but the fault of Shangshu You Pushe.

It's not his fault at all.

He didn't care, typical non-stick behavior.

Changsun Wuji had no choice but to accept the offer and work for Fang Xuanling.

This is the official level that crushes people to death.

Because, at least Fang Xuanling would not make things difficult for him or interfere in this matter.

Otherwise, Fang Xuanling would secretly make trouble and not give him the responsibility of tax collection.

That day, it was really going to collapse.

It’s still that old bastard Xiao Yu’s fault for setting a trap for Changsun Wuji.

Put Changsun Wuji in.

"My uncle is worried about this."

Li Chengqian chuckled.

He just expresses his concern verbally, but will never take the initiative to show it through action.

"This matter is indeed a bit difficult to handle. Uncle should pay more attention to it."

He said: "After all, my uncle has just become the Right Prime Minister. If the tax revenue target is not achieved, there will definitely be many people who will question it."

Li Chengqian also wanted to put more pressure on Changsun Wuji.

These words made Changsun Wuji's face look uneasy.

How could I not know?

"Your Highness, I have no other ideas. I really have no other options but to ask Your Highness for your guidance."

Chang Sun Wuji said sincerely: "I hope Your Highness will teach me."

Li Zhi felt a little happy.

He roughly understood why his uncle was anxious.

I couldn't help but admire my uncle's clarity of mind.

There was no choice but to keep putting it off. The longer he put it off, the less time he would have to complete it.

We must find a way as soon as possible and complete it within a year with all our efforts.

Chang Sun Chong was a little weird. It was rare that he saw his father so helpless.

"Your Highness, please help Aye."

Chang Sun Chong felt that it was a bit too pitiful to help the old man.

I would feel really bad if I didn't say a word to help.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Since you've said that, it would be unreasonable for me not to speak up."

"Recently, Changle and the Prince of Hejian have complained to me many times, saying that they have reached a bottleneck."

Changle's tea has never had trouble selling and makes a lot of money every day.

But when you calculate it, the annual sales profit is more or less the same, with no major breakthroughs.

Li Xiaogong made a lot of money from his cloth business during the reform of the government soldiers. After the reform was completed, a large amount of cloth appeared on the market and was sold to the common people, which brought down the price.

He began to doubt his life and complained to Li Chengqian several times.

Especially as the monopoly period given to him by Li Chengqian is about to expire.

After two years, his unique advantage was gone.

Once his monopoly is no longer limited to one person and everyone uses textile machines, the price will change dramatically.

How is this still playing?
Everyone is afraid that the competition will break their heads.

The tax system is actually facing the same problem, and has encountered a growth bottleneck.

"Her Royal Highness the Princess also mentioned this to me."

Changsun Wuji nodded.

He really didn't lie about this matter. Changle did ask him how to take the tea business to the next level.

But he had no choice, he was helpless.

From what Changle said, the tea stall has been set up very well.

"That's the crux of the matter."

Li Chengqian said slowly: "If the tea revenue does not increase, the tax revenue will not increase significantly."

"This is true for the tea industry, and it is also true for other industries."

Changsun Wuji frowned, thought carefully for a moment, and finally understood the meaning of the prince's words.

"Then, Your Highness, how can we change it?"

“If you want to change, you have to understand the root cause.”

Li Chengqian asked, "Does my uncle know?"

"population?"

Changsun Wuji hesitated.

"Correct."

Li Chengqian was not surprised that Zhangsun Wuji could answer it. It would be a joke if the central ministers did not have this understanding.

"But this is one point, the most important point is that the people have no money."

He sighed, "As for money, I have said more than once that it is only valuable if it is circulated."

"Why should I ask His Majesty to go out? Why should I go out too?" "Because I want to go out and spend money."

“When money is in people’s hands, they will spend it.”

Changsun Wuji listened carefully, and even Li Zhi became serious.

My brother is going to class.

"The world's population is now 20 million, so I won't say more."

"It only takes 10 million people. How much would each of them buy one ounce of tea?"

"How much does it cost to add two or three new pieces of clothing a year?"

“How much consumption, how much profit, and how much tax revenue will this generate?”

Li Chengqian said calmly: "Some people are obsessed with profit and are blinded by one thing."

“You want your wealth to grow, but you hide your money and treat it as a dead thing.”

"Uncle, you said that there is less money circulating in the world and the people have no money."

“Who are you selling the stuff to?”

Chang Sun Wuji said: "Last year's tax revenue increased because of the development of the grassland, the layout of Anxi, and the repair of official roads."

"My understanding is that it is precisely because the imperial court is building large-scale projects that the people work hard and earn money, and then they use the money to consume goods."

"So that's why there were more than 80 million last year?"

Of course, he didn't mention that there were some incomes that couldn't be disclosed openly.

For example, the Tuyuhun side.

"Your Highness, am I understanding this correctly?"

Li Chengqian nodded, "Not bad."

“But people still don’t have money.”

"It's hard to buy a new piece of clothing a year, let alone other things."

"Their family finances are completely depleted, let alone meat."

He immediately said, "So, I was thinking, when the people don't have to worry about firewood, rice, oil and salt, and can eat meat, they can make three or two new clothes a year."

"Or buy new items for the home, such as mattresses and quilts."

"What will it become?"

Li Zhi immediately said: "The people have things in their homes, and the court has income."

"Not only that, the people are living a better life, which is in line with the unprecedented prosperity of the Tang Dynasty."

“It can be said that it accomplishes multiple things with one stone.”

He was very excited.

He understood the deepest meaning of his brother's words.

"So that's what happened."

"uncle!"

Li Zhi said: "As long as the people have money, the tax revenue will increase."

Chang Sun Chong said blankly: "This doesn't make sense. How can taxes increase when people have money?"

"Isn't money still the same money?"

"Brother Chong, are you stupid?"

Li Zhi was speechless: "Where do cotton, cashmere, mutton, etc. come from?"

"If you don't sell it, it's of no use."

“Only by selling it can it become money.”

"This is what my brother said about currency circulation. The more it circulates, the more wealth there will be..."

Li Chengqian was amazed by her beauty.

Good guy.

My younger brother is really talented.

He actually understood the underlying logic as soon as he heard it.

Changsun Wuji glared at Changsun Chong with dissatisfaction. How could this fool be his own child?
"Your Highness, after hearing what Your Highness the Prince of Jin said, I now roughly understand."

“But how can we get money into people’s hands?”

he asked.

"Uncle, didn't my brother say so?"

Li Zhi said: "Father, my brother is going out to increase the people's income by building large-scale projects."

"The emperor is going on a tour, and the Ministry of Works wants to repair the official road. Does it need any help?"

“Does accompanying expenditure also require manpower?”

“These are where the money is spent.”

"..."

Li Chengqian did not say anything, nor did he stop him, allowing Li Zhi to convey the message.

"So, large-scale construction is a good thing?" Chang Sun Chong said in surprise, "Isn't it related to stupidity?"

"Shut up!"

Changsun Wuji couldn't stand this foolish son anymore and said something outrageous again.

He is simply exhausted.

Why are the children of Li Shimin more evil than the other?

My own child is so stupid, it’s hard to carve a rotten wood.

I have been with the prince for so long, but I have not gained any knowledge.

He didn't know how the prince could endure it.

I really should thank the prince for his magnanimity and tolerance.

"Brother Chong, large-scale construction doesn't sound good."

"But large-scale construction projects that benefit the country and the people are fundamentally different."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Uncle, although you understand, there is still one thing you need to pay attention to."

"Population growth is also a key part."

"I've heard of this truth: when a person works for you, he creates value for you. You pay him wages, and he uses the wages to buy your things in return."

"You will make at least double the profit."

"For example, the cotton cloth of the Prince of Hejian was produced by the weavers. He got the cotton cloth and the weavers got their wages."

"The weaver then uses the money she earned to buy cotton cloth. In this way, he sells the cotton cloth and also gets the weaver's wages."

"But if the weaver is just working for free, she has no money."

"Uncle, who do you think will buy the things in the world?"

"Who will the Prince of Hejian sell his cloth to?"

(End of this chapter)