The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

Chen Huai'an said frankly, "Pei Ju is getting old. If he is willing to give up the position of Minister of Revenue, then I am naturally willing."

"Don't worry, I can handle it!"

Pei Ju: "..."

In fact, Pei Ju is already seventy-nine years old this year, but he looks energetic and spirited. However, it's hard to say when he might die.

"You..." Pei Ju pointed at Chen Huai'an, trembling with anger, "Anyway, I don't agree."

"I admit that this revenue was generated by your Ministry of Works, but rules are rules. The Ministry of Works does its job, and the Ministry of Revenue does its job. Rules cannot be broken."

"If this precedent is set, and everyone follows suit, what will be the point of the Ministry of Revenue's existence?"

"Oh, so because your expenses are high, the money has to stay in your ministry?"

Pei Ju scoffed, "There's no such logic in the world."

"If that's the case, doesn't the Ministry of War need supplies and funds? Does the Ministry of Rites need money to handle various ceremonies? Do the officials under the Ministry of Personnel need salaries? What about the Ministry of Justice? Doesn't the Ministry of Justice have any expenses?"

"They all have it. Does that mean that once taxes are collected, everyone will just divide the money up?"

Li Shimin and the other officials nodded silently, agreeing that this was indeed the case.

Chen Huai'an held up one finger: "First, I didn't say that all the revenue would stay with the Ministry of Industry. What I want is at least 40% to ensure that I can do what I need to do next without having to depend on the Ministry of Revenue."

"Of the remaining 60%, 30% will go to the Ministry of Revenue for regular military and political expenditures, and the remaining 30% will be jointly managed by the Ministry of Works for emergencies. For example, if problems arise in any area, and the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works are unable to cope, this money can be used."

Upon hearing this, many people in the court had their eyes light up, and even Li Shimin's expression changed slightly.

Because 30% flowed into the Ministry of Personnel for joint management, 30% was given to the Ministry of Revenue, and 40% remained in the Ministry of Works for handling major matters.

What does this mean?

This means that most officials in the Ministry of Revenue and the imperial court, including Emperor Li Shimin, will be able to share in the benefits!

Du Ruhui could only admire Chen Huai'an's brilliant move in his heart.

He felt that Chen Huai'an probably initially wanted to leave all the money in the Ministry of Works, but when he found that it wouldn't work, he immediately changed his mind and came up with a plan that would benefit everyone.

Otherwise, the Ministry of Works would probably have difficulty retaining even 40% of its workforce.

Chen Huai'an continued, "There needs to be enough trust between the court and the people. If I were to hire people, I would have to pay them their wages on time. Only in this way can the people work willingly and even happily."

"And what kind of people you people in the Ministry of Revenue are, I don't need to tell you, do I?"

"Unless it involves the mobilization of military rations, the distribution of disaster relief funds, or His Majesty's repeated urging, your Ministry of Revenue will drag its feet for as long as possible."

When this was mentioned, many people in the court subconsciously nodded in agreement.

That statement is absolutely true; that's exactly how the Ministry of Revenue operates!

"Finally..." Chen Huai'an said calmly, "This period is three years. After three years, the Ministry of Works will no longer be responsible for this money. At that time, His Majesty will decide where to spend this 40% of the revenue."

"..."

"Oh dear, Minister Chen..." Pei Ju's expression brightened, and he immediately put on a smiling face. "I was speaking too loudly just now, and I acted impulsively again."

"We're all one family, these things are easy to discuss, easy to discuss!"

Officials: "..."

Li Shimin: "......."

Everyone was speechless.

He truly deserves to be called a veteran artist.

You've lived over seventy years in vain; your face-changing is so smooth.

We are far inferior to them.

Pei Ju scoffed at the disdainful looks from everyone.

Have you ever been to the Ministry of Revenue?

How painful is it to know you have no money and then have everyone asking you for money?

Besides, Chen Huai'an has already said so much, drawing everyone into a group with shared interests. What else can I say?

If we don't agree, are we supposed to go against everyone? And ruin our relationship with our financial backers?

Chen Huai'an was speechless.

That really proves it.

Xuanwu Grand Stage – Don't come if you don't have the guts!

In the main square of the imperial court, if there's nothing to do, please applaud!

It's true what they say, the old lady crawling into bed made the grandpa laugh!

Li Shimin's gaze swept over Chen Huai'an and Pei Ju, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

"Your Majesty, do you agree?" Chen Huai'an asked.

Li Shimin smiled faintly: "Alright, let's do it this way. Minister Chen's request... well, it's reasonable for you. It's not a bad idea to set a precedent."

"I allow you to keep 40% of the revenue in the Ministry of Works' accounts, and the remaining 60% to be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel respectively."

"As for... you need to mine iron ore and hire people, I want you to discuss with Yu Shao of the Directorate of Works and come up with a complete and feasible plan. Only after I approve it can we proceed."

"Your subject understands." Chen Huai'an bowed and looked at a middle-aged man of about forty-seven or forty-eight years old who was not far from him.

He is Yu Shao, the current head of the Imperial Workshop, a third-rank official and the Grand Master of Works.

In fact, within the imperial court, the Ministry of Works, the Directorate of Works, and the Directorate of Imperial Household were the closest to each other.

Because the Ministry of Works was responsible for formulation, planning, approval, and supervision, the Directorate of Works was the real organization that led the craftsmen to do their work.

The Imperial Household Department was responsible for craftsmen specializing in handicrafts, including royal utensils, official attire, military equipment, and metal casting.

The original Mo Dao was crafted by the person in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

Simply put, one person is responsible for coming up with the plan, and the other two are responsible for its execution!

Now that we're starting construction, we'll naturally be working with the people from the Imperial Workshop.

"..."

Yu Shao smiled and nodded to Chen Huai'an.

He had never dared to underestimate the newly appointed Minister of Works, and held him in goodwill and was very respectful, not looking down on him because of his age.

Looking back now, Yu Shaoke is so glad he didn't underestimate the other party.

It is foreseeable that the other party will soon lead them to monopolize ironware and achieve one impressive political achievement after another.

Yu Shao thought his life was over, and he might be dismissed at any time, but now Chen Huai'an is leading him to new heights...

All Yu Shao could say was: "Your Excellency, please give me your orders!"

I really want to improve!

Ahead, Xiao Yu sighed silently.

He actually felt that it would be better to use that revenue for other things.

In his view, pacifying the people, strengthening the army, promoting agriculture, and building a foundation were all far better than constructing granaries, no matter which direction they were applied to.

Right now, it's clearly more important to focus on restoring people's livelihoods. Why worry about trivial matters?

Is it really necessary to rush into building a charity granary?

With that effort and money, even dredging the Guangtong Canal from Chang'an to Tongguan and restoring the grain transport capacity of Guanzhong would greatly reduce grain prices in the Guanzhong region.

Isn't this better than building a charity granary that we don't know if it will even be used?

However, since Li Shimin had already agreed to this matter, Chen Huai'an couldn't possibly agree with his idea, so there was no point in saying anything.

"Alright!" Li Shimin stood up. "Let's settle this matter here. We can discuss the rest later."

"Today is the day to appoint the Crown Prince!"

"..."