You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 257 His Majesty is Wise
Household Department.

The Vice Minister of Revenue was engrossed in handling the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue.

During this period, Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue, was absent, and the Vice Minister of Revenue handled all matters, big and small, in the Ministry of Revenue.

As spring plowing began, numerous matters concerning spring plowing from various localities were continuously sent to the Ministry of Revenue. In addition, the Ministry of Revenue was also busy investigating changes to the land and taxes of powerful families.

Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue was extremely busy during this period.

Throughout the entire imperial court, the Ministry of Revenue was the busiest.

At this moment, an official from the Ministry of Revenue walked in.

"grown ups."

"These are the recent business tax revenue figures..."

The official from the Ministry of Revenue took out a document and held it in his hands, saying...

The Vice Minister of Revenue waved his hand without even looking up; "Put it on the table first, and I'll look at it when I'm done with my work."

The Vice Minister of Revenue was dealing with numerous matters related to spring plowing submitted from various regions, and his voice sounded slightly tired.

During this period, the Vice Minister of Revenue spent most of his time in busy work.

If you lack ability, you can only make up for it with time.

Compared to Xun Yu, the Vice Minister of Revenue knew that his abilities were far inferior.

Therefore, in order to handle all the matters, big and small, of the Ministry of Revenue without making any mistakes, the Vice Minister of Revenue could only spend more time.

"Yes, my lord."

The official from the Ministry of Revenue placed the data he was holding on the table next to him and then left.

After the Vice Minister of Revenue finished his work, he picked up the data that the official from the Ministry of Revenue had just brought over from the table next to him and casually glanced at the commercial tax revenue of the past few days.

Since the last morning court session, the Vice Minister of Revenue has been paying close attention to changes in commercial taxes.

However, the business tax data collected in the previous few statistics has not changed much.

If the commercial tax revenue data collected this time is the same as before, with no major changes, the Vice Minister of Revenue will prepare to submit another memorial to the Emperor, requesting him to rescind the decree to abolish customs duties.

After all, if the commercial tax cannot make up for the canceled tariffs, it will result in a significant loss of silver for the Great Zhou treasury.

The Vice Minister of Revenue's pupils constricted sharply as he looked at the commercial tax revenue figures that had been compiled.

"This……"

"What's happening here?"

The Vice Minister of Revenue widened his eyes, almost thinking he was seeing things.

The business tax revenue for these days has been tallied.

Commercial taxes are different from land taxes.

Land tax is collected annually, over a very long period.

However, business taxes need to be calculated every few days.

Because goods are bought and sold every moment, and commercial taxes are levied at the same time.

However, the Vice Minister of Revenue was alarmed by the recent commercial tax revenue data.

"how is this possible?"

"How could business taxes have increased so dramatically?"

The Vice Minister of Revenue swallowed hard, his face showing undisguised shock.

The commercial tax data presented to the Vice Minister of Revenue showed that, in recent days alone, the commercial taxes collected within the jurisdiction of Luoyang Sili had exceeded the tax revenue collected after the previous cancellation of customs duties by more than 10%.

This exceeds the tax revenue from the previous tariff cancellation by more than 10%.

What concept is this?
This only covers commercial taxes within the jurisdiction of Luoyang Sili.

If the scope is expanded to all parts of the Great Zhou, how much more commercial tax would be generated, exceeding the amount of tax previously collected by canceling customs duties?

If this surge continues, the commercial tax revenue of the Great Zhou Dynasty will be far greater than the previous customs duties in just one year.

The Vice Minister of Revenue never dreamed that commercial taxes would suddenly change so drastically, increasing by such a huge amount.

The business tax not only supplemented the previously canceled tariffs, but also exceeded the previous tariffs by more than 10%, which is simply unimaginable.

Looking at the statistics in front of me.

The Vice Minister of Revenue was filled with shock.

Initially, after the tariffs were abolished, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, looking at the compiled commercial tax revenue data, had already prepared for the worst.

But now, the Vice Minister of Revenue is seeing the commercial tax skyrocket, not only replenishing the abolished customs taxes but also exceeding the previous customs taxes by more than 10%, as if he were dreaming.

The Vice Minister of Revenue suddenly remembered that he had submitted a memorial to the Emperor during the morning court session, trying to persuade the Emperor to rescind the decree to abolish customs duties!
In the view of the Vice Minister of Revenue, the newly proposed commercial tax was simply insufficient to compensate for the abolished customs duties.

If the checkpoint tax is abolished, the tax revenue of the Great Zhou will decline significantly.

This would reduce tax revenue, which could affect the normal operation of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, Zhou Chen did not heed the advice of the Vice Minister of Revenue at the time.

Looking back now, the Vice Minister of Revenue felt somewhat relieved. Fortunately, His Majesty had not heeded their advice to reinstate the customs tax and rescind the decree to reform the commercial tax.

Otherwise, the loss of commercial tax revenue would be enormous.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

The Vice Minister of Revenue only had these four words on his mind right now.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the current commercial tax is only 10% higher than the previous tariff, and it doesn't seem to be much more than the previous checkpoint tax.

However, if we consider the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and the commercial tax is 10% higher than the previous checkpoint tax, then that figure is not to be underestimated.

Furthermore, based on this trend, the Vice Minister of Revenue could see that the commercial tax had great potential and would continue to increase dramatically.

The Vice Minister of Revenue felt ashamed at the thought that he had tried to persuade His Majesty to retract the decree and that he had questioned His Majesty's decree.

Although the Vice Minister of Revenue still doesn't quite understand why commercial taxes have suddenly increased so drastically.

But none of that matters anymore.

It would be sufficient if the commercial tax could exceed the tax revenue generated from the previous abolition of checkpoint taxes.

The Vice Minister of Revenue was deeply moved.

The commercial tax reform has now been successful, and the Vice Minister of Revenue is also very confident about the reform of land tax.

"With such a wise ruler in our Great Zhou, how can we not restore the glorious past of the Great Zhou!"

The Vice Minister of Revenue looked forward to it, as if he could see that under Zhou Chen's leadership, the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty would live in peace and prosperity, and the whole world would be at peace.

As a loyal minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty, this was the lifelong wish of the Vice Minister of Revenue.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, his mind absorbed in the sign-in system.

Looking at the unresponsive check-in system, Zhou Chen's expression was somewhat disappointed.

Since the extermination of the four foreign tribes beyond the pass, the system has been undergoing upgrades.

After so many days, the system upgrade is only 53%, barely reaching halfway, which makes Zhou Chen a little anxious.

System upgrades are so slow.

This could delay his check-in for quite a few days.

I wonder what changes will occur after this system upgrade.

Zhou Chen thought to himself.

"Your Majesty, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian is requesting an audience outside the palace."

At this moment, a palace eunuch came in to report, pulling Zhou Chen back to his senses.

"Summon the Eighth Prince."

After regaining his composure, Zhou Chen spoke to the eunuchs and guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch and guards turned and left.

moment.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, then entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"I have met His Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian greeted Zhou Chen, who was on the dragon throne, with utmost respect.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, no need for such formalities."

Zhou Chen waved his hand and looked up at the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian; "Eighth Imperial Uncle, have the funeral arrangements for Ancestor Rushan been taken care of?"

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have already taken care of all the funeral arrangements for Ancestor Rushan."

As Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, spoke, a trace of sadness flashed across his face.

Zhou Rushan had always been stationed at the Imperial Clan Court, and the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian had become accustomed to the presence of his ancestor, Zhou Rushan.

Now that Zhou Rushan has suddenly passed away, it is difficult for the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian to calm down in a short period of time, whether from a personal or other perspective.

"That's good."

"Ancestor Rushan made many contributions to the Great Zhou. If it weren't for Ancestor Rushan's battles against the Yellow Heaven Sect traitors and the Southern Barbarian priests for the Great Zhou, Ancestor Rushan wouldn't have left so quickly."

Zhou Chen sighed.

It is true that Zhou Rushan's time is coming to an end.

But as a half-step Celestial Being, even if Zhou Rushan's lifespan is nearing its end, he can still hold on for a while.

That's why Zhou Rushan died so quickly.

It was because Zhou Rushan had been seriously injured by the Yellow Heaven Sect in the four northern states and then killed two priests of the Southern Barbarians in the southern border that he had exhausted his last bit of life force.

Zhou Chen was clear about this.

King Zhou Xian remained silent.

As a member of the Great Zhou royal family, fighting for the Great Zhou is what a member of the royal family should do.

Even if it means dying in battle, I am willing to do it.

This is the responsibility of being a member of the Great Zhou royal family, and also an inescapable fate.

After sighing, Zhou Chen looked at the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian and asked, "Is there something you need to do at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Eighth Imperial Uncle?"

After a moment's hesitation, King Zhou Xian of the Eighth Prince spoke: "Your Majesty, now that the foreign tribes beyond the Great Wall have been wiped out by our Great Zhou, the world is at peace, and our Great Zhou court is thriving both inside and outside the court. The Great Zhou is on the verge of a revival."

"However, Your Majesty, as the emperor of the Great Zhou, has had a vacant harem since the Wu clan's rebellion."

"In particular, His Majesty has not yet had any children, which has a significant impact on both the Great Zhou Dynasty and our royal family."

"Therefore, the reason I have come to the palace this time is for this matter."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you begin the selection of concubines to enrich the harem."

"The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, said with a serious expression."

Even before that, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian had already prepared to submit a memorial to the emperor regarding this matter.

After all, it wouldn't do for an emperor to have a vacant harem.

Furthermore, the fact that the emperor had no heir had a significant impact.

Throughout history, if an emperor has no heir, it will cause unrest among the people and constant turmoil both inside and outside the court.

However, the imperial court was busy with military expeditions outside the pass and many other matters, so the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian did not rush to submit a memorial.

But now, the foreign tribes outside the pass have been wiped out, and the Great Zhou is thriving both inside and outside the pass.

It can be said that the revival of the Great Zhou Dynasty is unstoppable, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the world is at peace.

At this time, the fact that the emperor had no concubines in his harem and no heirs became prominent and the most urgent problem to be solved.

Therefore, Prince Zhou Xian had no choice but to hastily submit a memorial to Emperor Zhou Chen, requesting the selection of concubines.

Upon hearing what the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian said, Zhou Chen was visibly taken aback.

Zhou Chen never expected that the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian would come to the palace to pay homage to him, the emperor, for this very reason.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, the court is currently investigating how powerful families have seized land from the people, taking back the private armies of these families, and establishing a royal academy. It can be said that there are many things to do."

"At this time, the court should be eliminating internal problems. It would be inappropriate to devote too much energy to selecting concubines."

"I think it's better to discuss this matter after we've resolved these issues."

Zhou Chen shook his head and said.

After the incident with Wu Ying, Zhou Chen felt that there was no need to rush into selecting concubines.

Choosing concubines and having children too early would only increase the infighting in the harem and might even involve the imperial court.

Zhou Chen didn't want to spend too much energy dealing with such scheming and intrigue right now.

"Besides, I am still young, there is no need to rush this matter."

"I have plenty of time; I will not let my lineage die out."

Zhou Chen continued.

Zhou Chen understood what Bai Baxianwang Zhou Xian meant; he was simply afraid that the imperial line would be broken.

But is this possible?
This is no ordinary world; it is a world where one can cultivate to godhood, fly through the sky and escape into the earth, and where the powerful can burn the heavens and boil the seas.

Leaving aside the breakthrough to the Celestial Realm and breaking the shackles of life, the lifespan of a half-step Celestial Realm person is much longer than that of an ordinary person.

Zhou Chen's cultivation of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique means that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he lives as long as the heavens.

As long as there is enough luck, Zhou Chen's lifespan will be extended indefinitely.

Zhou Chen didn't want to have children too early, otherwise he would have a whole bunch of grandchildren.

He might even face a situation where his descendants rebel and usurp the throne.

what?
Still young?
Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian's lips twitched involuntarily.

When Zhou Chen was still a child, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian already had five or six children.

But Zhou Chen still claims to be young?

Young my foot!

Besides, throughout history, which emperor, after ascending the throne, has had a vacant harem without any concubines?
"His Majesty……."

The Eighth Prince Zhou Xian wanted to say something, but Zhou Chen directly waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, I understand what you mean."

"This matter is not urgent. We can discuss it after we have resolved the current affairs of the court."

"As the Emperor of the Great Zhou, I understand the importance of succession better than my Imperial Uncle."

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, please rest assured, I know what is important."

Zhou Chen looked at the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, and said.

Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words and seeing Zhou Chen's unquestionable attitude, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian had no choice but to temporarily drop the matter.

However, Prince Zhou Xian of the Eighth Prince has not given up on his plan to have Zhou Chen take a concubine.

The birth of a child by a concubine is a major event concerning the stability of the court and the royal family.

Therefore, Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, thought that after leaving the palace, he should visit Xiao He and several other important officials of the court.

If his petition alone is ineffective, then let the court officials also submit their petitions on this matter.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, the Royal Academy is about to be established. I have instructed Du Ruhui to recruit and select teachers for the Royal Academy from within the Royal Family first."

"When you get back, you should pay attention to this matter and assist Du Ruhui in properly selecting people for the royal family. You must not allow anyone to be a mere slacker."

After interrupting the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, Zhou Chen looked at him and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, bowed and said.

(End of this chapter)