Dreaming for 10,000 years

Chapter 108 Going to court
As an official of Li Tang, he was very familiar with Chang'an City at five in the morning.

Even Qin Wang Li Shimin was the same.

After last night, he went to see Shi Feixuan secretly, and then returned to the Prince Qin's Mansion. It was almost dawn.

Fortunately, he has superb martial arts skills, so he can remain energetic even after not sleeping all night.

When he arrived at the palace, he went to the main hall with other Li Tang ministers, waiting for Li Yuan.

Soon, Shi Fei arrived at the palace. It was almost seven o'clock.

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year. After Shi Fei and his ministers and officials exchanged New Year greetings, Shi Fei said straight to the point: "A day's plan begins in the morning, and a year's plan begins in spring!"

"In the past year, we have achieved a lot, but there are still some shortcomings. I will make it short. You should go back and reunite with your families as soon as possible."

"I concluded that the reason why we were unable to quickly pacify the world over the past year was that the Tang Dynasty's treasury was empty. So I decided to establish a tax administration department."

Tax Administration Department?
The ministers were already looking at each other, pondering in low voices.

Aren’t taxes collected by the Ministry of Revenue under the Secretariat?
Why do we need to establish a Tax Administration Department?
"I think that paying taxes is the obligation of every citizen of the Tang Dynasty. Don't you agree?" Shi Fei said, looking down at his ministers.

"It must be!"

At this time, who dares to say no?

"At that time, I was still young and traveled around the world. I found that some farmers wanted to pay 50% to 60% of their rent to the previous dynasty. I was greatly inspired." Shi Fei said with a smile: "If we can collect 50% to 60% of the rich people in the world and give it to the Tang Dynasty, why worry about the Tang Dynasty not being strong?"

"..."

All the ministers and officials felt the hairs on their necks stand up. Was this dog Emperor Li Yuan going to use them as a target?
Since ancient times, in this land, those who are rich are not as good as those who have power.

A rich person without power is nothing but a fat pig in the eyes of those with power.

Therefore, merchants from all walks of life have their own backers, some are officials, and some are from aristocratic families.

Taxing the rich?
Isn't that just collecting taxes from them?
The ministers wanted to say something, but Shi Fei said, "But this is just my idea. It cannot be implemented overnight, so as not to cause unrest."

"So, can any of you, my dear ministers, recommend a talented person to take charge of the Tax Administration Department?"

Shi Fei looked at the ministers and asked.

All the ministers frowned. This was obviously a thankless position that would offend people.

But smart people have already thought about it.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Qin, is recommended by your humble servant Pei Ji." Pei Ji stepped out of the group and bowed to Shi Fei, saying, "Your Highness, the Prince of Qin, is a rare talent among men. He will surely be able to shoulder this important responsibility."

Pei Ji was more optimistic about Crown Prince Li Jiancheng. He felt that Li Shimin was too aggressive and would be detrimental to the Tang Dynasty in the long run, so he recommended Li Shimin.

"I recommend His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Others immediately realized that this position should be used to recommend political enemies!

So you recommended the King of Qin, he recommended the Crown Prince, and the whole court seemed to have become a battle between the Crown Prince and the King of Qin. Generally speaking, more people recommended the King of Qin.

Because most of Li Yuan's ministers were optimistic about Li Jiancheng. Not only because Li Jiancheng was the legitimate crown prince and could continue their power, but also because deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son would easily cause political turmoil.

Yang Guang of the previous dynasty was the second son!
"Shimin, what do you think?" Shi Fei said with a smile, "There are so many recommendations for you."

"Your son..." Li Shimin walked out of the queue and said, "Your son listens to your father. If your father needs your son to do something, your son will do it."

"Good attitude!" Shi Fei nodded and said, "The most important thing for you three right now is to fill my harem. From today on, the people in the harem will gradually leave the palace."

"I am getting older, and I am feeling more lonely."

"..." Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin and Li Yuanji were speechless.

Well, it's still for those three women. This is the image of a dad that fits their minds.

"So, let Xiuning take this position!" Shi Fei said to Li Xiuning who was attending court.

"Me?" Li Xiuning was stunned. She never expected that she would be the one to offend others.

"Women are as good as men! You can do it! I will allocate two thousand imperial guards to you to collect taxes!" Shi Fei said with a smile.

What kind of tax collection requires two thousand guards?

The ministers looked at each other and felt more and more that the Tax Administration Bureau was not a good thing.

"However, auditing property and setting tax standards is a long-term task." Shi Fei's smile faded and he said, "But some industries make a lot of money but cannot bring any benefit to the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, I want to collect taxes from them."

"For example?" Li Xiuning didn't understand what industry it was.

"For example, gambling houses and brothels." Shi Fei said coldly, "For example, there are two big gambling houses in Chang'an City, which are famous far and wide! There is also a gambling fairy among them, who has a great reputation!"

"Those people would rather gamble and visit prostitutes than work for the Tang Dynasty. They are truly disloyal to the court! They are disloyal to the Tang Dynasty!!"

"So, Xiuning, go check them out. Find out where their money comes from and how much tax they pay!"

Li Xiuning felt her scalp tingling. She knew all the gambling houses and brothels in Chang'an City. But...how could she check?
Is there no one behind every brothel and gambling house?
"Don't worry about anything. If anything goes wrong, I will take care of it for you!" Shi Fei encouraged Li Xiuning, "Later, I will send someone to teach you what to do."

"I will follow my father's orders!" Li Xiuning had no choice but to agree.

"I have decided to start the imperial examination next year..." Shi Fei moved on to the next topic.

After that, there were issues concerning spring plowing, water conservancy, and appeasing refugees.

After a morning court session, it was almost noon.

The ministers watched Li Yuan leave, and left the morning court with their stomachs growling with hunger. They gathered in small groups to discuss the contents of today's morning court.

There is no other word to describe their feelings except shocking.

"Your Majesty's words this time are quite like a move to depose Emperor Yang Guang. We must know that the world is in turmoil and governing the country is like cooking a small fish. How can we be so impatient?" Several of Li Yuan's old ministers discussed with each other and felt that Li Yuan today wanted everything and wanted to do everything.

But how can you get things done just by talking?

There must be a method and a process to do it well!
What's more, he was holding a knife to chop his subjects and make them bleed, while at the same time he was asking them to work harder.

"Even cows and horses need to eat grass before they can work!" said Liu Wenjing.

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Let's take it one step at a time!" several people said.

Li Xiuning returned to the princess's mansion, frowning, wondering what Li Yuan meant by entrusting him with such an important task as the Tax Administration Bureau when he went to court today.
Is it real taxation?
Or do you have other plans?

Just then, she suddenly heard a servant come to report.

"Princess, Shi Yanwen wants to see you! He said he came here to assist you on the orders of His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)