After the child's mind was read, the tyrant caught the male queen with a black face

The Minister of Revenue frowned and said, "I don't have any."

"You have it, you have it!" The Minister of War suddenly felt a surge of resentment in his heart, "Minister of Revenue, the princes of Daxia each have their own armies, and the other three countries are also eyeing Daxia covetously. If we cut our own funds, it would be tantamount to cutting off one of our own arms."

The Minister of Finance sneered: "If we don't cut military spending, where will the money come from?"

Minister of War: "Taxes, mines..."

Minister of Revenue: "Shut up! Do you know how much I spent to settle the accounts?! The treasury can be maintained now, but the rainy season will come soon. Do you know how many floods and disaster victims there will be in the southern part of Daxia? If we don't fill the treasury now, and there is no money to comfort the victims, then these refugees will become the sharp knife of the rebels to stab Daxia, and Daxia will be unstable!"

The Minister of War choked up and lowered his voice: "Then you cut the military budget in half at once, that's too much! How can our military maintain stability?"

The Minister of Finance softened his attitude a bit, took out an abacus and said, "We can discuss the specific reduction amount. For example, 48%? Don't be angry, how about 46%?"

The Minister of War angrily said, "Are you going to the market to buy vegetables?!"

It seemed that the Minister of Revenue was about to quarrel with the Minister of War again.

The Prince's tutor at the side suddenly came out and said loudly: "Your Majesty, this old minister does not agree to cut military spending."

The courtiers looked over instantly.

The Minister of Finance frowned and said, "Master Taifu, if we don't cut military spending, what will happen to the people of Daxia? Natural disasters..."

The Prince's tutor held out his hand to stop the Minister of Revenue: "Be patient and listen to what I have to say."

The Minister of Revenue was stunned.

The Prince's tutor said slowly, "The Minister of Revenue wants to cut military spending in order to fill the national treasury. But to protect the national treasury, it is not necessary to start with military spending. Recently, I have read the classics and found that since the Xia Kingdom divided the world, the princes have paid a large amount of tax silver to the central government every year. But in order to show favor to the princes and stabilize the royal power, the late emperor directly reduced the tax silver of the princes' territories by nearly 80%. I think it is better to start by collecting taxes from the princes to save the national treasury."

The emperor looked up at the Prince's tutor: This should be what the system has mentioned before. I didn't expect that the proposer was the Prince's tutor.

The Minister of Revenue seemed to be thoughtful: As long as the money can be given to the national treasury, he doesn't mind how the money comes.

The Minister of War stroked his beard and thought it was a good idea. Not only did it not require cutting military spending, but the military might even have to fight with the disobedient princes. He agreed.

Among the other court officials, some agreed, but some looked hesitant.

At this time, the Minister of Personnel suddenly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate."

The emperor looked at the Minister of Personnel and said, "Speak."

The Minister of Personnel bowed and said, "I think this move will easily provoke the princes and cause unrest in Daxia. I think it is best to maintain the current situation and continue to implement the Enfeoffment Order. Instead of provoke the princes, it is better to cut military spending."

The Prince's tutor stood up and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I do not agree with what the Minister of Personnel said. First, a strong army is the foundation of Daxia's stability. Cutting military spending is like cutting off one's own arm. Moreover, I am only proposing to restore the tax system set by Daxia's founding emperor. This is respecting the ancients. How can it be said that it is forcing the princes? If the princes rebel for this reason! I think these people are ambitious and will rebel sooner or later. Such thieves..."

At this point, the Prince's tutor glared, raised his hand and clenched his fist, revealing his strong forearm muscles: "He should be executed!"

Soon, the court officials were divided into three major factions.

The court officials who supported the tax increase, led by the Prince's tutor, called for a peaceful evolution to avoid being picked up by other countries while the central government was strong. The court officials who did not support the tax increase, led by the Minister of Personnel, gave examples to oppose it.

The officials of the Ministry of War faction nodded to the Prince's Tutor one moment and applauded the Minister of Personnel the next, acting like a fence-sitter who was always swayed by the wind.

The emperor glanced at everyone and he knew it very well.

The Prince's tutor and the Minister of Personnel had no bad intentions, and their ideas were all reasonable. As for the Ministry of War, they were not fence-sitters, but they knew very well that no matter who had the upper hand, they would have no shortage of battles to fight! The only difference was whether they would fight a more prosperous battle or a more difficult battle with more battlefields.

But how to do it…

If the princes had not approached Yuan Ruan this time and there had been no systematic exposure, the emperor would indeed be more inclined to the Prince's tutor's approach, not cutting military spending and increasing taxes on the princes. If they dared to rebel, they would be destroyed together.

But considering the attitude of several princes to seek peace and surrender, the emperor came up with another idea.

Having an idea, the emperor coughed lightly.

The originally noisy court suddenly became quiet. The court officials lined up again, bowed respectfully, and waited for the emperor's instructions.

The emperor said: "Military spending will not be reduced."

The Prince's tutor's eyes lit up.

The emperor continued: "Nor will we impose additional taxes on the princes."

The smile on the Prince's tutor's face froze.

After hearing this, the officials on both sides were confused. What was going on? No military spending? No tax increase? Maintaining the status quo?!

At this moment, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue became anxious: Your Majesty, this cannot happen! The national treasury cannot survive the rainy season! Are we going to have to work overtime indefinitely again? !

The emperor glanced at everyone and said, "But in order to promote the imperial examination system, I now order that all the ministers above the fourth rank of the princes must be appointed by the central government. In addition, all officials recruited by the princes must also pass the Daxia imperial examination."

The courtiers were dumbfounded: !!!

what!

Play so big!

The princes of the Daxia period had great autonomy. Although their local officials would be evaluated by the Ministry of Personnel, everyone knew that it was just a formality, because the princes did not refer to the evaluation of the Ministry of Personnel when hiring people. They generally used members recommended by their own fiefdoms.

Now the emperor's move is almost equivalent to undermining the political system of the princes.

This move gave the princes a much greater incentive than paying more taxes.

The Minister of Personnel was dumbfounded and whispered subconsciously: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, do you want a civil war this year?"

The Prince's Tutor was a little frightened by the Emperor. Although he wanted to take action against the princes, he had never thought of taking such a violent action against all of them at once.

The Prince's tutor could not help but bow and said, "Your Majesty. It is good to cut the grass and root it out, but the time is not right now. How about we discuss it after we conquer the State of Chen?"

The emperor glanced at everyone and said calmly, "What is safe? Who can give me an idea that is completely safe, will not cause the princes to rebel, and can provide money for the treasury?"

The courtiers were silent.

At this time, only the officials from the Ministry of War were very excited.

The Minister of War patted his chest, cupped his hands and said bluntly: "Your Majesty, what a wise word! There is no way to have the best of both worlds in this world. I think it's okay, Prince Yan and Prince Jing can be left alone for the time being. As for the other princes, ha, they are not enough for the Lin family twins and the seven sons of the Shi family to share, not enough..."

The Minister of Revenue did not care about the impoliteness in front of the palace, and clapped his hands vigorously, pushing the Minister of War away a little:...Shut up, you troublemaker.

The Minister of War wanted to say something, but seeing that the Minister of Revenue’s expression was about to change with anger, he kept silent.