At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

The capital of Yu is in turmoil, and undercurrents are surging within Tingfeng Pavilion.

"Four hundred thousand... just once!"

"Four hundred thousand...twice!!"

In the main hall on the first floor, Liu Chen's resounding words echoed, creating an atmosphere of extreme tension, especially among the bidding participants, many of whom had their hearts pounding.

"Four hundred thousand..."

Standing on the high platform, Liu Chen scanned the group of bidders in front of him, as well as the group bidding in the private rooms on the second and third floors, and spoke calmly.

"Five hundred thousand!!"

Just as Liu Chen was about to finalize the decision, a detached voice rang out, causing many people to show surprise. All eyes turned to an inconspicuous corner in the main hall on the first floor.

Then they saw an unremarkable middle-aged man slowly putting down the bidding invitation he had been holding.

"Five hundred thousand!! Can you come up with that?!"

"Your Highness the Prince Consort!! He's just causing trouble!!"

"That's right!!"

Almost simultaneously, some of the people sitting there stood up indignantly and questioned him. Some even pointed at the man with righteous indignation and glared at Liu Chen on the platform to accuse him!

This move drew agreement from some of the groups sitting in the private rooms on the second and third floors.

For those familiar with border trade, the investment of 500,000 taels of silver for a tea trade with the Northern Barbarian Murong, which had a limited term of only six months, was simply too great.

If the tea leaves are bundled together, it might still be worthwhile.

But Liu Chen was too cunning; he actually bundled popular items with some dispensable ones for bidding, which was unbearable.

"Quiet! Quiet!!"

Faced with this situation, Liu Chen, with a stern face and cold eyes, said: "Whether or not one can produce the bidding money is not the matter to be checked at this time. However, the bidding for the border trade positions summoned by the Customs Administration is related to the central government's national policy of reopening border trade. Anyone who dares to cause trouble and delays in the implementation of the national policy will not be let off lightly by the Customs Administration!"

At this point, Liu Chen's cold gaze fell upon the unremarkable middle-aged man.

Anyone with a discerning eye could understand the meaning behind Liu Chen's words.

If you respond positively, everything will be fine.

Anyone who intends to cause trouble will be severely punished!

All eyes turned to that person once again.

“The Prince Consort is right.”

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the man slowly rose and said calmly, "His Majesty cares for the world and the people, which is why the borders have been reopened. Our Huitong Trading Company is a benevolent organization, and we are grateful for such a benevolent policy. How could we possibly have the intention to cause trouble?"

“It’s really…”

"enough!!"

Liu Chen's reprimand rang out, "The auction is not over yet! Anyone who disrupts the auction will be expelled from Tingfeng Pavilion!! The deposit will also be confiscated!!"

"Sit down, everyone!!"

"Those who do not wish to participate in the auction, please leave immediately!!"

As soon as Liu Chen finished speaking, some of the constables from various stations stepped forward and reprimanded him.

Under these circumstances, the man who was bowing to the sky was the first to sit down, maintaining a calm expression throughout, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

As for the others, many of them sat down, suppressing their anger.

"Continue bidding!!"

Liu Chen coughed twice, his eyes cold and sharp, and said in a deep voice, "Five hundred thousand... once!!"

"Haha~"

Upon hearing Liu Chen's call, Chu Ling, who was sitting in a private room on the third floor, revealed a faint smile.

But Xiao Jing, standing to the side, had a complicated expression.

How many of these people were actually placed there by His Majesty?!

Recalling everything that had just happened, Xiao Jing's heart was still unsettled. It was too thrilling, too tense. Regarding the border trade between Nanzhao, Dongyu, and Xichuan, the groups gathered here, whether in the main hall on the first floor or the private rooms on the second and third floors, were secretly testing and maneuvering each other, which Xiao Jing found utterly outrageous!

"Are you still thinking about opening up the borders of Nanzhao?"

Chu Ling flicked his sleeves, picked up the teacup beside him, and looked at Xiao Jing with a smile.

"minister…"

Xiao Jing hesitated for a moment, but quickly followed up, saying, "I am indeed worried. After all, our dynasty has always been tough on the remnants of Nanzhao. If this matter spreads, it may cause considerable controversy, or even turmoil, in the court and in the provinces."

A smart person is someone who can see things clearly.

Hearing Xiao Jing's words, Chu Ling felt a sense of approval.

He knew that Xiao Jing was surprised and suspicious, at least at this moment, not about opening up the border with Nanzhao, but because he had mentioned Nanzhao, he just went along with it.

"Whether it's controversy or turmoil, I don't really care."

Chu Ling took a sip of tea, then put down the teacup, a look of melancholy on his face. “I only know one thing: if we keep relying on blocking and suppression, it will only harm the interests of the nation in the end.”

"The remnants of Nanzhao have always been suppressed and blocked by our dynasty, but even now, the remnants of Nanzhao still stand firm. Although they are in the south of the southern border, the territory is vast and borders a vast sea. Perhaps there are other countries or forces in this sea."

"But after reviewing many documents and secret memorials, I discovered that there are many signs of secret contact with the remnants of Nanzhao. I'm afraid that some of them have been engaged in smuggling and border trade."

"When I was in Shanglin Garden, I talked with Marquis Chenyang about the Nanzhao Kingdom. Do you know what Marquis Chenyang said to me that I still can't forget?"

At this point, Chu Ling looked at Xiao Jing.

"Your subject is dull-witted."

Xiao Jing quickly bowed and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

"It's better to guide than to block!"

Chu Ling sighed softly, "It was this sentence that made me think a lot. When the central will is transmitted downwards, how many people actually understand the central will pushing it down, and how many people pretend to be confused and delete what is not in their own interests before transmitting it down?"

"I know the relationship between the central government and the local governments is very complex. The central government has its own difficulties, and the local governments have their own predicaments. Against this backdrop, how many people have chosen to go against the will of the central government, causing some good decisions to gradually turn into lukewarm policies, or even bad policies that are harmful to the local people?"

"This is a question worth pondering."

"Just like this bidding for border checkpoint positions, how many of the participants consider themselves clever and want to sabotage the bidding in secret, so that the central government's reopening of border checkpoints will not achieve the desired results?"

Xiao Jing felt a sense of surprise.

He heard clearly what the emperor meant!

"It's not good for a person to be too self-righteous."

Chu Ling said with a half-smile, "When the central will transitions from chaos to unity, some people still try to rely on the old methods to continue stirring up the changing winds and clouds, thereby seeking personal gain, and even at the cost of harming the interests of the nation and the foundation of the country. Then they have a way to die."

"Without a stable global order, everything that many people think they have gained will inevitably be lost in the face of new upheavals. Yet, some people just can't see through this simple truth, or even if they do, they hold onto wishful thinking or disdain, believing that such a thing will never happen to them!"

After saying this, Chu Ling lifted his robe, stood up, and turned to walk into the private room.

Chu Ling had no interest in watching the bidding for border quotas anymore.

Because the overall situation has been taken into control.

The remaining minor details are no longer of any importance.

Xiao Jing lowered his head and followed.

“Actually, border taxes and commercial taxes are one and the same, they just appear as two separate things.” Chu Ling, who had sat down on the brocade stool, gestured for Xiao Jing to sit down as well.

"One is foreign trade, and the other is domestic trade. The central government's attitude towards buying and selling in all industries, regardless of size, is supportive."

"But support is one thing, taxes still need to be levied. Taxes are taken from the people and used for the people. Managing this vast country is never going to be smooth sailing."

"Just like people, there are times when they get sick or have a fever. How much more so the world? The taxes collected should be used to solve problems in areas where they arise, thereby maintaining stability in the world. Only in this way can people make a living in peace and even live a good life."

"I believe this is the right trend."

"Wealth is created, not created out of thin air."

"But some people just don't want to give anything and only want to take, which leads to some bad things happening."

Xiao Jing agreed with what was said to the emperor.

Some principles, though seemingly complicated, are actually quite simple.

"You have all seen the reaction to the bidding for border trade quotas." Chu Ling looked at Xiao Jing and said, "This shows how active the trade is in the country. The task of the Tax Bureau is to collect every penny of the taxes due."

"I know that the Ministry of Taxation will inevitably encounter various schemes, obstacles, and even framing when it promotes commercial tax reform in Gyeonggi Province, but some things still need to be done by someone."

"If everyone adopts an attitude of seeking profit and avoiding harm, then the country and the nation will not be in good condition. Your burden is not light, and I will take action when necessary."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly do this well!!"

Under Chu Ling's gaze, Xiao Jing rose and bowed, saying, "No matter how many difficulties and obstacles we encounter, I will lead the entire Xuanke Division to promote the reform of commercial taxes!"

"I am pleased that you say so."

Chu Ling smiled knowingly.

Whether it's border trade or commercial taxes, this is just the beginning. There will be many more reforms to be promoted later. But in terms of the overall trend, whether this start can be successful will have an extraordinary effect and impact.

Circumstances create heroes, and heroes, in turn, create circumstances!