Chapter 285: Ministry Of Revenue
Prince Xian also has no lack of supporters.
Minister of the Secretariat Ding Mao immediately stood up: “Prince Xian is right. Our Lin Country is rich and strong. In less than three years, the National Treasury will be full again.”
“Exactly, if the Ministry of Revenue thinks of more methods, why worry about not being able to fill the National Treasury?” Prince Xian, in this regard, was the same as Duke, only speaking.
Ding Mao echoed again: “That’s right, our Da Lin’s foundation is still there. Your Majesty can rest assured. After the New Year, I will have the Ministry of Revenue start working on it.”
The Ministry of Revenue originally belonged to the Ministry of Finance and was a place specifically responsible for formulating tax policies.
But because the Ministry of Revenue of Lin Country had “extraordinary effects” on Emperor Lin, it directly promoted it by two ranks and put it under the direct jurisdiction of the Minister of the Secretariat. The purpose was to fill the National Treasury faster, more, and for a longer time.
Zhou Chang did not expect that this battle had just ended, and he thought the people could breathe, but these people were impatient and had already begun to discuss increasing taxes at the New Year’s Eve Feast.
For a moment, the “drink” consumed in his stomach burned, and a wave of heat rushed up his chest, directly hitting the top of his head.
Emperor Lin felt this was reasonable and nodded, holding his wine cup.
Whoosh, everyone below came up again, with sounds of flattery and congratulations.
Zhou Chang did not raise their eyelids, and their heart understood that the Mingde Hall was full of collusion with maternal relatives.
There was nothing to say, they pretended not to hear, drank another cup, and only the wine could suppress the sneer in their heart.
In their peripheral vision, Prince Rong stood up and raised their cup: “Father Emperor, today is the year of the Great Examination. Although the Ministry of Rites had some flaws in this imperial examination, they were remedied in time. The most important thing is that the imperial examination was completed before the year, and we have selected many talents for our Da Lin. It’s truly joyous.”
Emperor Lin nodded, their gaze falling on the direction of Minister of Rites Shen Si, with a smile.
Prince Rong raised their wine cup even higher: “I also want to congratulate Father Emperor. Nowadays, there is another pagoda for praying for blessings and warding off evil in Jindu City. It was consecrated seven days ago, and auspicious light appeared in the sky at that time. Official Liu of the Heavenly Mirror Bureau was also present to witness it. All of this is due to Father Emperor’s Great Fortune. Our Da Lin will surely have peace and prosperity.”
“Peace and prosperity…”
Everyone present followed and raised their cups.
Emperor Lin also happily drank the wine in his cup.
Zhou Chang didn’t like these kinds of praises, but Prince Rong mentioned the Great Fortune Pagoda, which reminded them and they suddenly stood up: “Father Emperor, Prince Rong mentioned the Great Fortune Pagoda, did you forget something?”
“???” Emperor Lin’s happy mood was suddenly interrupted, but there was a dazed look in their eyes.
It seemed they had indeed forgotten.
Zhou Chang was about to speak to remind them.
The Great Chief Manager Fang She’s goldfish eyes turned and immediately reminded them in their ear.
Emperor Lin also remembered, but at the New Year’s Eve Feast, they were not in the mood to bring up this matter, and directly sent them away: “I remember. This kind of matter, wait until the next year’s court to speak about it. Today is a family banquet, just talk about happy things.”
Zhou Chang impulsively stood up and felt unstable, but once they spoke, they simply finished: “The Great Fortune Pagoda was donated by Prince Rong, but it was also the Yuan Clan who spent more than three million silver. They built it in a short month. For this, Yuan Yu ate and lived on the construction site day and night, spending three times the manpower and material resources, treating one day as three days, to create such a miracle. Father Emperor previously promised to reward a title. Today, as long as you nod, the Ministry of Rites will handle it next year.”
Emperor Lin seemed to be drunk, and they remained silent after hearing this.
Prince Rong reminded them softly from the side: “Ninth Brother, Father Emperor hasn’t said they won’t give it, why do you have to mention this matter at the New Year’s Eve Feast?”
“What matter is this?” Zhou Chang really didn’t understand, clearly it was agreed upon, and now it was just that the emperor should fulfill his promise. They thought so in their heart, and their mouth unconsciously spoke, “Such a small matter, as long as Father Emperor says a word.”
Emperor Lin was also indifferent, but they didn’t get to rest during the day, and had to come to this palace banquet in the evening, their physical strength was already somewhat strained, and coupled with their poor drinking capacity, their brain operated slowly, and they couldn’t remember what title to give Yuan Yu.
But they saw under the bright candle flame, Zhou Chang holding a wine pot in one hand and a wine cup in the other, their expression unrestrained, step by step, pressing them.
In their heart, they were anxious, and “plop” they put down their wine cup: “Disappointing, such a big deal.”
Prince Rong quickly stood up to defend them: “Father Emperor, don’t get angry. Ninth Brother has also drunk some wine. This is the New Year’s Eve, it is not auspicious to get angry, it is not auspicious to get angry.”
Emperor Lin’s face darkened, their mind became even more chaotic, but they didn’t want to lose composure and wanted to calm things down as well.
It was Zhou Chang, who clearly understood the occasion was wrong and should shut up, but the whole person was as if they could no longer control themselves.
They poured themselves another cup, and said in a loud voice: “It’s just a vacant title of ‘Peaceful Merchant’, is it so difficult for Father Emperor to nod? Delaying and delaying, yet it is the heart of the person who is doing their best who is chilled.”
Emperor Lin supported their forehead with their hand, began to have a headache, and did not want to argue. They waved their hand: “Forget it, forget it, the Ministry of Rites can handle it.”
The Great Chief Manager Fang She then stepped forward and asked with concern: “Is Your Majesty alright?”
Emperor Lin slowly waved their hand. In recent years, as they grew older, their physical condition worsened, and they had some idea.
Minister of Rites Shen Si quickly stood up and bowed and answered: “Yes, your servant obeys the order.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor.” Zhou Chang achieved their wish, and without caring, they staggered and sat down again.
Prince Rong glanced at Zhou Chang, then looked at Emperor Lin, and suddenly laughed: “Father Emperor, don’t have a headache. Your servant can see that there is going to be a happy event…”
“What happy event?” Emperor Lin regained some spirit.
Zhou Chang put down a burden, and felt much more relaxed in their heart, and didn’t care about what happy event, in any case, it had nothing to do with them.
They only continued to pour themselves a drink.
The more they drank the wine, the thirstier they got. They never had this feeling before when they drank drinks with alcohol, at worst, they would go to the toilet a few more times.
Now, they were feeling dizzy, and the whole person was floating backward, as if they were going to float out of Prince Yi’s body.
Could it be that they were drunk?
After another cup, Prince Rong’s voice sounded again: “In my opinion, Ninth Brother is so concerned about the Yuan Clan’s affairs, it is most likely because the Yuan Clan has a Miss Yuan with a peerless beauty. Father Emperor has just bestowed a title to Yuan Yu, but it is probably still not enough. It is better for Father Emperor to make the decision and betroth Miss Yuan to Ninth Brother, which would truly be in accordance with their wishes.”
“???” Zhou Chang thought they had heard wrongly, and wanted to open their mouth, but their body seemed out of control.
In the Mingde Hall, it was also suddenly quiet.
Emperor Lin was even stunned there.
Prince Rong’s smile became even deeper: “Father Emperor, don’t feel strange. A few days ago, at the consecration of the Great Fortune Pagoda, your servant also met Ninth Brother and Miss Yuan in the back garden of the pagoda. At first, it was also a surprise. Later, after thinking carefully, I understood everything.”
Understand what?
Zhou Chang wanted to open their mouth to speak, but suddenly could not control their body, however, the countless probing gazes around like spotlights were cast over, and “whoosh”, their cheeks burned like a burning cloud.
