"Is Zhuo Lingjun the one who set the question?"
Everyone was surprised. Dugu Qun and others on both sides showed dissatisfaction.
These important court officials were not qualified to set questions, but someone who had already retired could?
Zhuo Zifang scanned the room, his tone serious.
"The nation's grand plan is none greater than finance! How can we reasonably increase state revenue without causing national turmoil? With this as the topic, everyone is free to elaborate and submit national policies! If a national policy is chosen after the National Talent Selection and can be implemented, you will receive an additional imperial reward! The time for answering is half an hour!"
After confirming that everyone had heard the question clearly, Zhuo Zifang went behind the screen to report back.
The civil and military officials rejoiced.
Now, they wouldn't be tested on poetry, and their family disciples, having been influenced by it daily, would surely come up with reliable national policies.
The implementation of a policy was extremely difficult. They were certain that the final outcome would be nothing more than a fizzle.
At this time, literary talent and eloquence became particularly important!
Liang Xiao picked up his brush to write, but his admiration for Zhuo Zifang's character grew.
Zhuo Zifang did not set the question specifically based on the fact that he, Liang Xiao, could write poetry and prose.
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were already relaxed.
No matter what, Liang Xiao had secured the first place in one question, so there was no need to worry about being disgraced!
Now, they only hoped that Liang Xiao would not write anything reckless that violated etiquette or even offended the Emperor.
On the other hand, Xiao Qing was absent-minded, her head lowered, her small face slightly red.
She was still thinking about Liang Xiao's words, "thinking of my little Shuangzi until I couldn't sleep."
Your Majesty, in order not to distract you, I have already used a screen to block your line of sight so you wouldn't recognize me. You annoying fellow, you still...
Now, she could only pray that Liang Xiao wouldn't fall asleep while answering the question.
Half an hour later, the eunuch called a halt.
Everyone rewrote their answers and handed them to the palace attendants for random copying.
"His Majesty has decreed that the evaluation of this question will take half an hour, during which all participants may rest freely!"
At the eunuch's command, Liang Xiao immediately slumped on the desk and slept soundly.
It was not intentional. His injuries had made him much weaker than before.
The National Talent Selection might take all day, so he had to rest when he could.
One hundred national policies were submitted.
This time, Xiao Qing summoned Ouyang Ji, the Minister of Revenue, and Ouyang Ping, the Vice Minister of Revenue, to review them together.
"Increasing commercial tax? Looking at the details of this measure, it's barely feasible..."
"Collecting agricultural tax? No! This year's harvest is already poor, so this would easily incite rebellion!"
"Reducing the salaries of civil officials by 10%? Who wrote this!"
Xiao Qing watched Zhuo Zifang, Wang Canghai, Ouyang Ping, and Ouyang Ji discussing, with a smile on her face.
When it came to reducing salaries, Ouyang Ji was the first to become agitated, while Wang Canghai, who had the highest salary, chose to support it.
"Contract tax? What is this?" Zhuo Zifang's eyes suddenly lit up. He picked up a scroll, and everyone browsed it together.
"Clear thinking, legitimate, and brilliant!" Wang Canghai couldn't help but exclaim, and the other three also praised!
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up even more. Overjoyed, she set this answer aside and continued to evaluate the others.
After half an hour, the five of them, the Emperor and his ministers, finally finished their evaluation. They summoned the officials and took out three answers.
"Does Your Majesty ask if anyone has any objections?" Wang Canghai asked.
When everyone saw the third place, they protested.
"How can you cut the salaries of civil officials! It should be the military officials!" Dugu Qun was the first to express his dissatisfaction.
"It's just a national policy, and it may not be implemented. The soldiers' salaries are already very low and cannot be reduced! As for reducing the salaries of civil officials, does His Majesty wish to use this as a warning? If we civil officials are not diligent, then reducing the high salaries of officials is also reasonable," Wang Canghai explained.
Only then did the crowd relax and reluctantly accept the third place.
The second place was the collection of commercial tax, with extremely detailed measures.
The first place was the contract tax!
"How can there be such a miraculous strategy!" Everyone was shocked and speechless upon seeing the first place!
"When the common people conduct transactions, due to the large volume, especially commercial transactions, they will inevitably use deeds and other various contracts. The government can stamp these contracts, and a contract tax of three parts per thousand of the transaction amount can be collected. Simultaneously, it provides official authentication and legal protection. This is a win-win situation!" Dugu Qun exclaimed on the spot.
Wang Canghai stroked his beard and chuckled, "Indeed! This contract tax, though seemingly small, involves tens of millions of people, and the annual usage of contracts is immeasurable! Moreover, this move does not infringe on anyone's interests and can be perfectly implemented!"
The officials echoed his sentiments, calling it ingenious, and no one objected.
"His Majesty is wise, and the National Talent Selection is unique. With such talented individuals, the future is promising!" the officials praised.
Xiao Qing simply smiled with relief and looked at Wang Canghai.
Wang Canghai understood and reminded, "This national policy needs detailed discussion. Everyone is temporarily forbidden from divulging it, otherwise, if discovered, you will be immediately dismissed from your post!"
The officials' hearts tightened, and they all promised.
It was clear that this was to prevent enemy countries from learning it.
Thinking of this, Dugu Qun felt angry.
Unfortunately, the barbarians do not like using contracts, so the contract tax has little meaning for them!
This national policy is only useful for countries like Da Gan and Da Liang!
Wang Canghai, in a great mood, brought the three copied scrolls to the scene and woke up the resting individuals to match them with their authors.
"The contract tax was proposed by you? Liang Xiao!"
Wang Canghai's exclamation caused the entire hall to fall silent.
It was provided by Liang Xiao?
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously covered her mouth, her eyes filled with tears.
It was him?!
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were stunned. After recovering, they couldn't help but shed tears.
Zhuo Zifang's eyes were tearful, but fearing a scene, he turned and wiped his tears with his sleeve.
This child can not only write poetry but also govern the country. He is a true all-rounder!
Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, Zhang Yang, Li Xiuyun, and others, not knowing the specific content of the contract tax, were merely shocked.
Dugu Xiao trembled with anger, his eyes seemingly about to burst with envy!
Dugu Qun was as if he had eaten a fly's feces, speechless!
Only Liang Xiao remained calm and said loudly, "Little Shuangzi, do you like it!"
Xiao Qing, who was on the other side of the screen and was already on the verge of tears, heard Liang Xiao's words and burst into tears on the spot!
Quickly wiping away her tears, Xiao Qing pouted and mentally recited, "I like it..."
She even had the urge to rush into Liang Xiao's arms and cry her heart out.
What a gentle and beneficial policy for governing the country! The common people, for the safety of their property, would wish for their contracts to be officially certified and protected, and the government could also increase its income out of thin air through the contract tax!
See, this is the kind of loyal minister Your Majesty has been dreaming of!
Zhang Yang, having recovered, was surprised again, "I'm actually third place?"
The palace attendants matched the original drafts one by one and finally confirmed the rankings.
Zhang Yang, who proposed reducing the salaries of civil officials, also felt the hostile gazes from Dugu Qun and others.
Outside the imperial palace, the palace gates opened again, and the eunuch announced.
"Day two, Fiscal National Policy! First place, Number One, Liang Xiao! Second place, Number Four, Gu Shaoyan! Third place, Number One Hundred, Zhang Yang!"
As soon as the voice fell, the entire scene erupted in excitement!
Liang Xiao, the second son of the Liang family, was first again!
Luo Qingxue and the other two disregarded their ladylike demeanor, cheered excitedly, and wept in each other's arms!
At the back of the crowd, Qin Feng, the Marquis of Zhenguo of Da Liang, looked shocked, hesitating to speak.
The young attendant behind him trembled and said, "Marquis, this Liang Xiao..."