Fang Er was stunned when this guy showed up.
Good heavens, after being beaten so badly yesterday, he dared to show his face again?
Was he afraid of fading into obscurity?
Li Shimin had only seen Wei Zheng being dragged away by Zhang Gongjin and Yuchi Jingde yesterday, and didn't know how badly he had been beaten.
Now, hearing Wei Zheng's voice clearly off, he frowned and asked, "Xuan Cheng, what's wrong? Toothache?"
Wei Zheng dared not say he was beaten by the big dark fellow. Even if he did, no one would help him seek justice, so he simply covered his mouth and said.
Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, I accidentally stumbled yesterday.
This is not important, I believe the Duke of Wei's proposal has some improprieties!
The Sixteen Guards, over six hundred Fuzhou prefectures, and hundreds of thousands of troops.
The reform of the system is a matter that affects the whole body. I believe it should be considered with utmost caution!
Alright, this old fellow has gotten clever. He's just trying to stir up opposition without making any strong points.
Fang Er mentally gave Wei Zheng a thumbs-up. This old man was learning!
Your Majesty, I also believe it is not appropriate!
One person stepped out from the civil officials. Du Ruhui frowned. This person was his deputy, Cen Wenben, the Vice Minister of Personnel.
Your Majesty, Duke Wei speaks with reason. Hundreds of thousands of troops were originally exempt from taxes. Once the system is reformed, they will no longer receive such privileges.
Furthermore, their elders had all fought and bled for the Great Tang. If this were to happen, it might cause unrest among the troops and stir up trouble.
Besides, if nine Grand Inspectorates were established as proposed by the Duke of Wei, with a total of 450,000 troops, and provisions and salaries were issued in imitation of the campaigns to pacify the barbarians, I fear the Ministry of Revenue would not be able to afford it, would it?
As soon as Cen Wenben finished speaking, Li Shimin looked at Fang Xuanling with displeasure.
Hmm? Duke Fang, the Ministry of Revenue is out of money again?
How could that be!
Fang Xuanling was instantly displeased. Although the tribal leaders from the grasslands arrived late, the war reparations had been sent by messenger long ago.
And it was on a payment plan, according to Fang Er's terms.
The eight tribes sent a total of two hundred thousand taels of silver, one hundred thousand sheep, fifty thousand cattle, and thirty thousand horses.
The horses were kept for use, and the cattle and sheep were sold as soon as they arrived.
A total of six hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver were deposited into the treasury. It hasn't even been a month, and they dare to say the Ministry of Revenue is out of money?
Wasn't this an insult to old Fang?
Moreover, Chai Shao and Cheng Yaojin would be returning to court soon, which would bring in two more revenues. Old Fang had never been so affluent!
Oh! So be it if there's no money!
Duke of Shenyang County!
Li Shimin seemed not to have heard what Fang Xuanling said and, thinking the Ministry of Revenue was truly out of money, directly called out Fang Er's name.
I am here!
Hearing himself being called, Fang Er wiped his mouth and walked out.
The Wuyadajians have been idle for so long, it's time they went out for a spin.
How is my silver mountain?
Damn it, old Fang meant that the Ministry of Revenue still had money!
This fellow on the dragon throne was becoming more and more like a hooligan!
After secretly grumbling, Fang Er smiled and replied.
Your Majesty, the silver mountain is sure to be there. With those little dwarfs from Wa, even if they dig it up, they would be working for us. We can collect it all back with interest.
He had to show some respect to his wife's uncle. If it weren't for this relationship, who would want to go to a place where people lived such poor lives!
They were so poor that one had to bring a cook, or one wouldn't even be able to eat properly!
By the way, Your Majesty, these days, the shipyard has built nine more Wuyadajian. Should they be allocated to the Ministry of War, or should I keep them for myself?
Recalling the nine newly built Wuyadajian, which had not yet been equipped with steam engines and cannons, Fang Er said casually.
These things, sell them if you can. With these more than ten ships, Li Shun's skills should have improved. It's time to build some bigger ships.
Although there were no blueprints, they would eventually succeed through trial and error.
Ships of fifty to sixty meters could only sail in coastal waters, and keeping them would be a waste.
Good!
Li Shimin stood up excitedly, patting the dragon's headrest, and hit his dragon horn. His palm turned red and trembled, hidden in his sleeve.
As an emperor, the most basic skill was to show off. Although it hurt immensely, he still put on a happy expression.
Prince of Hejian!
I am here!
Li Xiaogong stepped forward.
I order you to reorganize the navy, take command of the Wuyadajian, and accompany An Zhi to Wa.
This time, in addition to the silver, bring me back another hundred thousand Wa women!
This is truly hooliganism!
The last time he asked for Wa women was a private matter, but this time he shamelessly brought it up in the court assembly.
Last time, due to Hou Jinji's rebellion, the number of Wa women brought back was far less than a hundred thousand. However, even so, it had greatly boosted Li Shimin's popularity.
The poor families near Chang'an who couldn't afford wives all revered Li Shimin as an immortal.
No, better than an immortal's treatment!
Because immortals didn't give them wives.
I accept the decree!
Li Xiaogong bowed and returned to his original position.
Alright! The military expenses for the reform are secured. Who else has any objections, speak up. I am quite open-minded. I believe in reasoning, so please speak freely.
Li Shimin sat back on the dragon throne with a happy smile, secretly hiding his right hand behind him and rubbing it against his buttocks. It really hurt!
Fang Er was also amused.
Twelve ships, at the previously agreed price of sixty-three thousand taels per ship, totaling seven hundred and fifty-six thousand taels. Although the Ministry of Revenue couldn't produce so much money at once, it felt good to be the creditor!
Coupled with the more than six hundred cannons and their ammunition, which also cost four hundred thousand taels.
Also, the silver brought back from Wa last time was all returned to the national treasury. He hadn't kept any of it, so there were still three hundred thousand taels of national debt that hadn't been repaid to him.
Tsk tsk tsk.
Old Fang was unknowingly in debt by over a million taels?
Damn it, this military reform he proposed was another bottomless pit of expenses. It seemed he would have to wait a while longer to collect his debts.
Li Shimin casually resolved the issue of military expenses. Cen Wenben still wanted to say something, but he seemed unable to find a suitable excuse. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise," and then retreated.
Your Majesty, I believe reform is acceptable, but how to resettle the disbanded prefectural troops is the crucial issue.
If handled improperly, it might truly lead to trouble, as Assistant Minister Cen said.
This time, Dai Zhou, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, stepped forward.
His words made Cen Wenben pause. Good heavens, no wonder he felt like he had forgotten something.
He had raised two issues, and His Majesty had only answered one, and he had actually retreated so confusedly.
Li Shimin looked at Fang Xuanling: What is the Ministry of Revenue's view?
Fang Xuanling pondered for a moment and stepped forward.
Your Majesty, I believe disbandment is possible, but increasing taxes might be difficult.
The Fubing had long been accustomed to tax exemption. If they were suddenly disbanded and taxes were levied, it might be difficult for them to accept.
Although the Fubing did not receive pay, those taxes were tangible benefits.
One person enlists, and the entire family is exempt from taxes.
In those days, human life was the cheapest thing.
Now that they were to be disbanded, it meant they would have to pay taxes like ordinary civilians.
It was impossible not to cause some trouble!