"Your Majesty." Guo Huan, who had just been promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty now, and there are frequent disasters in Jiangsu and Zhejiang."
"The war in the southwest has just ended, and money is needed for reconstruction and to appease the people."
"Most of the money and food have to be sent to Peiping to fight against the Yuan Dynasty. The accounts of the Ministry of Household Affairs are in deficit every year. It has only gotten slightly better in the past few years. It is really a bit tight."
"Your Majesty, I think it's better not to fight."
"Just like a few years ago, Mr. Liu once said that Japan's land is barren and its people are tough. It would be useless for us to conquer it."
Moreover, if a fight really breaks out, how can he secretly make money from the Japanese pirates?
You know, selling things to Japanese pirates and foreigners once is enough for his family to enjoy for a year, which is more than the salary of the Minister of Household Affairs.
Lao Zhu didn't say anything. Tang Duo, Minister of War, said: "Our dynasty is a kingdom of heaven. If we are bullied by a small country, how will the other countries think?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that we should fight, and we must fight."
The bones of the Ministry of War cannot be softened. Whether you have money or not is something that the Ministry of Finance should think about. They know five words: if you don't accept it, beat you until you accept it.
"Master Tang said it is quite simple." Guo Huan, the Minister of Revenue, frowned and retorted: "Without food and grass, how do you think we can fight this battle? Can't we fight with our mouths?"
When Fujian was rectified and the Yuequangang Shipping Department was established, he did not agree.
There is not much oil and water in the first place. After establishing the Shibo Company, wouldn’t all the oil and water go into the treasury and the emperor’s pocket? He can eat and drink whatever he wants?
Besides, fighting wastes people and money, which is not good for the country.
"It's up to you to think of something about food and fodder. What does it have to do with our Ministry of War?"
Tang Duo was tall and powerful and did not take Guo Huan seriously.
"If you can do it, do it. If you can't, just get out. There are many people in the court who want to do it."
It's really funny. If the national treasury can always be sufficient, then what kind of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is needed?
"Okay, stop arguing." Han Yike couldn't stand it anymore and softly stopped the fight: "Your Majesty called us here to discuss the issue, not to quarrel."
Lao Zhu returned to his seat, picked up the Tickle and put his legs on his desk, waiting for the ministers to continue talking.
Han Yike said: "In the third year of Hongwu, Japan killed our envoys. Since then, we have sent envoys to negotiate again and again, but they have never listened."
"As the saying goes, even those who are stubborn should have a temper. What's more, if we, the heavenly dynasty, are not tougher, other countries may follow suit."
"It was so hard in the past, but we have come through it. Now the situation is great, so how can we be a coward? The Ministry of Accounts will find a way to deal with money and food."
"If you squeeze in, you will always get it. If you lose your dignity, it will be hard to earn."
If a country has no backbone, it is almost useless.
Not to mention conquering Japan, at least we should let him know the power of the heavenly kingdom.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be possible to ridicule him behind his back? He only knows how to talk.
But then again, Japan is far away and really difficult to fight.
Zhan Hui nodded repeatedly and said: "I agree with Mr. Han's idea. Mr. Guo, His Majesty values you, and you must not betray His Majesty's trust."
As the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, if you can’t think of a way to make money, why should you be the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs?
"What can I think of?" Guo Huan was speechless: "As the saying goes: It's hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice, so why should I use my emotions to do anything?"
"The world has just stabilized, and we really can't afford to have to fight foreign wars one after another."
"If you really want to find a way, then... then, the only option is to print treasure banknotes."
He is not a god in the sky who can conjure mountains of gold and silver with just his words.
If he really had such ability, he would not be the Minister of Household Affairs.
"No! You can't print money!"
Gu Chen, who had been silent, first pushed the idea of printing money into the ground.
"As long as money is printed aggressively, the value of precious money will depreciate, which will be very harmful."
He didn't want to be unable to support a family of four after receiving his monthly salary.
"Then what do you think we should do?"
Guo Huan looked at him impatiently, and the emperor didn't know what he was thinking.
Why would a fourth-grade official like this be invited to join in the fun when discussing such a big matter?
"Fight, grit your teeth and fight!" Gu Chen stood up and said, "But if you want to get rich, build roads first. The same goes for war. Building warships is the first priority."
"Your Majesty, I believe that we should immediately ask the Ministry of Industry to urge the Longjiang Bao Shipyard to build warships, launch them into the water, and sail into the sun to enhance the prestige of our Ming Dynasty."
Taking advantage of the fact that the civil war is going on in the small days, weapons and other things are not yet advanced.
If we don’t fight now, when will we wait?
Moreover, the Age of Discovery is coming soon. This ship has to be built sooner or later, so it is better for Lao Zhu to start building it now.
Let's make a good start, lest the civil servant group later talk about Taizu's regulations.
"Building ships also costs money." Guo Huan immediately said: "Sir Gu, you have also visited Fujian and Zhuanglang. You should know how the people live?"
"You said that if you gave the money for building ships and the money for fighting wars to the people, how beneficial would it be and how happy would the people be?"
Forget about fighting, you still need to build a ship. How much money will it cost?
This is not to blame Guo Huan. After staying in the Ministry of Revenue for a long time, he regarded all the money from the treasury as his own, and he would feel heartbroken every time the money was paid out.
Naturally, he hated "prodigal sons" like Gu Chen who encouraged the emperor to spend money.
"Master Guo is really a good official who thinks about the people."
Gu Chen glanced at him sideways and suddenly said with a smile.
"How about selling your house, carriage, and clothes to help the people?"
Before he could speak, Gu Chen continued to sarcastically say.
"Living in a good house, riding in a good car, wearing fine silks and satins, what are you talking about here for the people and the world?"
"Don't you feel guilty?"
damn thing!
He is a well-off man, but he allows his subordinates to deduct their reimbursement from the Metropolitan Procuratorate for foreign missions. How dare he talk so much about loving the people here?
"you……"
Guo Huan's hand holding the wat board was shaking with anger from Gu Chen.
"You also live in a nice house, ride in a nice car, and wear silk and satin. Why don't you sell it and go to help the people?"
He finally climbed to this position because he wanted to get rich and live a good life, not to become a Buddha or a Bodhisattva and help the world.
"Ha~" Gu Chen sneered and said, "I didn't say anything about a weak country that would save shipbuilding money for the people. It seems that Mr. Guo is really a villain who doesn't mean what he means."
"You are reluctant to part with your own money to help the people, and you are also reluctant to part with the court's money. Don't you regard the national treasury as your own?"
The two of them were quarreling with each other, but Zhu Biao and Lao Zhu fell into deep thought.
Yes, Guo Huan's thoughts were not the same as those of the Song Dynasty.
What's the result?
If the country's majesty is wiped out, it will ultimately be nothing more than national subjugation.
"Master Han." Guo Huan couldn't quarrel with Gu Chen, and in the end he could only look at Han Yike angrily: "Don't you just care about your students?"
A villain who doesn’t mean what he says?
Treat the national treasury as your own?
This is what a fourth-rank official can say to his dignified Minister of Household Affairs?
