As a prosperous age, Datang was undoubtedly not short of money, but no matter how much money was spent, it would not be able to withstand consumption.
As far as the current border of Datang is concerned, it is too wide. Such a long border means that a large number of troops are needed to guard it. And even if it is just for defense, the combination of food, grass and weapons will consume an astronomical amount of money.
What's more, Li Hong also burped this year. Although his burial did not use much of the treasury, the treasury paid for both the construction of the mausoleum and the cost of the funeral.
It is simple to say that the emperor dies and the world becomes peaceful, but the cost behind it is terrifying.
The saint sent the black-haired man to the black-haired man. From top to bottom in the court, the emperor's grief was very clear. Therefore, only when the treasury was really about to be unable to hold on, did they dare to advise the emperor to reduce the size. Before that, no one dared to mention this issue. Even someone as rigid as Dai Zhide would not want to directly offend the emperor.
After all, being loyal and respectful is one thing, but seeking death is another. No one despises his long life.
After experiencing so much expenditure, it is not unusual for the Tang Dynasty's treasury to be empty.
After figuring it out, Li Xian no longer had any doubts.
However, the lack of money in the national treasury is indeed a big problem.
The country is out of money. This is a big deal. Autumn has just begun. If there is a snowstorm or something in winter, tsk tsk...
Glancing at the sad Zhang Lanyue opposite him, Li Xian couldn't help but sympathize with him.
As the Minister of Household Affairs, Zhang Lanyue is undoubtedly competent. When it's time to be stingy, he can turn into an iron rooster. However, there is nothing the Iron Rooster can do when faced with something like this this year.
No matter how the money from the treasury is used, if there are expenses when the money is not available, it can only mean that he, the Minister of Household Affairs, is a waste.
The affairs of the treasury are not trivial, so it is not surprising that Zhang Lanyue has called so many people to discuss countermeasures.
Nodding slightly, Li Xian asked: "How did the court deal with such situations in the past?"
Dai Zhide sighed on the side: "It is very rare that the national treasury cannot support it. However, if such a situation occurs, the second year's taxes are usually paid in advance, that is, taxes are collected in advance. Although it will attract the public attention There’s a lot of scolding, but as long as the problem is solved, that’s fine.”
Collecting taxes in advance does have an impact on the country's credibility.
but....
Seeing Dai Zhide's helpless look, Li Xian also became helpless.
There is no other reason than this year’s drought.
As an elite area of the Tang Dynasty, the taxation of Guannai Road accounted for a large proportion in previous years. But now that there is a severe drought in Guannai Road, even if taxes are collected in advance, they will not be able to collect much.
The only way out when forced in the past has been cut off. It can be said that it is extremely difficult to think of other ways.
If we want to fill the national treasury, other than collecting taxes in advance, what else can we do?
National debt?
This is a trick for later generations, but if we were to learn from the practice of national debt now, people would laugh out loud.
Seeing that the prince was really thinking about the problem, Hao Chujun couldn't help but stretched out his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
Originally, when the prince arrived, he just introduced the issues that he and others were discussing, but looking at the prince's appearance now, he seemed to be really thinking about it.
Just think about it, whether you want to come up with a solution or not.
Even if the method they come up with is ridiculous, it doesn't matter. As courtiers, especially those in their position, they also have the responsibility to teach the prince.
However, when the saint is not appointed, whether to teach or not depends on their mood. If they are not on the right track with the prince, they will naturally be ignored.
However, since the current prince is so outstanding, they are naturally willing to teach him.
Seeing Hao Chujun's signal, everyone quieted down and waited for the prince to finish thinking.
After a long time, a servant entered the tent to deliver tea, and a cool breeze blew in, and Li Xian woke up from his meditation.
Looking around, he saw that Hao Chujun and others were looking at him attentively. Li Xian couldn't help but smile and said, "Why are you looking at me like this?"
Zhang Lanyue said anxiously: "Your Highness has just thought hard for a long time, but what have you gained?"
There must be gains, but...
Li Xian did not answer directly, but asked with a slight vigilance: "I did think of a way, but first, tell me, what solution did you think of before I came?"
There is no doubt that these people are all talented people. They have dominated the court for so many years. It would be nonsense if they couldn't think of a way.
Seeing the prince asking this, Zhang Lanyue said sheepishly: "Before you got here, I did think of a way, that is..."
Seeing that Zhang Lanyue was too shy to speak, Dai Zhide simply said: "What I want to do is to see if I can give some advice to the saint and ask the emperor's relatives to donate some money and food to support the national treasury."
"ah?"
Hearing Dai Zhide's words, Li Xian was stunned for a moment. Although he wanted to laugh, he controlled it with his strong facial muscles.
Let the royal relatives donate money to the national treasury?
Such thoughts....
Okay, it seems crazy, but there is some truth to it.
Just, relatives of the emperor? It's too late for these guys to cry about poverty, not to mention, taking people's money is like killing their parents and asking them to donate money? Why not ask for money directly? If you donate money, will they be willing to donate more?
Rubbing his sore cheeks, Li Xian said helplessly: "The idea of them is good. As relatives of the emperor, they share the same destiny with the Tang Dynasty. Now that the national treasury is poor, it is appropriate to donate money. However, How much do you think they can donate? For the national treasury, I’m afraid it’s just a drop in the bucket.”
Hearing this, Zhang Lanyue said helplessly: "Why don't I understand this truth, but apart from that, there is really nothing else I can do."
Not only Zhang Lanyue sighed, but also several people around him showed helpless expressions.
Some methods cannot be used to raise money for the national treasury. After much deliberation, this is the only method.
Seeing the helpless looks of several people, Li Xian smiled and said, "Okay, I'll just tell you what I think."
Hearing what the prince said, several people lowered their expressions and looked over with great curiosity.
There is no doubt that the prince is smart, but they are really curious, what can the prince do in the face of such a problem? You must know that filling the national treasury requires a huge amount of money and food. The prince's industry is indeed very profitable, but filling the profits of the entire Donggong industry into the national treasury will not be able to fill much.
They had made it clear before that they could not reach out to the common people, but other than reaching out to the emperor's relatives, they really could not think of any other way.
Could it be that the prince is planning to reach out to Xungui?
