Whenever I think of this, I consider following the example of the capital and building roads so that the people can live in peace and engage in farming and commerce, and so that goods and wealth can circulate freely.

However, the project is massive and the costs are enormous. My treasury is empty, and it is truly difficult to support it.

I am well aware that the national treasury has fixed uses, and I dare not presume to request the allocation of public funds for road repairs. I only wish to raise the funds myself to accomplish this task.

However, after much deliberation, I have come up with no good solution. Therefore, I have dared to ask Your Majesty and my colleagues for advice in the court today.

Perhaps we could find a way to incentivize businesses to operate by increasing their tax revenue, which could then be used to fund road repairs.

Or develop industries, create jobs, and use tax revenue to fund road construction?

I am truly at a loss and hope that Your Majesty and all of you will generously offer your guidance and show me the way so that I may bring this benefit to the people of my fiefdom. I would be eternally grateful.

Ning Yu's words fell slowly, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in the court.

The ministers were not fools. They exchanged glances and understood perfectly well that what seemed like a question to the generals was actually a question to King Jinrui Zhao.

The ministers pretended to be discussing the matter enthusiastically, but their eyes would occasionally drift to King Jinrui Zhao, who was sitting not far in front of them.

At the same time, their ears were perked up, intently capturing every bit of useful information that might come through the air, not missing a single detail.

The officials in the Ministry of Revenue, in particular, listened intently to these thoughts.

In recent months, although the income from various matters seems to be quite substantial, the expenditures have been flowing out like water.

The newly acquired book describes the manufacture of various items, from the procurement of raw materials to the wages of craftsmen, all of which require a large amount of silver to support.

They were now eagerly hoping to glean a brilliant idea for making money from King Jinrui Zhao's words, their eyes filled with urgency and anticipation.

Meanwhile, out of everyone's sight, Qin Qianluo, who was being secretly watched by everyone, was calmly answering 001's question.

After listening to Prince Xin's long and eloquent speech, 001 seemed to be lost in a fog, and it took him a long time to recover.

Its voice was full of doubt as it asked Qin Qianluo, "Luo Bao, what exactly does Prince Xin mean by rambling on for so long?"

"We just don't have the money to repair the road, and we'd like to ask for everyone's help in coming up with ideas on how to make money to repair it."

001 crashed for a while, and I really don't understand why they didn't just explain it clearly.

Something that could be explained in just a few words has to be explained in such a roundabout way. Doesn't that seem like a lot of trouble?

Qin Qianlu chuckled, "That's the art of language. Think about it, when you ask someone for help, how can you just ask directly right away?"

You should start by offering some compliments to set the mood; this shows politeness and makes the other person more willing to help.

001 still didn't quite understand why it had to go to so much trouble, but it was also curious if Luo Bao had any solutions. "Luo Bao, do you have any good ideas?"

Ning Yu was angered by the other one: What do you mean by "I am rambling on and on"? Listen to how beautifully Qin Qianluo speaks. This is called the art of language. You child who doesn't understand anything!

But he held back from speaking, clenching and unclenching his fists. His purpose was to hear Qin Qianluo's opinion, so he naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity.

Qin Qianluo said, "Aren't there so many merchants? Let them pay for the road repairs. They need this road for their daily business and transporting goods."

By funding the road repairs, they can gain a reputation for generosity among the people, and it will also make transporting their goods much easier in the future. Isn't that a win-win situation?

001 thinks this makes sense: "What if the merchants refuse to pay? Should we force them? Wouldn't that be unfair?"

"Why force them? Just let them pay willingly. Forcing them is bad for their reputation. When have you ever seen me force merchants in Jinxiu County to pay?"

001 thought about it and realized that it was indeed true, so he didn't ask any further questions and went back to doing what he hadn't finished.

Before being disturbed by Prince Xin, it was going through the files of Zhu Shiyan and the others to see if they had done anything detrimental to Tianxuan.

Although Luo Bao doesn't care about their badmouthing behind their backs, it can't stand it. It has to find out, and even if it doesn't find anything, it has to find some of their dark history and tell it to Luo Bao.

The other ministers who had been eavesdropping were stunned, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.

Why did it just end there? They were filled with anxiety and resentment, eagerly hoping that 001 would continue to press for answers.

Gu Qingshi was extremely anxious, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. His hands unconsciously clenched into fists inside his sleeves, and he almost couldn't help but ask aloud.

The scene of road construction in the capital last year involuntarily flashed through his mind; the Ministry of Revenue had to grit its teeth and pay for it.

At that time, King Jinrui Zhao was collecting defense maps and was not in the capital, so he probably didn't know.

But road repairs are still needed this year, and the Ministry of Revenue's major expenditures still fall on this. How could he not be anxious? He hadn't even fully heard the plan yet, how could he just give up like this?

The others, though not as anxious as the Minister of Revenue, were also getting restless, but managed to keep their composure and avoid losing their temper on the spot.