Just when Chu Fan was about to let the court meeting continue, Chang Sun Dechong stood up again and broke the peace in the court.

Changsun Dechong said respectfully, "I have something else to report to Your Majesty."

Chu Fan frowned slightly when he saw that it was Chang Sun Dechong who stood up again. He couldn't help but wonder why this Minister of War always had so many things to report.

Chu Fan said in a deep voice: "Minister Changsun, if you have anything else to say, please tell me."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Dechong respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the three Acropolis buildings we are responsible for building are now basically complete. We once promised that all those who participated in the city construction would receive a house of their own.

However, the quality of these houses varies greatly, and even if they are distributed according to labor contribution, some people will inevitably be dissatisfied. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to examine the matter carefully and make a fair judgment.

Chang Sun Dechong's words revealed a hint of worry, and it was clear that he was full of anticipation for the resolution of this issue. Chu Fan also understood the importance of this matter after hearing it. After all, it was related to the stability of the people's hearts and the credibility of the court.

Chu Fan pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "This matter does need to be handled with caution. I will consider it carefully and come up with a solution that satisfies all parties."

After hearing this, Chang Sun Dechong bowed respectfully and then returned to his seat, waiting for Chu Fan's final decision.

Chu Fan felt helpless in the face of this situation. He didn't believe that Chang Sun Dechong and the others were really unable to handle these trivial matters. It was just that after he decided to call the court meeting, Chang Sun Dechong seemed to be afraid to make decisions on his own, as if everything was waiting for his instructions.

It didn't take long for Chu Fan to speak up and suggest, "In that case, why don't we distribute housing by drawing lots? That way, what kind of house each person gets depends entirely on luck." Chu Fan believed that this method was simple and clear, and relatively fair, and could avoid excessive disputes.

Chang Sun Dechong once again stood up and expressed a different opinion.

Changsun Dechong replied, "Your Majesty, although this method seems fair, it actually has some problems.

If those who haven't put much effort into building the new city get better housing through a lottery, while those who have truly put in the hard work can only get inferior housing, this is obviously unfair to the latter. We should take into account everyone's actual contribution to ensure fair distribution.

After thinking about it, Chu Fan felt that Chang Sun Dechong's concerns were not unreasonable. Chang Sun Dechong just hoped to find a more reasonable and fair distribution plan.

After pondering for a moment, Chu Fan finally spoke slowly: "In this case, we might as well set up a points system. All personnel involved in the construction will be given corresponding points based on their contributions.

We can also divide the houses into several areas, separating the good houses from the bad houses. Then, have the disaster victims with corresponding points draw lots for houses in the corresponding areas. This way, the difference in the houses allocated to everyone will not be too great.

As for the assessment of points, it will be jointly responsible by the city guards and leaders recommended by the disaster victims to ensure fairness and justice."

Changsun Dechong nodded slightly in agreement, "Your Majesty is wise. This will ensure fairness and convince everyone. I will make arrangements after the court session."

Chu Fan nodded gently, using a subtle gesture to signal Chang Sun Dechong that he could leave. Chang Sun Dechong bowed respectfully and returned to his seat.

After Chang Sun Dechong left, the Minister of Revenue, Qian Dai, stepped out and said in a serious tone:

"Your Majesty, the national treasury is stretched to its limit, and the people are suffering.

I believe we should take some measures to alleviate this predicament. I suggest that the commercial tax be adjusted from the current 30% to 10% to increase the revenue of the national treasury.

Furthermore, officials in the refined salt business of various ministries should strengthen their accounting management, ensuring that every profit is clearly calculated, and then submit all due taxes to the Ministry of Revenue to enrich the national treasury and alleviate the current financial pressure.

Chu Fan stared at Qian Dai silently, and caught a hint of helplessness and worry in his eyes.

Unfortunately, this was the national policy proposed by His Majesty. However, if I say it in the court, I will bear the consequences of proposing this commercial tax reform.

After all, no matter who proposes this reform policy, it will undoubtedly arouse heated debate in the court and may even trigger a political storm.

Chu Fan also knew that once he decided to implement this reform, no matter he was the emperor or an ordinary minister who proposed this policy, he would inevitably become the target of criticism in the court.

Because this policy is bound to affect the interests of many ministers and damage their vested interests.

Chu Fan was still thinking that by proposing this policy, he would make those families with business backgrounds resent him and even start a rebellion. However, Qian Dai got there first.

As soon as Qian Dai finished speaking, the ministers in the court looked at him in disbelief. It should be noted that the refined salt business was dominated by the first-rank officials in the court, especially those who exported refined salt to other countries, which brought them huge profits.

Even the censors of the Imperial Censorate, known for their integrity, had gained considerable benefits from supervising and producing refined salt. Now that Qian Dai had made such a proposal, it was undoubtedly challenging the interests of all the ministers in the court.

Qian Dai seemed to ignore the hostile gazes around him and continued to talk:

"Our Ministry of Revenue also holds the distribution rights for refined salt in a city. I believe everyone here is well aware of the huge profits that refined salt brings.

As you prosper in your own businesses, please remember the needs of the nation. We must not indulge in personal gain while neglecting the long-term development of the nation.

If tax reform can be successfully implemented, the country's fiscal situation will become more robust, which will bring huge benefits to strengthening border defense, improving people's livelihoods, and popularizing education. We must not sacrifice the country's future for the sake of short-term gains."

Chu Fan couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Qian Dai as he listened to his words. He knew very well that Qian Dai was taking the blame for him, because after all, it was he who had issued that policy to Qian Dai the day before.

However, Qian Dai bravely raised this issue in the court, which would undoubtedly bring huge pressure and risks to Qian Dai himself.

But Chu Fan also knew that the implementation of this policy was indeed for the long-term interests and overall development of the country, and it had to be implemented.