Just as everyone was worried, Fu Xiaoguan put down the account book, smiled calmly and did not continue the topic.

"Next, the Ministry of Commerce will focus on the free trade zone. Additionally, a free trade zone must be established in the six southwestern provinces near Dayu Pass to facilitate trade between the Wu Dynasty and the Yi Kingdom.

The Wu Dynasty must vigorously develop industry and commerce and vigorously support small businesses... that is, small workshops of handicraftsmen."

"In order to implement free trade, the salt, iron, and grain transport industries will be fully liberalized from today onwards. No salt permit license is required, and private capital will be allowed to enter."

"The Salt and Iron Administration and the Transportation Administration are only responsible for state-owned salt mines and state grain transport, and are not allowed to interfere with private salt trafficking or the entry of private ships into the freight sector."

"This is my bottom line! If anyone dares to interfere, I don't mind killing a few people to show you!"

He said this with great emphasis and force.

Chen Suyuan was extremely confused. If these two items were relaxed, it would not have much impact on the family's salt and iron business, and it might even be beneficial. After all, no salt permit was needed and it could be sold directly to anyone. But he felt that it was not that simple.

So what's the problem?

He frowned and thought, but still couldn't understand.

The newly appointed Shangshu Ling Meng Changping also found it difficult to understand the meaning - the salt and iron transport should be cracked down!

If the salt and iron transport were taken back from the aristocratic families by more severe means, the tax revenue of the Wu Dynasty would increase by at least 10 million taels of silver each year.

Your Majesty not only did not crack down on these aristocratic families, but instead relaxed their control and allowed private capital to enter. In this way, wouldn't the court's tax revenue from these two items be even less?

He did not say anything, thinking that he should wait until the court was dismissed to have a detailed talk with the emperor. After all, he was young and he could not offend him in public. He believed that he would change his decision after listening to his advice.

Fu Xiaoguan ignored the whispers of the ministers below and said:

"A new dynasty should usher in a new era... Agricultural taxes will be reduced by 30%, commercial taxes by 20%, and taxes on salt, iron, and grain transport will remain unchanged."

"Except for banks and mines, which require approval, all areas of the country, including the procurement of weapons and armor, are open to everyone nationwide, allowing private capital to enter and participate in fair competition!"

"For example, when building roads, private capital can be allowed to enter. Once the roads are built, the investors can operate the toll booths. The government will determine the toll rates and collect taxes from them, and the remaining profits will belong to the investors."

The ministers were horrified. This sounded a little wrong. Wouldn't it lead to chaos if they liberalized everything?

But they still hadn't figured out where the chaos was going, when Fu Xiaoguan spoke again:

"I understand what you're worried about. Whether it's the government or private capital, they must accept supervision from the Ministry of Commerce and the Censorate. Even under the sun there are shadows. So, as the government, our job is to make these shadows smaller."

"This is a market economy. Everything is decided by the market. You must remember that supervision does not interfere. You can observe and report, but please shut up, officials at all levels! And don't dictate!"

"I once said in the Chi Le Chuan Autonomous Region that the government's duty is to serve the people, to serve the merchants, farmers, artisans, and so on of this world!"

"What do you mean by service? It means solving the problems they've complained to you about, like land approval, fundraising, or the security environment in the investment location."

"... Remember this, from now on, put away your hands and let capital run free. You will see a flourishing Wu Dynasty. If anyone dares to stand in the way of this change, I will say the same thing: try to see whether your neck is harder or the knife in my hand is harder!"

"In addition, we must vigorously encourage private innovation and ensure that the research institute's technologies are applied in practice. This is the Ministry of Commerce's responsibility. After this, Yun Xiyan and Zong Shiji, let's find a time to finalize this matter."

“…”

Just as the ministers were in a state of confusion, another three hours passed. It was already dark, and lanterns were already lit in the Xuande Hall.

There was simply too much information today, and even veteran officials like Zhuo Yixing and Nangong Yiyu couldn't fully digest it.

Fu Xiaoguan seemed very anxious, and he almost poured out all his preliminary ideas at this grand court meeting.

Liu Jin was writing furiously and realized that he had written a thick stack of paper.

"That's all for today. I've finished discussing the major policy changes. The eunuchs will have to work hard tonight to compile today's discussions into a book. Find a bookshop to print it tomorrow. All officials, including the county magistrate, must have a copy!"

"Then we have to get these policies sold in bookstores, because more importantly, the people of the entire Wu Dynasty will know about them!"

"Finally...Wei Chang, the Minister of Works."

Wei Chang stood up with a confused look on his face and bowed, "Your Majesty, Wei Chang obeys your orders!"

"This Xuande Hall needs to be rebuilt. Remember to come to the Imperial Study after court tomorrow. I will tell you how to do it."

Wei Chang was startled, looked up at Fu Xiaoguan, and asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty, this Xuande Hall...hasn't been renovated for long."

"Oh, it's not renovation, it's reconstruction. You will know when you come tomorrow. Please leave."

Fu Xiaoguan looked at the ministers again, "Besides... forget it, court is adjourned!"

He originally wanted to say that if you have any problems in the future, you can go to the three bosses of the three provinces. I will not hold morning court anymore, or just hold it two or three times a month. But then he thought that he had done so many new things today, and they still don’t understand it, so they must still have many doubts.

This hands-off manager is really not an option, at least for now.

Oh... this is such a tough job, no wonder the fat guy runs faster than a rabbit.

The ministers dispersed in confusion and walked out of the Xuande Hall. They were startled by the wind and snow and suddenly realized that it was His Majesty who was speaking alone in the entire court meeting!

Suddenly thinking back, during the reign of Emperor Wen, his ministers often made him speechless. Although Emperor Wu's reign was short, he also often quarreled with his ministers.

Only Emperor Dezong seemed to have been speaking and listening in court meetings from the time he ascended the throne until today, but today it was him speaking and the ministers listening.

There was no quarrel, no political disagreement. What he said today seemed very profound. Could it be that everything he said was right?

It should be right. After all, the policies he implemented in the Yu Dynasty were truly supported by everyone, and their results were real.

Minister Chen Suyuan and dozens of other officials walked in silence, because only then did they suddenly realize that their names were not among the officials appointed by His Majesty!

And they have one thing in common, they are descendants of the four major families among the seven thousand-year-old clans!