Chapter 138 She couldn't escape even if she wanted to.
"So we have to fight this war, and we can't increase taxes." Chu Chengye said.
Cheng Jin was also thinking about it.
The empty treasury of Southern Qi has been a problem for a long time. In the original book, Chu Chengye almost couldn't fight a war because of money several times.
But because he raided Gao Zhanghai's house, he delayed the time for this to happen.
Now the problem of lack of money is in front of him again.
Cheng Jin suddenly thought of something, patted Chu Chengye's hand, and said in surprise: "It's almost the New Year now, why not have the emperor hold a banquet in the palace."
Chu Chengye didn't quite understand what Cheng Jin meant, "Now is a time when we are short of money. If we hold a banquet at this time, it will cost a lot."
Cheng Jin raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Your Majesty, believe me, those old guys can't be without money. Even if they chose the previous corruption cases more cleanly and couldn't be blamed on them, I don't believe they didn't make a fortune. They have a lot of money."
The book writes that after Chu Huaian ascended the throne, he was afraid that he would follow Chu Chengye's old path. Although he trusted the ministers who conspired with him on the surface, he was wary of them everywhere, unlike Chu Chengye who trusted anyone easily.
Chu Chengye not only took all the power of officials with heavy military power into his own hands when he just ascended the throne, but also cheated a lot of money from those cunning officials for war by reviving the reputation of Southern Qi.
They are at such a stage now, why use this strategy directly.
"You don't need to prepare anything, just prepare some food and drinks, just to give face, and don't really let them eat. They will cry poor, and so will we."
Chu Chengye didn't believe that he could get anything out of that group of people, but since it was Cheng Jin who said it, there must be a basis for it.
Cheng Jin saw Chu Chengye's hesitation, knew what Chu Chengye was thinking about, and waved his hand to let Chu Chengye come closer.
"They will definitely disagree at first. Just listen to me and do this."
Chu Chengye glanced at Cheng Jin, his face showing surprise.
"But just asking them for money won't work in the long run. We can only give them a warning so that they can be more restrained."
"If Your Majesty wants to solve this problem fundamentally, I have a way to make the wine industry a government-run business."
When the previous emperor was in power, he was unwilling to manage and only wanted to collect more taxes from some merchants. He turned many industries that were originally only government-run into private enterprises, which was convenient for many merchants and brought in a lot of extra revenue for the palace.
This seems to be a win-win situation, but it is not a long-term solution.
The wine industry, in particular, was difficult to manage. At first, the merchants paid taxes every year in an orderly manner, but later they reported the matter to the court, causing many merchants who sold wine to become wealthy and powerful, as rich as kings and princes.
The wine industry is also a highly profitable industry. Now the government directly organizes the production, transportation and sales of wine, and prohibits private enterprises.
The implementation of this policy can alleviate the country's financial difficulties caused by years of war, and prevent local tyrants from dominating one side.
This only limits the financial resources of the rich, and does not cause any harm to the people. Chu Huaian's wish to see Chu Chengye lose the support of the people will not happen, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
Chu Chengye nodded, his face full of joy, "I'll let someone do it now."
"This matter cannot be publicized." Cheng Jin held down Chu Chengye's movement to get up.
Chu Chengye in Cheng Jinshu also thought about the government-run liquor industry to ease the tight economic situation, but he acted too hastily and directly ordered to take back the management rights from those wealthy businessmen.
Those wealthy businessmen collectively opposed it and directly used financial support to support Chu Huaian to take over.
Wanting to take back the management rights from those wealthy businessmen is equivalent to taking their money, just like plucking their eyes. How could they be willing to do so? They could only exchange one thing for another to make them feel that they were not at a disadvantage.
Cheng Jin said: "It is definitely not feasible to take back the management rights directly from them. They will definitely not be willing to do so. It is better for the emperor to exchange something with them."
"What can I exchange with them?"
"The emperor only needs to issue an imperial decree to open a trading port. The previous emperor was afraid of bandits, so he closed the door. Now the coastal areas are peaceful. The emperor might as well let them go out to sea to do business."
"They have made almost all the money from the wine industry in recent years. How can they not agree to change to a more profitable way?"
"When the wine industry is taken over by the government, the people along the coast will also have the opportunity to increase their income, and they will not complain."
"But if this is done, the coastal areas will definitely be unstable." Chu Chengye said.
He has fought in wars, so he naturally knows that those people want to provoke war by picking on the weaknesses of a country.
Cheng Jin waved his hand, "The thing the emperor is least afraid of are these bandits."
"Add more soldiers to guard the coastal areas, and register all people coming and going, so we can prevent them."
Chu Chengye nodded silently.
He was no problem with fighting, but he was indeed not as good as Cheng Jin in these matters.
Whether it was Cheng Jin's knowledge of the plot or her meticulousness, he could not compare to her.
Seeing Chu Chengye in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking, Cheng Jin raised his hand and shook Chu Chengye's shoulder.
"Now is not the time to be in a daze. The person you find must be trustworthy and have experience in this area. You can't just find anyone."
In view of the fact that Chu Chengye always did this kind of thing before, Cheng Jin couldn't help but remind him again.
Chu Chengye rolled his eyes a little embarrassedly, "I know."
"I have someone in mind."
Cheng Jin stared at Chu Chengye with some suspicion, and her face was full of "I don't believe it".
Chu Chengye: "..."
Chu Chengye really couldn't say anything to refute, but after thinking for a long time, he could only admit it.
"Okay, I know, my previous judgment of people was indeed problematic, but they were so sincere to me, I had to believe it."
"Do you believe that the brother who went through fire and water with you would do something to assassinate you?"
Cheng Jin shook her head honestly.
She really wouldn't.
But as an emperor, Chu Chengye should have understood the sinister and changeable nature of human nature. Everyone yearns for money and power.
With desire, love, righteousness, and everything else are bullshit.
Chu Chengye said firmly: "I just trusted Li Shen too much, and there won't be any more."
"I won't trust anyone again."
Cheng Jin looked up at him subconsciously, "What about me?"
In fact, to be honest, Cheng Jin herself was not sure about the question she asked.
She didn't know why Chu Chengye always believed in her words so much, and never even doubted it.
If she asked herself, she couldn't answer it.
She is now opening her heart to Chu Chengye, telling him everything she knows, so that he can stabilize the government and save her life.
The emperor is ruthless, and who can be sure where Chu Chengye will put her after completing all his plans.
She hasn't found a way out for herself yet, and can only rely on Chu Chengye.
She knows too many things.
Whether it's Chu Chengye's or other people's, knowing too much means dying sooner, which is why everyone has to pretend to be stupid and keep themselves out of the matter.
Now she has been mixed in soberly, and can't escape even if she wants to.