Liu Wenshan said, "Young friend Cao, feel free to ask whatever you want. I'm not a bad person."
Cao Ang complained, "How many court officials have fallen into your hands in the past? Which of the old officials of the previous dynasty dared to say that they were not afraid of you?"
Cao Ang asked, "Master Liu, you have always been known for your integrity. You have always detested the behavior of officials' family members engaging in business and cannot tolerate such unhealthy practices. However, this time His Majesty personally participated in the business trip. Why did you not only not stop it, but instead helped it?"
Liu Wenshan smiled slightly and responded, "My dear Cao, it seems you have misunderstood the duties and position of our censors. Do you think we are always opposed to all commercial activities?"
In fact, our duty as censors is to monitor the behavior of officials and ensure that they comply with the laws and ethical standards of the country. If Your Majesty abides by these rules during your business dealings, then we naturally have no reason to object. On the contrary, we will provide necessary assistance to ensure the fairness and transparency of the entire process.
Cao Ang was no fool; he recognized the hidden meaning in Liu Wenshan's words. However, Cao Ang had also experienced many ups and downs. He humbly asked, "Counselor Liu, could you please enlighten me?"
Liu Wenshan, the censor known for his outspokenness, responded, "Think back to the time when we censors impeached people. They were the rich and unkind who exploited the people. That's why we impeached them at the morning court."
Do you think we really don't know which members of the court ministers' families are involved in business activities? We are against those businessmen who use unfair means to squeeze the hard-earned money of the people.
We didn't complain about the merchants who behaved respectably. We are currently carrying out a project that benefits both the country and the people. So why should I stop them?
As for why I want to take the initiative to participate in this, I just want to ask you one question: Are you, the Cao family, or your military department, willing to give up your share of the profits?"
After hearing Liu Wenshan's remarks, Cao Ang could only smile helplessly. He then explained, "I used to think you were the kind of person who was above the mundane world, aloof from the mundane world. So I thought people like you didn't need to worry too much about money. That's why I used to think you didn't value wealth too much."
After hearing this, Liu Wenshan responded self-deprecatingly, "Are we imperial censors no longer mortal? Don't we need to eat? Can an immortal's aura be eaten? If it weren't for the court's consistent and timely payment of salaries, my family wouldn't even have enough to eat. If I were toiling in the fields like an ordinary farmer, cloth-clad and covered in mud, would you still think I possessed that immortal aura?"
After Liu Wenshan finished speaking, he quickly took steps and hurriedly left the palace. At the same time, Cao Ang finally realized that the imperial censors were also human beings, and they also had their own life needs and material needs.
Cao Ang began to think that if the imperial censors could increase their wealth through legal and legitimate means, why didn't they do so?
Just like the refined salt business entrusted to them by Your Majesty, most of the imperial censors maintained a noble character, disdaining to take money that was not earned through their own labor. Because of this, Wei's salt industry maintained a high-quality and stable supply, and prices were kept very reasonable. No one dared to arbitrarily raise the price of salt, thus ensuring market stability and the interests of the people.
After witnessing Liu Wenshan's departure, Cao Ang still had a question in his mind. So, he found Chang Sun Dechong again and asked him his question in a doubtful tone:
"Brother Changsun, we have reached a consensus on the construction of the villa, but shouldn't we notify the Ministry of Revenue and let them get involved? After all, the Ministry of Revenue is responsible for managing the Wei treasury, so it seems reasonable to let them profit from it as well."
Chang Sun Dechong looked at Cao Ang with a helpless and sighing look, and slowly explained: "Do you really think the Ministry of Revenue had no involvement in this? You must understand that in this matter, the Ministry of Revenue is the biggest beneficiary besides Your Majesty.
They don't have to do any work, and they can collect one-tenth of the tax from us. And your Majesty's share of the profits will eventually be turned over as taxes. Do you think the Ministry of Revenue will gain less from this project?"
After saying these words, Chang Sun Dechong looked at Cao Ang deeply again, then sighed and walked away quickly, as if silently expressing his regret that such a shrewd and cunning man like Cao Mengde could have such an ordinary son.
At this moment, Wen Zhengqing approached Cao Ang and whispered to him, "Brother Cao, you should follow the current emperor's lead and change your way of thinking. The current emperor has many ways to make money, and under his strong policies, tax revenue can be fully guaranteed. Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue will not face a funding shortage in the short term."
And Brother Cao, you must clearly understand that if the Ministry of Revenue is allowed to participate in the operation of the villa, then one day in the future when the national treasury has a fiscal deficit, will they turn their attention to our villa, will they raise prices without restraint, or continue to sell those limited supreme cards and gold cards?
If this really happens, can our villa still maintain its original credibility and market position? "
Cao Ang pondered for a moment and realized the seriousness of the problem, so he blurted out a sharp question: "If His Majesty decides to raise prices or continue selling Supreme Cards, how should we respond?"
Hearing Cao Ang's question, Wen Zhengqing looked at him in shock, then sighed deeply and left the scene silently.
You must know that everything in the entire Wei Kingdom belongs to His Majesty and is the property of the royal family. Furthermore, this money-making plan was personally planned and led by His Majesty. He can do whatever he wants with it, so why would he need a military officer like you to worry about it?
As Wen Zhengqing's figure gradually faded away, Cao Ang realized that his words had been somewhat inappropriate. Looking around, he found that no one was present. He patted his cheek lightly, smiled self-deprecatingly, and thought to himself that he was really a bit foolish. Then he left the palace.
At this time, the homes of all the third-rank officials in Kaifeng City were very lively, and many young people were playing together at home.
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