Everyone looked at Yun Xiyan.
"Overall, the market is stable, with ample supply and strong consumer spending power. Beef and mutton prices have increased slightly compared to last year due to the snowstorm in Chi Lechuan this winter, but the increase is limited. Thanks to the recent development of animal husbandry in the eastern and northern Hebei provinces, market supply remains a problem."
"Once the train from Chi Lechuan to Chang'an opens and transportation becomes more convenient, the price will naturally fall."
"Our Great Xia's grain, textiles, and other products have all found excellent markets abroad. Within the next five years, I estimate that the growth rate of Great Xia's domestic production capacity will roughly balance the growth of domestic and international consumer markets."
"But we have to be careful about meat. The livestock industry in Jingdong and Hebei is developing at a breakneck pace, especially in pig and poultry farming. The scale has far exceeded our expectations! I estimate it will take another two years at most for the supply to be released. If we can't sell it abroad by then... I'm afraid it will have a huge impact on the meat market."
Yan Xiwen nodded and looked at Shi Yiming, the newly appointed governor of Yueshan North Road. "Look, I wasn't kidding, was I? Aquaculture is no small matter. Yueshan North Road's aquaculture industry must be controlled within the scope of meeting local market needs."
"I've been to both North and South Viet San Province. To find good projects, we still have to start with local resources. Of course, we've also considered the relatively weak foundations of these two provinces, so we plan to invest in and build a military equipment industry chain in these two provinces."
"The road and railway construction throughout North Viet Son Province and South Viet Son Province will be a major focus of national investment next year. You and He Ansheng must find a place to establish a military equipment industry base. The requirements are, of course, convenient transportation and a poor area with no industry."
“…”
It's a tea party!
Although they have taken a break, Yan Xiwen and others are still thinking and planning for the future of Daxia.
The atmosphere was very relaxed, and everyone was able to speak freely. However, two hours later, they decided on several major events that the Great Xia court would do next year.
"The first round of assessments for the impoverished counties identified last time will take place next spring."
Yan Xiwen continued, holding the teacup, "Of course, the time is quite tight. I personally don't recommend using this assessment to determine an official's ability. This is merely a reminder and a reference for the next assessment."
"Regarding the administration of officials, the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate will jointly conduct another overhaul next year. This overhaul will have two aspects. The first is a secret inspection of officials at all levels. I'm not worried about you, the prefects, finding out. After this inspection, all Daxia officials' assets will need to be reported to the Ministry of Revenue. This will serve as the basis for the future wealth of Daxia officials."
"The second aspect is publicity, telling the people about their power to supervise local officials. I think we should set up an inspection team led by the Censorate to specifically handle cases of official corruption reported by the public."
"Didn't he once say that no matter how bright the sun is, there are places where it can't reach. This is why we need to remain highly vigilant at all times, because a single bad apple can really spoil the whole bunch!"
Qin Mowen nodded, "I agree with Xiwen's ideas."
Ning Yuchun also nodded, "Good idea, I agree."
"Okay, then submit it to the cabinet for review after the court session."
They were almost done with the serious business when Yun Xiyan suddenly asked, "I heard that the emperor wants to build a royal villa on Changling Mountain?"
After saying this, Yan Xiwen sighed, "Ah... The Emperor has even been attending court much less these past two months. He seems to dislike us. I was shocked when the Ministry of Works reported this to me, but then I discussed it with Brother Mo Wen and Brother Yu Chun..."
"We have no say in this matter, because the Emperor didn't touch the Ministry of Revenue's money, but rather the Imperial Treasury... This is considered the Emperor's private money, left to him by the Emperor Emeritus. He can spend it however he wants, and we have no right to interfere."
Yun Xiyan shook his head. "The budget for this Royal Villa was jointly drawn up by my father-in-law and the former president of the People's Bank of China!"
Yan Xiwen and the others were shocked. Yun Xiyan's father-in-law was the former Minister of Revenue You Xianzhi, and the former Governor of the People's Bank of China was Li Jindou, who had always followed Fu Xiaoguan!
"Such a big project? What's the budget?" Qin Mowen asked.
“This number!”
Yun Xiyan stretched out a finger.
"Ten million taels? That's not much."
"Prime Minister Qin, it's one hundred million!"
Qin Mowen immediately took a deep breath... One hundred million taels of silver to build a villa in Changling Mountain... When Fu Xiaoguan was in office, he seemed to have never spent money so lavishly for his own enjoyment -
Unconsciously, everyone would compare Fu Xiaoguan with the new emperor.
This comparison is extremely harmful.
Qin Mowen's face suddenly darkened. "Even though it's the treasury's money, this is not the way to lose it!"
"Although the construction of Chang'an City cost tens of billions, it holds an extremely important economic and strategic position! It is designed to facilitate the overall management of Daxia and facilitate the connection of commerce to the north along the Silk Road!"
"What's that? He's only fourteen years old, and instead of learning to be diligent, he's learned to enjoy himself!"
"How much silver is left in his treasury? Is he planning to use up all the money in the treasury and then go after the national treasury? No, I will definitely discuss this with the emperor once the court is in session!"
Qin Mowen was very angry, and the room suddenly fell silent.
Yun Xiyan thought for a moment and then laughed, "Brother Mo Wen, why bother getting so angry about this? If you ask me... if we want to persuade the emperor, it's best for you and me not to intervene."
"Just let him do what he wants?"
"No, it would be best to ask Mr. Zhuo and his party, or the Minister of War, Mr. Zhuo Bie Li, to persuade them!"
Qin Mowen understood.
Although this matter has not been made public, it is no longer a secret.
Zhuo Yixing is the emperor's grandfather, and Zhuo Bieli is his father!
No money from the national treasury was used to build the royal villa, so in the final analysis, this is the emperor's own family affair.
Zhuo Yixing is the old prime minister. He now leads the cabinet and I think he knows what the emperor has done.
In fact, the cabinet has Zhuo Yixing, Nangong Yiyu and Meng Changping as its chairpersons. As long as the emperor's policies do not deviate too much, they are easily passed in the cabinet.
"The Emperor's current concern lies in his disappointment with the power he holds... Actually, this is human nature, but not everyone is as eager to abandon the throne as Fu Xiaoguan. Most people, like the Emperor, will ultimately be attached to, or even obsessed with, power."
"There are actually many ways to resolve the emperor's heart knot... Let's keep quiet and let the emperor speak."
Yun Xiyan poured everyone another cup of tea and said with a smile, "The retired emperor would love for us to get everything done and not bother him anymore, but the new emperor is clearly the opposite. So... I think we might have to take a step back, especially the three of you."
"As long as the policies set by the emperor are not too outrageous, let him do whatever he wants."
Yan Xiwen and others were silent.
Would this be a good thing?
Perhaps the relationship between the monarch and his subjects could be eased, but Fu Xiaoguan once said that power is addictive. Once possessed, people will only hold it tighter, control it more widely, and extend their hands further and further until it is out of control.
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