"Open source? How to open source?"
Qi Daokun rolled his eyes and said, "I think we can increase commercial taxes, and..."
He paused, glanced at Li Chengfeng's expression, and then continued, "And increase the land tax."
"Increase the land tax?"
Li Chengfeng repeated it, with a hint of chill in his tone.
As expected, it seems that this old man is still determined to commit evil.
The incident of tax extortion in Xijing just happened, and now you dare to bring it up again.
Li Chengfeng was obviously unhappy.
"Now that disasters are severe across the country and the people have no harvest, increasing the land tax will only force them to rebel."
Qi Daokun quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I do not intend to burden the people, but the national treasury is empty and I have no choice but to do so.
"Furthermore, I suggest that the land tax be increased only for the wealthy merchants, while the common people can be exempted from a portion of it."
"Oh? In that case, Lord Qi has helped me share my worries."
Li Chengfeng looked at him with a half-smile: "It's just that, all the wealthy businessmen in these places have some connection with local officials. If their interests are affected, I'm afraid..."
Li Chengfeng did not continue speaking, but everyone present understood the threat in his words.
Fine beads of sweat oozed out of Qi Daokun's forehead. He had touched the little emperor's bottom line.
He kowtowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I just made a slip of the tongue. Please forgive me!"
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall.
An armored soldier stumbled in, fell to his knees, and shouted, "Report! Urgent report from the Minister of War! There's a severe drought in Hexi. The people of several surrounding counties have long been resentful and have now... have risen up in rebellion!"
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