for sale.”“The first batch of salt weighed six thousand jin. When it arrived in Xishan Province, it suddenly disappeared. We initially thought it was lost due to a flood and severed our communication....Chapter 1138: Tax Case Table

As someone who worked in the Ministry of Finance, Xu Changqing, was deeply familiar with tax matters. He was the first to notice this issue.

I couldn't help but look up at Li Chen, Xu Changqing hesitated.

He thought there were problems with this policy, and big problems.

But at court, he dared not speak it openly.

Li Chen stood on the imperial steps, overlooking everything. He could see any reaction from the officials below him clearly. Xu Changqing's face was full of things he wanted to say but dared not, looking like he was about to be constipated. Li Chen naturally noticed this too.

"Xu Da, if you have anything to say, just speak your mind." Li Chen said proactively.

At this moment, Li Chen is not concerned with political struggles, but is entirely driven by the national interest.

Though he was confident that the experiences summarized from later generations would not pose any problems, after all, Qin had its own particularity and limitations. Every policy had to conform to the actual situation of the country. Therefore, under this premise, Li Chen was willing to listen to the genuine thoughts of those officials who truly served the public good.

Xu Zhangqing bowed and said, "Your Highness, the right to collect taxes has always been in the hands of local officials since ancient times. The people have also become accustomed to it. Suddenly establishing a tax bureau seems beneficial to national taxation in that it allows for direct control and reduces many middlemen. It can also prevent illegal activities, corruption, and malfeasance during the tax collection process."

The whole speech, even up to this point, still aligns perfectly with the persona of Xu Changqing, a staunch supporter of the Eastern Palace.

Everyone is used to it.

Xu Changqing, the old flatterer.

Even the prince's farts smell good.

But Xu Changqing's next words made everyone feel that his sense of smell had finally returned to normal, smelling ** wasn't all fragrant anymore.

"However, tax reform affects the very foundation of the nation, and many issues urgently need to be addressed. Among them, although Your Highness has pointed out the independence of the Tax Court, since the court directly collects taxes from the people, does it have the power to command soldiers"

"The local environment is complex, and not every commoner is willing to honestly pay agricultural taxes. Moreover, the local gentry and landowners are not easy to deal with. Separating tax collection from the local level, while maintaining independence, also means losing the protection of the local government. This makes tax collection a great challenge."

"But if the tax collection bureau were given the power to raise an army, would this army be drawn from existing government officials or would the tax collection bureau have the authority to conscript soldiers If conscription were permitted, the powers of the tax collection bureau would be excessive. Moreover, for the imperial court, with so many regions nationwide, the constant requisitioning of tens of thousands of troops would be a considerable expense."

"In light of all this, Your Highness, do you have a countermeasure"

Many officials nodded in agreement after Xu Changqing's speech.

Even Li Chen nodded in approval, saying, "What Xu Da has said, this palace has already considered some of it, but some are indeed not thought of. Xu Da has reminded this palace."

Xu Changqing bowed and said: "What we have done is precisely these things of checking for deficiencies and making up for them. As for gathering the wisdom of the multitude, I, your humble servant, also look forward to Your Highness's new policies, which may bring new vitality to the world."

Most of the officials glanced at Xu Changqing and sneered: "Heh, it's you as expected, old bootlicker."

Li Chen pondered for a moment and said, "The Tax Department only has the power to collect taxes, calculate taxes, and verify taxes. It has no authority to dispatch troops or conscript soldiers. When local authorities require tax collection, they can request assistance from local garrison forces."

Speaking of which, Li Chen turned to the generals and said, "This is related to reforms in military and political affairs."

The generals were all invigorated, the prince had even taken military power for himselfChapter 933: The Eldest Prince of This Dynasty Has a Formidable Reputation