Early in the morning, in the Xuanzheng Hall of Taiji Palace, it was already very lively.

Li Shimin is waiting for the Ministry of Civil Affairs to report the amount of money and grain for this year.

The important ministers of the three provinces and various ministries have also arrived.

Fang Xuanling looked a little nervous, in fact, he became Zaifu not long ago, and he encountered several disasters at the end of last year, and he didn't know how much his income could increase.

Du Ruhui is calm and relaxed, he is a more casual person.

The eldest grandson Wuji lowered his head thoughtfully.

Lu Kuan, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, was anxious about the imperial examination and seemed absent-minded.

The rest of them have their own thoughts.

"Why hasn't Dai Qing's house arrived yet?"

Li Shimin looked a little impatient.

Of course, he knew that there could not be a specific number at this time, but at least ...... After so many days of accounting, there are probably rough amounts, and the relationship between money and grain is the national economy and people's livelihood, and it is the pillar of the imperial court, and Li Shimin cannot but be concerned.

Zhang Qian, the regular attendant, was also anxious, and he urged the little eunuch to go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to inquire early in the morning...... It stands to reason that Dai Zhou should have entered the temple a long time ago.

But......

After a while, a little eunuch came in a hurry, Zhang Qian saw the little eunuch outside the hall probing his brain, so he hurried out, the little eunuch whispered something, Zhang Qian returned to the palace, and said: "Your Majesty, Dai Gong went to the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy at noon yesterday, and has not returned so far, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs has appointed someone to find it." ”

Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy ......

Li Shimin frowned......

Recently, the words Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy have appeared more frequently in my ears.

In fact, for the emperor, a small salt and iron envoy is really as small as mosquito meat, if Li Shimin hadn't been tortured by Chen Jiye for a while in the past, I'm afraid that he would not have any interest in Chang'an salt and iron envoy for the rest of his life.

"He is the head of a ministry, why does he care about the salt and iron envoys, messing around."

Li Shimin blew his beard and glared, but he thought in his heart, could it be that the surnamed Chen caused something wrong?

These days, his impression of the Chen family has been much better, and he can't help but think of Dai Guan's dissatisfaction with the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy, and Dai Zhou has always had a hot temper and will not ......

Li Shimin's brows furrowed even deeper, he won't make any trouble, the palms and backs of his hands are full of meat......

Chen Jiye is a ridiculous person, I asked him to be a salt and iron envoy, but I just placed him in a ministry, so that he could eat less and support there.

Wouldn't it be good to let him waste this useless Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy like this?

You Dai Xuan knows that the Chen family is such a group of people, what are you going to provoke them for?

"Your Majesty...... One more thing...... Nute came to report the good news......" seemed to see His Majesty's dissatisfaction, Zhang Qian smiled on his face: "The Ministry of Civil Affairs said that this year's annual income may increase a lot, among which Henan Province for example, the salt tax has increased by fifty percent, and as for other money and grain, there is also an increase of one or two percent, Your Majesty ...... This is a sign of abundant crops and good fortune in the world. ”

When Li Shimin and others heard this, some people breathed a sigh of relief, and some people showed joy.

Li Shimin was even more overjoyed: "Really? If so, I'll have no worries. ”

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked at each other and smiled, and they were also elated.

Fang Xuanling said excitedly: "Since His Majesty ascended to the pole, sympathetic to the people, so the tax reduction, light servitude, has been three years so far, although the imperial court has repeatedly lightly saved taxes, but the taxes are increasing day by day, it can be seen that the people are getting richer and richer, the signs of the country's prosperity, especially in terms of salt and iron, have increased year by year, this Henan salt and iron envoy, is increased by fifty percent, can be called outstanding political achievements, worthy of a special book, is gratifying and congratulatory." ”

Li Shimin's face was full of red light, and he nodded again and again: "Yes, the salt and iron envoy of Henan Province, can be described as my minister of humerus, if it is an official in the world, everyone is like him, why worry about the world." Come...... If you want to make a good appearance of the salt and iron envoys of Henan Province, you must make a good ......"

When the ministers saw the great joy of the dragon face, they were also inspired by the spirit, and it was rare for His Majesty to be happy, and naturally all the mouths praised the great achievements of the salt and iron envoys of Henan Province.

As he was talking, a eunuch came: "Your Majesty, the secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs is coming to see you." ”

Li Shimin waved his hand: "Xuan." ”

A moment later, the Xuanzheng Palace, which was originally jubilant, suddenly fell silent, and everyone held their breath and looked at the people entering the hall strangely.

The person who entered the hall was naturally Dai Guan, but he saw that Dai Guan's face was as pale as paper, as if his body had been hollowed out, and he was also limping when he walked.

He walked to the hall with difficulty, bowed to Li Shimin, and said weakly: "Your ......."

"What's wrong with the Qing family?" Li Shimin was shocked, this is a dignified minister of the court, but where does Dai Zhou have the demeanor of a minister.

"I heard that the Qing family went to Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy?" A terrible thought popped up in Li Shimin's heart, Chen Jiye wouldn't have done terrible things to Dai Zhou.

It is very likely that Li Shimin suddenly realized that the Chen family could do everything.

Dai Xuan smiled bitterly: "The minister went to Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy." ”

"Qing is still a scholar, why did he go to the salt and iron envoy and didn't return overnight."

"Your Majesty......" Dai Xuan smiled bitterly: "The minister has gone to count the money." ”

Counting the money......

There was an uproar in the temple.

This is a ridiculous joke.

"Here's the thing, the salt and iron envoy collected the tax, and he couldn't calculate it for a while, and the minister ...... Minister...... Go and help the ......"

“……”

This sentence is even more foggy.

Li Shimin frowned, patted the case, and said, "What happened?" Does the tax money from the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy still need to be counted by my minister himself? ”

"This ......," Dai Xuan said with difficulty, "Of course it ...... You don't have to go there in person, it's just ...... There's so much money there. ”

Money...... Too much.

If this is said by others, everyone can understand it.

But Dai Guan, as the secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is in charge of the world's money and grain, and he said such things...... Isn't that a joke?

Could it be that the dignified civil department has never seen money?

Li Shimin felt more and more strange: "Why did the Qing family swallow and vomit? ”

Dai Xuan looked decadent, and after a long time, he struggled to squeeze out a sentence: "Your Majesty...... The salt and iron envoy of Chang'an, the salt tax has skyrocketed this year, and the minister has calculated the amount all night, and its tax revenue is as high as 113,270 and 132 yuan! ”

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.

Many people think they heard it wrong.

What is the number of 110,000?

Even during the period of Emperor Wen of Sui, which can be called the heyday, the salt tax in the two capitals did not exceed 50,000 guan, and the fundamental reason was that there were many wealthy families in the two capitals, which formed a monopoly on salt, and the imperial court could not collect a large amount of taxes at all.

Li Shimin reacted immediately, but he smiled first.

The smile was certainly a bit of disbelief.

He is very familiar with the situation of the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy, of course, thanks to the reason why Chen Jiye has been playing and shouting grievances every day, didn't the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy collect more than 1,000 taxes a year?

Isn't there still a huge deficit in the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy?

Isn't it even self-sufficient?

How is it possible, in the blink of an eye, a tax of 110,000 yuan was collected.

No way!

"Dai Qing's family, I don't see your face well."

Li Shimin looked worried.

The implication is: you're crazy......

"Your Majesty......" Dai Xuan looked ashamed, he really didn't know whether to cry or laugh, thinking of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy issued an official document to Shen Yu, the official document was hung up, he felt that this was a stain on his life.

As the secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, it is a great joy to be able to collect huge taxes.

"Your Majesty, this is true, almost all the taxes are personally checked and put into the treasury by the ministers, and all the accounts are clear and clear, and the ministers ......" Dai Xuan paused and said solemnly: "I am willing to guarantee it." ”

Everyone gasped.

Li Shimin was moved.

He suddenly realized something: "Where did these taxes come from?" ”

Dai Xuan was stunned......

He patronized to get his face back, and this morning, he was too tired to ask about it.

Thereupon......

Li Shimin frowned: "You are the secretary of the Ministry of Ministry, don't you even know about this?" ”

Dai Zhou felt suffocated: "......"

Li Shimin immediately said: "Where is the account book in the warehouse? ”

Dai Guan: "......"

He suddenly realized...... He should immediately bring the money and food books into the palace to present to the emperor.

But......

Li Shimin looked at this financial steward of the Tang Dynasty, and actually had the feeling that I believed in your evil and actually let a person like you be the secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Li Shimin has shown both excitement and caution about this.

"Immediately order someone to go to the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy to inspect, and in addition, immediately summon Chen Jiye to meet him!"

At the sound of an order, there was a flying horse to the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy.

And Chen Jiye seems to have been waiting for a long time.

That's where he's smart.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs personally calculated the money and food, and he did not participate, but first slept and then ate a good meal. The fundamental reason is that he knows that he has to cultivate his spirit, and it is very likely that he will be summoned by the emperor today.

The Chen family has fallen into the pit countless times, which makes Chen Jiye extremely careful in any words and deeds.

Because...... The Chen family can't afford to lose anymore.