"I heard that the merchants in Chang'an and nearby are very rich, and there are often local tyrants fighting for wealth in Chang'an, which is a beautiful talk for a while, as the so-called rise and fall of the country, the husband is responsible, when the country is built, these merchants should not contribute some money out. Wang Mang opened his mouth and said his attention.

The ministers opened their mouths one after another, and Li Hong asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, isn't it ready to raise taxes?"

Li Hong's problem is also the problem of all the officials present, according to the ancestral system of the imperial court, all taxes have laws, and they cannot be easily increased or reduced, otherwise it may cause national turmoil and shake the country's foundation.

Wang Mang knew what these ministers were thinking, and said directly: "I don't plan to raise taxes at present......

"Your Majesty has the idea of raising taxes?" Zhang Jian said directly: " Your Majesty must not have this idea, the merchants are directly dealing with the people, all the goods and daily necessities purchased by the people come from the merchants, if the merchants raise taxes, according to the principle that the wool is out of the sheep, the merchants must spread the tax on the heads of the people, it will increase the burden of the people, the people, most of the foolish people, they do not understand that this is the merchants are unwilling to reduce profits and increase the price of goods, they will only put all the vitality on the court, after a long time, the reputation of the court will become bad, the country's foundation will be shaken, Your Majesty, please think twice”

"Zhang Jian, when did I say that I was going to raise taxes?" Wang Mang called Zhang Jian's name directly, his face was displeased, of course he knew that there would be problems with rash tax increases, and he knew that this matter should be considered in the long run, so there was no need for Zhang Jian to say more.

Zhang Jian made Wang Mang rush, his face was stunned, and said, "Weichen understands." ”

"It's good to get it. Wang Mang glanced at Zhang Jian angrily, and then continued: " I didn't plan to raise taxes on the merchants, I meant to distribute the money to the merchants, or the merchants to donate voluntarily, of course, the merchants' contributions to the court can also be seen, so I decided that after the house was built, a large number of newly built houses would be named Shiziyuan, which would be specially given to the scholars who entered the capital to live, and then after the Shiziyuan was completed, a monument could be erected in front of the newly built houses, and the list of merchants who donated money should be written on the tablet, and at the same time, a note should be made in the history books for generations to remember. ”

"Your Majesty is going to erect a monument?" Zhao Xin looked at Wang Mang excitedly.

"Of course, such a great event must be passed down through the ages. Wang Mang nodded and said, "At that time, I will also go there in person to write an inscription for the newly repaired Shiziyuan." ”

Zhao Xin's breathing suddenly became three points heavier, and he actually said directly: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, how can we donate money from merchants, and we can also donate money to build this Shizi Garden." ”

"......" Of course, Wang Mang knew that many of his ministers were local tyrants, but the wool could not be sheared from one place all the time, and those fat merchants had already made Wang Mang drool, and Wang Mang also wanted to take this opportunity to have a general understanding of the strength of the merchants in Daqin, how could it be so simple to let Zhao Xin destroy it.

Zhao Xin saw that Wang Mang didn't speak, and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, Shinong Industry and Commerce, Shi is the top, and business is the bottom, how can the reputation of Jian Shiziyuan be tarnished by those merchants who smell of copper, and the minister thinks that if this matter is as His Majesty said, the minister can handle it alone, ensuring that Shiziyuan is completed on time, and there is no need for merchants to pay a penny." ”

"The ministers and others are justified by Lord Zhao's words. Hundreds of officials bowed their heads one after another.

Nima, these people are in a hurry to send money to me!

Wang Mang looked at the scene in front of him, and was suddenly surprised, Wang Mang knew that there were few ministers in his hands, so he put the donation on the head of the merchant, and he never thought that as soon as he said his thoughts, the enthusiasm of these officials was so high, and they rushed to send money to Wang Mang.

Wang Mang didn't know that for officials, there was nothing more adrenaline than Wan Liufang.

Writing books and erecting monuments all stirred the nerves of the officials, and compared with the eternal Liufang, a mere 100,000 taels of silver is nothing.

Wang Mang looked at the group of officials in the court who suddenly became active, and had to change his plan, and said: "Since you Aiqing are so considerate of me, then I will entrust this matter to Zhao Xin, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Zhao Xin, I ordered you to raise funds for the construction of Shiziyuan within three days, and build Shiziyuan within half a month, do you have any problems." “

"The Ministers are grateful. Zhao Xin said excitedly: "The minister's liver and brain are all on the ground, and he will definitely live up to His Majesty's trust!"

The ministers looked at Zhao Xin with envy, this is a good thing for a thief to show his face, it is actually a good thing for Zhao Xin to give it, even Zhang Jian, a trace of envy flashed in his eyes, to the point where he has long been short of money, what is lacking is fame, and the monk Ziyuan is undoubtedly a good opportunity to increase his fame in front of the world.

The ministers were excited, and many officials kept throwing flattering glances at Zhao Xin, most of the people who could stand here were not poor, they couldn't afford 10,000 taels, and they could always afford 100 taels, who didn't want to leave their names in the history books and inscriptions?

Compared with other officials, Wang Yongji's face was much calmer, and seeing that the ministers' energy was focused on donating money to build Shiziyuan, Wang Yongji took a step and said: "Your Majesty, the minister has a play!"

As soon as Wang Yongji spoke, the court suddenly quieted down again, in the past two years, everyone was used to Wang Yongji bringing bad news to everyone as soon as he opened his mouth, and at this moment they all looked solemn, waiting to hear the bad news from Wang Yongji.

Who would have thought that Wang Yongji did not bring bad news to everyone this time, but said with an excited face: "Your Majesty, Wang Xi's rebels have been rebelling in the south for a long time, and now the imperial army has compressed the southern rebels in the three counties of Shenmu, Shenshui, and Shentu. ”

The rebellion is coming to an end? Wang Mang was a little confused, this southern rebellion that had been haunting his ears since he came to this world ended so easily? Wang Mang was a little unconvinced.

Not only did Wang Mang not believe it, but the officials in the DPRK and China did not believe it, Li Lan said directly: "Wang Yongji, are you not crazy, when did the imperial court have such an overwhelming advantage over the southern rebels?"

"The imperial court has always had an overwhelming advantage over the southern rebels. Wang Yongji said: "The southern soldiers of Daqin have always been not as strong as the northern soldiers, the northern soldiers have always fought two or even three southern soldiers, and the imperial court counterinsurgency army is dominated by northern soldiers, and they have pressed the southern soldiers from the beginning. ”

"Then why hasn't the southern rebellion been lifted yet?" Li Hong glared and said, "Wang Yongji, aren't you using the southern rebels to cheat the budget!"

"Let go of your mother's shit!" Wang Yongji was an anxious man, and when he heard Li Hong's words, his eyes immediately turned red.

Zhao Xin hurriedly said: "Wang Yongji, in front of Your Majesty, you must not be presumptuous. ”

"Yes. Wang Yongji hurriedly kowtowed to Wang Mang and said, "Your Majesty, Weichen lost his words for a while, please condemn Your Majesty!"

"Human nature, what a crime!" Wang Mang waved his hand indifferently, if he was put in Wang Yongji's position, it would be good if he didn't go up and give Li Hong a punch.

"Lord Wang, what's going on?" Zhang Jian frowned.

Wang Yongji said slowly: "The imperial army has been pressing the southern rebels, but it has not reached the critical moment, and the logistics have always been unable to keep up!"

As he spoke, Wang Yongji glared at Li Hong fiercely, Li Hong looked innocent, but he also knew that his household department had indeed dragged down the southern war situation to a certain extent.

Li Hong was also single, and said directly: "Wang Yongji, if you have anything, just say it directly!"