The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 183 A Hundred Battles a Day Between Ruler and Minister

After a night of in-depth yet accessible discussion and learning, Shen Ye finally realized that Cao Min was right; her foreign language skills were indeed only average.

However, there are generally advantages, namely, more opportunities to learn together and improve together.

As a newlywed, Shen Ye had a period of vacation during which he neither had to attend court nor perform official duties; he could simply stay in Yuqing Palace and enjoy his life.

However, sleeping in late is not an option.

After all, Cao Min was a concubine, and he had to accompany her to see the Empress Dowager, Emperor Qianxi, and the other concubines in the palace.

Shen Ye could have chosen not to participate in the meeting with the Empress Dowager, but her participation would have shown her respect for Cao Min.

Shen Ye had no choice but to attend the meeting with Emperor Qianxi.

So, after getting up early and washing up, Shen Ye took Cao Min and headed towards the Qianqing Palace.

Because prior arrangements had been made, Emperor Qianxi was already waiting in the Qianqing Palace when the two arrived.

After Cao Min paid his respects, Emperor Qianxi said a few routine words and then had the rewards brought out.

Perhaps it was because of his affection for the emperor, but Emperor Qianxi bestowed many gifts upon the emperor, including seven or eight precious items.

However, Emperor Qianxi also grasped the balance very well, and the total reward did not exceed the reward given to Shi Jingrong on her first visit to him.

After completing all the ceremonies, Shen Ye prepared to take Cao Min to the Cining Palace.

However, Emperor Qianxi said to Liang Jiugong, "Liang Jiugong, have someone accompany Lady Cao to the front hall for tea. I have something to discuss with the Crown Prince."

Liang Jiugong agreed and then led two palace maids to escort the somewhat hesitant Cao Min out.

The study was now empty except for Emperor Qianxi and Shen Ye.

Emperor Qianxi turned to Shen Ye and asked, "What is your opinion, Your Highness, regarding the imperial students who blocked the bridal sedan chair to lodge a complaint?"

Shen Ye knew that Emperor Qianxi's question was a test for him.

Although he was busy studying yesterday, working diligently and tirelessly all night, he had already considered this matter.

So he calmly replied, "Father, I believe there must be someone instigating and encouraging this matter. Otherwise, those imperial students wouldn't have been so bold!"

"Moreover, they won't even think of complaining to your son, the Crown Prince."

"If they want to file a complaint, they should do so to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Emperor Qianxi snorted and said, "At least you're still thinking straight!"

What's your opinion on the "equalization of land tax and poll tax" policy?

Facing Emperor Qianxi's gaze, Shen Ye had the same assessment of the land tax reform he had seen in later generations. He said frankly, "The land tax reform was very beneficial to the court."

"It's not about whether the tax revenue increases or decreases, but about increasing the tax paid by the wealthy and reducing the burden on those who have no money or land."

"Your subject believes that the land tax reform should be implemented."

"As for those who oppose it, they all own land."

Emperor Qianxi nodded, saying that the Crown Prince's ability to see through these things was a testament to the value of his teachings.

He did not intend to leave the matter of merging the poll tax into the land tax to the Crown Prince, so he did not say much about it.

Instead, he changed the subject and said, "Ma Qi reported that you don't know how to recover the remaining three million taels of silver owed to the national treasury?"

Shen Ye spread his hands and said, "Father, people who sign installment payment agreements generally don't have that much money on hand."

"Now, even if we raid their homes, we won't get any money."

"It would be better to have them sign a repayment agreement and pay back the money gradually!"

"Moreover, three million is not a lot of money for Taicang."

Hearing Shen Ye's answer, Emperor Qianxi felt there was nothing wrong with it.

But he couldn't help but think of Ma Qi's words.

Ma Qi is a very accurate judge of character. Could it be that he really misjudged the Crown Prince this time? Countless thoughts flashed through Emperor Qianxi's mind in an instant. Finally, he said calmly, "But Ma Qi said he feels you have a solution?"

Facing the aggressive Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye showed no fear and said, "Father, I do have some ideas, but I feel they are not quite mature enough."

"Moreover, this idea is quite troublesome to implement. If there isn't enough capable people to carry it out, it might cause even bigger trouble."

"Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, I did not tell Lord Ma Qi."

Emperor Qianxi nodded slightly, finding the Crown Prince's explanation reasonable.

He then solemnly asked, "Then tell me, what are you planning to do?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Actually, it's similar to the idea I gave Lord Cao Yin: have him set up a gold shop and use the interest to attract deposits."

"It's just that this has been converted into a deposit."

"Your subject believes that the amount of these installment payments can be used to establish a bank. The bank can accept deposits from ordinary people, and the interest paid on these deposits will be the interest on these installment payments."

"Once this bank is opened, the Ministry of Revenue will have an extra sum of money that it can use at any time."

"But in that case, the Ministry of Revenue will lose the interest from the installment payments."

Emperor Qianxi was very good at mathematics, so his thinking was also very sharp.

After a moment's thought, he understood what Shen Ye meant.

The bank is essentially an intermediary, but through the bank, the Ministry of Revenue can transfer a batch of silver at any time.

Although this batch of silver requires interest payments, it has one advantage: it can be used to solve the court's urgent needs at any time.

However, if handled improperly, it could lead to serious trouble.

After all, those who save money for interest are mostly ordinary people.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, a hint of hesitation arose in Emperor Qianxi's heart.

But deep down, he was unwilling to lose this source of funds that he could access at any time, so he glanced at Shen Ye and said, "Since you were the one who proposed this bank, you should know it best."

"If I let you run this bank, can you guarantee there won't be any problems?"

Although it involves three million taels of silver, it is, after all, a loan.

In Emperor Qianxi's view, handing this so-called bank over to the Crown Prince would be better if the Crown Prince could obtain some silver to subsidize the Ministry of Revenue; if not, there would be no loss.

As for the rest, he felt there was nothing wrong with it.

Shen Ye was not too willing when he heard that Emperor Qianxi had handed the bank over to him.

There are too many things to worry about in banking. He'd rather spend that time chatting with Nian Xinyue or Cao Min...

"Father, I think it's better to leave this matter to someone else. I can offer some suggestions."

"After all, I have too many things to do, and sometimes I can't get away from them."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's expression changed. Just as he was about to speak, Liang Jiugong rushed over and said, "Your Majesty, dozens of censors from the Censorate want to petition the emperor. They request that Your Majesty abolish the land tax reform and severely punish Nian Xialing."

"The people have now arrived outside Taihe Gate."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's expression changed.

Having ruled the court for so many years, this was the first time he had encountered such a situation of petitioning the emperor, and he felt somewhat frustrated.

A thought instantly flashed through his mind: the emperor and his ministers are locked in a daily battle, and these censors are here to force him to make concessions.

How could I retreat without a fight!

"Alright, I'll leave this to you."

After saying something to Shen Ye, Emperor Qianxi instructed Liang Jiugong, "Go and tell Tong Guowei about this."

　The second update for today is here, please support!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)