Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

After Prince Bei Jing left, Jia Lian naturally lowered his head and continued reading the memorials.

Suddenly, the light in front of him dimmed, and when he looked up, he saw Princess Zhaoyang standing in front of the table, staring at him with a slightly coquettish look.

"What's wrong?"

"Has Your Majesty forgotten something?"

"What?"

Seeing that Jia Lian was not going to listen, Princess Zhaoyang said angrily, "Brother, have you forgotten that I am also the Prime Minister?"

To compensate for the water solubility, you appointed him as the governor of the national bank.

what about me?

"You asked me to help you train the new army last time, have you forgotten about that?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian smiled and said, "Training the new army can only begin after the Ministry of War has organized the Green Standard Army competition and selected the soldiers."

And after thinking about it, training new troops is a rough job, not really suitable for you.

How about I give you a better job?

"What's the assignment?"

Princess Zhaoyang leaned closer to Jia Lian, her hands resting on the table.

Looking at the bright and cheerful girl in front of him, Jia Lian subconsciously wanted to reach out and touch her face.

However, Princess Zhaoyang immediately withdrew her body after noticing, clearly indicating that she would not allow Jia Lian to touch her until he satisfied her.

Jia Lian smiled and then asked, "What do you think of what Lu Zhongxiang just said?"

"Minister Lu? Is that the one who proposed taxing all merchants in the world?"

Seeing Jia Lian nod, Princess Zhaoyang thought about it seriously and then said, "I think it's feasible."

Jia Lian's eyes lit up as he looked at Princess Zhaoyang.

"Actually, I also think that when the imperial court collects taxes, why does it have to focus so much on the farmers?"

Everyone knows that those wealthy merchant families are even richer than those big landowners, let alone ordinary people.

But ordinary people still have to pay taxes to the imperial court, while they don't; this is very unfair.

Princess Zhaoyang's words, though simple, revealed the most basic truth.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Actually, it's not that they don't pay taxes, it's just that the 'taxes' they pay all go into their own pockets, and the imperial court doesn't get any benefit at all."

As Jia Lian spoke of this, he thought of Zhou Yanru.

There was no way around it; this was the biggest businessman who had "paid taxes" to him the most since he rose to prominence.

Princess Zhaoyang laughed knowingly upon hearing this: "It seems that the 500,000 taels of silver that my brother gave me back then was the 'tax' those merchants paid to him, hehehe..."

Although Princess Zhaoyang had never met any big merchants, she could understand.

In this world, it is ultimately those in power who have the final say.

Those merchants who wanted to establish themselves and survive inevitably had to pay "protection fees" to some powerful people in order to ensure their safety.

Faced with Princess Zhaoyang's teasing, Jia Lian did not deny it, and said frankly: "Therefore, I want to establish a department to manage all merchants and businessmen in the world. I have already thought of a name for it, which is the 'Ministry of Commerce'."

The aim is to protect the legitimate interests of merchants worldwide, ensuring that the taxes paid by these merchants do not flow into private pockets but directly into the national treasury.

However, this matter is somewhat difficult to carry out, and the resistance is likely to be considerable.

So I originally planned to bring it up again in a few years.

Now that you want to help me with something, why don't you take charge of this matter?

I've already considered it for you. To reduce resistance, it would be better to call this Ministry of Commerce the "Commercial Department" for now, tentatively set as a third-rank government office.

From the date of its establishment, all merchants and businesses that register with the Department of Commerce, operate legally, and pay commercial taxes on time and in full will be recognized and protected by the imperial court.

Furthermore, they enjoyed rights including, but not limited to, the right for their children to participate in the imperial examinations normally and the right to wear silk.

The specifics still need careful consideration, but that's the general idea. Do you understand?

Compared to the national bank, Jia Lian actually preferred to get the Ministry of Commerce up and running first.

After all, the money collected by the Ministry of Commerce is real revenue from the national treasury, it's net income, and it doesn't need to be repaid.

However, as Princess Zhaoyang said, no merchant in the world, and even the imperial court itself, had ever thought of collecting commercial taxes.

If he were to set this precedent, the resistance would certainly be considerable.

After all, he's only the crown prince right now!

Therefore, the solution that Jia Lian proposed to Princess Zhaoyang was basically the easiest to achieve.

Using the name of the Commercial Department first can reduce opposition from the six ministries.

Instead of rushing to promote it to the whole world, they used profits as bait to attract merchants who no longer wanted to be exploited by local powerful figures to come and invest.

Once the Department of Commerce is well-managed and its foundation is firmly established in a few years, it will be natural to then launch the Ministry of Commerce to govern merchants across the country and collect taxes uniformly.

However, even the Commercial Division must be headed by a person of high status and power.

Otherwise, even if businessmen come to invest, they may not receive the effective protection promised by the Commerce Department after "paying the money".

Once trust collapses, it is difficult to rebuild.

Princess Zhaoyang, as the eldest princess of the dynasty and the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards, possessed considerable power and influence.

Not to mention, he also has intricate connections with his ultimate boss.

Therefore, with Princess Zhaoyang in charge of the Commerce Department, anyone with a modicum of sense would not dare to easily target the merchants registered under the Commerce Department's name.

This will greatly reduce the difficulties in the development of the Commerce Department.

Princess Zhaoyang was very intelligent. After hearing just a few simple words from Jia Lian, she realized that Jia Lian's actions were not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a well-thought-out plan.

He had become somewhat numb to Jia Lian's admiration and was too lazy to express it, only smiling and saying, "I roughly understand what Your Majesty means."

Putting everything else aside, the fact that they were allowed to participate in the imperial examinations and wear silk and gold was enough to attract merchants from all over the world.

"Hehe, as long as you, Your Majesty, can withstand the pressure from the court, I, your little sister, will definitely help you get this Commerce Bureau up and running."

Princess Zhaoyang thought that if she could really rely on this Bureau of Commerce to make all the merchants in the world obediently pay commercial taxes.

Even if the imperial court's annual revenue does not double, an increase of 20% or 30% is not a problem.

It's laughable that those people in the court are actually worried that after the emperor takes over the reins of government, the court's finances will not be able to support itself.

Hmph, they have no idea how skilled the Emperor is at amassing wealth.

Back then, he was just a marquis. When he went to the south of the Yangtze River as an imperial envoy, he was able to increase his father's income by ten million taels. How could he have earned such a reputation for nothing?

Now that he is the crown prince and holds supreme military and political power, it would be incredibly easy for him to amass wealth.

After indulging in some daydreams, Princess Zhaoyang then turned to practical matters.

"But, Your Majesty, it's better if you let me lead the troops for you, but to let me deal with those merchants... I don't know much about it."

Princess Zhaoyang wrinkled her delicate nose, looking unusually adorable with her troubled expression.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "Don't worry, I've already found someone knowledgeable for you. You've met him, and I believe the collaboration will be quite pleasant."

"I've seen him before? Who was it?" Princess Zhaoyang asked curiously.

"A descendant of Xue Gong, a close minister of Emperor Taizu and a member of the Ziwei Palace Attendants, and the eldest daughter of the Xue family, a royal merchant family."

He learned accounting from his parents from a young age, and after his father's death, he helped his mother manage the family business.

Despite being a woman, she was worldly-wise and well-versed in the ways of business.

With her assistance, you'll definitely achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Princess Zhaoyang was initially very hopeful, but after hearing Jia Lian's words, she stared at him with a resentful look.

How could she not recognize Miss Xue? Wasn't she one of the leading ladies in that concubine-taking ceremony that shook the capital at the beginning of the year?

She had also exchanged hairpins with him, so she naturally had a deep impression of him.

"Since she's so capable, why don't you just have her manage the business department for you? Why bother asking me to do anything?"

Seeing that Princess Zhaoyang was jealous, Jia Lian stood up with a smile, walked around the table, hugged her, and coaxed, "Alright, don't be so petty."

No one but you can handle this business department well.

I'm just helping you find a strategist. If you're not satisfied with her, you can find someone else.

Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Princess Zhaoyang's eyes.

She turned to look at Jia Lian and asked with a smile, "She's your precious darling. Aren't you afraid I'll bully her if you leave her with me?"

Jia Lian shook his head: "I'm not afraid. Even if you bully her, she'll put up with it, given her personality."

Whether she will hold a grudge and seek revenge on you later, I don't know...

Princess Zhaoyang rolled her eyes and said speechlessly, "You really are a good husband."

Other men are afraid that their women will not get along, but you, on the contrary, are stirring up trouble between them.

Are you really not worried that I'll fight with her?

Jia Lian said, "It's because the women I like are all highly talented and elegant, rare beauties in the world, how can those vulgar women compare to them?"

So I believe that even if you don't become best friends, you won't scheme against each other.

Because your man is the best and most unique man in the world.

He deserves your willingness to sacrifice your own interests and put yourselves in his shoes.

Princess Zhaoyang blushed for Jia Lian's sake after hearing his words.

"Aren't you ashamed? How can you praise yourself like that..."

Although it was a coquettish complaint, Princess Zhaoyang had to admit that Jia Lian's words made a lot of sense.

In other families, the discord between wives and concubines is mostly due to the man's lack of virtue.

If it were Jia Lian, let alone women who consider themselves elegant, even ordinary women would probably become obedient in order to stay by his side.

After being held by Jia Lian for a while, Princess Zhaoyang was even more reluctant to leave, so she asked, "Where do you plan to have dinner?"

Jia Lian, who was not good at reading between the lines, laughed and said, "I originally planned to visit the Empress Dowager and mooch a meal while I was at it."

"But since you're here, I'll have the imperial kitchen set up the meal in the side hall, so the two of us can have a quiet meal together."

Princess Zhaoyang looked up at Jia Lian, her gaze gentle and tender.

……

After having dinner with Princess Zhaoyang, they went to Taiyuan Garden to visit Emperor Ningkang.

When I came out, night had already fallen.

Jia Lian did not forget his promise to Feng Jie, and bid farewell to Princess Zhaoyang before returning to the Grand View Garden.

Sister Feng had been waiting for a long time. Although she was somewhat disappointed to hear that Jia Lian had already eaten, she still virtuously helped Jia Lian change his clothes herself.

"When I came back, I saw that the brothel area was completely dark. What happened?"

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng laughed and replied, "Don't you know? Baoyu has already moved out."

"You moved out?"

"Yes. Actually, back when you were still leading troops outside, the master had already enrolled Baoyu in the Imperial Academy and forced him to attend his studies, leaving early and returning late every day."

Now that the wedding date with the Xia family has been set, the master said that since he is about to get married, he should be able to manage his own affairs and not continue living at his brother's house.

So after discussing it with the old lady and others, they prepared a courtyard for him in front of the house and helped him move out.

You didn't see it; the day Baoyu moved out, he cried so bitterly, clearly very reluctant to leave.

As Feng Jie spoke, she glanced at Jia Lian and, seeing his noncommittal expression, knew that Jia Lian was not particularly fond of Jia Baoyu.

Indeed, that boy Baoyu has always been thinking about his Lin Daiyu, so it's no wonder he's not happy.

So he said no more.

Actually, Sister Feng was mistaken; Jia Lian didn't have any ill intentions towards Jia Baoyu.

Of course, there won't be any good feelings towards them either.

Back then, Madam Wang had truly fought him openly and secretly. Now that he has become successful, it's already a sign of his magnanimity that he hasn't taken revenge on her and her son.

On the contrary, Jia Zheng and Jia Lian had always had a good impression of each other.

He may seem a bit pretentious, but he is a true gentleman.

He's just a bit mediocre in ability, otherwise he could really be his right-hand man.

Even so, Jia Lian had thought about finding a leisurely and prestigious position in the future, so that Jia Zheng could live a life of wealth and honor.

As for Jia Zheng forcing Jia Baoyu to move out, that's also easy to understand.

Jia Zheng was a devout Confucian scholar who strictly adhered to the proper etiquette between ruler and subject.

Now that Jia Lian is the emperor, the Grand View Garden is essentially the imperial harem.

As Jia Baoyu grew older, how could the emperor allow his son to remain in the emperor's harem forever?

Isn't this just asking for trouble?

After dressing Jia Lian in his everyday clothes, Feng Jie smiled and invited, "Would you like to eat some more?"

Jia Lian glanced at the lavish dinner and shook his head, saying, "No, you and Ping'er eat. I have something to do and need to go out for a bit."

Sister Feng pursed her lips, knowing that Jia Lian was either going to see Daiyu or to find Baochai.

"Are you coming back tonight?"

Hearing this, Sister Feng looked on with longing.

After all, she was the one who persuaded Jia Lian to come back, so how could she let others reap the benefits?

Jia Lian hesitated for a moment, then said, "After you finish eating, set up a few tables in the front hall, and invite Lin Daiyu and Yingchun over. Tell them I'm back and want to start a card game, and invite them to join."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng smiled, placed her hands on her abdomen, leaned forward slightly, and made a small bow: "Alright, I will obey Your Highness's orders."

Jia Lian glanced at her, then led Xiang Ling out of the room.

……

Jia Lian had noticed before that the Grand View Garden was brighter at night than before.

For example, when he came out of the "Celestial Realm" archway and walked along the right-hand side towards Hengwu Garden, the lantern in Xiangling's hand was completely useless.

Lanterns were hung in many places along both sides of the main road.

Stepping onto the obviously newly built stone slabs and looking at the brand-new railings on both sides, Jia Lian couldn't help but stop.

Xiangling noticed this and explained, "This was newly built by the Crown Princess."

The Crown Princess said that although the old mountain path was elegant with its stone slabs, it was muddy on both sides, and it would inevitably become muddy after rain.

Consort Xue had to go to the main study every day to handle official business, walking back and forth.

It would be bad if it fell, so I had it repaired again.

Jia Lian nodded, thinking that whether Feng Jie was genuinely considering Baochai's well-being or just doing it for his benefit, it was a good thing.

Without saying much, they went up the mountain, knocked on the door, and entered the lush and verdant Hengwu Garden.

Following the familiar path up the corridor, Jia Lian glanced at the gray owl under the eaves, which had clearly grown larger, before sitting down in the room.

"Where are your girls?"

"Your Highness, is our master taking a bath?"

"Taking a bath again?"

Jia Lian took the tea that Jin Chuan brought him, thinking to himself that he had stumbled upon Baochai bathing far too often.

He had a thought of sneaking into the backyard to peek at the "Imperial Concubine's Bath," but when he looked up, he found that the maid in front of him hadn't left. Instead, she was staring straight at him, so he immediately gave up the idea.

He put down his teacup, looked at Jin Chuan, and asked, "Since it's a bath, why aren't you serving her?"

Jin Chuan glanced back at her younger sister standing by the door and smiled, "Our mistress is used to having only Ying'er serve her; she doesn't need us."

"Oh, really? Since she doesn't need it, how about I use it?"

Jia Lian smiled and pulled Jin Chuan onto his lap.

Jin Chuan feigned reluctance for a couple of moments, then readily agreed, and said in a sweet voice, "I wonder how Your Highness intends to use it?"

Faced with this blatant seduction, Jia Lian did not reply, but instead waved towards the door.

Upon seeing this, Yu Chuan hesitated for a moment, but still obediently stepped forward.

Only then did Jia Lian pinch Jin Chuan's smooth chin, stare at her bright face for a moment, and then look at Yu Chuan, who was standing awkwardly beside him.

He realized that he had indeed become accustomed to a good life and was wasting some time on it.

If he had had such beautiful twin sisters at the beginning of his transmigration, he would have been incredibly grateful.

Now, it's already in the bowl, but I haven't had time to eat it yet.

Thinking about it, it's undeniable that this is a sin. (End of Chapter)