Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

Fu Su slowly raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes staring straight at her: "You are just short-sighted. If everyone goes into business and no one goes into farming, there will be a shortage of food and the world will be in chaos. What use will all the money you earn be then?"

"Yes, His Highness Fusu is right."

"I think so too."

"..."

Hu Yi stared blankly with her mouth agape, wanting to refute, but unable to think of a reason. She immediately turned to look at Bai Su.

She looked aggrieved, as if to say that I had been bullied.

Bai Su rubbed her nose helplessly and had no choice but to speak up for her: "Your Highness is mistaken. Although trade does not involve growing grain, it does not preclude production."

"Just like the silk Your Highness wears, much of it comes from the Sichuan and Chongqing region. Merchants sell silk, thus increasing the world's demand for silk from the Sichuan and Chongqing region."

"The locals do not farm, but they support hundreds of thousands of silkworm farmers and textile workers in the Sichuan and Chongqing area by raising silkworms and weaving cloth, which indirectly improves the local economy."

"It provides tax revenue for the imperial court, improves the lives of local people, and adds a bit of stability to the country. How can it be said to be all harm and no benefit?"

"If people rely solely on farming for a living, how will they survive in places with limited arable land, apart from the Chengdu Plain?"

"Therefore, full trade is not a bad thing. Opening up a larger market will allow us to sell more silk and cloth, and give the local people more opportunities."

"In this way, the court can earn more taxes to govern the country."

As he spoke, many people in the court nodded silently.

Although the land of Bashu is known as the Land of Abundance.

In reality, the only fertile area is the Chengdu Plain, and this small area provides nearly 70% of the grain for the entire Sichuan region.

In most other mountainous areas, grain yields are quite low.

Without the businesses of silk, cinnabar, and wine, many counties in the Sichuan and Chongqing region would probably be so poor that they couldn't even afford to eat.

Wang Jian, Meng Tian, ​​and the others looked at Bai Su in surprise, never expecting that he could turn the tide of the game so quickly.

This is going to be interesting.

Seeing Fu Su's surprised expression, Hu Yu couldn't help but puff out his youthful chest, feeling a surge of pride.

No matter how many Confucian scholars or court officials you have to help, what difference does it make?

I alone am worth more than your thousands of troops!

Chapter 106 A Battle of Tongues

Fu Su's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she turned her head to look at Bai Su, who appeared calm and composed. A hint of surprise welled up in her heart.

It seems that no one expected that Bai Su, in addition to being skilled in ingenious mechanisms, was also so eloquent. With just a few words, she turned the situation around from the brink of collapse.

However, she was not like Hu Yi, a lazy fledgling who was always playful and slacking off. She couldn't win against him with just that kind of trick.

After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Trade has some advantages, but for the imperial court, it is ultimately more harmful than beneficial. Just imagine, if the people see that trade makes money, who would still be willing to honestly farm the land?"

"If everyone went into commerce, wouldn't the world be in chaos? Therefore, prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is the foundation of the nation, and this national policy cannot be violated."

Bai Su smiled slightly: "Your Highness is right. If we indulge merchants too much, it will be detrimental to the foundation of the country. However, if we establish a suitable set of rules, we may be able to use these merchants for our own purposes."

"Not only will it not shake the foundation of the nation, but it will also become nourishment for a prosperous and powerful country, making the Great Xia even stronger."

Fu Su frowned slightly: "How can we make it work for us?"

Bai Su smiled and said, "The solution is simple: increase taxes."

As his words fell silent, the entire hall fell silent.

Everyone looked at Bai Su with suspicion, unable to figure out what he was up to.

Seeing that he was being mysterious again, Zhengjie couldn't help but say, "Bai Su, just tell me if you have a solution."

"Since Your Majesty has given the order, then this humble subject will speak frankly..."

Bai Su cupped her hands in greeting to Zheng Jie and, no longer keeping her in suspense, said, "Simply put, it means increasing commercial taxes. The more money merchants earn, the higher the taxes will be. At the same time, the money earned from merchants will be used to appropriately reduce taxes on farmers, thereby reducing the burden on the people."

"By using commerce to support agriculture, we can avoid creating a large number of people rushing to engage in commerce and thus prevent the government from undermining the nation's foundation of agriculture."

Upon hearing Bai Su's unusual statement, everyone was taken aback.

Zhengjie was taken aback: "Using commerce to support agriculture... is this feasible?"

Bai Su nodded and said, "Of course it will work. Originally on the grasslands, due to the scarcity of resources, a jar of salt could easily be exchanged for four or five cows. After things gradually stabilized, although the price will drop a lot, it is still estimated that you can still get a profit equivalent to seven or eight times that of the Central Plains."

"Besides salt, the Central Plains also has silk, lacquerware, wine, paper, cloth and other goods, which could completely double the current tax revenue of the imperial court."

"As the scale of trade continues to expand, this number will only increase. Your Majesty can use the taxes collected from merchants to subsidize agriculture and sericulture."

As he spoke, he took out a pre-written report from his sleeve and handed it to the envoy beside him.

The messenger respectfully accepted it with both hands and presented it to the messenger.

The Empress Dowager eagerly opened the report and was immediately taken aback.

I don't know if I don't see it, I'm startled when I see it.

The profits from this trade were even more staggering than she had imagined. The monthly trade volume of silk and paper alone generated revenue roughly equivalent to the annual agricultural tax revenue of several counties.

After all, farming and sericulture bring in money too slowly. They can only harvest a few times a year, and the harvests are fixed. They dare not harvest too much, for fear of arousing public discontent.

But merchants are different; they can collect money multiple times without worrying about popular uprisings. It is indeed a good way to benefit the country.

The Empress couldn't help but curl her lips slightly, and handed the report to the messenger beside her, asking him to read it to everyone.

As Fu Su listened to the envoy's account, he glanced at Bai Su with some surprise. He hadn't expected that this seemingly lazy man would be so meticulous.

Bai Su smiled and said, "What's wrong, Your Highness Fu Su? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think my plan is bad?"

Fu Su bit her lip and then said, "Your plan is good, but it won't work. The more money you make, the higher the taxes will be. Merchants aren't stupid; why would they still be willing to work hard in business?"

Bai Su smiled and said, "Your Highness misunderstands. If you earn 1,000 guan, you need to pay 300 guan in taxes, and you will receive 700 guan. But if you earn 10,000 guan, you need to pay 5,000 guan. It seems like you pay more money, but you also earn more money."

"If you don't want to pay more money, then you should honestly earn your seven hundred strings of cash. Don't envy those who earn ten thousand strings of cash and buy mansions everywhere, wearing gold and silver. If you envy them and want to earn more money, then you should honestly pay my taxes."

"In this way, even if they know they will earn more but pay more, they can only grit their teeth and do it."

Fu Su frowned and questioned, "These merchants are cunning by nature, so how could they willingly pay taxes?"

Bai Su looked at Zheng Jie and said, "If they don't want to pay taxes in a dignified manner, I believe His Majesty has many ways to make them do so."

Zhengjie's lips curved slightly, and a smile appeared in her phoenix eyes.

She's an expert at this. In the past, she moved all the nobles and wealthy merchants in the country to Xianyang and then wiped them out in one fell swoop. Dealing with merchants is a piece of cake for her.

After all, what kind of trouble could a group of powerless merchants cause in the face of a million iron cavalry?

Bai Su smiled confidently and said, "As the saying goes, raising a tiger is a threat, raising a pig is for meat. When these merchants grow up plump and healthy, the court can have more to eat when needed in the future."

Fu Su's usually calm face now showed a hint of panic: "But...but prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is the foundation of the country. It has been established by Lord Shang and has been continued by six generations of rulers. How can the laws of our ancestors be changed so easily?"

Bai Su's gaze sharpened as he stared directly at her: "So, if you only rely on agriculture and sericulture, can you control the southern desert region?"

"This……"

A fine layer of sweat appeared on Fu Su's fair forehead, and she was momentarily speechless.

Bai Su slowly stepped forward and approached, her superior aura causing her to subconsciously take a step back.

"What...what are you going to do?"

Fu Su said somewhat nervously.

Bai Su smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just have something I'd like to say to His Highness Fu Su."

Fu Su was taken aback: "What did you say?"

“The words spoken by the late king…”

Bai Su took a deep breath and solemnly said in front of the civil and military officials: "Gentlemen, in this era of great strife, the strong will become strong and the weak will perish. The remnants of the six kingdoms intend to overthrow the Great Xia. Although the Xiongnu have been defeated, the northern threat has not been completely eliminated and will one day return."

"Faced with such a situation, if our Great Xia still clings to the old territory, follows the old system, and closes itself off to survive, it would be no different from sitting and waiting for death. That would be the real harm to Great Xia."

"If we wait until the Xiongnu unify the grasslands, annex Liaodong, and open up the Western Regions, it will be too late for us to regret it..."

"My proposal today to establish trade is intended to facilitate the flow of goods in the Central Plains, which would benefit Great Xia. Trade with neighboring states beyond the Great Wall is for the purpose of governing the Nine Provinces in the future and preparing Great Xia for its future westward and northward expansion."

"When Shang Yang went to Xia, he brought the agricultural and military system to Xia as a reform. Duke Xiao regarded it as a treasure and dared to implement it, even at the risk of the interests of the old aristocratic families."

"King Zhuangxiang dared to appoint Zhang Yi as prime minister and personally seek his advice, as Zhang Yi was the primary advisor to the state."

"Today, Bai Su dares to emulate the two sages of the past and offer a good strategy for the Great Xia. I wonder if Your Highness possesses the same spirit as the former king?"

As his words fell, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Fu Su staggered back two steps, staring blankly at Bai Su in front of her, who was dressed in white robes, speechless for a long time.

Seeing his unstoppable older sister, Hu Su was rendered speechless by Bai Su's overwhelming presence.

She looked at Bai Su with immediate admiration, her fair face turning bright red with excitement.

As expected, he lived up to his reputation as her future husband and did not disappoint her.

Even the Queen, sitting on her throne, couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on her elegant and beautiful face.

She glanced at Bai Su and the dazed Fu Su with her phoenix eyes, thinking to herself, "To be able to suppress Fu Su, whom I have painstakingly nurtured, into this state, she truly possesses unparalleled eloquence."

"It is said that the Guiguzi of all ages, though he was alone, was stronger than a million soldiers. His anger could make the feudal lords tremble, and his peace could bring tranquility to the world. Seeing him today, this kid really does have some talent."

"but……"

"Winning against the young Fu Su is not difficult, but defeating the forces behind her is not an easy task."

"Can you defeat the entire Confucian school by yourself?"

Zheng Jie glanced at the officials below.

Several Confucian scholars were seen frowning slightly, their eyes fixed on Bai Su.

Chapter 107 The Young Master is Truly Talented

The officials in the hall were buzzing with discussion, their eyes filled with surprise as they looked at Bai Su. They hadn't expected this seemingly young man to be so meticulous.

Not only did they directly and forcefully refute Prince Fusu's rebuttal, but they also produced a well-reasoned and meticulously planned report, delivering a fatal blow to Prince Fusu.

Under the relentless pressure of this series of attacks, Fu Su, caught off guard, suffered repeated defeats and fell completely into Bai Su's rhythm. What started as a back-and-forth battle gradually turned into a completely one-sided situation.