Chapter 913: Chapter 911: Fostering a Culture of Indulgence
"What’s wrong?" Ye Xinyan widened her eyes, quite puzzled. "Doesn’t the court and various levels of Yamen operate on taxes? Having more Tax Silver is a good thing, why can’t it be discussed?"
"Well, you don’t know about this," Jinrong said, feeling awkward, his voice instinctively lowered. "Over there in Yuanzhou, there is a rumor that His Majesty is obstinate, persistently engaged in construction year after year, imposing heavy taxes, which leads to the depletion of wealth among the people in places like Yuanzhou, leaving them powerless against disasters."
Ye Xinyan pursed her lips, considering it’s about the emperor, she didn’t dare to pursue the issue further and instead said, "I just find it strange. Why are you all so troubled?"
Jinrong was taken aback, while Jiang Yifan covered his face with his hand. His family really needed stricter guidance on Ah Yan’s decorum. He planned to discuss with his mother-in-law about finding a more serious nanny for Ah Yan as a constant reminder.
Hu Jing lowered his head and sipped tea, suppressing a laugh, pretending he hadn’t heard anything.
Ye Xinyan was oblivious and continued, "Your Highness, you need to reason with His Majesty. His thinking is flawed. Especially at this time, you should open the doors wide and offer convenience to those doing luxurious business, letting them find ways to extract more silver from the rich’s pockets."
In the Son of Heaven’s domain, many prefectures and counties were facing severe droughts, people were struggling to survive, yet His Majesty in the capital encouraged the wealthy and nobles to indulge in extravagant decadence... Grandma Jiang, wouldn’t such a suggestion lead to endless criticism? Wouldn’t it anger the emperor terribly?
The other three in the room stared at Ye Xinyan with intense eyes. Even Jiang Yifan was curious as to why his usually cunning wife would have such unpopular ideas.
Ye Xinyan nonetheless felt innocent, "What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?"
Then, she earnestly explained her reasoning to the group, "You all simply don’t understand human nature. At a time like this, if you ask the wealthy to donate their silver to provide those struck by disaster with a bowl of porridge, saving their lives, it’s like asking for their life. But if you let them spend lavishly for enjoyment, then use their silver to buy rice and porridge for the disaster victims, they’ll have no issue."
Jinrong, Jiang Yifan, and the others looked at each other, the argument made sense, yet it seemed like the emperor ignoring the suffering of the disaster-stricken people and encouraging the capital’s wealthy to indulge recklessly.
This scene... it’s practically eye-burning.
Probably Ye Xinyan also realized this, she retreated a bit, saying, "Anyway, in general, I think closing the businesses is really not a good solution. Now that the court is in need of silver, if Prince Yu’s businesses shut down, what about those top restaurants and brothels..."
Jiang Yifan also coughed a few times, getting a surprised glance from Ye Xinyan. Jinrong sympathetically looked at Jiang Yifan, with a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.
Ye Xinyan retracted her gaze and continued, "And what about the businesses run by the Imperial Clan and female relatives in the rear courtyard? Should they close too? If all are closed, leading to the capital’s industry stagnation, wouldn’t the court’s revenues decrease even more, making everyone displeased?"
Jinrong almost scratched his head, he said, "I’m well aware of this. Not to mention the lack of income for the court, even I wouldn’t earn any silver, right? Today, my Imperial Father just extorted Three hundred thousand taels of silver from me, and I still feel liver pain."
The term "liver pain" made Ye Xinyan’s eyebrows arch high. If nothing unexpected happens, this one is the future emperor, the outstanding tradition of our Huaxia ethnicity has never been described in terms of liver pain, right? Your thinking mode really leaps quite swiftly.
After a period of silence, Jinrong asked, "Then what do you mean? If Lang Garden doesn’t close, and the capital’s nobles continue their luxurious ways, if Father gets upset one day, he’s certainly not going to order other businesses to close but will definitely reprimand me. Among so many princes and officials of the court, only Prince Yu’s Mansion business is done the most aggressively."
Ye Xinyan knew about the emperor borrowing silver from Jinrong, Jiang Yifan had once told her. Since it’s a loan and even had a written note, with the prince’s connections to collect, this silver would definitely not go unpaid.
"How about this," Ye Xinyan proposed again, and Jinrong and Hu Jing both perked up their ears, "Your Highness can declare to His Majesty that from now on, all profits from Lang Garden, apart from capital and labor costs, will be lent to the court for disaster relief purposes."
Jinrong looked incredulously at Ye Xinyan, considering her miserly nature, it was unreal to see her willingly expose her neck to be slaughtered, this situation seemed quite bizarre.
Was he hearing it wrong?
Ye Xinyan wasn’t pleased, "What, can’t I worry about the country and its people for a moment? If lending out silver can save the starving people, why can’t this be done?"
Ye Xinyan rolled her eyes, she was just overly miserly. If this situation were to happen in a millennium, how many wealthy people would voluntarily donate, sending truckloads of supplies for relief?
It’s just that, in this era, she can’t say this. Since it doesn’t lose silver, yet prevents starvation of the people, why not be happy about it? Why insist on donations?
At this point, Hu Jing had come to realization, he clapped his hands and laughed, "Still, our brains aren’t flexible enough. Grandma Jiang’s idea is excellent, if His Highness proposed this in the Imperial Court, many royal and noble members would have to follow suit with some expressions. We can continue our business while solving the court’s urgent needs, His Majesty would certainly be pleased."
This kind of solution that saves disaster sites, gains reputation, and pleases the emperor can be practiced more. Not to mention lending Lang Garden’s profits for a period, even donating them would be no big deal.
Jinrong scrutinized Ye Xinyan thoroughly, making Jiang Yifan dissatisfied, "Pfft," he said, "Your calculating mind is exceedingly crafty. Among all those in the Imperial Court, who could think a simple word from a woman would make everyone bleed out vastly."
Jiang Yifan was displeased, and Ye Xinyan wasn’t happy either, "Why is this bleeding? Isn’t the court going to pay it back? Fine, consider I didn’t say anything, if His Highness has a better way, go ahead and use it." Saying this, she shot Jinrong a big glare.
These people, stubborn and conservative, rigid in thought. Hadn’t she suggested a great idea? Shouldn’t Jinrong be joyously thankful to her? Look at what they’re saying, typical of gaining benefits and complaining.
"I was actually complimenting you, can’t you hear it?" Jinrong hurried to explain, turning to Hu Jing for support, "Mr. Hu would definitely recognize it."
Hu Jing felt this trip was quite fruitful, gaining insights from both Jiang Yifan and Ye Xinyan, he laughed, "Grandma Jiang’s suggestion is so good, I’m practically applauding it."
Ye Xinyan’s expression was unfriendly, but doing more things beneficial to disaster areas was always good, "Does Your Highness, the princess consort, or the Concubine have an upcoming birthday or something, just to find an opportunity for a grand banquet?"