Chapter 2038: Chapter 2035: Ideas

But when the imperial court becomes corrupt in the future, the construction of these workshops to earn silver will become the silver treasury supporting various local lords in establishing their own regimes.

However, if the imperial court establishes a specialized regulatory institution to earn silver,

the treasury will not be empty.

Yet another situation might arise.

Imperial dominance.

Once faced with an inept ruler, it marks the beginning of the people’s suffering in this country.

The best approach, naturally, is for all three parties to oversee together, thus providing mutual checks. This way, if indeed faced with an inept ruler, local armies would also have a chance to resist.

But to Emperor Xuanming, Chu Heng could not say this.

Currently, Emperor Xuanming, stimulated by the incident with the King of Huainan, has become rather extreme in character. Coupled with his recent illness, his mindset has undergone a significant change.

If he does not favor the imperial power, he will lose Emperor Xuanming’s trust, further provoking him into even more extremism.

At that time, when true foolishness comes, it would indeed be Chu Heng’s failure.

He understood that this matter needed to be approached gradually and could not be accomplished easily.

Of course, as long as Emperor Xuanming continues to care for the common people, some indulgence in daily matters wouldn’t be an issue.

He could first establish this reform and then gradually refine it later.

After all, if the imperial court desires to establish a regulatory institution, it is not so simple, and to make it strong will also take time.

Emperor Xuanming’s expression indeed softened: "What Minister Chu says makes sense, but establishing a regulatory institution is not so easily done."

"And about the workshops you mentioned..."

"Your Majesty, opening workshops is actually like opening shops to do business. All it requires is the right price, honest and trustworthy business practices, plus some promotion from the yamen, and many commoners, as long as it doesn’t affect their livelihood, can easily see workshops started."

"It’s equivalent to the imperial court also doing business, which in the future can even influence other merchants’ businesses." Chu Heng tried to speak concisely.

However, Emperor Xuanming still understood.

He had never had such ideas before; commercializing the shops for the imperial court?

Thinking about the wealth of those merchants, Emperor Xuanming’s eyes flickered, somewhat moved.

Though there are various mineral resources, gold mines, and silver mines are not plentiful. If any place secretly conceals them, it becomes a matter fundamentally affecting the nation.

If, in the future, he could have a commercial empire under his control, would he still fear lacking silver to sustain the army?

It could even oversee local governance, achieving multiple goals with one stone.

However, this matter might threaten the interests of many people.

For instance, if the imperial court does business, the status of merchants would naturally rise, and by then, there might be more people engaged in commerce.

Once many engage in commerce, commoners might not be willing to farm. Without farming, where would the grain come from?

Emperor Xuanming, not having fully recovered recently, rubbed his forehead and, without making things difficult for himself, directly voiced his concern.

Chu Heng said, "Your Majesty, there is one thing that can be changed: direct relatives of merchants within one generation are ineligible to sit for the imperial examination."

"In this way, there won’t be many engaging in commerce, and commodity prices will be under the control of the imperial court, ensuring greater social stability. With more workshops, commoners can work in these workshops in their spare time to earn silver, which can support scholars."

"Thirdly, the fields are currently divided into public and private fields, allowing for more public fields to be planned to ensure grain production."

"Fourthly, currently, more of the land in Great Chu is actually in the hands of noble family landowners, and tax collection also requires grading. For instance, if a clan owns over a hundred acres, they should pay a fifty percent tax, and over five hundred acres, a sixty percent tax. The specific tax amounts still need to be further analyzed and calculated."

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