The treasury of Daqin was poor, the emperor was not poor, and the ministers were even more poor.
If the state treasury's expenditure is insufficient, the emperor's private treasury will continue to pay back. If one day, the emperor's private treasury will not be able to support the huge financial expenditure. At that time, the arrogance of the consortia is bound to become even more arrogant.
The reform of the taxation system is imperative, but how can it be so easy to reform the taxation system? Not long ago, the Ministry of Household Affairs proposed to increase the tax on tea and tobacco in Jiangnan, and those big tea and tobacco farmers in Jiangnan immediately disagreed.
The reform of the taxation system cannot be finalized in two or three years.
Without taxes, there is nowhere for the money from the treasury and the royal coffers to come.
Those consortiums in the south of the Yangtze River opposed the taxation system, secondly, they did not take the initiative to donate, and thirdly, they wanted to enjoy the salary and benefits of various titles. Long Feiye was already annoyed. Han Yunxi thought of the idea of bidding for the prince's birthday party, but Long Feiye planned to take this opportunity to ruthlessly cheat those rich men.
Gu Qishao offered a high price of 30 million taels, and the audience was silent.
Duke Ding Xiao An frowned, as if he was thinking about something, while General Xiao Dong of the Southern Military Region gave him winks again and again.
Xiao An didn't understand at first whether Xiao Dong wanted him to make a bid, or asked him not to make a move. However, when Xiao Dong looked at the two vacant seats, Xiao Dong immediately understood.
Not long ago, something happened in the west. There was a big leather businessman in the west called Boss Chen. In the name of his daughter, he donated a large number of leather vests to the victims of Beili to protect them from the cold; Ten million taels of silver, said to invite construction workers to drink.
The construction of the imperial capital required a lot of labor, some were dispatched from the army, and some were recruited by the people. Soldiers in the army have a fixed salary to pay, so they don't have to pay wages, and those recruited by the people need to be paid wages on time, and the wages naturally come from the royal private treasury.
After all, Tang Zijin was Long Feiye's biological uncle, and he cared about the money from the private treasury of the royal family. He spent a lot of money from the Tang Sect to make up for a lot of extra expenses.
Boss Chen's ten million is said to be wine money, but it is actually a donation. Boss Chen also put it very nicely, saying that the laborers have worked tirelessly for the Great Qin Emperor. It is a pity that he is too old to be able to participate in it in person, so he paid for the laborers to drink, which can be regarded as his dedication and effort.
As soon as this incident happened, Long Feiye immediately conferred the title of a county duke as a reward for Boss Chen's concern for the people.
Xiao An followed Xiao Dong's line of sight and looked at the two empty seats. The matter of contacting Boss Chen really moved his heart!
For a banquet of this size, every seat is arranged, so there will be no empty seats. The banquet was almost over, but the two seats on the second seat were still empty.
What the hell does emperor mean
Could it be that, as everyone has guessed, does the emperor have the intention to canonize the county king at the recent banquet? If he behaves well today, will he be granted the imperial seal like that boss Chen in the west
The Xiao family really doesn't lack money, but they lack status. Xiao An didn't feel proud of the mere title of Duke of a state, on the contrary, he felt that he was inferior.
He was already wavering, but under Xiao Dong's repeated urging, he finally opened his mouth, "Fifty million taels!"
As soon as Xiao An said this, the audience became even more silent.
In fact, there were still some people who were hesitant, but even Xiao An opened his mouth, who would have the confidence to compete with him
"Patriarch Xiao is indeed generous." Long Feiye boasted.
Xiao An quickly stood up, "I dare not make trouble in front of the emperor, but I just want to do my part for the disaster victims in Beili."
"Hehe, if my Great Qin had more people who are worried about the country like Duke Chen and Duke Ding, my hair would be less gray." Long Feiye said jokingly, feeling much better.
Long Feiye seldom spoke, even fewer long ones.
As soon as he said this, the people below could figure it out for a long time.
When Xiao An heard that the emperor had mentioned Mr. Chen, his heart became even more excited, and his determination to bid for No. 7 tea estate became even firmer.
Gu Qishao didn't even know about Chen County Lord's stalk, let alone Long Feiye's real intention to keep two second seats. He knew that Xiao An dared to help Long Feiye grab the No. 7 tea house, that was simply a court death!
"Sixty million taels!" Gu Qishao said loudly.
As soon as the words fell, everyone in the audience was dumbfounded. This skill is too amazing! No. 7 tea house does not occupy a large area, it can be regarded as a medium-sized tea house at best.
Sixty million silver is a sky-high price given the current economic situation in Yunkong Continent. Everyone knows that Gu Qishao is rich, but they never expected that Gu Qishao is so rich!
Han Yunxi, Gu Beiyue, Tang Li and the others looked at Gu Qishao in unison, with a thought in their hearts, that is, if Xiao An doesn't continue to increase the price, Gu Qishao will become Long Feiye this time. The biggest taker in the conspiracy!
However, to everyone's surprise, Xiao An continued to increase the price without hesitation.
"Eighty million!"
Xiao An was still very polite, "His Royal Highness King Yu, it is a rare opportunity for me to offer my heart to the victims of Beili, and I hope you will accept it."
Gu Qishao was already very upset, and he didn't know how to write the word "polite". He raised his eyebrows and looked over, and said condescendingly, "Why let me? Ninety million!"
Finally, everyone in the audience couldn't hold back anymore, and there was an uproar! Even Han Yunxi and the others didn't expect Gu Qishao to be so rich! However, it's not surprising when you think about it carefully, Gu Qishao was one of the big three in the Santu black market, and his early trading of medicinal materials and tea houses was even more profitable.
More importantly, Gu Qishao is different from Long Feiye, is he different from other consortium families? Gu Qishao is alone, with food and clothing for the whole family. Compared with Long Feiye and those consortiums, his expenses should be Minimal.
It has to be said that Xiao An was also very, very surprised, and had to re-examine Gu Qishao, the only prince of Great Qin.
Two hundred million is not a small amount.
Xiao An's firm heart began to waver. If he continued to offer more than 90 million silver in exchange for the title of county king, he would certainly be happy.
However, what he was worried about was that if he and Gu Qishao continued to fight like this, the auction field would be kept too high until it got out of control.
Of course, if it was within his ability, he would still be willing to spend money in exchange for the title of County King. The point is, he was not completely sure that if he donated the money, the emperor would give him a prince when he was in a good mood.
Xiao An hesitated.
"Does anyone else dare to rob me?" Gu Qishao asked arrogantly as he sat carelessly.
The whole audience was silent, Xiao An and Xiao Dong looked at each other, frowning.
"Zhen!" Long Feiye suddenly spoke.
For a while, everyone didn't understand what he meant, and Gu Qishao didn't understand either.
"One hundred million." As soon as Long Feiye said this, everyone understood what he meant.
He actually participated in the auction!
The money for disaster relief was allocated from the national treasury by the Ministry of Household Affairs. The royal private treasury did not pay the bill, but only donated a few sums of money in the name of the royal family.
Long Feiye's 100 million was to be taken from the royal private treasury!
It is said that it is a random auction, and there is no need to be bound by etiquette, but who dares to compete directly with the emperor
Xiao An absolutely did not dare.
However, Gu Qishao absolutely dares!
"110 million!" Gu Qishao immediately raised the price.
"One hundred and twenty million!" Long Feiye followed closely.
"One hundred and thirty million!" Gu Qishao was not to be outdone.
"One hundred and fifty million!" Long Feiye refused to budge.
…
The audience was so silent that the sound of a needle being dropped could be heard, and the smell of gunpowder between Long Feiye and Gu Qishao became more and more intense, almost reaching the point of arguing.
Everyone was terrified, but instead of giving in, Gu Qishao pressed on step by step, and the bidding price soared all the way to an astonishing 230 million taels of silver.
Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue were all stunned, the painting style shouldn't be like this! How did these two guys fight each other? If they continue to fight like this, where will Xiao An get the chance to perform
They will be scared away by Xiao An!
"Two hundred and fifty thousand taels!" Long Feiye patted the table.
Han Yunxi gasped, shocked. She knew that Long Feiye could afford it, but she couldn't spend it so unfairly! It's said that he cheated others today, how did he cheat his own private money
Long Feiye slapped the table, making everyone even more frightened.
However, Gu Qishao simply despised the king's prestige, he said, "Two hundred and six thousand taels!"
All of a sudden, everyone looked at him. Many people were dissatisfied with his being crowned king before, but after seeing his generosity, many people really admired him.
Long Feiye did not raise the price immediately like before, but stared at Gu Qishao coldly.
Anyone can smell the smell of gunpowder between the two!
In the silence, amidst the tension, Xiao An suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I dare to add another ten million taels, two hundred and seven thousand taels."
This…
After Xiao An raised the price after Gu Qishao raised the price, this is considered a fight with Gu Qishao, not a fight with Long Feiye, right? But even so, he still used the word "bold".
A sneer flashed across Long Feiye's eyes, and he asked, "Duke Ding is so sincere, King Yu, do you still increase the price?"
Gu Qishao thought Long Feiye's words were weird, so he didn't think much about it. Anyway, no matter what, the No. 7 tea house couldn't fall into other people's hands, so he wanted to increase the price without thinking too much.
But at this time, Gu Beiyue secretly pulled his sleeve, and whispered, "Xiao Qi, enough is enough."
enough
Gu Qishao woke up instantly, realizing that this might be a trap!
He was silent for a moment, then immediately waved his hand in desperation, and said, "Come on, everyone knows that Duke Ding has a lot of money! This king won't argue with him!"
"Hahaha!" Long Feiye laughed loudly. He seemed to be in a good mood. He looked at the officials, "Is there anyone else raising the price?"
Who dares
Who can
No one spoke anymore, Xiao An saw that Long Feiye was in a good mood, and his tense heart relaxed somewhat.
He has been struggling, pondering, and evaluating. In fact, he almost gave up. However, seeing that Gu Qishao provoked the emperor like that, he decided to go all out.
As long as he overwhelms Gu Qishao's price, he will definitely please the emperor.