Speaking of which, it was strange that Li Chen's house didn't even have a gatekeeper. This was a rather unique family in the Great Tang.
"Minister Fang, please sit."
Li Chen didn't expect Fang Xuanling to come looking for him. He immediately asked the servant girl to make tea and serve wine. He drank and spoke slowly. Whether it was tea or beer, Fang Xuanling loved both.
"Good tea!"
Even though he drank it every day, every time he drank it, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but praise it. He was no longer used to the tea he drank in the past. It had a goat's smell. This Tie Guanyin was still more comfortable.
Would tea with salt, some Chinese medicine, and sheep oil taste good?
At the very least, Li Chen did not have the courage to try a second time.
"It's good that you like it. Huan 'er, take out two pots of tea and let Fang Xiang take them away.”
Li Chen directly ordered Huan 'er to get the tea leaves and gave Fang Xuanling two jars, which made Fang Xuanling feel a little awkward.
He was a little embarrassed, but he had come here today with the intention of giving up his dignity. No matter what, Fang Xuanling had to speak up.
The two of them sat together and slowly drank tea. Li Chen was puzzled. Why did Fang Xuanling come here?
However, Fang Xuanling didn't say anything, so he didn't ask. He just continued drinking tea, even though he really didn't like drinking this stuff.
" Cough cough!!"
After drinking one cup of tea, there was no movement. After drinking two cups of tea, there was still no movement. When he drank the third cup, Li Chen couldn't take it anymore. His stomach was bloated, so he could only cough and say,"Did Minister Fang come here today to have tea with me?”
"Of course not." Fang Xuanling smiled as he put down his teacup." I came here today to ask County Lord Li for a favor!”
The title of nobility had already popped up. What was so important?
Li Chen also became nervous." Minister Fang, please speak. Let me understand why you're here first.”
No matter what, he had to know the cause and effect first. Otherwise, how could he decide whether to agree or not? What if he went overboard?
If it could be done without affecting him, there was no harm in agreeing. If it would scam him, then forget it and talk to him face-to-face.
Li Chen had his own bottom line, and he wouldn't break it just because of Fang Xuanling.
"To be honest, I'm here today for the state affairs and the country's finances.”
Since he was going to speak, then he would be honest. Anyway, he would have to say it sooner or later.
" Finance?!" Li Chen was stunned for a moment. A few seconds later, he looked at Fang Xuanling with a stunned expression. He felt that it was a little ridiculous. What did the country's financial matters have to do with him? Why did he say it to her? Did he have to donate money?
Li Chen's expression turned ugly when he thought of this possibility. Even if Fang Yi 'ai had a good relationship with him, Li Chen would not give him face if Fang Xuanling said this.
"I'm sorry, the country's finances are tight. What does that have to do with me? You should look for the Minister of Finance and those who are in charge of taxes. Forgive me for being unreasonable, but this matter has nothing to do with me.”
"In the Great Tang, most of the wealth and talents are in the hands of the great clans. If you really have financial difficulties, it's more appropriate to go directly to them. Each of these great clans can occupy a certain position in the Imperial Court, but what do I have?”
Li Chen exploded, and all sorts of words came out of his mouth. He didn't give Fang Xuanling any face at all, causing him to feel embarrassed. He hurriedly raised his hand and said,
"Li Chen, don't be anxious. This old man doesn't have such intentions. Your money is your private property. Why would His Majesty and I do such a dirty thing?”
That was more like it. Fang Xuanling's explanation made Li Chen's anger dissipate a little.
"Your Majesty and I have seen that your barbecue shop is doing well, and this idea is also from you, so we want to ask you for an idea to help.”
So you're looking for me to think of a way to get some money. Can't you say it earlier?
Li Chen rolled his eyes. Fang Xuanling was speechless and could only pretend that he didn't see his rude behavior.
"Since Fang Xiang Ming said it, then I will say it.”
"Please speak." Fang Xuanling listened attentively.
Li Chen recalled the annual financial income of the Tang Empire during the Zhenguan period and said,""Minister Fang, the Great Tang's annual tax revenue exceeds two million strings of strings.”
Fang Xuanling smiled bitterly." It looks like a lot, but after distributing it, there isn't much. To tell you the truth, there's not much left in the national treasury. It's not more than two million strings of money, and it's the autumn harvest season. This..."
At this point, Fang Xuanling couldn't continue. Two million strings of strings seemed like a lot, but for the Great Tang's treasury, it was a small amount. There were too many places where one could spend money, and as long as something went wrong, this little bit of money could be taken out in an instant.
Right now, it was the time for a massive reform. Money was needed everywhere. Speaking of which, Li Er was still considered an emperor. He was not willing to repair some parts of the palace that were damaged. If it was the previous emperor, Emperor Yang, he would have increased taxes regardless!! Collect money!
Otherwise, what would he spend?
"Minister Fang really thinks highly of me." Li Chen was speechless. How could a mere county marquis handle such a big matter? Wasn't it a little unreliable?
Fang Xuanling fell silent as he looked at Li Chen. Li Chen hesitated for a moment before suddenly recalling something. How could I have forgotten about this? If we could work together, there would definitely be a chance. Not only would it benefit the country and the people, but it would also ruthlessly scam the various races in the north.
Li Chen didn't have a good impression of the northern races either. The five random barbarians were enough to make every Han person's heart jump. They wanted nothing more than to exterminate these bastards. They were simply inhumane.
"I have a method that can bring the Great Tang a high income, even more than the tax on iron and salt. It can also stabilize the north and prevent the northern races from invading our Great Tang.”
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