At this moment, Li Shimin was filled with shame. Looking at it from another perspective, there were so many benefits that he had failed to see. He had been a generation of emperor, yet he failed to recognize the right and wrong of things, and had focused too much on the small profits from selling alcohol.
It seemed that he really needed to learn from Xiaozhang the shopkeeper in the future.
At the same time, he began to extend his thoughts to the policies he had issued in his daily life. Xiaozhang the shopkeeper's approach was to not focus on the gains and losses of a city or a region, but to look at the whole world, to take in everything, and to treat the entire country as a game of chess.
Moreover, the most wonderful thing was to take one step and see three steps, connecting every step, and taking every step carefully.
Li Shimin was now lost in thought. If the court promoted private operation of the liquor industry, and used his and Xiaozhang's business as an example, this fine wine would naturally attract people's attention.
But wouldn't other merchants be jealous?
With his own business, some shady means couldn't be used, but they could follow suit. Even if they didn't have the miraculous ability of Xiaozhang the shopkeeper, they could probably sell some ordinary wine at a good price.
Then, wouldn't they have to buy a large amount of grain? Wouldn't they have to hire a lot of people? Wouldn't the treasury be able to collect a lot of business taxes?
Zhang Nuo saw Li Shimin smiling, and then added casually,
"Business tax has another benefit, which cannot be said explicitly, but it is very useful for your majesty's imperial power to remain stable."
"Currently, the powerful families and aristocrats can avoid agricultural taxes by relying on their officials in the family. In the long run, these powerful families and aristocrats will inevitably merge and even seize the land of farmers."
"In the end, many farmers will have no land to farm, and will have to sell themselves as slaves or even rise up."
"But business tax is different. This is a new tax. Your Majesty can announce from the beginning that even the imperial relatives and aristocrats cannot be exempt from the tax. As more and more business taxes are collected in the future, these powerful families and aristocrats will have to gradually pay their taxes."
Li Shimin was about to jump up in excitement. It was truly brilliant!
Li Shimin had always been cautious of the five surnames and seven noble families who had either observed or supported his Li family's rise to power.
After all, these powerful families and aristocrats who could support his Li family, would also be able to support the Wang family or the Zhang family in the future, and these big families who valued their family more than the country, did not really care about imperial power.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be a saying like "a hundred years of dynasty and a thousand years of aristocracy."
Therefore, just now, when Zhang Nuo analyzed it like this, Li Shimin keenly realized that business tax was simply the best opportunity to cut these powerful families and aristocrats.
After all, even the imperial relatives and aristocrats of the Great Tang paid business tax. Can you afford not to pay? Are you trying to rebel?
Then don't blame the fierce armies of the Great Tang for coming to your door to have a talk with you!
Thinking of this, Li Shimin excitedly patted Zhang Nuo's shoulder and said,
"You, Xiaozhang, are really amazing. I really didn't expect that there were so many twists and turns in it. It seems that I still have a lot to learn from you."
The person is just like that. The more he's praised, the more he wants to show off.
To be honest, when it comes to politics and economics, Zhang Nuo relies on some of the knowledge he learned in high school to show off.
In reality, if he keeps talking, he'll be exposed because his cheat haven't fully come in yet.
However, even the news, jokes, and online articles he sees in his future life are enough for him to come up with countless ideas that impress people.
" Li, you have to know that although business taxes can fill the treasury, they're not the kind of thing that can take effect immediately. It's like trying to quench thirst with distant water. I have another trick up my sleeve that can quickly help the treasury make no less than 200,000 strings. Do you want to hear it?"
Li Shimin's hands and feet began to tremble.
How much? 200,000 strings? And it can be obtained immediately? With this money, he can do so many things.
Not enough military supplies?
Buy more!
Need to improve water conservancy?
Arrange it!
Government officials need subsidies?
Approve it!
With money, he can do whatever he wants. He didn't expect the little boss Zhang had more tricks up his sleeve. He thought the business tax was the ace, but it seems that the little boss Zhang had something in reserve.
He must dig it out.
Unfortunately, the treasury was truly empty at this time.
Li Shimin, who was closely related to Zhang Nuo, put down his pride and took the initiative to approach him, saying with a smile on his face,
"Brother, as the saying goes, help someone in need and they'll remember you. You've already spoken, so help your brother out!"
"My relative will definitely write your name on the memorial at that time, and the emperor will definitely remember your talent. At that time, you will definitely be with rewards!"
Seeing Li's strange look, Zhang Nuo thought to himself that Li was really trying to help his relatives.
But he couldn't miss this opportunity. How could he not tease him?
So Zhang Nuo shook the hem of the clothes he had just worn for the first time today, leaned back on the chair, and said with a calm expression,
"Let's talk about the credit later. I'm not in a hurry. After all, I've already arranged it. Next year, I'll be able to get a title from His Majesty!"
"But your relative will definitely benefit from my suggestion and get promoted. You will definitely benefit from it as well. How about you take out a few hundred strings from your private funds as a consulting fee?"
"You know, although the business tax idea is useful, it's not particularly clever. I believe those high-ranking officials in the court will eventually think of it even if they haven't thought of it temporarily."
"But my idea is different. I'm sure that if I don't say it, no one can think of it. Even after a thousand years, no one can come up with it!"
"And it's not just a one-time benefit. You can earn more and more in the future! Do you want to pay the consulting fee now? It's definitely worth it!"
Li Shimin's face was as wrinkled as a bun.
If Zhang Nuo asked for an official position or a title, as long as Zhang Nuo's idea is as effective as he says, there's definitely no problem.
Money is the only thing he really can't bear to part with. Moreover, as soon as the shopkeeper Xiao Zhang opened his mouth, he mentioned a sum of over a thousand strings.
You should know that he doesn't have much money left in his purse at the moment.
It must be said that Li Shimin was also a smart person. He knew that Zhang Nuo was teasing him and indirectly proving that the suggestion that Xiao Zhang was about to make was an incredible idea.
But how could he bring out this idea?
Just as Li Shimin was scratching his head, he noticed that Empress Chang sun had nudged Hongyu next to her. Li Shimin's eyes immediately lit up, and he hugged Zhang Nuo, pointing at Hongyu and saying,
"Xiao Zhang, I know you're not yet married at eighteen this year. Although your sister-in-law sister is not a direct descendant, she grew up in my mansion since childhood. My wife treats her like a younger sister, and she is not only beautiful but also well-educated and reasonable. How about I give her to you as a wife? Is that enough for you to bring out that good idea as a betrothal gift?"