Chapter 412
Emperor Xuande glared at the Minister of Revenue who had submitted the memorial.
However, the Minister of Revenue had something to say as well.
“Your Majesty! This Central Plains is vast and its people are numerous! Since Your Majesty ascended to the throne, our empire has grown stronger day by day, relying on Your Majesty’s wisdom!”
The Minister of Revenue, who opened with praise for Emperor Xuande, soon got to the main point.
“However, this has also caused many inconveniences. And among those inconveniences, the greatest is currency. More and more currency is needed throughout the empire, but with only the issuing bureau in Beijing producing currency, we are in a situation where we cannot keep up with the demand! Because of this, many places are still trading with silver and gold. And this leads to tax evasion! Therefore, we must establish an additional issuing bureau in Nanjing to respond more quickly!”
Most of the officials, including the newly appointed Grand Secretary, nodded at the Minister of Revenue’s words.
However, Emperor Xuande did not yield his stance of refusal.
“No physical currency, so they use goods? Then why have they been using promissory notes all this time? And why did I issue state-authorized promissory notes? Wasn’t it to replace that part? Without considering that, you’re blaming everything on the amount and speed of currency issuance, which means you are incompetent! If you truly had the intention to act, you would have worked harder to educate the people and made more efforts to prevent tax evasion! But without even thinking or acting on that, you want to set up another issuing bureau? Do you really think at all in your lives!”
To Emperor Xuande’s rebuke, the Minister of Revenue bowed his head and replied.