Everyone silently looked at Yu Qian. Did they not know that?
But credibility could not be accumulated in a single day, and monetary policy clearly could not continue like this.
If they printed Treasure Notes in even greater quantities, not only would the common people be unable to bear it, even the officials would reach their limit.
As Treasure Notes depreciated again and again, if they continued using them as salaries, low-ranking officials might not even be able to support their families.
If salaries were not enough to support a family, who knew what those officials might do?
In the end, the ones who suffered would probably still be ordinary commoners.
Chen Xun sighed. "If only the national treasury were full."
Yu Qian said, "Before the New Year, didn't Japan return three hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver?"
Chen Xun said, "Spring planting and waterworks inspections used up that money."
Every year, the Imperial Court prepared a batch of new seeds and distributed them free to every county, which then handed them out to farmers for cultivation.
Pan Yun said, "Other than the crooked path of adding taxes, Minister Chen, think of some other ways to make money."
Chen Xun said bitterly, "We have thought of every method we could. Wars broke out frequently last year, and expenditures far exceeded revenues. The imperial clan and officials alike had their salaries delayed. We only paid out one sum during the New Year, and the national treasury still owes money even now."
Pan Yun said pointedly, "Cutting expenses and increasing revenue—neither can be neglected."
As for cutting expenses, the officials' salaries clearly could not be cut, so that meant...
Chen Xun shot Pan Yun a quick look. He was tempted, but did not dare mention it.
Cutting the imperial clan's expenses—wasn't