Wang Lin took another big sip of [The Humble Room], but he didn't directly say how helpful the wine could be. Instead, he asked Ning Chen a question first.

Ning Chen discovered that these big shots were all very good at being teachers.

If you have anything to say, don’t say it directly. You have to guide yourself and hope you can find the answer yourself.

But Ning Chen really didn't know the question Wang Lin asked.

Wang Lin’s question is: Mr. Ning, do you know why the Wu Dynasty’s annual tax revenue is only four million taels?

Ning Chen didn't know where to go to solve this problem, and he didn't care about the household department.

"Is it because your Excellency is corrupt?"

As soon as Ning Chen said these words, Wang Lin was choked and coughed.

"Master Ning, the low taxes have nothing to do with the truth." Wang Lin quickly explained.

Ning Chen thought to himself: What does the low tax revenue have to do with the Ministry of War?

If you ask a question in a serious manner, you are not allowed to answer the question in a serious manner.

"My lord, I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about corrupt officials like Lin Youwei." Ning Chen felt relieved and explained casually.

Wang Lin shook his head and said: "Even a corrupt official like Lin Youwei, how much can he be? Lin Youwei's house was ransacked, and Wu Xian's property was confiscated.

The total amount of silver seized was only five million taels.

Our Dawu Dynasty has a vast territory, with a total of thirteen states, 360 prefectures, and 7,200 cities.

Even if each city pays a tax of 5,000 taels, it is not worth 4 million taels."

Ning Chen continued: "It's thirty-six million taels."

Wang Lin was stunned, wondering why Ning Chen was giving such precise figures at this time.

But Wang Lin still nodded: "That's right. Even if it's five thousand taels, the annual taxes are tens of millions of taels. But why are there only a few million taels in the end?"

This time Wang Lin learned his lesson and didn't let Ning Chen answer.

Instead, he gave the answer directly: "Among the thirteen states of the Wu Dynasty, in Jingzhou where Prince Jing was located, taxes did not need to be paid to the national treasury.

In the four states in the north close to the demon clan, only half of the taxes need to be paid.

Only eight states have actually paid in full."

After Wang Lin said so much, Ning Chen became a little interested in this tax.

"Sir, even if there are only eight states, it shouldn't be so few, right?"

"Because most of the taxes paid go to the border guards.

Marquis Dingguo's 300,000 Dingguo army consumes 8 million taels of silver every year.

Although Prince Jing does not have to pay Jingzhou taxes, he still needs to replenish 8 million taels of silver every year.

The North handed over half, but the final result was that not only that half needed to be replenished.

We need to add another five million taels of silver.

The sum of these three parties is twenty-one million taels of silver."

Ning Chen nodded, indicating that he already knew where the money had gone.

But Ning Chen still didn't know what Wang Lin's talk had to do with his wine.

Seeing that Ning Chen still didn't understand, Wang Lin could only continue: "It's precisely because the border guards have consumed too much.

Therefore, the salary of the guards who are under the management of the Ministry of War will naturally be greatly reduced.

Not to mention the silver reward, even military pay must be halved.

Sometimes the payment is even in arrears for a month and a half.

Even the drinks provided by the army are far inferior to those provided by the border guards.

Since I am now the Minister of War, I must reorganize the imperial guards so that I can live up to my reputation as Minister of War.

I didn't know where to start before, but after hearing what you said about the price of drinks, Mr. Ning.

I know how to get started, starting with this drink.

If I tell the Fuwei Army, their current drinks are the same as those of the Dingguo Army.

I don’t think I need to say anything about the next thing, Lord Ning already knows it.”

Ning Chen said with a bad expression: "Are you going to pay the debt next?"

Wang Lin:(｀?д?′)

Why did it suddenly jump to debt?

Isn’t it the stage of owing debt yet?

"Master Ning, let's not talk about the debt first. Let's talk about the palace guards first."

"Wang Xiang, I think it's better for us to talk about the debt first." Ning Chen didn't give Wang Lin a chance to avoid the topic at all.

"Master Ning, I don't want to owe a debt." Wang Lin said.

"Then you can give me the money first, and then we can discuss the rest in detail."

Wang Lin coughed twice in embarrassment, and then said to Ning Chen: "Master Ning, the Ministry of War really has no money now. But don't worry, Master Ning, as long as the government guards have a little improvement, it will be easy to ask the court for money."

After hearing Wang Lin's words, Ning Chen stood up and said, "Master Wang, I just remembered that there is porridge cooking on the stove at home.

If this dries up, the pot will be ruined.

That is my favorite pot. Mr. Wang makes atonement. I have to go back and take a look at my pot first."

Wang Lin had heard many excuses, but the worst one was undoubtedly Ning Chen.

After all, Ning Chen is the number one winner of three consecutive prizes. Why don't you want to make up a little reason?

This means Wang Lin doesn't understand Ning Chen anymore.

If he had money, Ning Chen would be able to be more fancy and comfortable than anyone else.

If you don't have money, what are you wasting your brain cells on?

"Master Ning, don't forget that you are also the right minister of the Ministry of War. The rise and fall of the Ministry of War is equally important to Master Ning!" Wang Lin said to Ning Chen from behind, his tone a little more serious.

Ning Chen listened to Wang Lin's words and said: "Prime Minister, the Ministry of War has declined.

The worst that can happen is that I just resign from my position as right-hand minister.

It’s not like I have to be the right servant.

Sir, do you believe it or not, if I am willing to give the wine to the national army for free.

Even the Marquis of Dingguo can give me the title of general."

Ning Chen's words made Wang Lin speechless for a moment.

The key is that Wang Lin believes that Marquis Dingguo can really do this.

Moreover, all the power of granting rewards to the Dingguo army was in the hands of the Marquis of Dingguo.

Conferring Ningchen a general is a matter of just one sentence.

If you put it this way, I really have nothing to do with Ning Chen.

Wang Lin took two quick steps and walked up to Ning Chen. He called Ning Chen by name in a soft and friendly tone:

"Ning Chen, let's discuss the affairs of the Ministry of War.

With the Ministry of War getting better, I am definitely not the only one to benefit.

And I will never owe you the money for the drinks.

As long as the government guards can make some achievements.

The court will naturally approve the money.

The first thing to do when the time comes is to pay back your drink money."

After hearing Wang Lin's words, Ning Chen sneered and said, "Let's not talk about whether the guards are good or not.

Let's talk about the court's money. Now the court only collects four million taels of tax revenue every year.

How much money do you think you can give to the Imperial Guards even if they are good?

And how much of this money can be used to buy wine?"

These words left Wang Lin speechless again.

Because what Ning Chen said is the truth.

Even if the Fu Guards were really reorganized, the imperial court would not have so much money to allocate to the Fu Guards.

What's more, no matter how good the Fuwei army is, can it still be stronger than the Dingguo army?

"Ning Chen, you are a businessman, you should think of a way.

See how you can give the wine to the guards and not suffer a loss yourself?"
To be continued...