Let's just drift through life together in this quick transmigration story.

Chapter 752 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (38)

Xiong Bufan listened to Wu Xinran's report and Shangguan Yi's supplements as if he were listening to a political intrigue novel.

Based on what he had seen and heard along the way, Xiong Bufan felt that Wu Xinran was a successful emperor.

Women of the Phoenix Dynasty spend their entire lives seeking their mothers' approval. Wu Xinran can no longer look directly into His Majesty's sharp, intelligent eyes, and as for praise, she dares not even dream of it.

Xiong Bufan: "You did a great job. You didn't let me down."

"Your Majesty~"

Praising someone should not be biased towards one person while favoring another. Xiong Bufan then affirmed Shangguan Yi, saying, "Shangguan, I feel at ease with you watching over me. The new emperor will still need to rely on you for many things in the future."

Shangguan Yi: "Your Majesty is too kind. It is my duty to seek happiness for the people."

Xiong Bufan looked at the two men, thinking that he had said enough nice things and it was time to get them to offer some real benefits. "I want to take a look at the national treasury."

The national treasury is the source of a country's wealth, and money is the foundation for implementing new policies and building an army.

Shangguan Yi looked at Wu Xinran, indicating what she should do.

During the six months that Xiong Bufan was away, Wu Xinran basically spent all the money Xiong Bufan had saved.

Xiong Bufan: "Are you going to keep things about the national treasury from me?"

This is something we'll have to face sooner or later. Wu Xinran: "Your Majesty, please—"

Xiong Bufan: "Hmm."

Shangguan Yi followed Xiong Bufan closely, instructing the imperial kitchen to prepare food, hoping that the food might soothe His Majesty's wounded heart when they returned.

Thinking about making a fortune, Xiong Bufan's steps became much lighter.

Wu Xinran walked away with trepidation, now hoping that the national treasury would stay as far away from her as possible.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually. The palace servant took the key and opened the gate to the national treasury.

There was only one lonely cat inside, nothing else.

Xiong Bufan still remembers when he left, the national treasury was full of gold and silver treasures, but now there is nothing left.

"Old man, where's my money?"

Wu Xinran noticed Xiong Bufan's displeasure and quickly knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has spent the money."

Upon hearing this, Xiong Bufan felt dizzy and almost fainted, but he managed to stay upright and managed to utter a few words through gritted teeth, "Where, is, the, flower?"

"Get Liu Tong over here, and Xu Jie too."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Shangguan Yi scrambled away, leaving Wu Xinran to face Xiong Bufan's rage.

"You go and fetch me the account books, Wu Xinran! You've squandered all the wealth I built up! You're truly something else!!!"

Wu Xinran: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Since most of them were his own chosen successors, Xiong Bufan was unwilling to kill anyone without presenting the account book.

Kongkong: "Bufan, calm down, calm down. This person is the first emperor and doesn't know how to allocate the national treasury's money properly."

"This is also my first time being an emperor."

After thinking for a moment, Xiong Bufan decided to give Wu Xinran another chance. "I'm asking you, what are you going to do after you've spent all this money?"

"I...I don't know what to do either?"

Wu Xinran actually wanted to increase the taxes on soldiers, but seeing that Xiong Bufan was about to explode with anger, she was too embarrassed to say it.

"I don't know what to do about how you spend so quickly."

Holding the keys to the national treasury, Xiong Bufan stormed back, shouting, "Someone, bring Zhou Ying here!"

"Yes."

Zhou Ying, Wu Xinran, Shangguan Yi, Xu Jie, and Liu Tong stood in Xiong Bufan's palace. They were Xiong Bufan's capable assistants, but none of them could be relied on, so they became a major threat.

Xiong Bufan: "Liu Tong, you tell me first, why is my national treasury empty again?"

"Your Majesty, last year we fought a war with the Zhou Kingdom, and most of the people were conscripted and left, resulting in the land being abandoned and the taxes and grain that could not be collected, so the national treasury is empty."

Your Majesty, as long as there is a good autumn harvest this year, the national treasury will surely be full again.

"What a load of rubbish! You use every dirty trick you can on the common people. I love the people like my own children, do you even know that?"

Liu Tong: "I know, I know."

"Your Majesty, what should we do?"

Xiong Bufan: "How would I know? Xu Jie, give me a report on the situation in the capital, and also on the information you've gathered about the ministers."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xu Jie was Xiong Bufan's eyes and ears in the capital. She knew everything about everything, from the army's progress to what ministers ate at home.

Xiong Bufan wanted to see if these people were after his money.

Xu Jie knew what Xiong Bufan cared about, and began to recount many things in detail. She emphasized how Wu Xinran used her dowry from serving the emperor to fill the empty national treasury, and also spoke of the current living conditions of the people, as well as the situation of other countries after their submission…

As Xiong Bufan ate, he listened to the conversation. Seeing that the money was being spent on the people, his resentment subsided a little.

But that was all money she had painstakingly amassed; it was money she had painstakingly amassed, her money.

Shangguan Yi: "Your Majesty, Lord Wu has truly devoted himself to the Great Feng Dynasty."

Xiong Bufan remained silent, unwilling to speak. She couldn't find any other words to describe the group except for the phrase "spendthrift."

"The wealth that my father, Hua, built up through his tireless efforts, has all been gone now."

Wu Xinran's expression darkened. "Your Majesty, I..."

Xiong Bufan: "Let's open up trade. Xu Jie will gather information, provide protection, and unite with the imperial merchants to conduct trade within the territory of the Great Feng Dynasty. When the time is right, we will venture out of the border mountains."

Shangguan Yi: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, merchants have been the lowest class."

Xiong Bufan looked coldly at Shangguan Yi, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Your Majesty, we can increase the taxes on the people."

Xiong Bufan smiled. This person was just as stupid as Liu Tong. Having this group of people was a blessing for him. "Do as I say. The people can't afford to cause so much trouble for you."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhou Ying watched the commotion from the sidelines, not daring to say a word, for fear that Xiong Bufan might scold her if he was unhappy.

Xiong Bufan: "Merchants collect more taxes than ordinary people according to a certain ratio."

Collusion between officials and businessmen is strictly prohibited.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

These are all the ideas Xiong Bufan can think of right now. If these still don't work, then she'll just cut down a few more useless people to reduce the burden on the country.

Kongkong: "Bufan, don't be angry, don't be angry, we still have a lot of gold and silver."

"I'm very calm."

These people really rely on Xiong Bufan for everything and don't use their own brains to think for themselves.

"Shangguan Yi, Zhou Ying, and Wu Xinran, deduct one year's salary as a way to replenish the national treasury."

Wu Xinran felt bitter inside. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The palace servants from the imperial kitchen brought out all the food one after another. Xiong Bufan was too lazy to care about their meals. "You may all leave and reflect on your actions."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Since its establishment, the Feng Dynasty has prioritized agriculture over commerce, so Xiong Bufan's reform was a move born out of necessity.