Using metal as collateral? To create cloud notes based on this? If so, then as long as one promises to exchange them one-to-one, writing down any denomination would allow one to obtain gold, silver, and copper coins of equivalent value.
In that case, these cloud notes would not be unacceptable.
However, tradition is tradition. Even when seeing something excellent, one might want to acknowledge it but is too proud or unwilling to admit it due to face or other reasons.
The civil and military officials were now in such a state. Even though their expressions had softened considerably and they were inclined to accept the cloud notes, they found it difficult to do so face-to-face. Instinctively, they still felt that the silver they were accustomed to was more reliable and convenient.
Of course, some high officials were also unwilling to lose the income from "fire costs" after the use of cloud notes.
Qian Jieren looked at them eagerly, wanting them to acknowledge cloud notes as currency of the court, as one of the official currencies of the Yunyue Kingdom.
If this were to happen, it would be a significant mark in the history of the Ministry of Revenue and the Yunyue Kingdom, and he, the Minister of Revenue, would surely be recorded in history.
But the civil and military officials merely exchanged glances; no one stood up to agree.
Seeing this scene, the Empress understood: "These fellows are indeed greedy and unwilling to give up the revenue from fire costs? Hmph, I've long disliked it!"
She smiled slightly and said, "Minister Qian, since these cloud notes have so many benefits, from now on, cloud notes will be one of the taxes of this dynasty. The common people will be allowed to pay taxes with cloud notes instead of gold, silver, copper, or even physical goods."
"Your Majesty, this..."
Du Ke, the newly appointed Minister of Rites, hesitantly wanted to object, to say that this was not in accordance with etiquette, but thinking of the fate of his predecessor, he dared not.
In this era, with the emergence and reforms of Chu Chen, many things no longer conformed to etiquette and law. Alas!
Seeing that everyone hesitated but no one attempted to strongly oppose it with their lives, the Empress snorted disdainfully and said indifferently, "Since none of my esteemed ministers object, so be it."
She then instructed, "Eunuch Wang, draft an imperial decree to announce this matter to the world!"
"Yes!"
Eunuch Zhou, the chief eunuch of the imperial palace, served as the Director of Seals, in charge of the imperial seal. Eunuch Wang, on the other hand, was the Imperial Scribe, responsible for writing imperial decrees.
The two were not only the Empress's right-hand men in their daily duties but also the directors of the Eastern Depot and Western Depot.
Seeing Eunuch Wang begin to write the imperial decree, the civil and military officials, knowing that the rise of cloud notes was inevitable, felt very complicated.
On one hand, cloud notes were indeed much more convenient, benefiting their families and themselves. On the other hand, the emergence of cloud notes was a matter of good or ill fortune.
After Eunuch Wang finished writing the imperial decree and submitted it to the Empress for review, and it was confirmed to be accurate, Eunuch Zhou took out the imperial seal and handed it to the Empress for stamping.
At this point, the circulation of cloud notes in the Yunyue Kingdom was an inevitable trend.
With this matter concluded, the officials, who thought they could now leave the court, were about to bow when they suddenly heard Chu Chen's voice again.
"Everyone, please wait a moment. Do not leave the court. I have one more matter."
"..."
Prime Minister, can't you finish everything at once?
The civil and military officials' foreheads throbbed, and they were very displeased but helpless.
They could only stand in place and continue to listen respectfully.
"Oh? Does Minister Chu have anything else?" the Empress asked faintly, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
Chu Chen did not answer but turned his gaze to Qian Jieren and asked, "Minister Qian, has the Ministry of Revenue made any projections for this year's revenue?"
"Hmm~ I have roughly tallied it. This year, the Ministry of Revenue expects an income of two million three hundred thousand taels of silver. May I ask why Prime Minister Chu inquires about this matter?"
Qian Jieren pondered for a moment, then looked up and replied with confusion.
"What if I say you've miscalculated?" Chu Chen said with a smile.
"Ah? That's absolutely impossible! Prime Minister Chu may not believe in the character of the Ministry of Revenue officials, but you absolutely cannot doubt our ability to do our jobs!"
Qian Jieren exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
The instinct to calculate was almost etched into the DNA of the Ministry of Revenue officials. How could they make a mistake?
"But I believe that the Ministry of Revenue will have an income of twenty-three million three hundred thousand taels this year. What do you think, Minister Qian?"
"???"
Qian Jieren was filled with question marks, as were the civil and military officials. They didn't know what Chu Chen was talking about in his delirium.
"An income of twenty-three million three hundred thousand taels? That's impossible! The Ministry of Revenue this year, like last year, only received two million taels of silver and six hundred thousand piculs of grain. The projected income was three hundred thousand taels."
"This twenty-one million taels of silver, the Ministry of Revenue has not seen even an extra tael, let alone twenty-three million three hundred thousand taels?"
Qian Jieren shook his head frantically, completely disbelieving Chu Chen's words. Instead, he looked at him suspiciously and said, "Prime Minister, are you perhaps hallucinating from overwork day and night?"
"Hahaha~"
Chu Chen laughed heartily, leaving the civil and military officials looking bewildered.
Only then did Chu Chen stop laughing and say with a smile, "Minister Qian, your tax calculation is probably invalid. Have you forgotten about the banks? The cloud notes in the banks are also income for the court! The banks are also institutions of the court!"
"...No way? Prime Minister Chu! You're not suggesting that the banks, after only half a month of operation, can hand over twenty-one million taels?"
Qian Jieren seemed to have thought of something and asked in disbelief.
"That's right, Minister Qian's guess is correct. The banks indeed have twenty-one million taels, waiting to enter the national treasury!"
Chu Chen was not joking at all and said seriously.
"Hiss~!"
Qian Jieren and the other civil and military officials gasped.
The court's revenue had been decreasing for fourteen years, until two years ago. Last year, it was two million taels, and this year it began to improve, with the addition of thirty thousand piculs of grain from the imperial farms and ten thousand taels of commercial tax from the Shuangyue Prefecture for one month under the new three laws.
Even fourteen years ago, the court's tax revenue had never exceeded twenty million taels, let alone twenty-three million taels? If Prime Minister Chu truly wasn't talking nonsense or deceiving them, or deceiving His Majesty.
Doesn't that mean the court has become a nouveau riche this year?
"Your Majesty! I am suffering! The soldiers lack food and clothing! Their training is unbearable! Even the migrant workers who build roads can eat three full meals a day, but the soldiers who fight for the court only have two meals a day, one dry and one wet! I implore Your Majesty to order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate at least two million taels for the army! To supply the new army, to improve the soldiers' meals and treatment!"
General Wei Zi, the Protector of the State, was the first to react and cried out in misery.
With him leading the way, the other officials also reacted. They all lamented and cried out, making Chu Chen, Qian Jieren, Zhang Chenzhu, Lü Youwei, and even the Empress stare in astonishment.