The ministers, led by Gu Hong, who were privy to the Empress's truth, gathered in the Imperial Study to congratulate Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang on the successful conclusion of their trip to Da Liang.
Under Xiao Qing's arrangement, Gu Shaoyan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, presented the Ministry's financial report to Liang Xiao.
"Last year's total national revenue, equivalent to one hundred and thirty-seven million two hundred and seventy thousand taels of silver, included four hundred and ten million from industrial and commercial taxes and four hundred and twenty million from salt administration. Total national expenditure was approximately one hundred and ten million taels of silver, ten million of which was used to purchase grain in preparation for a disaster year, resulting in a total national treasury surplus of forty-five million two hundred and seventy thousand taels over three years!"
"By integrating the head tax into the land tax through the 'Tanding Rumian' policy, not only has national tax revenue not decreased, but it has actually increased by over thirty percent, as unregistered and undocumented households have become virtually meaningless!"
"Influenced by this policy, the domestic population has significantly increased, with the number of newborns in various regions more than doubling last year. The common people have begun to embrace the belief that more children bring more blessings! Including Yizhou, the total registered population nationwide now exceeds one hundred and one million, one hundred and twenty-three thousand!"
Gu Shaoyan's tone was clearly excited and animated, his report delivered with a smile throughout.
Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang exchanged glances, their hearts filled with immense joy.
Da Gan encouraged industry and commerce, making industrial and commercial taxes a substantial portion of revenue.
In previous years, with the interference of aristocratic families and rampant private salt trade, the final total revenue of the treasury often hovered around seventy to eighty million taels!
Through four years of reform, Da Gan's military and political systems had undergone a metamorphosis.
The most troublesome issues of bureaucratic, military, and financial redundancy had been greatly improved.
Of course, the incremental revenue from contract taxes, salt administration reforms, and Tanding Rumian had surpassed thirty million taels of silver, a significant contribution.
Da Gan's fiscal revenue did not include the additional income derived from the spoils of war.
At normal market prices, a live cattle ranged from eight to fifteen taels, warhorses exceeded one hundred taels, and pigs, sheep, and military equipment were also valuable. The total value of spoils seized from the barbarians had exceeded eighty million taels of silver.
However, these spoils were used for military consumption and rewards, and were the results of Liang Xiao's achievements at the age of twenty, not counted towards this year's harvest.
The Hetao region and the Hexi Corridor were two natural grasslands. After years of effort by Da Gan, the ten thousand loyal Da Gan herdsmen who had been rescued earnestly led the way. The annual increase in revenue was sufficient to cover the army's wartime consumption and post-war rewards.
Under normal circumstances, the fundamental resources of these two grasslands could not be depleted.
Furthermore, Da Gan's cumulative investment in military equipment over these past few years had approached one hundred million taels of silver; otherwise, the treasury surplus could have exceeded eighty million taels.
"At the time, after summarizing the finances of various regions with the Prime Minister, we dared not believe such revenue was possible..." Gu Hong exclaimed, looking at Liang Xiao with burning eyes.
"Da Gan is fortunate to have the Marquis of Anguo, truly a cause for celebration!" He Jingyun could no longer contain his exclamation.
Everyone nodded in unison, their expressions filled with reverence.
It was precisely because they understood Da Gan before the aristocratic families held sway that the current Da Gan appeared even more precious.
And who had brought about this change for Da Gan was known to all.
Xiao Qing said with delight, "I have never doubted my own judgment!"
Although she had been briefed on the financial report in advance, upon seeing his joyful smile, she couldn't help but beam with happiness.
Da Gan, as he wished, had ultimately been shaped by him!
Even before Liang Xiao departed for Da Liang, Xiao Qing had discussed with those present the possibility of bestowing another princess title upon Zuo Jing, making her equal to the seven legitimate princesses.
In previous dynasties, it would have been common for ministers to strongly dissuade such a decision.
However, the individuals present, knowing that Xiao Qing and Liang Xiao would not hold grudges, did not object. They merely requested that Xiao Qing be mindful of the wording in the decree to avoid negative implications when the Empress's identity was eventually revealed to the world.
In the hearts of Da Gan's officials and citizens, her Brother Xiao had already ascended to sainthood, transcending the status of king or emperor, yet the people yearned for him.
Even among Da Gan's officials, a significant portion had been meticulously selected by Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang, ensuring they were talented individuals dedicated to the country and its people, viewing Liang Xiao as the ultimate aspiration of scholars.
The Gu and Mu families, and other prominent clans, had also benefited from Liang Xiao's support and guidance. After relinquishing their aristocratic status, they had ascended to new heights, setting an excellent example for subsequent generations of official families, and their gratitude towards Liang Xiao was immeasurable.
Liang Xiao shook his head, "The great order of the world is not the achievement of a single person. Our Emperor diligently governs for the people, and my colleagues, along with the soldiers and citizens of Da Gan, have all contributed their efforts to this nation. The changes in Da Gan are the result of the collective efforts of the entire nation; I cannot claim all the credit."
Everyone pondered his words, "The Marquis of Anguo speaks wisely. However, even with the Marquis's repeated modesty, the people unanimously believe that it is the Emperor and the Marquis of Anguo who have brought them peace and prosperity, surpassing all previous eras, a truly deserving recognition."
Liang Xiao couldn't help but chuckle.
The minds of the common people were the simplest; they revered and respected whoever provided them with a good life.
Zhuo Wulüe said, "Your Majesty, after the nationwide military downsizing and reorganization, the current army exceeds one million, but only five hundred and fifty thousand troops are fully professional. We believe that to cope with border threats, our nation's finances can support an additional increase of two hundred thousand soldiers."
"An increase in troops?" Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao merely nodded slightly.
Da Gan also promoted military farming. Most soldiers spent their time training and cultivating land during peacetime and fighting during wartime. This was the basis for Da Gan's ability to implement a conscription system and its potential to offset such enormous expenditure with some revenue.
The truly professional soldiers were: two hundred thousand in the north, two hundred thousand in the west, one hundred thousand in Liaodong, and fifty thousand elite troops among the two hundred thousand stationed in Jiangnan were fully professional.
In total, this meant approximately one professional soldier for every two hundred civilians, a very ample ratio.
Looking at the history of his homeland, during the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties, even during the most lenient period of the Eastern Han, with a national population of 56 million, the total military strength was only 290,000, which was not as generous a soldier-to-civilian ratio as Da Gan's.
During the Three Kingdoms period, the ratio ranged from 1:15 to 1:30. The Tang Dynasty's Fubing system had a ratio of 1:75, while the Song and Ming dynasties were around 1:100.
Currently, Da Gan must ensure the successful retrieval of the treasures deep within the desert, especially the Nine Cauldrons of Yu.
This urgent demand coincided with Zhuo Wulüe's proposal.
Xiao Qing said solemnly, "The threat from the Tianri tribe is increasing daily, and the reinforcement of troops is imperative. I intend to recruit an additional two hundred thousand nationwide, but the Ministry of War must remember: quality over quantity! Da Gan's current army is a hard-won force, reformed from the once undisciplined and weak legions. We cannot allow opportunistic soldiers to corrupt military discipline; strict examination systems must be established."
Gu Hong and others did not oppose the troop increase.
After all, the nation was now wealthy, and even if the treasury was depleted, Xiao Qing had her personal funds to make up the difference.
Moreover, the newly recruited soldiers did not all have to be fully professional; they could be assigned to cultivate wasteland in local areas.
The matter of conscription was settled, and Da Gan was preparing to restore its army to its peak strength.
Wang Canghai stated, "After a year of recovery, most of the people in Yizhou can now live and work in peace. The enthusiasm of Yizhou youths for military service is unprecedented. Li Xiuyun, the Prefect of Yizhou, and others dare not make decisions on their own and have submitted three memorials detailing this matter. Should we recruit soldiers from Yizhou?"