The national treasury is empty, and everything requires money; even if she does nothing every day, it still requires a large expenditure. Aren't all the officials and clerks under her domain in need of salaries?
And the soldiers under her command, the daily consumption of money and grain when they open their eyes can make her feel overwhelmed.
So with no money in the treasury, she must create money.
The monopoly on salt and iron is not the fastest way to accumulate wealth; as Zhao Ming said, taxes are.
However, now all the people in the country are suffering, even though Yu State's drought is light, and the disaster isn't severe, but due to the wars over the past six months, Yu State contributed significantly to logistics. During her time fighting outside, military taxes alone in Yu State were levied twice, plus one donation, combined with soaring grain prices; ordinary people have reached the brink.
