Final answer:
The emperor's court of the Lilliputians likely profited from Gulliver through methods similar to historical examples, such as state monopolies on commodities and taxes like the poll tax. These strategies could directly enhance the treasury or indirectly contribute to the overall wealth by drawing interest to the spectacle of Gulliver.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emperor's court of the Lilliputians profited from Gulliver in various ways, as illustrated by different historical examples. Monarchies and governments often used forms of taxes and monopolies to enhance their treasuries.
For instance, in historical contexts such as the Han and Song dynasties of China, emperors profited through state monopolies on commodities like iron and salt, and the implementation of a cash poll tax. These fiscal strategies increased the wealth of rulers while often burdening the commoners.
Farmers, for example, struggled to raise cash and were squeezed by taxes and monopolies, leading to a society where they were forced to sell their lands and themselves into servitude.
Furthermore, emperors like Emperor Wu required these taxes to fund military campaigns against adversaries like the Xiongnu. Imperial offices also controlled industries like silk, directing enormous profits to the royal treasury.
In contexts similar to that of Gulliver's scenario, rulers like Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty greatly benefited financially from the monopolies and taxes, much like the fictional court of Lilliput might have profited from Gulliver either through direct taxation or by monetizing the spectacle of his presence.