Prince of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 223 Convince Li Shimin

In fact, what Gao Ming was most worried about at the beginning was that Li Shimin insisted on suppressing the merchants. If that was the case, Gao Ming would encounter many obstacles if he wanted to improve the status of Datang merchants and make these merchants work for him.

Therefore, when he heard that Li Shimin promised to give the merchant an official position, Gao Ming also breathed a sigh of relief, and Li Shimin wanted the title as a "sweetener", which can be called a surprise.

However, Gao Ming also knows that the reason why Li Shimin agreed is mainly because of two reasons, the first is the trust in himself, and the second is because the Datang Royal Business Alliance is originally for the royal family to make money, so what can he do to hinder it? Woolen cloth?

Just like what Gao Ming thought, Li Shimin really thought so in his heart, and when he saw Gao Ming giving him a thumbs up, he laughed even more happily.

"Hahahaha, as long as these merchants can make money for me loyally, it doesn't matter if I award a few titles to go out, it's just a matter of one sentence, if it can be exchanged for filling the treasury, such a business can naturally be done .”

Having said that, Li Shimin suddenly frowned again.

"It's just that there is one problem that I haven't figured out how to solve."

Things have come to this point, Gao Ming naturally cannot give up easily, so he asked immediately.

"What's the problem? Tell me, so I can help you with the details."

"Well, that's fine!"

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin nodded immediately.

"Actually, it's not for other reasons. It's mainly because I'm worried that people will say that I compete with the people for profit, and merchants are lowly businesses. Isn't it inappropriate to be called the royal family?"

Hearing Li Shimin's words, Gao Ming's face darkened immediately.

He understood Li Shimin's mentality. This guy is a typical guy who wants to set up a memorial archway after becoming a framer. He not only wants businessmen to help him make money, but also dislikes his low family background, and is worried that others' gossip will affect his reputation.

If it was someone else who said this, Gao Ming would definitely send a word - get out!

But for Li Shimin, Gao Ming can only persuade him with good words.

"Old man, in fact, your worry is unnecessary."

Speaking of this, Gao Ming immediately smiled at Li Shimin.

"Let's talk about this matter of competing with the people for profit first. Have you ever thought that once more people join the Datang Royal Commercial Alliance, then they will all be controlled by us at that time, and we can lower the price of the goods uniformly. When the price of the rice flour and cloth we sell is very low, do you think the common people will praise you or scold you?"

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin didn't speak, but his face showed a pensive look.

Seeing this scene, Gao Ming laughed again.

"And the most important thing is that once the scale of the business alliance grows, it will be able to effectively curb those merchants who are driving up prices and let the people get the most benefits. This is not competing with the people for profit, it is clearly for the people. Well!"

As soon as Gao Ming finished speaking, Li Shimin's eyes lit up.

"That's right, what I'm doing is not competing for the interests of the people, but for the interests of the people. This is benevolent government!"

Seeing that Li Shimin had figured it out, Gao Ming also followed his words.

"That's right, this is a benevolent government. As for the saying that merchants are cheap, you don't have to worry about it. You can add a small department in Dianzhong Province called the 'Commercial Bureau'. The Monk Food Bureau and the Shang Clothing Bureau are listed on the same level. In this way , the courtier naturally has nothing to say."

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin immediately became happier, stroked his beard and laughed.

"That's right. The Bureau of Food and Clothing is in charge of the food and clothing of the inner palace, and the bureau of commerce is in charge of the money and expenses of the inner palace. In the future, if I want to build a palace, I don't need to go through the Ministry of Households. I can directly allocate money from the bureau of commerce. Gao Ming, Your idea is really good, hahahaha!"

Looking at the happy Li Shimin, Gao Ming suddenly showed a wry smile.

"Old man, you are going to build a palace before the money is confiscated. Although I don't want to spoil your interest, I still have to say two words to you——No!"

As soon as Gao Ming finished speaking, Li Shimin's face darkened.

"why not?"

Seeing his unhappy look, Gao Ming shook his head firmly.

"If money is abundant in the future, it is no problem to build a palace, but at the beginning, our money will be used to offset farmers' taxes."

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin frowned immediately.

"Why? The tax I collect is not high, it can already be called a light tax, and the common people can afford it."

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Gao Ming nodded immediately.

"Yes, I know this, but don't forget, there are many nobles in our Tang Dynasty, and the land under their names is not taxed. Once natural disasters and man-made disasters happen, these nobles will annex the land, and those in their hands Wealthy businessmen, they will also buy land and land.”

When he said this, Gao Ming immediately met Li Shimin's eyes.

"In this way, farmers will have less and less land, and more and more taxes will be shared on them. When they can't afford it..."

Gao Ming didn't say anything, but Li Shimin already understood.

"At that time, the overwhelmed people will take risks and rebel!"

Having said this, Li Shimin closed his eyes immediately, and then heaved a long sigh.

"Hey, this has happened in all dynasties, what can I do?"

Seeing Li Shimin's powerless face, Gao Ming laughed.

"No, of course there is a way!"

Although Gao Ming didn't have much knowledge, as a time traveler, his knowledge was naturally not comparable to that of people in Datang, so he immediately gave Li Shimin his own answer.

"This method is the state ownership of the land!"

"State ownership of land?"

Seeing Li Shimin's puzzled expression, Gao Ming nodded immediately.

"Yes, it is the state-owned system of land. Don't we often say, 'Is there any land in the world'? But in fact, the land you awarded is no longer yours, and it is naturally impossible for you to take it back, so we We have to find a way to get the land back!"

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin frowned even tighter.

"Take it back? Impossible, if you take back what was rewarded, wouldn't I become a person who backtracked on what you promised, this is impossible!"

Seeing Li Shimin shaking his head again and again, Gao Ming nodded calmly.

"It can be taken back, but it's not you who take it back, but the land itself!"

Having said that, Gao Ming raised a finger towards Li Shimin.

"We can make a rule that the ownership of the land belongs to Datang. Anyone only has the right to use the land, but not the ownership. The right to use the land is up to 70 years. After the time limit, these lands will become owned by Datang again. thing."

Seeing that Li Shimin was still somewhat puzzled, Gao Ming gave him a relatively simple analogy.

"For example, you rewarded me with a piece of land, but what you gave me was not the land, but the right to use the land. Then, based on the 70-year use right, after I have used it for 40 years, I will use it If it is sold to someone else, then he only has the right to use it for 30 years."

Now that Li Shimin understood, he nodded immediately.

"I understand, then after these 30 years, this land will return to my hands again, and then I can give it to meritorious ministers or common people for use."

Having said this, Li Shimin clapped his hands immediately.

"This method is really great. With this one, we will not be afraid that the people will have no land to plant in the future. This is a major issue that concerns my Tang dynasty forever, but some people will definitely not agree, so I can only ..."

Seeing Li Shimin's murderous expression, Gao Ming suddenly couldn't laugh or cry.

"Old man, don't try to kill people every time. There is no solution, such as the tax exemption I mentioned at the beginning."

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin's face gradually calmed down.

"Can you take back the land without tax?"

"No, but this will help to take back the land. Don't you think, old man, whether it is a family or a landlord, the land in their hands must be planted by people, right? But they can't finish it by themselves, so they can only ask people to plant it, so , you only need to issue two imperial edicts."

Speaking of this, Gao Ming immediately extended two fingers towards Li Shimin.

"The first decree is that no one is allowed to collect any form of tax by any means. Violators will be fined ten pennies per mu of land."

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin frowned again.

"They certainly don't want to give ten cents per mu of land, but what if they leave the land unused?"

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, a sinister smile appeared on Gao Ming's face.

"Then you make another decree. Those who let the land go to waste for no reason are disrespectful to the Holy One and unkind to the people. Not only will they be deprived of their land, but they will also be exiled!"

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin immediately gasped.

"Hiss... What a ruthless plan. In this way, those aristocratic families may only have to pay the people to help them cultivate. At that time, if I want to take back the land, I will definitely face much less resistance."

Seeing Li Shimin's emotional expression, Gao Ming smiled again.

"Hey, the most important thing is the common people. The common people don't have to pay taxes to plant their own land, but they can help the landlords or aristocratic families to cultivate the land and get paid. Then they will naturally remember your kindness in their hearts."

Hearing Gao Ming's words, Li Shimin nodded gratefully.

"That's right. It's a good thing that old thief Yang Guang didn't do that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to rebel, because the common people wouldn't have rebelled with me."

Having said that, he patted Gao Ming on the shoulder.

"Gao Ming, you have a smart mind, and you are impeccable in everything you do. Qingque and Pheasant are so far behind you, why didn't I find out earlier?"

"Uh……"

Because the trash earlier was not me, but Li Chengqian!

Of course, Gao Ming would not say such a thing, facing Li Shimin's compliment, he smiled modestly.

"Because you, old man, influenced me with love and made me stop being muddled. It's like a blow from the Buddhist school. So I can be what I am now, thanks to you!"

After Gao Ming's flattery shot, Li Shimin immediately felt comfortable physically and mentally, and he immediately couldn't help laughing.

"Speaking of which, he is indeed my son, hahahaha..."

(End of this chapter)