Daming: I, the emperor who trains the carpenter

Chapter 752 Commercial Tax Reform!
"Yuansuke."

"Yuansuke."

Zhou Kui and Zhang Guoji came to Zhang Haogu with a smile.

Looking at the two old brothers who used to be at odds with each other, but are now as good as brothers, Zhang Haogu knew very well that this is the change brought about by the interests, brought about by the development of industry in Ming Dynasty and the opening of sea trade. Change.

"You two are in a good mood. During this time, you have earned a lot, right?" Zhang Haogu smiled.

Zhou Kui really wanted to say "That's not it" proudly. During this period of time, he made a lot of money?Zhou Kui is almost making money like crazy!

Except for my unlucky Xinwang son-in-law who comes here for a meal from time to time, or to borrow money, or to persuade myself to invest in him, there is really no trouble, and it feels like stepping on cotton when walking lightly.

But after thinking about who was in front of him, Zhou Kui finally waved his hand very modestly: "Thanks to Yuanfu, I made some money."

Zhang Guoji also smiled: "It's just a small amount of money, it's not worth mentioning, it's not worth mentioning."

The heat was rising, and under the rush of hot water, the tea leaves danced and stretched in the teacup; Zhang Haogu poured tea for Zhang Guoji and Zhou Kui, and then said: "I am looking for you two today, and I also want to get to know you through the two of you. The current situation of merchants in Zhili."

"You are the largest businessman in Zhili, and the circle of Zhili merchants, both of you are well-known. Don't mention this period of time, let's just say that in the past two years, have the merchants earned more or less than before? How is the profit?"

Listening to Zhang Haogu talking about the business, Zhang Guoji and Zhou Kui also looked serious. They thought about the discussions they heard from the merchants in various places, and described the development of the merchants in Zhili in detail.

"Yuanfu, the life of the merchants is definitely getting better and better. But according to the size of the merchant's own assets, the bigger the merchant, the better the life."

"Although this is said, the larger the scale, the more various expenses. Although the expenses are more, the income is also higher. These are relative."

"Although those small businessmen are not as good as these big businessmen, they spend less in various expenses, and the money they earn in the end is definitely higher than before."

"Businessmen big and small can make money, that's for sure, and looking at it comprehensively, they're all pretty much the same."

Zhang Haogu nodded slightly, listening to Zhang Guoji and Zhou Kui's narration, he also had a more intuitive understanding of the current situation of the merchants in Zhili.

According to the size of their own scale and assets, businessmen put in different energy and manpower, and the harvest is naturally different, but in general, they are all the same, nothing more than one big and one small.

In the past two years, with the various policies of the imperial court, the merchants are indeed making money, and they are making more and more money. This is definitely true.

Although many people say that they don't make money, looking at their various investments and expenses, these expenses have proved from the side that their assets are constantly growing.

This is a good thing, Zhang Haogu nodded in satisfaction.

"Yuanfu, why did you call us here?" Zhou Kui asked tentatively, he felt that Zhang Haogu might be planning something.

Zhang Haogu said: "The two of you are called here, on the one hand because you are the largest private enterprise in Zhili, on the other hand, because you are the two older brothers, you cannot simply be regarded as ordinary businessmen."

"Right now, Ming Dynasty is booming. Be it industry, commerce, or other industries, traffickers are making money. The court's taxation was set a few years ago, which is not suitable for the current situation. Therefore, the court is also planning to Taxation should be updated to adapt to today's new era."

"To put it bluntly, the imperial court needs more tax revenue to concentrate on major tasks; in this regard, I hope that the two elder brothers can keep pace with the imperial court."

Zhou Kui and Zhang Guoji understood that the court was going to increase taxes.

During the Tianqi Dynasty, the taxation of the court has changed a lot. Various exorbitant taxes have been banned. At the same time, many complicated tax barriers between the provinces have also been cancelled. The Ming Dynasty simplified the tax system and updated the tax rate. All the people and businessmen in the world can cultivate their health and prosperity, and they can flourish.

Now that so many years have passed, the taxation is about to change.

Whether it is a factory or a shop, large or small enterprises have to pay taxes, but the tax rate is not high, and it is time to increase it according to the actual situation.

In the future, the income of businessmen will be higher and higher, and private liquidity will also increase. Taking ordinary workers as an example, the wages of workers have been rising. On the one hand, it is to adapt to the current consumption. Continuous expansion, the performance of increasing demand for workers.

Now, the imperial court has increased the tax appropriately, it is time.

Zhang Guoji and Zhou Kui looked at each other, and they nodded. Indeed, they are not the same as ordinary businessmen. To put it bluntly, they are inextricably linked with the royal family and the old Zhu family.

In normal times, they benefit from this connection, and when they are needed, they will naturally contribute.

Zhang Guoji said: "Yuanfu, don't worry, we will definitely be consistent with the imperial court in this regard."

Zhou Kui echoed: "Yuanfu, what do you say, what should we do."

Zhang Haogu said with a smile: "Two old brothers, don't be nervous. This tax is also divided into industries. The profiteering industry is heavily taxed, and the general industry tax is not high. It ensures that the businessmen can earn money and the workers can get money. And this How to formulate taxes, how to increase them, and the differences between various industries are all subject to discussion.”

"The imperial court will not be exhausted for fishing. What the imperial court wants is the sustained and vigorous development of commerce and the flourishing of all walks of life. Simply considering the level of taxation is putting the cart before the horse."

"Speaking of which, I have a new idea about the tax rate."

Zhou Kui hurriedly said, "Yuanfu, what do you think?"

Zhang Haogu said slowly: "The imperial court supports the development of the merchants. The merchants earn money and can make more contributions to the Ming society. The imperial court also sees it."

"So, I have another way here, which is to link charity and taxation."

"For example, brother, you earned 1000 million this year, and you have to pay 300 million according to the tax rate; but you spent 50 this year to aid a college, so that many children have books to read, then the court can reduce you by 70 to [-] Taxes and more."

"In addition, there are tax rebates. For example, in some industries that the imperial court mainly supports, you assume that you earn 1000 million this year and you have to pay 300 million in taxes, but this is a project supported by the imperial court. After the year, the imperial court will refund you. Hundreds of thousands, and the imperial court may inject capital into you for some projects, so that you can develop better."

"Here are some ideas I've been pondering over the past few days."

Listening to Zhang Haogu's thoughts, Zhou Kui and Zhang Guoji couldn't help but nodded frequently.

Zhang Haogu's meaning is obvious, which is to increase the tax rate and encourage businessmen to reduce or exempt taxes for charity. As for charity, the imperial court must have corresponding guidance.

For example, with the help of businessmen, some Northwest and Southwest regions, which are still in poverty and cannot guarantee three meals a day, will be developed, some schools will be built, and some factories and enterprises will be established.

And the factories and enterprises settled in these places naturally also have tax relief. After all, this is a key support project of the imperial court, and there may be capital injection from the imperial court.

In this way, merchants will not be particularly resistant to the increased taxation, not to mention that the tax increase is not limited to merchants, it covers all aspects. Of course, the increase in general aspects may not be obvious, but the court really wants to increase taxation.

After saying what he meant, Zhang Haogu looked at Zhou Kui and Zhang Guoji, who were still in deep thought, and served tea with a smile: "Both brothers, go back and think about it. My thoughts on these aspects must still have some flaws and loopholes. At that time, I still hope that the two elder brothers can give me advice."

Waking up, Zhou Kui and Zhang Guoji hurriedly got up and left.

After the two left, Zhang Haogu got up tiredly: "It's too rushing."

Huang Zongxi came over: "Yuanfu, the student is here."

"Speak to Lu Xiang, the Ministry of Household Affairs will send more people to investigate and inspect the provinces of the imperial court. The Taxation Department and the Commerce Department should hurry up and organize a meeting with those big and small businessmen to see what the people think."

Huang Zongxi said: "Students go now."

After Huang Zongxi left, Gu Yanwu stepped forward to make tea: "Yuanfu drinks tea, you have worked hard."

Zhang Haogu smiled and took a sip of hot tea: "What's the trouble? Tax changes are not just about business taxes."

"This move will involve all aspects. After all, the taxes of the merchants have increased. In order to ensure their profits, will they raise the prices of products or lower the prices of raw materials, and will the wages of workers change accordingly? You must pay attention to all aspects, otherwise what seems to be an increase in commercial taxes will be affected in all aspects."

"Taxation needs to be considered comprehensively. Talk to business representatives more, discuss and discuss, and draw a line that everyone accepts. People's lives must be guaranteed, and business development must also be guaranteed. This aspect is a headache for Lu Xiang and Qian Xiang. go."

Smiling, Zhang Haogu drank all the hot tea: "Ning Ren, let's go, follow me to see His Majesty."

Gu Yanwu bowed slightly: "Yes."

In the Hall of Martial Heroes, Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly and put down the paperwork: "Tax reform involves all aspects of people's livelihood and development, and the slightest movement will affect the whole body."

Zhang Haogu nodded: "Your Majesty, that's exactly the case. But taxation reform is also necessary. Right now, all walks of life are booming, whether it's the private sector or the imperial court. A short shock won't make much of an impact."

"What's more, with overseas development, whether it is the people or the workers, the income will increase and the life will become better and better. Correspondingly, the price increase of various commodities is also in line with the needs of development. There is nothing that remains the same. what."

Zhu Youxiao was quite emotional: "Yes, how can there be anything that remains the same?"

"In the beginning, what the common people wanted was two meals a day, a bowl of porridge in the morning and a dry meal at noon."

"Later, when the common people were able to eat two meals of dry rice, they hoped to have three meals a day, one meal of porridge and two meals of dry rice."

"Further back, there are more dishes on the table of the common people, fish and meat appear, the clothes of the common people do not need to be mended, and the children can also go to school."

"Whether it is a prosperous age or a good life, it is not static."

"I looked through the historical records of the previous dynasty. In some prosperous times, the world was peaceful. It was nothing more than the absence of wars and chaos, and the common people could cultivate their lives and rest, but they couldn't eat enough. They could only maintain the prosperous times in which no one would die from starvation. What kind of prosperous times are they?"

As he said that, Zhu Youxiao got up and walked to the window, as if he was looking at the thousands of miles of land in Ming Dynasty: "In the Tianqi Dynasty, the people can not only cultivate their livelihoods and avoid the suffering of wars, but also don't pay excessive taxes. Every family has surplus food. You can have enough food and clothing for three meals a day, and you will have something to depend on when you are old, but you will have little to support.”

"But these are still not enough. If Shengshi can't forge ahead and maintain the status quo blindly, then this pool of stagnant water will stink sooner or later."

"Tartar, Annan, Liaodong, these places have developed one by one. My prosperous age can last until the generation of my son, but it is not enough. What I want is not one life, but hundreds of generations."

"Daming must continue to reform, develop and develop, and maintain its vitality continuously."

"Master, tell me, don't I want too much?"

Zhang Haogu bowed slightly: "Your Majesty doesn't want much."

"Not much? I myself feel greedy. There is no such thing as a 500-year-old country. People can't live for a hundred years, but here I am looking for a foundation for eternal life." Zhu Youxiao smiled, he really felt that he was very strange , clearly knowing these things, but still pursuing and extravagantly hoping.

Zhang Haogu said with a smile: "Your Majesty, people are always pursuing good things, and when they have good things, they will go after better things. This can be called greed, but isn't it just looking forward and moving forward. "

"The reason why people are human is that they have curiosity, exploration, and expectation? If people don't have this greed, this pursuit, and just stay where they are and stop exploring and developing, it's no different from rotten wood and weeds ?”

"Your Majesty, some things are indeed extravagant hopes, and it is true that our generation cannot fulfill them, but these beautiful extravagant hopes are the driving force for our civilization and our people to keep moving forward. If one generation can't do it, there are still two generations left." People, three generations, didn’t the ancient sage kings never imagined that today’s China can have a territory of thousands of miles? If we don’t even dare to think about these ideas, dare not try, then it’s too sad for us to come to where we are today.”

Zhu Youxiao laughed: "Hahahahaha!"

"Master, you're right. If you don't even dare to think about it, don't even dare to try it, then what's the point. I've come this far, but I've become hesitant."

"How about the Nanyang development plan?"

Zhang Haogu said solemnly: "Received the express report, the fleet has set sail from Songjiang Mansion."

"Okay, okay," Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction, "Speaking of which, it's been a while since I went for a private walk."

"If you don't go out for a walk and take a look, you will never know the truth if you just listen to what others say. I plan to go out and take a look to see how much better life is for the people of Daming."

Zhang Haogu said with a smile: "Since this is the case, Your Majesty might as well go to Xishan for a walk first. I heard that the research there has made new progress."

Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Yes, let's go to Xishan."

Xishan, naturally west of the capital, is called the right arm of Shenjing.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was not only the royal garden school, but also the barracks.

In the Qi Dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, there were many soldiers and horses stationed in Xishan.

In this Xishan, half of Daming's town is stationed, more than 5000 people are stationed here, guarding the most important Xishan Proving Ground in Xishan.

When Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Haogu arrived, in the Xishan Test Ground, a heavy cannon was being suspended by several cantilevers, moving slowly.

This heavy cannon made of steel is completely different from the bronze craftsmanship used by Daming.

After all, bronze cast cannons not only have good performance, but also have a long lifespan. They are much easier to use than ordinary iron cannons. Apart from being cheap, iron cannons have no advantages.

Daming is not short of money right now, so he naturally chooses bronze cannons with better performance and longer life.

But Zhang Haogu is very clear that the future still belongs to steel cannons, so the bachelors of the Academy of Engineering are constantly researching and conquering the quality of steel, and this leads to today's giant cannons.

This huge cannon is a breech-loading cannon, and its whole body is glowing with the cold light of steel. Zhu Youxiao estimates that its weight must be tens of thousands of catties.

Those three-thousand-jin, five-thousand-jin big guns seemed too small in front of this giant cannon.

"Is this the heavy artillery that is expected to be installed on the iron-clad ship?" Zhu Youxiao asked.

Zhang Haogu nodded: "Exactly, this giant cannon weighs [-] jin, which is extremely heavy, but its power is also great, just wait and see, Your Majesty."

As the cantilever dropped the heavy cannon on the preset track, a group of people immediately stepped forward to check and confirm, loaded the shells, stuffed gunpowder, and closed the bolt door.

With a deafening explosion, a roar like a thunderous explosion sounded in Zhu Youxiao's ears. In an instant, his ears were buzzing, and his whole body felt some invisible impact, and his chest felt a little stuffy.

But these are not important, Zhu Youxiao watched the dazzling flames from the muzzle of the giant cannon, and then a specially fixed blessing boat in the distance was instantly blown apart, pieces of wood and iron armor were scattered, and the shells exploded in the incomparable Under the power, the hull of this lucky boat was directly destroyed and cracked. If it was on the sea, the ship would have begun to sink.

After a long time, Zhu Youxiao, who was recovering, let out a breath of foul air, and the internal organs in his chest seemed to be shaken and dissipated: "Go and see."

When he got to the side of the lucky boat, Zhu Youxiao looked at the 30-foot lucky boat, and even went into the interior to observe and touch the broken part of the hull. To be sure, this Fuchuan is definitely an excellent warship of high quality.

The hull is made of high-quality wood such as huanghuali and iron pear, and a layer of iron armor is specially reinforced inside after it is built.

But even so, the hull of the giant cannon was still cracked under a single shell, so the performance of the giant cannon had to be praised.

The military workers on the side carefully introduced: "Your Majesty, we have adopted the latest steel technology for gun-making, coupled with a new shell design and improved gunpowder, so that it can shoot more than fifteen miles and destroy all wooden warships today. "

"We have tested the warships of the Netherlanders, the Frangians, and the Englishmen. It only takes one shell to hit, and the enemy ship will not sink or be disabled."

Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction, returned to the giant cannon, looked at the nearly three-foot-long heavy cannon from head to tail, stepped forward and touched the still warm body of the cannon: "It's really a sharp weapon."

"With this sharp weapon, my Ming Dynasty's maritime trade will be safe."

(End of this chapter)