Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

The two quickly drafted a tax order and sent many government officials to convey the news to all merchants in the city.

This news immediately caused an uproar among merchants.

"Oh my God! Your Majesty's request is too demanding!"

“It’s hard for us merchants to do business now, and now taxes are increasing, how can we continue to operate!”

"Now we can only increase prices to maintain profits!"

The businessmen were talking a lot, and all of them looked ugly.

Soon, the city's wealthy businessmen and nobles gathered in front of the Yamen Gate to protest loudly against this new policy.

"Prince Chu, your new policy is too much!" A wealthy businessman said dissatisfied.

"We have already paid so much money, and now we are asked to pay this new tax. It is simply unbearable!" Another wealthy businessman also protested.

"I heard that this new tax has almost taken away all our profits. How unreasonable!" a nobleman said angrily.

Facing the protests from everyone, Chu Ze said calmly: "I know this policy will have a certain impact on everyone, but it was directly promulgated by the imperial court, and I can only implement it."

"Moreover, increasing taxes is also a necessary measure to deal with the current fiscal insufficiency." Chu Ze further explained.

Everyone was still very dissatisfied after hearing this.

A nobleman said angrily: "We don't care if it's the court's policy or not, it's just robbing us of our assets!"

"Yes! This is simply a rip-off!" Another person echoed loudly.

When Chu Ze heard this, his tone became serious and said: "Don't go too far, everyone. After all, this is the policy promulgated by the imperial court. What do you want to do by making such a noise? Are you rebelling?"

Everyone was silent and looked embarrassed when they heard this.

Seeing this, Chu Ze softened his tone and said: "I promise that I will reflect your opinions to the court and strive to take care of the interests of businesses in future policies. But for now, I still ask for your cooperation in implementation."

Seeing Chu Ze's tough attitude, everyone could only leave temporarily.

In order to raise funds, Chu Ze not only took measures on taxation, but also launched a loan plan from aristocratic families and wealthy businessmen.

He specially summoned his confidants Li Xing and Zhao Si and explained:

"Everyone, we are currently facing the dilemma of unbalanced fiscal revenue and expenditure. In order to ensure the continuation of various people's livelihood projects, I am ready to initiate a loan plan from major merchants."

Li Xing said quickly: "What a great idea. The loan plan is an excellent way to solve the shortage of funds."

Zhao Si also echoed: "We will do our best to convince all merchants to support this plan and lend us the funds we need!"

Chu Ze shook his head and said: "Don't make too big a deal. We just raised taxes on merchants a few days ago, and they may not support us so quickly. You must adopt a gradual approach and be patient in persuasion."

"Yes! Your Majesty's teachings are absolutely correct!" Li Xing and Zhao Si replied respectfully.

Therefore, Chu Ze sent Li Xing, Zhao Si and others to major merchants to try to persuade them to invest in railway construction.

Li Xing came to a large silk shop and patiently explained to the boss: "For such a big business, if the railway is built, you can quickly transport silk to various cities, and the business will be booming!"

The wealthy businessman touched his beard and said suspiciously: "This is true, but the prince has just raised taxes recently, and my profits have been reduced. How can I have any extra money to invest in the railway?" Li Xing quickly complimented him and said: "Sheren is really far-sighted. Zhuozhi! The prince has no choice but to raise taxes. This move will be of great benefit to Shiren’s business. Shiren’s investment in the railway will definitely make four times the profit, and he will never suffer a loss!”

After hearing this, the wealthy businessman still shook his head and said, "Don't rush this matter. Let me think about it again."

Seeing his ambiguous attitude, Li Xing could only say goodbye and go to meet other merchants.

When businessmen faced Li Xing's request for loans, they all avoided answering, making it difficult for Li Xing to complete his task.

Li Xing thought to himself: "These guys, when the prince raised taxes, they all clamored to rebel, but now they are shrinking from borrowing some money! They are really selfish."

Zhao Si also encountered a wall outside, and he was already furious and said: "These upstarts are so arrogant on weekdays, but now they refuse to help the prince when he is in trouble! Villains like them only know how to profit from their own interests!"

Both of them were extremely angry at the attitude of the wealthy businessmen.

At this time, Li Xing returned to the Yamen in a hurry and reported the failure of the loan operation. Chu Ze couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Li Xing stepped forward and whispered: "I'm reporting to the prince, I really can't persuade those selfish merchants, please punish them!"

Chu Ze shook his head and reassured him: "You have done your best, I can't blame you. It is more important for us to repair the relationship with the clan, and it doesn't matter if we postpone the loan."

Li Xing heard this and said hurriedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for showing mercy! I will definitely work harder to regain the trust of the family!"

Chu Ze nodded slightly, and then told Li Xing and Zhao Si: "You two, for now, it is better to control your expenses more strictly and try to reduce unnecessary expenses. We must survive the current difficulties."

"Yes! We will do our best to limit expenditures and tighten our belts to live a better life!" Li Xing and Zhao Si responded respectfully.

Chuze himself began to carefully check various expenses outside of office hours and personally deleted unnecessary items.

"This batch of wood is not needed for the time being, so cancel it first."

"This construction can be delayed and put on hold."

Chuze cut expenses one by one to ensure that there were enough funds to meet the most urgent needs.

Zhao Si was on the sidelines and flattered him hurriedly: "The prince's extraordinary talent is revealed at this moment! It is really unparalleled for anyone to keep his expenses commensurate with his income!"

Chu Ze shook his head and said: "There is no need to flatter, I am just calm and calm, to stabilize people's hearts."

Chu Ze smiled slightly, but knew in his heart that if he wanted to overcome this difficulty, he must work harder.

Day after day, Chu Ze works diligently, carefully examines various expenditures, and always considers how to maximize existing resources and reduce the burden on the people.

At the same time, people within the Li Mansion were also well aware of Chu Ze's loan plan.

Mr. Li said bitterly: "This bastard Chu Ze, after he has fined us and increased our taxes, he still wants to use my money to build a railway! What a beast!"

An elder from the Li family said angrily: "That's right. One day they increased our taxes, and the next day they came to us to borrow money. It's so shameless!"

Mr. Li said grimly: "I will have to embarrass him when the time comes! I will never lend him half a copper!"

"Yes! Tell him to take off his face before talking!" Li Kuo agreed.

So Mr. Li told everyone in the family that if anyone from Chu Ze came to borrow money, they would refuse it and make things difficult for them so that they could leave in embarrassment, as if this way they could vent their anger. (End of chapter)