Daming: Apocalypse of Longevity

Chapter 18: The dispute over taxes and servitude (please follow up)

After saying this, Zhu Tianqi deliberately looked at Qian Longxi, and asked, "Qian Longxi, what do you think?"

Qian Longxi could no longer hold it in any longer, and immediately answered: "I believe that if such an extensive tax policy is adopted, it will probably produce more drawbacks that are difficult for the court to control. Furthermore, if corvee is abolished, local work will be reduced." And who should contribute?”

Zhu Tianqi smiled slightly and said: "Local matters naturally still have to be done by the local people, but whenever someone is hired to do work, the court will pay a wage to the people. This is reasonable, right?"

Qian Longxi added: "Your Majesty, if everything is paid for by the imperial court, I am afraid that the imperial court will not be able to afford such expenses. In recent years, the imperial court's finances have been tight. If there is an extra salary, this... …I think this policy is a big mistake!”

Zhu Tianqi did not argue with him. Instead, he smiled back and said, "Don't worry, if there is a place for money to come out, there will naturally be a place for money to come in!" After saying that, he held up his hands again. The memorial comes sparsely.

He opened his mouth and read: "The second article is to make the world unified. No matter whether they are ordinary people or officials and gentry, they must be treated equally and taxed equally. One cannot favor one over the other!"

As soon as this second article was read out, the officials below were even more shocked. Their reaction was obviously much greater than before. They even forgot the etiquette of the morning court and started whispering among themselves. Even the officials of the Ministry of Rites who were responsible for supervising the officials couldn't bear it. Stay involved.

After all, this matter is related to their own real interests. If the first article just violated their invisible interests, then this article now directly infringes on their inherent privileges as the scholar-bureaucrat class.

Even the more honest officials who didn't have much real estate at home couldn't help it. The salary in the Ming Dynasty was already pitifully low. If they were taxed again, it would be difficult to survive!
Zhu Tianqi looked at the ministers with a smile and let them discuss in low voices for a moment. Then he coughed dryly and said, "I think this second point is also very good. It's not that I have to ask you all." I paid money to me, but I heard that many people even invested their people and land on the local gentry and nobles in order to avoid taxes and servitude.

After all, the gentry with a good reputation can be exempted from corvee, and they are also happy to accept these common people, and each of them has obtained a lot of benefits. I even know that most of you also have the heads of many common people hanging on their heads. ! "

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers suddenly became silent. They were so sorry!

Zhu Tianqi also knew that although they were silent now, it did not mean that they recognized the policy and were convinced. They would definitely have to go to court to argue, so he was not in a hurry to convince them now, but continued Read on.

"There is also a third article, which is to focus on rectifying industrial and commercial taxes and increasing the collection of industrial and commercial taxes by the court. This memorial says that the industry and commerce in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and coastal areas are very developed, and the local wealthy businessmen and gentry make a lot of money every day and pay it to the court. The tax amount is less than a drop in the bucket, so we still need to check it carefully. If we raise the industrial and commercial tax collection ratio, we must charge at least [-]% to [-]% of it!"

This time not only Qian Longxi, but also several officials who were not from the Donglin Party also stood up. Although I don’t know their party affiliation, they are probably from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and coastal areas, otherwise they wouldn’t be impatient!

However, Zhu Tianqi raised his hand and did not let them speak. Instead, he pre-empted the attack and said angrily: "What? You don't always say that you should 'emphasis on agriculture and suppress business', don't you also often say 'no businessman, no treacherous one'?" 'Something like that? You're not happy with me collecting some taxes from these 'profiteers' you call them?

Huh, don’t think I don’t know. In some places, officials and businessmen collude, and friends become traitors. The reason why the government’s collection of industrial and commercial taxes has been repeatedly hindered and the money cannot be collected is because these people are obstructing it, causing the wealthy businessmen to avoid it. Although taxes have been paid, some small traders have been crushed to death by taxes. Do you think this is a problem or not? "

Faced with Zhu Tianqi's questioning, none of the ministers dared to say anything.Zhu Tianqi saw that the fire was almost done, so he stood up and said, "Okay, let's stop discussing the tax adjustment by the imperial court today. If you have any opinions, think about it carefully when you get back and then give it to me. Shu, I still have to think about this matter carefully before making a decision to withdraw from the court!"

After saying this, Zhu Tianqi walked down the golden stage, turned around and left.

Wang Yuanbao on the side quickly shouted: "Retreat from the court!" and followed closely.

"Go to Kunning Palace!" Zhu Tianqi commanded. After so many days, it's time to go see the Queen!

"Drive the chariot to Kunning Palace!" Wang Yuanbao shouted, and the people carrying the chariot hurriedly turned to the direction of Kunning Palace.

After the disbandment of the dynasty, the ministers gathered together in groups to discuss. Even several parties that were originally incompatible now stood together. After all, it was their common interests that were damaged this time!
Naturally, Zhu Tianqi did not really intend to implement the three policies he just read. Even as the king of a country, he would not dare to make an enemy of the entire gentry class, otherwise the final result would be death without a burial place. About He is still very clear about this.

The reason why he proposed such a radical tax reform plan at once was because of his strategy for tax reform. Regarding his plan, it can be simply expressed in a sentence of Mr. Lu Xun: "The temperament of the Chinese people is always People who like to reconcile and compromise, if you say that this house is too dark and a window must be opened here, no one will allow it, but if you advocate removing the roof, they will come to reconcile and open a window!"

Zhu Tianqi thinks this is very reasonable. In a game with the gentry class, which has the highest social status in the Ming Dynasty, it is definitely not possible to be tough directly. It is even less feasible to discuss with them in turn. Once he is convinced, they will You will push yourself further!
Then you might as well keep their psychological expectations to a minimum first, and then make some concessions yourself, and they will have to accept it when the time comes.

Zhu Tianqi knew that this battle without gunpowder had just begun, and he was fully mentally prepared and patient!

The chariot soon arrived in front of Kunning Palace, and Zhu Tianqi ordered them to stop and get off the chariot.

Following the announcement of "The Emperor has arrived," Queen Zhang Yan came out in person, knelt down and saluted: "I, my concubine, see you, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Tianqi stepped forward to help Zhang Yan up very kindly, "Queen please get up quickly, there is no need to be so polite!"

The two of them entered the Kunning Palace together. Zhang Yan personally poured a cup of tea for Zhu Tianqi and asked: "Your Majesty, I have not been by your side recently. Please don't work too hard and take care of your dragon body." !"

　I beg you to read it, the third update today, and by the way, please give me some favorites and votes!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)