Daming: Apocalypse of Longevity

Chapter 25

Sure enough, as Zhu Tianqi expected, as soon as he finished speaking, someone came out, knelt down and saluted: "Your servant Zhou Yanru has a book, please play!"

Zhu Tianqi sneered secretly and said loudly: "Speak!"

Zhou Yanru immediately said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the matter of taxes and servitude is a serious matter, so we should follow the ancestral system and not reform at will!"

After Zhu Tianqi heard this, he couldn't help but asked: "It is natural to follow the ancestral system. However, the world is no longer the world of Taizu's time. If I don't keep pace with the times and just stick to the old ways, what will happen to my Ming Dynasty?" Wouldn’t it mean that it would become even more poor and weak, and fall into the hands of foreigners sooner or later?
Since the Warring States Period, there has been Li Kui's reform, which made the Wei Kingdom rich and powerful; later, Shang Yang's reform, the Qin Dynasty was able to sweep the world. Now, I, the Ming Dynasty, just want to reform taxes and levies, so you are bringing out the laws of your ancestors to suppress me? "

Zhou Yanru suddenly thought that the illiterate carpenter Emperor had brought out "Li Kui" and "Shang Yang". He suddenly broke into a sweat and secretly thought, "It's a mistake, it's a mistake." Then he hurriedly kowtowed: "I don't dare, I definitely don't." I hope Your Majesty will calm down!"

Zhu Tianqi didn't argue with him, but motioned for him to continue talking.

Zhou Yanru didn't dare to chat anymore, and quickly cut to the point, saying: "Now that the imperial court's finances are tight, I naturally want to share the worries for your majesty, so I invited myself to go to the south of the Yangtze River to raise money for the imperial court and call on loyal people among the people. Donate a lot to solve the urgent needs of the imperial court. As for taxes and servitude, we still need to think about it in the long term!"

After hearing this, Zhu Tianqi couldn't help but laugh. After doing it for a long time, Zhou Yanru wanted to bribe him. However, the purpose of Zhu Tianqi's reform of taxes and labor was indeed to make money, but it was not just for making money.

Moreover, donating money is a one-time thing. The court cannot expect those wealthy businessmen and gentry to be willing to donate money every year. Taxation is the long-term way for the court to make money. Zhu Tianqi can still tell the difference between a full meal and a full meal. .

But before Zhu Tianqi could speak, a large number of ministers knelt down below and shouted: "I second the proposal!"

Zhu Tianqi looked at the number of people and found that Zhou Yanru had much more energy than Qian Longxi this time!

Zhu Tianqi had no confidence that he could win the quarrel with so many people, but fortunately he had a " trump card " in his hand!
Zhu Tianqi immediately said: "I appreciate your loyalty, but the problem I have now in Ming Dynasty is not just about money. The imperial court's tax policy is too complicated, and corrupt officials use it to expropriate and oppress The people, the people have been suffering for a long time! I just want to punish these corrupt officials and give the people of the world a way out by reforming taxes and servitude!"

At this point, Zhu Tianqi sneered and suddenly raised his voice: "Zhou Yanru, I don't want to be 'Emperor Xi'. I want to be a wise king, so that the people of this world will be prosperous, all nations will surrender, and all nations will come to court!"

If you people are willing to assist me loyally, you should focus more on your own errands. If you don't want to do it, you can resign at any time and leave. I will never force you! "

I am afraid that except for the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, no emperor would scold and use such vulgar words in court, but the ministers below could no longer care about these details. When they heard the words "Master Xi" Within a few words, everyone was shaking with fear, and their whole bodies were drenched in cold sweat!

If the emperor can say such words, doesn't it mean that the emperor knows what they said at Qian Longxi's house yesterday?Although those words came from Zhou Yanru's mouth, they all participated in the discussion and agreed. If it was really a crime of disrespect, none of them would be able to escape.

It was at this time that the officials suddenly realized that Dongchang had indeed been abolished, but the Jinyiwei still existed, and had become a sharp blade in the hands of the emperor. Their words and deeds could not escape the eyes and ears of the emperor. !At this time, Zhou Yanru was so frightened that he lay on the ground, losing the strength to even raise his head or ask for forgiveness.

Zhu Tianqi was not unreasonable. He immediately discussed the sins of Zhou Yanru and the officials. Instead, he waved his hand generously and said: "Okay, you all get up. I am not stingy enough to do this for such a trivial matter." I'm going to argue with you!

Regarding the reform of taxes and servitude, I have thought carefully about it in the past few days. Reform must be carried out, but the plan written in the previous memorial is indeed too harsh. I have thought about it again and again, and still need to adjust it.

It is imperative to abolish corvee, merge taxes and levies, and adopt the "one whip" method. Since ancient times, the tax rate of the imperial court has followed the ancestral system, which is quite reasonable. However, corvee has many disadvantages, and in some places Officials and private parties sent corvees, and the people's labor was in vain, and they even missed the farming season because of it. What is the use of such bad government? "

The ministers were listening below, but they did not dare to stand up to object again, because they were being held by Zhu Tianqi. If they did not know how to stand up and object now, then let alone whether the opposition was effective, I am afraid they would have to be suppressed by the emperor first. Get punished!
Zhu Tianqi continued: "As for the second article of 'Great Harmony under Heaven', although I intend to treat everyone equally regardless of whether they are scholars, peasants, industrialists or merchants, when you join the court as officials and contribute to the country, the court will naturally have to express it, so for There will still be some tax reduction and exemption policies for those who have achieved fame, and I plan to mention the salaries of officials in the DPRK and Central Government, not just a small mention, but a big increase!"

After hearing this, the ministers below couldn't help but be a little surprised. They didn't expect such a good thing to happen. They didn't even show any joy for a while. Instead, they all had expressions of disbelief on their faces.

In fact, not only Zhu Tianqi, a time traveler, but also the ministers who are in charge of the authorities also know that the salary of officials in the Ming Dynasty is the lowest in all dynasties. With such a low level of salary, if they don't think of ways to make extra money, live It would be too difficult.

So Zhu Tianqi can also understand them. With such a low salary, doesn't it force others to become corrupt officials?Therefore, we must not only punish corrupt officials, but also maintain integrity with high salaries!

Zhu Tianqi then said the third item, which is also the reform plan for industrial and commercial taxes that they are most concerned about: "As for the collection of industrial and commercial taxes, the ratio of [-]% to [-]% is indeed too high. Since I have said it, scholars, farmers, industry and commerce We must treat everyone equally, so I also need to be considerate of businessmen, so the collection ratio should be set at about [-]%, but the specific implementation plan must be calculated by the Ministry of Household Affairs before making a final decision!"

After listening to Zhu Tianqi's words, the ministers finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. The [-]% collection ratio basically remained the same. In this way, they had an explanation to the wealthy businessmen and gentry behind them.

Zhu Tianqi glanced at the ministers below and asked loudly: "As for the tax reform, after I have finished speaking, who is in favor? Who is against?"

The ministers looked at each other, then knelt down in unison and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise, I second my opinion!"

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(End of this chapter)