The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 101: Court Discussion
Can I use treasure banknotes to pay taxes?
Upon hearing the news, the court immediately became noisy as if it was a pot boiling pot.

Zeng Tai, the Minister of Household Affairs, was shocked and immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible."

The court instantly became quiet again, waiting for the emperor's reply.

Zhu Yuanzhang had long expected that there would be opposition, and even guessed that Zeng Tai would be the first to jump out.

If he is not the first person to jump out, it means that the Minister of Household Affairs is not qualified.

"Oh, why did Zeng Shangshu object?"

Zeng Tai was ready to remonstrate to death and said without fear:

"Your Majesty, it has only been 16 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. There are many wastes waiting to be revitalized... Large areas of the country are still in the hands of barbarians..."

"The imperial court has been fighting wars, providing disaster relief, and building water conservancy projects for many years...the national treasury cannot make ends meet."

"However, the promotion of treasure banknotes among the people is unfavorable. The usual treasure banknotes are only worth more than [-] yuan in Yingtian, and can only be used as [-] yuan elsewhere."

"If the imperial court allows people to pay taxes with treasure money, it will be equivalent to collecting a lot less tax every year..."

"It will aggravate the national treasury deficit...and even shake the country's foundation...Please think twice, your Majesty."

Bao Chao was one of Zhu Yuanzhang's villains. Many people opposed it before and were punished.

Later, everyone saw that they couldn't defeat him, and gradually no one mentioned it anymore.

Today Zeng Tai uncovers this scar again and is likely to be struck by Zhu Yuanzhang's thunder.

The expressions of the ministers varied. Some were frightened, some were indifferent, and some had serious expressions.

But no one ridiculed him, and even his political opponents showed enough respect for him.

Because this time he really risked his life for national affairs.

There are also some people who have been infected by him and are ready to stand up and oppose the emperor if he insists on his own way.

Even if he is convicted and killed for this, he will not hesitate.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer him, glanced at the others, and asked:
"Anyone else object?"

'Wow!' Seven or eight more officials stood up and said, "I am opposed to this."

Then four or five people came forward sporadically.

There were still many people in the crowd who were hesitant. They really wanted to stand up, but it would be a lie to say they were not afraid of death.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused and said expressionlessly: "Anyone else who agrees with him, please come forward."

The calm before the storm, the emperor is about to go on a killing spree.

Such an idea arose in everyone's mind.

Many people who were hesitating suddenly became frightened and lowered their heads, not daring to look at others.

But there were also more than ten people who strengthened their beliefs and stood up again:

"I object."

It's over, it's over, there are really so many people who are not afraid of death, what are you planning on?

Many people break their heads and cannot figure out what these people are thinking.

But there were also many people who lowered their heads in shame, not daring to look at those who stood up.

Zeng Tai looked at the people who stood up, many of whom were his political opponents.

For example, Wang Shi made it clear that chariots and horses were trying to steal his position as Minister of Household Affairs, and he also stood up to support him today.

This made him feel excited, and I was not alone.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuanzhang still did not explode as everyone thought. Seeing that no one came forward anymore, he asked:

"Zeng Shangshu, please tell us, what is Hongwu's annual income in the 15th year of the Ming Dynasty?"

Zeng Tai replied confidently: "Last year's summer and autumn taxes totaled 880 grains."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked again: "How many banknotes are there?"

Zeng Tai continued to reply: "The money equivalent of the grain is more than 17 shi." Zhu Yuanzhang said: "In other words, the money is less than one percent."

Percent is a new concept introduced in "Basic Arithmetic".

As this book spreads, it is gradually accepted and adopted by many people.

Because of Chen Jingke, the Ministry of Revenue was the first organization to adopt new mathematical symbols.

It's just that it is usually used privately, and official documents are still written in the old format.

Therefore, everyone can understand Zhu Yuanzhang's use of percentages.

Zeng Tai replied: "Yes, although it is less than one percent, 17 shi of grain is not a small amount..."

Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him and said: "17 shi, divided into two times in summer and autumn, one time is more than 7000 shi."

"Besides, although the treasure banknotes have depreciated in value, they are not worthless."

"Just use it as five hundred coins as usual, and you will only lose [-] dan in total."

"Can't the imperial court even afford the loss of more than 4 shi?"

Zeng Tai argued with reason: "Your Majesty, this is an unwarranted loss."

"Taxes are collected bit by bit, and they should be counted every penny spent."

“If you feel it’s not important here, you can give it up, and if you feel it’s not important there, you can give it up.”

"Then how much of the eighteen million stones can be left?"

Everyone also agreed, Zeng Shangshu said it well, he is simply my replacement in court.

But I felt weird in my heart.

So many of us risk our lives just for a mere [-] shi of food?
Others gradually came to their senses. Just now Shangshu suddenly jumped out and objected fiercely. We thought this matter was serious.

did not expect……

Zeng Shangshu did not stand up because of the [-] shi of grain, but because of tax laws and the future of the Ming Dynasty...

Ahem, yes, that’s it.

Unconsciously, the atmosphere in the court became a little weird.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm, stopped talking about taxes, and turned to another issue:
"Everyone knows that the implementation of treasure banknotes has been unfavorable. The usual treasure banknotes are now only worth [-] yuan. Do you know why?"

If you write a few numbers on a piece of paper and treat it as money, it will definitely depreciate.

This is the subconscious thought of many people.

But when I think about it more carefully, that’s not right either.

In this case, why are treasure notes still worth some money?
After all, Zeng Tai was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. He dealt with money and food every day. He knew a little bit about it, so he replied:
"Bao banknotes are issued by the imperial court and represent the credibility of the imperial court. The depreciation is because the people's trust in the imperial court has been shaken."

Zhu Yuanzhang said with appreciation: "You can think of this, which is already very good. But why don't the people trust the court?"

He glanced around the crowd and revealed the answer himself without waiting for an answer:
"Because I refuse to take the treasure banknotes issued by the imperial court, how can the people trust them?"

The court became noisy again, and everyone was talking.

There are not many stupid people who can stand here. There are many problems with Baochao, and they are more or less aware of them.

Although the recycling of treasure banknotes is not the only problem, it is definitely the core issue.

If this problem is not solved, the credibility of Baochao will never be guaranteed.

No one dared to mention this before, just look at Zeng Tai's reaction.

But what everyone didn't expect was that Zhu Yuanzhang actually brought it up himself.

Everyone felt very surprised.

At this time, Zeng Tai and others also understood Zhu Yuanzhang's plan to use taxation to restore people's trust in Baobao.

But, is this really okay?
(End of this chapter)