My Ming Dynasty, I have the final say

Chapter 213 Mineral tax is here again

After returning to Beijing, Xu Guangqi went home to wash up and rest for a day before going to Xiyuan to meet the saint.

After being led into Xiyuan by the eunuch, Xu Guangqi saw the emperor eating breakfast and reading a newspaper in his hand.

"Your Majesty, Xu Guangqi, respectfully sends your greetings."

Arriving in front of the emperor's long book case, Xu Guangqi bowed.

"Flat body."

After waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao signaled to the other party that there was no need to be polite.

Then, Zhu Youxiao handed the newspaper in his hand to Liu Shimin and said.

"I have circled a few places and asked the Secretary of Public Affairs to revise them before printing them."

"The slaves obey the order."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shimin bowed, took the newspaper from the emperor's hand, and hurried away.

The external publication of Ming Dynasty Newspaper, also known as "Beijing Newspaper".

Nowadays, the Chao Press Bureau under the General Affairs Department is responsible for publishing and management. It is subject to the initial review by the General Affairs Department and the final review by the emperor before it can be issued.

The two of them passed each other, and Xu Guangqi's eyes moved slightly. He saw the words tax and death circled on the newspaper in Liu Shimin's hand, and Xu Guangqi felt a slight chill in his heart.

He had read the last issue of the newspaper, which contained the imperial court's measures to report tax evasion.

Putting the words "tax" and "death" together, it makes people feel chilly.

"Xu Aiqing, why did you come to the palace today?"

Putting down the spoon in his hand, he wiped the corners of his mouth with a silk scarf. After the palace maid took away the bowls, chopsticks and other items, Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi and asked.

"Back to Your Majesty, I am here to pay for the expenses of the imperial court."

Seeing that the emperor had finished his meal, Xu Guangqi immediately took out a memorial and handed it to the eunuch beside him.

"Since His Majesty abolished the craftsman status, the expenditure of the Ministry of War is still unknown, but the expenditure of the Ministry of Work has been nearly 50,000 taels of silver."

"The Ministry of Industry is currently carrying out various major projects, and I estimate that there will be more in the future."

"This."

After looking at the memorial twice, Zhu Youxiao sighed.

"Does Xu Aiqing think that if the horse is forced to run and the horse is not eating grass, it can last long?"

"this."

Hearing this, Xu Guangqi also sighed.

The number of craftsmen in the Ming Dynasty has been losing year after year.

Why? I can't live any longer.

Those craftsmen, in order to survive, gradually became the servants of the rich and powerful.

"However, the imperial court's annual income has been decreasing year after year. If things continue like this, I'm afraid it will be unable to make ends meet."

"Increase what should be increased, and reduce what should be reduced. Don't give up eating because of choking."

He took out a statement he had summarized from his side and asked the eunuch to hand it over to Xu Guangqi. Zhu Youxiao continued.

"These are some things I summarized from the previous dynasty's important documents. Xu Aiqing can take a look."

"The minister obeys the order."

Hearing this, Xu Guangqi took the emperor's reading notes from the eunuch and read them carefully.

Well, the writing is as bad as ever.

"The Shaofu and Da Sinong of the former Han Dynasty."

"Young Master Li Tang, Ministry of Industry."

This is the emperor's summary of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Industry, the Shaofu, and the Grand Secretary of Agriculture in the past dynasties.

Raising his head, Xu Guangqi looked at the emperor in surprise or horror.

"Your Majesty, what do you want?"

"Reform."

Seeing Xu Guangqi surprised, Zhu Youxiao was not surprised either and said softly.

"This matter is important, so we sent someone to bring Bi Ziyan, the chief minister of Duzhi Branch, and Yuan Shizhen, the minister of household affairs."

"The slaves obey the order."

After hearing the emperor's words, Xiao Huangmen, who was following the emperor, hurriedly went to announce the people.

Seeing the emperor starting to review the memorial, Xu Guangqi couldn't say anything to disturb him.

He could only sit down on the chair brought by the eunuch, carefully study the rights and responsibilities of various departments summarized by the emperor, and wait for the arrival of the other two people.

"Da Sinong, Shaofu."

Touching his chin, Xu Guangqi murmured to himself.

Da Si Nong, a powerful official in the Qin and Han Dynasties, was in charge of Qiangu and was the head of the country's finances.

It consists of five departments: Taicang, Junshu, Pingzhun, Dunei, and Jitian. It also governs the capital office (Junshu), two chief ministers of iron city, agricultural supervisors of various warehouses in the prefecture, and a total of 65 chief ministers of Dushui.

Official land, salt cooking, iron smelting and other official handicrafts were all under the supervision of Da Si Nong.

The Shaofu was the private institution of emperors of all dynasties.

There are three responsibilities:

1. Levy taxes on mountains, seas and ponds.

2. Collect local tribute items for palace use.

3. Responsible for the supply and services required by the palace for all food, clothing, daily life, hunting and entertainment, etc.

During the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Shaofu was a small court. In an emergency, it could completely replace the outer court in a short time. The most famous Shaofu was Zhang Han in the late Qin Dynasty.

The Ministry of Industry was divided into the Li Tang Ministry of Industry and the Ming Dynasty Ministry of Industry.

Li Tang's Ministry of Industry was in charge of Shanze, farmland, craftsmen, and various companies, including paper, pen and ink. It consists of the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Farming, the Ministry of Yu, and the Ministry of Water.

The Ministry of Industry of the Ming Dynasty consisted of the four Qing officials: Yingsu, Yuheng, Dushui, and Tuntian.

Camp repair is in charge of building and repairing palaces and offices.

Yu Heng was responsible for manufacturing, sending and receiving various official utensils, and was in charge of weights and measures and coining money.

Du Shui was in charge of estimating and selling project costs, and was in charge of producing imperial edicts, official documents, etc.

Repair and write-off expenses for the Tuntianzhang Mausoleum, receive materials and part of the tax.

After reading what the emperor had summarized five times, Xu Guangqi waited for Bi Ziyan and Yuan Shizhen.

Having already received the emperor's order to discuss affairs, the two of them did not disturb the emperor who was reviewing the memorial. Instead, they and Xu Guangqi read the pamphlet summarized by the emperor.

It was not until the emperor finished reviewing the memorials and came back from the water that today's political discussion began.

Sitting down at the main seat and looking at the three people below, Zhu Youxiao said.

"I looked at the responsibilities of the previous dynasty and the responsibilities of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Ming Dynasty. I only have one idea. It is chaotic and the management is too chaotic."

"Now the imperial court is unable to make ends meet and needs to be sorted out."

As soon as Zhu Youxiao opened his mouth, he decided on the topic of the meeting.

"..."

Listening to the emperor's words, the three people who had just finished reading the emperor's summary remained silent and looked at the emperor with fox eyes.

After half a year, everyone has figured out the emperor's background.

Since the emperor has stated something openly, it means that the decision has been made and cannot be changed.

What the courtiers need to do is to improve what the emperor proposes.

But the three people present knew it in their hearts just like a mirror.

The emperor's purpose today must not be this.

In the past, the branch office and the household department were separated, and the branch office was responsible for the management of national funds. This matter has almost been done, and the rest needs to be gradually improved through bumps and bumps.

"The separation of the household department and the branch office, and the separation of expenditure and income, have been completed."

Sure enough, the emperor picked up the tea cup and took a sip, then continued.

"Xu Aiqing went to Shijing Factory and checked Shijing Factory's account books. I think she has a sufficient understanding of Shijing Factory's profits."

"I...understand you very well."

After hearing the emperor point out what he had done in Shijingchang, Xu Guangqi was silent for a moment and then said.

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao asked again.

"How many times the profit?"

"Profit..."

After swallowing, Xu Guangqi struggled.

“Not counting the initial expenditure for drilling the hole, the profit is more than ten times greater.”

"ten times!"

After hearing Xu Guangqi's words, Bi Ziyan and Yuan Shizhen exclaimed at the same time.

Everyone thinks that mining is a hard job, and the operator's income will definitely not be much.

But now Xu Guangqi said "ten times", which immediately affected the common sense of the two people.

"So, what I want to say today is, mining tax."

"Mining... mining tax."

After hearing the emperor's words, the three of them lowered their heads at the same time and looked at the sentence "Collecting taxes on mountains, seas, and ponds" in the booklet written by the emperor.

Wanli has been in trouble for less than a year, why did the emperor bring this matter up again!

This is the actual psychological activity of the three people at this time. Putting down the tea cup, Zhu Youxiao felt helpless.

It’s not easy to be an emperor. There are countless tea leaves every day.

"I just had people acquire the coal mines and iron mines in Xishan and Shijingshan, and I made so much profit."

"There are many mines in the mountains and rivers of the world. Their profits are comparable to those of Shijing Factory and Xishan Factory, but these people do not pay taxes. I cannot tolerate it."

"So, mining taxes must be collected, even for my mines."

"His Majesty."

After listening to the emperor's words, Bi Ziyan spoke up.

"At the time of the temple, all the mining taxes in the world were returned to the internal funds, but the eunuchs in the palace made things like Yang Rong's rebellion in Yunnan and Gaohuai's rebellion in Liao Dynasty, which caused unrest in the family and the country."

“We must be cautious about mining taxes.”

"indeed."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded.

"The people in the palace do this because they are not doing what they want and what they say."

"I remember that when the former temple started to collect mineral taxes, some people also proposed that the imperial court should collect the mineral taxes."

Looking at everyone present, Zhu Youxiao said slowly.

"I own all the mountains, rivers, and lands in the world, but I am not a solitary person. How about a 50-50 split between the mining tax and the national fund?"

"this..."

After hearing the emperor's words, the three people present looked at each other and started thinking.

Back then, Shenzong collected mining taxes, but what mining taxes were collected?

That’s the protection fee from the big family!

After the group of eunuchs left the capital, they didn't go to the mines at all, but went directly to the big households.

The most common thing that happens is that people have mineral veins in their homes.

I don’t know if there are any mineral deposits in this family’s home, but they must have money.

There are mineral veins in the lower part of your yard. It's easy for me to move them out.

If you don't want to move, it depends on how much contribution your family can make.

This money was probably divided between Wanli and the eunuch.

The emperor took 30%!

Take the tax superintendent Ma Tang as an example. The tax collected is as high as 250,000 taels every year, but only more than 70,000 taels are handed over to the internal funds.

"I agree."

As the Minister of Household Affairs and now in charge of the Ming Dynasty's revenue, Yuan Shizhen was the first to express his support for the imperial court's collection of mineral taxes.

"I also agree."

Immediately afterwards, Bi Ziyan from the Du Branch also expressed his agreement.

It's a good thing if national funds can increase revenue. It's not his job to collect taxes anyway. If you want to scold Yuan Shizhen, please scold him.

"I also agree."

Seeing that the other two people had expressed their stance, Xu Guangqi also expressed his stance aloud.

"But, should the mining tax be collected by the Ministry of Industry? Or by the Ministry of Household Affairs?"

Xu Guangqi said, his eyes focused on Yuan Shizhen.

"this."

Hearing Xu Guangqi's words, Yuan Shizhen raised his head at the same time and looked at the other party.

Neither of them spoke, but their meaning was clearly expressed - fight for power.

Sitting on the main seat, looking at the eyes of Xu Guangqi and Yuan Shizhen, Zhu Youxiao tapped his fingers on the table.

If this was a two-dimensional world, electricity would have appeared between the two of them right now.

After looking at the two people who looked at each other without saying a word for a while, Zhu Youxiao spoke out.

"The Ministry of Industry will coordinate, and the Ministry of Household will collect taxes."

"this..."

After hearing the emperor's words, the three people present fell silent.

The matter of coordinating and collecting mining taxes is divided into two parts.

This is quite inconvenient to manage.

"Accounts and money should still be separated."

Looking at the three people below, Zhu Youxiao murmured to himself.

Although the emperor's voice was very low, the three people present heard it.

How to manage accounts and money separately?

The three of them didn't know that there was a science in later generations called accounting.

There are two positions, namely finance and cashier.

There is a clear provision in the Accounting Law: Finance and cashier cannot be the same person.

The simplest and most straightforward explanation for these two positions is:

Financial accounting, cashier management of money.

Those in charge of the accounts don’t care about the money, and those in charge of the money don’t care about the accounts.

"Prevent corruption from happening."

Looking at the confused expressions of the three people below, Zhu Youxiao said calmly.

"The Ministry of Industry is responsible for coordinating which places have which mineral veins that need to be taxed, responsible for inventory and coordinating accounts, and supervising whether the Ministry of Accounts has collected all the taxes."

"The Ministry of Household Affairs and the local cleanup departments are responsible for the implementation of specific tax collection based on the accounts of the Ministry of Industry, and supervise whether the Ministry of Industry fully coordinates the mines."

"Whoever embezzled or underpaid, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Accounts will know when the accounts are compared."

"???"

After listening to the emperor's words, several questions appeared in the minds of the three people present.

Why does the emperor's method of separating accounts and money look so familiar?

But then, Bi Ziyan and Yuan Shizhen looked at each other and reacted at the same time.

Isn't this the logic behind the previous emperor's separation of Duzhisi from the Ministry of Household Affairs?

Although Yuan Shizhen and Bi Ziyan have a good relationship in private.

But since Ming Dynasty started to manage accounts, the two of them often got into trouble because of accounting issues.

Is it possible that after the death of Jiajing, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, another Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Tianqi, came to the Ming Dynasty?

Moreover, where did the emperor learn this method of fomenting confrontation?

"Your Majesty, although this method is good, there are currently no regulations on how to do it and how effective it will be."

With these two thoughts in his mind, Bi Ziyan looked at the emperor above and said.

"Therefore, I ask you to try it out in Shuntian Mansion first, summarize a few things, form a routine, and then implement it throughout the world."

"Words to seek for the country."

Pointing at Bi Ziyan with his finger, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.

"Both dears, Bi and Yuan, are both proficient in arithmetic and accounts. How about you two summarizing my method and then going to the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works to implement it?"

"The ministers obey the order."

After hearing the emperor's words, the three people present bowed quickly.

Standing on the steps of the palace gate, looking at the three people leaving, Zhu Youxiao frowned slightly.

In the late Ming Dynasty, corruption and corruption became more and more serious. In the final analysis, the problem still lies in the weak financial and economic policies of the Ming Dynasty.

If the accounts cannot be sorted out clearly, it will leave loopholes for corruption.

Now, he was going to plug this loophole.

Moreover, a two-pronged approach is required, with methods on one hand and punishment on the other.

"I asked Lu Wenzhao to fight corruption in the Duzhi Division. How did he do?"

"this."

Standing behind the emperor, Liu Shimin blinked his eyes, thought for a while and then said.

"The Duzhi Division has now formed regulations to report to the cabinet every ten days. After corrupt officials are caught, they will be directly forwarded to the Ministry of Punishment."

"On the first day of April, Duzhi Secretary Zhengqing Bi Ziyan reported that three corrupt officials were caught at the end of March and have been handed over to the Ministry of Punishment."

"When you said that, I remembered it."

Hearing Liu Shimin's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded.

"It was reported in the name of Du Branch."

There was a cocoon of information surrounding him, and a lot of news couldn't stay in his mind for long.

After standing there and thinking for a long time, Zhu Youxiao waved his sleeves, turned around and walked into the hall.

And his words, accompanied by the sound of wind, reached Liu Shimin's ears.

"Let him come to see me, and I will arrange a new job for him."

"The slaves obey the order."

Hearing the emperor's words, Liu Shimin shrank his neck.

For almost half a year, Lu Wenzhao has been following Bi Ziyan in the Duzhi Division to investigate corruption, and his presence in the court is very weak.

But he, Liu Dajue, remembered it clearly.

Lu Wenzhao is a Jin Yiwei.

(End of this chapter)