back to ancient times to be emperor

Chapter 889 Increased Business Tax

Lin Zhenzhong was also hesitant when he was directly called by Lu Chengqi to ask questions, and tentatively said: "Returning to Your Majesty, this matter of money is nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Your Majesty doesn't like increasing revenue, so you can only reduce expenditure..."

In fact, Lin Zhenzhong also wanted to increase the agricultural tax. He felt that Dashun's agricultural tax was too low.Looking at the past dynasties, which regime is like Dashun, where the agricultural tax is only [-]%?Even if it is two harvests in summer and autumn, at most it is only [-]%!It is really a miracle that such a low agricultural tax can still maintain an annual income of [-] million yuan!
But Lin Zhenzhong also knew how to read words and deeds. Seeing that Lu Chengqi frowned when he heard about the increase in agricultural taxes, he must be displeased.As the Minister of the Household Department, if he also said such nonsense, he might be replaced by someone one day.Although the Minister of the Household Department did not do very well, he was still one of the six ministers and had a lot of power.

Eating salted fish satisfies thirst, Lin Zhenzhong knows his own suffering.The scenery in front of outsiders is infinite, but when you lock the door, you can only cry secretly!
Hearing what he said, Lu Chengqi almost died of anger.He doesn't like open source?This is farting!If there is a way to make money, do you think Lu Chengqi will do it?

Lu Chengqi also understood that Lin Zhenzhong was just referring to his refusal to accept the increase in agricultural taxes. It was best not to make this matter explicit, otherwise the monarchs and ministers would feel a little uncomfortable.

"Lin Qing, tell me how to save money?"

Lu Chengqi remained calm, looked at Lin Zhenzhong, expressionless, and said slowly.

Lin Zhenzhong was not stage-frightened, and immediately held his wat and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, there are still many ways to save money. As far as I know, the annual military salary is a large amount. If the expenses here can be reduced, the national treasury will not be able to afford it." It's good enough..."

"No!"

Lu Chengqi almost stood up and pointed at Lin Zhenzhong's nose and scolded, weakening the army, it was thanks to him that he could think of such a stupid way.Although Lu Chengqi had long known that Dashun's court was at odds with civil and martial arts, he did not expect that Lin Zhenzhong would treat warriors so nakedly, which was really heartbreaking.

Armament is a matter of Dashun's life and death, why can't any of the ministers in the court see it?
In fact, it's not that these civil servants can't see it, it's just that they don't think it's so serious.The world has been peaceful for a long time, and it is normal to be slack in thinking.

What Lin Zhenzhong said was just an unintentional move, after all, military pay did account for a large part of the expenditure.When Lin Zhenzhong realized that he had made a mistake, he quickly corrected it: "Your Majesty, the second expenditure is the expenses of each yamen. According to my actual measurement, the expenses reported by each yamen every year have a surplus. Over the years, all I am afraid that I can last for half a year by accumulating money and silver. I think that if only half of the expenses are allocated this year, each yamen must save some money and survive..."

As soon as these words fell, countless people jumped out to accuse Lin Zhenzhong, saying that he was alarmist and that he had never reported anything in vain.

Lu Chengqi frowned when he saw the quarrel in the hall, and immediately shouted angrily: "It's so noisy, what's the matter?"

As soon as he spoke, the audience immediately fell silent.

"It's easy to know if there is any false report. Let the Supervision Department check the accounts..." Lu Chengqi glanced at the officials who jumped out to accuse Lin Zhenzhong. Those officials did not dare to meet his eyes, and lowered their heads one by one. "If it's true, Lin Qing, you are bold enough to do it!"

Facing Lu Chengqi's acknowledgment, Lin Zhenzhong's confidence also increased greatly.With these expenses saved, he can last at least another two months.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Faced with Lin Zhenzhong's levelless flattery, Lu Chengqi was unmoved, but said lightly: "Which yamen will falsely report the number in the future, once it is verified, the chief officer will be dismissed immediately!"

"..."

There was a moment of silence in the hall, and almost everyone secretly complained, if it was like this in the future, it would be a sad day.

Lu Chengqi also ignored these guys who wanted to take advantage of the public, but asked again indifferently: "Does Lin Qing have other good strategies?"

Lin Zhenzhong also learned to be good. He knew that Lu Chengqi was concerned about military weapons supervision, roads, and water conservancy.

Lu Chengqi nodded, and said: "Lin Qing has no choice, but I have a way..." After a deliberate pause, he said slowly: "Tax increase!"

As soon as these words came out, it was like throwing a cannonball in the court hall, which instantly ignited the emotions of the civil servants, and each of them held the court wat with excited expressions and said: "Your Majesty is wise, Your Majesty is wise!"

When they calmed down, Lu Chengqi said in a leisurely manner: "Lao Tzu said: 'The way of heaven is more than enough to make up for what is lacking, but the way of man is not the same. Farmers have always been insufficient. How can you harm them?"

At this time, a civil servant tasted something different, and looked at Lu Chengqi in astonishment.

Lu Chengqi ignored them, and said to himself: "Looking at the 360 ​​lines of Dashun, only merchants are people with 'more than enough'. If they don't hurt them, is it in line with the 'Way of Heaven'? On the premise of the tax, it is enough to increase the tax! Ordinary merchants pay [-] per cent, restaurants and cottages [-] per cent, and bulk commodity exports [-] per cent per tax. What do you think?"

The civil servants really wanted to refute, but seeing Lu Chengqi's sneer, they knew that he had planned it long ago.

Besides, officials are a privileged class, even if taxes are raised, they will not be increased, so why do they force themselves to stand out?There is a saying that "right and wrong are all due to talking too much, and troubles are all due to being strong."Civil servants are not stupid, and they don't want to leave a bad impression on Lu Chengqi for the sake of some merchants.In case the emperor remembers you, I will give you a small shoe to wear, and you will have to walk around without food!
Soon, the civil servants reached a consensus, and even claimed to praise Lu Chengqi's "good governance", and a routine court ended in such a calm manner.

Lu Chengqi saw that these civil servants had different opinions, and sneered in his heart: "You are digging your own grave!"

He has long intended to revoke the tax-free privileges of officials, but the time has not yet come.Now let these people dance for a few more days, when the time comes, they won't even have time to cry!
In the court hall, many people knew about Lu Chengqi's plan, and they all looked at Lu Chengqi worriedly.Yushi Zhongcheng Zhang Fangping was one of them, and what Lu Chengqi said was what he said to him in person back then, and he didn't hide it at all.Zhang Fangping also knew that Lu Chengqi was thinking of Dashun.But the pressure on this matter is too great, if it doesn't work out, it will rebound!

Besides, this is the rule set by Taizu, how can it be so easy to abolish it?
Since this is the case, then the result of this matter can be imagined.There was a conflict between the emperor and the civil official group, and the emperor, who held great power, would definitely demote these civil servants who had liked him, until this privilege was revoked.In this way, if the king regards his ministers like dogs and horses, the ministers will regard the emperor as the people of the country;It seems a lot fairer, but internal troubles have already been planted.

"No, I have to persuade His Majesty to dispel this idea!"

Looking at Lu Chengqi who was leaving the hall, Zhang Fangping secretly made up his mind.

(End of this chapter)