The Most Powerful Man in the World

If the commercial tax is really so easy to collect, then generations of Ming emperors are not fools. Don't they know how to levy the commercial tax?However, no emperor has ever been able to succeed. This is simply a bottomless quagmire. Even if the emperor is deeply involved, his life may be lost.

With a bit of worry, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said, "Big partner, are you sure?"

A cold light flashed in Chu Yi's eyes: "For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, for the sake of Your Majesty, this minister must be confident!"

Moved in his heart, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help getting up, walking in front of Chu Yi, he couldn't help grabbing Chu Yi's hands and saying, "My partner treats me like this, how can I repay!"

Chu Yi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this is what the minister should do, so why should His Majesty repay it?"

Zhu Houzhao turned slightly to the side, forcibly suppressed the turbulence in his heart, took a deep breath, and then stared at Chu Yi's eyes and said: "Even if you let go, I am the strongest backing of my companion, and I will never do it. Allow Liu Jin's incident to repeat itself on Da Compan."

Chu Yi couldn't help laughing and said, "Your Majesty compares his ministers with Eunuch Liu, but he underestimates them too!"

Zhu Houzhao hurriedly said: "I have absolutely no intention of this, but I promise to my companion that as long as I am here, no matter what happens, I will not allow anyone to harm my companion!"

Chu Yi bowed respectfully at Zhu Houzhao and said, "I thank you, Your Majesty, for the mighty kindness of the Emperor!"

The monarchs and ministers sat opposite each other, and their expressions were full of awe. Except for Gu Dayong who served on the side, all the servants in the hall were sent out.

In the hall, Chu Yi said solemnly: "Your Majesty, this minister proposes that Your Majesty levy business tax, tea tax, mining tax, etc., and double it on the basis that Eunuch Liu had previously implemented."

Because Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of Taizu did not pay attention to business, so the business tax in the Ming Dynasty was only [-] and [-] tax, and officials and talents were exempted from tax.

The commercial tax is only [-]% tax, which is unimaginable in any dynasty. However, even with such a low commercial tax, those businessmen are still colluding with officials and businessmen who try to find ways, even if it is a business tax of a penny. Neither want to pay.

It is unbelievable that the business tax that can be collected in a year is only hundreds of thousands of taels in a huge Ming Dynasty.

Liu Jin had previously dispatched internal supervisors to collect business tax and mining tax, but it was only doubled on the basis of the [-]-[-] tax, barely reaching [-]-[-] tax. This directly led to a large number of local gentry, businessmen, and powerful people inciting people to beat them. , resist taxation.

This is a lesson for the purpose, for which Liu Jin even took his own life.

Now that Chu Yi actually said that the business tax collected by Liu Jin would be doubled, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi in horror and couldn't help but said, "Dude, according to what you said, if the tax is doubled, then It's almost [-]%, this...isn't it too high?"

Hearing this, Chu Yi couldn't help but sneer: "It's only [-]%, which is already quite low!"

Chu Yi knows how much the commercial tax rate has reached in later generations. Compared with that, he only collects [-]%, which is simply too low to be lower.

But for Zhu Houzhao and others, they couldn't even collect the [-]% tax, but Chu Yi suddenly increased the tax to [-]%, which is equivalent to a five-fold increase. what.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said, "My partner, why don't you... How about lowering it a bit!"

Chu Yi stared at Zhu Houzhao and said, "Your Majesty, from the minister's point of view, this is already very low. Besides, those people even think that the thirty-one tax is high. For them, what is the difference between the ten tax and the seven tax one? If someone really wants to use this to fight the tax, no matter how much, they will fight the tax!"

With a worried look on his face, Zhu Houzhao sighed softly, "Is your partner planning to leave Beijing?"

Zhu Houzhao is not a fool either. Once the commercial tax is levied, there will be an uproar in the whole world. Except for one anti-king Zhu Zhixiu, Zhu Houzhao really can't imagine that there will be a few more anti-kings.

Besides, the key to raising taxes is to increase taxes. The key is to implement it. If there is no strong enough person responsible for implementing this matter, I am afraid that there will be no tax collection at that time.

And the most suitable person is Chu Yi. Chu Yi proposed to increase the tax. With his understanding of Chu Yi, Chu Yi will definitely sit in the town and push it forward.

The most prosperous place for business in the world is in the south of the Yangtze River, and it is obviously impossible for Chu Yi to be in the capital.

Chu Yi nodded and said, "Your Majesty's words are not bad. If you want to implement the new tax, you can only hope to implement it if you go to Jiangnan in person."

Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath and said with a worried look: "But if the companion goes here, I'm afraid it will be a disaster. Those people can condone and even secretly support the rebellion against the king. They will definitely not care about anything. When the companion goes, it's really a sheep. Entering the tiger's den, good or bad is unpredictable..."

Zhu Houzhao clearly saw it clearly. It would be fine if Chu Yi didn't leave the capital. Once he left the capital, he would be enemies on all sides. Some people would never be honest and willing to hand over the gold and silver they had.

Taking money from someone is like killing one's parents. For those who only have money in their eyes, and the officials and businessmen collude, even the king of heaven can never take a copper coin from them.

Taking a look at Zhu Houzhao, Chu Yi raised his brows and said, "Your Majesty doesn't need to worry. As long as His Majesty stays in the middle palace and controls the overall situation of the court, then there will be no danger for the minister in the local area."

After speaking, Chu Yi said again: "When the minister has reorganized the Beijing camp, and His Majesty is in control, then the minister can leave the capital with peace of mind, go to Jiangnan, and implement the new tax."

Chu Yi is very clear in his heart that he can raid his house and kill unscrupulously. That is precisely because he has the righteous name in his hands, and Zhu Houzhao is where the righteousness lies. As long as Zhu Houzhao is safe and sound, he will not be afraid of all calculations.

Once Zhu Houzhao has an accident, what can he do even if he has a superb kung fu, not to mention more, Da Nei will be able to gather enough strong people to besiege him.

Therefore, Chu Yi must ensure that Zhu Houzhao is safe and sound, but he knows that Zhu Houzhao died quite strangely. If some people really want to change the world, it is not impossible.

There are many daring and reckless people in this world, not to mention the fact that Chu Yi wants to forcibly carry out the matter of levying the business tax. It is conceivable that if there is no unprecedented massacre, even Chu Yi himself will not believe it.

When that time comes, those tyrants and businessmen who are blinded by money will definitely not sit still and pay business taxes honestly. No one can predict what these people will do when they are crazy.

[Well, the third one is sent, as always, ask for a monthly pass, a monthly pass, and a reward! 】

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After pondering for a while, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said, "In this way, it will take at least half a year for Dafa to make preparations for the implementation of the new tax!"

Chu Yi nodded slightly and said, "Yes, it will take at least half a year for the reorganization of the capital to initially form combat power, and only then will the minister prepare to implement the new tax."

Zhu Houzhao let out a long sigh and said, "Okay, since my partner is like a mirror, I won't say more, as long as my partner has a good idea."

If it was said that Chu Yi had to implement the new tax immediately without any preparation, even if it was for Chu Yi's safety, Zhu Houzhao would not agree.

Now that Chu Yi's mind is clear and organized, he is obviously not someone who acts rashly, so naturally he doesn't worry about anything.

As Chu Yi said, as long as hundreds of thousands of elite troops are in hand, even if there is any trouble due to the implementation of the new tax, the capital can be as stable as Mount Tai.

Chu Yi saw the reaction of Zhu Houzhao's expression in his eyes, and bowed his hands to Zhu Houzhao and said, "However, Your Majesty, I implore Your Majesty to allow this minister to leave the capital."

"What, why is the companion like this, where are you going!"

Obviously, Chu Yi's sudden incident was beyond Zhu Houzhao's expectations, especially when Chu Yi proposed to leave Beijing at this moment, which made Zhu Houzhao panic a little.

During this period of time, the situation in Beijing has been chaotic, but because Chu Yi was in power, everything was suppressed, and even Zhu Houzhao moved back to the Forbidden City from the leopard room.

In Zhu Houzhao's eyes, Chu Yi was like a needle in the sea. As long as Chu Yi was in the capital, even if it was a big mess, Zhu Houzhao would not have the slightest panic.

But now that Chu Yi is going to leave Beijing, how can Zhu Houzhao not be surprised.

Even Gu Dayong, who was on the side, couldn't help but look at Chu Yi. In Gu Dayong's opinion, now is the time when Chu Yi's power is at its peak, and Chu Yi should stay in Beijing to consolidate his power. He proposed to leave Beijing, how can this not be puzzling.

Chu Yi was not at all surprised by Zhu Houzhao's such a big reaction, he stepped forward and bowed to Zhu Houzhao and said, "Your Majesty, please listen to the minister's words."

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said, "Please tell me, if my companion doesn't have a reasonable explanation to convince me, I will not allow my companion to leave Beijing."

Chu Yi looked at Zhu Houzhao and said, "Does Your Majesty still remember the two assassins we captured earlier?"

Zhu Houzhao raised his brows and said, "I naturally remember that I had already sent someone to the East Factory at that time. Could it be that the accomplices have already found out their identities?"

Vaguely, Zhu Houzhao felt that Chu Yi's departure from Beijing was likely to have something to do with the two assassins, otherwise, Chu Yi would not have suddenly mentioned the two assassins.

Sure enough, Chu Yi said, "Don't hide it from Your Majesty, the minister has already found out the origins of the two assassins not long ago."

When Zhu Houzhao heard the words, a fierce look flashed in his eyes and said: "I don't know what the origins of these two people are, but they are so daring and dare to assassinate me, when I dare not execute their nine clans?"

Chu Yi said lightly: "Your Majesty may not be able to kill their nine clans."

Zhu Houzhao stared at Chu Yi and said, "Tell me what their origins are."

Being able to make Chu Yi say that, Zhu Houzhao vaguely guessed the identities of Zhu Han and the two. There really are people in the world who he can't kill at will.

Chu Yi bowed his hands and said, "One of them is named Zhu Han, who is a descendant of Zhu Xi, and the other is named Song Yu, who is a disciple of Confucius in Qufu."

"what!"

A look of surprise flashed in Zhu Houzhao's eyes: "It turned out to be them!"

Chu Yi smiled slightly and said, "The people standing behind these two are people from the world, whether they are from the Confucian family or the line of Neo-Confucianism, unless your Majesty wants to fight against people from the world, otherwise..."

His eyes were full of hesitation, but Zhu Houzhao gritted his teeth and said, "If I want to kill them, don't they dare to do it!"

Chu Yi said disdainfully: "They really dare not, but His Majesty is only afraid that he wants to leave a name for the history, and it will be left unseen for thousands of years."

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help his face turn black, just as Chu Yi said, if he really killed Zhu Xi's lineage and dealt with the Kong family, then he would certainly offend the people of the world, if he was not nailed to the shame of history by those people. Weird on the shelf.

Zhu Houzhao only felt aggrieved in his heart. He looked up and saw Chu Yi's indifferent appearance. Suddenly, his heart moved, and he looked at Chu Yi and said, "You can't be..."

Chu Yi chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, there are some things that the ruler cannot do, but the minister has nothing to worry about!"

Zhu Houzhao didn't understand what Chu Yi meant at this moment. Chu Yi was clearly going to help him deal with the people behind the two assassins.

With a look of worry on his face, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said, "My companion, if you really do this, you will definitely hate the servants of this world, and then you will..."

Before Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, Chu Yi couldn't help laughing, and while laughing, Chu Yi said to Zhu Houzhao: "Your Majesty, my minister killed Chen Qi in Songyang Academy, and I have long been hated by those scholars. After all, the minister killed so many literati in the south of the Yangtze River, and also killed so many scholars in the capital. If I really want to say, the minister has already become a thorn in the eyes of those literati. The so-called I'm afraid it's long gone."

What Chu Yi said was the truth. Chu Yi offended most of the literati in the world. Those people had nothing to do with Chu Yi, but it did not prevent them from speaking like swords. Thanks to these people, Chu Yi was eternal among the people. The representative of the biggest traitor.

Looking at Zhu Houzhao, Chu Yi showed a sneer at the corner of his mouth and said, "I don't have a good reputation anyway, so if that's the case, let me take a sigh of relief for His Majesty."

Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao was inexplicably moved, looked at Chu Yi and said, "It is bound to be dangerous to go here, I can't let my companion take risks, so I issued an imperial decree to send someone to take the descendants of Zhu Xi, and then pass the order to the Confucius family. Let me explain..."

Chu Yi shook his head and said, "Your Majesty can't do it. If the imperial decree is issued, there will be an uproar, so let the minister go out of Beijing and walk for a while."

After saying that, after a week, Chu Yi put on a posture that if Zhu Houzhao didn't agree, he wouldn't get up.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi with a hesitant look on his face. After a long time, he stepped forward to help Chu Yi up, looked at Chu Yi and said, "Is your partner really going to leave Beijing?"

Looking up at Zhu Houzhao, Chu Yi said slowly: "Your Majesty should know what the temperament of the minister is. Since the minister has mentioned it, he has naturally considered it, so the minister implores His Majesty to allow the minister to leave the capital."

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "Forget it, since the big companion insists on leaving Beijing, I will allow it!"

Chu Yi chuckled: "In fact, Your Majesty, you don't need to worry, the ministers are here only to raid the family and destroy the family. Unless they want to rebel, otherwise, those people will not be able to cause any trouble."

Zhu Houzhao said: "I will sit in the capital and be the backing of the great companion!"

After saying goodbye to the Son of Heaven, Chu Yi left the Forbidden City and immediately summoned Cao Shaoqin, Qi Hu and others after returning to the East Factory.

In the study, several of Chu Yi's capable subordinates, such as Cao Shaoqin, Qi Hu, and Fang Li, stood there one by one.

Chu Yi glanced at a few people and said slowly: "Cao Shaoqin, immediately dispatch a group of Dongchang elites, bring Zhu Han, Song Yu and the others, and go out to Beijing with the governor."

Slightly stunned, Cao Shaoqin immediately ordered, "This servant will do it."

Chu Yi glanced at Qi Hu and Fang Li and said, "The two of you will go out to Beijing with the Governor this time."

Fang Li glanced at Chu Yi, bowed his hands and said, "Master, this subordinate is taking the liberty of not knowing where we are going?"

Chu Yi only talked about leaving the capital, but he didn't know where to go.

Looking at Fang Li lightly, Chu Yi said, "Jianyang, Fujian!"

"Fujian Jianyang!"

Fang Li murmured, thinking that Chu Yi asked Cao Shaoqin to bring Zhu Han and Song Yu with him, two assassins who wanted to assassinate the emperor, Fang Li suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Chu Yi with a look of disbelief on his face, trembling. He said: "The Governor...you...you are not going to copy the house of Saint Zhu Xi!"

As a scholar, Fang Li naturally knew that Zhu Xi was born in Fujian and hid in Jianyang, Fujian in his later years. It can be said that Jianyang, Fujian is the ancestral land of Zhu Xi's lineage.

Now, on the one hand, Chu Yi took Zhu Han and Song Yu, who were trying to assassinate the emperor, to go to Jianyang, Fujian. On the other hand, Fang Li was not a fool, and he immediately understood what Chu Yi wanted to do.

It was precisely because he had guessed Chu Yi's purpose that Fang Li had such a big reaction. That was the descendant of the sage Zhu Xi, even if it was not as influential as the Kong family in Qufu, but the descendants of his blood were in Jianyang. It may not be much worse than Kong's in Qufu.

The most important thing is that the current line of Neo-Confucianism is the dominant school of Confucianism. Seventy-eight out of ten people in the world come from the line of Neo-Confucianism, and they respect Zhu Xi as the first sage.

In this way, we can imagine what kind of influence Zhu Xi's descendants will have in Jianyang, Fujian.