() Zhong Jinwei replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, the civil and military officials, and the royal family should be the richest group of people in the capital, but the value of the materials donated is only half of that of other classes. It is indeed infuriating."
"There is a saying: After eating enough and thinking about sex, these people live a carefree life and turn to the trend of corruption and luxury. Now that the trend has been formed, it will not take a moment to change."
"Since ancient times, even in my era, issues related to social atmosphere and life value orientation cannot be changed overnight. Your Majesty needs to be patient. This is still the issue of public opinion guidance that the minister mentioned before. It cannot be suppressed by force.
Yes, it can only be subtle."
Zhong Jinwei talked a lot eloquently, but in fact, there was still no effective method. In fact, Emperor Chongzhen knew these truths, and was just angry at the inaction of these people. He usually talks about serving the country and the people, but from the
In their actual behavior, they can't find any way to serve the country and the people.
"Master Zhong has also seen it. Last night, I had people calculate the money and food needed to resettle the refugees. The shortfall is so huge. I have just issued an imperial edict and announced that all the rewards given to officials for the New Year this year will be cancelled. As usual,
The festival ceremonies were also cancelled, and all the proceeds were used for military supplies and refugee resettlement."
When Emperor Chongzhen said this, he showed a smile of relief on his face, and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, you don't know the expressions of those ministers when they heard this decision, as if I had cut off their lives.
"
When I said this, I realized that I seemed to have said it a bit rudely, so I smiled a little sheepishly, and then said: "Fortunately, Wen Tiren, Bi Ziyan and the others supported me, so I forcibly passed the decree."
Zhong Jinwei was a little worried and asked: "If there are no these rewards, what will those upright officials eat during the New Year?"
"All normal office expenses are paid by the imperial court. They don't have to pay a penny or a grain of food. Their monthly salary is enough as long as they don't bribe, don't compare, and don't be extravagant. What's more, they don't usually have much money.
?The imperial court is in such a difficult situation and they are still unwilling to donate some money, so I will help them with some blood."
Having said this, I let out the depression in my heart and felt a little better.
Zhong Jinwei suddenly thought of a way. Although it was not very good, it could alleviate this extravagant trend to a certain extent. So he said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I have an idea that should be able to alleviate the erosion of social trends."
"Oh, Master Zhong has another idea, isn't it the public opinion guidance just mentioned?" Emperor Chongzhen was not sure that Zhong Jinwei had new ideas.
"Your Majesty, this is what I think. After these people get rich, they start to enjoy themselves, while the poor starve to death. My idea is to tax all the rich and levy personal income tax, and divide it into different levels.
The higher the income, the higher the tax rate. This can limit the gap between the rich and the poor to a certain extent."
Emperor Chongzhen was not sure after hearing this: "Master Zhong is talking about all the rich people? In addition to merchants, it also includes civil and military officials, nobles and royal relatives?"
Zhong Jinwei nodded, of course.
Emperor Chongzhen shook his head and said: "It is reasonable to say that merchants are taxed. But it is unheard of for civil and military officials, nobles and royal relatives to be taxed. Also, what is the personal income tax you are talking about?"
"It is everyone's annual income." Zhong Jinwei explained.
Emperor Chongzhen felt even more ridiculous after hearing this and said: "How do you know how much income each person has?"
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was stunned for a moment, as if this was ancient times. In his time, calculating personal income tax was not a reliable thing. He was speechless at the moment. After a while, he said in a dignified voice: "I used to
Is this what my hometown does?”
"Including hundreds of civil and military officials, honoring the royal family?" Emperor Chongzhen didn't believe it.
"Yes." Zhong Jinwei nodded affirmatively. In fact, he had never seen the civil and military officials of his time, whether the royal family paid taxes as honestly as he, a wage earner.
Emperor Chongzhen thought it was really unbelievable, but when he thought about it seriously, it seemed that the temptation was very great. After thinking for a long time, he finally gave up. He said to Zhong Jinwei: "This matter has never happened before in all dynasties. If it is promulgated, I am afraid it will cause an uproar. Please postpone it for the time being."
"
Emperor Chongzhen doesn't want to continue this topic anymore. The temptation is too great, but he really doesn't dare to discuss this matter now. If the news spreads, those people may ignore Jianlu and start a war with me directly.
Thinking of this, he changed the subject and said to Zhong Jinwei: "I called you back from the military camp outside the city. One is because the elimination of troops has been completed, and the purpose of sending Master Zhong to help Master Sun has been completed; the other is that the Ministry of Household Affairs has been here for the past two days.
Hurry up and give me the banknote pattern that Master Zhong mentioned, and I'll let you take a look."
As soon as Zhong Jinwei heard this, he no longer cared about the affairs of civil and military officials. Emperor Chongzhen printed out the banknote prototypes in two days. It is worth looking forward to.
Emperor Chongzhen picked up a piece of paper from the imperial desk and asked his chamberlain to give it to Zhong Jinwei.
Zhong Jinwei picked it up and took a look, and was speechless. He saw that the pattern of the banknote was larger than the ordinary books of later generations. The horizontal mark on the pattern was "Daming Tongbao Coin", and the two ends were protected by flames. The face value "One Guan" was printed on the upper frame of the flower fence.
"" is printed with the pattern of ten strings of money running through it in the middle and lower part, and the eight characters "Da Ming treasure coins are popular all over the world" are stacked on the left and right. The lower frame of the dragon pattern flower fence is printed with the seal of the Ministry of Finance: "The Ministry of Finance is accurate."
The Ming Dynasty treasure coins and copper coins were printed for general use. Forgers who forged the coins were beheaded, and those who reported the arrest were rewarded with two hundred and five hundred taels of silver, and property was still given to the prisoner. "On the day of the month of the Chongzhen year." A total of forty-two characters were engraved in seven vertical rows.
It's so uncreative, it's a complete copy of the previous Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes.
Emperor Chongzhen explained on the side: "They originally wanted to replace the ten strings of money with my portrait, but I scolded them. How about Master Zhong taking a look?"
Zhong Jinwei smiled bitterly and said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I am speechless. Ah, speechless means that I am speechless. Isn't this the treasure of the Ming Dynasty?"
"They told me that this banknote is named Ming Bao Coin, which is different from the Ming Bao Banknote. That's the difference."
In fact, Emperor Chongzhen knew that this pattern was almost the same as the previous treasure banknotes, and it was obviously not very suitable. But looking at the contents of the pattern, it seemed that every element was required, so he had to call Zhong Jinwei and ask him to mention it.
Opinion.
"Your Majesty, I would like to make some suggestions. Please listen to them and see if they are reasonable."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded, didn't he recruit him just to make suggestions?
"Your Majesty, banknotes are used to replace silver and copper coins for circulation. Therefore, the first one must be durable, and the second one must be exquisite and difficult to imitate. Because of the adverse effects of the previous Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes, there must be a relatively large one.
The only thing is to distinguish them. In addition, it is best to use the back of the banknotes. Moreover, the banknotes are too big, not very convenient to carry, and the cost is estimated to be high, which are all disadvantages."
Zhong Jinwei thought for a moment and added: "I suggest that it is best to summon the most famous experts in printing, engraving, ink, etc. in the country. Oh, the experts are not experts, but masters. Let's study this banknote pattern together and strive to make it."
To the points required above.”
Zhong Jinwei was already sensitive to Emperor Chongzhen's expression. He could tell by looking at his expression that there might be something wrong with a word. If he didn't understand it, he explained it by the way.
Emperor Chongzhen nodded. He didn't expect that the requirements for this small paper currency were so high. It seems that to do anything well, you have to work hard.
Thinking of this, he said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, please stay away. I will send the Minister of the Ministry of Finance to ask."
Soon, Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Household Affairs, came to see him. He first saluted Emperor Chongzhen, then also saluted Zhong Jinwei, and said, "Thank you very much, Uncle Zhongxing."
Zhong Jinwei knew that he was thanking him for being able to eliminate so many troops and help relieve the heavy logistical pressure. At the moment, he did not dare to offend him. In terms of age, he was more than twice his own, so he quickly returned the favor.
Emperor Chongzhen did not take it seriously that Bi Ziyan did not listen to him first about the reason for summoning him, but went to be polite with Zhong Jinwei first. After all, this was an informal occasion.
In fact, even in formal occasions, courtiers in the late Ming Dynasty did not pay much attention to the etiquette before the emperor.
Someone summed it up by saying: Those who owed money to civil servants in the early Ming Dynasty were the ones who came to collect debts from civil servants in the late Ming Dynasty. However, this debt collection was too harsh, and even the Ming Dynasty was wiped out.