Li Chen smiled and said nothing, just looking at Zhou Pingan.
Zhou Ping'an understood Li Chen's meaning and continued: "Taxation matters are related to the foundation of the country."
"Throughout history, almost all dynasties have inherited the ancient system and unified taxation into the Ministry of Households for management. After all, the Ministry of Households is in charge of the world's money and food. This seems to be correct."
"However, the imperial treasury and the money and food of the Ministry of Households are based on taxes. The common people and merchants from all over the country, from land deed transactions to city gate taxes, it is the collection of these trickles that create the rivers and lakes of the imperial court.
"
"Therefore, taxation actually needs a relatively independent and closed system. This system can coordinate national taxation, so that people and accounts can be separated and accounts can be clear and money clear."
"With fewer people involved, there will naturally be less corruption. Only by making the tax system independent can we ensure the independence of taxation and freedom from interference from other departments and officials. This is a big deal."
"What's more, tax means money, and controlling financial power is one of His Highness's political goals. Use taxes to control wealth, and use wealth to control power. This money bag must be firmly in the hands of His Highness at all times, not the Ministry of Household Affairs.
In the hands of the minister."
After listening to Zhou Pingan's words, Li Chen smiled and said: "Those who know me are safe."
He indeed hit on most of Li Chen's thoughts.
In Li Chen's plan, the future is to make the tax department completely independent and only be under orders from the emperor.
In this way, the Ministry of Accounts only needs to take care of how the money is used. As for the question of where the money comes from, this is a matter for the tax department, that is, the tax desk.
Only when the two powers are independent can the authority and supremacy of the imperial power be guaranteed to the greatest extent.
"On the road of thousands of miles, we have just taken the first step. The tax office is part of my plan. It is a century-old plan. Its roots will extend to all aspects of the entire empire. But now we are just setting up this department.
Perform its most basic duties."
"In the future, a series of tax reform plans will be formulated with the tax desk as the core."
After Li Chen finished speaking, he pointed at Zhou Ping'an and said, "And you are the most suitable candidate for this position in my mind."
Zhou Ping'an smiled freely and said: "The minister is not involved in the factions in the court, and he has fatal leverage in the hands of His Highness. He is indeed a very useful chess piece."
Li Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled without saying a word.
The handle, Zhou Pingan's handle is his identity and the identities of his two brothers.
As long as this secret is exposed, the world is so vast that there will no longer be a place for the three Zhou Ping'an brothers.
Even if Li Chen didn't take action, Prince Ning would kill these three brothers at all costs.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty would also regard Zhou Ping'an as a traitor.
"Since you know everything, you should work well for me." Li Chen said calmly.
Zhou Ping'an cupped his hands and said: "The ambition of a humble minister has already been made clear on the first day when I had a secret conversation with His Highness."
"I remember that I learned martial arts and culture and sold them to the emperor's family."
Li Chen said with a half-smile but not a smile: "It's just that the word "selling" is very interesting. Since it is selling, then there is a transaction. If you work for me, what will I give you in exchange?"
Zhou Ping stood quietly, as if he didn't hear anything, and didn't answer anything.
"Since you don't want to say it, it's okay. Anyway, now is the time for me to use you, so I won't suffer any loss."
Li Chen changed the topic and said: "I want you to take office immediately. You will set off today to go to the territory of King Ning of Gansu and Shaanxi to check King Ning's taxes!"
