When Shen Lie was sitting at the tax booth with a golden sword.
Look around.
The flags of those extra-large flat-bottomed official boats came into view, such as Yangzhou Governor's Yamen and Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chief Envoys. The signs were more scary than the last.
Under that high flying flag.
On the spacious deck, there are some officials and their families having fun, elegant scholars, flower-like beauties, and beauties are playing around and pointing out the country.
Shen Lie put down his tea bowl and asked slowly: "What are the origins of these official ships?"
aside.
The tax collector was startled and hurriedly said respectfully: "Hey, Master Qianhu, you don't know something. This official ship... is filled with the family members of the governors from various places!"
Shen Lie nodded and responded: "Oh."
Understood.
It turned out that these were passenger ships transporting the families of governors and governors.
Is it an official ship for private use?
Looking at the heavy water lines of the official ships, Shen Lie was thoughtful. Even if the official ships were for private use, how could just a few adults' family members push the ship down so deeply?
Unless these talented and beautiful women weigh as much as fat pigs.
No.
It has to be the weight of an elephant.
It seems that these official ships carry a lot of private goods. As for whose private goods are on board, only the devil knows.
Official ships are naturally exempt from inspection and do not have to pay customs duties.
In silence.
again.
The tax collectors, masters, accountants, and officials lowered their heads guiltily, and then began to wipe away their sweat.
Shen Lie sneered repeatedly but remained calm, picked up the tea bowl on the table, took a sip, and then crossed his legs.
Shen Lie began to close his eyes and rest his mind, and he couldn't help but think about it.
Talk.
How was the Ming Dynasty's finances drained?
It's clear at a glance.
What is the business tax in Ming Dynasty?
Thirty tax one.
It’s simply outrageously low!
Commercial taxes have never been so low in all dynasties.
How much is the annual shipping material tax at Tongzhou Wharf? It’s about 50,000 taels a year. This figure makes Shen Lie, a modern man, find it very bizarre!
Compared with those big businessmen who are incredibly wealthy.
This tax is really a drop in the bucket!
This little tax money...
It is probably equivalent to the value of a few first-class skinny horses on the Qinhuai River.
It's too awful.
But even this mere 50,000 taels of customs duty was not paid by adults, but was exploited from small traders with no power or background.
The adults who make a lot of money every day, as well as their relatives and friends, are not even willing to pay such a pitiful tax.
It’s really worth every penny!
But Shen Lie still pretended not to know, and just spit out the tea foam in the direction of the old censor.
"Nonsence!"
But Shen Lie knew.
The cover of the canal cannot be lifted yet. Once it is lifted, the stench will be filled with maggots.
So time passed by minute by minute.
until afternoon.
Shen Lie finally understood the truth, what is the meaning of inferiority in everything, only good education, and why he cannot be caught in this age.
It was just after noon.
suddenly.
Dozens of scholars appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by a large number of entourage, servants, and strong men who looked like guards. Hundreds of people broke into the gate in a mighty manner.
Started to confront Dongchang's fans.
Far away.
The scholars no longer cared about their manners and yelled at Shen Lie, "Treacherous and sycophantic!"
"lackey!"
"Let them go quickly!"
"I, Yangzhou Shilin, will never give up!"
The crowd was excited for a while.
And as more and more scholars and followers came from all directions to support them, before long, the entire Chaoguan Pier was blocked by water.
In chaos.
Facing the soldiers who raised their arms and shouted, shouting to fight and kill.
Wang Hu's face turned green with fright.
But Shen Lie remained calm, squinting his eyes and lifting up the hem of his bullfighting uniform, and took out a flintlock pistol hanging on his leg.
Then he gently placed it on the table in front of him.
And then.
Shen Lie dug into his waist again, took out another short musket and put it on the table, then took the third musket in his hand and played with it.
Gently wipe the inscription on the gun.
A cold light flashed in Shen Lie's eyes.
That look seemed to be saying...
Come if you are not afraid of death!
Then the pier fell into silence for a while.
"Ouch."
The tax collectors and bookkeepers looked at this man of thousands of households, and they were so frightened that their eyes popped out as they conjured black muskets like a magic trick.
The scholars and their entourage not far away also shrank their necks.
Although he was quiet for a while, he still refused to leave.
After another moment.
Water transportation came to a standstill.
not far away.
Outside the General Office of Water Transport.
Wang Chengxun, who was alarmed by the noise, saw that more and more scholars were gathering at the customs office. They were already running around anxiously, and another blister appeared on his lips.
"What did I say?"
Mr. Wang jumped to his feet anxiously: "Can the Yangzhou Juzi be arrested at will... Something has happened!"
Beside him.
Li Rusong, the deputy general of the Shenji Battalion, still didn't take it seriously. Commander Qi frowned slightly but had a calm demeanor, and just watched from a distance calmly.
seem.
He wanted to see how the Dongchang Qianhu named Shen Lie would deal with this big turmoil in Yangzhou where his sons gathered to make trouble.
Noisy.
Seeing the customs area getting more and more lively and bustling with people, Li Rusong, Young Master Li's restless heart seemed to be a little uncontrollable.
So Mr. Li said in a deep voice: "Qi Shuai, Lord of the town... I'll go take a look."
Throw down a sentence.
Li Rusong took a few guards and walked toward the customs in a hurry.
Wang Chengxun didn't pay attention.
Didn't stop.
Seeing that Li Rusong also ran to join in the fun, the commander-in-chief became anxious and was about to roll up his sleeves and step forward to stop him, but was stopped by Qi Shuai.
"Wait a minute!"
Qi Shuai grabbed Wang Chengxun and said in a deep voice: "Let him go!"
Wang Chengxun had no choice but to bow and say: "Yes."
He looked at Shen Lie, then at Li Rusong...
Wang Zongbing secretly gritted his teeth. These two were the emperor's right-hand men and young upstarts in the martial arts. They must not make any mistakes.
You have to protect it no matter what!
After a while.
Customs duties.
Shen Lie was calmly fiddling with the musket in his hand, when a familiar voice suddenly came from the crowd.
"Step aside!"
With a low growl.
Then I saw a few strong men with big shoulders and round waists, pushing away the crowded crowd without politeness, and walking over surrounded by a majestic young master.
Several Yangzhou scholars were pushed and stumbled, and they turned around to curse, but when they saw these people's muscular bodies and the thick flesh on their necks, they quickly shut their mouths.
This group of people is not easy to mess with at first sight!
Ever since.
Under Shen Lie's gaze.
Li Rusong squeezed in easily, kicked over the table that was in the way, and pulled a chair to sit next to Shen Lie.
Shen Lie was stunned and quickly asked: "Hey...what does Mr. Li mean by this?"
But Li Rusong ignored him and just sat there with a carefree attitude, grinning and saying: "Brother Shen doesn't know something. We, Li, love to join in the fun most in our lives."
Shen Lie was speechless.
Think about it.
Shen Lie Yingwu frowned slightly and advised tactfully: "In this matter... Master Li, it's better not to interfere."
Didn't this harm him?
But Li Rusong also crossed his legs and said carelessly: "Li is the deputy general of the Shenji Battalion, a third-rank officer."