Li Mu originally wanted to explain that there was really nothing between him and Wei Yingluo. At least so far, there had been no disrespectful behavior between them, but after thinking about it, Li Mu felt that he could not guarantee what would happen in the future.
If you say too much, you will lose. If you say too much, you will be caught off guard for any one sentence. It is really unnecessary.
There was nothing to say all night. When Li Mu got up the next day, Zhang Tianai had disappeared. She now went to the office early every morning and was very conscientious. From this point of view, Zhang Tianai is obviously a typical career-oriented woman.
, Jin Chen was the complete opposite. She really liked acting, but after Bai Qiaoqiao became heavier and asked her to accompany him at home, she never mentioned her desire to act again.
This made Li Mu feel more satisfied with her and treat her better. Every time he went out, he would secretly bring her some small items. It was a little secret between the two of them. Of course Bai Qiaoqiao knew it.
, but she has never expressed her dissatisfaction. After Li Zhien left, Jin Chen spent the most time by her side, and their relationship became better and better. Jin Chen's temperament is very tolerant, unlike Zhang Tianai or
Li Zhien is so strong, so he is naturally easier to integrate.
The locust plague has basically come to an end. The Chidao project has also returned to normal. Even with the help of Monk Deyan of Baima Temple, the faithful men and women, lay Buddhists and pilgrims near Luoyang City were mobilized to invest in the construction. Some people
It is more efficient to use people, strong efforts, and financial donations to separate road sections and start construction together. Gongsun Kang calculated the construction period and found that before the snow fell, the completion of the section in Luoyang should not be a problem. As for the section in Chang'an,
Because it has not been affected by the locust plague, if nothing unexpected happens, it should be completed on time or even ahead of schedule.
Before the snow falls, the Chi Road will be closed, and the coal transportation plan will not be delayed. Li Mu's plan is to use coal to solve the heating problems in Chang'an and Luoyang this year. Naturally, there is not so much coal in the vicinity of Chang'an and Luoyang.
, and due to the monopoly of Datang Mining, mining is not allowed near Chang'an and Luoyang. Open-pit coal mines are mainly concentrated in Taiyuan, Shuozhou and other places. Therefore, how to balance coal mining and transportation before the snow falls is also a must
It’s something that needs to be put on the agenda.
Before the river is closed, it is necessary to transport coal to Chang'an and Luoyang through waterways. How to do this transportation link needs to be solved urgently.
People are needed to mine coal, and horses are needed to transport coal. If you want to transport large quantities of coal, you need ships. Coal can be transported by ship to Luoyang, but not to Chang'an. So, you can still make a fortune from Luoyang to Chang'an. Which link?
You have to invest money, which link can make money, who will make the money in which link, Li Mu has already made arrangements in his heart.
The establishment of Datang Mining happened last year. During this year, although Li Mu had not asked about the affairs of Datang Mining, he had also heard some news. Compared with Datang, which suffered from "difficult childbirth"
The development of the salt industry and Datang Mining has been smooth sailing, especially coal mining. There is so much coal near Shuozhou and Taiyuan that almost a layer of soil has been dug up, and all of it is coal underneath.
It is not an exaggeration to say that it is everywhere. So the so-called mining is just the word "dig".
The Wang family in Taiyuan needs money and people. There has been no delay in mining, and there is already a lot of stock. Li Mu has received news that Taiyuan is preparing to transport coal to Chang'an, but this matter, according to the King of Taiyuan,
Datang Mining, which is dominated by the Jin family, has not said hello to Li Mu, and it is true that it does not take him seriously.
According to the rules, this is understandable. Who asked you, Li Mu, to give up your own shares? But in terms of facts, this is a bit unethical. After all, without Li Mu, there would be no Datang Mining, and this money would not be earned.
Li Mu's character is also a bit strange. If the people from Datang Mining insist on giving him money, he will ask for it without seeing it. But if he is ignored, he will be a little unhappy. Who are you looking down on? So, hurry up
When coal was to be transported in Taiyuan, Li Mu issued a notice saying that in order to make up for the huge investment in building the Chidao, taxes and fees would be levied on the goods depending on the different goods and weights to be transported.
Once the notice was posted, it immediately caused an uproar.
Li Mu's move was very unethical. Although when he proposed to build the road, he also mentioned that he could collect 'tolls', but that was a fee, not a tax. It was a fee, and there was a fixed standard.
, and when Li Mu represented the imperial court, the fees he signed with various road construction companies were very low, and it would take a few years at the earliest to recover the cost.
But Li Mu built Chidao himself, and he set "taxes". There is a big difference between taxes and fees. Taxes cannot be paid, and taxes represent the official government and have no restrictions. Li Mu is the Marquis of Luoyang, and Luoyang is his.
If he wants to, he can set the price at will. Unless Li Shimin gives an order, no one can control him.
With this premise in mind, although Li Mu has not "charged excessively", people who are familiar with his temperament will feel that his statement at this time has already released a signal that he will do so. This is a clear sign.
If you don't give me any benefits, if you want to transport goods to Chang'an via Chidao in winter, you will definitely be in trouble.
The impeachment memorial flew into the palace like snowflakes. Li Shimin's decree was rushed 800 miles to Luoyang, asking him to explain the taxation.
Li Mu quickly gave an explanation, and his words were very concise. It cost a lot of money to build the road, and someone must pay for it? The two methods in front of us now are to either allocate funds from the court or collect taxes to make up for it. Whatever you do, Your Majesty
The Sacred Heart was arbitrary and he had no objection.
Where could Li Shimin get money for him? The treasury was empty, and the money in the inner treasury was his own, and he was not willing to take it out.
After deliberation for several days, Li Shimin finally expressed his support for Li Mu's tax collection. He was strongly resisted by the Yushitai. They pointed out Li Mu's previous sales of national bonds. The general idea was that Li Mu had raised hundreds of thousands through bond sales and other means.
According to what Li Mu said at the time, the money was enough to build Chidao, but now it is not enough. Where did the money go? Is it corruption? An explanation must be given!
Li Shimin was also curious about where the money went, so he rushed eight hundred miles away and asked Li Mu: Where did the money go?
Li Mu also replied quickly: It was used for disaster relief, there are accounts, and every transaction can be checked. It is true that there is no money.
Others don't know the details, but Li Shimin does. Although the locust plague looks serious, it actually doesn't cost much. Li Mu's argument is untenable. There must still be money, and Li Mu will not be corrupt.
He just wants to collect taxes.
Li Shimin really wanted to ask, why did Li Mu himself talk about tax collection when he said he would lighten the corvee and reduce taxes. But since he was in Luoyang, it was inconvenient for him to ask. In the court, the voices of opposition became more and more serious.
Big, he really can't handle the pressure.
Just when he was considering whether to call Li Mu back for questioning, another news came out of Luoyang.
The big stick of tax collection has been implemented from the clamor. The Luoyang Marquis Mansion posted a notice that all Luoyang City merchants must file accounts within a time limit. All transactions are taxed thirty-one, whether it is a shop or a market, all taxes are collected according to this. Take the initiative to pay
Commercial taxes can be reduced or reduced, refunded, or even subsidized depending on the circumstances. However, those who refuse to pay commercial taxes will be immediately jailed, fined, exiled, and distributed upon verification, and will not be tolerated.
When the news came back to Chang'an, not only the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were confused, but Li Shimin himself was also confused.
What is Li Mu going to do? Is he going to declare war?
Commercial taxes have existed since ancient times, but they only existed. Because actual tax collection is very difficult to achieve. For ordinary people, many of their transactions are barter or work in exchange. And the so-called
Merchants rarely do their own business. Most of the merchants in Chang'an and Luoyang are slaves of big families and powerful men, and they are just in charge of business for the forces behind them.
In short, in this era, those who can afford to do business and build a certain scale are basically the privileged class. For example, the five surnames and seven sects, such as nobles, nobles, aristocrats, etc., if you want to collect taxes, in the final analysis, it is based on their
Take money out of your pocket. Luoyang is the throat of Chang'an. You, Li Mu, are stuck in the throat and collect taxes and fees. What is the difference between this and blackmailing the world?
More importantly, if we take this example and standardize commercial taxes, the court will benefit from it, but for the privileged classes such as nobles and nobles, how much will their losses be? Li Mu asked for thirty taxes per one, and they
The loss is one-thirtieth. Can they recognize such a loss?
Li Shimin had always dreamed of collecting commercial taxes, but he himself felt that this matter might not be possible. But Li Mu suddenly did it. Although Li Shimin admired his courage, he felt that Li Mu was talking nonsense.
Why do you think you can accomplish this?
…
Ma Zhou also had the same doubts. When he got the news, Ma Zhou was still collecting public grains. As soon as he received the news, he hurried back to Luoyang City and found a man who was using his [tailoring] skills to make clothes for his unborn child.
Li Mu, the majestic Lord of Luoyang, and the only Chehou of the Tang Dynasty, was actually wearing a lead to make a female prostitute. Ma Zhou almost fainted and suppressed his words. He waited for Li Mu to cut off the last thread before casting
After the ceremony, he asked aloud.
"...What does the Marquis have as a basis? Don't you know that this has aroused public outrage?"
"Be patient," Li Mu looked at the 'crotchless pants' he had made, nodded with satisfaction, and put them aside. After the skill upgrade, the effect was much better. He put aside all the clothes he had made all morning.
Okay, he turned around and looked at Ma Zhou and said, "What can we use as a basis? Just use Luoyang as a basis? Take the Chi Road that is about to be repaired as a basis? What else can we use as a basis?"
"Master Marquis, do you think they will pay taxes obediently?" Ma Zhou wanted to say that you are too naive, but seeing Li Mu's half-smiling look, he didn't dare to say it for some reason.
"They have to pay taxes." Li Mu chuckled, as if he was talking about a normal thing: "Winter is coming soon. There is a shortage of food and clothing in Chang'an. People are sick, and there is a shortage of medicinal materials. Internal Affairs
The government has signed a lot of orders, and they must be delivered before winter, otherwise it will be a breach of contract. If you breach the contract, you will have to pay money, and it is not a small amount of money, but a large amount of money, you know that?"
Of course Ma Zhou knew, but what he didn't know was how these were related.
"You really disappoint me." Li Mu sighed, shook his head, and said, "I thought you were a smart person, but I didn't expect that your knowledge is still shallow... I built Chidao, and Luoyang City is under my control. They
If they don't pay the tax, I will block the road and prevent them from passing. How dare these mere merchants rebel? They don't have to pay the tax, and I won't force them. But if the time limit of the order is missed, you can't blame me for losing money. Obviously
There will be no delay after paying the tax, right? Of course they can also go to His Majesty to complain, but I am in Luoyang after all, and Your Majesty cannot ask me face to face. The courier is rushed 800 miles away, and it takes two days to come and go.
Hou has plenty of time, so why don’t we all start wrangling together? Anyway, if you don’t pay taxes, I will block the road and let you pass, and let’s see who suffers the greater loss.”
Li Mu sneered and said: "After three or two months of waffling, even if your Majesty calls me back to Chang'an, it doesn't matter. I won't pay any compensation!"
The corner of Ma Zhou's mouth twitched, and he almost blurted out the word "shameless". This was a series of tricks. He finally understood why Li Mu added a breach of contract clause when he presided over the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It turned out to be a trap! A few days ago,
Aren't the grain merchants in Luoyang just afraid of breaking the contract, so they were manipulated by Li Mu? Who would have thought that someone with such a trick can actually use one move twice, and it's so easy to use!
Ma Zhou suddenly thought of something and asked: "Master Hou, isn't it? I remember there seems to be some kind of 'Datang Insurance'. Isn't it just this kind of insurance? You suddenly imposed taxes, which is considered a 'force majeure'
'Well, if there is a delay, Datang Insurance will have to pay for it!"
"Ha!" Li Mu smiled even more happily. He took out a piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Ma Zhou. Ma Zhou took it and looked at it carefully. It turned out to be an insurance policy issued by Datang Insurance, and he saw the third clause in the agreed terms.
The article clearly states that the goods insured by Datang Insurance are only applicable to legal goods within the scope of Datang Law. The owner of the goods must bear the obligation to inform. If the goods are found to be illegal, the insurance policy will be invalid and Datang Insurance can refuse
compensation.
Ma Zhou immediately understood where the pit was.
According to the law of the Tang Dynasty, thirty taxes are legal. If you don’t pay the tax, then your goods are illegal. If the goods are illegal, I will not pay compensation. You deserve to pay no matter how much you pay, but there is no such thing in the breach of contract clause of the order.
If your goods are judged to be illegal, the order does not need to be delivered. This seems to be no problem, but it is a clean slate. With this, Datang Insurance will not lose a penny.
Ma Zhou looked at the policy for a long time, and finally bowed to the end: "The Marquis has left no stone unturned, Ma Zhou accepts it!"