Chapter 213 Let's do business tax! 【Ask for a monthly ticket】
Zhu Houzhao had a somewhat worried look on his face at this moment. Compared with others, Zhu Houzhao was really worried about what trouble Chu Yi would cause.
You must know that there are many people in the civil and military circles of the imperial court who are waiting for them, the monarch and his ministers, to make mistakes. Once something goes wrong, some of the officials will definitely not miss the opportunity to deal with Chu Yi.
Zhu Hou looked at Chu Yi with a worried look on his face and said: "Dad, that's millions of taels of salary a year. The national treasury can't support it at all. Even if I take out all the internal funds, I can't support it." How many years! If there is a mutiny in Beijing then..."
Zhu Houzhao planned to use his internal funds to fill this big hole. This shows how much Zhu Houzhao supports Chu Yi's decision, but he can't help but worry.
Chu Yi put down some of the memorials in his hand, his expression remained unchanged, but he calmly said to Zhu Houzhao: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry, I have my own solution."
Seeing Chu Yi's calm look, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but said anxiously: "I'm almost dying of panic, but my eldest companion seems to be okay. I wonder if my eldest companion can solve the problem. This is millions of taels of salary." . Even if the big companion goes to ransack the house by then, it won’t be a long-term solution!”
Fortunately, there were only Zhu Houzhao, Chu Yi, and Gu Dayong present. If this was above the court, it would not drive the officials crazy.
After several house raids, it seemed that in Zhu Houzhao's eyes, whenever he was short of money, he would just run a house raid.
Chu Yi shook his head slightly and said: "Your Majesty, please listen to me explain in detail. I came here this time because I want to explain this matter to Your Majesty."
With his eyes bright, Zhu Houzhao stared at Chu Yi and said: "How can I solve this problem? Please tell me quickly and let me hear it."
Chu Yi said slowly: "Increase taxes!"
"What?"
Zhu Houzhao couldn't help being surprised. He obviously didn't expect Chu Yi to suggest raising taxes. This was not a good idea in Zhu Houzhao's opinion.
The people's power is limited. If the taxes are increased too much, it will inevitably lead to resentment among the people. This is what a wise king will not do!
Chu Yi smiled slightly. Just by looking at Zhu Houzhao's reaction, he knew that Zhu Houzhao must have misunderstood. He explained: "Your Majesty has misunderstood what I meant. I am not asking your Majesty to increase taxes on the people, but to increase business taxes, mining taxes, etc." Taxes, etc.”
Only then did Zhu Houzhao react, but then he frowned and said: "How come I didn't know that this move can increase the tax revenue of the treasury, but Daban should also know why Liu Daban was pushed down by those people in the first place. It was precisely because of the increase in commercial tax and mining tax." The tea tax aroused public resentment and led Zhu Zhixiu to rebel..."
Chu Yi showed a bit of disdain and said: "Liu Jin allowed his subordinates to take bribes and bend the law. Many of the jailers he assigned were illegal, which led to a catastrophe. As for the people's resentment, it is really funny. Your Majesty is not raising taxes on the people, but also Why is the public dissatisfaction boiling? It is nothing more than some people behind the scenes adding fuel to the flames and threatening the emperor with public opinion."
How could Zhu Houzhao not know this? But it was precisely because of this that Zhu Houzhao knew better how difficult it was to collect business taxes.
If commercial taxes are really so easy to collect, then generations of Ming emperors were not fools. Didn't they know how to increase commercial taxes? But no emperor has ever been able to succeed. This is simply a bottomless quagmire, even if Even if the emperor is caught in it, his life may be at risk.
With a bit of worry, Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said, "Daban, are you sure?"
A cold light flashed in Chu Yi's eyes and he said: "For the sake of the Ming Dynasty and your Majesty, I must be sure!"
Moved in his heart, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but get up and walk to Chu Yi. He couldn't help grabbing Chu Yi's hands and said: "My companion treats me like this, how can I repay you!"
Chu Yi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this is what I should do. How can I say that your Majesty will repay you?"
Zhu Houzhao turned slightly to the side, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, took a deep breath, then stared into Chu Yi's eyes and said: "You can just go ahead and do it. I am your strongest supporter. I will never do it."
Allow what happened to Liu Jin to happen again to Da Ban."
Chu Yi couldn't help but laugh and said: "Your Majesty compares me with Eunuch Liu, but you underestimate me too much!"
Zhu Houzhao said hurriedly: "I have absolutely no intention of doing this, but I promise to Daban that as long as I am here, no matter what happens, I will not allow anyone to harm Daban!"
Chu Yi saluted Zhu Houzhao and said, "I would like to thank your Majesty for your great kindness!"
The monarch and his ministers sat facing each other, their expressions full of solemnity. Except for Gu Dayong who was waiting at the side, all the servants in the hall were sent out.
In the main hall, Chu Yi looked solemn and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that your Majesty increase the commercial tax, tea tax, mineral tax, etc., and double it on the basis of what Liu Eunuch had previously implemented."
Because Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang did not pay attention to business, the commercial tax in the Ming Dynasty was only 1 in 30 taxes, and officials and scholars were exempt from tax.
The commercial tax only levied a tax of thirty-one, which is unimaginable in any dynasty. However, even with such a low commercial tax, those businessmen still tried every means to collude with the government and businessmen, even if it was a penny of commercial tax.
Don't want to pay.
The Ming Dynasty was such a huge country, and its business was so prosperous, that the commercial tax it could collect in a year was only a few hundred thousand taels, which is simply unbelievable.
Liu Jin previously sent internal supervisors to collect commercial taxes, mining taxes, etc., but they only doubled the 30 taxes per 1, barely reaching 15 taxes per 1. This directly led to a large number of local gentry, merchants, and dignitaries inciting the people to beat them.
, resist taxation.
These are all lessons learned vividly, and Liu Jin even risked his own life for this.
Now Chu Yi actually said that he would double the commercial tax levied by Liu Jin. Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi with some horror and couldn't help but said: "Daban, according to what you said, if the tax is doubled, then
It’s almost 15%. Isn’t this… too high?”
Chu Yi couldn't help but sneered when he heard this: "It's just 15%, which is already quite low!"
Chu Yi knew how high the commercial tax rate would be in later generations. In comparison, he only levied 15%, which was simply as low as it could be.
But for Zhu Houzhao and others, they could not even collect 10% of the 30% tax, and Chu Yi suddenly increased the tax to 15%, which is equivalent to a five-fold increase. If those merchants knew about it, it would not be a big deal.
ah.
Zhu Houzhao looked at Chu Yi and said: "Daban, why don't you... why don't you lower yourself a little!"
Chu Yi stared at Zhu Houzhao and said: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, this is already very low. Moreover, those people even think that thirty taxes and one tax is high. To them, what is the difference between ten taxes and seven taxes and one?
If someone really wants to use this to resist taxes, no matter how much it is, they will resist taxes!"
Zhu Houzhao, whose face was full of worry, sighed softly and said, "Are you ready to leave the capital?"
Zhu Houzhao was not a fool. Once the commercial tax was imposed, the whole country would be in an uproar. There was already only one rebel king, Zhu Zhixiu. Zhu Houzhao really couldn't imagine that there would be several more rebel kings.
Besides, if tax increases are tax increases, the key is to have strong enforcement. If there are not strong enough people to be responsible for enforcing this matter, I am afraid that no tax revenue will be collected by then.
The most suitable person is Chu Yi. Chu Yi proposed to increase taxes. Based on his understanding of Chu Yi, Chu Yi will definitely take charge personally and implement it.
The most prosperous place for commerce in the world is in the south of the Yangtze River. It is obviously impossible for Chu Yi to implement the new tax in the south of the Yangtze River while sitting in the capital. Therefore, it is imperative for Chu Yi to leave the capital and go to the south of the Yangtze River.
Chu Yi nodded and said: "What your Majesty said is true. If you want to implement the new tax, only if I go to Jiangnan in person can I hope to implement it."
Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath and said with a worried look: "But if the big companion goes here, I'm afraid it will be bad. Those people can condone or even secretly support the rebellion against the king. They will never worry about anything. Once the big companion leaves, it will really be a sheep." Entering the tiger's den, good or bad luck is unpredictable..."
Zhu Houzhao obviously saw clearly that it would be fine if Chu Yi did not leave the capital. Once he left the capital, he would be surrounded by enemies on all sides. Some people would never be honest and willing to hand over the gold and silver they had obtained.
Stealing people's money is like killing their parents. For those who only have money in their eyes and collude with officials and businessmen, not even the King of Heaven can even think of taking away a copper coin from them.
After glancing at Zhu Houzhao, Chu Yi raised his eyebrows and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. As long as your Majesty is firmly in the middle palace and in control of the overall situation of the DPRK, then I will not be in any danger locally."
Chu Yi then said: "When I have reorganized the capital camp and His Majesty has the military power, then I can leave the capital with peace of mind and go to the land south of the Yangtze River to implement new taxes."
Before fighting against the outside world, one must first settle down the inside. Chu Yi knew very well in his heart that he could ransack homes and kill people without restraint, precisely because he had a righteous name in his hands, and Zhu Houzhao was where the righteousness lay. As long as Zhu Houzhao was safe and sound, he would not be afraid of any calculations.
Once Zhu Houzhao had an accident, what could he do even if he had superb martial arts? Ouchi alone would be able to gather enough strong men to surround and kill him.
Therefore, Chu Yi must ensure that Zhu Houzhao is safe and sound. He knows that Zhu Houzhao's original death was quite strange. If some people are really crazy and want to change the world, it is not impossible.
There are many bold and reckless people in this world, not to mention that this time Chu Yi wants to forcefully implement the increase in commercial taxes. It is conceivable that if it does not cause an unprecedented killing, even Chu Yi himself will not believe it.
When that time comes, those wealthy gentry and merchants who have been blinded by money will definitely not sit back and pay business taxes honestly. No one can predict what these people will do in their madness.
[Well, here comes the third update. As always, please give me monthly votes, monthly votes, and rewards! 】