Not long after, all the principals of Zhang Feng Mansion and other major families came to the county government office.
Zhang Fengfu and others looked solemn.
The expressions on everyone's faces were a little uneasy. They had already handed over all 860,000 taels of silver to Lin Feng. The money has been given, even Shen Quan has been dead for several days, and many things with the Yang family have become a thing of the past.
Lin Feng suddenly summoned them, but they were still extremely worried. What if Lin Feng turned against him and refused to recognize him, and there would be liquidation?
This is the idea of Zhang Fengfu and the others.
After Zhang Fengfu stood still, with a respectful expression on his face, he cupped his hands and said, "Greetings to the Marquis."
The rest of the people saluted one after another.
Lin Feng waved his hand and said: "I invite you all to come here today not for the affairs of the Yang family in the past, nor for the affairs of Shen Quan. Yang Shanlong and Shen Quan have been punished for their crimes, and their matters have become a thing of the past. There is no need to go there again." Consider it. So, you don’t have to worry.”
call! !
Zhang Fengfu breathed a sigh of relief.
The rest of the people are also relieved.
As long as there is no accountability and the past becomes the past, that's fine.
Lin Feng continued: "Everyone is invited to come. I am here in Guzang County under His Majesty's arrangement to implement the reform policy formulated by the imperial court."
Zhang Fengfu said: "Master Hou, what kind of reform are you talking about?"
Lin Feng explained: "Nowadays, in Da Qin, taxes are based on people. However, after many years of Da Qin's founding, there have been a large number of hidden households in the local area, and many fields are difficult to verify. The court collects taxes, but in fact, many people will be missed. . Under this premise, the imperial court arranged for my official to come to Guzang County to implement a new tax collection method."
Zhang Fengfu's heart moved.
Poll tax!
This is the most important tax today.
Lin Feng wants to change taxes.
This is a big deal.
Zhang Feng's Mansion did not express its position for the time being, but took the initiative: "Master Lin Hou, how did the court arrange it?"
The rest of the people also looked over, and they all murmured in their hearts that it was not a good thing for Lin Feng to come to them. This tax reform would definitely not be beneficial to them.
They did not take a stance lightly.
Have to wait and see.
Lin Feng smiled slightly and said: "The imperial court's arrangement is to change the head tax. It will no longer be taxed based on people, but will be taxed based on land. In other words, this tax is based on how much land a household has. Each acre of land The tax price is determined, and the amount of land you have is taxed. This is the way to tax. Divide the land into acres, and tax according to the amount of land."
hiss! !
Everyone gasped.
Each of them looked extremely solemn.
These are all big families in Guzang County. In other words, they control the most land. Looking at the land controlled by the Yang family, these big families account for the majority of the land. According to the poll tax, big families have many hidden households. In fact, the poll tax collected is not much, which can be avoided.
If it is expropriated according to the land, after the land is investigated, the major families will not be able to avoid it and must pay the tax in real terms.
This requires a sum of money.
Just one or two years is enough. If it accumulates over many years, it is not small money.
Everyone was unwilling in their hearts. After all, the reforms Lin Feng wanted to implement would harm their interests.
Lin Feng was not surprised by the expressions everyone showed. When it came to the issue of cutting flesh, no one would be happy?
No one is stupid.
No one would take the initiative to cut their own flesh.
Lin Feng said calmly: "This reform is very crucial. What do you think?"
Zhang Fengfu smiled and said quickly: "Master Hou, this matter is not easy to handle, even very difficult. Think about it, today's taxation method, which is based on head taxation, has been passed down for thousands of years. In addition, the world Countries such as Xia, Jin, and Qi all levy poll taxes. There has never been any taxation based on land. Such a change will probably cause an uproar."
After Zhang Fengfu said something, he immediately looked at the others and cast a look.
Signaling the others to speak up for support.
When the others heard this, they all agreed.
"If you rashly change your tax collection strategy, you may be making an enemy of the world. This is unwise. Please think again, Lord Marquis."
"Everyone knows that the Marquis is wise and mighty. We understand that the Marquis is devoted to the public and the people. But when doing things, the Marquis should consider his own safety. Your arrangement is tantamount to putting yourself in danger. Roast."
"Once Guzang County implements reforms, the eyes of all the states in Daqin will focus on it. At that time, the pressure on the Marquis will be extremely huge. I think such a thing will cause a lot of damage. Marquis, you have to do it for me. For your own safety, don’t be too selfless.”
"Please, Lord Marquis, think twice."
People from all major families were all opposed to Lin Feng's reforms and hoped that Lin Feng would not implement them.
The reason is simple, it involves their interests. Each big family has a lot of land. Once it is divided into acres, each big family will hand over more money. Never mind anything else, they themselves are unwilling.
However, these people did not dare to provoke Lin Feng, so they changed their rhetoric to think of Lin Feng, and that Lin Feng could not ignore his own safety.
This is tactful persuasion.
To put it bluntly, if Lin Feng doesn’t take this muddy water, we won’t support him.
Lin Feng listened to everyone's words, his expression was still calm, and he sighed and said: "It seems that you are not willing to support it. Anyway, forceful melons are not sweet. If you don't support it, then I can only push forward this project myself at the moment. reform."
"After all, this is my mission."
"But since this is the case, my business cooperation with you cannot proceed. For this business, I have to find another person myself."
"Oh, what a pity."
Lin Feng shook his head, looking regretful.
Zhang Fengfu was actually curious, especially when he saw Lin Feng hesitated to speak, he was thinking in his heart.
Business?
Could it be a slave business?
Is it the government that wants to run this business?
If this is really the case, it is different. If we operate it together with the government, it will be beneficial and harmless.
This is an excellent opportunity.
Zhang Fengfu was not sure what kind of business it was, but he was guessing in this direction. He glanced around and saw that the expressions on these people's faces were filled with emotion. When Zhang Fengfu arrived, he understood what everyone meant.
This is something to understand.
If the interests are suitable, then agree to Lin Feng's reforms. They are all for making money anyway.
Zhang Fengfu asked: "Master Hou, what kind of business is this?"
Lin Feng smiled and said: "I am quite happy to get along with you. Since Mr. Zhang asked about it, I will tell you."
He ordered: "Someone, bring it up."
An attendant came in carrying a dish of salt. Lin Feng pointed at Zhang Feng's Mansion, and the attendant handed it over.
"Is this salt?"
Zhang Fengfu was very curious and asked: "Master Hou's business is salt?"
Lin Feng said: "Yes, the next business I am going to run is selling salt. Mr. Zhang is an experienced man. You are mature and prudent in your actions. You are also well-informed and have rich experience. Take a look at the quality of this refined salt." ?”
Zhang Fengfu took the plate, stretched out his hand to twist a little salt, and put it in his mouth.
The taste of salt is very pure.
Not bitter or astringent.
Moreover, this salt is extremely fine, as white as snow, without any impurities. Such pure salt is extremely rare in Guzang County or in Liangzhou as a whole. Such pure salt can only be used by truly wealthy families.
Most small families can't afford it.
The sale of salt and iron has always been restricted. It is run by the government and ordinary merchants cannot get involved.
This is an iron rule.
Now Lin Feng has mentioned that it seems that restrictions in this area will be relaxed and private operations will be allowed?
There was a look of expectation in Zhang Fengfu's eyes, and he said, "Master Lin, can we get involved in the salt business you mentioned?"
"certainly!"
Lin Feng answered with a smile.
He said directly: "I have discovered a salt well in Guzang County. Although the location is relatively remote, it is not difficult. I recruit people to work and dig a road to the mountains, so that I can boil salt on a large scale."
"It's April now, the spring plowing has almost ended, and the people are free. In addition, when I recruit people to do work, I don't ask for corvees. I just pay the people to do the work. It is expected that the people must participate enthusiastically."
"As long as the roads are open and there are a large number of salt wells, salt can be continuously boiled and sold on a large scale."
"Well, my original plan was that you donated 860,000 taels of silver. You are all sincere people. I admire it very much and plan to work with you. I will represent the government to mine and mine salt. Steam.”
"After the salt is made and packaged, it will be run by big families like you. Originally, I asked you to do business together. But you are not happy, so that's it."
Lin Feng shook his head and sighed.
It seemed that he was very sorry, but he also looked like he was not forcing anything.
"no no!"
Zhang Fengfu didn't even think about it and said, "Master Hou, we are willing and we are willing to cooperate."
"Master Hou is benevolent and righteous, how can we not support him?"
"I'm willing to do the salt business."
"The Marquis can represent the government and arrange for people to sell salt directly, but the Marquis is kind-hearted and gives us the opportunity to make money. This can be said to be a kind heart. With such great benevolence and righteousness, we should follow the Marquis."
"Please rest assured, Lord Marquis, we will run the salt industry well."
One by one he kept opening his mouth.
Among these people, some are wealthy businessmen and gentry, and some are members of large families. No matter who they are, they all have one essence, that is, they love money, and they all want to open up financial paths for the family. If you don’t even have the most basic means of making money, let alone other things in the future.
The essence of family inheritance still lies in the inheritance and accumulation of material foundation.
This is the basis.
On this basis, as well as the inheritance of knowledge and being an official and a good person, the family can continue to pass it on.
So when Lin Feng opened his mouth, these people were moved. However, these people kept expressing their opinions one by one, but Lin Feng did not speak for the time being. Instead, he kept his airs, because for Lin Feng, he was not in a hurry for the time being.
Many people are willing to make money.
Do these big families really think they can make money if they want to?
So naive.
Lin Feng didn't speak. He just picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip of tea, looking thoughtful.
When Zhang Fengfu saw it, he immediately understood.
What a great Lin Feng.
Although he is not very old, he is very sophisticated. Lin Feng's intention was to use the salt business to exchange their support for Lin Feng and support Lin Feng's reform of tax collection methods.
They support Lin Feng and everything is easy to talk about.
They don't support it, so there's no need to talk about it.
This is fundamental.
Zhang Fengfu's mind was spinning, and after pondering for a while, he knew he couldn't refuse. Because of the little money involved in taxation, the bulk of the salt business is the annual operation. Even the salt business is not limited to Guzang County, but can also be operated in Liangzhou and other places.
This can make a lot of money.
Zhang Fengfu looked at the rest of the people, who all nodded slightly, having already made a decision.
Zhang Fengfu looked at Lin Feng and said directly: "Master Hou, in fact, we are also willing to help you. However, we have some concerns. However, Master Hou is willing to do it boldly, so what do we have to fear? I Wait, and fully support the Marquis in his tax reform, from per capita tax to one per mu, and tax money will be calculated based on the number of acres of land per household."
Lin Feng said: "Mr. Zhang, don't be too reluctant?"
"Not forced, not forced."
Zhang Fengfu shook his head, he was eager to get involved in the salt business, which was a huge profit.
The others also expressed their opinions.
Everyone supports tax reform because they see more benefits.
Lin Feng said seriously: "Since Mr. Zhang and everyone have said so, I have nothing to say. I will start to notify the tax reform and will inform all the people in Guzang County in the near future. At the same time, The settlement of this year’s taxes and the collection of this year’s taxes require you to take a stand on this matter.”
Zhang Fengfu promised: "We fully support it and will never shirk the responsibility. But when will salt be sold on a large scale?"
The salt business is the key, and it is also the reason why Zhang Fengfu and others are willing to accept the reform.
Only with the benefit of salt can the loss be replenished.
Lin Feng said: "It will take at least a month or two for large-scale sales. In addition, I can arrange for someone to take you to Lianhua Mountain to see the salt wells there and the conditions of cooking salt. . In addition, if you have more ideas, you can discuss it directly with my brother Huan Suzhi in the future."
Zhang Fengfu said: "Thank you, Lord Marquis. We will contact Mr. Huan right away and go to Lianhua Mountain to see the salt wells."
"Okay, let's get going."
After Lin Feng finalized the matter, he had no intention of continuing to argue with these people.
Zhang Fengfu and others no longer stayed and left one after another.
