In order to rebuild the economic order, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty adopted a low-tax policy for business. Before the founding of the Ming Dynasty, merchants were levied official store money at a tax rate of one in fifteen. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it became one in twenty, and soon it became thirty tax. 1. Some folk daily necessities, daily necessities, cultural supplies and wedding and funeral items are exempt from tax. By the middle of the Ming Dynasty, although commerce had been very developed and capital had sprouted, commercial taxes were pitifully low. In addition, some businessmen were speculative and faked accounts and taxes. The money they received even went to tax officials for running errands. Not even a fee.
There is a story in "History of the Ming Dynasty" that He Xun served as the tax envoy of Shashi for ten years in 1510. Once the task was completed, he would reduce taxes. And the other one is even more excessive, Yang Shiqiao, a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing. Except for the head of the Ministry of Works. In the winter of the first year of Longqing's reign, he came to the top of the current political affairs and said: "Three things should be done with caution. Diligent lectures at court every day are the signs of cultivating virtues. Personally deciding on chapters and memorials is the sign of issuing orders. Being able to listen to what is said and being able to judge is the sign of making things happen. Disadvantages The most serious ones are nine: it is laziness in governing the body, it is said that laws and regulations are changed frequently, it is said that rewards and punishments are unorganized, it is said that expenses are too complicated, it is said that officials are too excessive, it is said that farmland disturbs the people, it is said that customs are extravagant, it is said that morale is low, it is said that discussions are vain. . There are three reasons for emphasizing the power: it is difficult to control the official temple, it is difficult to continue the lineage, and it is difficult to revive the border." When he was sparse, the emperor praised him, and it was passed down at home and abroad.
It has to be said that Yang Shiqiao was still very educated, and his vision must have been very high at the time. However, in 1560, Yang Shiqiao discussed taxes in Hangzhou and ordered the merchants to declare their own income, and there was no one to predict the loss. The general meaning is that everyone pays taxes as they please, paying as much as they want. That year, Lao Yang collected seven taels of tax money, which shows that the imperial court did not pay much attention to commercial taxes at that time.
The top and bottom are the same, so naturally the business tax is very poor. When the Ming Empire was established, due to wars and a lot of waste, natural commercial taxes were not collected. Even some enlightened businessmen paid a symbolic amount of commercial taxes, such as the few princes here. That is, each family has its own industry, but they have a fearless spirit and a sentiment of doing everything for the country. Although the country does not collect commercial taxes, they still pay taxes. I have to say that several of the princes are capable ministers and virtuous people. Sir, how are you doing now? Since we have to collect business taxes again, how can this be done? The most important thing is that several others here also have their own properties, and they are not small. They are also the kind of people who never pay taxes. If you are taxed, you will bear the brunt of the tax, and you will be the one who has to pay the tax. Of course, this is not allowed.
As soon as Qian Song finished speaking, he was immediately opposed by the capitulation faction. The same words said that the king cannot compete with the people for profit. As long as business taxes are increased in all dynasties, there will be no good end. Basically, the country will be destroyed.
Zhu Xiluo had known for a long time that he would encounter such a situation, and he had no choice but to say: "We will discuss the collection of commercial taxes later. Aiqing is thinking about whether there are other good ways."
Everyone fell into thinking again, and the capitulation faction was very happy that Zhu Xiluo was on their side.
Not long after, a female voice came. Her voice was like a nightingale, soft and pleasant. Naturally, it was the voice of Zhu Xirong. Zhu Xirong was about fifty years old, but because of her careful maintenance, she looked to be in her forties. Zhu Xirong never married. Zhu Xirong also arranged several blind dates for Zhu Xirong. They were all famous and capable people in various fields, including military generals, civil servants, and even businessmen, but they were all rejected by Zhu Xirong. , in the end Zhu Xiluo had no choice but to let Zhu Xirong remain single, becoming the highest-status leftover woman in the Ming Empire.
Zhu Xirong said: "Your Majesty, I don't think Kaiyuan must rely on tariffs to increase tax revenue. I visited the Japanese country some time ago. The Japanese country used to be our vassal state and a defeated country. But now in just a few decades, their country has taken on a completely new look, and its industry and commerce are very prosperous. It is developed, and a large number of manufacturing and heavy industries have emerged."
Before Zhu Xirong finished speaking, he was interrupted by Li Yutang. Li Yutang was a lifelong scholar. Although Zhu Xirong was a royalist, Li Yutang did not shrink back. Military generals fought to the death, civil servants remonstrated to the death, and loyal ministers If you have something to say, say it, well, that's what Lao Li thinks. I guess this is what these scholars call character.
Li Yutang said: "Mr. Zhu, this statement is wrong. "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" says that the country of Gai is south of Juyan and north of Japan, and Japan belongs to Yan. Since then, a large number of people from our Central Plains have moved here, and the country of Japan belongs to our Central Plains. As a subordinate country, Emperor Taizu Gao once listed the Japanese country as a country not to be conquered. The Japanese country also regarded our Central Plains as the main country and sent envoys to pay tribute to our dynasty many times. After the war, it became a descendant state of some Western countries. In order to cater to the empire Doctrine, and even sent their own people to serve as their slaves. Just imagine how a country with such a famous family, which has no spine, no character, and no bottom line, could develop like this. How could it be better than our Ming Empire? If you are powerful, why should Mr. Zhu increase the morale of others and destroy his own prestige?"
Li Yutang is worthy of being a well-read man of poetry and books. He quotes from classics and what he says is clear and logical. However, the strength of a country has something to do with the quality of the famous nation. However, Li Yutang did not make himself stupid by reading. Zhu Xi Rong was a royalist, so naturally Zhu Xiluo's face had to be taken care of, so he raised his hand and said: "Master Zhu, this is just a case-by-case basis and not directed at anyone. I hope Master Zhu won't take offense."
"What Mr. Li said is absolutely true. How can my sister be offended?" Zhu Xirong said. Although she was very angry, the dissatisfaction in her heart did not show on her face.
Zhang Luzi couldn't stand it anymore. After all, Zhu Xirong was also a beauty when she was young. She was also one of the first few important ministers to seek refuge with Zhu Xiluo. She was also Zhang Luzi's comrade-in-arms, unlike those of the surrender faction. They were all A man who is aware of current affairs changed his family when he saw that there was no hope in Shun Dynasty. Even Li Yutang had to pass countless examinations in Shun Dynasty and failed to pass the exam, so he came out to serve Zhu Xiluo.
Click, another tea bowl was broken, cleaned up, and replaced with a new one. The whole process was smooth and smooth. The yamen servant didn't have any strange expression at all, and there were several tea bowls behind him, so he was probably making preparations.
When Zhu Xiluo thought that his two pig hooves would soon be gone, Zhu Xiluo felt heart-wrenching pain. When he saw Zhang Luzi smashing a tea bowl again, he said distressedly: "British sir, this is a blue and white porcelain bowl from Jingdezhen. It is available in the market." They cost more than thirty taels each, so be careful."
"Hahaha, Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I must pay attention." Zhang Luzi laughed stupidly a few times, and had a good attitude of admitting his mistakes, but he was a little more impressed by Zhu Xiluo's stinginess, and then said: "Old Li, "What you said is wrong. You interrupted me, Sister Zhu, before she finished speaking. Did Confucius ever teach you to do this? This is impolite and wrong."
"This is a gentleman's dispute," Li Yutang explained without changing his expression.
"You are blind, my sister Zhu is a woman." Zhang Luzi wanted to pat the tea bowl again, but when he thought of Zhu Xiluo's words, he held it back.
"You", Li Yutang's face turned pale, and he was probably very angry.
Song Qian also stepped forward to finish the attack: "Yes, Lao Li, you are more than thirty years older than my sister Zhu, and you are also your junior. How can you be like this? Respect the old and love the young. We must not only respect the elders, but also respect the young." We must love the young. Although the old people nowadays have become bad, we cannot let the children become old and bad again."
"Yes, yes, Lao Song is right. Lao Li, as the official minister, you must take the lead and lead by example. It is wrong for you to do this. Fortunately, my sister Zhu has a good temper and is not the same as you. Otherwise, My sister Zhu is angry, has wrinkles, and is no longer beautiful. Can you take responsibility? You, hum, do you want an old cow to eat tender grass? I know that you old boy has bad intentions. You always peek at me Zhu. Sister, it turned out that I had an idea for a long time."
The more Zhang Luzi talked, the angrier he became. He finally couldn't help it and smashed a tea bowl. Then he looked at Zhu Xiluo's heartbroken expression and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't be angry. I'll pay for it. I'll pay for it." He took out thirty taels from his pocket,
Seeing this, Zhu Xiluo said: "Including the two just now, there are a hundred taels in total."
"Three for one hundred taels, isn't it ninety taels?" Zhang Luzi muttered. '
"I like to make things happen"
"Uh, okay." Zhang Luzi could only take out another seventy taels.
Zhu Xiluo motioned to Hao Liande to accept it.
At this moment, Li Yutang's complexion has changed from pale to pale now. It is easy for people to think of a corpse that has been dead for three to five days.
Zhu Xirong blushed a little when she was told that. Zhu Xirong also had a good relationship with the four princes. She was very happy to see Duke Yingying and Duke Ding venting their anger on her. Said: "Thank you two brothers, don't worry, I would rather die than get married." Then he turned around and saw Li Yutang who had only taken in air but not out. Zhu Xirong continued: "Master Li, this little girl speaks more straightforwardly. I hope you won't be offended."
Finally, Li Yutang fainted. Of course, this was not the first time that something like this had happened. Soon a group of medical staff responsible for first aid appeared at the door. After several rounds of artificial respiration, Li Yutang was rescued. Of course, those responsible for artificial respiration were all He is an old man and also a man.
In the first confrontation, Li Yutang was completely defeated and was carried out.
Seeing Li Yutang being carried out, Qian Song also said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Li is so old and needs to retire and return to his hometown to take care of himself. I am very worried that Mr. Li will die in the court," and then He said in a low voice: "I heard that Mrs. Li is a shrew. I'm worried that Your Majesty, she will blackmail you for tens of thousands of taels."
Zhu Xiluo also didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Okay, okay, let's discuss the business."
Returning to the topic, Zhu Xiluo said: "Little sister, go on."
Because Zhu Xirong had a good relationship with Zhu Xiluo and always took good care of Zhu Xiluo, Zhu Xiluo adopted Zhu Xiluo as his sister, and her name was also given by Zhu Xiluo.
Zhu Xirong nodded and continued: "I think money is not saved by saving, but earned. We should try to conduct some trade exchanges with other countries and open some ports in a timely manner."
"Your Majesty, I don't agree with Mr. Zhu's point of view." Li Jinchen, a surrender faction, hurriedly interrupted Zhu Xirong, and then said: "Emperor Taizu Gao has taught that flat plates are not allowed to go into the sea, that is, even a ship is not allowed to go into the sea. We, the Ming Empire, serve Emperor Taizu Gao is the master, so naturally we must follow his instructions unconditionally."
