Today is the time for regular meetings again. People who work in various yamen have also come to each yamen to order their meals. It is probably due to the cold weather. The staff in each yamen have a high absenteeism rate. They either have colds, fevers, runny noses, or backaches. My legs are cramped, but the attendance rate of each government office is less than 30%. Several officials who had the opportunity to attend the regular meeting have come to work one after another. After all, it is a regular meeting only once a week. Although several officials also want to take leave to rest, they can only think about it.
The first people to come were the British Duke Zhang Luzi and the Zhenguo Duke Qian Song. They arrived at Yingtian Mansion the next day after discussing the matter the night before yesterday. In order to complete the matter smoothly and successfully, they and several of them were in the same trench. The comrades discussed it and found the most appropriate way to respond to possible emergencies.
When the two of them stepped into the threshold of the meeting hall, they saw Duke Shouyi of Min sitting on one side. Seeing this, the two Dukes were also very concerned.
"Old Wang, you are not feeling well yet, why don't you stay home for a few more days?"
Seeing the two of them, Wang Shouyi stood up slightly and replied with a smile, "You are here too. You are old, and you can't rest like that no matter what."
People who have experienced life and death together have very deep feelings for each other. Seeing their former comrades now withered and haggard, the two princes are still frightened. One day soon, they themselves will be the same. A hero's end, his prime years are hard to come back, his youth is easy to grow old, and this is the great tragedy of life.
Seeing that there was no one else in the room, Duke Zhen lowered his voice and asked in a low voice, "Old Wang, are you really going to do this?"
"I'm old and don't have many years left to live. If I want to get something, I have to let go of something."
"Actually, you don't have to be like this. With Lao Zhang and me, we are enough. You don't need to take action."
"Haha, thank you for your kindness. You and Lao Zhang can only save him but not help him," Wang Shouyi disagreed.
"But,,"
At this moment, Li Yutang, the Minister of Civil Affairs, slowly moved into the meeting hall with the support of Zhang Songhe and Liu Wenzheng, followed by the cabinet minister Li Jinchen.
Seeing Wang Shouyi, who had been recovering from illness for many days and had not been heard from for a long time, suddenly appeared in the meeting hall. Several people were stunned for a moment, but they quickly looked away. They didn't have a good impression. After all, he was not a brother of his own class. There were a lot of doubts in the eyes of several people. When Min Guogong appeared here today, he definitely didn't just come to have a look to make his presence felt, but a few people didn't make too many guesses, and they would know it soon.
Not long after, Song Qian, the Duke of Dingguo, also came in a hurry.
Well, for the sake of the incense of the old Song family, Ding Guogong recently made another earthwork. Song Qian went to bed very late last night and got up a little late in the morning.
Seeing his brothers, Song Qian said hello one after another, "Brothers, you are so early."
"Haha, Lao Song, why are you getting up so late again? Let me tell you, be careful of your waist." The brothers knew about the brothers, and Zhang Luzi couldn't help but complain.
"Tch, Lao Zhang, let me tell you, don't be dissatisfied, my waist is definitely better than yours."
"Hahaha, I can prove this," Qian Song couldn't help but end.
"Old Qian, you are farting. My Lao Zhang's waist is definitely the best in the Ming Dynasty. Let me tell you, I got a pair of decoctions from Sister Yaobushi, which is very good for my waist." Zhang Luzi smiled mysteriously.
Hearing this, Liu Wenzheng's ears pricked up. After all, his hobby was also very expensive, and Liu Wenzheng also needed to take this prescription three times a day.
"Really, fake, give me the prescription later and I'll try it." Song Qian, the Duke of Dingguo, couldn't wait. After all, his waist needs a sword to keep him from growing old.
"Okay, no problem. I'll send a copy to each of my brothers later. By the way, Lao Wang, I asked for a prescription for treating high blood pressure from my sister Yao Buxie. I'll send it to your house later."
After all, they were all important ministers in the court, and Zhu Xiluo did not let these people put their heads in their belts to serve him and serve the Ming Empire. On such a cold day, there was still a stove burning in the meeting hall, but I didn't know it was coal. The quality problem is also due to the quantity of coal. The temperature in the room is close to zero or below zero.
Fortunately, this is not the first time for several ministers of the DPRK and Central Government to have experienced this. They are all very experienced, and each of them is dressed like a mummy.
At this moment, Zhu Xirong walked in slowly. She must have felt the cold weather today. Zhu Xirong wore more clothes today and was holding a hot water bottle made of deerskin in her hand.
"Good morning, Sister Zhu is a bit late today," Zhang Luzi, a social maniac, spoke first again.
"My lord, it's early for you too. Women, you have to be slower." Today, Zhu Xirong is dressed very colorfully. She wears a red long-sleeved robe with a cotton waistcoat underneath, and over-the-knee boots on her feet. It is also made of cotton, and wears a gold hairpin inlaid with precious stones, which shows its nobility.
After all, women always have to put on makeup when going out, so it is understandable and forgivable for women to be late.
Suddenly Zhu Xirong saw Wang Shouyi sitting upright and saw Duke Min's haggard face. Zhu Xirong had some worry on his face and asked, "Master, why are you here? Are you okay?"
Wang Shouyi bowed slightly and said, "Thanks to Mr. Zhu, I'm feeling much better."
"My lord, I see that you look very bad. You need to get more rest." After saying that, Zhu Xirong put the hand warmer bag in Wang Shouyi's arms. "You shouldn't come out in such a cold day." ".
"Thank you Mr. Zhu, I'm fine."
Sitting down in his seat, Zhu Xirong looked at several important ministers of the Ming Empire present, made some gestures with his eyes, and then took them back.
The adults each sat in their own seats, and the boy served him plain boiled water without heat at the right time. No one picked it up. It was obvious that the battle a few days ago had no winner, and everyone wanted to fight again. idea.
"Hey, old money, it's better to practice martial arts. Look at those shameless and helpless people, as cold as dogs in the water." Zhang Luzi was the first to speak. Of course, Zhang Luzi had always been a pioneer. All kinds of battles are fought at the forefront.
"Oh, haha, Lao Zhang, your literary quality has improved a lot, and you can use metaphors." Qian Song was a little confused. Of course, Qian Song's years of tacit understanding did not let Zhang Luzi's words come to fruition.
"Who do you think is a dog?" Zhang Songhe shouted.
Zhang Songhe has also been very happy in the past few days. The local specialties sent by friends from Fanbang have entered the Zhang family's warehouse. He is in high spirits due to happy events in life. Zhang Songhe's temper has improved a lot. However, Zhang Songhe is also a powder keg, and he can catch fire at a moment's notice. Facing Zhang Luzi's provocation, my uncle could tolerate it, but my aunt didn't agree.
"Oh, I've never heard of someone picking up money, but I've never heard of someone scolding him." Zhang Luzi was very arrogant and looked like someone who deserved a beating. Well, his image fit the scene of Huang Shiren forcing Yang Bailao to sell his daughter.
"Zhang Luzi, you are going too far." Liu Wenzheng, as the Minister of Punishment, has a slightly higher fighting ability among the others, so he can only fight head-on.
"Hey, I'm telling you, Old Liu, you scholars are so narrow-minded." Dingguo Gong didn't feel comfortable being a bystander and actively joined the battlefield. "What Lao Zhang just said is a person who has no power to restrain a chicken. Speaking of you, who in the capital doesn’t know that you, Liu Zongheng, are invincible in Yingtianfu brothel? Not only are you talented at catching chickens, but you are also talented at sleeping chickens. How could you not be able to tie chickens?"
Well, it is not a secret that Mr. Liu likes beauty. Basically everyone in Yingtian Mansion, from the princes and ministers to ordinary people, knows that Mr. Liu has such a hobby.
"That's right, Lao Liu, please don't take your seat," Qian Song made a last strike.
It is difficult for two fists to defeat four fighters. Liu Wenzheng is the opponent of three fighters alone.
"Ahem, as the ancient saying goes, those who work hard will govern others, and those who work hard will govern others. If you have a simple mind and well-developed limbs, you will never be able to find a place of elegance with dirty words," the boss Li Yutang took action.
"Yes, Mr. Li is right. According to my research for many years, simple-minded people's brain cells are less active and resistant to freezing." Liu Wenzheng also left the field to join the battle.
Having long been accustomed to the officialdom of the Ming Empire, Wang Shouyi looked calm. If it weren't for physical reasons, he would have ended up.
It was like this every time, and Zhu Xirong was helpless and frowned slightly. The body instinctively moves farther away from the battlefield.
In terms of eloquence, how could the Dukes be the rivals of those scholars? They were defeated in just a few words.
"What the hell, Lao Zhang, I don't want to see you guys dragging people around." Zhang Luzi rolled up his sleeves and wanted to do something.
Qian Song hurriedly stopped him, "Old Zhang, let's forget it for today. Lao Wang is still not well, so we can avoid accidental injuries."
Ding Guogong Song Qian looked at Wang Shouyi, who had closed his eyes and said nothing, and asked worriedly, "Old Wang, if you are not feeling well, don't come to the meeting. You can recuperate at home."
Hearing everyone's concern, Wang Shouyi also opened his eyes and looked at several colleagues who cared about him with a smile on his face: "Thank you for your concern, brothers. I'm fine, but I can't take care of myself when I'm old."
"Brother Wang, don't think too much," Zhu Xirong, who had never spoken, also advised, "Your body is just overworked and you can recover by taking more rest."
Facing Zhu Xirong, Wang Shouyi clasped his fists and bent down, "Thank you, sister. Brother is so old and has only a few years to live. From now on, the world will be dominated by young people."
At this moment, Hao Liande's voice came from outside, "The Holy One has arrived." As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Xiluo's figure appeared in everyone's sight.
All the ministers stood up and clasped their fists. Zhu Xiluo waved his hand and motioned for everyone to sit down.
Seeing the sudden appearance of Wang Shouyi, Zhu Xiluo was also a little surprised, "Mr. Min, how are you doing? Don't worry about it."
"Thanks to the relationship between the emperor and the emperor, I can still maintain my health."
"You, you, you are still as stubborn as before." Zhu Xiluo complained a few words, and then told the servants waiting on the side, "Go, prepare an extra stove and put it next to Duke Min. Don't catch a cold again."
Wang Shouyi stood up quickly to thank him. Zhu Xiluo waved his hand to stop Wang Shouyi from standing up, "Okay, don't fix those things, sit down quickly. If your body can't hold on, go back early."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, I will spare you the trouble." Wang Shouyi was very grateful. Seeing Zhu Xiluo, whose hair was already a little gray, Wang Shouyi seemed to see Zhu Xiluo again more than ten years ago, with nostalgia and too much reluctance.
The clerk took the order and quickly brought another stove and placed it next to Wang Shouyi.
Wang Shouyi would like to express his gratitude.
It is estimated that only Wang Shouyi among the people working on it has this kind of reputation. They are all envious, not of the stove, but of the Holy Grace.
Zhu Xiluo quickly entered the topic, "Dear ladies, if you have something to talk about, if nothing else, we will break up the meeting."
The first person to speak was Qian Song. Qian Song stood up and took out the memorial he had written. Then Hao Liande took it and handed it to Zhu Xiluo.
After Zhu Xiluo read it, he looked at Qian Song: "For the sake of the Ming Empire, Lord Zhen Guo, you have troubled yourself. I have a lot of feelings after reading it. Now our Ming Empire's border troubles have not been eliminated, the disasters are serious, the people are living in poverty, and the national treasury is in short supply." It is serious, and it is urgent to solve the financial problem." After Zhu Xiluo read it, he nodded with satisfaction, and then handed it back to Hao Liande, "Dezi, please read the memorial of the Duke of Zhenguo to all your beloved ministers."
Hao Liande accepted the order and read the contents of the memorial.
Everyone has heard it and felt a lot.
There is nothing wrong with the other points. After all, there is no need to pay taxes on your own land. However, when they heard that commercial taxes were to be collected, Li Yutang and other civil servants became a little anxious. Li Yutang was the first to object hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I think this. No, since the beginning of the country, the monarch and his ministers have not competed with the people for profit, but the people have become rich. The country is strong, and collecting commercial taxes has benefited the court and harmed the people. The government has been rich but the people have been poor. This is a sign of the country's ruin."
Zhu Xiluo waved his hand, "My dear, a few months ago I ordered the British Duke and the Zhenguo Duke to pilot the collection of commercial taxes in Songjiang Prefecture. The results were remarkable and the people did not object. Now it is necessary to collect commercial taxes."
"I believe that the foundation of the country lies in agriculture. Only one of the people is engaged in business. Collecting business taxes makes it more difficult for business people to make ends meet. If the remaining businessmen abandon business and return to farmland, the cultivated land of the people of our Ming Empire will be reduced again, making it even more difficult to maintain. Livelihood." Zhang Songhe, the Minister of Rites, also spoke. After all, I have many shops at home, so I have no way to hide from collecting taxes.
Before Zhang Songhe could speak, Qian Song interrupted him, "Mr. Zhang, without investigation, you have no right to speak. Do you know how much profit a businessman makes? The monthly profit is enough for the people's annual income. Commercial taxes are collected on them." It has no impact on survival."
"Yes, Old Man Zhang, doing business is very profitable. Let me tell you, every time a businessman makes a business, the money he earns is enough for ordinary people to eat for several days. It doesn't hurt them to collect some money." Zhang Luzi also explained that his Zhangjia Liang Company was an example. It was no exaggeration to say that the daily turnover was more than the Ming Empire's monthly fiscal revenue.
"It's nonsense," Li Yutang didn't believe it. His family members also did business, and every time they only made a small profit or even lost money. Fortunately, he had other income, otherwise he would just rely on the few members of his family. My own shop has long been unable to make ends meet. If I was asked to pay taxes again, wouldn’t my own shops still have to pay taxes?
"Okay, I think it's feasible, so the matter is settled. After the Zhenguo Guild, you can draw up a detailed charter and give it to me, so that Jin Yiwei can cooperate with you."
Zhu Xiluo directly slapped the board and asked Jin Yiwei to assist, that is, anyone who dissatisfied would be operated on.
Zhu Xiluo was also driven crazy by the money. He was still waiting for 150,000 taels to buy decorations in the backyard. "After the meeting, I will study the memorial with several adults to study the feasibility of other clauses."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take your orders."
Zhu Xiluo had already made up his mind, and several people who wanted to object found that their objections were ineffective. They could only think about how to recover the losses from other places.
"Otherwise, the threshold for giving gifts should be higher," Li Yutang thought.
"The charges at the Criminal Department Yamen seem to be a bit low," Liu Wenzheng thought over and over again and came to the conclusion.
"Should this sacrificial ceremony be held once a month?" Zhang Songhe felt that it was necessary to mention it to the Holy Father.
"Li Jinchen, uh, okay, let's wait for help from a few comrades."
