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Not to mention the secret agreement reached between Zhao Junchen and Huo Zhengyuan. Lok Man Novels
However, it was said that after the Southern Patrol Fleet rested for one night in Changzhou, it set off north again. Under the urging of Emperor Deqing, the Southern Patrol Fleet still sailed at full speed along the way, but in just over three days, it was We have crossed Zhenjiang and arrived in Yangzhou.
Due to the continuous rush, everyone in the southern patrol fleet felt exhausted, so Emperor Deqing was particularly merciful and ordered a day's rest in Yangzhou.
At the same time, the news communication between Emperor Deqing and the capital center finally returned to normal. Emperor Deqing finally got a rough idea of the process of Prince Zhu Heyu's rectification of commercial taxes.
In fact, Prince Zhu Heyu's action to rectify commercial taxes this time was not blindly reckless. In order to achieve his goal, he still implemented many strategic means.
First of all, Prince Zhu Heyu designed to alienate the relationship between the "Huang Party" and the "Shen Party", which not only greatly weakened Huang Yourong's control over the central temple, but also distracted Huang Yourong's energy. This is why Huang Yourong could not stop Zhu Heyu The main reason for rectifying business taxes.
Secondly, Prince Zhu Heyu also conducted full investigation and preparation before proposing the rectification of commercial tax. When he formally proposed it, he listed a large amount of detailed data - according to Prince Zhu Heyu, every year in the Ming Dynasty, The lost business tax revenue was no less than 20 million taels of silver, which was the biggest reason why the court was short of money and food! As a result, the people could not provide relief, the border defenses could not be prepared, and the emperor could not feel at ease. In order to continue the Ming Dynasty for a hundred years, commercial taxation must be rectified. All officials who opposed the rectification of commercial taxation had ulterior motives and evil intentions... In this way, Under the threat of the court's righteousness, many officials did not dare to raise objections even if they had different opinions in their hearts.
In the end, Prince Zhu Heyu also learned the principle of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. Several officials who strongly opposed the rectification of commercial taxation were found to have a large number of criminal evidence, many of which were related to commercial taxation. Then they were naturally dismissed from office by Prince Zhu Heyu and imprisoned. In this way, the opposition that was not very strong in the first place became even more insignificant.
These methods are quite clever. It is inconsistent with Prince Zhu Heyu's consistent style. It is obvious that when Prince Zhu Heyu implemented commercial tax rectification, he had the guidance of an expert behind his back.
However, Emperor Deqing could not guess who this expert was.
because. Emperor Deqing would never have thought that his seventh son Zhu Hejian, who was frail and low-key, would have the ability to turn clouds and rain with his hands. He just hid behind the scenes and used the hands of Prince Zhu Heyu to control the capital. The center was turned upside down!
*
However, although Emperor Deqing complained that the prince Zhu Heyu had caused a big problem in the commercial tax, he couldn't help but feel moved after seeing the prince's reason for rectifying the commercial tax!
Before this, everyone knew that there were many loopholes in the Ming Dynasty's commercial taxation, but this was because the matter of commercial taxation was too sensitive. No one has ever dared to actually touch it, so no one knows how serious the problem is!
However, after a detailed investigation by Prince Zhu Heyu, he found that the imperial court lost at least 20 million taels of silver every year due to various loopholes in commercial taxation. Only then did everyone understand how serious the problem of commercial taxation was!
Emperor Deqing was also a little moved after seeing this number!
Twenty million taels of silver per year! This is just a rough estimate! If the imperial court could earn an additional 20 million taels of silver every year, how many things would be enough for Emperor Deqing to do? !
Emperor Deqing regarded himself as a holy king, and he was an emperor who loved great achievements, but whether it was civil or martial arts, they were all inseparable from money! Since taking the throne. Emperor Deqing has always been troubled by the lack of money and food in the court. Now after seeing this number, he naturally felt a little emotional.
Perhaps Prince Zhu Heyu's move to rectify business taxes was a bit reckless. But it’s not entirely a bad thing?
For a moment, Emperor Deqing had such an idea.
However, after seeing the specific measures taken by Prince Zhu Heyu to rectify commercial taxes, Emperor Deqing could not help but shake his head and sigh.
Although Zhu Heyu overcame public opinion and implemented the rectification of commercial taxes, his specific measures to rectify commercial taxes were too taken for granted. He only abolished the private tax collections of prefectures, counties, six ministries, military towns, Huangzhuang and other yamen. stand. Then we will severely crack down on smuggling activities!
These measures seem to be very targeted, but they are too simple, too crude, and offend all stakeholders at once. It is impossible to implement them smoothly. They will only usher in countless backlash and deception.
From the perspective of Emperor Deqing, these measures taken by Prince Zhu Heyu will soon end in failure. In the end, not only will he not be able to achieve his goal, but he will still be smelly!
"Now, the flaws in commercial taxation are known to the whole world, so the rectification of commercial taxation must continue! However, this matter must not be left to the prince. He does not have the ability and will only handle the matter. It's a mess! Well, the most suitable candidate should be Zhao Junchen. After all, he is the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. When it comes to financial management skills, no one in the world can stand shoulder to shoulder with him! In addition, the business tax matter is very involved and affects all aspects. Interests, if drastic rectification is carried out, many people will be offended, so in the end it is best to leave this matter to Zhao Junchen!"
Emperor Deqing thought to himself after reading the intelligence from the capital.
"However, once Zhao Junchen takes charge of the business tax rectification, his strength will inevitably be greatly expanded, and it may be difficult to control it, but he still has to find ways to prevent it!"
Thinking of this, Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and said: "I invite Zhao Junchen to see you!"
*
After arriving in Yangzhou, the first thing Zhao Junchen did was to prepare a large boat to take Old Master Xu, Zhao Ying'er, who was about to enter the palace to become a concubine, her maid Zhang Zhaodi, and the children of the Zhao family who were about to enter the Imperial Academy, on board. He planned to let them return to Beijing with him.
Just after arranging these things, Zhao Junchen got the order from Emperor Deqing.
Although he had predicted it, Zhao Junchen did not dare to delay, and hurried to Emperor Deqing's palace to meet with Emperor Deqing.
However, after Zhao Junchen met Emperor Deqing, Emperor Deqing did not show his face to Zhao Junchen. He just ordered someone to hand over the intelligence from the capital to Zhao Junchen, and said with a cold face: "This is what I received today. News, take a look at the prince’s process of rectifying business taxes!”
After seeing Emperor Deqing's face. Zhao Junchen did not dare to neglect and quickly took a closer look.
After reading it, Zhao Junchen thought for a moment and roughly guessed Emperor Deqing's thoughts.
then. Zhao Junchen showed a hurried look, and he knelt down to plead guilty and said: "I have neglected my duty! I have failed in my duty! I have betrayed my holy hope! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
After saying this, Zhao Junchen looked sad and looked like he was being beaten and scolded by Emperor Deqing.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's appearance, Emperor Deqing sighed quietly and unnoticed.
Speak the truth. Zhao Junchen always acted like this every time he got into trouble, but Emperor Deqing couldn't really punish him yet.
However, the next moment, Emperor Deqing said in a cold voice: "So you still know that you are guilty! As the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, you are in charge of the world's money, food and taxes. The commercial tax of our dynasty is so chaotic and exists. There are so many mistakes, and at least 20 million taels of silver are lost every year, but you, the Minister of Household Affairs, are indifferent and have no knowledge. If the prince hadn't found out these things, even I would have been kept in the dark. In the dark! Although the prince’s move to rectify the business tax is a bit reckless and creates a big mess, it is still more than ten times better than your corpse meal!"
Hearing Emperor Deqing's accusation, Zhao Junchen curled his lips secretly.
There are loopholes in the imperial court's commercial taxation. This is something everyone knows. Don't you, Emperor Deqing, know about it? It's just that you, Emperor Deqing, only want stability and don't want to stir up a hornet's nest! Now that he saw that the commercial tax rectification was profitable, he suddenly changed his face and put all the responsibilities on Zhao Junchen, but it was irresponsible!
These thoughts, though. Of course Zhao Junchen would not show it.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen lowered his head, still looking pitiful and ready to be beaten and scolded.
According to Zhao Junchen's experience, after Emperor Deqing gave him power. It’s time to get to the point.
Sure enough, after Emperor Deqing severely criticized Zhao Junchen for a few more words, he suddenly changed the topic and continued: "It's okay that I don't know about the business tax. Now that everyone knows about it. This matter is We can't settle the matter and end without a cure, otherwise the prestige of the court will be lost... The prince's original intention to rectify the commercial tax system is right, but he is not familiar with the financial tax system. According to my idea, after returning to the capital, the commercial tax I will hand over the full power to you to take charge of the rectification. This can also be considered as giving you an opportunity to make meritorious service. Taking advantage of these few days, you can seriously think about how you want to do this and give me a specific plan after you return to Beijing. .”
While speaking, Emperor Deqing did not ask Zhao Junchen's opinion at all, with an attitude of no doubt.
After all, in the eyes of the world, rectifying business taxes was an offending chore, and Emperor Deqing was also worried that Zhao Junchen would refuse.
Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen had a plan in mind for this matter. Although he looked embarrassed on the surface, he was slightly excited in his heart.
Just as Emperor Deqing feared, once Zhao Junchen takes full charge of commercial and tax reform, he will gain unprecedented power and influence, and Zhao Junchen's power will also develop rapidly in a short period of time.
Compared with the opportunity of commercial tax rectification, Zhao Junchen's plan to carve up the "yellow party" is just a small fuss.
Now, after planning for a long time, Zhao Junchen finally got this opportunity!
On the other side, Emperor Deqing saw Zhao Junchen's bitter and embarrassed expression, and comforted him: "Of course, I also know that rectifying business taxes is not that simple. It is not only painful, but it will also offend people, but I believe in you." Ability will fully support you, so you don’t have to worry about other things, just go ahead and do it!”
After a pause, Emperor Deqing seemed to have suddenly thought of something, and suddenly said: "However, the rectification of business tax is of great importance and is very complicated. It will definitely involve most of your thoughts. I can't bear your misfortune." Well... let's do this. After you return to the capital, you will take over the affairs of the West Factory and the inner transport warehouse, and return them to the inner court for responsibility! You can concentrate on taking care of the business tax affairs, and I will naturally take care of them when the time comes. There is a big reward!”
Obviously, Emperor Deqing was worried that Zhao Junchen would expand his power too quickly after presiding over the rectification of business and taxation, so he took over power in advance.
Zhao Junchen had also anticipated this and had made a lot of preparations in advance. He did not have any objections and just agreed obediently: "I obey the decree! I will definitely not let down the emperor's favor this time, and I will definitely pay the business tax." I hope your majesty can rest assured that things have been sorted out."
Of course, when speaking, Zhao Junchen showed a bitter look, as if he was very reluctant.
At the same time, after seeing Emperor Deqing's move to take back power, Zhao Junchen sneered in his heart.
Obviously, the reason why Emperor Deqing did this was because he did not trust Zhao Junchen and was full of defensiveness towards Zhao Junchen.
Many people are not optimistic about Zhao Junchen's future development because although Zhao Junchen was deeply favored by Emperor Deqing, Prince Zhu Heyu was very hostile to Zhao Junchen and regarded Zhao Junchen as a thorn in his side and a thorn in his flesh. This was Zhao Junchen's fault. The biggest hidden danger!
For example, the bachelor Huo Zhengyuan has such an idea!
However, Zhao Junchen knew very well that his real "long-term concern" was never the hostility of Prince Zhu Heyu, but the desire of Emperor Deqing!
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…(To be continued.)
