"I'm a little late, please forgive me!"
His attitude was very humble. Quan Wanji was an official appointed by the imperial court to assist King Li Ke of Shu in managing Qizhou. However, he appeared much late tonight.
"It doesn't matter, just tell me if you have something to say!"
Li Ke showed a very proud smile and recognized every face at the scene carefully. Quan Wanji was arranged by him to use this scene to deal with these profit-seeking businessmen.
Businessmen are stingy by nature, and asking for money is equivalent to killing them. In this case, they can only use other means. Qiuyue Pavilion is just an appetizer.
A group of people who visited privately incognito were all watching this change. Queen Changsun naturally supported this filial son. Although he was not her biological son, he was very good at being a good person and her partiality could no longer be hidden.
Li Shiming still acted like an old father, thinking that his son was still too young, and maybe he, the emperor, would have to take action in the end, so he seemed a little out of place. Fang Xuanling beside him was secretly observing.
Qi Yuanshou and others just stopped by as a courtesy. Even the officials sent by the imperial court could not let them pay a penny, which was hard-earned money.
"Master Quan is a little late!"
Li Ke did it on purpose. The upright Quan would only be unhappy if he appeared in Qiuyue Pavilion, so he was sent to do more important things. Now it's time to play his role.
"My lord, please forgive me. What I'm investigating is a major event of first-class importance in Qizhou. Since all of you here are local merchants in Qizhou, I might as well listen to my report together!"
Quan Wanji was already very majestic, and the local chamber of commerce headed by Qi Yuanshou did not dare to give him face. They sat back again. They were as helpless as students being punished.
Li Ke and Quan Wanji looked at each other again, confirming that they were going to do this.
"Your Majesty, I checked Qizhou's taxation with my colleagues today and found many clues, including the tax evasion of everyone here."
"Do you know what kind of crime this is? It ranges from a seizure to a serious investigation!!"
Quan Wanji also turned around and glared at the group of businessmen, his eyes as fierce as a tiger trying to eat people. What he just said had already convicted this group of confident businessmen of a serious crime.
All dynasties have paid great attention to taxation, because this is the main source of income for the court. Those who do not pay taxes will end up in a miserable state.
"Is there such a thing? Mr. Quan, please don't slander anyone. This is a top priority for the imperial court. Is there any evidence?"
Before Li Ke finished speaking, a thick account book was presented next to him. After flipping through a few pages, he showed a very ugly look. Everything was a show.
Qizhou businessmen would only come to Licheng when they heard that they were making money. When they heard that they wanted to raise funds to build roads, they made various excuses. Now Quan Wanji insists that Qizhou businessmen are colluding to owe taxes and evade taxes.
"This bastard, I really underestimated him, he actually thought of using this to harm the businessman, but that's okay!"
Li Shimin smiled knowingly. Queen Changsun beside him asked several times to explain the matter clearly. It was also a mess, but was taken advantage of by Li Ke.
This matter starts from the early days of Li Shimin's accession to the throne. In order to appease the world, taxes were reduced in various places. Businessmen who had been suppressed also benefited, but the tax reduction was not included in the tax.
Businessmen have been greedy for money since ancient times. They save money when they can. However, the tax reduction has only been implemented for three years. During this period, I don’t know how much less tax has been paid.
"Your Highness, this is what happened, but the court's decree, we will wait..."
Qi Yuanshou felt guilty. During the tax reduction period, he had only paid business taxes a few times, and he did not dare to show his own account books for confrontation, otherwise he would only be convicted.
"Although the imperial court has such a policy, it does not mean that we owe so much money. Your Highness, as an official of the imperial court, I naturally have to report this matter!"
Quan Wanji's words scared away the souls of most people. No one was clean. In addition, he was too strict and had the court to back him up.
"Master, are you leaving now? Why don't you..."
Empress Changsun also stood up. It is inevitable for a husband to sing and a wife to follow suit. Besides, the husband is the emperor of the day, so he cannot disobey her.
"No need, he can raise more money to build bridges and roads. I really underestimated this son before."
"Fang Xuanling, please follow up and find out what other tricks King Shu has. I'll wait for your news in the other courtyard!"
Li Shimin left like a spring breeze, and even rewarded a lot of silver to the girl of Qiuyue Pavilion. He no longer looked down upon Li Ke as he did before. Perhaps among the many princes, there are more good ones who can govern the country. son.
At this time, Qiuyue Pavilion only had local businessmen from Qizhou and Li Ke, the king of Shu, a dragon from Chang'an City. As the saying goes, "A strong dragon will not suppress a local snake", but it happened to be the other way around.
"The treasury cannot lack even a penny. The emperor's grace is naturally my father's promise. It is also very difficult for me to do this. Now roads and bridges all over Qizhou also need money to repair."
"I don't know where to get more silver. It's really a headache!"
Li Ke pinched his head and then showed a fierce look that he had never seen before. Li Ke had already said this. If he still wanted to bargain, he would only make himself determined to bring the businessmen of Qizhou to justice.
As long as the King of Shu is willing to help cover up and give reasonable rewards, everyone will naturally be able to get through it safely.
"I don't know...what else do you want to say?"
Qi Yuanshou's voice was quite strong before, but now it sounds very weak, as if his soul has been pulled away.
Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, and the impatience on their faces suddenly appeared. What they were always most afraid of was the court and the government. It was very difficult to spend how much money they had, because they were worried about money.
"If you don't drink the wine as a penalty, it seems that I still need to inform the court!"
"Your Majesty, the rest of the matter will be handled by the lower officials. The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Punishment will be notified immediately. Once verified, the lawbreakers will definitely be imprisoned!"
Quan Wanji looked fierce again, the kind that could scare the courage out of him just by looking at him. The current cooperation between him and Li Ke was just to raise funds as soon as possible.
thump,
A group of people knelt down in front of him, and Li Ke knew that something big had happened.
"We are willing to help His Royal Highness the King of Shu solve problems, and we are duty-bound!"
Li Ke finally relaxed. The main reason was that the stool without a back was difficult to sit on, and the soreness in his back was worth it. He was afraid that these iron roosters would not be able to pay a penny.
Fang Xuanling saw in his eyes how this arrogant and arrogant King of Shu, who had not liked reading the Book of Songs since he was a child, suddenly became an expert in governing the country and had a profound ability to control people's hearts.
Qiuyue Pavilion began to sing and laugh again. Li Ke took advantage of the merchant's money. The merchant's money was the hardest to get. This was considered a small achievement for himself, and it also reduced some of Qizhou's thorns.
