Twelve taxes and one?
Zhang Pei and Yao Zhen stared wide-eyed. This is already considered a harsh tax. There is zero business. There is no need to be so harsh on themselves, right?
Also, what’s the point of giving us two books?
One tax out of twelve, is this tax considered heavy?
Gu Zhengchen disagreed.
Compared with the six-tax-one value-added tax in later generations, the twelve-tax tax-one is already half as relaxed.
A tactical backpack is priced at fifty cents, and the tax is only four cents per tax. This tax is not heavy. If it is based on the thirty tax per merchant tax implemented by the imperial court, the tax on a tactical backpack will be less than two cents. money.
Of course, business cannot just look at commercial taxes, but also customs taxes, warehousing costs, transportation costs, labor costs, material costs, etc.
However, customs duties and taxes do not exist for this transaction. Anyway, it is sent to Jinling. When the goods arrive outside the city, someone will pick up the goods themselves, so it is impossible to send them to the military camp.
As for customs and taxes, don't ask for them from Jurong, ask the Ministry of Revenue or the Metropolitan Governor's Office.
There is no pressure on warehousing. I can find a few dilapidated houses in Jurong and put them in as long as they don’t leak. The goods will be picked up when they arrive in Jinling. There is no need to store them in dilapidated houses outside the Qinhuai River. Putting aside the cost of fabric, labor, transportation, etc., the profit from a backpack is about ten cents, which is not much, but at least it can feed a group of people.
Before dawn the next day, Yao Zhen rode out of Jurong alone and headed straight for Jinling. Gu Zhengchen took Zhang Pei, squad leader Yang Liang, and householder Luo Shao to Hezhuang.
Although it was thirty miles from Jurong County to Hezhuang and a hundred miles to Jinling, when Gu Zhengchen and his party arrived at Hezhuang, Yao Zhen had already galloped into Jinling City.
Mu Ying saw Yao Zhen coming back. After asking about the situation, she took Yao Zhen to the East Palace. Soon after, Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Biao who was sweating profusely.
Zhu Biao wiped his sweat and put the two books on the table: "Father, this is the problem Mr. Gu has raised."
Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his eyes and looked down, only to see two books intertwined together. Looking at the two volumes of "Zizhi Tongjian" on the cover, he said calmly: "In view of the past, I am qualified to govern the Tao. The book is a good book, but it can't be difficult for everyone. Well, what are the allusions and deeds that are the problem?"
Zhu Biao rubbed his sore wrist and said somewhat depressedly: "Father, the question Mr. Gu asked was not about any classic story, but about pulling out these two books intact."
"What kind of problem is this? I can solve this problem in just one breath!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked disdainful, picked up two books, and grabbed the sides of the books with his left and right hands.
Seeing this, Zhu Biao quickly said: "Father, please be careful, this book is a bit - weird..."
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't believe any weird words, so he exerted force, his face froze, he snorted, he exerted more force, he hummed again, moved his body unbelievingly, grabbed two books again, and raised his arms With great force, the two books were straightened, but there was no sign of being pulled out. Zhu Yuanzhang's face was already a little rosy, and his forehead began to sweat.
"How is this going?"
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't believe that he was also killed on the battlefield. The days of fighting and iron horses had only been a few years, but the strength in his body had not dissipated. He could hold a stone bow in his hand effortlessly. How could such a powerful force weigh only two kilograms? Can't get out of the two books?
Zhu Biao was helpless. He was just in the East Palace and felt so aggrieved...
Zhu Yuanzhang gasped and looked at Yao Zhen: "What magic did Gu Zhengchen use on this book? Why can't it be opened?"
Yao Zhen grimaced, knelt down and assured: "Your Majesty, Mr. Gu just picked up two books, and the pages of the two books were connected, and then handed them to the bidder. There was no magic."
"really?"
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't believe it.
Yao Zhen quickly said: "Mr. Gu, if your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can find two books at will and follow the same method."
Zhu Yuanzhang ordered his chamberlain to find two books and did the same thing. He tried again, but still couldn't pull it open. He couldn't help but feel a little strange and shouted: "Let Zhang Huan and Zheng Bo come in."
The pro-army soldiers Zhang Huan and Zheng Bo entered the palace to salute. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered his chamberlain to take the two books: "You two, pull these two books apart."
Zhang Huan and Zheng Bo looked at each other, confused.
Zheng Bo asked for an order: "Your Majesty, separate the two books. You don't need two people. Just mark one person."
Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled: "That's right."
As Zhu Yuanzhang's personal guard, Zheng Bo had extraordinary arm strength. He took the two books. After grabbing them, he tried and found that he couldn't pull them. His face became serious, he strode forward, and his muscles bulged around his clothes and neck. Veins began to appear on the book, and the book made no sound when being pulled, but the two books fit tightly together without any movement.
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhang Huan. Zhang Huan and Zheng Bo each grabbed one side and pulled hard, but even though they scratched the sides of the book during the pulling, they did not separate the book!
Seeing this scene, Zhu Yuanzhang had to believe that this thing couldn't be pulled open even with two horses. What's puzzling is, why can't the two books be opened after simply stacking the pages?
"It seems that Mr. Gu has really encountered a problem. That's all. Let him handle the sale of the tactical backpack."
Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry, but accepted it with a smile.
Mu Ying admired the adoptive father in front of her. He had a heroic side, like a commander who had experienced battles. He won when he won, he was not proud, and he lost when he lost. He was not discouraged, he was straightforward and faced it calmly.
Zhu Biao stepped forward, took out a letter, and handed it over: "Father, Mr. Gu, Jurong makes tactical backpacks, making 50,000 yuan a year, and taxing them at twelve taxes."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, but did not take the letter, and asked: "The letter is correct, why can't these two books be opened?"
Zhu Biao nodded slightly: "Mr. Gu didn't understand."
Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the two books, reached for them, opened them page by page, separated the two books, was silent for a while, and said: "This thing tells me that not all problems can be solved by brute force. To solve the problem, you need to be patient and find a suitable way to break the situation. Haste makes waste, and power makes it impossible. You need to put more thought into everything."
Zhu Biao solemnly said: "My son, I will obey my father's teachings."
Zhu Yuanzhang handed the two books to his chamberlain: "Fold them and put them on my bed. Let them remind me every day. Don't do anything too hastily."
The chamberlain took the order.
Zhu Biao was delighted.
In the past two years, my father's behavior has become more and more impatient. When dealing with officials, he mostly focuses on severe punishment, and the officials in the court are frequently changed. Today he is still a minister, tomorrow he may be a county magistrate, and today he is still in charge of the household department. , I might go to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment tomorrow.
If this incident can make my father reflect on himself and restrain his power, it will be a blessing to the Ming Dynasty!
Zhu Yuanzhang is a person who is good at learning and introspection, but when his stubbornness and absolute power are combined, the result of introspection determines his code of conduct.
If you think that killing can solve the problem during introspection, then this idea will begin to take root, and every time you encounter a problem, you will pick up the "killing" knife to solve the problem.
If you think that hitting can solve the problem when you are introspecting, then when you deal with the problem, you will tend to use the "beating" stick to solve the problem.
In September of the sixth year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang's self-examination and governance tools had not solidified. He still chose between swords, sticks, salary, scolding, etc., but he had begun to tend to use sticks and knives.
However, this reversal tendency that no one could stop was blocked by the introspection brought by the two books, which made Zhu Yuanzhang begin to realize that brute force and killing did not seem to fundamentally solve all problems. Impatience may not be the best choice.
Gu Zhengchen did not expect that this time's problem would become the first stone that changed Zhu Yuanzhang's philosophy and behavior of governing the country. The stone was not washed away by the water, but sank to the bottom, reducing the undercurrent.
The stone was thrown by Gu Zhengchen, but the person who decided to keep the stone was Zhu Yuanzhang himself.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and Mu Ying and said relaxedly: "Mr. Gu is capable. Let me tell him that as long as he does things for the people, does not harm the people, and is not corrupt and corrupt, he will have the final say in Jurong's affairs, and there is no need to tie his hands and feet." . In addition, Yao Zhen, you and Zhang Pei, please work with Mr. Gu for the time being. Such talents are worthy of the protection of the two of you."
Yao Zhen was shocked. Although he was a little unwilling, he still agreed simply: "I will accept the order and express my gratitude on behalf of Zhang Pei."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and looked at Mu Ying: "Are you willing to take away two of your guards?"
Mu Ying came out and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I have already intended this. Mr. Gu is a talented person, but he is also a weak scholar. It is not suitable to have two easy-going people around him. It's just that Zhang Pei and Yao Zhen are sergeants." I have no right to transfer him based on his birth status."
The guards of the Mu Mansion were also soldiers of the Ming Dynasty.
The authority to mobilize all sergeants belongs to one person, and that is the emperor.
This is Mu Ying's realization.
Zhu Yuanzhang admired Mu Ying very much. He knew how to advance and retreat, was very measured in doing things, and never broke the rules. Unlike some nobles in the Governor's Mansion, he not only had guards around him, but also many adopted sons, and he was not careful about mobilizing sergeants. Ask for instructions.
"Go down, I still have to deal with government affairs."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand and took a memorial.
Zhu Biao, Mu Ying and others bowed and walked out of the Huagai Hall to the East Palace. Zhu Biao turned and looked at Yao Zhen: "You and Zhang Pei, follow Mr. Gu in the future and make sure to keep him safe. If Mr. Gu wants to reverse the case, I'm afraid he will I have offended many people. You need to take good care of your daily life and protect me when you go out."
Yao Zhen naturally agreed repeatedly.
Mu Ying said solemnly: "You and Zhang Pei's family will stay in Jinling and be taken care of by Mu Mansion. There is no need to worry. You have only one task, and that is to treat Mr. Gu as me. I don't need to say more about what responsibilities you should fulfill." ?”
Yao Zhen was secretly frightened. The emperor, the prince, and Mu Ying had all spoken out for Gu Zhengchen. This showed that this person was important. If something went wrong, he and Zhang Pei would be buried with him in Jurong.
"Prince, don't worry, sir, don't worry, we will take good care of Mr. Gu!"
Yao Zhen assured solemnly.
Zhu Biao stretched out his hand and said to Mu Ying: "I heard that you asked Wu Rong to teach Mu Sheng how to practice martial arts. Isn't it too early? He is not six years old after all."
Mu Ying replied seriously: "Prince, you are no longer six years old. If Feng didn't care and protect you, you should have taught him last year. As a military commander, you should practice martial arts."
Zhu Biao sighed secretly.
Mu Chun and Mu Sheng are so similar to me, except that they are both martial arts and literature students, while I am a martial arts practitioner and have few free and relaxing days.
Seeing that Zhu Biao was a little disappointed, Mu Ying quickly changed the topic: "I heard that your Majesty plans to send the prince and the kings to Zhongdu to have a look. When will they start?"
Zhu Biao raised his head, turned to look north, and whispered softly: "Maybe it's winter. Father intends to sharpen our will, and it won't be Qiuli."
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