In the main hall of the General's Office in Dushikou Fort City, facing the stunned looks on Jin Xinpeng and Yan Qingrong's faces, Zhang Cheng said firmly: "Yes, we will implement a monopoly and increase commercial taxes."
After Jin Xinpeng received Zhang Cheng's affirmative answer, the teacup suddenly fell on the table, and he said eagerly: "Sir, you must not do this!"
He seemed to be a little anxious. Without waiting for Zhang Cheng to speak, he continued: "Salt has always been a government-run business since ancient times. There is nothing wrong with it. The brewing of wine consumes a lot of food and was explicitly prohibited. Now if it is a government-run business, it makes sense." , and then there is tea, which has been taxed since the beginning of the country, which makes sense.
But your Excellency wants to levy an additional commercial tax. When the Ming Dynasty was founded, Grandpa Taizu set a rule that a tax of one per thirty would be levied. Even though the government's finances were in dire straits, they still did not dare to levy a commercial tax and had to increase the levy on the land. , suppression rates, and today’s practice rates,
Your Excellency wants to raise business taxes today. I am afraid that if I am not criticized and impeached by the squires from all over the country and the censors in the court, then I will have no defense at all! "
Zhang Cheng had a serious face and cold eyes. He dropped the teacup in his hand heavily on the table and said in a deep voice: "Three additional taxes are imposed on the land, so that the poor people cannot afford it and sell their children." Selling girls can be seen everywhere.
However, those powerful powerful families took the opportunity to annex the land and hid it without repaying, or joined the gentry's family or the royal palace, and even colluded with official officials to add their own land tax to the landless farmers.
As a result, hungry people are everywhere, and people are dying of hunger everywhere. It seems that there is no king above and no people below. It is actually the chief culprit of causing trouble for our great world. There are even hundreds of shops in a row, with annual profits of more than one million, but they don't want to Contributing one share of commercial tax to the country, what is the use of this generation?
I, the Admiral, have been favored by the Holy Emperor and supported by all the soldiers and civilians. Now I am ordered to train the army. I must serve the country. How can I care about personal gains and losses? What's more, Your Majesty has allowed me to do things cheaply. The commercial taxes collected are also training for the army. what you need,
Even if I am impeached by the ministers in the court, I understand that your majesty will know that I have worked hard for the country. I have made up my mind about this monopoly and commercial tax. I would like to trouble Mr. Jin and Mr. Yan to help me draw up a charter. If anything goes wrong, , I, Zhang Cheng, will take the responsibility! "
Jin Xinpeng and Yan Qingrong looked at each other with expressions of shock and astonishment. Regarding what Zhang Cheng said, they both knew it was the truth, but knowing it did not mean they could do it.
But from what Zhang Cheng said, it was obvious that a decision had been made. Now that their objections were ineffective, they were each thinking about what to do.
If you fully support Zhang Cheng, then after this incident, you will truly share the honor and disgrace with Zhang Cheng, completely tied together, closely related, and unable to decouple!
However, if you back down at this time, not only will the previously established relationship with Zhang Cheng collapse, but you may also lose Zhang Cheng's trust in the future.
This is a gamble. The stakes are not money, but lives and the future of the family!
Just when Jin Xinpeng was hesitant, Yan Qingrong actually said: "Since you have made up your mind, Qingrong should follow. This monopoly is easy to handle, but the danger of raising commercial taxes is not on the North Road, but on the North Road." In the town, above the court.
I think our North Road is located on the border. Although there are many merchants coming and going, they are all regular customers. Now that our North Road is stable, it is much easier to travel. If some business taxes are levied, it will not be too difficult.
However, if this matter spreads, it will arouse the worry of those merchants elsewhere, fearing that they will interfere with it, or even use their respective relationships to slander the court, but the Admiral must be on guard against it! "
Zhang Cheng squinted at Jin Xinpeng from the corner of his eyes, and said to Yan Qingrong with a smile: "What Mr. Yan said is absolutely true. The person who can consider my affairs so carefully is worthy of being my admiral."
What Zhang Cheng said struck Jin Xinpeng's heart like a warning bell. He squinted at Yan Qingrong and saw that he was drinking tea leisurely, claiming that he "don't dare".
He was very upset in his heart. He had thought too much for a moment, but Yan Qingrong, an old man, took the lead. He hurriedly said: "Master Yan's words are indeed absolutely correct. I am also worried that this matter will damage your reputation." ,
Now that your Majesty has made up his mind, your subordinates should follow suit. This monopoly is easy to handle, but I don’t know how your Majesty plans to increase the commercial tax? "
Zhang Cheng didn't smile knowingly until this moment, and he said loudly: "Everything I did was for the imperial court's training needs, not for amassing private wealth. Today's establishment of monopoly and business tax is also To supplement His Majesty's military training and food needs.
Among them, salt, wine, and tea are under the government-run system. All wine shops and tea houses on our North Road must purchase them from official stores. If they are picked elsewhere, they will be charged a 20% entry tax when entering our North Road. Otherwise, Don't let me enter my north road.
Other commercial goods are subject to a commercial tax of half to 10% depending on their value. Commonly used items such as grain, cloth, farm tools, etc. are exempted from tax to benefit the people; other meat, silk, wine shops, and guest goods are exempted from tax. For items and premises such as shops, gambling houses, and casinos, the proportion is determined and taxes are levied on a monthly basis. "
Jin Xinpeng laughed when he heard this. He turned around and looked at Yan Qingrong. Seeing that he also had a smile on his face, he rushed to say: "You don't know, sir. This wine monopoly is relatively easy to handle. After all, Beilu brews it ourselves." much;
However, both salt and tea are transported from abroad. The merchants brought salt and tea here. This government-run matter may be difficult to handle, but the taxation is reasonable. "
"Oh, Mr. Jin is right. What I thought was wrong. According to this idea, the salt and tea tea given to us by the imperial court will be trafficked back by ourselves, and the official stores will sell them at a higher price; other merchants will traffic them in. When you come, you will be taxed according to regulations.
You know more about these things than I do, and you have thought them through. So, I would like to trouble Mr. Jin and Mr. Yan to draw up a charter as soon as possible. You two can use the required personnel at will. We will discuss it in detail after the charter is drawn up. this matter. "
Jin Xinpeng immediately responded: "Please rest assured, sir, I will do my best to work with Lord Yan to brainstorm and draw up a charter on monopoly and taxation."
Zhang Cheng nodded and said: "One more thing. I am thinking that the bandits in all parts of our North Road have been wiped out, but there are still bandits running rampant elsewhere. For the sake of the merchants on my North Road, and for those who come to me Those who are doing business on the North Road should consider,
The admiral intends to implement the policy of protecting businesses, but I don’t know if it is feasible? "
Jin Xinpeng was stunned and couldn't help but turn to look at Yan Qingrong again. They both had the same idea: What happened to Zhang Cheng today? Why are there so many weird thoughts?
But words always have to be answered, and this time Yan Qingrong was the first to answer: "Admiral, do you mean to act as a bodyguard for the merchants?"
Before Zhang Cheng could answer, Jin Xinpeng added: "But our troops on the North Route cannot leave the country without receiving orders from the Ministry of War. Now that Jin Yong is going all the way to the East Route, it is against the rules, but at least there is an explanation. .
It would be inappropriate to send troops out of the country frequently to provide protection for merchants! "
"Ha ha……"
Zhang Cheng laughed loudly and said: "It doesn't matter, we are just providing escorts for the merchants, but we don't have to march out in formation with military flags. We just ask them to wear armor, not military uniforms!"
"Hahaha……"
