The crackdown lasted for more than half a month, and the security of the capital improved. Therefore, the crackdown entered the second stage, which began to shift from the people to the government. The second stage was to crack down on the corrupt officials.
With Duke Dingguo as an example, the Honours went smoothly.
The Imperial Bodyguard Dongchang abolished the regular money, and so did the Shun Tian Prefecture. A large number of corrupt officials were punished. After a month of the crackdown, the time was officially ripe.
"Sell newspapers, sell newspapers! The court has implemented a new business tax, and the Shun Tian Prefecture has implemented a new business tax!"
On the streets of the capital, a newsboy shook the newspaper in his hand and shouted loudly.
Hearing this shout, countless people began to rush to buy the newspaper. Today's newspaper was particularly popular.
After selling out, the newsboy turned around and ran back, ready to get new newspapers and sell them again.
The news of the court's new business tax spread throughout the whole city of Beijing in an instant.
Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yijun's heart was not so full of confidence when it came to levying new business taxes. Every day, he would read the memorials in peace. Today, his heart could not calm down. He stood outside the hall to calm himself down.
This time, the business tax would be levied in the whole country, and the business tax would be levied in the Shun Tian Prefecture.
"How is the public opinion of the ministers?" Zhu Yijun turned to look at Zhang Jing and asked.
In fact, Zhu Yijun did not pay much attention to what the people said. As long as the court was not in chaos, everything else was trivial.
For ordinary people, the impact of the new business tax was also negligible.
Perhaps there would be a wave of price increases, but Zhu Yijun knew that the price increase would not last for long.
It should be known that the business of Daming was flourishing now, but not all businesses were flourishing. It was the government's monopoly that made the business prosperous, and the people did not have much purchasing power.
Once the price increase, the people's lives would be difficult, but with the current economic system of Daming, the people could not afford it.
It would be the middle class who would have a hard time. Their cost of living would increase, but Zhu Yijun had already asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to stabilize the prices.
They pushed down the prices and squeezed out the profits.
With the current capabilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was not difficult to achieve this.
"Your Majesty, the ministers of the imperial court do not have any public opinion."
Zhang Jing hurriedly said, "Although there are people who criticize it, it's only a small portion. It's not a big deal."
Zhu Yijun nodded and heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. That's good.
Currently, Zhu Yijun was Daming the Imperial Court. At the same time, the officials of the Imperial Court knew how to get along with Zhu Yijun.
Another point was that the imperial court was not controlled by officials or merchants. This was very important.
Although the Shanxi and Zheshan merchants had interfered, Zhu Yijun had used the Salt Administration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to subdue them. Those who were not subdued were also subdued by Zhu Yijun. This made the obstacles much smaller.
Although there were many officials and merchants in Daming, it was not to the point where all officials did not do business during the time of the Donglin Party.
At that time, Zhu Yijun's current policies would be useless. With the foundation that Zhang Juzheng had arranged, the imperial court would still have control over the local areas. It would not be like later, when the imperial edict of the imperial court could not be used in the hands of the local officials.
At that time, even Zhu Yijun would not have a good solution. Perhaps he could only choose to create a party of eunuchs.
Those who were obedient and did everything would not be those with vested interests. After they came to power, they would inevitably start a fight with those with vested interests. This kind of fight was often unscrupulous, and it would be a fight to the death.
This was the fight between the eunuchs and the Donglin Party. The Donglin Party was also very ruthless, and it directly evolved into an either-or either-.
"That's good!" Zhu Yijun breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly.
Nanjing, the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On one hand, Li Shenxing was preparing to recruit Li Dan to surrender, and on the other hand, he was guarding Nanjing.
Li Shenxing already knew about the imperial court's new commercial tax. Zhu Yijun had him come to Nanjing to help the tax department.
"Sir, that Li He is back again!" A scribe from the Ministry of Internal Affairs said to Li Shenxing.
Li Shenxing was stunned for a moment, then said, "Let him in!"
Not long after, Li He walked in from outside, looking travel-worn.
After seeing Li Shenxing, Li He hurriedly bowed and said, "This lowly one, Li He, greets Sir!"
Li Shenxing nodded, then said with a smile, "Sit!"
After Li He sat down, Li Shenxing said, "Did it go smoothly this time?"
"Sir, things went very smoothly. My uncle has already taken a boat to the open sea, and is preparing to invite Sir Li out to sea for a detailed discussion," Li He said directly, but as he spoke, he stole a glance at Li Shenxing.
When Li Shenxing heard this, he was stunned at first, then he laughed.
"Sir Li, are you afraid?"
Although Li Shenxing's words were not polite at all, Li He's expression did not change at all. In fact, Li Dan was afraid, and it was not shameful at all. Li He said directly, "My uncle does not want to repeat the old incident of the ship owner of Wufeng."
Hearing this, Li Shenxing was furious. His face instantly darkened, and he reached out to put the teacup on the table.
This shocked Li He. He knew that these words might anger Li Shenxing, but he did not expect Li Shenxing to have such a big reaction. He looked at Li Shenxing in confusion.
"Who is Wang Zhi and Yu Hai?
They are Japanese pirates. What did they do?
They robbed the people of the Daming. "
"As Daming, they went out to sea to be Japanese pirates. It is simply a disgrace to the people of the Daming.
Everyone has the right to punish such people. They did not appear in front of this official, otherwise this official would definitely kill them with my sword! "
These words were awe-inspiring, but Li He did not think much of it.
Li Shenxing, you make it sound nice, but do you really think we don't know what the Li family does?
Do we not know what the Four Great Families of Jin's business did?
When you were smuggling salt and iron in the north, we had not yet gone out to sea!
Now that you are speaking in such a righteous manner, it is simply inexplicable.
Li Shenxing glanced at Li Dan and asked loudly, "Does Li Dan also have the same intention?
If that is the case, then go back and tell Li Dan to wash his neck and wait. This official will present a memorial to Her Majesty and send an army to punish them. "
Although Li Shenxing's words were frightening, Li He still understood the meaning behind them.
He hurriedly stood up and bowed, "Sir, what do you mean by this?
The Li family will not accept such slander from you!
The Li family is the people of the Daming and also the people under Her Majesty's rule.
Although we run a lowly business, we are forced by circumstances and have no way to continue. That is why we have no choice but to go out to sea to make a living.
"However, it is impossible for us to go out to sea to plunder the people of the Daming for the Japanese pirates. Even if the Li family starves to death, we will definitely not do such things that are worse than beasts.
"Sir, you are slandering the Li family. The Li family is indignant. Look at your words and investigate your actions. Has the Li family ever done such things?
Sir, how can you slander the Li family with groundless accusations? "
The more Li He spoke, the angrier he became. In the end, he straightened his neck and stared at Li Shenxing.
"The late Emperor was a wise man. He opened the port at Moon Port and allowed the people to go out to sea to trade. The Li family was the vanguard of the Emperor. Not to mention that we did not make any contributions, but by slandering the Li family like this, won't the Li family be bitterly disappointed?"
Although the two seemed to be quarreling, they were actually expressing their attitude.
Li Shenxing pointed out that the Li family was not Japanese pirates, nor were they pirates. They had never plundered the people of the Daming, so why were they worried about being treated like the owner of the Five Peaks Ship?
They were different from Wang Zhi. This was to define the character of Li Dan, and also to distinguish Li Dan from the Japanese pirates.
As for the robberies and robberies of merchant ships overseas, the court did not care. As long as you did not rob the people of the Daming, it was fine. So, don't worry, just come!
Li He said, "We have indeed not done such things. We are loyal and devoted to the people of the Daming.
We are allowed to go out to sea to do business, and that is the permission of the late Emperor. We are loyal to the Daming and have absolutely no other intentions. "
Through quarreling, the two set the tone of the whole matter. After setting the main tone, things were much easier to discuss.
Li Shenzhi said directly, "In that case, don't mention the matter of the owner of the Five Peaks Ship."
"No matter what you say, I know what kind of person Eunuch Li is. He should set an example for the sea merchants of the Daming."
Li He hurriedly bowed to the ground. "Your Excellency is righteous. It was I who gauged the heart of a gentleman with my own mean measure. Your Excellency, as a great man, you do not remember my wrongdoings. I apologize to you here!"
Once again, the two of them resumed their friendly attitude and began to discuss again.
"Eunuch Li, you can go ashore without worry. I will go to the dock to welcome you personally."
Li Shenxing took a sip of tea and said with a smile. He had shouted quite loudly just now, so his throat was still quite dry. He needed some tea to moisten it.
Li He said with a smile, "Lord Li, my uncle has long wanted to go ashore."
"My uncle has left the people for many years, and he misses his homeland. Now that the Emperor is on the throne, my uncle has gotten to know many rulers of small foreign countries. These people also admire the Daming and want to go to the capital with my uncle to meet the Emperor."
"My uncle would like to ask Lord Li to submit a memorial to the Emperor on his behalf and allow my uncle to enter the capital to meet the Emperor."
Li He's meaning, or rather, Li Dan's meaning, was very simple. I don't trust you officials.
Back then, Hu Zongxian was the Governor of the Southeast and was in charge of the Southeast's military affairs. So what?
He recruited Wang Zhi, but he was still killed by Wang Shizhen.
What was the result?
Wang Shizhen had a successful career as an official and had a meteoric rise. What about Wang Zhi?
Even his bones had rotted away.
You officials are unreliable. If I have to rely on someone, then I have to find someone I can rely on.
The current Emperor is a powerful figure with unparalleled influence.
With the Emperor's endorsement, nothing will go wrong. No one will dare to do anything, but what will you dare to do?
Wouldn't that be slapping the Emperor's face? Slapping the Emperor's face would be a light punishment if your entire family is executed. The Emperor's knife is very sharp!
If Wang Shizhen dares to slap Hu Zongxian's face, why don't you slap the Emperor's face for me to see?
Of course, Li Shenxing also knew what Li Dan meant. After thinking for a moment, Li Shenxing also felt that this was a good idea.
Compared to going out to sea to discuss with Li Dan, it was much more convenient and beneficial.
Of course, this was also because Li Shenxing had a good understanding of his own Emperor.
His Majesty did not hesitate at all when it came to doing something beneficial. On the contrary, His Majesty did not have any feints.
If Li Dan went to the capital to beg for forgiveness, the Emperor would definitely be magnanimous and accept it.
Li Shenxing looked at Li Dan and said, "Since Lord Li has this intention, I will naturally submit a memorial to His Majesty!"
Hearing Li Shenxing's words, Li He also breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I will wait for your news!"
In fact, Li Dan was very eager to return to the Daming, more eager than Li Shenxing had thought.
On the Japanese Empire's side, Toyotomi Hideyoshi was very powerful. On the other hand, Tokugawa Ieyasu, which he supported, had withdrawn.
At the same time, the foreigners were very powerful, and he also needed a new backer.
Now that he had returned to the Daming and obtained the Daming's support, his strength would be greatly enhanced.
Of course, this also required that the Daming sincerely accepted him. This was something that Li Dan needed to confirm. That was why he proposed this condition. He wanted to go to the capital to meet the Emperor and let the Emperor endorse himself.
In the name of leading the small vassal states to pay tribute, Li Dan did not think that the Emperor would trick him into going to the capital and then kill him.
The Daming Emperor wanted face, and Li Dan believed that the young Emperor would not do such a thing.
After the matter was settled, Li He left the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He was going to go back to see Li Dan and tell his uncle about what had happened today.
As for Li Shenxing, he was going to help the Tax Department collect the commercial tax, so the matter of Li Dan could only be temporarily put to the back of his mind.
The matter of the Daming commercial tax could be said to have shocked the entire world, and everyone's reactions were different.
Compared to the situation in the court, which was still relatively stable, the public opinion among the people was not so positive.
There were all kinds of opinions, but no one dared to openly resist the court's orders.
Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yijun knocked on the table with a very indifferent expression on his face. However, Zhang Jing, who was standing next to Zhu Yijun, was frightened. He knew that the Emperor was angry, and very angry.
Usually, when the Emperor saw memorials that made him angry, he would just scold them.
However, when the Emperor saw this memorial, his expression did not change, but there was a murderous look in his eyes.
Zhang Jing saw that the Emperor's hand had already touched the long sword at his waist several times. It was obvious that the Emperor had the intention to kill.
Zhu Yijun did have the intention to kill, and it was indeed because of this memorial in his hand.
The name of this memorial was very simple: Please stop the commercial tax!
The Emperor's taxes were too heavy, and it was a tyrannical levy. The Emperor already had the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a tool to amass money. Was that not enough?
Did he still want to collect taxes?
There was a paragraph in which it said that Zhu Yijun had the intention to kill, and it was a great intention to kill.
"The heart of one person is the heart of millions.
The Emperor wants gold and silver to be higher than the Big Dipper, and does not want the people to have chaff.
The Emperor wants to plan for thousands of years for his descendants, and does not want the people to have a plan for a day and a night.
"Look at the historical records, the imperial court has such a decree, and the world has such a scene, but it is not chaotic?
In the past, the government of the Yuan Dynasty was not strict, and the people were insatiable. Therefore, the Emperor used this sword to take it down, as easily as breaking dry weeds and smashing rotten wood.
This is a lesson that cannot be forgotten. "
This paragraph was very clear. If the Emperor collected the talents of the world, and did not give the people a way out, then the Daming Dynasty would be like the tyrannical Yuan Dynasty. Sooner or later, there would be people like Emperor Taizu, who would rise up to resist and take down the Daming Dynasty.
It directly described the commercial tax as a policy of chaos, and accused Zhu Yijun of being a monarch like the Yuan Dynasty. If you do this, the country will definitely perish.