Having been in Daming for 16 years, Zhu Yijun had seen all kinds of memorials criticizing him. He had also seen all kinds of keyboard warriors in his previous life. If it was just a simple memorial, Zhu Yijun would not care about it at all. However, this memorial was setting the pace.
Was this memorial well written?
Of course, it was very well written.
Whether it was the idea or the choice of words, everything was well written. If this memorial was praised by the Confucian Faction, it would definitely become a famous memorial. The person who wrote this memorial would also be praised as a famous official.
Ever since he took over the government, Zhu Yijun had been constantly changing the lower limit of the officials.
In his previous life, he did not have much of an intuitive feeling, but in this life, he had a deep feeling. These people flaunted themselves as righteous and spoke of benevolence, righteousness, and meager righteousness. However, these were all requests of others.
When it came to himself, he would not give an inch of land to others and would not lose anything.
What country, what emperor, they could all be abandoned.
Although they said that they were drunk, in reality, they were doing despicable and dirty things.
Zhu Yijun reached out and handed the memorial to Zhang Jing. "Go and find out who this Li Maocai is!"
"Yes, Imperial Majesty!" Zhang Jing answered and bowed before leaving.
Ever since the commercial tax was imposed, the situation in the court was still relatively stable. No officials submitted a memorial. However, everyone knew that this matter would not be settled just like that.
At this time, the court had already touched on many interests.
Commercial tax was not land tax. Although it was also against the government to pay taxes as one, it was not easy to cause a ruckus if the officials and Honours were caught.
Commercial tax was different. The commercial tax would affect the wealthiest group of people in the world.
This group of people was represented by the officials of Jiangnan and the southeast. They were very powerful.
Recently, a storm was brewing in the capital. However, it had not started yet. The main reason was that everyone was waiting for the local authorities to react. They were waiting for the local authorities to fall into chaos.
"Imperial Majesty, Old Slave found this Li Maocai." Zhang Jing stood respectfully behind Zhu Yijun and said.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Okay, tell me about it!"
"Li Maocai, Wanli's second year of Jinshi, Suzhou's Ministry of Revenue. His family is poor, and he isn't a wealthy merchant.
It's just that Li Maocai's wife is from the Shao family, and the Shao family is an aristocratic family in Suzhou. "
"Our main business is silk and mulberry dyed cloth. We are one of the largest silk merchants in Jiangnan."
"There are three dyeing factories in the family, and they employ more than two thousand people. They are famous merchants."
After listening to Zhang Jing's words, Zhu Yijun nodded. He understood in his heart that these people were indeed causing trouble.
It seemed that his little bit of luck would not exist. It was impossible to collect taxes safely.
Once his tax policy came out, he would basically be beaten into a mining tax supervisor.
Many of Wei Zhongxian's policies were actually reasonable, but he was still scolded as a castrated dog.
Throughout Wei Zhongxian's life, he had never increased the burden of the people. When Wei Zhongxian was in power, the land tax of the people in the northwest was two silver coins per mu.
When the Donglin Party, which was full of benevolence and morality, came to power, the land tax of the people in the northwest was two silver coins per mu.
With the addition of the three salaries and taxes, as well as the exorbitant levies of the local officials, it would be strange if the people could survive.
How could they not rebel?
Disregarding everything else, the salary given to Dongjiang's commander-in-chief, Mao Wenlong, was directly bleached by 40% through the hands of the officials.
Wei Zhongxian forcefully sold the riding rights of the imperial palace to raise horses. He offended a large number of officials, but did not increase the burden of the farmers.
The castrated party collected all kinds of commercial taxes and sea taxes. Although there was a lot of corruption, they did not increase taxes on the people.
When Henan was hit by a disaster, they were exempted from taxes, and the palace treasury provided disaster relief.
After the castrated party toppled the Donglin Party, the Yellow River, which had not been repaired for decades, began to be repaired.
When the Donglin Party came to power again, they first banned the sea and did not collect sea taxes. Secondly, they removed the eunuchs who collected salt taxes, cloth taxes, and other commercial taxes.
Why? It was because capitalism was budding, and these taxes were all paid by the landlord class represented by the Donglin Party. This directly emptied the national treasury, while the landlord class represented by the Donglin Party was rich enough to rival a country.
The national treasury lacked a source of income, so what was to be done?
They increased taxes on the farmers. Regardless of whether there was a disaster or not, the taxes were still the same, and the previous taxes had to be paid. From the first year of Chongzhen to the seventeenth year, not a single cent was invested in the management of the Yellow and Huai rivers, and the farmers' lives became even worse.
Originally, Zhu Yijun felt that he had done so many things, and even deliberately used the phrase "taken from the people, for the people", and the Ministry of Rites suggested building a mausoleum for him, but he rejected it.
Ever since he ascended to the throne, every meal was four dishes and one soup, and ever since he took over the government, he had never made a new set of clothes.
In the sixteen years since he ascended to the throne, the number of palace maids and eunuchs in the palace had been reduced, and the expenses in the palace had also been reduced.
He did his best to spend every penny he had, and every penny was used on big things. But what was the result?
He started his own business, and fought in the northwest, but what?
They said that he amassed the wealth of the world, said that he was like the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and said that he was evil and harmed the people, but what about themselves?
They lived in eight rooms, and had as many servants as there were clouds. They wanted to eat all the delicacies in the world, but they could not bear to pay taxes.
Pressing on the sword at his waist, Zhu Yijun's eyes flashed with a cold light, "This time, let's give it a try!"
"Let's see if your mouths are better, or my sword!"
It was unrealistic to want them to sing praises for him. During the Kangxi and Qianlong Dynasties of the Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng was abandoned, but Zhu Yijun had always felt that the only decent emperor of the Manchurian Qing Dynasty was Yongzheng, but he was slandered.
"Zhang Jing, draft a decree from the cabinet, and announce to the world that the imperial court's tax collection is to enrich the country, strengthen the army, and benefit the world.
All Daming officials should be loyal to the Daming, and cooperate with the imperial court to collect commercial taxes. Those who do not cooperate are disloyal, and are not fit to be Daming officials. "
"All officials should cooperate with the Tax Department to collect commercial taxes. Those who fail to collect commercial taxes will be punished severely."
"Send the decree to the Duke of Wei's Mansion. The Duke of Wei's Mansion has been honored for generations, guarding Nanjing, and is the pillar of the country. This time, the imperial court's collection of commercial taxes is my intention. The Duke of Wei's Mansion should cooperate with the Tax Department."
"All the troops guarding Jiangnan will be deployed by the Duke of Wei's Mansion. Those who resist will be punished severely."
Zhang Jing hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes, Old Slave, this is the decree!"
"Wait a moment, and also send the decree to the Imperial Bodyguard and the Inner Factory. Keep an eye on the governors and feudal officials of the provinces. If they slack off, report it to me as soon as possible.
Send people to keep an eye on the Duke of Wei's Mansion. If the Duke of Wei's Mansion is pretending, report it to me. "
"Yes, Imperial Majesty!" Zhang Jing hurriedly said, and then left.
As the days passed, the atmosphere in the court became strange. Everyone was waiting for the day when the business tax would be collected.
On the first day of the fifth month, the capital officially began to collect commercial taxes.
All shops inside and outside the capital began to collect business tax. Coal and iron mines began to collect production tax. Bulk goods began to collect transaction tax.
Everything in the Shun Tian Mansion was carried out in an orderly manner.
The Tax Department's horse carriage slowly moved on the street. When it stopped in front of a shop, it would cup its hands.
After handing over the tax bill, it would collect the money and go to the next shop. Everything was carried out in an orderly manner.
Quanjude in the capital.
Ever since this place opened, it had become a new attraction in the capital. It wasn't just a building, but a high-class clubhouse.
The main purpose of this shop wasn't to sell roast ducks, but to make a name for itself.
Rather than calling it a shop, it would be better to call it a garden.
In the garden, there was the Harmonious Stream of the Goblet, lush trees, rockery, and strange rocks. In the shade of the trees, there were many small buildings. It looked very elegant.
In the middle of the garden, there was a library, which contained all kinds of books.
This was already a good place for scholars to gather in the capital.
Delicious roast duck and roast chicken, paired with wine from all over the country, especially the unique fruit wine here. It was sweet and delicious. Drinking it from a clear glass was truly a joyful thing.
Talking about the world while drinking, it was really a pleasant experience.
In the shade of the trees, a young man dressed in white leisurely walked over. A white jade pendant hung on his waist, and in his hand was a folding fan. On the surface of the fan was a painting of mountains and rivers.
On the surface of the fan were four words, "Mountains and Rivers, Exterior and Interior", and below it were two words, "Xu Wei".
This meant that this fan was created by the number one scholar of Daming, Xu Wei, Xu Wenchang.
Behind the young man, there was an old man dressed in luxurious clothing, but with one look, it was obvious that he was a servant.
On the other side, there was a young man carrying a sword, and he looked like a guard.
This young man with an extraordinary temperament was naturally not anyone else. He was the Son of Daming, Zhu Yijun.
When the capital began to collect business taxes, he was naturally worried. Since he could not do anything in peace in the palace, he decided to come out to take a look.
In the end, he found that the entire capital was peaceful.
The collection of business taxes was very smooth, and no one caused any trouble.
In fact, Zhu Yijun knew very well that this was because no one dared to cause trouble. Who did the business in the capital belong to? Honours, relatives, and court officials. These people were all under his control, and they did not dare to cause trouble. Naturally, no one else dared to cause trouble.
The smooth collection of taxes from Shun Tian Prefecture made Zhu Yijun feel much better. That was why he had the leisure to come here.
This Quanjude Garden was actually just a corner of the extravagant lifestyle in the western suburbs of the capital. After Zhu Yijun's guidance and the management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this place could be said to be a convergence of the north and the south.
Whether it was good stuff or fun stuff, this place had everything.
Walking in the garden, Zhu Yijun heaved a sigh of relief. This feeling was really good.
As he walked, Zhu Yijun suddenly saw a pavilion in front of him. He immediately wanted to go over and rest.
But just as he walked in, Zhu Yijun heard people arguing inside.
"Your words, I do not dare to agree with you. All the merchants in the world are wealthy. Just a small amount of business taxes will make them unable to live?
Making the commoners unable to live?
This is a big fallacy. "
"The Imperial Court is the place to balance the Yin and Yang. Taking the wealth of the wealthy merchants, training the soldiers, repairing the roads, and managing the rivers and canals are all great achievements. How can it be harming the commoners?
In the affairs of the world, there is no need to worry about the quantity, only the unevenness. The Imperial Court has to balance the quantity, and this is the duty of the Imperial Court. "
"In my humble opinion, the Imperial Court first collected grain as a whole, and then introduced new business taxes. This is indeed a wise strategy."
"The current Emperor is wise, farsighted, and virtuous. Ever since he ascended the throne, he has been close to the people and diligent in governing. He hasn't built any palaces in the past 15 years, and his daily meals are only four dishes and one soup.
Why? "" It is for the sake of prosperity and power, and to pursue the dead. His Majesty is a wise ruler that is rarely seen in ten thousand generations. He is truly a Daming Sage. The matter of business taxes has once again proven His Majesty's wisdom and wisdom. "
"I, as a student, have met a wise ruler and served him. This is truly enough to comfort my entire life!"
Zhu Yijun gently waved the fan in his hand. There was a smile on his face. Not bad, this student was very good. His words were very reasonable and deeply touched my heart. Very good, very good.
At this time, another person's voice rang out.
"Brother, I do not dare to agree with your words. The current Emperor is wise and farsighted. He is the ruler of a resurgence. Naturally, there is no need for brother to elaborate on this. This is something that everyone in the world knows."
"Today, we are discussing business taxes, not His Majesty."
Zhu Yijun did not believe these words. Compared to the reverence that came from the heart, this was clearly a lot more hypocritical.
However, Zhu Yijun had seen many people like this, so he was willing to listen to what he had to say.
"Taxes are the foundation of the Imperial Court. I will not elaborate on this point. The important thing is how the taxes are collected and how they are used."
"How to use taxes? This is what His Majesty has done. He has taken from the people and used them for the people. This is truly deafening. It can be used as an eternal example for future generations."
"However, as for how to collect taxes, I feel that we should focus on reducing corvee and taxes."
"His Majesty abolished corvee and replaced corvee with money. This is a sage's plan.
However, the tax collection is not a small tax.
Farming and learning are passed down through the family. Raising silkworms and weaving cloth is a tax. This kind of mulberry tree needs to be taxed, and the woven cloth needs to be taxed. "
"Cloth transactions need to be taxed, and cloth sales need to be taxed."
"A bolt of cloth needs to be taxed from the moment it is planted to the point it is sold. How can such a tax be considered a small tax?
This is already a heavy tax!
Such a heavy tax will inevitably cause prices to soar, and merchants will not be able to make a profit. "
"As a result, merchants will go on strike, and goods from the north and south will not flow smoothly."
"If prices soar, the common people will not have the money to buy cloth. How will the common people wear clothes?
The production of land is limited. If prices rise, and there is not enough land, how will the common people provide for themselves? "
"If such a heavy tax is not desirable, isn't it competing with the common people for profit?
Why can't we hide wealth from the common people?
If the common people are rich, the country will be rich. Do I need to repeat this again? "
Zhu Yijun listened to this Wu speak with confidence and raised his eyebrows.
This person's words were pleasant to hear, but he was secretly changing the concept. To put it bluntly, he was against business taxes. No matter how dignified he was, it was useless.
The so-called hiding wealth from the common people, and the common people's wealth would make the country rich. In Zhu Yijun's eyes, this was a false proposition.
Of course, it was good for the common people to live a rich life, and it was what every ruler hoped for.
But if the common people were rich, how would the country be rich?
Wasn't it all through taxes? If the common people weren't rich, how would the country be rich?
Besides, was the current Daming the common people?
No, in the Great Ming Dynasty, it was the officials, merchants, and scholars who were rich, not the common people who were rich.
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but sigh. This person had the style of the Donglin clique!