Commercial tax, in the era before Yuan Chang's crossing, I believe everyone knows that it is a tax full of oil and water. However, in the feudal era, especially before the Song Dynasty, commercial taxes were not valued by the imperial court at all, and only some were collected symbolically.

Before the Song Dynasty, the tax revenue of the imperial court was mainly based on land endowment, supplemented by other taxes such as Ding tax and land tax, and commercial taxes accounted for a small part. Scholars, farmers, industrialists, merchants, and merchants had a very low status, so business practices were looked down upon. Therefore, the imperial court did not care much about the taxes of merchants. In their view, collecting taxes from merchants is simply lowering their status. So, some people will say, the tax of merchants is so low, don't many people run to become merchants?

This is simply a joke, what is the status of a businessman? Even if he can really make money, no one wants to be a businessman unless he has to. Even if you are a farmer, when you see a businessman spraying you in the face, it is estimated that the businessman will not dare to speak. Of course, some super-rich businessmen are not comparable, and if someone wants to drill the tip of the bull's horns, then if the son of a peasant official compares it, it will not be the same as spraying the businessman's face. So, under normal circumstances, no peasant would become a merchant in order to avoid paying taxes.

Just like the opening of the famous Silk Road, it undoubtedly made the economy of the Central Plains developed, which is also the role brought by merchants. However, the imperial court still did not pay much attention to it. On the contrary, the soldiers who were stationed at the border and were responsible for the entry and exit of merchants made a lot of money from these merchants.

So, why did the commercial tax increase sharply after the Song Dynasty?

The reason is very simple, during the Song Dynasty, commercial development was too prosperous, and "Qingming Riverside Map" is a microcosm of commercial development. Tang Taizong Li Shimin created the Tang Dynasty, many people thought that the Tang Dynasty was very rich, however, compared with the Song Dynasty, it was a heaven and an underground. The reason why the Tang Dynasty is called a prosperous era is because of the strong military strength of the Tang Dynasty soldiers and the integration of nationalities. As far as the economy of the Tang Dynasty was concerned, it occupied a quarter of the world, yes, a quarter of the entire world at that time. However, the economy of the Song Dynasty at that time was quite staggering, accounting for nine-tenths, and even Britain at the time of the first industrial revolution did not reach this point. It can be seen how developed the commerce of the Song Dynasty was. Therefore, it is impossible for the imperial court not to pay attention to the commercial tax. This is also the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia, Liao, Dajin and other countries to start a war, no matter whether it wins or loses, the Song court will pay compensation, the surname of the family is "send", rich is so capricious, what can you say!

Let's say that after Yuan Chang raised the issue of commercial taxation, the careful livers of the officials present jumped up "suddenly", and there was a faint bad premonition.

Most of the officials present were from big families and could be regarded as descendants of the family. Therefore, they all understand that each family has its own property in Bohai County. The imperial court felt that collecting taxes from merchants was an act of degrading one's status, however, for the great families, doing business was very profitable. Don't look at most of the families, they read the way of Confucius and Mencius, however, no one is more proficient than them.

And now, when Yuan Chang suddenly said the issue of commercial taxes, how could they not be frightened.

I saw an official stand up, I saw that he was dignified and had good facial features, even if he was middle-aged, he could vaguely see that he was a ** talent when he was young.

However, as soon as this guy spoke, everyone present felt that he was brain-dead, and he was the hopeless kind.

"Lord Taishou, do you think that this business tax is too high, so you also need to reduce it?"

Everyone secretly ridiculed themselves, this guy is still good-looking, how could he ask such an idiot's words? The commercial tax levied by the imperial court is one hundred taxes, that is to say, the merchant earns one hundred gold, and the imperial court only collects one gold tax, which can be said to be incredibly low. If it was placed in the era before Yuan Chang traveled, it is estimated that those businessmen would flock to this era. Nima, such a tax rate is the same as nothing. Don't look at the many people who are in business, however, there are few real big businessmen, and most of them are under the control of the big families. For example, the Hedong Wei family, the Xuzhou Mi family, etc., are all rich for a while, but they are all from big families.

Yuan Chang glanced at this guy lightly, and asked expressionlessly, "Who is your surname and what is your position?"

When the officials present saw Yuan Chang's expression, they seemed to know that this guy was going to suffer. However, as the main figure of the incident, he did not have the slightest consciousness, straightened his robe slightly, and said in a bullish tone: "Subordinate Chen Huan, who is in the position of Cangcao History. It's not that adults think that what their subordinates say is reasonable, so they want to promote their subordinates. Actually, the subordinates felt that they didn't need it, and the subordinates thought that the position of Cang Cao Shi was suitable for the subordinates, and the subordinates..."

"Bang!"

However, before Chen Huan, who felt good about himself, finished speaking, Yuan Chang, who was already impatient after listening to two sentences, slammed the desk and stared at Chen Huan with a cold face, as if he wanted to devour Chen Huan alive.

The other officials secretly shook their heads in their hearts, laughing at how the people from the Chen family were so superb.

That's right, this Cangcao Shi Chen Huan is a son of the Chen family, one of the big families in Bohai County. This Chen Huan is still an uncle and nephew with Chen Tang, who was ousted by Yuan Chang before. Chen Tang relied on the old and sold the old and did nothing, while Chen Huan felt good about himself and had no eyes at all.

During the previous discussion, Chen Huan, as the history of Cang Cao, naturally had to take inventory of everything in the warehouse when Yuan Chang and Yuan Chang handed over. Therefore, Chen Huan didn't see the scene where Yuan Chang asked Chen Tang to abdicate and make way for Xian, otherwise, Chen Huan would never dare to stand up and say this nonsense at this moment. It's a pity that Chen Huan didn't know about Chen Tang, so Chen Huan was destined to have a cup.

At that time, Chen Tang was forced away by Yuan Chang, there were so many officials present, it stands to reason that Chen Huan should know, but he didn't know, why is this?

As I said before, Chen Huan has no eyes, simply put, he doesn't understand the world. The relationship with his colleagues is not very good, so no one will take the initiative to tell Chen Huan about Chen Tang. Secondly, everyone knows that Chen Tang is a cautious person, and he will repay him. He was naturally embarrassed to be driven away by Yuan Chang, but he wouldn't run to tell others about it. And the officials present at the time would not publicize it, Chen Tang's seniority was extremely high, and everyone didn't want to provoke such a person. In the end, Chen Tang's affairs were not clear to anyone except the officials present at the time.

And Chen Tang also seems to have disappeared without a trace. However, everyone knows that Chen Tang will not let Yuan Chang go so lightly, Chen Tang is like a poisonous snake, squatting quietly in the corner, looking for an opportunity to give Yuan Chang a fatal blow.

"Lord Taishou, where did your subordinates say something wrong, please correct Lord Taishou. ”

Chen Huan was a little puzzled, why did Yuan Chang slap the table and get mad for no reason? Could it be that what he said was not right? However, it seems that there is no problem, what he said seems to be very reasonable!

"Humph!"

Yuan Chang snorted coldly, and scolded directly: "Are you tm of eating too much brainless gold, and what you said is reasonable, and labor and management still want to promote your position? Go back and ask your mother if you are the product of three generations of close relatives..."

Yuan Chang scolded for a long time without stopping, and the officials present were dumbfounded, but they really didn't expect that Yuan Chang, who was born in the Yuan family of the fourth and third dukes, scolded people so sharply.

"Taishou-sama, you, you..."

Chen Huan was scolded for being a bloody squirt, although Yuan Chang scolded a lot of content, he was confused. However, at least he knew that Yuan Chang was scolding himself.

"You are self-righteous, self-conscious. From today on, you don't have to go to work in the Taishou Mansion anymore, and I will have someone send your money to your house. Now, get me together and get out. ”

Not only Chen Huan was stunned, but most of the officials present were also stunned, so they dismissed Chen Huan from his post in this way? Was it too child's play? However, when they thought about what happened to Chen Tang, they didn't think that there was any child's play that happened to Chen Huan. Of course, the lesson of the Chen family told them that they must not get sè in front of Yuan Chang, otherwise, you will be the one who dies.

"Lord Taishou, the official positions of your subordinates were appointed by Lord Thorn Shi, and you have no right to remove them. ”

Chen Huan expressed dissatisfaction, stiffened his neck, and said with a resolute face.

"Yo he!"

Yuan Chang smiled, extremely emotional in his heart, and couldn't wait to give the Chen family a pennant of "Have the courage to help others, I am for everyone". He wants to kill chickens and make an example of monkeys, and every time the children of the Chen family cooperate with him, which makes Yuan Chang so moved that he doesn't know what to say.

"Now, I'm the biggest in Bohai County, and if I tell you to get out, you'll get out. Of course, if you are not convinced, you can go to Yecheng to report to Lord Thorn Shi, and I will not stop you. However, before Lord Assassin Shi did not reply, in Bohai County, no one could disobey my words, no matter which family it was, it was the same. So, do you understand? If you don't get out of here, you're welcome. ”

Chen Huan gritted his teeth and stood still without moving, he wanted to see how Yuan Chang let him go.

"Humph!"

Yuan Chang smiled disdainfully, most of the scholars are probably stupid to read, it is indeed not easy for them to live to this age!

"Where is the deputy lieutenant!"

"I'm here!"

Dian Wei shouted and jumped into the hall, his fierce face was full of hideous colors, and his murderous eyes swept over everyone.

"This guy has been deposed, but he is not leaving, trying to disrupt Bentai's affairs, what to do, you know. ”

"Yes, sir!"

Dian Wei walked up to Chen Huan with a cruel smile, stretched out his right hand like a pampas leaf, and lifted Chen Huan up like a chicken. The officials in the hall who watched were terrified, Yuan Chang, the Taishou, was very cruel, and Yuan Chang's guards were the same. Chen Huan was such a big person, but he was lifted by Dian Wei with one hand.

After Dian Wei took Chen Huan away, Yuan Chang showed a kind smile on his face, and said "kindly": "Everyone, the guy who is in the way is no longer there, let's continue to talk about the issue of commercial tax!"

The officials present had all seen Yuan Chang's vicious face, and how could they be deceived by his disguised kind face. Now the discussion is about commercial taxation, which is related to the interests of most officials' families, so they are all silent and do not speak themselves, Yuan Chang can't force them to speak.

He Wen's gaze swept over everyone, his brows furrowed, and he wanted to stand up, but he was worried that the Chen family would become the target of everyone.

Yuan Chang's purpose is already obvious, that is, to raise commercial taxes. This is already unavoidable, but these officials are lucky, thinking that they have nothing to do without speaking, which is simply ridiculous. He Wen knew very well that Yuan Chang, who was in charge of Bohai County, had already made up his mind to raise the commercial tax of Bohai County. Now they only have two choices, either for or against, there is no third way for them to go, and they want to be the ones who fall on both sides of the wall, and in the end neither side can please them.

In He Wen's heart, he actually recognized Yuan Chang's approach. Although the He family also has its own industry, however, He Wen values the interests of Bohai County, even if the commercial tax is raised, the He family is still profitable, in this case, why not discuss peacefully and agree on a rule that is satisfactory to both parties. He Wen thinks so, and others obviously don't think so.

Yuan Chang's gaze swept over everyone, and He Wen's expression changed, and he naturally saw it in his eyes. Therefore, he has roughly understood what everyone is thinking.

Guo Jia's expression was calm, and he stepped forward and said, "My lord, the court is lenient and treats businessmen with kindness." The behavior of merchants has always been very lenient, and even if the tax is paid, it is only a symbolic payment. However, even so, most businessmen are still not satisfied, and use various methods to evade and evade taxes. Their behavior was so shameful that since they did not want to accept the court's leniency, there was no need to be polite. Therefore, his subordinates thought that they could raise the commercial tax, punish the shameless merchants, and increase the income of Bohai County. ”

Guo Jia's behavior is obviously in harmony with Yuan Chang. Moreover, Guo Jia is Yuan Chang's person, and everyone knows that Guo Jia will stand up and support Yuan Chang, and they all expected it.

"My lord, what Master Guo said is reasonable. ”

"My lord, we agree with what Master Guo said. ”

"My lord, I agree. ”

However, not long after Guo Jia's words fell, several more people stood up, and they all supported Guo Jia's opinion on raising commercial taxes. Obviously, these people have already communicated with Guo Jia.

Everyone looked at those who agreed, and suddenly their hearts understood*.

There are a total of six people who agree with Guo Jia, two of whom are from civilian backgrounds, and their positions are also very low, which is basically equivalent to the status of nothing. And there are four other people whose positions are a little higher, but only a little higher. Of course, the most important thing is that these four people are also from a big family. It's just that their family is relatively low-end, and they are all about to reach the point of being cold. Therefore, everyone also understood why they chose to support Yuan Chang, obviously they wanted to take this opportunity to give their family a chance to be reborn. If they win, their family will be able to stand up again, and if they lose, they will at most leave Bohai County. Anyway, their family is going to decline and become a cold family, so it is better to take advantage of this opportunity to fight.

He Wen was even more entangled in his heart, Guo Jia had won over the children of these big families in such a short period of time, and they didn't receive the slightest news. It can be seen that Guo Jia's ability is terrifying. You must know that as Yuan Chang's henchmen, Guo Jia, Zhao Yun and others have always been stared at by the family. However, they didn't discover the abilities of Guo Jia and these families, how could his abilities not be feared?

At that moment, He Wen was ruthless in his heart, and stepped forward and said: "Lord Taishou, what Master Guo said is very true, and his subordinates also feel very reasonable. It's just how much should this commercial tax be raised, and how should it be decided?"

He Wen's words are straight to the root, and the amount of business tax is the key.

And some people who reacted quickly also understood what He Wen meant, and stood up and agreed to raise the commercial tax. Now Yuan Chang has obviously decided to raise business taxes, and if he still contradicts Yuan Chang, it is really looking for death. Since the results are all the same, why waste time? Moreover, He Wen is right, the key is how much the commercial tax should be raised.

The original commercial tax was one hundred taxes, and if it was raised to one hundred taxes and two, it would not be a big deal, and I believe they didn't bother to refute a word. However, if the commercial tax is raised too high, I believe that many people will find it difficult to accept. A businessman is profit-seeking, even if he is a businessman from a big family, he is still profit-seeking. Marx, the great socialist martyr, once said: "If capital has 50 percent profits, it will take risks; if it has 100 percent profits, it will dare to trample on the laws of the world; if it has 300 percent profits, it will dare to commit any crime, even at the cost of its life." ”

Yuan Chang looked at He Wen and felt that this guy was flexible, so he looked at He Wen and said, "He Juncheng, you also think that it is right to raise the commercial tax, then, how much should you raise?"

The corners of He Wen's mouth twitched, he didn't expect that he was being targeted by Yuan Chang. However, he also expected that once he stood up and spoken, there would be such a day. Therefore, he did not panic and stood up calmly. He Wen will not have an opinion on raising the commercial tax, and at the same time, while satisfying Yuan Chang, the family must also be able to make profits. Therefore, after thinking for a while, He Wen made a decision.

"Lord Taishou, my subordinates think that the commercial tax can be raised to 100 taxes, increase the income of Bohai County, and accelerate the development of Bohai County. As a citizen of Bohai County, his subordinates believe that everyone is willing to contribute their strength. ”

Many of the children of the big families present suddenly looked at He Wen, wondering if He Wen was crazy.

The original commercial tax was one hundred taxes, but now He Wen has increased tenfold in one breath, if he is not a madman, how can he say such a thing?

In fact, He Wen was also very helpless.

Since he had decided to stand up and follow in Yuan Chang's footsteps, he would not change again. Since Yuan Chang has taken out the issue of commercial taxation, it is obvious that it will not be a small fight. Anyone who really understands knows that there is a lot of profit in doing business. Most of the goods are at least half earned, and even several times the profit. Therefore, the tax rate of 100 taxes and 10 taxes, in fact, strictly speaking, is really not very high.

It's a pity that the children of other big families don't think so. The money earned in business is theirs, and there is no reason why they should give it to the imperial court. As a result, many people jumped out to refute it.

"He Juncheng, is the 100 tax and 10 too high?"

"He Juncheng, what Zhang Jishu said is right. The merchants were also very difficult to trade, and now they had taken 10% of their taxes in one go, and I am afraid that they would be dissatisfied. ”

He Wen sneered in his heart and told me that it was useless, Yuan Chang was the one who decided.

It seemed that they had all thought of this, and the others no longer besieged He Wen, and all looked at Yuan Chang. He Wen's pupils suddenly constricted, and just now, he found that a cold light flashed in Yuan Chang's eyes. A cold sweat broke out behind him, it seemed that Yuan Chang was going to make a big move.

At this point, He Wen quickly made a decision.