Although everyone doesn't like to hear this, it is the truth, Guo Wendong himself has a more upright temperament, although he knows that he lives in the world, sometimes he must be tactful, but if he does not have to go around the bend, he likes to say it directly.

These words made the eyes of everyone in the conversation focus on him.

Mao Xiang said: "Wendong, what do you think is the maladministration of the imperial court?" Why don't you speak up, everyone listens. ”

Guo Wendong immediately said: "The biggest maladministration is the depletion of the source of tax revenue in the imperial court, and the big landlords. The land of scholars and vassal kings was not taxed, and merchants were not taxed. This led to two fatal consequences: first, the imperial court fought against the Manchu Qing for many years, which required huge military expenditures, and the taxes were very limited, resulting in frequent insufficient military expenditures, arrears of military salaries, and many times due to insufficient military salaries and hastily fought against the Qing army and was defeated; ”

Guo Wendong took a sip of tea, and then continued: "Second, the imperial court's regular taxes are insufficient, and it is necessary to pay the salaries of the border army, which can only be borne by small farmers. The imperial court is too short of money, and many wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan are living better than the saints! ”

Everyone was a little surprised that Guo Wendong actually said it so bluntly.

Guo Wendong said again: "The Ming Dynasty has a population of 10,000, if the imperial court can get rid of maladministration, rectify the dynasty, and twist the 10,000,000 population into a rope, why worry about the Tartars!" ”

"Well, that's right, this is indeed the biggest malpractice of the imperial court!" The first to agree with Guo Wendong was Huang Zongxi.

——————

On the second floor above the hall, in a certain room, there are three beautiful women and two maids.

When the members of the Restoration Society gathered, the three of them waited here.

In this gathering, the Fushe spent a day in Meixianglou, and when necessary, the geisha of Meixianglou will perform for these literati at any time.

Geisha like Qin Huai Bayan are not prostitutes, but people who sell their arts, because they are not only more beautiful, but also talented, so that they can be among the top of the performers.

In terms of occupation, geisha are equivalent to modern stars, and celebrities also earn income by showing their talents, and "artist" is the most correct professional title, also known as "drama".

In modern times, there are celebrity fans, there are star chasers, and outstanding artists in ancient times are also sought after, and Qin Huai Bayan is very popular among literati. The biggest difference is that the biggest difference with modern stars is that ancient dramas belonged to one of the lower nine streams, with a low status, and being able to be a concubine for literati or rich people is already the best destination.

"Guo Wendong is really different, I don't know where to get a lot of foreign goods, and I can speak boldly and outspokenly, I can have such insight!" It was Bian Yujing who spoke.

"Xianggong has mentioned Guo Gongzi in front of me many times, and I heard that those foreign skin care products have extraordinary effects, but unfortunately they are too expensive, my family is not very rich, and Xianggong is not willing to buy them." It was Dong Xiaowan who spoke.

"Chaozong has a deep friendship with Guo Gongzi, I have already told him, Chaozong will find an opportunity to talk to Guo Gongzi to see if he can give a little." It was Li Xiangjun who spoke.

Originally, Li Xiangjun was the top brand of Meixianglou, and Dong Xiaowan had nothing to do with Bian Yujing and Meixianglou.

Dong Xiaowan married Mao Xiang as a concubine after redemption two years ago, and she had already broken away from Qinglou, it was Mao Xiang who brought her to come with her and perform for everyone at the right time, so she came to Meixiang Lou together.

Qin Huai Bayan knows each other, and among each other, Li Xiangjun and Bian Yujing are the best, and it was Li Xiangjun who invited her to come.

As for the two maids, they belong to Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan respectively.

In the high-end Qinglou, special maids are arranged for high-end geisha, and Qin Huai Bayan naturally has a special maid for each person.

Dong Xiaowan's maid was equipped for her by Mao Xiang.

——————

In the hall on the first floor, Huang Zongxi continued: "At the beginning of the founding of the country, all dynasties were light and thin. In the early Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizu raised millions of soldiers, and it didn't cost the people a grain of rice. Taizu set up a guard system, and the military households were self-sufficient, and they did not need military expenses from the imperial court. But later, the guard post system was destroyed, the military land was occupied by officers, and the guard post was useless. ”

He also pointed out another major malpractice of the Ming Dynasty.

Soon, Chen Zilong said: "If the system of guards can be restored, or if the imperial court collects taxes from merchants, gentry, and landlords, the imperial court will no longer need to levy additional taxes on small farmers in the north, and it will still have the ability to provide disaster relief, and the biggest problem will naturally be solved." ”

Guo Wendong said: "If you want to regain the occupied military land and rectify the guards, the implications are widespread; If you want to collect taxes from the gentry, landlords and merchants, the resistance will also be great, and you have to be very bold, if the imperial court wants to collect taxes from your families, are you willing? ”

The people sitting at the party, either their fathers or themselves, have a meritorious name, have a land tax exemption allowed by the imperial court, and even some are engaged in business, all of which are not subject to tax.

When it came to the issue of self-interest, the audience suddenly fell silent, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward.

Hou Fangyu broke the calm first, and he said to Guo Wendong: "Brother Wendongxian, if the imperial court levies a commercial tax on your medical hall and foreign goods store at a rate of thirty taxes, are you willing?" ”

Guo Wendong did not hesitate, and immediately responded: "If the imperial court can issue regulations, all businessmen need to pay taxes, and I, Guo Wendong, raise my hand to welcome and take the initiative to cooperate with the payment of taxes." ”

Truth be told, the 30 tax one, that is, the 3.33% business tax rate is not too high, and the vast majority of businessmen can afford it, and every country in modern times taxes large companies much more than that.

The items sold by Guo Wendong are all taken at no cost, and making one-thirtieth less money is nothing.

"Okay, Wendong is good!" Hou Fangyu applauded him.

Under his leadership, people applauded one after another.

Many people present, of course, would be a little unhappy if the imperial court taxed his family, but they all had the world in their hearts and sighed for the fall of the Ming Dynasty, from the perspective of the imperial court, they should pay taxes.

Anyway, it's just talking here, and it's not that the imperial court really collects taxes from the gentry and merchants, anyway, there is nothing wrong with the big truth, and everyone is happy to applaud Guo Wendong.

In the hearts of the people, they hope to restore the system of guards, just like in the early Ming Dynasty, so that there is no need to tax the gentry, and the problem of military resources and military expenses can be solved.

Later, the Qing soldiers went south to the south of the Yangtze River, many people here actively resisted the Qing Dynasty, and later died in battle, or were captured and swore not to surrender and were killed, or did not work hard for the Qing court, Yang Tingshu, Fang Yizhi, Chen Zhenhui and others cut their hair as monks, lived in seclusion, even if they shaved their heads, they did not want to leave money rat tails, and did not want to be slaves.

The Restoration Society is not only for personal gain like the Donglin Party, and many people still have integrity, otherwise Guo Wendong would not have been with these people and would not have come to the party.

Guo Wendong said frankly and bluntly, and his analytical ability was good, which was the impression of those present on him.

The atmosphere of the scene reached a small climax.

Guo Wendong said loudly: "Everyone gathers here, how can there be no good wine, I brought the best Western red wine for you to taste." ”

Yu Yufeng and Chunxiang brought several bottles of red wine to the two countertops.

The red wine brought this time will be sold for thousands of yuan a bottle in modern times, this French red wine, there is a large warehouse in the space, it was originally to be based on the Oriental Port, and then shipped to various places for sale, which is cheaper Guo Wendong, all belong to him.

Hou Fangyu took the initiative to pick up the corkscrew and open the lid, poured wine for everyone again, and then taught everyone how to taste red wine.

Everyone tasted it according to the method, and after taking a sip of wine, the aftertaste was endless, which was a great feeling.

"It's the best wine I've ever had!"

"The wine that Wendong brought is really different!"

"If you can drink red wine regularly, it is a great joy in life!"

"It's got a distinct grape flavor, and I don't know how to make it?"

………

Everyone, you are admiring every word.

Hou Fangyu said: "You can't only have good wine, but also singing and dancing, and Xiangjun, the lover of the Chaozong, is willing to cheer you up." ”

Mao Xiang said: "Bijiang specially brought Xiao Wan, and also performed for everyone." ”