Back home, Li Yaoji's worries did not lessen, but became more worried. He didn't study economics, and he couldn't think of any good way to increase the income of the people, and to put it bluntly, promote economic development.

However, in ancient times, it was a society that valued agriculture and suppressed commerce, and the people's income basically came from farming, which was difficult to improve by farming alone.

However, the status of merchants is the lowest, and in terms of hierarchical classification, merchants belong to "untouchables", which shows how miserable they are, with huge wealth, no worries about food and clothing, but low status. So even if there is a good business model, it can't be developed.

The development of the commodity economy and the support of commerce by the imperial court were after the Tang Dynasty.

Li Yaowei has always been cautious, and what he does has always adhered to one point: not to influence the course of history too much.

Therefore, he knows some things, but he can't use them, he doesn't dare to put forward things like factories, maybe he can't do it, and the best way at present is to persuade Li Yuan to support the commodity economy, and then come up with a commodity plan that benefits the whole people.

Find the fifth Ming, "What is the situation of the Silk Road in the Western Regions now?" ”

"(⊙o⊙) What?" Fifth, I am puzzled.

"It is the Western Regions, the road that connects the countries of the West."

"Because of the war, there have been very few people in recent years, although the Western Turks and our country are an alliance, but the Turks are barbaric and dare not guarantee that they will not have different intentions."

"You say, what's the best way to make money, and everybody can participate?"

"In fact, as long as the wind and rain are smooth and harmless, the people's income will naturally be high."

In this short period of time, the effect is not obvious, and Li Yuan made it clear that he wanted to find a way to get a sum of money, and then he could comfort the families of the soldiers.

This money is definitely enough for Datang's treasury, but Li Yuan wants to ensure that the treasury has deposits.

"I think of a solution, but maybe you're not happy." Li Yaowei looked at the fifth Ming and hesitated slightly.

"What's the solution?" Fifth Ming didn't think there was anything, as long as he could help Li Yaojian get through the difficulties.

"Raise the status of the merchants, and then raise the taxes of the merchants."

Li Yaojian thought of making money from the rich, because the tax on merchants in ancient times was very small, so merchants basically earned as much as they wanted.

If according to the modern era, the average tax rate is 20%, then the imperial court will be happy to collect money.

"This is no problem, since ancient times, the status of merchants has been low, and the children of merchants are even forbidden to be officials, and they are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination. If it can really improve the status of businessmen, I believe that most businessmen will. ”

Wu Ming said that his father and grandfather, for decades, have wanted to contact the upper class through various methods to improve their status, but unfortunately they have not returned, he has a lot of money, but he is looked down upon by those who are too poor to open the pot, you can imagine how eager the businessman is for status.

Li Yaowei also understood that the ancient people believed that businessmen were full of copper smell, valued profit over righteousness, and could abandon their conscience for the sake of profit, so they listed businessmen as "untouchables" and prevented businessmen from entering politics, because they were afraid that businessmen would ignore the people of the country for the sake of interests.

I think that at the beginning, when Li Yaoyu first married Fifth Yao, most people in Chang'an City also looked at him and ridiculed him, even if he was a well-known talent.

After Li Yuan canonized him as an official at that time, the ministers of the court and the central government were all strongly opposed, thinking that he had hurt the hearts of the people and scholars, and even persuaded Li Yuan to retract his life, even if this would make Li Yuan lose a bad reputation for not believing in his words, and he did not want to make a bad start.

The most important thing for future generations to experience this difference in status is in Bai Juyi's famous poem "Pipa Xing", the sentence "The boss marries a businesswoman", a singer who sells art, is old and decrepit, marries a businessman, and feels that she is forced to "marry", and she is very aggrieved.

However, Li Yaowei also felt that it was not a good thing to let businessmen enter politics, but it was not impossible to improve their status.

"Ordinary shops and workshops will have account books, right?"

"Right...... Brother-in-law, have you ever been to see a business for so many days? ”

“…… No. "Fifth Wenbo gave him two big shops, but he didn't participate, and he asked Fifth Ming to help manage them.

Li Yaoyu entered the palace again, met Li Yuan, and told Li Yuan his thoughts.

"This will involve the foundation of the country for thousands of years." Li Yuan shook his head and said, "In this way, the common people have gone to business, who will farm the land?" ”

"Raise the taxes of the merchants and lower the taxes of the peasants. With fewer taxes, the people's burdens are lighter, and their incomes are higher. ”

"Then you say, how should the merchants' taxes be collected?"

"Based on the merchant's net profit, two ...... are charged Income tax of twelve. Li Yaowei's mother sold batches in his heart, and the word "cheng" couldn't be said to be really annoying, so he had to change his words by two-tenths.

"Twenty percent?" Li Yuan was stunned, this is too ruthless, right?

"If it's a small shop, you can charge half less."

"Are you sure they're willing to pay?"

"As long as they are given enough status, they must be willing."

"What status?"

"Allowing their children to be officials, of course, can't be too high, and they can't enter important official offices, and your majesty decides."

Li Yuan shook his head, "In this way, everyone who reads in the world will be cold." ”

"No, scholars are definitely not willing to be petty officials, in addition, Your Majesty can stipulate that the children of merchants are officials, and they are not allowed to pay money, and they are not allowed to go to the court, etc., so that although they are officials, they are subject to restrictions everywhere, so ordinary people and scholars will definitely not pursue this."

Li Yuan pondered, "In this way, the merchants don't have much benefit, and they are willing to pay taxes for it?" ”

"They need status, and secondly, if Your Majesty can formulate policies to support the commercial economy and make it easier for merchants to do business, I believe they will be more grateful to Your Majesty, so that merchants will be more likely to make money and pay more taxes."

The core point of view of Li Yaowei is to develop a commodity economy and increase taxes on merchants.

Of course, Li Yaowei has other plans, that is, to make money from foreigners, and when Li Shimin ascends the throne a few years later, the war will be calmed down, and the Tang Dynasty will be prosperous and powerful at that time, and the Silk Road will also be a bridge to enhance national strength.

But now, first of all, let the commercial economy begin to take shape.

Li Yuan's heart began to waver, the wealth of businessmen is indeed a lot, if they can scavenge some of it, it will be a great thing for the country's finances.

Li Yaowei struck while the iron was hot, "Moreover, Your Majesty needs money and food, it is to replenish the treasury and comfort the army and the people, Your Majesty can deliberately spread the news to let the people know that it is these rich people who serve the country wholeheartedly, so that the people's attitude towards them will also improve, and their status will naturally improve." The vanity of the merchants was satisfied, and they would pay their taxes harder. ”

……

Li Yaowei returned home, he said everything he needed to say, as for how to decide and how to do it, it was a matter for Li Yuan and the ministers of the court.

One afternoon, running around Chang'an City, and running back and forth to the palace twice, Li Yaowei was so tired that his feet were sore, which was fatal for a dead house in the new era. But the good thing is that the servant sent out in the morning came back and brought back Shen Ersheng.

……