"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the collection of commercial taxes is the same as the land tax, which is to enrich the state, and in the same way, there is also a salt tax. Changlu, Lianghuai, and Liangzhe, in order to ensure the collection of salt tax, the Ming Dynasty arranged at least tens of thousands of salt dings. The minister thought that it was imperative to increase the tax by comparing the salt tax. ”

Xu Jingchang talked eloquently, and his words were strict, "It is best to have 8,000 at the beginning, and the minimum should not be less than 5,000." Only with so many taxes can we ensure the smooth collection of taxes and enrich the country's use. ”

Zhu Di said with a tense face: "Is it too much?" With so many taxes, how much will it cost? ”

"Your Majesty, these tax collectors can be seconded from the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies, and they will be temporarily hung under the household department, and there will be no increase in expenditures, and when everything goes well and the commercial tax increases, then they will be adjusted, and they will be much more generous."

Zhu Di was still frowning, he looked at Xia Yuanji, "Xia Shangshu, you also think so?" ”

Xia Yuanji groaned slightly, he pulled Xu Jingchang to face Jun together, and he was still wary of Xu Jingchang in his heart. This kid has a bad stomach and has worked in the General Administration Department for a few months, which is even more difficult than the old officials of other people for several years. Many people privately say that going to the General Administration Department is to break through the ghost gate.

There is no doubt that Xu Jingchang is the blue-faced and fanged evil ghost in the Ghost Gate.

How can such a person be trusted?

But today is different, Xu Jingchang really rushed to the front, and did not hesitate to fight for power for the household department.

Xia Yuanji was a little moved, after all, this was to speak for the household department and strive for benefits.

"Back to His Majesty's words, the minister thought that what Xu Tongzheng said was quite reasonable. The minister also collected commercial taxes for several months, and the cumulative conversion amounted to nearly 500,000 taels of silver, which was sent to the state treasury. Xia Yuanji paused for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty, maybe the amount of commercial taxes is far less than Tianfu, and it doesn't seem to be that much." However, the collection of land is mainly grain, and it is very troublesome to store or transport, and when it encounters urgent matters, the transfer of grain from various places will greatly delay time. Therefore, it is very necessary to levy commercial taxes, maintain a considerable amount of real money, and facilitate the emergency response of the imperial court, which is a major matter related to the national economy and people's livelihood of the Ming Dynasty. ”

Xia Yuanji's words really poked Zhu Di's itch.

In such a huge agricultural country as the Ming Dynasty, and there is a lack of gold and silver, when collecting taxes, it must be mainly taxed in kind, otherwise, the common people will lose too much.

More than 100 years later, although absorbing one-third of the world's silver, a whip law of the Ming Dynasty still caused many people to go bankrupt, the problem is that from grain to currency, and even from copper money to silver.

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, taxes were still mainly in kind.

However, there is a problem here, that is, many large projects, the use of troops abroad, still have to be converted into silver...... Because this thing is valuable, lightweight, easy to carry, and stable in value.

Otherwise, if you take 10 million yuan of treasure money to the military department and let them purchase military rations, half a month will pass, the treasure money will depreciate, and you can only buy 70 percent, and in another month or two, there will only be 50 percent left...... How can this battle be fought?

Therefore, the introduction of commercial tax has an excellent benefit, that is, to increase pure monetary income, which is very important for the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Di pondered again and again, and had to admit that Xia Yuanji moved him, and Xu Jingchang's increase in taxes was appropriate.

"You will draw up a detailed statute of regulations, and then I will convene the Imperial Council and confirm this matter."

Xu Jingchang took a long breath and immediately said: "My Emperor Shengming, this move will definitely increase the income of the Ming Dynasty, the merit is in the present generation, and the benefit is in the future." ”

He slapped a sycophant, Xia Yuanji also said good things, and the two of them came out of the palace.

Xu Jingchang said: "Xia Gong, in a few days, I will be sixteen years old." Although I became a Ding at the age of twenty-one, in the Tang Dynasty, the age of sixteen was considered a Ding. Anyway, I'm not a kid anymore. A few days ago, I also persuaded Your Majesty not to take it lightly, after all, not every emperor is as brave and invincible as Your Majesty. In case of a mistake in the pro-conquest, it will shake the country's capital...... Xia Gong, I didn't think too much about it not long after I became a political envoy, I can do one or two things, I am worthy of my heart and the prestige of my ancestors. Regarding the matter of commercial taxes, you just have to command, and I am willing to charge into battle in my later life, even if I lose my official position and resign, I will not hesitate to do it. ”

Xu Jingchang was extremely sincere in his words, even if he was as old as Xia Yuanji, he was moved.

"It's enough to have a confidant in life. Xia Yuanji is so fortunate that Xu Tongzheng is willing to work side by side to achieve great things, you and I can be called comrades! ”

Xu Jingchang and Xia Yuanji cherished each other, and each returned to the ministry, Xia Yuanji's heart was surging, and he calmed down for a while before he picked up his pen and wrote a strategy.

Xu Jingchang is different from the hot-blooded Xia Yuanji, he hummed a little song, and returned to the General Administration Department, Yao Guangxiao was still waiting here, Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Young Master, I am preparing a table of vegetarian food, let's play chess and chat, what do you think?" ”

Yao Guangxiao looked at Xu Jingchang, who couldn't stop his joy, and frowned slightly, "You kid went to find a mirror, the fox just stole the chicken, that's what you look like." The old man is very puzzled, which unlucky guy was calculated by you again? ”

Xu Jingchang shook his head and smiled, "Young Master, you think too badly of me, I'm a young and enthusiastic person, dedicated to the country, I dare not say that there are few loyal ministers in the world, and I am also an outstanding young man of the Ming Dynasty." You shouldn't always think of me with a vicious heart. ”

Yao Guangxiao said twice, "Xu Jingchang, what have you changed, the old man knows it clearly." If you don't say I'm not in a hurry, let's take our time, you'll definitely show your fox's tail. Okay, go and prepare eighteen dishes for Lao Ke, and I'll eat them well, so as not to spoil your business. ”

Xu Jingchang was slightly stunned, and had no choice but to nod yes.

He drank and played chess with Yao Guangxiao, so unhappy. Xia Yuanji waved a big pen over there, wrote a strategy, and devoted himself wholeheartedly.

But on the other side, the courtiers are frying.

Liu Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of War, Song Li, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Chen Ying, the imperial envoy of the left deputy capital, and several other important ministers, all crowded to the side of the secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

"Tianguan, no matter what, you have to have an idea."

Jian Yi frowned slightly, "You mean that the household department is asking for taxes?" ”

Liu Jun, the secretary of the military department, hurriedly said: "Indeed...... Xia Yuanji is really too much, he already has the money and food of the household registration, and now he wants to tax the elite soldiers, what does he want to do? The money and soldiers are all his, and in the next six departments, do you want him to be the main household? ”

Jian Yi's brows deepened, "Don't say this, Your Majesty agrees to levy commercial taxes, and I also think that it is a good governance that benefits the country and the people, so there is no need to make such a fuss." ”

Song Li hurriedly leaned forward, "Tianguan, I don't think this matter is that simple. If the household department has soldiers, it will investigate the family business of hundreds of officials. At that time, who will do business and how much income there is, Xia Yuanji knows it. It's fine if it's just used to collect taxes, but if he uses this party to fight against the same and frame Zhongliang, there will be endless troubles at that time! ”

With the worried words of several people, Jian Yi's brows became more and more solemn.

The reason why the official department is the head of the hundred officials, and the power is tilted towards the government and the opposition, is mainly because the officials are in charge of the official hat, and the personnel power is in their hands, and anyone can ignore the opinions of the officials and officials.

But the problem is that if the household department has mastered the money bag, it still has military power, and can hijack hundreds of officials by collecting commercial taxes. This has led to the emergence of a super yamen that can both divide money and punish hundreds of officials.

At that time, the officials will definitely not be able to compete, and the head of the hundred officials will naturally become Xia Yuanji.

What to do?

"Your Majesty is bent on enriching the treasury, and commercial taxes are imperative, and no matter what, it can't be stopped." Jian Yi said in a deep voice.

At this time, Chen Ying suddenly said: "Even if you can't stop it, you can't hand it over to the household department, otherwise the entire court will be in chaos." ”

Jian Yi looked at everyone, "If you don't give it to the household, who else can you give it?" To the Ministry of Officials, or to the Ministry of War? Or is it the Inspectorate? ”

Everyone looked at each other, this is really troublesome, no matter who it is given, it will break the situation.

"Tianguan, now it seems that they can only be given to the General Administration, after all, they have no specific charge except for government affairs." Liu Jun suddenly said faintly.

Department of General Administration?

With Xu Jingchang's hatefulness, if he had taken the authority to collect taxes, he would not have pierced the sky.

No, absolutely not!

Liu Jun lowered his voice and said: "Let the General Administration Department collect taxes, but every penny must be accounted for by the Ministry of Households, so that the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Department of General Administration will contain each other, and they will fight each other, so that the big guys can breathe a sigh of relief." ”

Jian Yi frowned, "I have no opinion on the General Administration, but I will also say that Xia Shangshu is still our person, if it is handed over to Xu Tongzheng, he has never acted according to common sense, I am afraid that it will make a bigger mess......"

Everyone was stunned for a while, what should we do?

After a long time, Song Licai said slowly: "Let's choose the lesser of two evils!" ”