This......

The officials present couldn't help but look at each other, not because they didn't want to contribute to the empire, but because it was an almost impossible problem to solve.

Ridiculous, not going to give up yet!

When is the new book of the Criminal Department, it seems that Zhu Youzhu still wants to increase financial revenue, and he suddenly laughed in his heart.

"Your Majesty, do you remember when you were in the Hidden Mansion, the minister told Your Majesty what light taxes were?" Zhou Jing, the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, glanced at the people around him with disdain, and seemed that everyone was drunk and looked at Zhu Youji in the attic alone.

Zhou Jing was a Jinshi of Tianshun for four years, and at a young age he entered the Hanlin Academy as a Shujishi, and served as a waiter in Hanlin, Zhongyun, etc., and once entered the East Palace as a Japanese lecturer, that is, the nominal emperor.

Due to Liu Jian's political mistakes this year and he was dismissed by the imperial court, Qiu Jun, the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, took over Liu Jian's position, while Zhou Jing served as the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites.

After all, it is impossible for every Qingliu to naturally want to rebel against the emperor, and Zhou Jing faced this opportunity to express himself, and also wanted to show his knowledge.

Hey?

Li Yu and other officials felt that Zhou Jing was full of confidence at this time, and they couldn't help but look at each other on the ground, and then turned their heads to look at Zhang Jing with puzzlement.

Zhu Youzhu actually didn't have any impression, and asked quietly: "Master Zhang, isn't the thirty taxes set by Taizu a light tax?" ”

"Your Majesty, the sage advocates thin endowment, and the tithe is the standard for thin endowment! Taizu was born in a thin and cool background, so when he was in power, he remembered the difficulties of people's livelihood, so he customized it with 30 taxes. However, the country has been recuperating for more than 100 years, now Huangzhi is anxious to govern the water, Jianzhou is the granary of the northeast, and all things are related to the prosperity of the country, so the minister thinks that he can increase one or two from the people, and the national funds can be full! Zhou Jing quoted the standard of the Confucian sage, and proposed in a crepe-like manner.

That's a tax increase!

Li Yu and other officials listened to it for a long time, and finally reacted.

Zhou Jing went around here for a long time, and the so-called way to solve the Ming Dynasty's finances was actually to raise taxes, which was to follow the example of the people at the bottom to draw blood.

As soon as the words fell, Jia Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, took the lead in standing up against the powers: "The thirty taxes are the ancestral system, and now the people are far from rich, even if the court needs money, it cannot be levied on the people!" Once the tax is raised, it will inevitably lead to local turmoil in the Ming Dynasty, and this policy must not be! ”

"It is also an ancestral system that does not go to the sea, but it has been proved that since the opening of the market, the current dynasty has benefited a lot. It is a good policy to adapt measures to the times, and in order to develop better, why not add one or two? "Zhou Jing, the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, has a good eloquence, and immediately argues for authenticity.

This......

Li Yu and other officials originally wanted to join the war group, but after hearing Zhou Jing's arguments, they had to seriously think about the pros and cons.

Unlike the previous dynasties, which simply pursued financial solutions, this time the imperial court was to control the Yellow River and develop the northeastern granary of Jianzhou.

"The matter of levying and raising taxes must not be mentioned again in the future, as long as I reign for one day, I will never increase it!" Zhu Youji's face was straight, and he openly expressed his attitude.

In fact, he knew that the levy and distribution could indeed solve the current financial problem, even if half a tael of silver was levied on each of the people, it would be a terrifying figure.

The reason why many historians always believe that "the Ming Dynasty died in Jiajing" is that Jiajing continued to levy and send more to the people at the bottom in order to build the Chengtian Emperor's Palace and other buildings, thus slowly losing the foundation of the group.

To those in power, half a tael of silver is insignificant, but this half a tael of silver may be the life-saving money of many people, or it will directly ask for the lives of some people.

In this era, the people at the bottom live a very humble life, and a dose of medicine can save a person, or a few pennies can make a person survive.

Although it seems that the reason for this expropriation is very sufficient, after all, it is for the development of the country!

If Jianzhou is built into a granary in the northeast, it can not only solve the food problem of the capital and the border army, but even abolish the Cao Yun, which swallows one million taels every year.

However, this still does not justify the levy and the increase in allocation.

Zhu Youji's original intention was to lead China to prosperity and strength, rather than persecuting the people at the bottom in order to become rich and powerful, which is undoubtedly putting the cart before the horse.

It is exactly like this, no matter how high-sounding Zhou Jing is, his original intention has not wavered in the slightest.

"Your Majesty Shengming!" When the officials and other officials heard Zhu Youzhu make such a categorical statement, they also respectfully bowed their hands and said loudly.

It's not the first time they've heard Zhu Youzhu say this, but now they still have a faint feeling of emotion when they hear it again, and today's emperor really cares for the people in words and deeds.

With such an emperor, does Da Ming have any reason not to prosper?

How so?

Zhou Jing, the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, frowned slightly, and suddenly found that his student, who had suddenly become shrewd, had become pedantic again, and he did not intend to adopt his own solution to the finances.

Obviously, an increase of one or two percent of the tax will solve the problem, and the result is like a woman's kindness.

Zhu Youzhu knew that he couldn't let these courtiers play freely, so he said seriously: "You and others are all important ministers of the country, and the wisest scholars in the Ming Dynasty." Now that the country's finances are stretched, do you really only know how to reach out to the people at the bottom? ”

This was said very politely, and it was simply a hat of inaction for the important ministers present.

"The ministers are guilty!" In the face of this accusation, officials such as Jia Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, bowed their heads with a proper attitude.

If you don't understand the emperor's intentions just now, but now the emperor's attitude is very clear, that is, he will definitely not increase taxes on ordinary people.

In fact, whether they are scholars or important ministers of the Ming Dynasty, they have a sense of belonging to this country more and more, and in their hearts they are actually opposed to levying and sending more money to the people.

But...... They really don't have any good solution, and the grain and salt taxes, which have the highest proportion of the fiscal proportion, have been done to the best.

"Your Majesty, the minister has something to play!" Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, took a deep breath and stood up.

Zhu Youzhi didn't have much hope for this usually taciturn right servant of the ministry, so he picked up the teacup he had just delivered: "Play!" ”

"There are still people in the current dynasty who do not cover their clothes, but the rich families wear silk and satin, travel four sedan chairs, and take a high horse cart at the far gate, so it is not strange to cross the place! Living in a wealthy mansion, a meal costs a lot of money, so the minister thinks that he can levy an extravagant tax on such extravagant people! Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, knew that he was going to behave as a servant who came up from his position, and immediately boldly pointed at the rich people of the country.

Extravagant tax?

The eyes of Jia Jun and others, who are still the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, lit up slightly, as if they had been opened to new thinking.

Zhu Youzhi found that his courtiers were really not lacking in talents, at least now this right servant of the ministry dared to think, so he took a sip of hot tea: "Dong Qing, how to collect the extravagant tax?" ”

"Returning to Your Majesty, there is nothing more to a person's life than food, clothing, shelter and transportation. The clothier, silk and satin, the twelfth of the tax; Eaters, feasts in the big restaurants of each city, the twelfth of the tax; The dweller, the house of a thousand taels, the thirteenth of the tax; Travelers, carriages and sedan chairs, the fourteenth of the levy. Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, felt the mission he was shouldering, so he no longer had any scruples to say his plan.

In fact, it is related to his own experience, because he was born in a wealthy family, although he saw many people in the fields, but he also saw the extravagance of the local gentry early.

After his observation of the emperor during this period of time, he knew that the emperor did not attach importance to the behavior of local wealthy households, and always had the people in his heart.

Now, if the dynasty legalizes the transgression of sedan chairs and carriages, although a tax of forty percent will be levied on these rich households, those rich families will probably gladly accept it.

Basic necessities of life?

After listening to Dong Shan's extravagant tax, Li Yu and other officials also showed a solemn expression on their faces.

In fact, the first thing they think of is themselves. The capital is a land where every inch of land is valuable, even the houses in the north of the city are a thousand taels at every turn, let alone the south of the city.

If they do so, they may also need to pay taxes to the imperial court.

However, everyone present quickly gave up this narrow idea, but seriously considered the feasibility of extravagant taxes.

Zhu Youzhu gently put down the teacup in his hand, but stood up directly from the chair and came to the guardrail to condescendingly glance at the important ministers present.

Wan An and other officials realized that the emperor had appeared, and immediately lowered their heads silently, appearing to be sitting upright. The current emperor has long been the object of their complete submission.

Dong Shan was promoted from Wenxuan Shilang, and because of the low and powerful position, it took a longer time to qualify, so he was already a middle-aged man in his forties.

may be accustomed to seeing too many ups and downs of officialdom, so Dong Shan is more like pursuing advantages and avoiding disadvantages.

Zhu Youzhu looked at the middle-aged man who had never had a strong sense of existence, and asked seriously: "Dong Qing, the luxury tax is so detailed, it can't be what I just thought of, right?" ”

Hey?

Officials such as Jia Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, also reacted and turned their heads to look at Dong Shan.

"The minister doesn't dare to deceive Your Majesty, this strategy has indeed been thought of earlier!" Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, had a straight face, and replied very honestly.

Zhu Youji's face was solemn, but he looked at Dong Shan deeply: "Why did you start until now?" ”

This......

Jia Jun and other officials of the Ministry of Industry suddenly felt a chill on their backs, and then turned their heads to look at Dong Shan sympathetically.

"Please forgive your majesty! This policy is to tax the rich, and the ministers are afraid of retaliation, so they dare not play it immediately! The right attendant of the ministry panicked, so he explained frankly.

Zhu Youzhu knew that this should be Dong Shan's heart, so he asked seriously: "Why is it brought up again now?" ”

"Your Majesty is wise and loves the people, the country is prosperous, and the ministers dare not avoid it with personal misfortune!" Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, raised his head bravely, looking very honest and authentic.

Zhu Youzhu seemed to see the transformation of a slippery minister into a good minister, and he also sighed: "A good court of profit lives and dies, how can it be avoided because of misfortune and fortune!" ”

"Huh? …… I didn't say that, but ...... Incisive indeed! "The psychological activities of Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, are very complicated.

Zhu Youzhu didn't intend to investigate Dong Shan's crime of delaying the report, so he began to inquire inquiringly: "Resident, how to expropriate the house of a thousand taels?" ”

"The house is subject to the transaction price. Any house that exceeds 1,000 taels at the time of purchase, or a house that is sold 1,000 taels in the future, will be taxed at 30%! Just to let the rich obediently cooperate with the tax, the minister has a reluctant request! The right attendant of the ministry immediately replied seriously.

Zhu Youzhu found that this property tax could indeed increase fiscal revenue, so he asked quietly: "What's the matter?" ”

"I think a special clause needs to be added! If it weren't for the rebellion to raid the house, this house would not be among the raids! Dong Shan, the right attendant of the ministry, raised his head slightly, looking serious and authentic.

Yes?

The eyes of the officials such as Jia Jun, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, lit up slightly, and then looked at Dong Shan with shocked faces.

Not to mention those rich people with a lot of money, even if they are already excited. After all, you only need to cooperate with taxes, so your own house is relatively insured, but you let your children and grandchildren live in the mansion for generations.

Zhu Youzhu found that he really couldn't underestimate the wisdom of the ancients, but he was not in a hurry to ask: "Ladies and gentlemen, do you have any objections?" ”

"No objection to the ministers!" Officials such as Li Yu, the secretary of the ministry, knew that the luxury tax was indeed a good solution to the current fiscal situation, and they should be respectful and authentic.

If the Chongwen tariff just now is a glass of water, the current luxury tax is like opening a Pandora's box, but digging a new well.

Whether it is the expropriation of the current stock of real estate or the continuous real estate transactions, this can bring a steady stream of luxury taxes to the dynasty.

In particular, last year's turmoil in the construction of the outer city of the north city triggered a wave of price reductions in the capital, but then the plan of the outer city of Beijing was shelved, especially now that the Ming Dynasty's overstretched finances have been unable to support the imperial court to build the outer city of Beijing, so the houses in the capital have come out of a wave of rising market this year.

This is true in any era, once there is an expectation of growth, then natural trading is very active, and a lot of speculative funds will participate.

In the past, the housing prices in the capital were naturally a game for the elite circles in the capital, but now the emperor has stretched out his hand here, and it seems that he is taking a piece of the pie in a dignified manner.

When Zhu Youzhu saw the successful passage of the luxury tax, he made a final decision: "Since this is the case, then this matter is so decided!" The household department listened carefully to Dong Shilang's opinions, issued corresponding rules, and submitted them to the cabinet for review! ”

"Your Ministers obey!" Officials such as Shangshu Li Si of the Ministry of Household immediately said respectfully.

Dong Shan also felt a wave of excitement in his heart, although he was destined to become the object of hatred of the rich, but the plan he proposed was passed, and he was doing a good deed that would benefit the country and the people and go down in history.

Since the approach to thinking about is actually more or less the same, there were no overly valuable proposals in the following meetings.

Zhu Youzhu inherited a lot of family wealth from Emperor Chenghua, and he also made a lot of money, and last year he had a budget of three million taels to squander at will, but this year he was overstretched.

However, he believes that the road is tortuous, and the future is bright.

As long as you survive this difficult year, next year's finances will be very abundant, and you may have a budget of tens of millions at that time, and the railways will be on the agenda at that time.

After the budget meeting of the Supreme Council, the capital began to have a holiday, so everyone left all government affairs behind and prepared for the Spring Festival.

(End of chapter)