The atmosphere at the wine table was harmonious, and after a meal, the depression in Zhu Jianshen's heart was relieved a lot.

After the meal, Zhu Jianshen didn't rush to leave, talked about the government with Li Qing, and told Li Qing about the major achievements he had achieved by showing off his routines.

Li Qing was also pleased, this year's emperor did not disappoint him.

"Your Majesty, how much tax money has been found this time?"

"Nearly four million taels." Zhu Jianshen's face was radiant, "This is only the omission of tax silver in the first year of Chenghua. ”

Li Qing hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, don't ask about the previous dynasty, you have to insist on checking up, it will really cause a big mess." ”

"Aang, I know." Zhu Jianshen sighed with a little regret, and then said, "However, if this standard is followed every year, then Da Ming will no longer be in a state of poverty." ”

In a year, there are more than 5 million taels of commercial tax alone, which cannot be spent, and cannot be spent at all.

Li Qing said: "This is just an ideal situation, in fact, most of them will not work, cutting meat is too fierce, they will find other ways to avoid it, in order to reduce the loss." ”

"The standard has come out, and they dare to blatantly pay less?" Zhu Jianshen disagreed, "Those people have to pretend to be, otherwise what's the difference between them and rebellion?" ”

Li Qing bowed his head: "Pretending to be certain, no matter how domineering they are, they don't dare to openly challenge the imperial power, but they can use other means to achieve less taxes;

even passed on the overpaid taxes to the people, so that the emperor would bear the notoriety. ”

Zhu Jianshen frowned, his face gradually disappeared with ease, and he became solemn: "Sir, do you have a countermeasure?" ”

Li Qing said: "Make certain concessions first, and then agree on a set of labor laws to protect the people." ”

"It's... Still let? Zhu Jianshen was depressed: "I am generous enough, I have made concessions more than once, this time I finally took the initiative, and I want to let them?" ”

"Your Majesty, don't worry, listen to me first." Li Qing took a sip of tea and said, "Maritime trade is in full swing, prosperity everywhere is true, and it is true that businessmen make money, but ...... Profits, however, continue to fall. ”

"I don't believe it!" Zhu Jianshen snorted, "I asked the factory guard to go to Jiangnan to investigate earlier, and there are merchant ships going to sea in the port almost every day, and the shipload of goods is ...... You say they have less profits? ”

Li Qing said with a smile: "They do make money, make a lot of money, but it is also a fact that profits are decreasing, and the basis for them to make a lot of money is based on the premise of increment." ”

After a pause, "If the quantity of goods remains the same, they will earn less and less." ”

Zhu Jianshen was stunned and said in surprise: "What do you mean...... Daming goods are not welcomed? ”

"Of course not." Li Qingdao said, "This is just the law of the market, scarcity is expensive, as trade continues, goods are no longer as scarce as at the beginning, and it is normal for prices to continue to fall......

After listening to Li Qing's explanation, Zhu Jianshen fell silent.

After a long time, he asked, "You mean, lower the business tax?" ”

"Well, but you can use the pie of reducing business taxes to add some necessary conditions."

"You just said that the labor laws that protect the people?"

Li Qing nodded: "Yes, when profits continue to fall, squeezing workshop workers is their best choice to protect profits, and a red line must be set, a red line that everyone knows." ”

Zhu Jianshen frowned and pondered for a moment, and said, "The interests of the people are guaranteed, but what about the interests of the imperial court?" ”

"Lowering commercial taxes is always more profitable than evading commercial taxes." Li Qing said.

“…… Okay, I'll think about it first. Zhu Jianshen didn't agree immediately, got up and said, "There are still some official affairs to deal with, I will go back to the palace first." ”

After taking two steps, he turned back and said, "I hope Mr. will think about the matter of joining the cabinet." ”

Li Qing nodded: "The emperor walks slowly." ”

~

Li Hong sent his eldest brother away, squeezed in front of Li Qing, and asked, "Godfather, do you really want to enter the cabinet?" ”

"I haven't thought about it yet." Li Qing took a sip of tea and said in a deep voice: "Entering the cabinet is a double-edged sword, there are pros and cons, I have to think about it." ”

Li Hong nodded and said, "That'...... What about me? ”

"You?" Li Qing looked strange, "What are you?" ”

Li Hong:-_-||" How do you arrange for me? ”

"What do you think?"

"I want to be a military general and take a career as an official!" Li Hong's tone was firm.

Li Qing sighed and said, "Have you thought about it, once you enter the official career, you are sure that you can withstand the power of the temple?" Can you guarantee that you will not be defeated on the battlefield and will not die on the battlefield? ”

"No, but if you back down because of this, what's the difference between that and a coward?" Li Hong said in a deep voice, "If I were just a flat-headed commoner, I wouldn't think about this;

But my godfather is the Marquis of Yongqing, and my ancestor is Cao Guogong, I have this condition, and if I still choose mediocrity, that's my problem. ”

Li Qing was stunned, smiled dumbly, and smiled with satisfaction:

"Well, since you have this heart, I will fulfill you."

Although there is a discrepancy with his thoughts, everyone has their own way of living, and his godson is not willing to be a second generation of honors step by step, and he will not be reluctant.

Li Qing thought for a while and said, "Don't worry, when Shi Biao comes back from the grassland and understands the situation in Mobei, I will arrange for you." ”

After a pause, "The army pays more attention to seniority than officialdom, don't think about relying on your father's shadow, you can go smoothly, if you want to be a general, you have to rely on yourself;

Even if I help you get a chief military officer, no one is convinced, and you are just an ornament. Li Qing said in a deep voice, "Airborne generals are more taboo in the army, and only the combat exploits can be convincing." ”

Li Hong nodded: "I don't want any big officials, the child only needs a chance, a chance to show himself." ”

"Well, don't worry about this, no matter what others do, at least you won't be treated unfairly." Li Qing said.

He felt that the old Li family still had military general genes, and Li Wenzhong, one of the six founding princes, did not rely on relationships to get to the top, it was a real military exploit.

Although Li Jinglong was gentle, he also inherited part of his father's military talent, but he did not get enough sharpening.

Coupled with the battle of appeasement in the future, it completely stinked the reputation.

After Zhu Di took the throne, he never used him in big and small battles, which made Li Jinglong seem to be very wasteful.

Actually, if you really have to cultivate it well, the 'God of War' may not be able to become the God of War!

Li Qing couldn't help but sigh when he thought about this, he patted Li Hong on the shoulder, and said softly:

"Your grandfather has never met in his life, you are his favorite great-grandson, if you have the opportunity, fight for him!"

Li Hong scratched his head, his grandfather died when he was very young, and his childhood impression was blurred, but he still knew some about the deeds of this grandfather, how to say it......

It's a bit of a negative textbook.

"Godfather, don't worry, I won't lose your face, and I won't insult the reputation of the Li family." Li Hong seriously promised, "I will definitely do something." ”

Li Qing smiled, "Well, don't put too much pressure on yourself, just do your best in everything." ”

"Well, the kid will take care of it."

Li Qing picked up the one on the table and said, "Okay, let's clean up the dishes and chopsticks." ”

"Okay." Li Hong went to get busy.

Li Qing couldn't help but shake his head amusefully when he saw him so happy.

To be honest, Li Qing didn't like his godson's choice very much, he wanted him to enjoy the glory and wealth comfortably.

Career ...... It's not something to be happy about.

~

In a flash, it's the New Year again.

Under Li Hong's decoration, the small courtyard looks very festive, with red lanterns hanging high, and even the fruit trees are pasted with the words 'full of spring'.

Although there were only two people celebrating the New Year, Li Hong was full of ritual and bought a lot of fireworks.

Night falls.

Li Hong took out the fireworks one by one, and smiled: "It's finally dark." ”

Stacked neatly, he turned around and shouted, "Godfather, watch the fireworks." ”

"What a big man, what's so good-looking...... Li Qing muttered and walked out of the living room, sat on a chair under the eaves, and hummed, "Order it." ”

“…… Gotcha. ”

Li Hong took out the fire fold and blew it, igniting the fuse......

"Chirp~Smack!"

"Tweet ......"

"Bang bang bang ......!"

The fireworks rose into the air and exploded, blooming with brilliant fireworks, making the small courtyard more fiery and festive......

Li Qing looked at it in a daze, somewhat regrettably, there were many fewer people watching fireworks this year, and ......

But it's very lively.

The night sky was gorgeous, and the air was filled with the smell of nitric acid, as if back then, Li Qing sniffed and empathized with the original ......

The fireworks were easy to get cold, and in less than two quarters of an hour, the night sky was calm and the courtyard was darkened.

Li Qing sighed leisurely, got up and walked to the guest hall, turned his back and said, "It's time to eat Chinese New Year's Eve." ”

"Here we go."

Li Hong looked at the dark night sky and smirked twice, clapped his hands, and turned to follow......

The father and son had a Chinese New Year's Eve meal, chatted, Li Hong greeted the New Year, and Li Qing sent a red envelope...... Finally keep the year.

The same process, but Li Qing is always empty and not interested.

~

Li Qing looked back on the past, and felt more and more that time was like an arrow, time always slipped away inadvertently, and in a blink of an eye, it had been three years.

On the fourth watch, Li Hong knocked on the door.

"Godfather, it's time to enter the palace to pay New Year's greetings to the emperor."

"I hear you." Li Qing stretched, got up and opened the door, "Go back and continue sleeping." ”

Li Hong yawned and said helplessly: "Godfather, you didn't sleep?" ”

"Well, I can't sleep on some of my minds."

You didn't sleep, and you let me get up in the middle of the night to remind you...... Li Hong also lost his temper, and said depressedly: "I wish my godfather a big red envelope." ”

Li Qing said with a smile: "That's necessary, so many business taxes have been found, it's not okay for this nouveau riche not to bleed." ”

…

Fengtian Temple Square.

When Li Qing arrived, everyone had basically arrived, and it was not good to be lively, especially the lower-level bureaucrats, all of whom were full of joy on their faces, and they were all looking forward to giving out red envelopes this year.

There are so many commercial taxes found, how can the red envelopes have to be multiplied several times this year, right?

After a while, the east is covered with fish belly white, and a touch of glow breaks through the clouds and sprinkles on the glazed tiles of the palace hall, which is even more brilliant.

Then, the dragon chariot slowly approached......

The noisy crowd immediately quieted down and made a respectful gesture, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and it was still the day of red envelopes, no one would be unhappy to find the emperor at this juncture.

After all...... Celebrate the New Year.