Seeing the words "West Hall" written on the secret letter, Xie Qian's face turned pale.
The East and West Chambers, the two secret agents that were firmly in the hands of the Emperor, were the nightmares of all officials.
Xie Qian really did not want to have any interactions with anyone from the East and West Chambers.
However, His Majesty had already given the order, so he had no choice but to obey.
Xie Qian stretched out his trembling hand, picked up the secret letter, and read it.
"An Ning County, Yang Di An. Selling cloth and tea, earning four hundred thousand taels of silver a year, no taxes.”
"An Ning County, Yang Ting. Selling cloth, fish, and meat. An annual income of 180,000 taels of silver. No taxes.”
"Yuyao County, Xie Bang. Selling grain and opening a restaurant. Annual income of 370,000 taels of silver, no taxes.”
"Yuyao County, Xie Chenai. Selling tea leaves. Annual income of 100,000 taels of silver.”
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I really don't know about these things!”
"Your Majesty, I didn't mean to do this…"
Before the contents of the secret letter could be read out, Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian had already kneeled in front of Zhu Houjin and explained while trembling.
" Of course I know that you two didn't mean to do this." Zhu Houjin sneered." You two are scholars who only read the books of sages. Why would you care about such a vulgar business?"”
"But would your family members not care about such a generous benefit?!”
This secret letter from the West Hall detailed the annual income of Yang Yiqing, Xie Qian, and the other relatives who were engaged in business.
They used the names of Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian to develop their businesses in the local area, making huge profits without paying any taxes.
In addition to these two first level officials, the relatives of the first level officials who were involved in business were also recorded.
This was the West Hall, the West Hall that monitored the world!
Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian might really not know what his relatives were doing in the local areas, but the fact that their relatives had obtained huge profits from doing business was certain.
"Yang Yiqing, Xie Qian, I will ask you again. This business tax, do you want to collect it or not?!”
"Retract! Retract! We must collect business taxes!"
"That's right. These merchants don't care about survival but earn huge profits. They definitely have to collect taxes! Moreover, you have to collect heavy taxes!"
Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian didn't dare to say anything and agreed.
For a moment, Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian thought that the Emperor was going to drag these two out and execute them.
Now that he heard that there was still a chance of survival, how could he not take advantage of it!
After hearing this, Zhu Houjin nodded and said with a smile,""Since the two beloved ministers are so insistent on levying a business tax, I will listen to you.”
"From now on, we will levy a business tax of twenty percent!”
After Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian heard this, they both smiled bitterly.
They could finally tell that they were taking the blame for Zhu Houjin's business tax collection.
In the future, no matter how the merchants in the world scolded, they would only scold the two of them. It had nothing to do with the emperor.
"This subject will obey!"
After dealing with the business tax, Gui E could not help but ask,"Your Majesty, should we skip the fiefs of the vassal kings and the imperial estates of the various regions when measuring the land?”
"Also, Your Majesty, did you mean that even the vassal kings have to pay taxes?”
Not only did the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty not have to pay taxes, but they could also collect taxes from the farmers in their fiefs.
Especially the King of Shu, he had a land of abundance with countless fertile fields.
"To measure the land is to measure the land of the entire Ming Dynasty," Zhu Houyi said coldly. Is the land of each vassal king not Ming's land and not my land?”
Gui E was shocked and quickly said,"I accept your decree!"
"Alright, just do as I say. Whoever goes against you is going against me and also against the Darming Dynasty!”
"Azure Dragon!"
"Your subject is here!"
Zhu Houjin shouted to the sky and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Azure Dragon immediately appeared in front of him.
"Azure Dragon, I order the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Gui E, and Zhang Juzheng to measure the land of the world together. If anyone dares to obstruct us, kill them without mercy!”
"This subject will obey!"
Azure Dragon nodded and immediately received the decree.
"Do you have any more questions about the tax reform of the Great Ming Dynasty?”
Zhu Houjin looked at the seven Pavilion Elders in front of him and said expressionlessly.
"Your Majesty, we have no problems.”
"Yes, you may leave."
The seven of them hurriedly left.
Xu Jie, Xia Yan, and Gao Gong, the three cabinet elders who were just bystanders, could not get a word in when it came to taxes. After leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity, they quickly bid farewell and went home.
As for Yang Yiqing and Xie Qian, they looked at Gui E and Zhang Juzheng with bitter smiles.
"Brother Zishi, it's really difficult for you to implement the whip technique this time.”
"I also know about this matter, but I didn't expect His Majesty to be so bold as to immediately implement a whip method."”
Xie Qian said," The other officials of the imperial court, big or small, are not important. With the three sharp blades of the East and West Embroidered Uniform Guards in His Majesty's hands, they can't cause any trouble."”
"What worries me is the vassal kings, especially the Dragon Guard Mountain Villa…"
"Sigh, Brother Ying Ning, Brother Yu Qiao, I will go back and sort out the information first. Measuring the land of the entire country is not a small project.”
"It's my duty. Brother Zishi, take care."
Gui E cupped his hands and left with Zhang Ju Zheng.
In the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a eunuch beside Empress Dowager Zhang asked,""Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Zhang invites you for a chat.”
Empress Dowager Zhang?
Wu Zong's mother?
Why is she looking for me?
Zhu Houjin frowned. After thinking for a moment, he stood up and said,"Let's go."
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