Wansan was not stupid. On the contrary, he was very smart. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to do such a big business and become so rich that it could rival a country.
If it was an ordinary person, they might think that the emperor coveted his wealth. However, through the Emperor's recent reform, Wan San was certain that Zhu Houzhao was not after his wealth.
"Did the emperor find this commoner for the business tax?”Wan Sanqian probed.
"Smart. As expected of the wealthy Wan3000. Talking to smart people was a pleasure. What do you think of my business tax?”Zhu Houzhao asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, if it was an ordinary merchant, they might feel that the business tax is harming their own interests. However, those who truly understood business would definitely know how much benefit this business tax would bring them.”Not only did Wan Sanqian not reject the business tax, but he also felt that the business tax was good.
Zhu Houzhao didn't expect that a Ming Dynasty merchant could see the benefits of the business tax.
"Tell me!" Zhu Houzhao was interested.
"Emperor, in the past, the imperial court advocated for scholars, farmers, merchants, and businessmen. Why are farmers ranked before merchants? That was because farmers could pay taxes and produce food. In other words, it was valuable to the Imperial Court.”
"But merchants are different. They don't pay taxes and don't make any substantial contributions to the court. If it wasn't for the fact that they could exchange what they needed and promote the exchange of goods, the imperial court would probably ban merchants directly.”
"Moreover, merchants pursue profits. Many merchants will do anything for their profits. They even collude with officials and merchants to harm the people. Therefore, the imperial court had no choice but to suppress the merchants to maintain the order of the imperial court and the stability of the country.”
"But if the merchant pays taxes, then the merchant has made a direct contribution to the Imperial Court. In this way, the imperial court would not deliberately suppress commerce and merchants. In fact, the status of the merchants would also rise. Not now, even if the emperor abolished the lowly status and advocated equality in all walks of life. However, the others still looked down on merchants.”
"But once the merchants pay taxes, not only can the national treasury be filled, but the country will also become stronger. Moreover, when the time came, the imperial court might even encourage commerce. This was definitely great news for the merchants.”
"Although in the short term, the merchants seem to have suffered some losses in paying taxes. However, in the long run, the business tax was definitely a great blessing for merchants.”
"Especially when the emperor promised that after paying the business tax, the court would protect the merchants from being harassed by local ruffians. This was the best for traveling merchants.”
Wan Sanqian spoke frankly and confidently, voicing out his views on business taxes. The more Zhu Houzhao listened, the brighter his eyes became.
"Good, I didn't expect my Great Ming to have such a knowledgeable businessman. Someone can actually see through my thoughts. 13,000, you're not bad!" Zhu Houzhao cheered loudly.
Since Zhu Houzhao came from a few hundred years later, he was very clear about the potential of industry and commerce, so he formulated such a policy.
He did not expect that someone would think so far ahead during this period of the Ming Dynasty. This 13,000 was indeed the richest businessman in the country.
Especially when he could see through the fact that merchants could raise their status by paying taxes, Zhu Houzhao was impressed.
In his previous life, merchants naturally did not need to pay taxes to raise their social status. Because in his previous life, as long as he had money, he was the master.
However, it was different in feudal society, especially after the rise of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty. Feudal society was extremely strict.
No matter how rich you were, as long as you were a businessman, you would be looked down upon by others.
Moreover, although merchants were not considered lowly, they were seen as a lowly profession. No matter how rich they were, they were not allowed to wear silk and were not allowed to be officials. Even their descendants were not allowed to be officials.
Of course, sometimes the imperial court would not be so strict. No one would care if he secretly went through it. But on the surface, it was absolutely not allowed.
Also, it was absolutely impossible for the children of merchants to marry into families of poetry and books, let alone families of officials. They would rather marry a farmer's child than marry a merchant's family.
Even the country squire would not marry a merchant girl.
Otherwise, even these squires would be laughed at.
Of course, most merchants would immediately purchase large amounts of land when they had money. Then, from a merchant, he would become a landlord. Using this method to get rid of his identity as a merchant.
However, even though the merchants had gotten rid of their status as merchants by buying land, it did not fundamentally solve the nature of the merchants 'status.
Once the merchants paid taxes, coupled with the encouragement of the imperial court, the status of the merchants would increase. It was not the same as scholars, but at least it could be compared with farmers.
When that time came, wealthy businessmen could let their children study. Once he achieved fame, it would bring honor to his ancestors.
Why would merchants in this era have so much money to support poor scholars? Wasn't it because they didn't have the qualifications and hoped to sponsor poor scholars so that they could help him when they became officials?
If he had the chance, wouldn't it be much better than funding others?
"The emperor is truly praising. The emperor is truly intelligent to come up with such a brilliant policy. 13,000. I'm extremely impressed." He wasn't trying to suck up to Zhu Houzhao. He was really impressed by Zhu Houzhao.
Especially since Zhu Houzhao was still so young, it made him feel like he was a god.
"In that case, I wonder if Wan Sanqian is willing to take the lead in paying this tax?”Zhu Houzhao asked with a smile.
"Emperor, you want me to pay taxes, I can't refuse to pay 13,000, right?”Wan Sanqian asked with a smile.
"Smart!"
"Since I have no choice, I am naturally willing to hand it over. Moreover, since the commoners saw the benefits of paying taxes, they would not go against the business tax.”
"Alright, as long as you're willing to pay taxes, you'll set an example for all the merchants in the world. I will personally write the words "Great Ming Imperial Merchant" for you!”
The Great Ming Imperial Merchant referred to the Pigtail Dynasty and was named the Eight Traitorous Merchants.
"Thank you, emperor. This commoner is terrified, please retract your order.”When Wan Sanqian heard that, he immediately knelt down in fear.
Royal Merchant sounded good, but could anyone have this title? Although he was rich enough to rival a country, he could not be reckless.
"Why?" Zhu Houzhao was puzzled. What was there to be afraid of?
"Emperor, how dare this commoner use the name of the royal family? However, I do have a condition. If Your Majesty agrees, I am willing to donate all the silver in my family to Your Majesty.”Wan Sanqian didn't dare to accept the words "Great Ming Royal Merchant", but he also raised a condition.
"Oh? Tell me!" Zhu Houzhao couldn't guess what this man was thinking.
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