" Your Highness, this..." Zuo Guangdou stepped forward and looked at Zhu Youjian earnestly. He was about to say something when Zhu Youjian waved his hand." Don't say anything more. In my humble opinion, not only should we collect the mine tax, but we should also collect the business tax!" Not only did they want to collect it from the three provinces of Jiangnan, but they also wanted to collect it from the entire country!”
One sentence was like a drop of water in a hot pot of oil. All the civil and military officials in the room exploded in an instant, but Wei Zhongxian's face revealed a hint of relief. Since Prince Xin had come forward, the fire of these civil officials 'attacks would not be able to burn my head!
God bless!
"Everyone, please hear me out.”Zhu Youjian had expected this reaction from the civil officials. He smiled faintly and waved his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
"Wei Dazhong, let me ask you, what is the proportion of the tax, agricultural tax, commercial tax, and mining tax that our Great Ming has collected over the years?”
"About seventy percent of the taxes are for agriculture, ten percent for salt, ten percent for commerce, and ten percent for miscellaneous taxes. As for the mining taxes, they are directly under the jurisdiction of the East Chamber.”
Wei Dazhong thought for a while and reported the number. Zhu Youjian smiled," Then let me ask you again, in this world, are the farmers rich or the merchants rich?”
" This..." Wei Dazhong's expression was a little awkward. Wasn't it obvious that the family property of a hundred farmers couldn't compare to the family property of a middle-class merchant?
"Of course merchants are rich."
"That's right. Farmers are poor, but they have to levy heavy taxes. Merchants are well-fed and extravagant, but their taxes are light. How can there be such a logic in the world!”
"But this tax was set by our dynasty's Emperor Taizu…"
"There are different ways to govern the world, and the country does not follow the ancient ways. In the era of Emperor Taizu, the world was just created, and the business was poor. Naturally, business taxes were dispensable. However, now that our Ming Dynasty's southeastern provinces are densely populated with merchants and goods, as long as we collect taxes reasonably, we can replenish the national treasury and support the Liaodong border army and the southwest war.”
"I firmly refuse!" Gao Panlong was so angry that he almost hit the roof beam. He flung his sleeves and came to the foot of the steps." Your Highness is only fourteen years old. Instead of studying in the Eastern Palace and improving your knowledge, you are here to participate in important military affairs. Isn't this child's play?”
"Minister Gao's words are wrong. Kong Rong gave up his position at the age of three and Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of nine. Everyone in the world praised his ability. Although this king is only fourteen, his concern for the country and the people is not weaker than any of the ministers. Minister Gao publicly reprimanded me because this king is young.”
" I, I wouldn't dare…" Gao Panlong never dreamed that Prince Xin's words would be so incisive. He quoted classics and spoke with confidence, leaving him speechless!
"I've heard of Lord Gao's life. Lord Gao was born poor and had no money to study. Fortunately, he was sponsored by a merchant to obtain an official rank. During Lord Gao's term of office, he gave this merchant many conveniences, allowing him to recruit weavers and make silk. In less than ten years, he became a rich man in Jiangnan.”
"This lowly official is only grateful for the clothes that benefactor gave me, so…but this lowly official swears to the heavens that I have never taken a single cent from benefactor!”
"You're indeed honest and upright, but you used your authority to help that merchant. You've already committed the crime of dereliction of duty.”Prince Xin's shout scared Gao Panlong so much that his legs went limp and he plopped to the ground. Ignoring his pride, he hurriedly stood up and kowtowed." Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please help me. I have done my duty and served my country faithfully. I did not deliberately neglect my duty!”
"And you, Wei Dazhong, Zuo Guangdou, Yang Lian, Miao Changsi, Zhou Qiyuan…How dare you pat your chest and say that you didn't receive any benefits from the merchants?”
Hearing this, the Donglin Party members all blushed and did not dare to argue. Only Zuo Guangdou and Yang Lian were still standing straight and glaring at Prince Xin.
"Your Majesty, this minister's younger brother believes that not only can the mining tax not be abolished, but we must also increase the intensity of the collection. The merchant tax should also be tested in the three provinces of Jiangnan.”
"This old servant thinks that Prince Xin is right!”Wei Zhongxian let out a long sigh. It was all thanks to his advice to the Tianqi Emperor today that he wanted Prince Xin to participate in the court meeting with him. He did not expect that he would be lucky enough to invite such a big protector!
"I agree. The farmers in the world have suffered from heavy taxes for a long time. We shouldn't increase taxes anymore!”Censor Yang Chunmao stepped forward and openly stood up for Wei Zhongxian.
When Yang Chunmao appeared, the ministers who supported the eunuchs also stood up and supported the mining tax.
The Qi Party, Chu Party, and other ministers who did not belong to these two parties and had always been in a wait-and-see state also expressed their support for Prince Xin and the eunuch party's tax proposal.
For the first time ever, the eunuchs had the upper hand in the court.
"Leave this matter to Big Bro!”It was rare for the Tianqi Emperor to see his ministers so united in their opinions. He had completely isolated the small group of diehards from Donglin and did not allow them to take the opportunity to make a fuss. He was overjoyed and stood up to leave.
"Your Majesty, this minister's brother thinks that this matter concerns the safety of Great Ming's finances. Eunuch Wei is busy with government affairs, so why not let the Ministry of Revenue and the East Chamber handle it together?”
When Wei Zhongxian heard this, his heart skipped a beat. No wonder the young prince spoke up for him today. So this was his true motive!
He also wanted to get involved in collecting taxes!
Good kid, you finally revealed your true intentions!
I already said that he wouldn't be so kind as to stand up for me!
Damn it!
Shameless!
Despicable!
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