The Spring Festival of the first year of Hongzhi was approaching.
After two months of the one-whip implementation, the faces of the people everywhere were filled with smiles.
Many fields that did not originally belong to them were re-measured by the government and returned to them.
For a time, the people all kowtowed to the capital to thank the emperor.
Some families were happy, while others were sad.
The royal family of the vassal kings, who had been enduring for a long time, were completely dumbfounded after the new law was implemented for two months.
Although he had previously handed over most of the land and silver to Zhu Youtang.
While his heart ached, he did not panic.
If the land was gone, they could think of a way to continue the merger.
If the money was gone, they could think of a way to withhold it from taxes.
However, when Zhu Youtang's new law was implemented, they realized that they could not annex the fields.
They had no choice but to pay taxes.
They wanted to resist, but ever since Zhu Youtang killed more than 300 members of the imperial clan, they were deeply afraid of this little emperor who did not recognize his family.
When they lamented the greatness of Zhu Youtang's methods, the imperial clans everywhere could only bow their heads and accept their fate. There was no other way.
……
Today was the last morning court session since Zhu Youtang ascended the throne a year ago.
In a year, Zhu Youtang had gradually brought the Ming Empire back to order.
The empire was thriving.
Some ambitions, Zhu Youtang could only slowly plan.
The Minister of Rites announced the end of the last court session.
Zhu Youtang said to the officials,"The Spring Festival is coming. Within a year, all the beloved ministers have worked hard to govern the country."”
"Great and mighty!" the officials shouted in unison. The rise of a great nation!"
This was a cry from the bottom of his heart.
Among them were some old ministers of the previous dynasty.
They had a patriotic heart, but the emperor did not care about this country. As time passed, their ambitions to enter the officialdom were also smoothed out.
However, when Zhu Youtang came out, the old officials who had been dormant for a long time were once again inspired.
This was the invisible influence that Zhu Youtang had on the officials.
At least in the early stages of the Great Ming Dynasty, there were very few officials who did nothing.
In the later stages, many things were no longer under their control, so many people chose to go with the flow.
Zhu Youtang's national treasury was enriched, so he was also generous.
"Minister Li."
The Minister of Revenue, Li Min, stepped forward.
Zhu Youtang looked at him and said lightly,""Starting from the second year of Hongzhi, your Ministry of Revenue has re-evaluated the salaries of all officials.”
After hearing the emperor's words, the officials trembled.
Li Min was the first to speak.”
Baiguan Mountain shouted,"My Emperor is wise!"
Those who should have their salaries increased would still have to.
The salary of the Ming Dynasty was very low, which was also one of the reasons for the corruption of the local officials.
Zhu Youtang waved his hand and said lightly," I've increased your salary. If anyone in the future still thinks that our salary is low, embezzles the people and colleagues, and sells officials to cheat, then don't blame me for being ruthless."”
"The Imperial Censorate has strengthened the supervision of all officials.”
"Retreat."
The officials left the Hall of Heaven's Tribute with gratitude.
The cabinet was boasting about the merits of the emperor to the officials.
"Pavilion Elders, the Emperor wants you to go to the Warm Pavilion.”
The Third Pavilion Elder was stunned.
It's almost the new year, why are you still going to the warm pavilion?
However, the three of them did not dare to delay and quickly walked towards the warm pavilion.
Zhu Youtang walked to the warm pavilion with his hands behind his back.
"The three elders have worked hard this year.”
Zhu Youtang handed the three of them a memorial from the Jinyiwei.
When the three of them saw this, they were instantly shocked.
This was the ancestral property of the three of them.
"Your Majesty."
The three of them knelt down in fear.”
Zhu Youtang let the three of them stand up.”
"The three auxiliary ministers of Great Ming are extremely poor. Go to the Ministry of Revenue and give them two months of salary to celebrate the new year.”
The three of them were stunned on the spot after hearing this. Their hearts felt as if they were being roasted by fire, and they felt extremely warm.
"This old official is ashamed, I have troubled the emperor to think about it.”
Zhu Youtang didn't continue on this topic.
"During this year's New Year, think about how to reform the business tax.”
What?
Zhu Youtang's sudden words stunned the Third Pavilion Elder.
Reforming the business tax?
What was there to reform?
"Your Majesty, the country is based on agriculture. What is the small profit of merchants worth mentioning?" Liu Jian probed.”
It wasn't that Liu Jian had low awareness.
Thousands of years of small-scale peasant ideology had made them think that the profits of merchants were negligible and that it did not matter whether they wanted it or not.
Zhu Youtang reiterated solemnly,""I said, revise the business tax."
Although Zhu Youtang's words were somewhat unhappy.
However, the Third Pavilion Elder was unyielding this time.
"Replying to the emperor, since the beginning of the dynasty, Taizu has repeatedly ordered that merchants are the most profit-seeking. Now that the new tax law of Ming Dynasty is being carried out in an orderly manner, it won't be long before the national treasury will be filled.”
"Why do you need to compete with merchants for profits and lower yourself?”
Zhu Youtang retorted,"The agricultural tax can make the national treasury full, but I want the national treasury to be rich."”
"I understand that Your Majesty is in a hurry to govern the country," Liu Jian said."However, everything should be done slowly. If you use too much force, you will be eaten by it."”
This time, Li Dongyang was extremely tough.""The development of the country has proved that the profits of merchants are meager, and merchants are the ones who disturb the foundation of the country.”
"Let's not talk about anything else. The southeast is plagued by Japanese pirates and has the support of merchants.”
Zhu Youtang said," You also know that the country has developed to this day. Business has grown like bamboo shoots after a rain in the Ming Dynasty. How do you know how much profit there is?”
"Whether it succeeds or not, we'll talk about it after we try. There's no need to discuss this matter. Bring out a plan to increase the business tax!”
"I don't just want to make the nine borders strong, the coastal defense of the country should also be strengthened. The merchant ships and warships of Western Yi can reach the Fujian port of Ming Dynasty, what about the fleet of our country?”
"Your Majesty, emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce has always been the foundation of the country. If the ban on commerce is lifted, won't we be despised by the aristocrats of the world?”Xie Qian replied.
Zhu Youtang looked at him and said calmly,""You all want reputation and face, but I don't. Others despise me too, is that okay?”
The three of them knelt down in fear." I'm afraid. I dare not. It's the foundation of the cabinet to share your worries.”
Zhu Youtang waved his hand." Then go. After the new year, I want to see the answer from your cabinet."”
The Third Pavilion Elder left the warm pavilion helplessly.
They really couldn't figure out what was so good about collecting business taxes, and how much could they collect?
However, since Zhu Youtang had already spoken, the Third Pavilion Elder did not dare to be too forceful.
It was not easy for a wise ruler to appear. If the cabinet angered the emperor, the emperor would learn from the previous emperors and be a hands-off manager. The cabinet would lose more than they gain.
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