The first step was to change the taxes!
Great Ming's taxes were collected according to the population. Most of them were agricultural taxes, and there were almost no commercial taxes.
There was a huge drawback in this, causing the national treasury to be empty, and the aristocratic families and vassal kings to earn a lot.
Zhu Qiyu was very clear.
Landlords and powerful families colluded with the government to seize the land of farmers. Naturally, corruption and the sale of official positions and titles were prevalent.
Land annexation would eventually make the aristocratic families have tens of millions of times more land than the farmers.
In this way, it would be ridiculous to collect agricultural taxes according to the population.
The peasants had no land.
Aristocratic families occupied vast amounts of land, but they paid very little tax.
Taxes are not coming up!
As a result, the imperial court's ability to control the local areas declined.
Therefore, he had to change it.
Changing the tax system was Zhu Qiyu's first attack on the aristocratic families.
The emperor held the world in his hands, and his words contained the laws of heaven.
There was no need to directly attack a small aristocratic family.
Directly changing the foundation of Great Ming, naturally taking back power, wealth, status….. all from the place!
The next day.
Court.
Zhu Qiyu said indifferently.
"Everyone, I want to change the world's tax system and implement a whip law to increase the tax burden on businesses. Who will personally request to implement this law?”
Hearing this.
The officials discussed animatedly.
What was a whip technique?
At this moment, a eunuch came out and read out the details of the tax system.
The land tax, corvee, and other miscellaneous taxes of each state and county were combined into one, and silver was collected and paid according to the mu.
They would promote the commodity economy and at the same time, vigorously collect business taxes.
When the officials heard this, their expressions changed drastically.
The court was shaken!
Many officials from aristocratic families were shocked.
They were very sensitive about taxes.
Now that he heard it, he knew that this was a tax law that could shake the foundation of the aristocratic families!
"What is Your Majesty doing?"
"Once the tax law is changed, the entire world will be shaken. All the aristocratic families will be affected!”
"Won't this law affect the stability of the world?”
However, there were also officials from aristocratic families. Although they were aristocratic families, they paid more attention to their reputation and the interests of the world.
At this moment, many civil officials praised him.
"I think this method is very good."
"Once it is implemented, the national treasury will be full. Many cases of land acquisition, forced purchase and sale, and local corruption will be immediately eradicated.”
"The more land you annex, the more taxes you have to pay.”
"Although we are from aristocratic families, being loyal to His Majesty is what true officials should do.”
The courtiers discussed animatedly.
Two camps were formed.
At this moment.
The Minister of Revenue, Wang Zhi, took a step forward.
"This subject is willing to accept the order and implement a whip law for the world to reform the business tax!”
As soon as he said that.
All the officials exclaimed.
"The Eastern King actually requested to implement a whip technique?”
"In our families, he will be the head of the courtiers. Today, even the Eastern King was pushing out a whip technique. It seemed like the world was going to be shaken!”
"Ever since His Majesty came to power, he has destroyed the tile thorn and reorganized the court. His tough methods have indeed subdued everything.”
"How can the aristocratic families resist the might of His Majesty?”
The Wenchen Corporation was shocked.
Many people changed their minds and felt that they should follow Wang Zhi. After all, even the Wang Clan obeyed him.
This momentum couldn't be stopped.
But at this moment.
A civil official suddenly rushed to the front of the hall.
"This method is simply rude and unfilial, and it goes against the rules of the Great Ming Dynasty. I beg Your Majesty to retract your order!”
The interests of aristocratic families were deeply rooted.
Once it was pushed out, someone would definitely stop it!
Even if Wang Zhi changed his stance, these people would not change their stance.
Many people relied on land acquisition to enjoy wealth and status. Their status and power lasted for thousands of years and they were officials for generations.
How could he not stop it?
Immediately.
There were seven or eight courtiers in front of the hall.
"Your Majesty, please retract your order!"
"Your Majesty, please retract your order!"
……
For a time, the opposition in the imperial court surged!
It seemed that the situation had already reversed.
"Withdraw?"
Zhu Qiyu looked down coldly.
"In the past, there were people in the court who said that they would move the capital. Today, we should do the same!"
"Those who dare to obstruct the tax system will be beheaded!"
"Wang Zhi!"
Zhu Qiyu shouted.
"You're honest, upright, and virtuous. You dare to plead for the world. Today, I'll grant you the position of chief minister of the cabinet and implement the new tax system for me!”
As soon as he said that.
Many officials were shocked and envious.
The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet was only a fifth-grade official.
The Minister of Civil Affairs was one of the nine ministers and was a second-grade official.
However, it couldn't be calculated that way.
Although there were only six Grand Scholars in the cabinet, they were actually the superiors of the six ministries.
The six departments had to follow the orders of the cabinet.
The emperor commanded the world, the most important power center.
Today, Wang Zhi was the chief assistant of the cabinet. He had truly obtained the authority to command the six civil officials in the court!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Wang Zhi bowed down.
He wanted to implement tax reform on behalf of the Emperor!
He would definitely take up the position of the chief assistant of the cabinet!
"Cao Zhengchun!"
"Your subject is here!"
Cao Zhengchun quickly came out and knelt in front of the hall.
"You are the eunuch of the East Chamber and lead the East Chamber to patrol the world. Anyone who disobeys the king's orders, disobeys the reform, or destroys the new tax system will be killed and their three clans will be exterminated!”
"This subject obeys the decree!"
The implementation of the tax system was bound to be obstructed by the aristocratic families and local officials.
On the surface, he had no right to stop them, but in secret, he had many thoughts.
Zhu Qiyu did not care about any of this.
Kill those who obstruct!
Who dares to disobey the king's orders?
The East Chamber was established for this.
Anyone who disobeys the emperor can be killed!
The officials below were all shocked.
Wang Zhi and Cao Zhengchun were actually working together?
The civil officials and eunuchs were both working for His Majesty?
At this moment, many officials understood.
The emperor's order could never be taken back!
Some civil officials wanted to retreat.
However, there were still more than ten officials who resisted the pressure!
"Emperor, please retract your order!"
The law does not punish the masses!
This was what they believed in.
If the emperor wanted to be benevolent, he had to listen to the aristocratic families.
Otherwise, it would be tyranny!
There were so many civil officials, and most of them were from aristocratic families.
If they gathered together, even the emperor would have to admit defeat!
Zhu Qiyu did not even look at them.
Cao Zhengchun was burning with rage.
How dare you defy His Majesty's orders in front of me?
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