Increase the business tax.
It was not that simple.
In his previous life, Zhu Houzhao had read some historical novels where the emperor wanted to raise the business tax, so he directly raised it, and then the national treasury suddenly became full.
He wanted to laugh.
If it was really that simple.
He wouldn't have dared to make a move on the business tax in the 13th year of Zhengde.
The merchants of the Ming Dynasty were not as weak as they were in the early Ming Dynasty.
Government and business colluded, and money paved the way.
This kind of thing had long been common in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.
There were even many big merchants.
It was to speak for some officials in the court.
With the authority of these officials as a guarantee.
They wanted to collect taxes from them?
Even if the business tax was raised, it would definitely not be collected!
In the original history.
In the third year of Zhengde, the Jiangnan business tax was only 18 taels a year.
This was no joke!
"Big Brother Gu."
Zhu Houzhao spoke.
"Your Majesty, I'm here." Gu Dayong immediately stood up.”
"Go and call the four cabinet ministers over.”
"Yes, sir!"
Gu Dayong's eyes lit up and he also ran out.
When Liu Jin went to take Zheng He's treasure map, he was still a little jealous.
After all, although everyone was the Emperor's big companion, they were also divided into three, six, and nine grades. Whoever could be close to the Emperor would have a higher status!
If anyone was not ordered around by His Majesty.
That meant that his life was over.
Zhu Houzhao naturally understood the thoughts of these companions.
However, he didn't mind.
They had also grown up with him.
If they didn't fight for favor, would they fight for power?
Gu Dayong was very efficient, which was also due to Zhu Houzhao's prestige.
After a while.
The four cabinet elders came to the Leopard House.
The cabinet that Zhu Houzhao used was naturally not the original cabinet.
Liu Jian, Li Yangdong, and the others who could have been in the cabinet in history.
They were all sent to the north of Liaodong to reclaim land.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
The leader, Xie Qian, cupped his hands.
The three people behind him were Zhang Cong, Yang Tinghe, and Yang Yiqing.
"No need."
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and dismissed the palace maids.
He looked at the four people in front of him.
He chuckled.
These four were not ordinary people.
He had chosen them from the best.
Xie Qian didn't need to be mentioned.
He was an old minister of the previous dynasty. Whether it was in terms of speech, strategy, or governance, he was a top-notch existence.
Zhang Cong is a man.
He was the youngest, but he was ranked second.
For nothing else.
It was because Zhu Houzhao valued this person's uniqueness in the Jiajing Dynasty.
In the later generations, this person had another elegant name.
Big Ming Scalpel.
It could be said.
The reason why Zhang Juzheng was able to reform so smoothly was largely because Zhang Cong had laid a good foundation for him in advance.
As for Yang Tinghe and Yang Yiqing, they were two of the three Yang's in the future.
He was also a rare talent.
"I wonder if Your Majesty has summoned me today for something important?”
Xie Qian asked curiously.
Normally, if the emperor wanted to issue an order, he would have to give it to the emperor.
They would directly send Gu Dayong or Liu Jin to tell them, without thinking about discussing with them.
It was strange today.
"Three things."
Zhu Houzhao said concisely.
Xie Qian and the others immediately straightened their bodies and listened attentively.
After all, if it was something that only the internal court needed to resolve, they would definitely not be called over.
This time, it was definitely something big.
"First, I want to open the sea ban so that the people of the world can trade on the sea.”
Zhu Houzhao said slowly.
The four of them widened their eyes in unison.
They did not expect that His Majesty's first sentence would stun them.
"Your Majesty, this sea ban is the law of our ancestors.”
"Back then, Emperor Taizu clearly stated that it could not be changed.”
Xie Qian said with some difficulty.
The other three nodded.
The laws of the ancestors could not be changed. This was no joke.
Since ancient times, filial piety was the most important thing in China.
Even the emperor had to be filial!
Even if it was Yongle Dynasty.
Sending Zheng He to the West was only to relax the sea ban, not to open it!
Open the sea ban so that merchants could trade openly.
It was definitely going against the will of the ancestors.
"I naturally know the difficulties, which is why I called you here.”
Zhu Houzhao's tone was calm.
However, this calmness was what made people shocked!
Xie Qian still remembered.
A year ago.
When His Majesty returned from Ying Province, his tone was also this calm.
Then, in the imperial court.
A large number of officials were imprisoned, and the commanders in various places were completely reshuffled.
The entire civil servant group was completely silent from then on.
"Have you thought of an idea?"
Zhu Houzhao's voice sounded again.
Xie Qian's somewhat weak body trembled slightly and he sighed."Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best.”
Since he had said that.
Naturally, it also meant that he supported Zhu Houzhao's move to open the sea ban.
"Your Majesty, we also support the lifting of the ban.”
Yang Tinghe and Yang Yiqing secretly exchanged glances.
He also stood up and nodded.
He saw that the three people in the cabinet had agreed.
Zhu Houzhao was also satisfied.
It seemed that his thunderous methods over the years had also achieved quite a bit of effect.
This was what an emperor should be called!
If everything had to be discussed, then what kind of emperor would he be!
However, just as he was about to say the second condition.
However, he was interrupted by a voice.
"Your Majesty, even if we ignore the laws of our ancestors, it's not a good thing to let merchants trade by sea.”
Zhang Cong, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said.
"According to the records of the Yongle Dynasty, the profits of maritime trade are extremely large. If those merchants earn so much profit, I'm afraid they will have disloyal intentions.”
"And as far as I know, in recent years, there has been a flood of pirates on the sea. A large portion of them are privately raised by merchants who secretly go out to sea.”
"If we let these merchants continue to grow, they will definitely be a threat to our Great Ming.”
He was interrupted.
Zhu Houzhao was not angry. Instead, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
As expected of the team he had personally selected.
He was quite thoughtful.
"Minister Zhang's worries are reasonable.”
Zhu Houzhao's lips curled into a smile."But what if I say that I have already found Zheng He's treasure map?”
" What?!"
This time, it wasn't just Zhang Cong.
Xie Qian and Eryang raised their heads and widened their eyes.
His face was filled with shock.
Zheng He's treasure map!
One of the most precious treasures left behind by the Yongle Dynasty!
But that thing…
Wasn't it already burned by Liu Daxia?？
......
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