There is a fatal problem in returning miscellaneous taxes to regular taxes - that is, officials and gentry have the privilege of being exempted from regular taxes.
Although there are quota limits, time limits, and all these other messy things.
However, in actual implementation, officials and gentry have almost unlimited rights to exempt from regular taxes.
This is why people rushed to donate their acres of land to Xu Jie.
Now that the pilot program is to change the regular tax rate, this is a problem that has to be faced.
Should officials and gentry be tax exempt?
Zhang Juzheng sat quietly on a short pier and listened to the emperor's speech one by one.
Lowering his eyes and eyebrows, he quickly went through the emperor's words in his mind.
It wasn't until the emperor finished saying three things in a row that he didn't say anything more, then he slowly stood up.
Zhang Juzheng thought for a while, then raised his hands and saluted: "Your Majesty, although you only belong to Songjiang Prefecture, after all, you can influence your whole body with one move, and you are watching from top to bottom..."
After the emperor said three things, there was nothing simple.
Consolidating exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes back into regular taxes is simple to say, but it creates many problems.
After the tax rate is increased, how can local governments be restrained and continue to increase their numbers under a different guise?
If we increase taxes on one side and continue to increase rations on the other, how should the people deal with themselves?
You should know that regular taxes are collected by the central government, but miscellaneous taxes are different.
If it is only the land of Songjiang, then it will be spread all over the world, and the government offices in various places will lose their income, and the demons will not dance wildly.
As for the merger of the gentry, there is no need to talk about it.
This has been a problem for thousands of years. If you do it seven times, it would be good if you can achieve two results.
And it is even more difficult for the gentry to pay taxes...
Zhu Yijun nodded without saying anything: "Sir, Prime Minister, Yin and Yang, is well versed in the samadhi, so I have to ask you what you mean first."
In the final analysis, the feudal dynasty's pursuit of local governance was too low, and they were all used to rough and tumble control.
For example, the two most important ones are personnel rights and financial rights.
The former basically retains the right of appointment and removal. As for how to govern when in office? You can do it yourself.
Today's examination method is to take back the power of delegation and assessment that should belong to the center.
The obstacles are numerous and difficult to describe.
There is nothing to say about financial power. Throughout the dynasties, as long as taxes can be collected, everything will be fine.
As for how taxes are collected, what mergers and what kind of tax exemptions for the gentry? It would be good if the tax farming system is not implemented, but how can we care about these things.
What Zhu Yijun wants to do now is to intervene in the distribution of taxes on top of financial power.
The matter was of great importance, so the two of them were naturally cautious in their words.
Zhang Juzheng pondered for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, the current intention of the Cabinet and the Ministry of Household Affairs is to improve the whipping method. After coming up with a regulation, it will be tried in Songjiang Mansion for two or three years and then gradually perfected."
"Since Your Majesty wants to merge miscellaneous taxes back into regular taxes, you can take advantage of this opportunity to change the name."
"It's just an additional payment on top of the regular tax... I'm afraid it's inevitable."
In addition to the taxes and levies, there are many kinds of additional things such as land tribute and tribute.
The so-called one-whip method, in short, is the integration of taxes and servitude, calculating taxes per acre and paying them in silver.
Since these regular taxes and miscellaneous taxes are all simplified into the collection of silver taels, they can also be used as new regular taxes.
There is no problem in taxing one out of ten or one out of seven.
The main taxes and miscellaneous taxes will all be renamed in the future, and they will be called a whip tax.
However, it is easy to merge the regular taxes, but it is unrealistic to prevent additional local taxes.
The words were not meant to be exhortations, but they also had the meaning of vaccination.
Zhu Yijun naturally understood that this was because he was afraid that his expectations would be too high. If things were to go wrong, he would inevitably have a smoldering feeling in his heart - if taxes were raised but apportionment could not be eliminated, then the people would complain.
It is a common occurrence in the New Deal for officials and subordinates to indulge in treachery, and for people to be trapped by them.
Zhu Yijun thought about it for a moment and asked: "Sir, if we follow the whipping method, taxes and duties will no longer be handled by the li chief but the grain chief, right?"
Zhang Juzheng nodded: "After the tax collection was converted into silver taels, it was directly collected by Songjiang Prefecture and transferred to the treasury. The subsequent transportation matters will no longer disturb the people."
Zhu Yijun also said seriously: "The area chief and the grain chief are beyond the reach of the central whip, but if you go to the county, you can control one or two."
"Let's give it a try first, take your time in each province, and the boat will be small enough to turn around."
Zhang Juzheng could only give a warning, but when the emperor listened, he stopped trying to persuade him.
He bowed and agreed: "I will discuss the specific matters of merging the main taxes with the Ministry of Revenue before reporting to Your Majesty."
Everything will be done if it is not done in advance.
How much of the regular tax should be determined, how the miscellaneous taxes should be converted into silver, and how the servants should be converted should be carefully prepared.
Thinking of this, he inexplicably thought of the next two imperial examinations - he should fill in more officials for the Ministry of Household Affairs, otherwise he might not be able to be busy by then.
Zhang Juzheng suppressed his divergent thoughts, collected his mind, and continued to write: "Your Majesty just said the second thing, allowing the common people to cooperate in production..."
He paused, his meaning unclear: "I wonder which people your Majesty is referring to?"
This is also a thorny issue.
Xu Jie had already become an official, couldn't he call himself a commoner?
Or, even if you are an official and a gentry, there is always someone in your family who is white.
Hiding behind the scenes will make sense in name, but so what?
Zhu Yijun felt a little regretful and glanced at Zhang Juzheng cryptically.
As a gentleman, even if he has never known the place, he is so aware of the disadvantages of these places.
That is to say, the official career of the Ming Dynasty was not scientific enough. Most of the chief ministers of the cabinet were in the Hanlin Academy, working in the six ministries and had no local experience.
If Zhang Juzheng really struggled all the way from the county government to the central government, I don't know how elegant he would be.
Zhu Yijun was thinking in his heart, but without any pause on his face, he continued Zhang Juzheng's words: "The common people are naturally the common people who own land and farm their own land."
"The so-called cooperative production should be in the form of Zongxue and Zongtian."
"Landowners who hire tenants must never be annexed."
In other words, the means of production can be combined, but only in the form of joint holdings.
The way that landlords merge and exploit the people must be severely suppressed.
The original intention was that Zhu Yijun was unwilling to curb economic vitality, but wanted to prevent wanton mergers and the formation of a gentry oligarchy.
It would be fine if the means of production were used to expand reproduction, but if they were used for enjoyment, the emperor would not be happy.
Of course, the idea is good, but it’s hard to say how effective it will be.
Again, Zhu Yijun is still young, and there is still a lot of time for trial and error. Every step is experience, and you can slowly move forward with each step.
Zhang Juzheng understood immediately.
It is not difficult to distinguish from the ownership point of view.
The difficulty lies in how to implement it - the resistance from top to bottom will probably not be small.
Zhang Juzheng was silent for a long time before slowly nodding.
He was about to discuss the issue of the gentry's payment of grain when the emperor stood up and waved his hand to him: "I feel a little sleepy after sitting in the afternoon. I went out for a walk. I said on the way."
After saying that, Zhu Yijun walked closer, took Zhang Juzheng's arm, and pulled him out.
Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to keep up.
The two walked out of Chengguang Hall, and Zhang Hong from the side hall, as well as Jiang Keqian and others on duty outside the hall, immediately followed them.
After the emperor waved people to follow him further, Zhang Juzheng continued to talk about business, which was what he had just mentioned, the matter of officials and gentry receiving food.
Zhang Juzheng looked a little serious and said seriously: "Your Majesty, I also know that most of the taxes in this dynasty are kept by the officials and gentry."
"I also understand your Majesty's concerns - if taxes and taxes are simplified, it may become worse."
"I know this very well, but I still have to advise Your Majesty..."
"The time is not yet ripe for officials and gentry to pay their bills."
Compared with the gentry's payment of food, the matters originally discussed can be said to be nothing more than dust.
The previous incidents had at most caused resentment from the county government, gentry and landlords, and could even be controlled within the borders of Songjiang Prefecture for the time being.
But the gentry's payment of grain, even for a single county, would cause an uproar.
As long as a little bit of news is revealed, it will be the enemy of all officials in the world!
Why do court officials frequently ask for appointments?
Why hasn't Lu Shusheng come to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to take up his post?
Why do the people who carry the sedan chair look up, and after they become official, they have to be given a false position and be promoted to one level?
It’s because officials can be exempted from tax after taking office!
The good days come after you become an official. You don't have to work, and you don't have to be irritated by the emperor. Your land and tenants are all waiting for you. Wouldn't it be more relaxed and comfortable to build a yard and buy half the city?
It's all right now. As the emperor said, everyone has to work hard for half a lifetime and they have to pay for their food.
How can we be separated from each other in the future? How can we be rich?
He was not given a salary when he was an official, and when he was about to retire, the emperor subsidized the performance of latecomers and canceled the tax exemption rights.
Are there any advantages to co-authoring? Are you taking all the disadvantages?
Once they are connected in series, the central government and local provincial governments will all be subject to backlash from the imperial court itself!
It’s like digging the imperial court’s own tomb!
Zhu Yijun walked half a body in front and listened quietly to Zhang Juzheng's advice.
After the latter finished speaking, Zhu Yijun said: "I have learned from Sir's mature and prudent words."
"I'm not planning to make it happen overnight, but I just intend to discuss it with you sir."
Zhang Juzheng heard the unfinished meaning in the emperor's words.
The two of them are now more or less accustomed to each other's expressions.
Seeing this, he handed over the ladder directly: "Your Majesty, please give me a clear explanation."
Zhu Yijun picked off a leaf at random, pinched it into two pieces in his hand, and shook his head: "I'll give you some ideas for your reference."
He paused, looked back at Zhang Juzheng, and slowly uttered a few words: "Old people use old methods, new people use new methods."
Zhang Juzheng was startled and suddenly realized what he was doing.
Then he slowly frowned, apparently starting to think about the pros and cons.
Zhu Yijun quietly watched Zhang Juzheng take the exam, but his mind was full of thoughts.
There is nothing new under the sun.
It is nothing new for officials to receive excessive remuneration after they retire and become a central financial and tax burden.
The dual-track merged with the single-track, and then changed back to the double-track. This has been going on for decades, and there is still no winner. He still remembers it.
As the old saying goes, "old people have old ways, new people have new ways." As the experience of an era, Zhu Yijun naturally doesn't mind using it.
Official tax exemption?
The current officials will continue to be exempted from exemption, but it is hard to say for those who will be admitted later.
Disintegration and internal fire, what a good way - this is the wisdom of future generations.
Zhang Juzheng did not dare to make a conclusion for a while. After hesitating for a while, he still saluted and begged: "Your Majesty said... I will allow you to think about it slowly."
This is a major national matter, and how can we get the result in just a few words?
The emperor has given an idea, but whether it is feasible or not must be discussed and discussed with multiple parties.
Zhu Yijun laughed and nodded: "This matter is not urgent. Sir, I will go back to the cabinet to think about it."
"However, until there is a specific charter, don't let the news leak out."
Zhang Juzheng should claim that it is.
Then the two of them talked about other government affairs.
Including sending Taicang 370,000 taels of silver to various border areas to buy grain and grass bundles.
Shi Duchen, the governor of Zuobu, Shandong Province, was promoted to the governor of Shuntian Prefecture. It is worth mentioning that the former governor of Shuntian Prefecture, Sun Yizheng, handed over a batch of stolen money in prison today, and the total amount of his house confiscated has exceeded 200,000 taels.
In addition, there are also instructions from Wang Zongmu, the governor of water transportation. One is to draw an atlas of offshore shipping, highlight reefs, survey storms, etc.; the other is to build official ships and unify their styles to facilitate civilian transportation.
The emperor had no objections and sent him to the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Household Affairs.
If there is any embarrassment, it is the memorial of Xie Tingjie, the censor of Zhejiang Province.
Duan Duan was looking for trouble. A few days ago, he went to Shu and asked the court why Wang Yangming was not carried into the Confucius Temple to enjoy sacrifices.
What can I say, "Xinjian Bo Wang is a benevolent person, his teachings of conscience are wonderful and true interpretations, his theory of style is a super understanding of the original purpose, and his scholarship is mellow, how can we not worship him?"
Wang Shouren, named Yangming, was awarded a title for his military achievements. He was a master of spiritual learning, wrote books and established theories, and called himself an ancestor.
That is to say, the one whose knowledge and actions are consistent with conscience.
In the eyes of Xinxue disciples, this person is a saint, and they naturally want to enter the Confucius Temple and enjoy sacrifices with Confucius.
They have been arguing back and forth for many years, and now they are back again.
Xie Tingjie's memorial stirred up a hornet's nest on the spot.
The Xin Xue disciples, who were already marginalized in the center, immediately united to express their support and request the emperor to sacrifice Wang Yangming.
But besides Wang Shouren's disciples, there were naturally some opponents, not to mention entering the Confucius Temple and enjoying the sacrifices of saints.
As soon as the dissent came out, the DPRK and the Central Government immediately started arguing about it.
Coupled with other factions fanning the flames, the Hanlin Academy and the Ministry of Rites were all quarreling over this matter, and reported to the emperor every day in an attempt to persuade the emperor.
Zhu Yijun didn't want to get involved in this either.
They didn't even look at it and sent it all to the two palaces.
Queen Mother Li naturally didn't understand the matter and could only discuss it with the cabinet.
Now that the cabinet can't discuss it, Zhang Juzheng wants to ask the emperor to come forward to set the tone.
After Zhu Yijun heard about this, he quickly hesitated and fiddled with it - let's leave the matter of offending people to the two palaces, I am still young.
Zhang Juzheng looked at the somewhat naughty emperor in front of him and almost couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Just now I told myself not to work too hard and pay attention to my health.
Now when the cabinet encounters difficult problems, it starts to act stupid again.
Fortunately, it was suspended during the Summer Festival, otherwise I would have to change the course tomorrow and use the topic to educate myself.
Well, there is no other way. Tomorrow I will present Emperor Xuanzongzhang’s imperial poetry album, so I’ll just click on a few lines.
The two of them took a walk for a while. The shade of the trees could no longer block the sunlight, so they found a pavilion and walked in to take a rest.
Zhang Juzheng continued with the next topic: "According to Wang Chonggu's wishes, the position of the Minister of War to assist in military affairs is temporarily vacant. He directly intervenes in the affairs of the Beijing camp through various departments and offices of the Ministry of War."
Zhu Yijun nodded.
This is the advantage of being a border general. Once he joins the cabinet, the power of the military department in the Beijing camp can be removed in just a moment.
Nowadays, the specific matters of training and preparation are entrusted to Gu Huan, while the clearing of pay and the punishment of generals are entrusted to Wang Chonggu - Zhu Yijun only controls the payment of pay to the Beijing camp.
He thought for a while and sincerely asked: "Yuanfu, what I and Mr. Wangge mean is that in the future, the Beijing camp may often go to the border for garrison duty, and we need more help from the cabinet."
The rotation of garrison is not only a matter for the Ministry of War, but also involves the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and local governors. We cannot be like the Yueyang Guards who forcefully use their bows every time.
Zhang Juzheng didn't say much, this was just a daily matter, he just handed over his hand and accepted the matter.
At this time, he suddenly remembered something and reminded him seriously: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. The matter of Yanzheng Yamen has almost been discussed."
"Yin Shidan will go to Beijing to receive the decree in a while."
"The matter is now being finalized. Your Majesty must not shirk any more of these days of court discussions."
After the emperor's vacation, he spent the whole day either practicing martial arts, archery, or fishing and swimming. He couldn't do it without some encouragement.
Zhu Yijun carefully took a peek at Zhang Juzheng and saw that he had a serious look on his face and had already taken on the posture of a teacher. He quickly followed suit and said, "Sir, don't worry, I can spare it."
Seeing this, Zhang Juzheng felt slightly relieved.
I looked at the sky and realized that it had been playing for half the afternoon and it was already getting late.
Zhang Juzheng calmed down his thoughts for a while and said the last thing of the day: "Your Majesty, there are two other matters in Huguang that require your Majesty's consideration."
When Zhu Yijun heard this, he immediately responded solemnly: "Sir, please speak."
This is one of the things that I have been focusing on the most recently, and there is no room for sloppiness.
Zhang Juzheng took out a memorandum from his arms and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, as a rule, all the heavy prisoners who should be released in various provinces this year and the recommended rural sages have been submitted to the six departments."
"Forty-two people were imprisoned in Jiangnan, the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple released 27 people on reduced terms, and Shandong released 13 people on reduced terms..."
At the end of the sentence, he paused, and his tone was a little complicated: "He has been imprisoned again in Huguang, and no one has been released."
Zhu Yijun heard what Xian Zhi meant and immediately understood what Zhang Juzheng meant.
He was a little nervous and quickly explained: "Sir, that's not what I meant!"
Who is so mean to sow discord?
How can a person live in this world without caring about his fellow countrymen?
Zhang Juzheng was born in Huguang, so some things are unavoidable.
Zhang Juzheng brought up this matter not to plead for mercy for the prisoners, but to test himself whether he wanted to punish Huguang politically because of his temporary likes and dislikes.
Otherwise, why is it that everyone in Huguang is following the rules and no one from Huguang has had his release reduced!?
The term "reincarceration" is just a sign, and the meaning is not yet completed. It refers to official promotion, imperial examination recruitment, etc.
If you dare to treat them differently today, will Huguang never use them again?
That's why I asked this question - is this what the emperor meant?
But Zhu Yijun was really wronged!
He quickly said to himself: "Not to mention that you are from Huguang, but to say the least, in the case of Huguang, Zhang Chucheng is from Jiangling, Jingzhou Prefecture, Huguang."
"How can I not distinguish between right and wrong?"
Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said seriously: "Your Majesty, I am not here to question Your Majesty because I am proud of myself, but I am here to remind Your Majesty to be careful about this kind of thing."
"Not only were the prisoners heavily imprisoned, but there were no recommended sages from the countryside in Huguang."
"Reducing the release of heavy-duty prisoners is done by the Ministry of Punishment and the Dali Temple, while the recommendation is done by the local governor and the Ministry of Personnel."
"Your Majesty, there are too many people who have studied the Sacred Heart throughout the ages!"
Zhu Yijun hesitated.
Then fell into silence.
He understood the meaning of Zhang Juzheng's words.
The matter involves the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, the Ministry of Personnel, and local governors. Not many people are so capable of cooperating.
Even if there were, he wouldn't be so petty and do something that is ineffective and seems like a fool.
It's very possible that they were just coincidentally acting in the emperor's favour.
The implication of Zhang Juzheng's words may not be that he did not test the emperor's attitude towards Huguang - after all, the imperial examination was about to take place.
But more importantly, it was also reminding Emperor Zhu Yijun.
Since the expression of likes and dislikes is so obvious, one should be wary of people who do things under the guise of doing things for the good of the emperor.
Zhu Yijun thought about it for a while, and after thinking it through, he slowly said: "Sir, I have listened to your wise words."
Zhang Juzheng nodded with satisfaction.
Then he talked about another matter: "As for the second matter, today the memorial of Xu Xuemo, the envoy to Huguang, was delivered to the cabinet."
"Asking about the Holy Spirit's will, how far should the Huguang matter be carried out?"
"Zhu Xizhong...is the killing excessive?"
Chapter completed!