Xu Jingchang said it was nothing, but because of Tai Ah Gaoxuan, Jian Yi always felt a chill on his neck. He had been very careful in doing things, and he did not dare to say that there was no mistake at all, but he could not be held responsible.
For example, the additional allowances given to officials are all issued in the name of the Wuying Palace discussing politics and the prince supervising the country. Even if His Majesty does not like to pursue this kind of matter, he cannot be asked about his guilt alone.
If you want to get slapped, let's stick our butts out together.
What else could there be!
But the thing Xu Jingchang caught was different. It was a mistake made by Jian Yi in his early years. What's even more interesting is that the person who gave the instructions back then had already disintegrated in the Battle of Jingnan.
Jian Yi could not shirk responsibility and could only bear it on his own.
But once he takes it upon himself, things become more subtle.
It is no exaggeration to say that his fate is in Xu Jingchang's hands, and he has the ability to overthrow his heavenly official.
The ups and downs of the officialdom are an ordinary thing, and Jian Yi would not lose his composure, but Jian Yi couldn't figure out how Xu Jingchang managed to catch him so accurately?
Could it be that Jin Yiwei’s hands and eyes really reach the sky?
Can they see everything clearly, know everything from top to bottom?
After thinking about it, Jian Yi couldn't help but be fascinated. After Xu Jingchang noticed it, he chuckled and said: "Jian Tianguan, what do you think of the reform of the official system that I advocate?"
Jian Yi hesitated for a moment and immediately said: "Very good, I agree with everything. If necessary, Duke Ding and I will jointly submit a petition to implore your Majesty to pass the decree."
Xu Jingchang smiled and suddenly said: "Jian Tianguan, we are also old friends. Can you talk to me about what's on your mind?"
When Jian Yi heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief inexplicably, with a smile on his face and said, "It's what I asked for."
Xu Jingchang thought for a moment and then said slowly: "I can't figure it out. You said that a non-commissioned officer with little experience has just entered the officialdom, why would someone be willing to give him very important things? Aren't you afraid that he will make an oversight?
?”
Xu Jingchang added: "I have no other intention, I am just curious. I will give you an example casually and hope that Jian Shangshu can clarify my doubts."
Jian Yi nodded simply and said in a deep voice: "Actually, this matter is related to some habits of Shilin."
"How to say it?"
"Of course half of the Analects of Confucius rules the world." Jian Yi said with a smile: "People usually think that a scholar who is knowledgeable and talented can do anything well. If you pass the Jinshi examination, you will be like a literary star descending to earth, talking about gods doing things.
, can there be any mistakes?"
Xu Jingchang suddenly understood and nodded vigorously, but then he said in confusion: "Jian Shangshu, ordinary people think so, isn't there anyone who understands?"
Jian Yi laughed loudly and uttered four words, "If you make a mistake, you will make a mistake!"
Xu Jingchang also suddenly said: "I see, if there is no mistake, how can there be any profit? Moreover, young people who have just entered the officialdom have made mistakes, and they have excellent knowledge and character. Everyone is willing to give them a chance and give them another chance.
Right?"
Jian Yi sighed, and there was no need to say more.
This was the case for Jian Yi when he first entered the officialdom. He would make mistakes and let him deal with some things that he was not good at. Then those people above him would take advantage of it and let him take the blame if something went wrong.
However, Jian Yi was lucky. Not only did he not take the blame, but because of his good luck, he entered the Ministry of Personnel and sat on the bench for ten years before becoming the right minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Later, in the Jianwen Dynasty, he was squeezed out by Huang Zicheng and others, and Zhu Di ascended the throne, ascended to the throne, and sat on the throne of the Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
To be honest, if Xu Jingchang hadn't mentioned this matter, Jian Yi would have almost forgotten that he had just entered the officialdom.
In a daze, it felt like a previous life.
"Ding Guogong, this set of things about employing people has been passed down for thousands of years and is self-taught. The so-called cliques for personal gain, mutual protection, comparison of friends, corruption and perversion of the law are all in this!"
Xu Jingchang nodded, "It's true."
Jian Yi sighed again, "Dong Dingguo, now you are in the first rank of the official position. As a general envoy, you are like a prime minister. I might as well say something outrageous, why the wise ministers and celebrities in the past dynasties advocated frivolous corvee and low taxes, and rested with the people.
Not willing to make a difference... It doesn't mean that everyone is stuck in the old ways and greedy. They are really old and sick, and it is not easy to mess around. Even if they are kind-hearted and let the people below do it, there will be loopholes and it will be difficult to clean up."
Xu Jingchang nodded vigorously, "The theory of Tianguan is indeed a mature one for the country, and it has good advice. But I would like to ask, if there is really no way, can't it be changed a little?"
Jian Yi frowned and pondered for a while. Then he couldn't help but sigh softly: "Ding Guo Gong, is this the purpose of your hurried return to Beijing this time?"
Xu Jingchang nodded, and then sighed very much: "I understand the truth that when the water is clear, there will be no fish. However, the opportunity is rare now. The south is sailing to the West, and the north is foraging. The business is smooth, and the finance and taxation are greatly increased. The emperor is working hard to conquer the Eighth Route Army.
With a desolate heart, ministers should also have the desire to take drastic measures and seek peace for all eternity. If we miss this moment, you and I will regret it too late."
Xu Jingchang sighed: "I am definitely not trying to manipulate my brother, nor am I trying to bring down you, a heavenly official. I know in my heart that you are the person who knows the official affairs best. What I want to do next cannot be separated from your help.
Great help.”
Xu Jingchang stood up again, pacing on the ground with his hands behind his back.
"You just said that I am in the first rank, just like the prime minister... What you said is still wrong. The prime minister is the link between the previous and the lower and has to directly handle government affairs... But now I still hold the title of general affairs envoy. In the final analysis, my mission is to make government affairs
You are well connected from top to bottom, and it is your colleagues who really do the work.”
When Jian Yi heard this, his whole body trembled, and he was secretly amazed.
Although he is an out-and-out veteran, he still can't help but feel excited.
Needless to say, this is a good opportunity to do something. It is really rare for Xu Jingchang to keep his attitude so low.
A few years ago, Jian Yi would have immediately become excited and rolled up his sleeves.
But now, he is not so easily taken advantage of.
"Dong Guogong, what do you think I'm going to do here? Do you have a proper charter?"
Jian Yi still kicked the ball to Xu Jingchang.
Xu Jingchang was not surprised, "Jian Shangshu, in the final analysis, it is still a matter of employment. The court needs to increase the share of commercial taxes, and the entire fiscal and taxation needs to be adjusted. How to collect the taxes, and who will be responsible? There are so many things, I can't help but
I don’t know what to do specifically.”
Jian Yi nodded and suddenly smiled, "Ding Guo Gong, if you want me to tell you, there is really a way. I also mentioned it to Xia Shangshu, but he is not interested."
Xu Jingchang asked curiously: "What is the solution?"
Jian Yi said: "It's like this. With the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, we have added officials in every state and county to collect commercial taxes. Not only is it cumbersome and complicated, but it also costs more than the gain. In many counties, the taxes collected are not enough for the officials."
salary."
Xu Jingchang nodded repeatedly, admitting this.
Shandong, Beiping, and many states and counties are like this.
The little money and food collected is not enough to support the salaries of local officials, and they need subsidies from the court. If all officials are added and commercial taxes are levied... it is not certain how much tax can be collected, and the salary expenditure will definitely explode.
Moreover, it will also lead to a situation in which people are desperately squeezed, which may lead to local anger and resentment and trigger civil unrest.
Some people say, can we still lose money by taxing?
This is the helplessness of reality. If we insist on imposing taxes, we will not only lose money, but also destroy the country.
Xu Jingchang said: "Jian Shangshu, what good ideas do you have?"
Jian Yi smiled and said: "It's not a good solution. It's just to set up tax cards at a few important checkpoints, such as Guangzhou, Ningbo, and Quanzhou. There are shipping companies in these three places, and we only need to do foreign trade.
Just tax the goods that need to be sold.”
"How to say?"
"Isn't it easy? If the price is twenty taels per horse, according to the 30% tax, it will be six taels of silver, right?"
"Yes, isn't this still the current method?"
Jian Yi smiled and said: "It's different. Take this piece of silk, when you buy it, it costs eight taels, and when you resell it, it costs twenty taels. The merchant earns twelve taels, not twenty taels. According to twenty taels,
Two taxes are actually unfair."
Xu Jingchang was suddenly startled. He already understood what Jian Yi was talking about.
Isn’t it just VAT?
Taxes are levied on the added value. Of course, if you cannot produce the previous voucher, the last merchant will be responsible.
In this way, the focus of taxation is not all ordinary people...but some of the most critical cities and some of the most important markets.
In other words, just grabbing a few places is enough.
The number of officials was not much increased, but the effect was outstanding.
"Jian Tianguan, why is Xia Shangshu unwilling to agree to such a good idea?"
Jian Yi chuckled and said: "Taxation represents authority. It can tax everyone, why can it only tax a few people?" Jian Yi smiled and said, "What's more, in this way, as long as in Suzhou and Songjiang,
It is enough to set up tax officials in Jiujiang, Huai'an, Peiping, Guangzhou and other places. There is no need to add more tax officials all over the world. You also know that Xia Yuanji has always wanted to use his household department to replace the official department and become the head of the hundred officials. How could he be willing to have fewer officials?
A bill to increase the number of officials?"
Xu Jingchang suddenly realized and touched his chin. It seemed that he had told Lao Xia about this.
"Jian Tianguan, what do you propose to do?"
"It's easy to handle. Divide the entire Ming Dynasty into several large tax collection areas. In each direction, assign an official, no matter what his name is, to take charge of tax collection matters, assign tax collectors, set up accounting offices, and arrange corresponding banks to facilitate business.
Cargo circulation. When the time comes, all we need to do is add a final Yamen in the middle of the court."
Xu Jingchang took a deep breath and couldn't help but extend his thumb, "Jian Tianguan, you are really a minister who plans the country. Such a good idea, why didn't you tell me earlier!"
Jian Yi snorted: "Would it be useful if I told you earlier? I can't handle the affairs in the DPRK! Duke Ding, I suddenly figured out why you knew what happened back then! Some people really have ulterior motives.
He has evil intentions and is a born bastard."
Jian Tianguan gritted his teeth and was so angry that his whole body was about to explode.
Xu Jingchang spread his hands, "I didn't say anything... It's just that the general office you mentioned just now should be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue?"
"Leave it to the Ministry of Household Affairs? Just dream! It should just be placed under the General Affairs Department. Or follow the Song Dynasty and set up a third department envoy. Anyway, we can't let people named Xia interfere!"
