Chapter 50 The Ministry of Households or the Secretary of General Administration?
Chapter 50 Ministry of Household Affairs or General Affairs Department?
"Your Majesty, I believe that the collection of commercial taxes and land taxes are to enrich the state. The same reason is the salt tax. In Changlu, Lianghuai, and Liangzhe, the Ming Dynasty arranged at least tens of thousands of salt taxes to ensure the collection of salt taxes.
.I think it is imperative to increase the tax by comparing it with the salt tax."
Xu Jingchang talked eloquently and spoke sternly, "It is best to have eight thousand in the early stage, and the minimum cannot be less than five thousand. Only with this many tax collectors can we ensure smooth taxation and enrich the state."
Zhu Di said with a sullen face: "Is it too much? With so many tax collectors, how much additional expenses will it cost?"
"Your Majesty, these tax collectors can be seconded from the Fifth Military Governor's Office and temporarily placed under the Ministry of Household Affairs. It will not increase expenses. Once everything goes well and business taxes increase, we will make adjustments at that time and we will be much more comfortable."
Zhu Di still frowned. He looked at Xia Yuanji and said, "Xia Shangshu, do you think so too?"
Xia Yuanji pondered for a moment, and then he pulled Xu Jingchang to come face to face with you, but he was still wary of Xu Jingchang. This kid was full of bad intentions. He had been working in the General Administration Department for several months, and he was even more difficult to deal with than an old official who had been there for several years.
Many people say privately that going to the General Affairs Department is like going through hell.
There is no doubt that Xu Jingchang is the green-faced and fanged evil ghost in the gate of hell.
How can such a person be trusted?
But today was different. Xu Jingchang really rushed to the front and fought for power for the Ministry of Household Affairs without hesitation.
Xia Yuanji was somewhat moved. After all, he was speaking for the Ministry of Household Affairs and seeking benefits.
"It is enough to have a confidant in life. Xia Yuanji is so lucky to have Xu Tongzheng who is willing to work side by side to achieve great things. You and I can be called comrades!"
Jian Yi looked at everyone, "If you don't give it to the Ministry of Revenue, who else can you give it to? To the Ministry of Personnel, or to the Ministry of War? Or to the Inspectorate?"
Xia Yuanji's words really scratched Zhu Di's itch.
But there is a problem here, that is, many large projects and foreign troops still have to be converted into silver... because this thing is valuable, light in weight, easy to carry, and has a stable currency value.
Xu Jingchang and Xia Yuanji cherished each other and returned to their respective ministries. Xia Yuanji was very excited and calmed down for a while before picking up his pen and writing the strategy.
At that time, the officials will be absolutely unable to compete, and the leader of the hundred officials will naturally become Xia Yuanji.
Liu Jun, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, said hurriedly: "Indeed... Xia Yuanji has gone too far. He already controls the household registration, money and food, and now he wants to tax the fine soldiers. What does he want to do? The money and soldiers are both his, and in the next six departments,
Do you want him to be the head of the household department?"
Song Li hurriedly leaned forward and said, "Tianguan, I don't think this matter is that simple. When the Ministry of Household Affairs has soldiers, it will investigate the family properties of all officials. When the time comes, Xia Yuanji will know who is doing business and how much income they have.
It would be fine if it is just used to collect taxes, but if he uses this party to fight against dissenters and frame Zhongliang, there will be endless troubles."
Yao Guangxiao chuckled, "Xu Jingchang, I know exactly what you have changed. I won't be in a hurry if you don't tell me. Let's just take our time and see. You will definitely show your fox tail. Okay, go prepare eighteen for me."
I'll finish the dish, so I won't ruin your business."
Jian Yi's brows deepened, "Don't say this, your Majesty agreed to collect commercial taxes. I also think it is good governance that benefits the country and the people, so there is no need to make such a fuss."
"Tianguan, no matter what, you have to make an idea."
He flattered him, Xia Yuanji also said good things, and the two of them came out of the palace.
But the problem is that if the Ministry of Revenue controls the money bag and still holds the military power, it can levy commercial taxes and hijack hundreds of officials. This will create a super yamen that can both distribute money and punish officials.
Yao Guangxiao looked at Xu Jingchang who couldn't hold back his joy, and frowned slightly, "You kid went to find a mirror. The fox just stole the chicken, and you look like this. I am very puzzled, who is the unlucky guy who was tricked by you again?"
Already?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I think what Xu Tongzheng said is quite reasonable. I have also collected commercial taxes here for several months, and the cumulative amount is nearly 500,000 taels of silver, which was sent to the treasury." Xia Yuanji paused for a moment, and then said:
"Your Majesty, perhaps the amount of commercial tax is far less than that of land tax. It doesn't seem that much. But land tax is mainly collected from grain. Whether it is storage or transportation, it is very troublesome. In an emergency, allocating grain from various places will greatly delay the time.
.Therefore, it is very necessary to collect commercial taxes and maintain a considerable amount of real gold and silver to facilitate the court's emergency response. This is a major matter related to the national economy and people's livelihood of the Ming Dynasty. I can only report it to Your Majesty with all my heart."
A huge agricultural country like the Ming Dynasty lacked gold and silver. When collecting taxes, it must be based on physical taxes. Otherwise, the people will suffer too much.
More than a hundred years later, despite absorbing one-third of the world's silver, the Ming Dynasty's whipping method still caused many people to go bankrupt. The problem was that from food to currency, and even from copper coins to silver,
With one more hand, the people will have one more way to exploit, and they can continue to drain the lake and catch the fish.
"You guys will draft a detailed charter and I will convene a royal meeting later to finalize this matter."
Xu Jingchang was different from Xia Yuanji, who was full of enthusiasm. He hummed a ditty and returned to the General Affairs Department. Yao Guangxiao was still waiting here. Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "Young master, I will prepare a table of vegetarian food. Let's play chess and chat.
What do you think?"
Zhu Di pondered over and over again, and had to admit that Xia Yuanji moved him, and Xu Jingchang's idea of increasing taxes was just right.
Liu Jun, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Song Li, the Minister of Rites, Chen Ying, the left deputy imperial envoy, and several other important ministers all crowded to the side of Jian Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
In the early Ming Dynasty, taxation was still mainly in kind.
But on the other side, the courtiers were furious.
Jian Yi frowned slightly, "Are you talking about the Ministry of Revenue asking for tax payers?"
The reason why the Minister of Personnel is the head of hundreds of officials and has the power to control the government and the public is mainly because he is the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. He has the power of personnel affairs. No one can ignore the opinions of the Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Personnel.
At this time, Chen Ying suddenly said: "Even if we can't stop it, we can't hand it over to the Ministry of Revenue, otherwise the whole court will be in chaos."
"Your Majesty is determined to replenish the national treasury. Commercial taxation is imperative and cannot be stopped no matter what." Jian Yi said solemnly.
Xu Jingchang was extremely sincere with these words, and even someone as experienced as Xia Yuanji was moved.
Xu Jingchang was slightly startled, but he could only nod in agreement.
Xu Jingchang took a long breath and said immediately: "My emperor is wise, this move will definitely increase the income of the Ming Dynasty. It will be a benefit to the present generation and will benefit the future."
Everyone looked at each other, this was really troublesome, no matter who it was given to, it would break the court situation.
He and Yao Guangxiao had a great time drinking and playing chess. Xia Yuanji, on the other hand, was waving a big pen, writing strategies, and devoted himself wholeheartedly.
Xu Jingchang shook his head and smiled, "Young Master, you think too badly of me. I am young and passionate, and I am dedicated to the country. I dare not say that I am a rare loyal minister in the world, and I am also an outstanding young man of the Ming Dynasty. You should not always use evil methods. Think of me in your heart.”
Following the worried words of several people, Jian Yi's brows became more and more serious.
"Tianguan, it seems that now it can only be given to the General Affairs Department. After all, they have no specific responsibility other than being in charge of government affairs." Liu Jun suddenly said quietly.
Otherwise, you give 10 million guan of treasure banknotes to the Ministry of War to purchase military rations. Half a month has passed and the treasure banknotes have depreciated, and you can only buy 70% of it. In another month or two, you will only have 50% of it...this battle How else to fight?
Therefore, the introduction of commercial tax has an excellent advantage, that is, it increases pure monetary income, which is very important to the Ming Dynasty.
What should I do?
Xu Jingchang said: "Mr. I'm a child. A few days ago, I persuaded Your Majesty not to easily lead a personal expedition. After all, not every emperor is as brave as Your Majesty. If anything goes wrong in the personal expedition, it will shake the foundation of the country... Mr. Xia, I am in charge of the general affairs envoy Not long after I took the position, I didn’t think too much. If I can accomplish one or two things, I will be worthy of my heart and my ancestors’ reputation. Regarding business tax matters, I just give orders. Wansheng is willing to charge into battle. Even if I am dismissed from office, I will do it. No matter what."
General Affairs Department?
With Xu Jingchang's abomination, if he had the power to tax, he wouldn't break the bank.
No, absolutely not!
Liu Jun lowered his voice and said: "Let the General Affairs Department collect taxes, but every penny has to go into the account of the Ministry of Household Affairs. In this way, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the General Affairs Department will restrain each other, and they will fight each other, and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief."
Jian Yi frowned, "I have no objection to the Secretary of General Affairs, but I also want to say that Xia Shangshu is still one of ours. If it is handed over to Xu Tongzheng, he has never acted according to common sense. I'm afraid it will cause even greater trouble." The chaos..."
Everyone was stunned for a while, what should they do?
After a long time, Song Li said slowly: "Which is the lesser of two evils!"
