Jie Wen'an obviously didn't know who Zhang Ximeng was. He only thought that he could write articles and was a pen in front of Zhu Yuanzhang. Even if a young scholar had some extraordinary qualities, what was the point?
But don’t say this to the old people before crossing the river. Even Zhu Ying knew that Zhang Ximeng’s financial and taxation skills were far more impressive than writing articles.
Now when he writes an article, he has to prepare his emotions, collect information, rack his brains, and stay up several nights before he can write it. But once it comes to business, Zhang Ximeng has it all at his fingertips, and no trick can escape his eyes.
So after a brief moment of anger, Lao Zhu leaned back on his chair, looking like a carefree immortal, just waiting for the final count of money, which would not be less anyway.
Jie Wen'an still didn't understand the seriousness of the matter. After a brief period of panic, he actually wanted to struggle.
"Prime Minister Zhang, since the eleventh year of Zhizheng, there have been constant wars, repeated pulls, and attacks on the trade routes, resulting in heavy losses. Merchants are already in a very difficult situation, with almost nothing to worry about. They rely entirely on the grace of superiors to come back to life. And the current people's livelihood
If the country is in decline, if heavy taxes are levied, it will inevitably exploit the people and compete with them for profit. Moreover, even if some commercial taxes are collected less, it will only hide wealth among the people and allow the people to quickly recover their vitality. This is also the favor of the superiors. The lower officials will think that this is profit.
There is nothing inappropriate about doing good things that benefit the country and the people."
Jie Wen'an tried his best to persuade, but to Zhang Ximeng's ears, his words were like a joke, none of them were tenable, and they were even the opposite.
However, this rhetoric is not useless. At least Zhu Yuanzhang was deceived in history. In the early years of the Republic of China, he repeatedly lowered commercial taxes, especially on ironware.
The logic is similar. If the common people want to restore their livelihood, they need a lot of iron tools. If the court collects less taxes, business and trade will be prosperous, and what is needed will be exchanged, then the common people's life will be easier... Do you think it makes sense?
"My lord, I dare to ask you, at this time of war, businessmen suffer a lot of losses, will their profits decrease?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was startled. He wanted to say yes, but it was obvious that Zhang Ximeng did not mean so.
"What do you have to say, sir?"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "My lord, I think this kind of rhetoric is a very clever trick to deceive people. With the war, although the overall commerce will decline and business will be difficult to do, as long as there is still the ability to do business, it will often be the former
Several times, more than ten times the huge profits."
Old Zhu pondered for a while and then understood immediately, "Yes! We remember that Chen Di made a fortune, and now he is probably worth hundreds of thousands of dollars!"
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it for a moment and suddenly realized it.
Normally, the trade routes are smooth and there is no lag, and what you earn is hard-earned money. I think most people can understand this.
However, once trade routes are cut off due to war, the price of some very common things will skyrocket by dozens or hundreds of times.
At this time, as long as you can get the supply of goods and sell them smoothly, you won't have to worry about getting rich. You can just sit there and count money...Jie Wen'an and his group are obviously very powerful. They say that business is difficult and the situation is difficult.
It's just fart.
Farmers may be afraid of war, but they, the wealthy businessmen, will never be afraid. Even the bold ones will be eager to try and make a big profit.
Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed far behind in the field of business and economics. When Zhang Ximeng reminded him of this, Lao Zhu immediately became furious and rushed towards Jie Wen'an and others with murderous intent.
The faces of these guys changed, and they were frantically thinking about how to defend themselves, but for a while they were at a loss for words.
But that doesn't matter, Zhang Ximeng's next words almost raised their ancestral graves!
"Lord, the people's livelihood is indeed in decline now, but if you say that in order to benefit the people and rest with the people, you say to reduce business taxes, it would be a bit bullying. Under our rule, there is nothing. Once the people
After allocating the land, no matter what, there will be some surplus food. At this time, the merchants will bring the farm tools, ironware, pots and pans, bricks and wood that the people urgently need... What will the people do? Naturally, they are willing to pay high prices! One more thing
, At present, there is still a great shortage of treasure money in rural areas. In addition to eating food, people still need some treasure money for official events, weddings and funerals. There is more food but less money. If you go to collect food at this time, you really don’t know how much you will make!
"
Zhang Ximeng has brought the matter to this point, and there is no need for him to talk nonsense.
How could you not understand who Zhu Sheng and Zhu Yuanzhang were here?
Zhu Sheng gritted his teeth and couldn't help but chuckle, "Very good, the calculation is very shrewd! As long as the superiors nod, you will be regarded as officials and businessmen, and then use this Ganjiang waterway to line your own pockets and make huge profits. You are really smart in your calculations!"
Jie Wen'an was sweating on his temples and feeling uneasy. How could it be like this?
Why can't you hide something that is clearly well planned?
At this time, Lao Zhu actually said again, "Not only are you calculating and shrewd, but you are also greedy and stingy... Why do you want so much money? You just want money, and you are not willing to give us a little bit? You are so courageous!"
In the last sentence, Lao Zhu almost shouted.
Jie Wen'an couldn't hold it on any longer, so he lay down on the ground. Several others even collapsed. They thought they were going to make a fortune, but they didn't expect that they were entering the gate of hell!
"Pull them down!"
After hearing the news, Guo Ying immediately called for help and dragged these people outside without giving them any chance to argue.
It was especially rare that Zhang Ximeng didn't say anything, as if the life and death of these people had nothing to do with him.
This is indeed the case. These guys dare to come to the door openly and honestly, and they really underestimate the level of Zhu Jiajun. Do these bandits know how to collect business taxes?
It’s not what we say, we can only be deceived.
"My lord, when I first entered Chuzhou, I advocated the establishment of a system for collecting commercial taxes. After crossing the river, there were more than one debate about finance and taxation. At that time, it was impossible to collect commercial taxes uniformly, so I temporarily set up a branch to collect the revenue.
.But now that things have happened, I think the time is ripe to levy commercial taxes. And this Ganjiang waterway is the best testing ground for taxation!"
Lao Zhu is quite confident in other things, but when it comes to business taxation, although he has worked hard, he has no talent after all. He can keep up with the ideas pretty well, and it is absolutely impossible for him to have any creative suggestions.
As for Zhu Sheng, he is probably not as good as Lao Zhu. After all, Zhu Yuanzhang studied with Zhang Ximeng for several years, while Zhu Sheng had a standard scholar-official education and had never thought about this aspect at all.
"My lord, this is actually our biggest problem right now. Due to the long-term neglect of business, many people do not understand merchants at all. Even some who know a little bit only know how to make money and let them manage it for the country.
It’s really a bit difficult to be a person. But the commercial interests are so huge that they can make Jiangxi a prosperous province, so it’s not easy!”
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered deeply and realized that he had indeed neglected commercial taxes for a long time, and now it was time to make up for it.
But Zhu Yuanzhang also knew one thing very well: no matter what he does, he must have talents.
Zhang Ximeng understands this, but for so long, Zhang Ximeng has not been able to produce anything except a treasure... It's not that he is not good, but that he simply does not have the corresponding talents.
The power of finance and taxation is still concentrated in the Ministry of Household Affairs, which will definitely not work.
"Well, let's issue an order immediately to set up a special commercial subject in addition to the imperial examination!" Lao Zhu muttered: "It is a special commercial subject. After passing the exam, it will be the same as the imperial examination. One more thing, no matter what your background, No matter how old you are, as long as you have real ability, you will be put to good use."
At this point, Lao Zhu pondered again. It seemed that his words of reuse had no effect. After all, there were only so many yamen and only those official positions.
If one goes up, another will come down. There must be chaos in the officialdom. And this time, as long as there are business talents, we might as well add another yamen.
"I have issued an order to the Zhongshu Province, suggesting that they come up with a plan to add a minister to be responsible for collecting commercial taxes. The list must be handed over to us as soon as possible."
Zhu Yuanzhang's decree was finally issued, and from this moment on, the issue of commercial tax underwent a complete change.
This is the case. If the top-level establishment is not completed in the early days of the country, it will be extremely difficult to increase it in the later stages. After all, there are too many interests involved, and they are enough to make people despair.
After dealing with this matter, the monarch and his ministers gathered their spirits and adjusted their state. Tomorrow they will go to Wen Tianxiang's former residence to pay homage, and at the same time, they will start construction of the Prime Minister Wen's ancestral hall.
Wen Tianxiang's direct descendants do not exist, but the descendants of Wen Tianxiang's younger brother still exist. Among them is one. In terms of seniority, Wen Tianxiang should be called his great-uncle. This man is nearly seventy years old, short and capable, wearing mango shoes and leaning on crutches. , it turned out to be a hard journey all the way.
"Descendants of the Wen family, pay homage to His Highness King Wu!"
The old man prostrated himself on the ground and paid homage.
Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly leaned over and helped the man up.
"Prime Minister Wen is a well-known hero, a great hero, loyal, and willing to sacrifice his life for justice. Now we are here to build the Prime Minister Wen's ancestral hall. Do you have any requirements, sir?"
"No!"
The old man answered simply, "I have already disgraced my ancestors by living under the hands of the Tatars, so how can I dare to expect anything else? If His Highness the King of Wu really wants to reward the common people, please ask His Highness to make an early expedition to the north, recover the mountains and rivers, and comfort the heroic spirits in the sky."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with emotion, "Don't worry, we will definitely destroy Yuan Ting. This time will not be too far away."
A relieved smile appeared on the old man's face, and he suddenly said: "The little old man is here with his two grandchildren. Please ask King Wu to take them in and let them stay in the army!"
Lao Zhu muttered: "Aren't you worried if you leave your two grandsons to us?"
The old man grinned bitterly, "It's a lie to say he's not worried. He is a descendant of the Wen family. He grew up chanting righteous songs... Please don't feel sorry for His Majesty the King of Wu. The little old man has three grandsons, leaving the eldest grandson. Supporting the family business and taking care of the elderly, these two little ones gave up their lives to the country! Even if they die, they will have no regrets!"
Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and couldn't help but nod in admiration, "As expected of a descendant of the Wen family! He really has a legacy of loyalty and kindness!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's heart surged and he said sharply: "Bring a pen and paper over here."
Zhu Yuanzhang took the large pen and immediately wrote down who has never died since ancient times, leaving a few words of loyalty and history, and handed it to the old man.
The old man accepted it with great gratitude, but then said: "I still have to trouble Your Highness. When the Northern Expedition is successful, you must send a good news to the little old man. I, I want to put it in the coffin and take it underground to the first
Let people take a look and let them be happy in that world!"