When it comes to knowledge, talent, poetry and articles, Guo Min is not worthy of Guo Tang's shoes, but when it comes to understanding people's minds and clever words, Guo Tang is no match for Guo Min.
Although the words and truth that Guo Min said before were just a temporary thought out of desperation, after he said them, even Guo Min himself felt that they were quite reasonable! Then he thought about how the prince's party really wanted to risk the disapproval of the world.
As for the rectification of business taxes, everyone will inevitably oppose it, and the position of Crown Prince Zhu Heyu may not be so stable!
As a result, Guo Tang, as a core figure in the prince's party, will inevitably be implicated. By that time, being dismissed from office will only be a trivial matter, and maybe even the entire Guo family will be implicated!
After thinking about it like this, Guo Min became more determined in persuading Guo Tang.
…
Guo Min rarely plays tricks in front of Guo Tang. This is because Guo Tang is his biological brother and the Optimus Stone of the Guo family, and Guo Min has long been accustomed to a lifestyle dominated by Guo Tang.
However, now that the interests of the Guo family are being damaged, the Guo family's prosperous trend will be interrupted, and the family may be ruined, so as a last resort, Guo Min had no choice but to make an exception.
"Brother, do you really want to assist His Highness the Crown Prince in rectifying our business tax? Even if you want to offend the world because of it? And you also want to set an example and start to change it starting with our Guo family?"
Guo Min confirmed again.
Guo Tang nodded matter-of-factly, with a look full of resoluteness, and said: "This is natural. As the saying goes, 'Perseverance can be carved into stone.' It is for the sake of the world and the common people. What are some difficulties? As for setting an example, it is even more important.
It is our duty to wait for Qingliu! Our Guo family will certainly suffer some losses, but compared with the well-being of the people and the stability of the country, it is nothing more than a trivial matter!"
As he spoke, Guo Tang was filled with emotions. He felt that his enlightenment at this moment was very great, and his state of mind and character had instantly improved to a higher level. After Guo Min left, he planned to write an article to commemorate his noble feelings at this moment.
Let future generations know how noble and proud you are!
However, while Guo Tang was shaking his head and considering the words of the article, Guo Min suddenly sighed and said: "In this case, I naturally obey my brother in everything, and I will immediately give the order to suspend the business of the business, and wait.
After His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has rectified the business tax of our court, he will start doing business and making money in an orderly manner, and will never engage in smuggling and tax evasion... Well, speaking of it, we were originally just a farming family, and we are lucky enough to be where we are today.
, naturally I don’t dare to be greedy, but if I do this, I’m afraid I will wrong my brother in the future.”
Guo Tang was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why do you want to wrong me?"
Guo Min knows that Guo Tang has been valued and favored by the Guo family since he was a child. For decades, no matter how difficult and difficult the Guo family's money and food were, Guo Tang has never wronged Guo Tang! Therefore, Guo Tang has no regard for "the interests of the Guo family are affected".
There is no deep understanding of the relationship between "loss" and "loss of one's own interests". In Guo Tang's subconscious, he probably feels that no matter how much the interests of the Guo family are harmed, his own living environment will not have much impact.
Variety.
Now, Guo Min wants Guo Tang to understand that if the interests of the Guo family are harmed, then Guo Tang's life will also undergo earth-shaking changes!
So, Guo Min sighed and replied: "Just now, I secretly calculated that even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has rectified commercial taxes and abolished the complicated tax collection stations, our business will still have to pay a large amount of money to the court every year.
, this amount of money is about half of the company's income! After paying the tax, the company's operating costs have increased a lot, and the prices of the goods sold will also increase a lot. As a result, the business volume will be greatly reduced.
By that time, it will be considered good if our commercial bank's income can reach the current 30%, well, it will be about 30,000 taels of silver per year."
Guo Tang shook his head disapprovingly and said: "Thirty thousand taels of silver per year is not a small amount, so why are you so greedy? Alas...it is really philistine and vulgar to always raise money and worry about it.
You have been running your business over the years, but you have fallen into the eyes of money, but you need to change it!"
Seeing Guo Tang's statement like this, Guo Min couldn't help but secretly curl her lips. She just felt that Guo Tang didn't know how expensive firewood and rice were when he was not a family member. He just stood and talked without pain in his back!
However, Guo Min did not show it, but continued with a regretful expression: "Thirty thousand taels of silver per year is certainly not a small amount, but our Guo family now has a big business, and our daily expenses are quite large! Not to mention other things.
, Just talking about the annual expenses and expenses of the relatives in our house, it costs about three to four thousand taels of silver; the servants and maids in the house, and the shopkeepers and clerks in the business also need to pay two thousand taels of silver every year.
A salary of about two taels of silver; the annual maintenance and purchase of our mansion, ancestral home, and various properties require thousands of taels of silver; also, my brother’s social and entertainment activities in the officialdom require thousands of taels of silver every year, and
Brother, you are an honest official, so the salary alone is not enough, but you also need to subsidize more than half of it from the government; besides..."
The figures mentioned by Guo Min are actually a bit exaggerated. However, Guo Tang has never been exposed to these, so how could he understand them? Naturally, he was kept in the dark!
The many accounts and figures made Guo Tang feel a little dizzy and he couldn't understand the calculations. He just interrupted and asked: "What do you mean, is it possible that these 30,000 taels of silver are not enough for our family's expenses?"
Guo Min shook his head and sighed: "It's just enough, but I don't have any extra silver to buy antiques and treasures for you, brother! That's why I say that I will wrong my brother!"
Although Guo Tang didn't like gold and silver money, thinking that the tackiness was intolerable and the smell of copper was unbearable, he liked the original works of famous artists, antiques and treasures, and the four precious treasures of the study, and felt that these were truly elegant hobbies.
However, "elegant hobbies" require money! And it also requires a lot of money! Nowadays, people's hearts are degenerate and the world is not ancient. Such as the original works of famous people, the treasures of the previous dynasty, and the four treasures of the study that have little output, and so on.
Even elegant things need to be purchased with gold and silver money! It’s really a sigh!
For example, the shopkeeper of "Juzhenxuan" and the owner of "Yipintang", although they usually flatter Guo Tang, if Guo Tang loses the gold and silver, they will never give the things sold in the store to Guo for free.
Soup.
Guo Tang still understood this.
Therefore, after Guo Tang heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned. His originally firm belief was slightly shaken, and he quickly asked: "Guo Min, you also know that my daily style is simple, I never spend extravagance, and I never pay attention to food and clothing.
, it’s just such a hobby. Is it possible that after the commercial tax reform, I don’t even have the money to buy elegant things?”
When Guo Min heard this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Over the years, the Guo Mansion's biggest expense has been the purchase of various treasures to satisfy Guo Tang's "elegant hobbies". Unfortunately, Guo Tang "sees gold and silver as dirt" and never handles money, so he has no idea about this.
So, Guo Min explained: "It's not that there is nothing, it's just that the style needs to be lowered. Brother, you usually like to use Chengxintang paper, Xuande tribute paper, and Cao's rice paper. But from now on, I'm afraid you can only use Chengxintang paper, Xuande tribute paper, and Cao's rice paper.
It's written on ordinary paper, and those expensive papers cost more than ten taels of silver each, so I'm afraid we won't be able to afford them by then."
Guo Tang widened his eyes and said: "This, how is this possible! If there were no Chengxintang paper, Xuande tribute paper, Cao's rice paper, wouldn't my daily calligraphy and painting lose a lot of charm? Ordinary paper is far less absorbent than them.
Ink and glue cannot be preserved for a long time. How can my paintings and calligraphy be passed down to future generations? This, this..."
After a pause, Guo Min added: "In addition, Huzhou purple hair brushes, Shanlian brushes, Jingxian Xuan brushes, etc. are really expensive. From now on, my brother can only use ordinary brushes."
Guo Tang's eyes widened even more, and his voice became louder, saying: "This is even more impossible! There are four virtues in a brush, which are sharp, straight, round, and strong. The most important thing is! How can an ordinary brush compare with Huzhou Purple Hao?
Is the good Lian brush on par with the Jingxian Xuan brush? If I just use ordinary brushes to write and paint, how much more effective can I be in the calligraphy and painting skills that I have practiced for many years? Wouldn't it mean that there will never be any good ones from now on? No, absolutely not!"
Guo Min did not answer the question, but continued: "Although famous paper is expensive, it is still a fraction of the price. Although famous pens are expensive, they last for more than a year. If brother really wants it, we can save a little on weekdays, and we can still provide a little."
, but famous inks such as Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink, Xizhao Ink, Yi Po Chun Green Ink, etc., although very durable, are too expensive, and I am afraid that it is difficult to provide even a small amount. As for Tao Inkstone, Duan Inkstone, She Inkstone,
Even famous inkstones from previous dynasties and ancient times are even more unaffordable."
"This, this...if I don't have these, what fun will I have in writing and painting in the future? As a prince and a young master, I am a famous literary figure. If I don't have these treasures to accompany me, how will I be different from ordinary people? No, absolutely not...
"
As he spoke, Guo Tang's expression was seriously shaken.
When Guo Min saw this, he was secretly happy, but his face remained calm. He continued: "Besides, I understand that brother, you like the antiquities and authentic works of the previous dynasty the most. However, these things are too precious, and they are often just random items.
It will cost hundreds of taels of silver. How can we afford it then? So, brother, you should go to those curio shops less often. Antiques are a wonderful thing, and you can’t buy them if you go there. It will only increase your longing, but it is not beautiful.
! Also, brother, I’m afraid you won’t have the money to maintain the authentic cultural relics you purchased in the past. If they are damaged, brother, you have to be mentally prepared!”
Hearing this, Guo Tang's expression changed drastically, but he was speechless after being hit one after another. He just murmured: "This, this..."
Guo Min gave Guo Min the final blow mercilessly, as if he suddenly remembered something, and said: "By the way... Seeing that your fifty-fifth birthday is coming, brother, I contacted a seller, and in his hand
There is an authentic volume called "Manuscript of Nephew Sacrifice", which is the work of Yan Zhenqing. I heard it is quite valuable! The seller was in urgent need of two weeks of silver, so I offered 13,000 taels of silver. Finally, he relented and decided to buy it immediately.
It’s down, but since our family’s income will be greatly reduced, we can’t buy this “Manuscript of Memorial to My Nephew” as a gift to my brother, after all, we still need to keep some money for turnover in the future.”
After hearing Guo Min's words, Guo Tang, who was originally indifferent, suddenly stood up, grabbed Guo Min's sleeves, and exclaimed: "Yan Zhenqing's "Manuscript of Memorials to My Nephew"? That is the second best running script in the world! What's more?
Is it worthy of being valuable? It’s enough to become an heirloom of our Guo family! Thirteen thousand taels of silver are not expensive at all. Buy it now! If I can see the real thing, my life will not be wasted.
Got it!"
Guo Min shook his head and said: "Brother, under normal circumstances, of course it is possible. But since we already know that our business's income will be greatly reduced in the future, we cannot afford this "Nephew Memorial Manuscript". We must keep some money in the future.
It’s an emergency.”
When Guo Tang heard this, his expression changed. After a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Go and buy the "Manuscript of Memorials to Nephew" yourself, and don't worry about what happens next. I thought about it just now, and what you said makes sense. Let's straighten out the business.
This matter of taxation has a wide range of implications and it is really not advisable to act too hastily! I will immediately go to see His Highness the Crown Prince and ask him to take back his order!"
No one is perfect, everyone has weaknesses. But if a person's weakness is taken advantage of by others, then the so-called "principles", the so-called "beliefs", etc., will no longer be so firm and tenacious!
Guo Tang's weakness is his "elegant hobbies", and now Guo Min has made good use of this. In the end, Guo Tang also easily changed his stance, and the matter of rectifying business taxes changed from "benefiting the country and the people" to "benefiting the country and the people".
"It's not advisable to act too hastily", after all, compared to your "elegant hobbies", things such as the welfare of the people and the stability of the country can still be postponed!
Commercial taxation in the Ming Dynasty has always been like this, and no trouble has been seen. Why force changes?
However, although Guo Tang changed his position, Guo Min did not relent easily. He just said: "If my brother can really make the prince take back his life, I will immediately buy the "Manuscript of Memorial to My Nephew" for my brother to watch. Just as my brother said
, although this "Nephew Memorial Manuscript" is a bit expensive, it just becomes our family heirloom!"
Guo Tang nodded, without any delay, turned around and left the study, planning to go to the Prince's East Palace to ask for orders from the Prince!
Guo Min looked at Guo Tang's leaving figure, but his brows furrowed slightly.
Although he convinced Guo Tang, he also knew that Prince Zhu Heyu was a hundred times more stubborn than Guo Tang, and he did not have much confidence in whether Guo Tang could convince Prince Zhu Heyu!
"If the prince did not listen to his brother's advice and just insisted on rectifying the business tax, there would be chaos between the government and the public, and then the prince's position as heir apparent would not be as stable as it is now... But the relationship between him and the prince would not be as stable as it is now...
The connection between us is too close, and the Guo family will also be implicated... For the sake of the whole family, should I hide my brother’s knowledge and find another backer for the Guo family? Only with so many escape routes can our Guo family prosper.
long……"
While thinking secretly, Guo Min's eyes couldn't help but twinkle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today, all large and small trading houses in the Ming Dynasty are engaged in smuggling and tax evasion.
And these trading houses all have the participation of high-ranking officials and nobles from the DPRK and the Central Government - either they hold a share of the shares, or they are run by the clan's cronies!
Among them, there is no shortage of clear streamers in temples!
Nowadays, when Prince Zhu Heyu wants to rectify commercial taxes, not only officials from other factions will oppose it, but there are also different opinions within the princelings.
When Guo Tang rushed to the East Palace excitedly and wanted to persuade the prince to take back his life, he was surprised to find that he was not alone. There were already many princelings doing the same thing.
Most of these princelings, like Guo Tang, either woke up on their own, were reminded by others, or had different opinions for a long time. Now they all understand that rectifying business taxes will bring losses to their own interests, so they all
They changed their stance and advised the prince not to act rashly!
However, as Guo Min expected, Prince Zhu Heyu was a hundred times more stubborn than Guo Tang. Now that he had made up his mind and believed that the rectification of business taxes would be beneficial to the people, he naturally would not change his mind easily!
Therefore, the persuasion of Guo Tang and others is destined to be in vain!
"Alas! Your Highness the Crown Prince is really too stubborn. How can he act so recklessly like an emperor?"
When Guo Tang left the East Palace sadly, he said this.
As he spoke, Guo Tang's eyes flashed with inexplicable emotions.
Guo Tang had always regarded the prince Zhu Heyu as the sage prince and the future leader of the Ming Dynasty's revival. He had always praised the prince highly, but this was the first time he had been so disparaging at this time.
However, Guo Tang's words attracted unanimous approval from the surrounding princelings!
At this time, these princelings, like Guo Tang, all had inexplicable emotions flashing in their eyes.
The bustle in the world is all for the sake of coming, and the hustle and bustle of the world is all for the sake of going away!
The word "interest" always drives the highest standard for people to act.
Although the prince's party claims to be noble, they are also inseparable from interests.
Many people took refuge in Prince Zhu Heyu, and they seemed to be loyal to Zhu Heyu, but if we look into the reasons, they were either to increase their reputation, to display their ambitions, or to follow the dragon! They were just blindly loyal to Prince Zhu Heyu.
I'm afraid there are very few people!
If you gather because of interests, you will naturally break up because of interests! If you are loyal because of interests, you will naturally betray because of interests!
Nowadays, Prince Zhu Heyu is determined to implement commercial tax reform, which naturally touches the interests of some princelings!
As a result, the commercial tax reform has not yet been implemented, but some cracks have already appeared among the princelings who were originally united!
And all this was within Zhao Junchen's expectation, and under the secret surveillance of Xichang, Zhao Junchen quickly got the news!
…………
ps: There are a lot of reminders for the update. Well, I will try my best to satisfy everyone! If nothing goes wrong today, there should be about 10,000 words of updates!
Well, I will post a big chapter of 5,000 words first, and there will be another chapter before midnight, which is also a big chapter!
...(To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!