Chapter Four Hundred and Twenty Four. Deqing Receipts.
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Not to mention the secret agreement reached between Zhao Junchen and Huo Zhengyuan.
However, it was said that after the Southern Patrol Fleet rested for one night in Changzhou, it set off north again. Under the urging of Emperor Deqing, the Southern Patrol Fleet still sailed at full speed along the way, but in just over three days, it was We have crossed Zhenjiang and arrived in Yangzhou.
Because of the continuous journey, everyone in the southern patrol fleet felt exhausted, so Emperor Deqing was particularly merciful and ordered a day's rest in Yangzhou.
At the same time, the news communication between Emperor Deqing and the capital center finally returned to normal. Emperor Deqing finally got a rough idea of how Prince Zhu Heyu rectified commercial taxes.
In fact, Prince Zhu Heyu's action to rectify commercial taxes this time was not blindly reckless. In order to achieve his goal, he implemented many strategic means.
First of all, Prince Zhu Heyu designed to alienate the relationship between the "Huang Party" and the "Shen Party", which not only greatly weakened Huang Yourong's control over the central temple, but also distracted Huang Yourong's energy. This is why Huang Yourong could not stop Zhu Heyu The main reason for rectifying business taxes.
Secondly, Prince Zhu Heyu also made full investigations and preparations before proposing the rectification of commercial tax. When he formally proposed it, he even listed a large amount of detailed data. According to Prince Zhu Heyu, the Ming Dynasty lost 100,000 yuan every year. The commercial tax revenue is no less than 20 million taels of silver, which is the biggest reason why the court is short of money and food! As a result, the people cannot provide relief, the border defense cannot be prepared, and the emperor cannot have peace of mind. In order to continue the Ming Dynasty for a hundred years, commercial tax must be carried out Rectification, all officials who opposed the rectification of business and taxation had ulterior motives and evil intentions... As a result, under the threat of the court's righteousness, many officials did not dare to raise objections even if they had different opinions in their hearts.
In the end, Prince Zhu Heyu also understood the principle of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. Several officials who strongly opposed the rectification of commercial tax were found to have a large number of criminal evidence, many of which were related to commercial tax. Then they were naturally arrested. Prince Zhu Heyu was dismissed from office and imprisoned. As a result, the opposition voice that was not very strong in the first place became even more insignificant.
These methods are quite clever. They are inconsistent with the style that Prince Zhu Heyu has always had. It is obvious that when Prince Zhu Heyu implemented commercial tax rectification, he had the guidance of an expert behind his back.
However, Emperor Deqing could not guess who this expert was.
Because Emperor Deqing would never have thought that his seventh son Zhu Hejian, who was frail and low-key, would have the ability to turn clouds and rain with his hands. He just hid it behind the scenes with the help of the crown prince Zhu Heyu. The center of the capital was turned upside down!
However, although Emperor Deqing complained that the prince Zhu Heyu had caused a big problem in the commercial tax, he couldn't help but feel moved after seeing the prince's reason for rectifying the commercial tax!
Before this, everyone knew that there were many loopholes in the commercial taxation of the Ming Dynasty, but because the commercial taxation matter was so sensitive, no one had ever dared to really touch it, so no one knew how serious this problem was. !
However, after a detailed investigation by Prince Zhu Heyu found that the imperial court lost at least 20 million taels of silver every year due to various loopholes in commercial taxation, everyone understood how serious the problem of commercial taxation was!
Emperor Deqing was also a little moved after seeing this number!
Twenty million taels of silver per year! This is just a rough estimate! If the imperial court could earn an additional twenty million taels of silver every year, how many things would be enough for Emperor Deqing to do?!
Emperor Deqing claimed to be a holy king, and he was an emperor who was very happy with his achievements, but no matter whether he was civilized or martial arts, money was inseparable! Since he ascended the throne, Emperor Deqing has been troubled by the lack of silver and food in the court. Now after seeing this number
, naturally there are some mood swings.
Perhaps, although Prince Zhu Heyu's move to rectify business taxation was a bit reckless, it was not entirely a bad thing?
For a moment, Emperor Deqing had such an idea.
However, after seeing the specific measures taken by Prince Zhu Heyu to rectify commercial taxes, Emperor Deqing could not help but shake his head and sigh.
Although Zhu Heyu overcame public opinion and implemented commercial tax rectification, his specific measures to rectify commercial tax were too taken for granted. He only abolished private tax collection by prefectures, counties, six departments, military towns, Huangzhuang and other yamen.
Station. Then we will severely crack down on smuggling activities!
These measures seem to be very targeted, but they are too simple, too crude, and offend all stakeholders at once. It is impossible to implement them smoothly and will only usher in countless backlash and deception.
From the perspective of Emperor Deqing, these measures taken by Prince Zhu Heyu will soon end in failure. In the end, not only will he not be able to achieve his goal, but he will still be smelly!
"Now, the flaws in commercial taxation are known to the whole world, so the rectification of commercial taxation must continue! However, this matter must not be left to the prince. He does not have the ability and will only handle the matter.
It’s a mess! Well, the most suitable candidate should be Zhao Junchen. After all, he is the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. When it comes to financial management skills, no one in the world can stand shoulder to shoulder with him! In addition, business tax matters are very involved and affect all aspects.
Interests, if we carry out drastic rectification, it will definitely offend many people, so in the end it is best to leave this matter to Zhao Junchen!"
Emperor Deqing thought to himself after reading the intelligence from the capital.
"However, once Zhao Junchen takes charge of the rectification of business and taxation, his strength will inevitably be greatly expanded. It may be difficult to control it, but he still has to find ways to prevent it!"
Thinking of this, Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and said: "I invite Zhao Junchen to see you!"
After arriving in Yangzhou, the first thing Zhao Junchen did was to prepare a large boat to take Old Master Xu, Zhao Ying'er, who was about to enter the palace to become a concubine, her maid Zhang Zhaodi, and the children of the Zhao family who were about to enter the Imperial Academy, on board.
He planned to let them return to Beijing with him.
Just after arranging these things, Zhao Junchen got the order from Emperor Deqing.
Although he had predicted it early, Zhao Junchen did not dare to delay and hurried to Emperor Deqing's palace to meet with Emperor Deqing.
However, after Zhao Junchen met Emperor Deqing, Emperor Deqing did not show any courtesy to Zhao Junchen. He just ordered someone to hand over the intelligence from the capital to Zhao Junchen, and said with a cold face: "This is what I received today.
News, take a look at the prince’s process of rectifying business taxes!”
After seeing Emperor Deqing's face, Zhao Junchen did not dare to neglect and quickly took a closer look.
After reading it, Zhao Junchen thought for a moment and roughly guessed Emperor Deqing's thoughts.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen showed a hurried look, and knelt down to plead guilty: "I have failed to observe! I have neglected my duty! I have failed to fulfill my holy hope! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
After saying this, Zhao Junchen looked sad and looked like he was being beaten and scolded by Emperor Deqing.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's appearance, Emperor Deqing let out an inconspicuous sigh.
To be honest, Zhao Junchen always acted like this every time he got into trouble, but Emperor Deqing couldn't really punish him.
However, the next moment, Emperor Deqing said in a cold voice: "So you still know that you are guilty! As the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, you are in charge of the world's money, food and taxes. The commercial tax of our dynasty is so chaotic.
There are so many mistakes, and at least 20 million taels of silver are lost every year, but you, the Minister of Household Affairs, are indifferent and have no knowledge. If the prince hadn't found out these things, even I would have been kept in the dark.
In the dark! Although the prince’s move to rectify the business tax is a bit reckless and creates a big mess, it is still more than ten times better than your corpse meal!"
Hearing Emperor Deqing's accusation, Zhao Junchen curled his lips secretly.
Everyone knows that there are loopholes in the imperial court's commercial taxation. Don't you, Emperor Deqing, know about it? It's just that you, Emperor Deqing, only want stability and don't want to stir up a hornet's nest! Now there are benefits to be seen from the rectification of commercial taxation.
Picture, suddenly changed his face and put all the responsibilities on Zhao Junchen, but it was irresponsible!
However, of course Zhao Junchen would not express these thoughts.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen lowered his head, still looking pitiful and willing to be beaten and scolded.
According to Zhao Junchen's experience, after Emperor Deqing gave him the power, it was time to get to the point.
Sure enough, after Emperor Deqing sternly criticized Zhao Junchen for a few more words, he suddenly changed the topic and continued: "It's fine that I don't know about the business tax. Now that everyone knows about it, this matter
We can't settle the matter and end without a cure, otherwise the court's prestige will be lost... The prince's original intention to rectify the business tax is right, but he is not familiar with the financial tax system. According to my idea, after returning to the capital, the business tax
I will hand over the full power to you to take charge of the rectification. This will also give you an opportunity to make meritorious service. Taking advantage of these few days, you can seriously think about how you want to do this and give me a specific plan after you return to Beijing.
.”
While speaking, Emperor Deqing did not ask Zhao Junchen's opinion at all, showing an unquestionable attitude.
After all, in the eyes of the world, rectifying business taxes was an offending chore, and Emperor Deqing was also worried that Zhao Junchen would refuse.
Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen had already made a plan for this matter. Although he looked embarrassed on the surface, he was slightly excited in his heart.
Just as Emperor Deqing feared, once Zhao Junchen takes full charge of commercial and tax reform, he will gain unprecedented power and influence, and Zhao Junchen's power will also develop rapidly in a short period of time.
Compared with the opportunity of commercial tax rectification, Zhao Junchen's plan to carve up the "yellow party" is just a small fuss.
Now, after planning for a long time, Zhao Junchen finally got this opportunity!
On the other side, Emperor Deqing saw Zhao Junchen's expression of bitterness and embarrassment, and comforted him: "Of course, I also know that rectifying business taxes is not that simple. It is not only painful, but also offends people, but I believe in you."
I will fully support you if you have the ability, so you don’t have to worry about other things, just go ahead and do it!”
After a pause, Emperor Deqing seemed to suddenly think of something, and suddenly said: "However, the rectification of business tax is of great importance and is very complicated. It will definitely involve most of your thoughts. I can't bear your misfortune."
Well... let's do this. After you return to the capital, you will take over the affairs of the West Factory and the inner transport warehouse, and return them to the inner court for responsibility! You can concentrate on taking care of the business tax affairs, and I will naturally take care of them when the time comes.
There is a big reward!”
Apparently, Emperor Deqing was worried that Zhao Junchen would expand his power too quickly after presiding over the rectification of business and taxation, so he took over power in advance.
Zhao Junchen had also anticipated this and had made a lot of preparations in advance. He did not have any objections and just agreed obediently: "I obey the decree! I will definitely not let down the emperor's favor this time, and I will definitely pay the business tax."
It's been sorted out, and I hope Your Majesty can rest assured."
Of course, when speaking, Zhao Junchen showed a bitter look, as if he was very reluctant.
At the same time, after seeing Emperor Deqing's move to take back power, Zhao Junchen sneered in his heart.
Obviously, the reason why Emperor Deqing did this was because he did not trust Zhao Junchen and was full of defensiveness towards Zhao Junchen.
Many people are not optimistic about Zhao Junchen's future development because although Zhao Junchen was deeply favored by Emperor Deqing, Prince Zhu Heyu was very hostile to Zhao Junchen and regarded Zhao Junchen as a thorn in his side and a thorn in his flesh. This is Zhao Junchen's fault.
The biggest hidden danger!
For example, the bachelor Huo Zhengyuan has such an idea!
However, Zhao Junchen knew very well that his real "long-term concern" was never the hostility of Prince Zhu Heyu, but the desire of Emperor Deqing!