On the horseback, Zhao Jin held the reins with one hand and put his other hand on his chest, where there was a note he had written.
Since these aristocratic families were unwilling to donate money and food, Zhao Jin asked them to ask for donations of money and food and send them to Cangbei County!
Zhao Jin rushed all the way to the imperial study. Without waiting for the announcement, he heard Shou Quan say: "My lord, you are finally here. Your Majesty has been waiting for you! Come in quickly!"
As soon as Zhao Jin entered, he saw Zhao Qian stood up suddenly, bypassed Long An and walked down.
"There is no need to perform these false rituals. Quickly tell me what the method is, and you must avoid those courtiers."
The matter was urgent, so Zhao Jin was not polite to Zhao Qian. He took out the folder from his arms and handed it directly to Zhao Qian.
There was a lot written in the booklet, and Zhao Qian read it for a long time.
After a long time, Zhao Qian closed the fold, his expression no longer as joyful as before, and he frowned, "It's easy to borrow food, but the donated food includes titles, official positions, and imperial examination quotas. I'm afraid we need to consider it in the long term."
Zhao Jin looked at Zhao Qian without giving in, "Your Majesty, nothing can impress those wealthy businessmen more than these. Only in this way can we force those wealthy families to hand over their money and food."
"But this is against the rules of our ancestors after all." Zhao Gan held Zhezi's hand behind his back and took two steps to the side.
"Those who are businessmen are not allowed to enter the court as officials. Now they have titles and scientific examinations, and official positions have to be specially set up for them."
Zhao Qian disagreed and said: "Xuanping Guogong, what is the difference between this and selling an official position?"
"Of course it's different."
Zhao Jin's eyebrows were calm, "The title is just a false title, with no actual duties. Official positions are specially set up for this purpose. It is only a false title, has no power, and is not allowed to participate in the court's decision-making. This will not cause any loss to the court."
"But businessmen who are used to being suppressed will flock to them just for this false reputation."
"As for allowing them to conduct scientific examinations, Your Majesty, the current scientific examinations should be reformed."
Zhao Qian suddenly looked at Zhao Jin with sharp eyes, "Duke Xuanping, do you know what you are talking about?"
Facing Zhao Qian's gaze, Zhao Jin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the scientific examination is now almost monopolized by aristocratic families. The top twenty businessmen who donate money and food are allowed to have one child from each generation of their family participate in the scientific examination."
"The top ten businessmen who donate money and food can obtain a specially set up official position in name only."
"If you are among the top three, you can also get the title of baron or viscount."
"Your Majesty, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Children of businessmen can take part in the scientific examination. Later, it will be easier if scholars from poor families are allowed to participate in the scientific examination."
Zhao Qian paused slightly and said nothing for a while.
Zhao Jin did not urge him. The aristocratic family monopolized the officialdom, which was not a good thing for the emperor on the throne.
He believed that Zhao Qian had long wanted to break this situation, but he was unable to do so.
Now that the key was handed to Zhao Qian, Zhao Jin did not believe that Zhao Qian would choose not to use it.
As expected, Zhao Qian relented.
"Having said that, these are the rules set by our ancestors after all, and they have their reasons. It is not a good thing to elevate businessmen in this way."
Zhao Jin shook his head, "Your Majesty, we want to gradually remove restrictions on merchants."
As soon as these words came out, Zhao Qian's face darkened, "Duke Xuanping, this matter is of great importance and involves a lot. Once a businessman becomes powerful, he will not care about anything else."
"When the time comes when people are competing to do business and no one is growing food, what should we do?!"
Zhao Jin only asked Zhao Qian a question, "Your Majesty, how much are the annual commercial taxes and taxes?"
"Business tax is 10 per cent, tax is 15 per cent, what's wrong?" Zhao Qian replied without knowing why.
Zhao Jin looked at Zhao Qian, "Businessmen only have one-fiftieth of those of farmers, but the money they get from business taxes is almost the same as taxes."
"Your Majesty, let's talk about the commercial tax of 1/10, merchants can account for 90%, and the 90% profit is extremely huge."
"One hundred taels of silver, after ten taels of silver and one tax, there are still ninety taels left, but the cost is usually only forty taels. In other words, for every one hundred taels of silver, the merchant makes a net profit of fifty taels."
Zhao Qian's expression suddenly changed, and he took two steps closer to Zhao Jin, "Seriously?!"
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty. I have rectified business in Yunzhou County before, so I know it very well."
Zhao Jinqian sighed, "Your Majesty is worried that raising merchants will leave no one to cultivate the fields, but if the commercial tax can be enough to support the operation of the entire Zhao country, then there is no need to levy taxes?"
"Can we even provide subsidies to the people who farm?"
Zhao Qian's breathing became heavy in vain, and Zhao Jin continued: "Your Majesty, we are not completely releasing restrictions on businessmen, but business must be supported and business taxes must be gradually increased."
Zhao Jin once estimated privately that the tax rate of 10% tax and 20% tax was acceptable to those merchants. As for small merchants, they could receive some additional preferential treatment.
And this tax rate was enough for Zhao to cancel the tax.
Zhao Qian never dared to imagine that one day he could abolish taxes, but if he really did it, it would be a holy name that would be passed down for thousands of years!
The temptation is too great.
Zhao Jinchao took a step back, bowed slightly to Zhao Qian, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please think deeply."
After a while, Zhao Qian's hoarse voice said, "Okay, I'll leave this matter to you."
If it is feasible, this time it can be regarded as providing them with a breakthrough.
"I obey."
On that day, Zhao Qian's decree was issued.
From Bianzhou to other places, the entire Zhao Kingdom was in uproar!
From the time of Taizu, although business was not suppressed too harshly, there were obvious restrictions on merchants.
Therefore, as soon as Zhao Qian's decree came out, many businessmen were overjoyed!
Especially those big merchants, not to mention whether they take the money and food seriously, even if it means reducing some assets, they will not hesitate to do so!
You can let your descendants take part in the scientific examination!
This is even more attractive than the false title!
Business registration is not allowed to participate in the scientific examination, so many businessmen regret that their children can only continue to be a merchant.
Some businessmen are even willing to send their children away and do everything possible to remove their business status.
But once he is found out, his house will be confiscated and his head will be executed!
Now, as long as you donate money and food, you can take part in the scientific examination!
Compared with the happiness of the merchants, the heads of the noble families can be described as dark clouds.
On the second day, starting from the court, these aristocratic families have been making trouble, using the methods of their ancestors, the vulgarity of merchants, etc., half persuading and half forcing Zhao Qian to take back his life.
As for some officials who came from poor families, although they couldn't help but murmur in their hearts, they didn't get involved in it.
There are only 20 places every year. Tens of thousands of people take the scientific examination. It doesn’t matter if there are 20 more places.
What's more, they vaguely smelled something unusual.
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