By the time Emperor Liu returned to Beijing again, it was already halfway through July, the heat of midsummer was fading away, and the most beautiful season of the year had arrived. Luoyang was still as noisy and noisy as usual, full of fireworks, and the prosperity of the imperial capital seemed to have no trace of anything. Change, even the fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables on the market are no different from usual.
Of course, even with its development to this day, Luoyang still undergoes new changes every year and every month. Due to the increasingly prosperous commercial needs, under the leadership of the Luoyang Prefecture, new docks and warehouses have been put into construction, which has caused quite a stir.
With the issuance and promotion of the new currency, bulk goods transactions in the Xijing market have begun to be completed through silver coins. The issuance of silver coins has not been long, and it is far from being spread nationwide, but it is developing in Xijing. Go very quickly.
The merchants and common people in Luoyang accepted this "new" thing very quickly and gained the support of the majority of business people. At least silver, a precious metal, is no longer exclusive to the aristocracy.
Especially the big businessmen, they are the most happy. At least in the future, they no longer need to rely on silk for their transactions, which greatly facilitates their commercial activities. In the past few months, the imperial court has invested more than 150 yuan in Luoyang City. One hundred thousand taels of silver, and all of them were digested.
Emperor Liu returned to Beijing, keeping a low profile as usual. He did not return directly to the palace, but still chose to visit the capital. During this period, his work has been focused on sightseeing and sightseeing, and he has not yet been separated from his leisurely mood.
At the Dingding Gate in Nancheng, there is a steady flow of pedestrians. The common people are lining up to be questioned and inspected by the city guards. After all, this is an important place in the capital, and the screening and inspection of people entering and exiting is still very important, especially when entering. City person.
Of course, the personnel are not too strict, and the inspection and management of incoming and outgoing goods are much more detailed. However, the obvious difference from the past is that no goods are allowed in or out in front of Dingding Gate.
A caravan coming from the south was intercepted by the city guards and severely warned that they were not allowed to enter the city. This made the owner of the caravan extremely anxious. Facing the inspection officer, he apologized, begged, and even I took out a thank-you gift, but it was still useless. The officer showed no mercy at all. He was very forceful and refused to let me in.
Emperor Liu's car was driving not far away. When he noticed this situation, he looked as usual and chuckled: "Is the city guard of Luoyang so dedicated to his duty?"
Seemingly sensing Emperor Liu's strange aura, Zhang Yong took the initiative to inquire, but was stopped by Zhang Dejun: "Sister Zhang, wait a minute!"
Zhang Yong stopped and looked at Zhang Dejun in confusion. Emperor Liu also glanced at him with a little surprise. Facing their gazes, Zhang Dejun cupped his hands and said: "Guan, I know this, it's not that the city guards are deliberately making things difficult!"
"Tell me about it!" After hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately understood that there might be some hidden secret that he didn't know about.
Zhang Dejun said: "This matter also stems from a new decree issued by Luoyang Prefecture, personally presided over by Zhao Fujun. Starting from July, all goods entering and leaving Xijing must specify the entry and exit locations and be subject to inspection and inventory.
Luoyang Prefecture has set up five inspection stations around Luoyang, specifically for the entry and exit of goods. The government sends special officials to conduct inspections, determine tariffs, and collect them on the spot. After entering the city, no additional fees will be charged for intra-city goods transactions.
Except for the five inspection sites, only pedestrians are allowed to enter and exit the rest of the city gates. This caravan is obviously the first time to Beijing and has not yet understood the situation. It wants to enter the city through a self-made tripod gate and guard the city as before.
Naturally blocked.
If they want to bring goods into the city, the nearest passage should be to the southwest Houzai Gate, not Dingding Gate!"
Sure enough, while Zhang Dejun was explaining, the situation in front of the city gate had changed. Under the guidance of the city guard, the caravan had already changed direction, returned to the original road, and turned to the west...
Seeing this scene and listening to Zhang Dejun's narration, Emperor Liu's expression seemed to soften. Of course, he immediately noticed the convenience of Zhao Kuangyi's order. Since the development of the Han Dynasty's commodity economy, commercial tax collection has always been a problem.
After the boundaries between districts are broken, it will be more difficult for the past municipal tax system to meet the current development.
Like Zhao Kuangyi, by controlling the entry and exit of goods, it will not solve all problems once and for all, but it can at least solve most of the goods tax problems, and it will also improve the urban business order.
"This Zhao Kuangyi can indeed come up with some tricks!" Emperor Liu chuckled: "This method is good and can solve many cargo tax problems! However, if you want to do it well and avoid chaos, it is not that easy. Capital Goods
The amount of input and output is not a small amount, so a lot of manpower must be deployed for these inspection sites!"
Zhang Dejun said: "Zhao Mansion has reorganized the original city tax collectors under Luoyang Mansion, assigned them to various customs, and seconded officers and soldiers from the Inspection Department. There should be no shortage of manpower!"
"Yes, such a position is humble, powerful, and involves huge interests. How can it be missing?" Emperor Liu smiled playfully: "I'm afraid that those who want to enter the new customs supervision department will have their heads squeezed!
"
"The officials are wise!" Zhang Dejun said: "That is true, but the relationship between Mr. Zhao and Mr. Zhao is not easy to get through. As far as I know, Mr. Zhao personally inspects all tax collectors and only appoints them after passing them.
In addition, I often visit various checkpoints in person, so so far, everything is running pretty well!”
"This is really Zhao Kuangyi's style of doing things!" Emperor Liu smiled lightly.
"In addition, Mr. Zhao Fu also rectified the city's tax revenue, divided it according to neighborhoods and cities, and set up tax collectors to be responsible for collecting tax from each business place within the jurisdiction! It can be said that the commercial tax situation in Xijing is completely new now!" Zhang Dejun said again.
"Zhao Fujun is such a good official!" On the side, Zhang Yong couldn't help but admired: "If this system is finally implemented, runs smoothly, and is further supplemented and improved, it can greatly improve the commercial tax collection problem in Xijing!
It is conceivable that the commercial tax in Xijing will increase greatly this year!"
Emperor Liu couldn't help showing admiration in his eyes, and said: "It may not be difficult to complete an errand, but it is not easy to establish a set of rules and systems that are effective and can be spread. Zhao Kuangyi is in this matter
Yes, it was done well, you can see that he put a lot of effort into it!"
"Zi Yong!"
"Yes!" Zhang Yong responded.
"Go back and show me the new cargo inspection and tax system introduced by Zhao Kuangyi!" Emperor Liu ordered.
"yes!"
"This new system has not been implemented for a long time, and no problems can be seen yet! Whether it is really feasible or not needs time to be tested. Let's try it out in Xijing and pay attention to the effect. If it is really feasible, it can be regarded as a set of rules. This method can be promoted to Daozhou towns across the country in the future!" Emperor Liu instructed.
"Your Majesty is aware of small things and has far-sighted vision. I admire you greatly!" Zhang Yong immediately started to boast.
Emperor Liu smiled and stopped talking.
"Guanjia, are you going back to the palace?" Yantuo couldn't talk about the topic just now. When the discussion was over, he showed his presence in a timely manner.
"It's still early, why rush back to the palace!" Emperor Liu shook his head and ordered.
"Where do the officials want to visit?"
"Go and have a look at Taihe Building!" Emperor Liu said: "The Enke Examination will start soon. Students from all over the country will meet in the capital. I want to come and add a lot of color to the capital. Let's go and experience it, learn more, and add to our culture!"
"yes!"
Taihe Building is the property of Chen Wang Zhao Kuangzan. Over the years, it has become very famous in the capital and attracted many literati. Whenever there are imperial examinations, it even actively provides conveniences to the scholars who come to the capital to prepare for the examination. , exchange and discussion, the same is true this year.
During this period, as the period of Enke approached, students and officials from all over the world arrived in Beijing one after another to study, prepare for exams, and communicate with each other, adding another flourishing scene to Xijing.
This time Enke is also more targeted in terms of subjects. In addition to Jinshi subjects, the proportion of medical subjects, arithmetic subjects, agricultural subjects, and history subjects has been increased, and the number of admissions has also been relaxed. In addition, for the first time since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the number of admissions has also been relaxed. A martial arts examination, it can be said that this will be the most professional imperial examination in the Han Dynasty.