Chapter 50: Ministry of Revenue or Tongzheng Department?

"Your Majesty, I think that collecting commercial taxes is the same as land taxes, which are all about enriching the country. By the same token, there are also salt taxes. Changlu, Lianghuai, Liangzhe, and Daming arranged at least tens of thousands of salt taxes in order to ensure the collection of salt taxes. I think that it is imperative to increase taxes in accordance with the salt tax."

Xu Jingchang talked eruditely and said sternly, "It is best to have 8,000 in the early stage, and the minimum is not less than 5,000. Only so many taxes can ensure smooth tax collection and enrich national use."

Zhu Di said with a tense face: "Isn't it too much? How much does it cost to increase so many taxes?"

"Your Majesty, these tax officials can be seconded from the Governor's Office of the Five Army and temporarily placed under the Ministry of Revenue, and will not increase expenses. When everything goes well, the commercial tax will increase, and if the adjustment is made at that time, it will be much more abundant."

Zhu Di still frowned. He looked at Xia Yuanji, "Shangshu Xia, do you think this too?"

Xia Yuanji pondered for a moment, and he pulled Xu Jingchang to meet him, still guarding against Xu Jingchang. This kid is full of bad water and has worked in Tongzhengsi for several months, which is even more difficult than the old official who has been a few years ago. Many people privately say that going to Tongzhengsi is to break through the gates of hell.

There is no doubt that Xu Jingchang is an evil ghost with green face and fangs in the Ghost Gate.

How can such a person be trusted?

But today is different. Xu Jingchang really rushed forward and did not hesitate to fight for power for the Ministry of Revenue and take the initiative.

Xia Yuanji was a little moved, after all, this was speaking for the Ministry of Revenue and striving for benefits.

"It is enough to have a confidant in life. Xia Yuanji is so lucky that Xu Tongzheng is willing to work hand in hand to achieve great things. You and I can be called comrades!"

Jian Yi looked at everyone, "If you don't give it to the Ministry of Revenue, who else can you give it to? To the Ministry of Personnel, or the Ministry of War? Or the Inspectorate?"

Xia Yuanji's words really touched Zhu Di's itch.

But there is a problem here, that is, many major projects, when using troops to the outside world, still have to be converted into silver... because this thing is valuable, light in weight, easy to carry, and stable in currency value.

Xu Jingchang and Xia Yuanji said to each other and returned to the ministry. Xia Yuanji felt excited and calmed down for a while before he picked up his pen and wrote the strategy.

By then, the Ministry of Personnel would definitely not be able to compete, and the head of all officials would naturally become Xia Yuanji.

Liu Jun, Minister of War, hurriedly said: "Indeed... Xia Yuanji is really too much. He already has household registration, money and grain, and now he wants to tax elite soldiers. What do he want to do? Both the money and soldiers belong to him. In the next six ministries, do you want him to be the mainstay of the Ministry of Revenue?"

Song Li hurriedly leaned forward, "Tianguan, I think this matter is not that simple. With the Ministry of Revenue, it will investigate the family business of all officials. Xia Yuanji knows who does business and how much income they have. It would be fine if he just used it to collect taxes, but if he uses this party to attack the different people and frames the loyal and good people, there will be endless troubles at that time!"

Yao Guangxiao laughed twice, "Xu Jingchang, I know what you have changed. I don't want to worry if you don't say it. Let's take a look slowly, you will definitely show the fox's tail. Okay, go and prepare eighteen dishes for me. I'll eat it so that I won't ruin your business."

Jian Yi's brows became deeper, "Don't say this, Your Majesty agrees to collect commercial taxes. I also think it is a good policy that benefits the country and the people, so there is no need to make such a big deal."

"Tianguan, no matter what, you have to make an idea."

He flattered, and Xia Yuanji also said good things, and the two of them came out of the palace.

But the problem is that if the Ministry of Revenue takes control of the money bag, it still holds military power and can host all officials by collecting commercial taxes. This will lead to a super yamen that can both share money and punish all officials.

Yao Guangxiao looked at Xu Jingchang who couldn't stop being happy and frowned slightly, "You guys go find a mirror. The fox just got the chicken and was like you. I'm very puzzled. Which unlucky guy is it, and you have plotted against me again?"

"When you say to Your Majesty, I think what Xu Tongzheng said makes sense. I have also collected commercial taxes for several months, and the total amount of them was converted, and nearly 500,000 taels of silver was transferred to the national treasury." Xia Yuanji paused for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty, perhaps the amount of commercial tax is far less than that of land tax, and it doesn't seem to be that much. However, the collection of land taxes is mainly based on grain, and whether it is stored or transported, it is very troublesome. If you encounter an urgent matter, allocating food from various places will greatly waste time. Therefore, it is very necessary to collect commercial taxes to maintain a considerable amount of real money and silver to facilitate the court's emergency response. This is a major matter related to the national economy and people's livelihood of the Ming Dynasty. I can only talk to Your Majesty with courage."

An agricultural country as huge as the Ming Dynasty lacks gold and silver. When taxing, in-kind taxes must be mainly taxed, otherwise the people will suffer too much losses.

More than a hundred years later, although one-third of the world's silver was absorbed, the Ming Dynasty's One-Whip Method still caused many people to go bankrupt. The problem was that from food to money, or even from copper coins to silver. With one more hand, the people would exploit it, which would be the case.

"You will draw up another detailed charter. Let's call the imperial meeting to confirm this matter."

Xu Jingchang is different from Xia Yuanji, who is rushing with blood. He hummed a small song and returned to Tongzhengsi happily. Yao Guangxiao was still waiting here. Xu Jingchang smiled and said, "Young Master, I'm preparing a table of vegetarian food. Let's play chess and chat. What do you think?"

Zhu Di pondered over and over again, and had to admit that Xia Yuanji moved him, and Xu Jingchang's talk about increasing taxes was just right.

Liu Yan, Minister of War, Minister of Rites, Song Li, Minister of Rites, Chen Ying, Deputy Chief of the Left Imperial Commander, and several other important officials all squeezed to Jian Yi, Minister of Personnel.

In the early Ming Dynasty, taxes were still mainly based on physical taxes.

But on the other side, the courtiers were in a bad mood.

Jian Yi frowned slightly, "Are you talking about the Ministry of Revenue asking for tax officials?"

The reason why the Minister of Personnel is the leader of all officials and is in power is mainly because the Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the official position and has great power in personnel affairs. No one can ignore the opinions of the Heavenly Officials of the Ministry of Personnel.

At this time, Chen Ying suddenly said: "Even if you can't stop it, you can't hand it over to the Ministry of Revenue, otherwise the whole court will be in chaos."

"Your Majesty is committed to enriching the national treasury, and commercial tax is imperative, and no matter what, it cannot be stopped." Jian Yi said in a deep voice.

Xu Jingchang was particularly sincere in these words, even though he was as old as Xia Yuanji, he was moved.

Xu Jingchang was slightly stunned and had to nod to say yes.

Xu Jingchang spoke out loudly and immediately said: "My emperor is wise and wise. This move will definitely increase the income of the next year. The benefits will be in the present and the future."

Everyone looked at each other. This destruction was really troublesome. No matter who was given, it would break the precepts.

He drank and played chess with Yao Guangxiao, and was so happy. Xia Yuanji waved his big pen, wrote the strategy, and devoted himself to it.

Xu Jingchang shook his head and smiled, "Young Master, you think of me too badly. I am a young and passionate person, dedicated to the country, and dare not say that I am a rare loyal minister in the world, and I am also an outstanding young man of the Ming Dynasty. You shouldn't always think of me with a vicious heart."

Along with the worried words of several people, Jian Yi's brows became more and more serious.

"The Heavenly Officials, now it seems that they can only give to the Tongzhengsi Department. After all, they have no specific control except to understand the government affairs." Liu Jun suddenly said quietly.

Otherwise, you will give the Ministry of War a 10 million guan of treasure money to the Ministry of War and ask them to purchase military rations. After half a month, the treasure money will depreciate and you can only buy 70% of it. In another month or two, only 50% will be left... How can you fight this battle?

Therefore, there is an excellent advantage of imposing commercial tax, which is to increase pure monetary income, which is crucial for the Ming Dynasty.

What should I do?

Xu Jingchang said: "Mr. Xia, I will be sixteen in a few days. Although my dynasty is twenty-one, in the Tang Dynasty, I will be sixteen years old. No matter what, I am not a child. A few days ago, I advised Your Majesty not to easily command the army to personally. After all, not all emperors are as brave and invincible as Your Majesty. If there is a mistake in the personal army, it will shake the foundation of the country...Mr. Xia, I was not aware of the position of Tongzheng Envoy, and I didn't think too much about it. I could do one or two things, be ashamed of my heart and be worthy of my ancestors. Regarding the business tax, I just told you to charge forward and even if I lose my official position, I would do whatever I could."

Tongmai Department?

Given Xu Jingchang's abomination, if he took the authority to collect taxes, he would not have broken the sky.

No, absolutely not!

Liu Jun lowered his voice and said, "Let the Tongzheng Department collect taxes, but every penny must be taken into the Ministry of Revenue's account. In this way, the Ministry of Revenue and the Tongzheng Department restrain each other and they fight each other, so that everyone can breathe a sigh of relief."

Jian Yi frowned, "I have no objection to the Tongzheng Department, but I would like to say, Xia Shangshu is still ours. If he is handed over to Xu Tongzheng, he has never acted according to common sense, and I am afraid that he will cause even bigger troubles..."

Everyone was stunned. What should we do?

After a long time, Song Li said slowly: "Please take the least of the two evils!"

(End of this chapter)
Chapter completed!