Emperor Ming Dynasty

In fact, the emperor did not care about the extravagance of the salt merchants.

It is normal for rich people to be extravagant. From another perspective, it can also drive local consumption.

Just like whale candles, the average one costs about one piece, but larger and spiced whale candles cost more than a dozen pieces.

This will greatly promote the development of the whaling industry.

And like the emperors in the past, whenever they carried out large-scale construction projects, they would often engage in forced buying and selling, forcing merchants to go bankrupt and people to lose their homes.

For example, regarding the mining tax during the Wanli period, as soon as the emperor sent eunuchs to local areas to collect taxes, the gentry resisted the tax and even beat the eunuchs.

Then what?The eunuch did not rely on his power to oppress the gentry. After all, he could not afford to offend him. Instead, he set his sights on ordinary people.

Even if your family is just farming, he can say that you have mines and need to pay taxes.

After all, mining tax does not necessarily mean there is a mine.

If the implementation is skewed, it is equivalent to misreading the scriptures. The mining tax has become a harsh government, bullying the people and ruining countless families.

Therefore, in feudal society, the emperor's consumption did not necessarily promote development, but instead increased the bankruptcy of the people.

"How about the vote salt method?"

The emperor sat, his eyes becoming increasingly serious.

"The implementation of the vote-salt law was OK at first, but later the effect was unsatisfactory."

Chu Yu whispered: "At first, large and small salt merchants participated one after another, which greatly increased the salt tax. But soon those big salt merchants found a loophole and let their family members, relatives, and servants name themselves as salt merchants to run the salt industry for them. .”

"Soon, the big salt merchant's financial situation remained..."

The salt voting method is to break the monopoly of the general merchant and allow small and medium-sized salt merchants to participate, so that everyone can be a salt merchant.

But there are always smart people in the world. Since the emperor does not allow a family to hold multiple jobs, they pay their own money and let their servants or relatives name themselves.

So on the surface it looks like salt merchants are scattered in all directions, but in fact they still control the mainstream of the salt industry.

"There is no perfect law in this world."

Zhu Yixi sighed, this was a perfect loophole.

What difference does it make to those fake divorces in later generations?
He was determined to devise a new method, but he soon gave it up.

Is there any perfect system in this world?

On the contrary, many systems in history tend to end when people die and government ceases to exist.

For example, in history, the gentry who were so praised as gods received food from one body.

Yongzheng was essentially deposed within two years after his death.

Think about it, after studying hard for ten years and finally becoming a scholar, you still have to do corvee and pay taxes like ordinary people, without any preferential treatment. So isn't the fame just in vain?

If future generations of civil servants don’t get golden jobs and have the same pension as ordinary people, who do you think will get it?

Therefore, Qianlong had to let it exist in name only.

Raising his spirits, Zhu Yixi asked about the salt tax: "The reason why the salt tax is stagnant is nothing more than private salt. In the south, there are some private salt dealers who are rampant!"

"What Your Majesty said is true!"

Chu Yu said seriously: "On the surface, private salt dealers are in opposition to salt merchants, but in reality they are one with the salt merchants."

“The combination of the two allows the salt tax to escape.”

This information is difficult for ordinary people, but it is easy for Jin Yiwei to get it.

For many officials or gentry, this is simply an open secret.

Because the profit of official salt is very low.

The market price of one hundred catties of salt is only two cents, which is two cents per catty.

But in order to obtain salt import and contract rights, salt merchants have to spend money.

Contracting regulations stipulate that there can only be two salt merchants in a county. The two highest bidders will obtain the contracting rights and submit the current bidding price every year.

An ordinary small salt merchant pays a minimum of [-] yuan per year.

The cost is spread out, and each kilogram of salt reaches five cents.

The imperial court also stipulated that the price of salt should not be higher than ten cents per catty and not lower than five cents.

This means that small salt merchants can only earn a maximum of 3000 to [-] yuan per year, excluding costs such as management, transportation, and bidding.

Most of the profits were collected by the court.

Naturally, some people smuggled salt.

The cost of transportation and management is shared equally, and the profit of private salt is several times that of official salt.

Hearing him tear the salt merchant into pieces, Zhu Yixi closed his eyes:

“Ultimately, it’s still a question of salt.”

"Salt farm, someone stole salt."

At this time, he was not even angry at all.

Over the years, he has been implementing anti-corruption measures, and even the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been transformed by him into a prosecutor model.

But greed still cannot be stopped.

However, these officials really think they are fools.

The growth of salt tax has slowed down for five consecutive years, especially for Huaiyan Salt, which accounts for the majority, and is even more negligible.

The population in Jiangnan provinces continues to increase, but the salt tax has stagnated. Such an abnormal situation seems impossible when you think about it.

"As long as you keep an eye on the salt farm, unless someone dares to take the risk to cook salt, there will be no way to survive for illegal salt production."

The emperor said coldly: "Jinyiwei sent people to the market to inquire about which salt field official is the richest."

"Yes!"

Chu Yu nodded in agreement.

This command sounds very simple, but it is very practical.

Because after people become rich, they can't help but consume. Whether it's buying land or a house, there are traces to follow.

Especially since Jin Yiwei is spread throughout every county, it will become clear if you investigate which salt field official bought land from his hometown.

There is no need to plant spies or make secret visits.

In fact, Jin Yiwei only needs to go to the dental shops in various counties in Yangzhou to know who is buying a house or a slave.

If you are really careful and reluctant to spend money, forget it. After all, there are bound to be mistakes.

The next day.

"Your Majesty, the officials below the governor of Jiangsu have been waiting for his appointment for a long time."

Zhu Yixi waved her hand: "No, I'm tired."

"Yes!"

All the civil and military officials were shocked when they heard this.

Did the emperor have a problem with them?
A group of people were waiting in a hurry and gathered together.

Finally, they came up with a ridiculous idea: to offer beauty.

Of course, they did not know the existence of the Qi Qin family, but they knew well that the emperor's pursuit of beauty, or in other words, a man could not escape beauty.

Yangzhou's thin horses were famous all over the world, and the emperor saw them, and he forgave them if they could not protect them.

But Zhu Yixi took Qi Qin to play in Slender West Lake, just like a couple.

Although she was nearly 20 years older than him, Zhu Yixi didn't mind at all, and put on a toga for the latter's awkward expression.

A handsome young man appeared in front of him.

With red lips and white teeth, a jade-like face, delicate skin, and big eyes, she looks like a woman no matter how she looks.

But in this Slender West Lake, it seems normal.

Just like in the TV series, many women wear men's clothes and walk on the shore, not shy away from the fact that they are men's clothes, and what they do is just a name.

"On a moonlit night on the 24th bridge, where can the beauties teach how to play the flute." After sighing about Yangzhou, Zhu Yixi suddenly became interested and stared at Qi Qin's thin lips.

The latter started to squirm, and she immediately understood what the emperor meant: "Master, look at how beautiful this scenery is."

Zhu Yixi ignored it and asked instead: "You are from Yangzhou, do you know why this woman has her feet bound so much?"

"Didn't the emperor let go a long time ago?"

"What happens to the emperor, the common people naturally have no control over, and what happens to the gentry themselves, the emperor also has no control over."

Qi Qin said softly: "The gentry is happy to bind their feet. They say that after women do this, they will twist and sway, which is uniquely beautiful."

"However, the people have listened to the advice and not many people bind their feet. After all, you can't work after binding your feet."

"A strong woman is a good laborer."

Zhu Yixi sighed.

When aesthetics has become popular, how can he force it?
How could it be possible to send officials to harass other women's families and check whether their feet were bound?
This doesn't make sense.

As long as the people are normal, that will be fine.

This made Zhu Yixi feel powerless.

Although the emperor's power is unlimited, he cannot do whatever he wants.

It is easy to satisfy oneself, but difficult to satisfy the world.

Holding Qi Qin's little hand, the two walked side by side under the strange eyes on the road, just like a couple, swimming in Slender West Lake, extremely leisurely.

At night, the emperor did not let the eunuch announce the news first. He raised the door curtain and walked in. He was stunned for a moment:
I saw Mrs. Qi Qin sitting in front of the dressing table at the front door. She was wearing a purple satin bra and moon-white soft satin shorts. Her hair behind her was draped down to her waist like black satin. A palace maid held a wide-toothed A horn-tooth comb smoothes her hair.

She was raising her hands to gently comb her hair. The sleeves of her jacket fell to the crook of her elbows, revealing a snow-white wrist. On her wrist was a glazed jade bracelet, as green as a pool of spring water.

Seeing the emperor suddenly appear in her room in the mirror, Qi Qin stood up in a hurry, turned around and saluted:
"His Majesty……"

The emperor sat directly on the easy chair in front of him and ordered with a chuckle: "Why don't you comb your mother-in-law's hair?"

"Ah, yes." The palace maid got up from the ground with a blushing face, picked up the toothbrush in her hand and continued to comb her hair.

The emperor sat beside him with eager eyes, and when the combing was finished, Qi Qinshi bowed down again, with spring water in his eyes: "Your Majesty, you have been waiting for a long time."

Her voice was crisp and clear, just like the singing of an oriole. Coupled with her soft expression, the emperor had not even drank honey, but it was already sweet to his heart.

But Mrs. Qi Qin didn't wait for his comment. She turned her waist and brought out a small blue and white porcelain vat with diluted honey in it.

At this time, the palace maid next to her also helped, forcing the tea juice out of the tureen, filling it with one-third of the honey water. She took it, wiped the tea stains on the rim of the cup with her handkerchief, and then held it with both hands.

"I'm a little tired. It's time to rest early."

"Yes." Mrs. Qin couldn't help but be shy, and ordered the maids in charge of 'bed and account keeping' in the palace to prepare and arrange the soft kang.

Then he took off his palace clothes, wearing only the most intimate clothes, and pulled a thin brocade quilt to cover his blushing dimples.

The emperor was naturally happy when Feng Dianluan was defeated overnight.

Obviously, the day's play made him really moved.

Of course, it’s also possible that you’re transparent and become emotional naturally.

Emotions are very rare for Zhu Yixi.

He estimated that [-]% went to Miaoxian, the other [-]% went to Queen Sun Xueniang, and the rest was divided among the other concubines.

Of course, although he is sentimental, he is not a scumbag.

As long as it was a woman in the harem, he would try his best to give her affection and make her pregnant, so that he would have care in his heart so as not to feel lonely in the harem.

However, now he feels that all his emotions tonight are devoted to Qi Qin.

An emotional woman has a special flavor.

After lingering for several days, the emperor met with hundreds of officials in Yangzhou to understand the local people's sentiments.

The governor of Jiangsu reported his contribution: "Today, thousands of slope ponds are being built in Jiangbei, the cultivated land has increased greatly, and the number of households has increased rapidly. The number of people in Jiangbei has reached 300 million, twice as many as in the early years of Shaowu.

The barren land of the past no longer exists. "

"How about the disaster?"

"After the flood discharge channel was dug, the Yellow River no longer flooded, Da'an, northern Jiangsu."

As for Sunan, don’t mention it.

Suzhou and Songjiang Prefecture are already the first and second most prosperous places in the world.

The two prefectures account for half of Jiangsu's tax revenue and [-]% of its population. Their prosperity and liveliness are even greater than those of the capital city.

At this moment, Jinyiwei suddenly went into action, raided several salt merchants, and arrested dozens of corrupt officials, shocking the entire Jiangsu officialdom in one fell swoop.

The salt merchants were frightened and hurriedly asked for help in an attempt to save themselves.

As the Minister of the Interior, Wang He naturally communicated closely with businessmen. While eating the banquet, he slapped him without hesitation:
"500 million!"

For a time, the temperature of the entire hall dropped.

"I don't care how you put it together, everyone knows that you salt merchants are rich, I only want 500 million."

"This money is for your sins."

Liu Sanye looked at everyone and gritted his teeth in response.

"In addition, I heard that there is already a drought in Shandong..."

"We, the salt merchant, are willing to donate [-] stones of grain to help the victims!"

"Very good!"

Wang He drank a glass of wine: "This matter is over, but if I don't know who is still involved in the illegal salt trade, my family will be confiscated and exterminated."

Wang He returned to the camp and reported the situation to the emperor:
"This money should be their personal money for about three years."

"kindness!"

The emperor snorted.

The reason why there was no pursuit to the end was that living and wealthy salt merchants were the most useful to the court.

Moreover, private salt is more delicious and cheaper than official salt, which is a need for many people at the bottom, and is even the key to survival.

After all, official salt is too expensive.

Life is difficult, but the money saved from a pound of illegal salt may allow many people to live two or three days longer.

It's like I'm not a smuggled drug among the Gods of Medicine. I'm not in compliance with the law, but I have to exist.

"Your Majesty, why don't you take advantage of the victory and pursue it? Conquer all the salt merchants' homes in one fell swoop? My rough estimate is that there are always 3000 to [-] million."

Wang He said puzzledly.

He also thought about letting the imperial merchants replace the salt merchants, which would make a lot of money.

""The purpose of inspecting salt merchants is to make money, not to confiscate properties for the sake of confiscating them. "

Zhu Yixi explained: "This salt merchant is just like a corrupt official, like leeks on the ground. Every time you cut a stubble, another stubble will grow, and you can't catch them all."

"Instead of doing this, it would be better to treat them as fat pigs and slaughter one or two when they are short of money. Wouldn't it be nice?"

"Remember, if there is any major disaster in the future, you should go to Yangzhou to beg for help. Instead of letting these salt merchants spend their money on squandering money, it is better to help the victims."

Zhu Yixi said in a deep voice: "In addition, I will write a calligraphy later and you can give it to the salt merchants!"

"This..." Wang He was a little confused, why did he send a message?
The emperor shook his head: "If you blindly ask them to pay, you will be unwilling to do so, but if you give it up and gain something, you will be happy."

"Tell them that as long as they donate 10 yuan, they can be granted a gift and be awarded to their parents as seventh-grade county magistrate and Ruren's wife (seventh grade)."

"One of his sons can be admitted to the Imperial Academy."

It is not possible to donate an official position, but it is possible to give a title to one's parents. Giving a title to a deceased person in vain, except to satisfy his vanity, has no disadvantages at all.

This will also allow salt merchants to better cut their leeks.

Ming Dynasty's emergency financial resources were too narrow, and the Imperial College students were far from enough.

Are we going to issue bonds?

I didn’t write any color at all, damn!