The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

"Issuing miscellaneous taxes for industry and commerce?" Tu Zhen looked at the notebook in front of him thoughtfully, and subconsciously flicked his slender fingers on the table.In front of him, Prince Zhonglian stood with a respectful face, and next to him was Prince Zhongrui, who was as gorgeous as peaches and plums, as bright as a dawn moon, and as bright as summer flowers.Beside him is Xue Pan who always seems to be careless.

Tu Zhen looked around calmly, finally let out a long sigh, and asked Xue Pan directly: "This must be your ghost idea again, why don't you come and hear it?"

"If you want me to say something clearly, I may not be able to say it. It's just that. If you think it's feasible, just study it hard." Xue Pan said, pointing at Zhong Lian beside him. The prince smiled and said: "In my opinion, Prince Zhonglian has a stable personality, a delicate mind, and a slick face. Prince Zhongrui is naturally sensitive to business and is also familiar with various ways of business. The two of them are a perfect match, so they are very suitable to be in charge. this."

Before Xue Pan finished speaking, a trace of embarrassment flashed across the faces of Tu Ju and Tu Huang.This Pan'er is really too straightforward.Even the praise is so dry and naked.If they didn't have a close relationship with Xue Pan, after hearing what he said, they might really think that Xue Pan deliberately went to Tu Zhen to apply eye drops because he didn't like them.

After all, the important affairs of the court are naturally decided by the Holy Spirit.Not to mention matters such as the implementation of industrial and commercial miscellaneous taxes, even if there are some trivial matters that need to be handled by small officials, everyone only dares to report a group of names to the Communist Party to choose, and at most they can beat the side drum twice at the side.How can there be such a reason as Xue Pan, who directly decides people.

But in other words, Xue Pan dared to be so straightforward.If it's another person, I'm afraid I don't have the guts.

The two of them were thinking about it, and Xue Pan continued to add as if he didn't think it was enough: "Before I came, I had a lot of discussions with Prince Zhonglian and Prince Zhongrui on the implementation of miscellaneous taxes for industry and commerce. Many good suggestions are much better than those civil servants in your court who can only talk empty words."

When Tu Ju and Tu Huang heard this, they couldn't help but burst into tears.

Nima, is this eye medicine or is it eye medicine or is it eye medicine?

The imperial court implemented a major move, you didn't discuss it with the Holy Majesty first, but you talked to us two.you……

At this moment, the two princes were already speechless.At this moment, they finally deeply realized the true meaning of the rumors that the Xue family uncle was domineering, unruly, and unconventional.Nima has no secular eyes at all, a person who has no rules, how do you let him "restrain" and "understand"?

Seeing this, Tu Zhen frowned calmly, and said: "He is him, you are you, you can tell me what you think for now, and I will listen to it. Then the fifth brother will add it."

Xue Pan scratched his head in some embarrassment. In fact, he may not have any detailed solution, but he just thought of it suddenly.So he pondered for a long time before he opened his mouth and said: "I just suddenly thought that the imperial court has been busy reducing taxes and exempting corvee for the past few years, just to let the people recuperate. In fact, persuading farmers and mulberry is what the wise lord must do. But the country’s finances will be stretched if the tax is reduced or exempted. It is unnecessary to save money in all aspects. Agricultural taxes are agricultural taxes, and the government’s finances are the court’s finances. The two are not the same thing. It’s just the history Based on agriculture, the government's finances and agricultural taxation are too closely linked. Therefore, there is a situation of "one prospers, one loses". How much can I earn after years of hard work. I’m afraid it’s not as much as a businessman who resells [-]% of the income. My central government, Dayong, has hundreds of millions of people, a vast land and abundant resources. But all the finances of a country depend on agricultural science like mosquito legs In terms of taxation, it is too pedantic to let go of the already hugely profitable business."

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhonglian disapproved a little. "Historical records show that all dynasties have always been based on agriculture. The wise monarch advised farming and mulberry, and recuperated. Only in this way can the people have enough food and clothing. Only when the people live well can the court be as stable as a rock. Rare Although several dynasties that did not pay attention to agriculture looked prominent and brilliant at the time, such as the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty with outstanding achievements in martial arts, within a few generations of management, civil strife broke out because the people were unable to eat and clothe, and were displaced. It’s an old theory that food is paramount. You have to believe it.”

"Food is the most important thing for the people. It is naturally correct. Most of the people in my Yong Dynasty face the loess and their backs to the sky all day long. They are satisfied with just one bite of food, and they don't think too much about things. But you Being a member of the imperial court is something I can't think about. Because the so-called food and clothing is not the same concept as the country's prosperity and people's strength that my Great Yong Dynasty needs. It should be noted that it has been a hundred years since the Great Yong Dynasty was established. After several generations of emperors recuperated, it was time for the folks to hide their wealth and the common people were well-off. However, the Dayong court didn’t know what business and trade meant, which led to the private wealth being buried secretly. Money is money, only what is spent is money. At best, what is stored in the cellar is a pile of scrap copper or minerals, which has no benefit."

"Silver money cannot be circulated, it is only buried deep in the ground to rot, and the goods are piled up like mountains, but they don't know where to sell them. If things go on like this, it will definitely lead to the scarcity of copper coins in the country, and even threaten the government's finances. But the rich folks have spare money, but they don't know What is right to spend is ultimately wasted.”

"...Guiding the people to establish a correct consumption concept and values ​​is essential for the government's finances. Because only when the people's money is spent, can the Yong Dynasty get more taxes and use it The money will better benefit the people. Taking it from the people and using it for the people is not just a simple relationship of one retreat and one advance. In fact, as long as it is done well, the two can benefit and win-win.”

What he said made everyone in the hall ponder for a long time.In the end, Tu Zhen was the first to recover, and said with a smile to Xue Pan: "Listening to your talk for half a day, I think you have a plan in mind. If you have any other thoughts, you might as well say it once."

Xue Pan blinked his eyes and continued: "For example, although natural disasters have continued during the Yong Dynasty in recent years, and even some state capitals that have been plagued by disasters have failed to harvest. Many people were displaced and had to move away from their hometowns. What’s more, they change their sons and eat them, knowing that they will die, but they still eat Guanyin soil to fill their stomachs. However, there are still some wealthy households who have piled up grains in their homes, which are rotten and moldy, but they are reluctant to take them out at ordinary prices or slightly higher than the market price. The price is sold to the people. Why? It’s just that they don’t have the correct business ethics and vision. If the imperial court can dominate the thinking of these merchants and let them sell these piles of rotten grain at the beginning of the disaster, why is there a disaster every year? So many people died?"

"Although in the past few years, the people have established the Jingcheng Chamber of Commerce to connect the north and the south, and the imperial court has dispatched it, but it has not caused a catastrophe where the people are extremely angry. The team actively responded to the imperial court's measures, and it is also very good to be able to implement the will of the emperor by being obedient. Nowadays, the people of our Dayong Dynasty are getting richer and more prosperous, and the businessmen are more and more frequent, and they can communicate with each other in time. If the imperial court intends to guide and implement it, At any time, the needs of the imperial court can be combined with the interests of private merchants, and private merchants can make adjustments based on market demand, wouldn't it be easier for the imperial court?"

Tu Zhen thought about the means of the Jingcheng Chamber of Commerce in the past few years, so he couldn't help nodding his head, and smiled in agreement: "It's the same. So you want to integrate the merchants from all over the world, so that the imperial court can monitor and use them?"

Xue Pan nodded in agreement and said with a smile: "This is one of them. The imperial government will come forward to rectify the commercial market. While enriching its own finances, it can also increase the speed of the imperial court's work among the people, so that merchants all over the world can cooperate with the administrative measures of the imperial court to benefit the common people. First, let the common people gradually change their views on merchants, and let the common people understand that the so-called merchants also go all over the world to communicate with each other, and earn money with their wealth and life as collateral. What you need, what you want. Fair and just, open transactions. Those so-called profiteers and unscrupulous businessmen are only a minority. Not everyone is free from business. Second, the court can also benefit from it. It is a win-win situation that the emergency assistance in disaster-stricken areas can also be taxed.”

"And the establishment of an effective commercial taxation system is also very helpful for the court's official governance and future development. For example, if the court clearly stipulates what kind of taxes need to be paid for what kind of goods are operated in the Dayong Dynasty, or for the The tax exemption policy is implemented for businesses with meager profits but beneficial to the future of the Yong Dynasty. In this way, the imperial court can prevent the local government from suppressing or extorting merchants in the name of the imperial court and filling their own pockets. Second, the Yong court The development of the mechanism has become very complicated. We need to absorb too many talents, but the current financial situation of the court does not allow us to spread too much. Therefore, for some people who are helpful to the government but have meager profits in a short period of time Exemption from taxation can ensure that the talents of the people will not be wasted. The imperial court will not suddenly find that there are no available people in the whole country when it is urgently needed."

Having said that, Xue Pan swallowed dryly, and Tu Zhen naturally handed Xue Pan the cup of tea in front of him.Xue Pan took it and drank it down, then put the teacup on the table, and continued: "For example, the establishment of an agricultural college we mentioned before, but due to too many measures taken by the imperial court this year, it has been delayed. Then we can completely reduce or exempt agricultural taxes when commercial taxes reach a certain level. On the one hand, we can encourage farmers to plant land, so that there will be no food shortage crisis in the Yong Dynasty, and on the other hand, we can also encourage farmers to increase their own food production. Moreover, His Majesty can also decree that certain rewards can be given to those heroes who have found ways to increase food production. In this way, won't the pressure on the court be reduced?"

Tu Zhen nodded thoughtfully.Although Xue Pan's current statement is a bit taken for granted, and many of the details still need to be scrutinized, it is a good direction to solve the problem.Worth a try.

Xue Pan continued: "And as long as the business tax system is perfected, it will be able to promote business development and exchanges. At that time, there will be more and more people doing business from all over the world. Naturally, the amount of business will increase, and the taxes paid will naturally increase. It will be big. The tax will be big, and the court will have money. After having money, you can naturally do many things that you wanted to do but failed to do before. This is a good virtuous circle.”

Tu Zhen and the two nodded, agreeing with Xue Pan's statement very much.

Xue Pan immediately hit the snake and licked his face on the stick and said with a smile: "Since this is the case, if the Holy Majesty implements miscellaneous taxes for industry and commerce, why not let the two princes Zhonglian and Lian do it directly, and they can be regarded as fighting brothers!"

Tu Zhen gave Tu Huang and Tu Chou a deep look, and after a long time, he casually said, "Since the fifth and sixth brothers have worked so hard on this matter, it is natural that you two are in charge of this matter. First, the relationship between the two of you and Pan'er is the most harmonious, and Pan'er brought up the matter of industrial and commercial miscellaneous taxes. If you two don't understand something, you can naturally ask Pan'er in person. Second, the matter of industrial and commercial miscellaneous taxes It is an innovation, and there was a saying in the Yong Dynasty that scholars and relatives did not discuss business. In this way, I am afraid that after searching all the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, there are few who are as familiar with "miscellaneous taxes for industry and commerce" as you are. "

As he said that, Tu Zhen waved his hands lightly, and smiled at the two of them: "Just remember that this matter is of great importance to you two. In order not to cause unnecessary panic, you two must take steps Be cautious and draw it slowly."

Tu Jue and Tu Huang looked at each other, bowed and said, "No!"

Xue Pan on the side scratched his head in a daze, not knowing why this matter was so complicated that he had to "be cautious at every step and figure it out slowly".

While speaking, Dai Quan, who was guarding the outside, bowed his body and entered the main hall to report: "Your Majesty Qi Zuo, Prince Zhongyong and Prince Zhongchun have an audience—"

When Tu Zhen heard the words, he immediately ordered: "Tell me."

Dai Quan responded, turned around and preached: "Your Majesty has a decree to announce that Prince Zhongyong and Prince Zhongchun will meet—"

In just a moment, the two princes came hand in hand.A majestic general with a strong back and a strong waist, and a handsome and handsome young man with a handsome figure, both of them are people with first-class bearing and demeanor.

The two walked to the center of the hall, bowed and said: "My minister (brother) has seen the Holy One, long live my emperor, long live long live."

Tu Zhen quickly raised his arms and said, "Get up quickly."

Tu Xiang got up immediately, and after seeing Tu Ju, Tu Huang and Xue Pan, they stood side by side on the other side.

After the two stood still, they smiled and asked, "What wind actually blows you two together?"

Without allowing everyone to react, Tu Xiang immediately said: "I heard that the emperor is going to send people to attack Dongying, and my ministers are here to ask for a fight."

Although Prince Zhongyong didn't speak, but looking at his eager face, it seems that the purpose of this trip is also the same.

Sure enough, after seeing Tu Zhen's questioning face, Prince Zhongyong clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty Qizuo, I have taken the initiative to ask for a battle and go to Dongpu. I can issue a military order, and I will not return it unless it breaks Dongpu."

Xue Pan stood aside, deeply impressed by the prince's aggressiveness.I heard from Baoyu that this guy had just fought a battle with Yunnan before returning to Beijing, and now it's only been a month or so, and he is going to fight again.But if you ask for a battle, you just ask for a battle, and you even take the initiative to ask to participate in a naval battle. You must know that one rides a horse and the other takes a boat. Can you handle it?

Tu Zhen probably had the same idea as Xue Pan, so after he pondered for a moment, he said, "I'm a little hesitant about who will be the commander in chief. Logically speaking, the most suitable candidates are the King of Dongping and Nan'an." The two county kings. It's a pity... this year it happens to be the turn of these two princes to visit the border fortress, so they won't be allowed to go this time."

After all, this is the first time since the founding of the Yong Dynasty that it has sent troops to other countries, and it is still by sea.This time, the armaments and armaments are the best built with all the efforts of the country.Tu Zhen wanted to win the name of the Great Yong Dynasty at sea after this battle, so he was naturally thoughtful and well prepared.In this way, the battle is almost certain to win, so naturally they don't want to involve the king with a different surname.

Therefore, the first choice is the prince of the Tu family, and the few generals who are loyal to the Tu family.

Therefore, in Tu Zhen's mind, the most ideal candidates are his second uncle, Prince Zhongyu, and his twelfth younger brother, Prince Zhongchun.The candidate for the deputy commander is General Feng Tang.But when he thought about it, he really didn't take into account the loyal and brave prince who guarded the southwest.

Therefore, Tu Zhen changed his mind, and said with a smile: "Second brother has been guarding the southwest for many years, working hard. Now the southwestern border has become the most comfortable border in my Dayong Dynasty. The credit of the second brother does not need to be elaborated. I hope that the second brother can continue to be loyal to his duty, so as to avoid my worries."

Hearing this, Prince Zhongyong frowned in dissatisfaction, and said in a rough voice: "It's not impossible for me to go back to the southwest to guard the frontier. After all, I failed to seize the heirloom back then, and was tricked by the boss. I swore to me that I would stick to the border for the rest of my life, and I would never return it unless I received an order. So I went to that poor place in the southwest and stayed there for nearly ten years. But the place is really poor! The basic necessities of life are nothing more than the hardships of food, clothing, housing and transportation. They are also cutting corners, much inferior to other armies. Now that you have good armaments under your command, I don’t care if you want to fight Japan. But you have to enrich my army. Those are light, flexible, and casual Give me twenty red cannons that can be moved, and some cannons that have a longer range and greater firepower for siege, and I will go to fight Yunnan. I have long been displeased with those barbarians."

Tu Zhen: "..."

Xue Pan: "..."

Borrowing Tu Huang: "..."

Tu Xiang: "..."

This roundabout, really blunt!

But in the end, Tu Zhen agreed to Prince Zhongyong's request for additional equipment.A few years ago, when Tu Zhen used his armaments to win over the military, intentionally or unintentionally, until now, most of the army's equipment has also been changed.At that time, he was concerned about the emperor's reaction and did not change the military equipment for the Southwest. Now, if Tu Zhen prevaricates again, others will think that he is afraid of Prince Zhongyong and refuse to change his outfit.If things go on like this, the "love" between brothers will be broken instead.

After all, Tu Zhen still had some understanding of Prince Zhongyong's nature.This man is aboveboard and straightforward.Back then, the fight with the crown prince was more likely to be deliberately instigated by the emperor and his favorite people in front of him.Now that the overall situation has been decided, with Prince Zhongyong's temperament, he will definitely not do anything against rebellion.If Tu Zhen took precautions in the open, he would fail.

Furthermore, Prince Zhongyong valued some artillery and gunpowder, but Tu Zhen didn't feel anything, so he gave it if he gave it.It's just that he also has a request.

"These newly created cannons are quite different from the empty ones of previous years. Specialized people are needed to teach you how to use them. Therefore, I will send an extra team of [-] people to follow the cannons and teach you how to use them. "

Prince Zhongyong took a look at Tu Zhen and bowed in response.

On the side, Prince Zhongchun pestered Tu Zhen to go to Japan with the army.Tu Zhen agreed, but he had to pester Tu Zhen to agree with him to be a pioneer officer.

The entangled Tuzhen couldn't do anything, Xue Pan came up to him and said with a smile: "I said brother-in-law, this matter of fighting with the army is not a child's play. Naturally, it needs to be carefully judged by the Holy Lord. But you don't have to worry, as you Even if you don’t want to be a pioneer, it’s not a problem to explain and kill the thieves. It’s just that you need to earn a good amount of credit—it’s best to search for some rare and exquisite things in Dongpu and bring them back Bribe me. Otherwise, there will be a day when you won't be able to cry."

In a word, everyone who said it burst into laughter.Tu Xiang, who was always frank and forthright, also blushed shyly.Suddenly, the peerless peony-like face that he had seen once appeared before his eyes.All of a sudden, he was overwhelmed and looked a little dumbfounded.

Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but smile knowingly.You look at me, I look at you, with a sneaky smile on your face.

Tu Zhen shook his head helplessly, looked at Xue Pan who looked triumphant as if he had won a battle, stretched out his hand and tapped his head lightly, and said, "You can do whatever you want. Now it's up to you You also said good things about your own sister to make fun of others. Look at the flushed face of your brother-in-law, you know that he blushed with embarrassment. If you don’t know, you think you are a loyal and pure prince , was actually possessed by Guan Erye!"

In a word, everyone who had just come to their senses burst into laughter again.

In an instant, the vast and solemn Qianqing Palace was filled with hearty and carefree laughter.Dai Quan, who was guarding outside, shook his head and sighed softly.

For many years, the Holy Majesty has never laughed as much as today...