The Ming Dynasty started with caution

"Master Zhang, are there any other difficulties?"

Zhang Cai's face was more worried, staring at Yan Chengjin.

The commercial tax was originally 30% and the tax was increased five times.

Do you think I have any difficulties? !

Zhang Cai picked up the teacup without saying a word, drank it all, and said: "Forgive me for my incompetence. Half of the ministers in the court have businesses at home, especially the officials from Nanzhili. Master, please ask for someone else."

At the moment, the more I look at Zhang Cai, the more I think Zhang Cai is suitable.

This person is thoughtful and active in his actions. As long as he adds a few layers of insurance strategies, he may really be able to increase the commercial tax.

Yan Chengjin said lightly: "This is a matter that benefits the court and the country. Master Zhang's name will be passed down in history. Do you really want to give it to someone else?"

Zhang Cai's eyes flickered. With Yan Chengjin's personality, he must make this happen, otherwise, he would not say this.

"I want to know why you are asking for an increase in commercial taxes?"

Yan Chengjin thought about it carefully, and after some consideration, he said: "The gentry are getting richer, while the tax silver in the treasury is stable. What will happen if this continues?"

A trace of solemnity flashed under Zhang Cai's eyes. The court will become more and more dependent on the gentry.

In history, when the court came to this point, it could not be fair.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty fell was because of the Anshi Rebellion, and the Anshi Rebellion broke out because of serious land annexation.

The so-called land annexation refers to the concentration of land in the hands of a few gentry.

It is the same reason as the concentration of silver in the hands of a few gentry.

"But how can I, a humble official, defeat the ministers in the court?"

"And Lord Cui, Lord Zhang, don't worry."

Back at the mansion,

Yan Chengjin came to the study in the center of the lake and spread a piece of white paper on the ground.

Even if Zhang Cai didn't mention it, the gentlemen and the emperor would know that it was related to him.

If the commercial tax is increased fivefold, most gentry can afford it. Small merchants who have abandoned farming to do business cannot afford it, so they will rise up and revolt.

It is difficult to convince the palace, and the same is true for the streets.

"Increasing commercial taxes can increase the tax revenue of the treasury, curb the growth of the wealth of scholars, and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

An IQ of 80 can see one, and an IQ of 90 can see two. I wonder what the IQ of the emperor is?"

The only drawback is that it is the officials who have to cut the flesh.

Even if he prepares well, the officials will not agree even if they know the reason, so a conclusion is drawn.

"This matter can only be levied by force..."

It is useless for Zhu Houzhao to agree. The emperor must agree, then the officials must agree, and then the six ministers...

Even if the court really issues an order, there may be troubles in implementing it...

Yan Chengjin kept muttering and deducing.

Li Qing'e brewed a cup of wolfberry tea. When her husband encounters a problem, he will draw this strange drawing.

"My husband, Qing'e wants to stew a running chicken to nourish you?"

Yan Chengjin shook his head, "My husband has a confusion in his heart, and it can only be solved by nourishing the body. Where is Fanglai?"

"I went to Li's Mansion."

...

Li's Mansion, in front of the gate.

After thinking for an hour, Zhang Cai decided to pay a visit to Li Dongyang. Yan Chengjin did not ask him to keep it secret.

Besides, Li Dongyang is his old man, so it doesn't matter if he tells.

In the main hall, Li Dongyang is holding a book and preparing a special meal for Yan Fanglai, hoping that the boy can be like his father who won the third place in the imperial examination.

The housekeeper came to report: "Master, Lord Zhang Cai wants to see you."

Zhang Cai walked into the main hall and begged Li Dongyang to dismiss the servants first.

Li Dongyang was stunned. Why did he smell like Yan Chengjin?

"Master Zhang, do you have something important to do?"

"Mr. Li is right. I want to ask for a five-fold increase in commercial taxes. What should I do?"

Li Dongyang choked, as if an egg was stuck in his throat. His face changed drastically, as if he was suffocating and couldn't breathe.

"Five... five times!"

Zhang Cai rolled her eyes at him, but she felt very happy.

Your son-in-law didn't mention it, so why did I scratch my head and get anxious like an ant on a hot pot?

Li Dongyang took a deep breath and gradually calmed down. "Yan Chengjin asked you to ask for help?"

This kid is afraid of death and doesn't ask for it himself. It's the same method as before.

As for why he asked for help, Li Dongyang knew without asking. If he wanted to increase the annual income again, he could only increase the commercial tax.

"Mr. Li saw it, so I don't need to explain it."

Li Dongyang was silent for a moment, and he was a little angry. This guy didn't discuss it with him.

"When did he say that?"

"I don't know yet. Do you want to ask Lord Li whether he agrees or dissuades you during this visit?" Zhang Cai stared at Li Dongyang.

If Li Dongyang objects, he will never do it.

For a moment, the main hall fell silent.

The next day, at the hour of Mao.

The officials stood neatly at the Zuoye Gate.

Behind Yan Chengjin, there was an official who was half a head shorter than him, wearing a brand new scarlet robe and holding a cymbal.

"Hello, Lord Cui!"

Cui Yan knew who the official in front of him was. He was young and entered the cabinet, but only Yan Chengjin.

He smiled and replied, "Lord Yan, please give me more advice in the future."

The two of them spoke politely in official circles, attracting the attention of all officials.

Cui Yan was secretly on guard, and it would be fine to drink tea in Nanzhili.

But in the capital, one must be careful with words and deeds, and these officials are more difficult to deal with than those in Nanzhili.

Li Dongyang looked at Yan Chengjin deeply.

Soon, the golden bell rang.

The ministers stood in the hall, and Xiao Jing shouted at the top of his voice: "Begin the court discussion."

Cui Yan stood up, saluted the retired emperor Hongzhi and Zhu Houzhao, and then returned to the team.

He didn't know the rules of being an official in the capital.

He was a little nervous and did not disclose the matter of the forced labor and the fight between the gentry in Songjiang Prefecture. He planned to report it after the cabinet discussed it.

Liu Jian said: "Luo Lun, a thousand households of Fuzhou Garrison, asked for 10,000 taels of silver from the Fujian Provincial Administration under the pretext of repairing the city, but distributed it to the soldiers in the army. The Provincial Administration Lin Tingyu has cut off the food supply of the Garrison for three months.

Now the soldiers of the Garrison have escaped."

The faces of the officials changed slightly. It was another civil and military fight.

Yan Chengjin also saw the memorial of the censor.

In short, Luo Lun cheated the money of the civil officials to reward the soldiers. The civil officials were resentful and directly cut off the food supply.

Li Dongyang lowered his eyes, as if thinking about something else.

Zhang Cai pursed his lips and looked at Cui Yan in front of him. New officials should show their achievements when they enter the capital, but this person is very introverted and not as easy to win over as Yan Chengjin said.

He turned his head and looked at Yan Chengjin again, hesitating whether to beg now.

The retired emperor Hongzhi saw clearly that Li Dongyang and Zhang Cai's faces were unusual.

"Mr. Zhang, how should this matter be handled?"

The officials tilted their heads in confusion. After Zhang Cai was imprisoned once, the retired emperor rarely asked him.

Li Dongyang's heart moved slightly.

"Although Luo Lun had good intentions, he violated the law. The two should be taken back to the capital and punished according to the law. Those who should be demoted should be demoted, and those who should be imprisoned should be imprisoned." Zhang Cai bowed and said.

The retired emperor Hongzhi nodded, and asked with a smile: "Mr. Zhang was stunned just now, looking around, what was he thinking?"

Zhang Cai raised his eyes slightly and saw that all the officials were looking at him. Yan Chengjin remained calm.

He pondered for a moment, and then said seriously: "The trade in Jiangnan is prosperous. I am thinking, can we increase the commercial tax five times?"

The hall gradually became quiet, as quiet as if there was no one in the world.

The civil and military officials in the court hesitated and stared with eyes as big as copper bells.

Li Dongyang's heart skipped a beat, he was caught off guard. Zhang Cai was still too young and too anxious.