The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Most of the ministers knelt down, shouting that the emperor could not do it.

"The Qin Dynasty gave up land to pay taxes. The land was not surplus, but the amount was necessary. The total amount of taxes was enough to cover two-thirds of the people's harvest.

He exhausted all the resources of the world to serve his government, and this is how Qin perished. "Wang Hao, Minister of Industry, said angrily in a low voice.

Liu Jian nodded slightly. Business taxes are like gunpowder. If you accidentally touch it, it will backfire.

Jiang Mian and others also felt that it made sense. They would only touch commercial taxes if they wanted the dynasty to die quickly.

Taxes have always been relaxed.

The tax law promulgated by Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, imposed a tax of one per fifteen.

By the time of Wenjing, the tax was reduced to thirty and the tax was one, the world was peaceful and the dynasty lasted for 210 years.

In the Tang and Song Dynasties, the system of taxing one person per thirty people was passed down.

It is not that there were no tax increases during this period. Looking at the history books, we know that these dynasties increased taxes in their later years, but they could not protect themselves.

"I and others are often worried about the danger of the imperial court and dare not relax. I forgive my approval of this matter." Li Han, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, held up the fluorene tablet.

Jiang Mian said: "I don't know about this, but Master Yan mentioned it?"

The minister found it strange that Zhang Cai would discuss court affairs in the court hall and compete with the princes and officials.

This time it was proposed to increase commercial taxes.

The princes looked thoughtful, and soon figured out that it must be what Yan Chengjin said.

Yan Chengjin expected that the officials would not agree and did not respond. He reminded: "Now the commercial tax is fifteen million taels. Five times that is more than seventy-five million taels."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes shone, and after Yan Chengjin gave some advice, he suddenly realized.

The Supreme Emperor's heart moved slightly, he pondered for a moment, and then said: "Retreat from the court first."

This person will not ask for additional business tax for no reason.

Even if the name is not revealed, everyone can guess it is him.

For Yan Chengjin, there is no benefit at all. Thinking of this, he felt moved and confused in his heart.

After retreating from the court, Yan Chengjin was left behind, and there were the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi and Xiao Jing in the hall.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi waited for Yan Chengjin to speak.

Yan Chengjin raised his eyes in confusion: "I wonder why the Supreme Emperor wants to keep his ministers?"

Still pretending not to know, the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi's eyes flickered, "It's just that you didn't discuss it with me, and you still dare to deceive me. You don't know why I kept you?"

"I don't know." Yan Chengjin looked firm, as if he really didn't know.

"Zhang Cai wasn't ordered by you, so why do you want to raise business taxes?"

The voice of the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi Qing was raised a few degrees. With his temperament, he must have been planning it for a long time.

"I don't know if I should tell you..."

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi took out a death-free gold medal from under the case and slapped it on the case: "Speak quickly."

Yan Chengjin thought for a while, and since it was too complicated to explain the economic principles clearly, he asked: "I want to tell the Emperor a story. Has the Emperor ever heard of the story about the Emperor hanging on the Meishan Mountain?"

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi raised his eyes slightly, showing a curious and serious expression.

Xiao Jing lowered his head slightly and listened carefully, but he knew in his heart that it must be the truth.

Based on the experience he has accumulated over the years, Yan Chengjin must have a basis for speaking.

"Once upon a time, there was a dynasty named Dachang. Dachang also had a sea ban, but the Emperor of Dachang, Ming Dynasty, issued a decree to establish a sea ban.

From then on, the gentry of Dachang became increasingly wealthy and lived a happy life, but the imperial treasury remained unchanged.

Seventy-seven years later, Xiaoming, the emperor of Dachang Kingdom, succeeded to the throne.

Since all the money in the world was in the hands of the gentry, the national treasury was in decline, and Dachang was stretched everywhere, the civil servants suggested that Xiao Ming raise taxes. As a result, the people of the world rebelled.

Xiao Ming borrowed money from the civil and military officials, but the officials refused. Finally, the rebels invaded the imperial city. Xiao Ming was forced to hang himself on a coal mountain and died, along with the loyal eunuch beside him.

Therefore, he was called Emperor Gua Meishan. "

After hearing this, the Supreme Emperor Hongzhi felt a sigh of relief in his heart, and his eyes glowed with crystal light.

Being both emperors gave rise to a sense of empathy.

Xiao Jing rolled his eyes at Yan Chengjin, what does it have to do with the eunuch!

"Is it because the increase in taxes forced the people to rebel?" Emperor Hongzhi asked in shock.

Yan Chengjin shook his head: "There are many reasons for this, and being constrained by the gentry is the biggest reason. If you have money, why do you need to increase taxes?"

The amount of money in the world is generally fixed, and the gentry is a gold-collecting beast. The more the gentry takes, the less it takes from the treasury.

The gentry gained more and more through trade, and most of the court's expenses were purchased from the gentry.

In later generations, state-owned enterprises and the four gold-eating beasts came to obtain money and offset the gap.

However, the Ming Dynasty could only rely on tariffs. The Hongzhi business was only open in the capital and could not affect places outside the capital. Its ability to absorb gold was very limited.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi stroked his beard and fell into deep thought. After a while, he asked Yan Chengjin to exit.

Yan Chengjin looked longingly at the death-free medal on the imperial case.

"Give it to him."

Although Xiao Jing was unhappy, he handed it over with a smile.

After Yan Chengjin left, he said: "I thought it was not made up. Dachang also has a sea ban. How can there be such a coincidence in the world? And... and there is also a coal mountain in the capital..."

It is clearly talking about the Ming Dynasty, and Yan Chengjin has the connotation.

The Supreme Emperor Hongzhi showed displeasure in his eyes.

Seeing that Xiao Jing's expression was wrong, he hurriedly said: "This slave is too talkative. Your Majesty, please forgive me."

The Supreme Emperor snorted lightly, how could he not know that this son did not dare to say it openly, but he came to tell him this truth in the name of allusion.

Walking out of the main hall, Yan Chengjin saw the princes stopping here and Zhu Houzhao lying on the window lattice.

Jiang Mian and others are still immersed in the shock of five times the business tax.

"Old Gao, where did you hear about Di Gua Meishan?"

The officials did not move their faces, but they all pricked up their ears, looking confused.

"I also heard it from others, I don't know whether it is true or not."

Liu Jian was puzzled: "Your Majesty, what is the emperor hanging on Coal Hill?"

Zhu Houzhao blinked his eyes and said happily: "I only heard these four words, and I don't know the rest."

The officials' eyebrows were twisted into lines. If they could hear these four words, how could they not hear the others?

Back to the Censorate,

Yan Chengjin thought about it and ordered Fang Xue to invite Cui Yan. Soon, Cui Yan appeared in the duty room.

"I don't know if Lord Yan wants to see me?"

Cui Yan knew that he wanted him to ask for an increase in commercial taxes.

There are seven cabinet ministers in the cabinet. Li Dongyang is the old Taishan of this boy. If this boy asks, he may agree.

And Xie Qian is on good terms with Li Dongyang. He may not agree, but he may not oppose.

Adding him and Yan Chengjin, there are three people in the cabinet who agree, equal to the three of Mr. Liu.

This boy is really good at calculating.

Yan Chengjin guessed that Cui Yan had guessed it, and it was pointless to beat around the bush with him.

"I want to ask Lord Cui to beg together. Lord Cui is in Nanzhili, and he should have seen the grand occasion of the gentry making a fortune every day."

Cui Yan frowned slightly.

Take the light silk from Jiangnan for example, hundreds of thousands of pieces are traded a day, and merchants from all over the country gather in Jiangnan, and foreign gentry and micro-businesses compete fiercely.

In the past, one copper coin was worth two steamed buns, but now it has risen to two copper coins per bun.

But the taxes paid are light, so the gentry will naturally become richer.

"Although I know this, it is not easy, and I have just arrived in the capital, and my foundation is not stable, so I am sorry that I cannot beg with you."