Daming 1805

Chapter 467 The roof is about to be lifted again

Zheng Xingyang recorded all the main points raised by Zhu Jingyuan.

When he first started writing, Zheng Xingyang felt a little happy, but after writing, he began to worry.

After writing down all the main points, Zheng Xingyang asked again uncertainly:
"Your Highness, do you really want to do this?
"Students think that private loans and capital flows should indeed be investigated, but when it comes to implementation methods, should they be more... cautious?
"The composition of the remediation team covers everything from taxation to legislation and justice to law enforcement.

"Theoretically, this group can use the name of verifying loans and funds to rectify any manufacturer and owner.

"With such great power, the relevant person in charge may take the opportunity to enrich their own pockets, and to attack political opponents, to attack dissidents...

"Finally, the students are worried that no matter whether His Highness intends to collect gift income tax between immediate family members or not, if the investigation on the raising and maintenance you proposed at the end is really carried out, it is likely to make the people think about it.

"The matter of receiving income tax for immediate family members, not to mention being decided and implemented, even after the relevant discussions are made public, it will definitely cause an uproar in the whole of Ming Dynasty...

"Especially in the past two years, this is the most critical moment for you. The students think that His Highness should be more cautious..."

Zhu Jingyuan understood that Zheng Xingyang was worried that he would cause public anger, so he waved his hands with a smile and said:
"Of course this kind of thing has a great impact, so it's not something I can directly decide on my own right now.

"I'm just explaining the situation to my father and the court, and putting forward my suggestions.

"Whether or not to implement it, and how to implement it, must be discussed and decided by the emperor and the old gentlemen of the court.

"If the royal father thinks it's inappropriate, just don't approve my suggestion.

"As for the impact of releasing the news, I think the news should be released.

"Let everyone below understand that the imperial court has learned about the typical tax evasion methods they are using.

"Father, the imperial court, and myself, it's only natural that they would be angry when they discovered this situation.

"Then it is only natural that we should punish them for this behavior.

"It is to use this kind of public opinion to deter and suppress them!
"Personally, I support the imposition of income tax on any form of income other than court rewards."

Zhu Jingyuan actually didn't say a few words.

I am actually using the most typical roof-lifting strategy now.

Let out the wind first to raise the panic and psychological tolerance threshold of the target group.

Then release a compromise plan to force all parties to accept it.

The results of these days' investigations made Zhu Jingyuan understand that income tax must be collected for gifts received by relatives.

To do otherwise is to leave a huge tax loophole unaddressed.

The question is just to what extent.

Zheng Xingyang could vaguely understand Zhu Jingyuan's unspoken meaning, so he didn't continue to persuade.

Honestly edited the manuscript of the telegram and sent it to the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, there is a dedicated telephone line between Yingtianfu and Shuntianfu.

However, relatively formal notifications and applications still have to be sent by telegram.

This can be directly on paper, so it is more formal, and it is convenient for discussion, copying, and archiving.

The notice written by Lin Zexu was also issued in the form of a telegram, requiring the heads of taxation, prison, and banking agencies in Jianghuai Province to meet in Yingtian on the third day of March to discuss the plan for income tax collection reform.

Zhu Jingyuan knew that neither his emperor's father nor the Ming court could make an immediate decision on his application to set up a rectification team against tax evasion, and he could not receive an immediate response.

Therefore, Zhu Jingyuan prepared as a matter of course, and used this time to hold a meeting with the relevant local agencies in Jianghuai to discuss a relatively reasonable response plan, and finally implemented it simultaneously with the comprehensive crackdown on tax evasion.

The task of the rectification team is to check the loopholes in the past few years, and the response plan is to formalize the regulations for the future.

Of course, the premise is that the father and the court agree to the application of the rectification team.

Then, just one night later, at around ten o'clock the next morning, when he was starting to conceive and prepare a tax reform plan, Lin Zexu suddenly came to report very solemnly:

"Your Highness, Your Majesty has called a special line and asks you to answer it immediately."

"Father's call..."

When Zhu Jingyuan heard the news, he subconsciously thought that he would ask him for more details, as well as his thoughts and suggestions on rectifying tax evasion.

While sorting out the words in his mind, Zhu Jingyuan walked quickly to the special communication seat, got the special phone from the secretary, and greeted his father who was far away in the capital:
"Is the father safe?"

Zhu Jianyan's rather serious voice came from the microphone:

"I'm fine, your grandfather is going to inspect the south, and the first stop will be directly to Yingtian Mansion.

"Depart at [-] am on February [-]th, arrive at [-] am the next day, and get off at [-] am.

"As the local administrative officer, organize the reception and reception affairs, and suspend other work first."

Zhu Jingyuan was stunned when he heard these words.

I choked back the words I had just prepared:
"I see, but father, grandpa suddenly wants to come to Ying Tian Mansion? Is there something special?"

Zhu Jianyan on the opposite side was silent for a second, and then reminded:

"It's related to your current application and preparation to intervene. I'll tell you the details when your grandfather arrives. Anyway, it's only a few days away..."

Zhu Jianyan gave a few more serious instructions, mainly to remind Zhu Jingyuan to take good care of the old man.

The Supreme Emperor Zhu Zhongliang is 76 years old this year, and he is 77 years old. He is definitely old in this era.

Zhu Jianyan, the emperor, sincerely hopes that his father, the Supreme Emperor, can continue to live in good health.

Dad has already completely delegated power, and will not interfere with his own power at all.

But he can give himself a platform when necessary, give advice that ordinary courtiers cannot give, and discuss with himself special topics that courtiers cannot participate in.

Zhu Jianyan sincerely hopes that his old father can live a long life.

After listening to his father's explanation, Zhu Jingyuan realized that he might have oversimplified things this time.

The impact of collecting income tax on gifts between relatives may have a greater impact on Ming society than I imagined.

My grandfather is 77 years old, and he has to come forward to discuss with himself.

It's also possible that my grandfather didn't want me to preside over this matter, and didn't want me to take the blame...

With a bit of helplessness and expectation, Zhu Jingyuan told Lin Zexu:
"Immediately issue a notice that the Supreme Emperor will tour the Yingtian Mansion in the south and ask the staff of the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the reception.

"At the same time, in accordance with the usual practice, people from all walks of life who are qualified to meet are called to Yingtian Mansion to meet and have an audience."

Lin Zexu is actually not particularly good at this kind of thing.

Among Zhu Jingyuan's two most trusted aides, Lin Zexu was more proficient in practical affairs and specific government affairs, while Niu Jian was better at internal affairs and organizational activities.

However, Niu Jian is still in Taixi and has not come back. Lin Zexu is now the highest-ranking staff member around Zhu Jingyuan, so it is only natural that he should be the organizer.

No matter what Lin Zexu was thinking about, this was the only thing he should do now.

The Supreme Emperor is coming five days later, and this time is really a bit tense.

If it weren't for the fact that Daming's administrative efficiency is high enough, and it also has facilities such as trains, telephones, and airplanes, it would be impossible to complete the preparations for the Emperor's trip and inspection within these few days.

This is the result of Emperor Shizu's personal practice, which greatly simplified the pomp and etiquette of royal travel.

Lin Zexu was the first to send out a notice, and contacted the people in charge of all aspects to start preparations immediately.

As for the people in charge of taxation, prison, and banking that Zhu Jingyuan originally called, they are all qualified and required to participate in this kind of reception and pilgrimage activities.

Just add another message, let them come over in advance, first pay respects to the Supreme Emperor, and then talk about other things.

Zhu Jingyuan himself, while giving various approvals and decisions from time to time, was thinking about the things he wanted to discuss with his grandfather.

Then, during the few days when Zhu Jingyuan and Lin Zexu were preparing for the welcome ceremony, various public news continued to spread.

The main official and non-governmental newspapers of Ming Dynasty, as well as the initially established broadcasting system, made publicity and reports on this southern tour before the Supreme Emperor officially left.

All kinds of media have publicly stated that the purpose of the Taishang Emperor's southern tour is to inspect the industrial and commercial development of the Jianghuai region.

However, some private newspapers analyzed that the timing of the Taishang Emperor's southern tour was too close to the time when Zhu Jingyuan arrived in Yingtian and began to supervise the entire southern region.

So, the real situation is just that the old man misses his favorite grandson...

According to the feedback from the people, from officials to businessmen and civilians, they are more willing to trust the analysis of non-governmental newspapers.

When Zhu Jingyuan was busy reading these reports in the newspaper, his head was full of confusion.

It's not that I think there is something wrong with the purpose of the Taishang Huang's southern tour, nor do I really care about the so-called real reason.

It was Zhu Jingyuan who found that the matter of his old man going south seemed to have been deliberately hyped up too much.

Even more than ten years ago, when the old man went to Taishan to enshrine Zen, he only started reporting when the event started.

After the event is over, there will be official and private analysis and evaluation.

This time, the old man started before he left, as if he wanted to make this matter known to the whole world.

Ordinary people may not think of it, but Zhu Jingyuan, who came from later generations, is very sensitive to changes in social public opinion.

Zhu Jingyuan would absolutely not believe that there was no deliberate push behind the spread of this kind of news.

Zhu Jingyuan secretly speculated in his heart, thinking that the promoter might be the Supreme Emperor himself.

Otherwise the main official mouthpiece would not be so cooperative...

They don't dare to talk nonsense...

Looking back like this, Zhu Jingyuan felt that starting from his father's phone call seemed a little abnormal.

My father especially told me to be well prepared and complete, and to consider all aspects.

The main local officials and shopkeepers of Jianghuai should also come to welcome them.

This is actually not in line with the habits of the Supreme Emperor...

In fact, he is used to taking things lightly and doing what he wants to do quietly, and he doesn't like to make a big fuss.

So Zhu Jingyuan felt that his grandfather and father must have some plans that he didn't explain to himself.

In such a strange atmosphere, the time finally came to the first day of March.

The imperial special train taken by the Supreme Emperor Zhu Zhongliang arrived at the special station of Yingtianfu Imperial City smoothly.

Zhu Jingyuan led the main officials of Jianghuai Province, the main persons in charge of the royal consortium and Huangzhuang, as well as a small number of local folk scholars and businessmen, to greet them under the platform.

After the car door was opened, the aging Supreme Emperor Zhu Zhongliang walked out of the car on crutches.

He was not supported by anyone, nor was he in a wheelchair.

"Greetings to Your Majesty..."

The welcoming staff headed by Zhu Jingyuan were all obviously surprised while saluting and saying hello.

For the real powerful and wealthy upper-class people of Ming Dynasty, at Zhu Zhongliang's age, even if their bones are still strong, they probably seldom know how to walk by themselves.

If you want to live a long and healthy life, exercise is more important than rest when you are young and middle-aged, but when you are in your 70s, it is obvious that rest is more important than exercise.

They usually take a little walk in a safe environment, and they basically don't walk to and from the car outdoors.

Although sedan chairs are not allowed after the Renwu Dynasty, everyone can take a wheelchair.

Most of the places are pushed by servants, and they are lifted up and down the stairs.

Zhu Jingyuan and many officials subconsciously felt that it might be that the Supreme Emperor wanted to show a tough image.

But everyone was not too worried, because the Supreme Emperor seemed very happy, with a very obvious smile on his face.

Scanning the scene, he waved slightly at the crowd:

"I don't have anything to do here, so I don't need to guard here anymore, go and busy yourself with your own affairs."

Then the Supreme Emperor turned directly to Zhu Jingyuan, and greeted with a smile:
"Grandson Jingyuan, come here and let grandpa see..."

Zhu Jingyuan didn't know what the old man was thinking, but now he could only cooperate honestly.

Zhu Jingyuan hurried over to support Zhu Zhongliang's arm, and boarded the special car prepared for him with him.

Zhu Jingyuan originally planned to ask the old man the specific purpose of coming, but the other party didn't give him a chance to ask questions at all.

He kept asking the parents about short personal topics.

Are you still used to living in Xi'an in the past few years? How many children have you had? How is living in Yingtianfu?

In this way, we chatted all the way to the Renshou Palace in the Forbidden City.

Zhu Jingyuan helped Zhu Zhongliang get out of the car again, and together they entered the living room prepared for the Supreme Emperor.

Zhu Zhongliang took Zhu Jingyuan's hand and sat on the soft bed, and waved his hands to let all the other servants leave.

Seeing them close the door, the smile on Zhu Zhongliang's face obviously restrained a few times, and then he said solemnly:

"You boy, why did you focus on big things as soon as you came here?"

Zhu Jingyuan was already mentally prepared, and asked directly at this time:
"Did Grandpa know about Jiangnan merchants avoiding taxes through marriage?"

Zhu Zhongliang nodded lightly:
"Both your father and I have heard about it a little bit, and it's not as clear as your investigation.

"Of course, it should also be because it wasn't so serious in the early years.

"In the past few years, the people have more money, and the situation has intensified.

"Now is indeed the time for some rectification."

Zhu Jingyuan immediately asked:
"So grandpa, you and the emperor support my proposal?"

Zhu Zhongliang did not answer directly, but continued to ask:

"How are you going to deal with it? Do you want to levy income tax on all the money parents give to their children and the money children give to their parents?
"With your brain, you should know that this is definitely a matter of risking the world's dissatisfaction, right?

"It's very likely... no one will support you at all..."

Zhu Jingyuan immediately explained his thoughts:
"I know it's hard to do, but I really want to do it and I know it has to be done.

"This loophole is really too big...

"It's not just businessmen who use this loophole to evade a certain amount of tax when their children get married, but there are also people who repeatedly marry to transfer assets.

"My current idea is to publicize a very high goal through various channels to create pressure from public opinion.

"For example, the inheritance tax will be introduced, and the family inheritance will also be taxed.

"Start at 60.00 percent and go up to [-] percent.

"The reason is that your family business can be passed on safely and securely because of the protection of the Ming army.

"It is the endorsement of the Ming court, which provides proof and protection for the inheritance of your family business.

"So, when inheriting the family business, it is only natural for the imperial court to collect some taxes.

"This kind of goal will definitely be opposed by the vast majority of people, so I will come up with a relatively compromise plan.

"There is no inheritance tax, but there is an income tax on gifts from relatives at the same rate as gifts from strangers.

"But at the same time, parents can take the initiative to pass on assets to their children before they die, under the witness of the court's impartial agency.

"After the inheritance procedures, you only need to pay stamp duty, deed tax and various handling fees, and you don't need to pay income tax.

"But this kind of inheritance is one-way, and it can only be passed on from parents to children.

"Or if the elder brother has no children, he can choose to pass on the assets to his younger brother or nephew.

"Unless a child, brother, or nephew dies, there is no reverse inheritance.

"It cannot be directly passed on to collateral relatives.

"In this way, the normal inheritance of family property is guaranteed, and at the same time, tax avoidance through marriage and gifts is avoided.

"The daily expenses of caring for parents do not reach the amount that needs to be paid in income tax.

"Those who take out a large amount of assets for their parents' pension use do not need to directly transfer the assets to their parents' names.

"Parents don't need to pay taxes if they directly use the assets in their children's names.

"At the same time, any marriage-related loans are prohibited.

"At the same time, it stipulates the dowry, dowry, and the level of wedding ceremonies, and completely prohibits arrogance in name.

"But in terms of punishment, it is not arrest and trial, but pure fines.

"Exceeding the fame and title you have, you can use the dowry, dowry, and the scale of the ceremony, and you will be fined.

"For example, if the civil dowry exceeds the amount of the prince's dowry, a fine of 60.00% of the amount involved will be imposed.

"It's pretty much a de facto permission for the civil society to use princely standards for weddings.

"But there are high dowry taxes, dowry taxes, and wedding taxes.

"Of course, it does not include the use of dresses and ceremonies officially prescribed by the imperial court, which can only be used by people with titles and official positions.

"Related acts are still dealt with in accordance with the general standard of transgression of traditional laws.

"That is to say, if you hold a wedding according to the expenses and ostentation of princes and nobles, you will only face huge fines.

"However, if a person without an official position or title wears an official uniform or aristocratic dress of the ninth rank or higher, if he is found out, he will be thrown into prison according to the level of usurpation.

"Ninth-rank official uniforms are originally groom's uniforms, and civilians can still wear them when they get married."

After hearing this, Zhu Zhongliang nodded slightly:
"The idea sounds good, but it should be difficult to execute.

"However...the direct purpose of these new laws is to provide the relevant agencies with a basis for verification and punishment.

“So it needs to be determined and perfected as soon as possible, and announced.

"Whether it can be implemented in the follow-up, and to what extent it can be implemented, depends on the ability of the follow-up descendants and bureaucrats.

"But the timing is not right now, and it is even more inappropriate for you to take the lead...

"Even if you come up with a strategy of lifting the roof and finally come up with a compromise, people will still hate you.

"So let me handle it..."

Zhu Jingyuan basically understood the purpose of the old man's visit in his heart:
"So...Grandpa, did you intentionally make a grand tour of the South just to take the blame for your grandson?"

The term "back blame" has been popular since the time of Emperor Sejo.

Zhu Jingyuan said that there is no problem at all, and Zhu Zhongliang can also understand it very intuitively.

Hearing these words, Zhu Zhongliang couldn't help laughing, then patted Zhu Jingyuan's hand and said:

"No, I also came to see you. I haven't seen you for a few years. Grandpa misses you very much...

"That kid back then has finally grown into an adult now..."

(End of this chapter)