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Chapter 1052 The Emperor's Family Has No Surplus Food

"Your Majesty, please do not underestimate yourself. Thirty years ago, the Ming Dynasty was surrounded by powerful enemies. The granary was living beyond its means. When disaster struck, it could not even provide relief money. Many prefectures and cities had to rely on borrowing money to survive.

Today, the empire is at peace, its territory has doubled, and the new policies are effective. Although there are still some unsatisfactory aspects, it is no longer a big deal. If we cannot finish it this year, we can continue next year.

As long as the new policy is implemented and maritime trade continues, there will be enough silver coins in the treasury every year to maintain operations. It is not easy for such a large empire to be so well organized, and your majesty is the first to be credited. "

Upon hearing this, the cabinet chief minister Yuan Yingtai immediately took over the conversation. It is said that governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. The main ingredients, auxiliary ingredients, and seasonings must be added one by one, and the heat must be controlled well, neither too high nor too low.

The emperor was obviously a little anxious at this time, always wanting to finish everything in one go. This kind of thinking is not good, it would be better if he could be as patient and endure as he was in the first few years after he ascended the throne, and be calmer than anyone else.

"What Lord Yuan said is very true. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, diligent in state affairs, full of energy, and has both military and civil skills and a far-sighted vision. You just need to take it slow and everything will go smoothly." Then the Minister of Public Administration Xiong Wencan also stood up and expressed his opinion, and together they persuaded the emperor not to be hasty.

"Okay, okay, no need to persuade me. I know the situation well and will not rush for success. But it is obvious that the court is short of money. It is almost the budget month. If there is no improvement next year, many important projects will have to be suspended, including the military forts built in the Midwest."

Hong Tao understood the truth, but the reality was harsh. If the treasury was not used, the money in the treasury would not last until next year. But the treasury was used as a reserve fund. If it was used, it would mean cutting off the retreat. Once any accident happened in the country, everyone from the court to the emperor could only watch.

The reason why he complained in front of all the ministers was not because he needed comfort and recognition, nor did he need to be praised with honeyed praises, but because he wanted them to work together to come up with a solution.

Of course, there is a high probability that they will not be able to come up with a solution, and then they can propose a solution themselves. At that time, it will be difficult for the ministers to shirk their responsibilities. Even if they cannot figure it out, they will have to try it first.

"If we can raise the taxes in the Special Zone, it should help the court's predicament. If that's not enough, can we consider raising the commercial taxes as well?"

The emperor sighed and the ministers realized the seriousness of the matter and started to think of ways to solve it. Liu Lishun, the Minister of Taxation, had an idea first. It was relatively simple. The emperor issued an order and the court executed it. Raising taxes would immediately turn the situation around.

"Absolutely not! If the land tax is raised, the number of immigrants from the mainland to the Special Zone to open farms will be greatly reduced. If the business tax is raised, the number of merchants who travel long distances to transport goods will also decrease. In the short term, it will solve the problem, but in the long run it is not cost-effective.

Moreover, His Majesty had issued an edict clearly stipulating that the land tax and commercial tax in the special zone would remain unchanged for fifty years. Only then did the people respond to the call and bring their families to the wilderness to start over.

"It's only been half a month and you've gone back on your word. This will cause great damage to your majesty and the court's credibility. People won't be so easy to believe in what you say in the future, which will greatly increase the cost of governing." As soon as the voice fell, a big black shadow stood up from the end of the table. If you didn't look carefully, you would think it was two people standing side by side. Cabinet Grand Secretary Silva stood up and spoke, clearly expressing his opposition to the tax increase and listing the reasons for his opposition one by one.

"Hey, Xi Daxueshi, don't exaggerate. Normally, your majesty loves the people like his own children, and always tries every means to make them earn more money and reduce their burdens. Now that your majesty and the court are in trouble, asking them to donate generously is just a temporary measure, how can you go back on your word? When the court overcomes the difficulties, you can still reduce the taxes!"

Minister of Rites Liu Fuli was very unhappy to hear this. Since ancient times, every dynasty has asked the people for money and food when they encountered problems. If they don't increase taxes, can they reduce the salaries of officials? The problem is that even if the salaries are reduced to the lowest, there is not much money to be raised.

Moreover, Emperor Jingyang has not increased grain and commercial taxes in the past few decades since he ascended the throne. He has also issued decrees to reduce and exempt them many times, especially grain taxes. In order to encourage people in the mainland to make a living overseas, the tax rates in the Luzon and Annan Special Zones are lower.

"Grain tax should not be raised unless it is absolutely necessary. People are very sensitive about paying taxes, and it may affect the new policy. However, commercial tax can be raised more. In Guangdong, Fujian, Shaanxi and other places, there are a large number of merchants who have made a fortune, and many factories and workshops also have high profits.

This is all thanks to the smooth trade routes. If it weren't for the navy and army doing their duty and your majesty leading the expedition in person, there wouldn't be such a good situation today. It's reasonable to collect more commercial taxes from them, and it won't damage the reputation of your majesty and the court."

On the question of whether to increase taxes or not, Zuo Guangdou, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Censorate, had a say. He had served as a local official and governor-general in several places for many years, and had made remarkable achievements in civil administration. He was well aware of the sufferings of the people and their thoughts.

However, he also believed that the tax should be increased, but the target was changed from farmers to merchants. Farmers relied on the new policy to make their lives better at most, but they did not get much bonus. The real beneficiaries were the merchants, especially those engaged in industry and foreign trade, most of whom became rich overnight.

Every expedition of the navy and the army would almost always inspire the merchants. Every time the empire occupied a port, controlled a piece of land, and opened up a trade route, they could sell more goods and have cheaper labor to drive.

Now the imperial court is in trouble, and taking action against merchants is the simplest and quickest way, and it has the least side effects. Among the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants are ranked last, and they are always the first fat pigs to be slaughtered. Except for themselves, no one will feel wronged, and on the contrary, they will curse that the profiteers deserve it!
"This is the words of an experienced and wise man, the Left Censor has great insight!"

A stone stirs up a thousand waves. The ministers present brightened up when they heard the words. They all clasped their fists to Zuo Guangdou to show their admiration. The old ones are still the wisest. If they don't say it, they won't say it. Once they say it, it's the key. No wonder the emperor still wants to stay despite his illness. He really has some skills!
"What you said makes sense. Let me give you an analogy. If the country is a person, then the farmers are the bones. We can have nothing, but we cannot have no food. Agriculture is the foundation. This statement is absolutely reasonable.

However, having food alone is not enough to make the country prosperous and the people safe. They also need clothes, farm tools, and houses. If everyone relies on themselves to do it, it will not only be slow but also inefficient. At this time, craftsmen came into being. They can make any daily necessities, even strong ships and cannons, and they are indispensable, so craftsmen are meat.

But a person cannot survive with just flesh and bones; he also needs blood to transform the food he eats into nutrients useful to the body, which are transported to all parts of the body to nourish the bones and flesh.

(End of this chapter)