Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 496: Light three fires to solve the problem (Please subscribe!!)
"When everyone understands the importance of newspapers and the huge profits they can bring, some people will take risks!"

"At this time, I believe that many people will have an idea in their minds: what would happen if they had a newspaper company?"

"What do you think, brother-in-law?"

Ouyang Lun turned his gaze to Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

"If you use your own newspapers, you can publish them yourself and advertise them yourself! Whether it's the money earned from selling newspapers or the advertising fees, they are all yours!" Zhu Biao reacted.

"If it were just this, it would be fine. After all, newspapers are also considered industries. They can provide jobs and allow people to make money. But what if the people who create private newspapers have impure intentions from the beginning?" Ouyang Lun said slowly.

"Not simple?! Brother-in-law, what do you mean?" Zhu Biao asked hurriedly.

Even Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became more serious.

"For example, some remnants of the Yuan Dynasty want to spread rumors about the Ming Dynasty. Can they create newspapers? Or maybe Chen Youliang's former subordinates are plotting a rebellion? There are also Confucian scholars who are unwilling to accept defeat. Even cults are using this to deceive people, etc."

"It's so convenient to create a newspaper!"

Ouyang Lun said slowly.

giggle-

After hearing these words, Zhu Yuanzhang clenched his fists and was extremely angry.

"These shady guys, if they dare to show up, I will kill them all!"

As an emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of the great harm that would be caused if newspapers were used by people with ulterior motives.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang had already been prepared for this, and the selection of newspaper personnel at all levels was quite strict. If one did not have a clean background, he would not be allowed to join the newspaper.

But Zhu Yuanzhang had never expected that these people would start a new business! !
"Kill! Anyone who dares to establish a newspaper privately will be killed without mercy!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Zhu Biao hurriedly said, "Father, you can't do that! Although what my brother-in-law said is right, there are indeed people with ulterior motives who want to use newspapers to attack the Ming Dynasty, but there must be innocent people among them. Moreover, the court has not issued a decree to prohibit private individuals from establishing newspapers. If you kill people directly, I am afraid it will cause panic among the people!"

"Please think twice, Father!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang calmed down, but the anger in his eyes remained unabated. "Ouyang Lun, you created this newspaper, and you also raised the problem. You have to give me a solution!"

Forehead.
Hearing what Zhu Yuanzhang said, Ouyang Lun was speechless.

Horse's!

I have found solutions for you and problems for you, and now you want me to solve them for you! !
Zhu Yuanzhang, you are really awesome!

If I had known this earlier, I would have just not said anything. Forget it. We have been together for such a long time, and Zhu Yuanzhang is just like this.

"Your Majesty, this matter is easy to handle. Of course, we can't just kill him!" Ouyang Lun thought for a moment, then continued: "If we want to control the situation, we must first issue a newspaper management method to regulate the creation and operation of newspapers. At the same time, we must establish a licensing system. Only those who obtain a license can establish newspapers!"

"Through monitoring of all links, we can fundamentally prevent people with ulterior motives from using newspapers to do things that are detrimental to the Ming Dynasty!"

"Newspaper and periodical management methods, establish a licensing system? This is a good idea!" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "What I'm saying is, if there's any problem, we still have to find Ouyang Lun!"

Ouyang Lun:
"Brother-in-law, how is this newspaper issue related to the Ministry of Revenue? Even if the newspaper issue is resolved, it doesn't seem to solve the current Ministry of Revenue problem, right?"

Zhu Biao asked hurriedly.

"Biao'er is right. Newspapers and the Ministry of Revenue have nothing to do with each other. Are you trying to delay time?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a look of doubt on his face.

"Are you anxious?" Ouyang Lun said with a smile.

"Father-in-law Emperor, brother-in-law of the Crown Prince, do you think the Ministry of Revenue's problems are extremely serious?"

"Of course. If the situation wasn't critical, would I come to you in person?" Zhu Yuanzhang said unhappily, with a hint of grievance in his expression.

Come to think of it, he was the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, but he actually came in person to ask Ouyang Lun to solve the problem. This was already a very embarrassing thing.

"Brother-in-law, according to the current situation, if the problem of the Ministry of Revenue is not resolved, it is estimated that in another half a year, the Ming treasury will be empty. By that time, what happened in the four southern provinces will probably be repeated throughout the Ming Dynasty! We have to be anxious!" Zhu Biao frowned.

"In my opinion, the problem of the Ministry of Revenue can be summed up in three words - the money is gone!" Ouyang Lun said slowly.

"There are two reasons for losing money: one is that the source is reduced, and the other is that the money spent is increased!"

"If someone publishes something in the newspaper that is not conducive to economic development, it will naturally lead to a decrease in tax revenue and a decrease in sources. As for the increase in spending, it is because the management is not competent and the money is not spent wisely. Of course, it is also possible that..."

"It was embezzled!" Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Father-in-law, I did not say that!" Ouyang Lun shook his head repeatedly, "You said that yourself."

"Uh..." Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry when he saw Ouyang Lun being so smooth, "No, Ouyang Lun, when you were arguing with Li Shanchang and others in the court, why didn't I feel that you were afraid of trouble?"

"Emperor father-in-law, this is a different time now! I was young and hot-headed and ignorant back then, and now I am paying the price, right?" Ouyang Lun spread his hands and said with an "innocent" look on his face: "I am now a good citizen of the Ming Dynasty! I will not offend anyone if I can avoid it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at Ouyang Lun and asked, "Do you think I will believe you?"

"Okay, we understand that you don't want to get involved, but you have to tell us the solution!"

Um! ?

"Emperor father-in-law, you agreed so quickly?" Ouyang Lun said with some surprise.

Ouyang Lun had anticipated that Zhu Yuanzhang would find a way to drag him into the trouble and would force him to personally solve the Ministry of Revenue’s problems, but he never expected that Zhu Yuanzhang would agree to let him not intervene. This was the first time that Ouyang Lun had met such a considerate Zhu Yuanzhang.

"If it weren't for you."

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was speaking directly, Zhu Biao started to cough violently. Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang changed his words and said, "Since you have been working hard recently and you were wronged in the last dispute at the Ministry of Revenue, I will not agree with you!"

"Is that really the case?" Ouyang Lun still hadn't dispelled his doubts.

"Brother-in-law, the emperor has actually been thinking about a lot of things during this period. He has reflected on some things in the past." Zhu Biao said solemnly: "We will never forget everything you have done for the Ming Dynasty!"

"Well, I'm not used to you two being so formal with each other." Ouyang Lun got goosebumps.

"Tell me a solution!" Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes." Ouyang Lun nodded, then said: "If you want to solve the Ministry of Revenue's problem, you only need to set three fires!" "What are those three fires?" Zhu Biao asked.

"This first fire will be set in the Ministry of Revenue. Those who are incompetent will be eliminated, and those who are corrupt will be arrested!"

"This second fire is burning in the newspaper industry. The newspaper management regulations are being issued. The country's important tools must be in our own hands!"

"For the third step, we will establish a tax inspection department, which will be independent of the various departments of the imperial court and specialize in investigating tax evasion. The weapons, equipment, and personnel quality will all be configured in the same way as the military or even the Jinyiwei!"

"After burning these three fires, the Ministry of Revenue's problems will naturally be solved."

After hearing Ouyang Lun's words, Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao looked at each other.

"Brother-in-law, I can understand the first two fires, but the third fire is to set up a tax inspection department, and it has to be configured according to the Jinyiwei. Isn't this a bit serious?" Zhu Biao frowned and said, "Tax inspection is just a matter of finding those vendors. It doesn't require such a powerful force."

Zhu Yuanzhang also said: "It is true that we are making a fuss over nothing. We can just investigate the taxation and assign government officials to do it."

Ouyang Lun shook his head. "If the government officials were asked to do it, why did the tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty drop so quickly?"

"This"

Ouyang Lun's question left Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao completely unable to answer.

"To tell you the truth, the first two fires were just a cover-up. This third fire is the most important. If it is burned well, the Ming Dynasty will not have to worry about tax evasion for a hundred years. Even if it is stolen, it will still have to pay taxes! ”

"Even thieves have to pay taxes?!" Ouyang Lun's words made Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao confused.

But after figuring out the situation, the two of them quickly became excited.

The issue of tax collection has always been a difficult point for the imperial court. Now that the development is good and tax revenue is increasing, the court is not too concerned about tax evasion. However, in the past, when the annual tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty was only 10 million, Zhu Yuanzhang tried every means to increase the tax revenue, but the results were not good!
Ouyang Lun's words that thieves must pay taxes if they steal things directly touched Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

If this can really be achieved, then the tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty will have to increase significantly, because Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that many people were evading taxes!

"Father, if what my brother-in-law said is true, I think it is necessary to establish the Tax Inspection Bureau!" Zhu Biao was the first to express his support.

"Well, this matter can be considered!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Ouyang Lun, since you don't want to interfere in the Ministry of Revenue, then the Tax Inspection Department will be handed over to you to set up. The regulations are the same as those of the Jinyiwei, and you will be directly responsible to me. After it is established, you will be the first commander of the Tax Inspection Department of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Uh" Ouyang Lun just wanted to give some advice and didn't want to do it himself at all!
Seeing Ouyang Lun's expression, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally understood the former's thoughts. "Ouyang Lun, don't think I don't know what you are thinking. Only you can do this well. I don't trust others to do it. At worst, after this is done, I will give you a long vacation! How about letting you have a good rest?"

Eh?
I can have a long vacation!

Ouyang Lun's eyes lit up.

Boss Zhu Yuanzhang has finally come to his senses!
"Emperor father-in-law, I wonder how long of a vacation you plan to give me?" Ouyang Lun asked expectantly.

"Three days?"

Ouyang Lun didn't say anything.

"Then five days! Enough for you to travel around the capital." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his "offer".

Ouyang Lun still didn't speak.

"Just tell me how many days you need. State it first. If you ask for more, there's no deal!" Zhu Yuanzhang reminded.

"One month!" Ouyang Lun held up a finger. "I've been an official for so long, I can say I work all year round. Even if I save up for annual leave, I've saved up quite a bit, right? One month isn't too much at all!"

"One month is really too much for you!" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. "Well, as long as you take care of the Tax Inspection Department, I'll grant you a month's vacation!"

"It's a deal!" Ouyang Lun nodded with a smile.

The terms were agreed upon, and the atmosphere of the ensuing conversation became noticeably more relaxed. The three of them lay in the rocking chairs and chatted for a long time.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao originally wanted to have a meal at Ouyang Lun's place before leaving, but Ouyang Lun directly told them that there was no barbecue for dinner, so the two left in disappointment.

But before leaving, Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and asked, "Ouyang Lun, do you want me to ask the Ministry of Works to build a mausoleum for you in advance?!"

"Why should I repair tombs when I'm still so young?" This question made Ouyang Lun stunned.

"Brother-in-law, what my father meant is that most people in the royal family have their tombs built in advance. My tomb and my father's are both under construction. If you want to build one, you can ask the Ministry of Works to build one for you somewhere closer to my father and me. What do you think?" Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"No, no, when I was alive, it was annoying enough to meet you and your son. When I die and go to hell, I have to be mixed with you two. I won't be at peace even after my death! No cultivation, no cultivation!" Ouyang Lun shook his head decisively and refused.

Zhu Yuanzhang is already over sixty years old and has only a few years left to live. Zhu Biao is not a long-lived person either. If he is asked to be buried with him, how can he seek justice?

"Hmph, you don't know what's good for you! Biao'er, let's go!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Ouyang Lun’s refusal, his face turned dark and he turned and left.

"Brother-in-law, please think about the matter of the mausoleum again. If you prepare too late, the funeral will be very sloppy." After Zhu Biao said this, he turned around and chased Zhu Yuanzhang.

"It's really crazy to persuade a living person to build a grave in broad daylight!" Ouyang Lun shook his head and then put the matter out of his mind.

"Technician No. 2 - Qiluo, the master is here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao returned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Li Shanchang and a group of Ministry of Revenue officials were still kneeling on the ground.

Ouyang Lun didn't come? !

Li Shanchang was delighted. Could it be that Ouyang Lun had contradicted the emperor and the crown prince because of the Ministry of Revenue, and was then executed? Even if he was not dead, he was most likely thrown into the Heavenly Prison, so he did not come with him.

"Li Shanchang! What else do you have to say now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's anger did not subside just because Li Shanchang had been kneeling there. Instead, he thought in his mind that the current state of the Ministry of Revenue was probably caused by the indulgence, nepotism and even corruption of Li Shanchang, Wang Bi and others.

I felt even more angry!

Li Shanchang was straightforward and kowtowed, saying, "I am incompetent and have failed your Majesty's expectations. The Ministry of Revenue still needs Prince Consort Ouyang to take action to resolve the matter!"

"I voluntarily pay a one-year fine, and I will ask Wang Bi to resign from his position as Minister of Revenue! Return the Ministry of Revenue to Prince Consort Ouyang!!"

(End of this chapter)