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

Chapter 517 Ouyang Lun's Counterattack (Please subscribe!!)

"Your Majesty, we all know that taxation is the lifeblood of the court and the foundation for the sustainable development of the Ming Dynasty. The people of the Ming Dynasty are your Majesty's subjects. Each of them has the responsibility and obligation to contribute to the Ming Dynasty. It is because of taxation that the court has the money to build an army to defend the country and keep their property from being violated!"

"What the people pay is not just taxes, but their contribution to the construction of Ming Dynasty. Let them feel involved, so that we can unite the people of Ming Dynasty!"

"If we exempt the majority of the people from taxes, not only will the court lose tax revenue, but we will also lose the loyalty of these people to the Ming Dynasty. If they don't pay taxes, what kind of people are they?!"

"I have to admire Prince Consort Ouyang's intelligence and wisdom for coming up with this new tax exemption and tax refund policy. If it is really implemented, it will indeed make the people grateful in a short period of time. However, the object of the people's gratitude is probably not the court, let alone Your Majesty, but Prince Consort Ouyang!"

"I am deeply saddened! Taxation, the lifeblood of a country, has been used as a means to win over the people! This move is not beneficial to the Ming Dynasty, but is harmful to it!"

After Li Shanchang finished speaking, he looked at Ouyang Lun with bloodshot eyes and excited expression, as if he wanted to swallow Ouyang Lun in one bite.

But the next second, Li Shanchang changed his tone and became softer, saying again: "Of course, I also believe that Prince Consort Ouyang is a person who definitely does not really want to win over people's hearts or even seize power. He is probably deceived by the people below!"

"As long as Prince Consort Ouyang admits his mistakes, stops the so-called tax reform, and deals with those officials who deceived their superiors and have evil intentions!"

Li Shanchang is worthy of being Li Shanchang. He has stood in the Ming Dynasty court for many years and defeated so many political enemies, but he himself remains standing. There is indeed a reason for this.

Although he launched a fierce attack on the tax plan this time, he did not seem to have the intention of killing Ouyang Lun in the end. He wanted to lift him high, but then take him down lightly. He gave Ouyang Lun the feeling that as long as Ouyang Lun admitted his mistake and found a few people to take the blame, the matter would be over.

Even the officials following Li Shanchang were shocked by his words. Lan Yu wanted to stand up and object several times, but was stopped by Feng Sheng, the Duke of Song, who was beside him.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang also fell into deep thought.

First of all, Zhu Yuanzhang agreed with what Li Shanchang said to a large extent. Exempting the Ming Dynasty from almost 60% of taxes really made Zhu Yuanzhang a little difficult to decide. Were there people who were exempt from taxes in the past?
Of course there are, but who are these people? They are either students with achievements, or great heroes who have made great military exploits, or the royal family who are closest to the emperor!

As a result, now a group of ordinary people are being exempted from tax. This is simply going against the will of Heaven!
Li Shanchang also had another point, which Zhu Yuanzhang agreed with, that is, the people paying taxes is not just about paying money, but more about contributing to the construction of the Ming Dynasty and understanding their own responsibilities and obligations. If they don't pay taxes, then they don't have these obligations? !

Over time, it is very likely!

How can this be done?

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang was shaken, really shaken.

As Zhu Yuanzhang's mentality changed, the atmosphere of the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony also underwent subtly changes, and the atmosphere on the scene became weird.

Li Shanchang and many officials naturally keenly noticed the subtle changes in Li Shanchang, especially Li Shanchang. He had been with Zhu Yuanzhang for many years. Although he could not guess Zhu Yuanzhang's true thoughts at any time, it was not a problem for him to figure out a thing or two.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to attach great importance to the ordinary people of the Ming Dynasty and dealt with corrupt officials every day, but in fact, what Zhu Yuanzhang valued most was the power of the Ming Dynasty. If Zhu Yuanzhang was asked to choose between the people of the Ming Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, he would choose the latter without hesitation!
Therefore, Li Shanchang took advantage of this point to make Zhu Yuanzhang feel resentful of Ouyang Lun's tax reform.

At present, Li Shanchang’s move seems to be very effective!
"Li Shanchang, since you said that Ouyang Lun's tax reform is not feasible, what else do you have? My request is very simple. This year's taxes must be collected for me. If they can all be collected, of course whoever has the better solution will be used!"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and spoke directly.

Now Zhu Yuanzhang has figured it out. I am the emperor, so I won't think so much. No matter whether it is Li Shanchang or Ouyang Lun, whoever's method requires a lower cost and lower risk will be adopted. It will also save a lot of trouble.

Zhu Yuanzhang's question was exactly what Li Shanchang wanted.

Before coming to the palace, he thought seriously for a long time and considered many issues. If he wanted to kill Ouyang Lun right from the start, neither Zhu Yuanzhang nor Zhu Biao would agree, so he had to change his strategy and focus on criticizing Ouyang Lun's tax reform!

He was standing on the starting point of what was good for the Ming Dynasty. In this way, neither Zhu Yuanzhang nor Zhu Biao would resist. As long as Zhu Yuanzhang gave in, he would be able to open up the situation!

Since Zhu Yuanzhang asked Li Shanchang about his solution, this undoubtedly proved once again that Li Shanchang's solution was correct.

Of course, Li Shanchang also has his own ideas on how to solve the tax problem.

"Your Majesty, my opinion is that taxes cannot be exempted, let alone refunded. This precedent cannot be set!"

"Not only that, I also suggest raising taxes!"

Li Shan said loudly.

"Increase taxes?!" Zhu Biao frowned first and asked immediately, "Duke Hanguo, the situation this year is not that optimistic. If we increase taxes rashly, I'm afraid it will cause resentment among the people? Moreover, this will increase the difficulty of taxation!"

Li Shanchang saluted Zhu Biao and continued, "Your Highness is right. Increasing taxes will indeed make it more difficult to collect taxes. However, the people are very patient. As long as they are not forced to the point where they can't survive, they will definitely not cause trouble. Even if someone does, it will only be an isolated case!"

"The Ming Dynasty has developed very well in the past two years, but the taxes on the people of the Ming Dynasty have not increased. This is unreasonable in itself. If the taxes are raised, the people will not say anything. As for how to increase these taxes, it is not difficult. If the tasks are assigned, the government at all levels can use some tricks to collect the taxes!"

"It also lets the people know that paying taxes is their responsibility and obligation!"

Li Shanchang's words were full of confidence and were very sure.

Although Li Shanchang's remarks were somewhat direct, they made sense. Given the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, as long as the means were strong enough, all tax revenues could be raised even by increasing taxes.

For Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Shanchang's words were true!

Moreover, compared with Ouyang Lun’s tax reform, Li Shanchang’s method was very straightforward and direct, which made Zhu Yuanzhang more excited.

Li Shanchang prepared more than that. Li Shanchang was also very clear that he had only just made Zhu Yuanzhang interested, and it was not certain whether he would abandon Ouyang Lun's tax reform method.

Besides, Ouyang Lun hasn't spoken yet. If Ouyang Lun speaks again, he might persuade Zhu Yuanzhang again. It's hard to say which side the balance of victory will tip towards then!

So Li Shanchang immediately turned his head and looked at Ouyang Lun on the side, "Your Majesty and I have talked so much, but Prince Consort Ouyang has not said a word. Could it be that Prince Consort Ouyang himself also thinks that the so-called tax reform is also a mistake?"

"If that's the case, I'm relieved that Prince Consort Ouyang didn't go down the wrong path and there's still a chance to save himself!" "But if Prince Consort Ouyang really wants to make one mistake after another and exempt most of the people of the Ming Dynasty from taxes, or even ask for a tax refund, this is undermining the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. I won't agree, and neither will the officials behind me!"

Li Shanchang was full of energy and spoke sharply. With hundreds of officials watching him covetously behind him, it could be said that at this moment there seemed to be an overwhelming momentum coming towards Ouyang Lun to pressure him.

The situation in the hall was extremely unfavorable for Ouyang Lun.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not stop Li Shanchang from putting pressure on Ouyang Lun, but was happy to see it happen. You, Ouyang Lun, acted arrogant in front of me, now I want to see what you can do! ?

Zhu Yuanzhang even used his eyes to stop Zhu Biao who was about to speak for Ouyang Lun.

Swish--

For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Ouyang Lun, and endless pressure fell on him.

Ouyang Lun remained calm and composed in the face of all this. Instead, he spoke calmly, "Prince Han Guo's condition is serious."

"Tax reform is just a normal policy. There is no conspiracy theory, and it will not harm the Ming Dynasty!"

Hearing this, Li Shanchang frowned fiercely and immediately retorted: "Humph, whether it is serious or not, only you know it in your heart! I have just said so much, and I have already revealed your true face. No matter how you explain, it will be pale!"

After saying this, Li Shanchang raised his head, looking disdainful of Ouyang Lun's continued argument.

Ouyang Lun rolled his eyes at the old man and was too lazy to look at him a second time.

When Li Shanchang and his men walked into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Ouyang Lun guessed that Li Shanchang had come with bad intentions this time. However, Ouyang Lun did not take Li Shanchang seriously at all. He thought of Li Shanchang as an old man who had been defeated by him many times but refused to admit defeat, and who had a unclear understanding of his own strength and status.

I didn't say anything just now, that was giving you the opportunity to perform. Now it's my turn.

Ouyang Lun turned around and saluted Zhu Yuanzhang. "Your Majesty, I didn't say anything just now because I respected Duke Hanguo. I didn't expect Duke Hanguo to be so aggressive. He even interrupted me when I was speaking. It was really embarrassing. Fortunately, I have always respected the elderly and loved the young, so I won't bother with the old man."

"Ouyang Lun, tell me clearly who is embarrassing, who cares, and who interrupted you!!" Li Shanchang was so angry at what Ouyang Lun said that he shouted immediately.

Ouyang Lun smiled as he looked at the roaring Li Shanchang, spread his hands, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are watching, isn't this the thief crying thief?"

Zhu Yuanzhang also spoke up at this time: "Ahem, Duke Hanguo, please pay attention to your image. This is the Taiji Hall, not a vegetable market!"

"Forehead"

Hearing this, Li Shanchang came to his senses instantly and realized that he had been provoked by Ouyang Lun.

Huhu——

After taking two deep breaths, Li Shanchang regained his sanity, but his eyes were fixed on Ouyang Lun. His desire to devour Ouyang Lun not only did not decrease, but increased a lot!
Ouyang Lun didn't care and continued, "Tax exemption and tax refund are indeed shocking, but they are absolutely correct. According to what the Korean public said, tax exemption and tax refund will make the people lose their desire to contribute to the country. This is simply nonsense!"

"Of course, the reason why our Ming Dynasty is what it is today is because of your Majesty's wise guidance and hard work!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was happy.

It turns out that you, Ouyang Lun, can praise me! If you can praise me, praise me more!
"But what's more important is the contribution of the people of the Ming Dynasty!" Ouyang Lun continued, "Let me ask Duke Hanguo, where does the food you eat come from? Did it appear out of thin air? Of course not, it was grown by the people of the Ming Dynasty with great effort! If it weren't for them, you would have nothing to eat!"

"And what you wear and use are all made by ordinary people, stitch by stitch!"

"The reason why the Ming Dynasty is so stable now is that the people have joined the army to defend their country!"

"In your eyes, the people's patriotic deeds are not worth a mere tax. I can hardly imagine how sad and upset they would be if they heard your words!"

"Your Majesty, I believe that the king should share the world with the people, not with these scholars and officials!"

"When the Ming Dynasty was in danger, the people were the indestructible foundation of the Ming Dynasty. If the people were not in chaos, the Ming Dynasty would not have any problems. Now that the Ming Dynasty has developed, let the people enjoy the dividends of the times. Why not tax exemption and tax refund?"

"Also, tax exemption and tax refund are not permanent tax exemptions, but a standard for low-income people. When their income increases, the excess amount will also be taxed. There is no such thing as poaching from the Ming Dynasty!"

Ouyang Lun's words immediately quieted the scene.

"The king should share the world with the people"

Zhu Yuanzhang kept muttering this sentence, and his eyes became brighter.

This view can be said to coincide with Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts.

"Ouyang Lun, keep talking!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was the final word, and Li Shanchang and others who were originally thinking of refuting Ouyang Lun had to swallow back the words that were on the tip of their lips.

"Your Majesty, paying taxes is indeed the obligation and responsibility of the people of the Ming Dynasty, but at the same time, the Ming Dynasty court also has the obligation and responsibility to let the people live a good life. The richer and higher-ranking people enjoy more benefits, so they should also do more. This is the same principle as paying taxes in proportion!"

"In the Ming Dynasty, 60% of the people still have an annual income of no more than 33 taels. For these people, even one tael of silver is extremely important, but for the rich and powerful, one tael of silver is just the price of a cup of tea."

"So exempting the people from taxes whose income does not exceed thirty-three taels can significantly improve the lives of nearly 60% of the people in the Ming Dynasty. What a great feat!!"

(End of this chapter)