People in the Ming Dynasty are lawless

Chapter 741 Business is booming after tax cuts!!

The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the bluestone road of Jinling City. Zhu Biao and his three companions walked through the bustling streets and finally found an inconspicuous stall on the bank of Qinhuai River.

There were several low tables under the bamboo shed. The iron pot on the stove was steaming, and the aroma of oil mixed with chopped green onions wafted in the air.

"Three bowls of duck blood vermicelli soup, with extra chili." Chen Han greeted them familiarly and wiped the bench with his sleeve.

Zhu Youwei took out a pair of silver scissors from her sleeve and gently picked up the wick of the oil lamp on the table, and the flame suddenly became brighter.

Zhu Biao looked at the red oil floating in the bowl and suddenly laughed out loud.

The trembling looks of the messengers during the day were still vivid in my mind, but now it seemed as if there was a layer of fog between them.

"Chen Han, did you ever think this day would come?" He stroked the edge of the rough porcelain bowl with his fingertips. "When you said you wanted to open the sea, those old stubborn people in the six ministries almost threw the memorial in your face."

The iron spoon made a crisp sound when it hit the edge of the pot.

Chen Han took the bowl of soup from the boss, his eyes blurred by the heat. "Aren't they also holding the pepper tribute from Southeast Asia and praising Your Highness for His Wisdom?"

He scooped up a spoonful of duck blood, and the red soup swayed slightly in the white porcelain spoon. "In the final analysis, people will only bow to fists and silver."

Zhu Youwei slammed the silver scissors on the table.

A few idle guys at the neighboring table who were stealing glances immediately retracted their necks.

"I hate those empty formalities at banquets." She picked up a mouthful of vermicelli and blew away the cool air. "You are so greedy that your eyes are green, but you have to wait until the musicians finish playing "Nichang" three times before you dare to pick up your chopsticks."

The three of them laughed out loud at the same time.

The evening breeze blew across the river, bringing with it the coolness of water vapor that dispelled the late summer heat. Zhu Biao looked at the twinkling lights on the opposite bank and suddenly felt that they were brighter than the glazed palace lanterns in the palace.

"Actually, what they are afraid of is not artillery." Chen Han suddenly said.

He broke off half a pancake and dipped it in the red oil in the soup. "No matter how sophisticated the machines in the Physics Institute are, they are still inanimate objects. What really scared them was seeing that Lao Wang, the pancake seller on the street, could use the newly learned numbers to calculate accounts."

The duck gizzard that Zhu Biao was holding fell into the bowl, splashing a few drops of soup.

He recalled the scene he saw when he was leaving court: Zheng Qingzhuo, the old-fashioned man, was hiding in the sedan chair and secretly reading the "Introduction to Mathematics" given by his granddaughter.

"From Longjiang Wharf to the experimental field of the Agricultural College, and then to the fresh-keeping truck tonight..." The prince shook his head slightly, and the steam from the bowl became a cloud in front of his eyes. "Let those envoys see with their own eyes that the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty does not rely on a few artifacts, but on every citizen being able to live a more decent life than their king."

The melodious sound of a pipa floated over the river.

Zhu Youwei propped up her chin, and the silver scissors spun a flower on her fingertips. "Dad, do you still remember the Siamese envoy? He tasted the coarse tea from the Jinguo Workshop and actually asked if it was a tribute."

She sneered, "How could they know that even the dung-carrying men in Yingtian can afford to drink this tea?"

Chen Han suddenly stood up and asked the stall owner for another plate of salted edamame. The green pods piled in the stoneware plate looked like a bumper harvest in the experimental fields of the Agricultural College.

"The funniest thing was the Malacca envoy, who was so frightened by the steam engine that he knelt down and kowtowed."

He squeezed open the pods, "Little did he know that this machine would be used to grind flour for the people next year."

Zhu Biao picked up a piece of edamame, and the bean kernel burst out sweet juice between his teeth.

Compared to the delicacies carved into dragons and phoenixes at the banquet, this simple taste made his eyes warm.

He recalled the time when he was young and accompanied his father on an incognito visit. He was extremely hungry and ate half a pancake on the roadside, which tasted better than the hundreds of dishes in the imperial kitchen.

"Chen Han." The prince suddenly became serious, his fingertips leaving a few water marks on the rough tabletop, "When you said you wanted to build a sea trade route, I thought it was just a foolish dream."

His voice was mixed in with the noisy voices of the night market, but every word was clear. "Now, watching those envoys rushing to sign the treaty, I understand that this is the true tribute from all nations."

Fireworks suddenly rose up on the other side of the river, illuminating the faces of the three people.

Zhu Youwei's silver scissors reflected the flowing light, casting a long shadow on the table.

"It's a pity that Dad didn't see the old face of the Xu family's patriarch." She squinted her eyes and watched the fireworks explode. "His caravan will not be able to act arrogantly in Southeast Asia from now on."

Chen Han smiled and shook his head, then took out an oil-paper package from his arms. He opened it and found a few pieces of sesame candy, which was exactly the favorite snack of the boys in the Physics Department.

"Minister Zheng secretly asked me this morning if he could let his grandson work as a handyman in the Engineering College." The candy crumbs broke between his teeth, and the sweet aroma filled the air. "If you ask me, this would be more satisfying than sinking ten enemy ships with artillery."

The night wind was getting colder, and the cloth curtains of the stalls were rustling in the wind.

Zhu Biao looked at the cruise ships passing by on the river and suddenly felt something burning in his chest.

On those boats were merchants humming tunes, students carrying book boxes on their backs, and women holding babies - the calmness on their faces was a confidence that no powerful bow or crossbow could produce.

"Let's go back to the palace." The prince stood up, a copper coin fell from his sleeve, and it turned a perfect arc on the table.

He looked at the brightly lit Jinling City and said softly, "Tomorrow morning, we should discuss tax cuts."

Chen Han and Zhu Youwei smiled at each other. The last firework bloomed on the river, illuminating the backs of the three people returning.

The sound of the night watchman's clapperboard came from afar, echoing with the clicking sound of the loom, like the pulse of this new era.

……

The morning bell rang three times, and the white marble steps in front of the Fengtian Hall were covered with the boot prints of the courtiers. Zhu Biao adjusted his dragon robe and jade belt, and when he stepped over the golden threshold, the morning light just happened to pass through the carved window lattices, gilding the chair next to the dragon throne.

Yu Xin, the Minister of Revenue, stepped out holding the account book, his tablet trembling slightly in his hand: "Your Highness, since the land tax was distributed according to the acreage, the agricultural tax has been reduced by 30%. If the commercial tax is reduced further, the annual revenue of the national treasury may be difficult to support."

Fang Xing, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, twirled his beard and sneered, "Did Lord Yu forget? The six countries in Southeast Asia just signed a trade treaty yesterday. The toll for the Malacca Strait alone is equivalent to the commercial tax of Songjiang Prefecture for half a year."

Yang Zhan, the Minister of Public Administration, suddenly said in a loud voice: "I have a report! The tax revenue of the Maritime Customs Office last month increased by 50% compared with previous years, all because of the lifting of the maritime ban. If the tax is reduced at this time, it will attract more foreign merchants to come to the court."

A cold snort came from the corner of the hall. Yan Zhen, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Censorate, stepped out holding a memorial: "Merchants value profit over morality, and the court should control them with taxes. How can we abandon major defenses for a small profit?"

Zhu Biao tapped the handrail with his fingertips, startling a sparrow from the beam. "Yan Qing is wrong. Yesterday at Longjiang Wharf, the people used two strings of silver to buy Nanyang goods that used to cost ten strings of silver. If the commercial tax is reduced by one cent, the people's benefits will increase tenfold."

Chen Han stepped out at the right time, the copper ring of the mace on his waist jingling, "I invite you to look at this." He shook out a piece of indigo cloth from his sleeve, the dark pattern on the cloth was faintly visible in the morning light, "This is the cloth dyed by the Women's Workshop using the waste of vouchers, and the cost of one piece is only thirty coins."

Zheng Yi, the Minister of Works, took a closer look and suddenly gasped: "These patterns...are they new numbers?" "That's right." Chen Han unfolded the cloth. "Nowadays, weavers in Yingtian all use the new accounting method, which is five times more efficient than the old method. If commercial taxes are reduced, circulation among the people will be faster, and the court's income will increase."

Minister of Rites Ren Hengtai suddenly rushed to the cloth and said, "Ridiculous! If merchants become rich, they will surely have the intention of usurping power!"

"Master Ren." Zhu Biao's voice suddenly turned cold. "The Hangzhou silk you are wearing is made by Xuji Cloth Shop using a new loom. I heard that you sent someone to the Women's Workshop yesterday to order a hundred rolls of 'digital pattern' cloth?"

Ren Hengtai's face suddenly turned the color of liver. The civil and military officials in the palace bowed their heads at the same time, and the hems of their official robes were mostly dyed with spices newly purchased from Southeast Asia.

"Decree." Zhu Biao stood up, the golden thread on his dragon robe flowing like water, "From now on, the customs duties of the Maritime Customs will be reduced by 20%, and the purchase price of the customs will be increased by 10%. In addition, there will be a commercial tax reward. For those who use treasure notes for transactions, the tax will be reduced by half again."

Yu Xin stamped his feet anxiously: "Your Highness! This..."

"Don't worry, Yu Qing." The prince took out a blue booklet from his arms, "This is the 'Quick Calculation Tips' newly compiled by the Institute of Physics. If the Ministry of Revenue uses this method to check accounts, the manpower saved will be enough to offset the loss of tax reduction."

When leaving the court, Chen Han ran into the dejected Ren Hengtai in the corridor. The old minister's hat was askew, but he was holding a copy of "Introduction to Mathematics" tightly in his hand.

"Mr. Ren, are you also learning new numbers?" Chen Han asked with a smile.

Ren Hengtai's face turned red: "My granddaughter insisted that I couldn't read and wouldn't give her pocket money..."

The sound of reading came from outside the palace gate. Zhu Youwei led the women workers of the Women's Workshop to march in a line, each holding the "New Commercial Tax Regulations" in their hands. Xiao Tao's clear voice startled the sparrows in the tree: "One seven equals seven, two seven equals four..."

In the distance, the Longjiang Wharf raised the flag for the trial voyage, and the newly launched steam merchant ship spewed out white clouds. Zhu Biao stood on the Danbi and looked into the distance, and suddenly felt something in his chest getting hot.

That was the same temperature as when facing the coarse porcelain bowls at the Qinhuai River stalls.

……

In a teahouse on the bank of the Qinhuai River, several officials in official robes sat in a private room. The aroma of tea filled the air, but it could not hide the sarcasm on their faces.

"Your Highness is really confused this time." Liu Yan, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, picked up the teacup and blew away the foam. "The commercial tax was reduced by 20%, and the purchase price of the customs was increased by 10%. Isn't this letting those merchants take advantage for nothing?"

"Who says it's not true?" Chen De, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, sneered, "Those Nanyang merchants are very cunning. When they see that we are reducing taxes, won't they take the opportunity to make more money? When the court cannot collect taxes, the treasury will be empty. Let's see how Your Highness will end it."

Zhao Qian, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Rites, stroked his beard and shook his head, saying, "Your Highness is young and hot-headed. He is being instigated by Chen Han and his gang to change this and that. Sooner or later, he will suffer. Merchants value profit, so how can they think of the good of the court? Tax cuts are just to make them earn more money."

A few people smiled at each other, their eyes full of expectation to watch the fun.

However, half a month later, things did not go as they expected.

……

The Longjiang Wharf is bustling with people.

Merchant ships from Southeast Asia docked one after another, their decks piled with spices, ivory, and tortoise shells, and the porters were busy as they kept their feet on the ground. Merchants held banknotes in their hands and handed over goods to the officials of the customs, their faces full of joy.

"This treasure note is now hard currency!" A Javanese businessman patted his bulging waist bag and grinned, "In our place, one Ming treasure note can be exchanged for three times the goods. The more you hoard, the more money you make!"

The Siamese merchant next to him nodded repeatedly: "Isn't it? I heard that the Engineering College of Daming has produced new machines, and the grain production of the Agricultural College has doubled. This treasure note will only be more valuable in the future. If you don't exchange more now, you will lose a lot in the future."

There was a long queue in front of the Tax Inspection Office at the dock. Merchants took the initiative to pay the commercial tax, and some even preferred to pay an extra 10% in order to exchange more banknotes. The clerks of the Inspection Office were so busy that they were sweating and their abacuses were clacking.

"This is strange..." An old official wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered, "After the tax reduction, the money collected is more than before?"

……

Inside the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Biao was looking through the report submitted by the Ministry of Revenue, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Your Highness, the tax revenue collected by the Tax Inspection Department in the past half month has more than doubled compared to last month." Yu Xin, the Minister of Revenue, held the account book in his hand, with a look of surprise and shame on his face. "I...I really didn't expect that tax cuts would have such an effect."

Chen Han stood aside and smiled when he heard this: "It is true that merchants pursue profits, but they also understand the principle of 'letting water flow to raise fish'. With lower taxes, business will be easier and they will naturally be willing to trade more. With more trade, the court will naturally collect more taxes."

Zhu Biao closed the report and glanced at the ministers in the hall: "My dear ministers, do you still think that tax cuts are foolish?"

The officials who had been discussing the matter a moment ago suddenly fell silent, lowered their heads, and did not dare to look the prince in the eye.

……

Inside the private room of the teahouse, Liu Yan, Chen De, and Zhao Qian looked at each other, the teacups in their hands already gone cold.

"How...how is this possible?" Liu Yan stared at the news he had just learned from his colleagues in the Ministry of Revenue, his fingers trembling slightly, "The commercial tax was reduced, but the tax revenue doubled?"

Chen De's face was grim, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Are those businessmen crazy? They can obviously pay less tax, so why are they rushing to pay more?"

Zhao Qian sighed and smiled bitterly, "We all miscalculated. Merchants are not fools, they can see further than us. With the value of the treasure notes increasing and more transactions, they can earn much more than the tax."

They were silent for a moment, and finally realized that the prince's move was not foolish at all, but extremely clever.

……

As the night deepened, Zhu Biao stood in the courtyard of the Eastern Palace, gazing at the starry sky.

Chen Han walked over slowly and handed over a cup of hot tea: "Your Highness, are you still thinking about tax cuts?"

Zhu Biao took the teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile: "I just feel that sometimes the tighter you hold on to things in this world, the less you can hold on. If you let go a little, you can gain more."

Chen Han nodded: "Commercial taxes are like this, and so are people's hearts."

Zhu Biao looked at the brightly lit Jinling City in the distance and said softly, "I hope this prosperous era can always be like this."

Zhu Biao suddenly looked up and asked, "Why has Youwei been so busy these days? Has Jinguo Workshop received new orders?"

Chen Han was holding a teacup, and smiled when he heard this: "Your Highness guessed correctly. Originally, the workshop only received orders for 7,000 to 8,000 pieces of cloth, but since the tax reduction, not only have the countries in Southeast Asia placed additional orders, but even the inland merchants have heard the news. The cloth merchants in Shaanxi ordered 20,000 pieces, and the Yunnan merchants were even more aggressive, demanding 40,000 pieces at once, saying they wanted to sell them to Burma. Youwei has been busy recruiting workers these past two days, and plans to add another 500 female workers."

Zhu Biao put down his brush and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Forty thousand horses? The mountain roads in Yunnan are rugged, can they eat so much?"

"It's the Prince Mu's Mansion that's behind this." Chen Han blew away the tea foam. "When the Burmese chieftain saw our 'Quanqing cloth', he said it was ten times stronger than their local cloth. General Mu Ying simply sent a caravan to transport it. One trip along the Ancient Tea Horse Road can earn three times the profit."

……

(End of this chapter)