Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Chapter 384: Imposing consumption tax and luxury goods tax, regulating the management of the jewelry market
Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back in the majestic and tall palace. The sky outside the palace was gloomy, as if a storm was about to come.

A wisp of cold wind quietly came in through the gap in the temple door, making the atmosphere in the temple even heavier.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was gloomy, as if a mountain was pressing down on him.

Countless thoughts surged in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart like angry waves of the sea.

He stopped from time to time, his eyes like lightning.

It seems as if I can penetrate the fog of time and see the mysteries of all things in the world.

Then Zhu Yuanzhang turned his body slightly, and his steps, which were as steady as a mountain, suddenly stopped.

He asked in a deep voice: "Third Brother, now that the trend of extravagance is gradually rising, how should the jewelry industry be managed?"

When Zhu Gang heard this, his face suddenly became serious.

There was a gleam in his eyes like stars in a cold night, and his intelligence and wisdom were compelling.

Zhu Gang bent down slightly and said in a very serious tone: "Father, I have indeed thought a lot about the management and governance of the jewelry industry."

At this time, the sound of wind outside the hall gradually became louder, as if echoing this serious topic.

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly and crossed his hands in front of him.

That posture is like a majestic and huge mountain, calm, majestic and inviolable.

He said in a very serious tone: "Third brother, don't keep me in suspense, tell me now."

Zhu Gang took a step forward, his expression as solemn as iron, as if he was shouldering a very heavy responsibility.

"Father, throughout history, the jewelry industry has always been closely linked to the prosperity and luxury of society.

Since the Tang and Song dynasties, the jewelry trade has become increasingly prosperous and has become an important symbol for dignitaries to show their status.

However, our Ming Dynasty has just been established and there are many things waiting to be done.

If we allow the trend of luxury to spread freely in the jewelry industry, it will definitely have a very serious impact on the stability of our Ming Dynasty.

After saying this, Zhu Gang frowned tightly, showing his worried look, as if he had seen many crises in the future.

The wind outside the temple blew even harder, as if warning of the potential crisis.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, his eyes like torches.

"Third brother, continue."

Zhu Gang took a deep breath and continued with a heavy expression: "The development of the jewelry industry in history has also had a profound impact on social culture.

Once upon a time, there was a country where the jewelry industry was overly prosperous and the nobles competed with each other to see how luxurious their jewelry was.

In order to obtain precious gems, they would not hesitate to launch wars and plunder other countries' resources.

This behavior not only caused many people to lose their lives, but also made relations between countries extremely tense.

During the war, people were homeless and the economy suffered severe damage.

At the same time, people in the country also followed the example of the nobles and pursued the luxury of jewelry.

As a result, basic industries such as agricultural production were neglected, leading to food shortages, rapid price increases, and social chaos.”

At this point, Zhu Gang could not help but clench his fists, as if he was filled with grief and indignation for the suffering he had experienced in the past.

"Father, think about it, if our Ming Dynasty also fell into such a situation, what a disaster it would be!"

At this time, the dark clouds outside the window were even darker, giving people a depressing feeling.

Queen Ma turned her head slightly, her expression of concern as gentle as the warm spring sunshine.

She asked quietly, "Are there any other examples?"

Zhu Gang paused for a moment, thought for a while and then said: "There is another example. In another dynasty, jewelry became an important bribe in official circles. In order to gain higher positions and power, officials used jewelry to bribe their superiors.

This bad atmosphere has caused corruption in the officialdom to become extremely serious.

Truly talented people are not being given important positions, and there are serious problems in the country's governance.

Eventually, this bribery culture spread to the people, and jewelry began to be used as a means of unfair competition in commercial transactions, undermining the fair order of the market.

At the evening court session held temporarily on that day, Zhu Yuanzhang specially summoned the chief officials of the Commercial Administration Bureau, the Regulation Bureau, the Commercial Management Bureau, the Price Bureau, the Trade Bureau and other departments under the Ministry of Commerce to the Fengtian Hall to listen to Zhu Gang's explanation of his views on policies related to the jewelry industry.

Outside the Fengtian Hall, the night was getting darker and darker, and the stars were looming, as if witnessing this important discussion.

"Father, my Lords, I have the following opinions on the jewelry industry."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression serious, and his tone steady like the sound of a bell, he said: "Tell me about it."

Zhu Gang took a step forward, looked solemn, and said, "In terms of production, I think we should set standards and never waste anything.

For example: each piece of jewelry cannot be inlaid with more than three gemstones, and the amount of precious metals used must be limited.

This is a good way to curb the trend of extravagance at its source.”

At this time, the candle flames in the hall swayed slightly, as if thinking about the feasibility of this suggestion.

Zhu Yuanzhang folded his hands across his chest, his eyes focused as sharp as an eagle, and asked: "Then what should we do about circulation?"

Zhu Gang stood up straight, his expression as firm as if he was made of steel, and said: "The focus of the circulation link is eight words, use taxation to regulate and standardize the market.

I propose to raise the consumption tax on jewelry to 20% of the selling price and the luxury goods tax to 30%.

In this way, consumption costs can be increased and excessive and extravagant consumption can be reduced.

The increased tax revenue can be used for poverty alleviation and other livelihood projects, thus demonstrating the fairness and justice of the court.

In addition, it is necessary to manage market order and crack down on unhealthy competition.

At the same time, sales channels were restricted, and the number of high-end jewelry stores nationwide was reduced by half.

This will ensure that the circulation of jewelry is orderly and will not disrupt the market.”

The sound of wind outside the hall gradually stopped, as if waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's decision.

At this moment, Ye Chen, the director of the Commercial Administration Office, leaned forward slightly and asked with a concerned look, "Your Highness Prince Jin, what do you think about consumption?"

Zhu Gang took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling, and he said passionately: "In the consumption link, we must publicize against extravagance and let the people establish the awareness of saving and rational consumption.

Guide the change of consumption concepts, encourage people to choose simple jewelry, or combine jewelry consumption with charity.

Establish a supervision mechanism to encourage people to report extravagant consumption.

We, the Ming Dynasty, have emerged from war and chaos, and we must maintain the spirit of hard work and struggle, and must not be corrupted by the trend of luxury! "

Zhu Gang finished speaking passionately, his face full of determination.

Like a fearless warrior, guarding the future of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Then he frowned and said in a deep voice: “My son’s words make sense, but we can’t be too hasty about this matter.

I have fought wars all my life, and I hate the extravagant lifestyle the most.

If we don’t take measures to rectify this situation, our Ming Dynasty will be in danger!

We must let those wealthy businessmen understand that in our Ming Dynasty, wealth should be used for the country, not for personal luxury and enjoyment. "

Zhu Yuanzhang's words were full of arrogance and decisiveness, as if he was a majestic king guarding his country.

(End of this chapter)