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

Chapter 435: The wise men gathered in the hall of King Jin to discuss taxes and fees

The autumn sun shines through the carved window lattices, casting patches of light onto the spacious meeting hall of the Prince of Jin's Mansion in Taiyuan.

It adds a touch of warmth to the solemnity of the room.

People came one after another, and soon they all gathered together.

Everyone sat in the quaint and elegant meeting hall. Zhu Gang, dressed in a brocade robe, sat in the main seat.

He first straightened his back slightly, and his posture was as tall and straight as a pine tree.

Instantly, a powerful aura emanated from Zhu Gang.

It is a kind of majesty that comes naturally from those who have been in a high position for a long time and have accumulated experience over the years.

Everyone present felt a chill in their hearts, and subconsciously restrained their casualness.

His sitting posture became more and more upright, and his expression was full of respect.

Zhu Gang looked serious, and his deep eyes slowly swept over everyone.

Then he cleared his throat gently, and then slowly said: "Gentlemen, call everyone here today.

I believe that everyone has a clear mind like a mirror.

This commercial tax adjustment is of great importance!
If this matter is done well, the business in Shanxi will surely become more prosperous like the blooming flowers in spring.

The treasury of our Ming Dynasty will also be increasingly filled. With money, we can do many things that benefit the people.

But if it goes wrong, the consequences...

Humph! It's unthinkable!
Therefore, we must work together to develop more detailed profit assessment standards and tax incentives.
Businessmen must know clearly how much tax they should pay, and they must not be confused like before.

We also need to let the merchants truly feel that we are thinking about everyone and the long-term business of Ming Dynasty."

When the accountants heard this, they all nodded in agreement.

For a moment, there was a chorus of agreement in the hall.

Then everyone looked at each other, and then started discussing at once.

A bespectacled accountant who looked quite shrewd stepped forward first with his hands clasped. This man was none other than Mr. Zhan from Puzhou (Yongji in later generations).

According to the folk customs of Puzhou: businessmen make profits by being good at judging the situation and distinguishing products.

Therefore, when they run businesses, some change industries several times in their lifetime or even several times in a year.

But there is one industry that has remained unchanged from generation to generation, and that is the salt merchants.

In the early Ming Dynasty, most of the commercial salt in Pu was produced by Huai salt.

The salt fields in Zhugang that produced white salt were developed with the help of Puzhou salt merchants.

Now that commercial taxes are being adjusted, he naturally cannot ignore the voice coming from Puzhou.

At this time, Mr. Zhan stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Zhu Gang, and then said in a loud voice: "Your Highness, in my opinion, the profit assessment standard must be detailed to every purchase and sale.

It is just like the silk shops that can be found everywhere in the streets and alleys, counting silk one piece at a time.

How many rolls of silk were purchased and how much was the purchase price? All this had to be recorded in detail.

Furthermore, how much was the selling price and how much did it cost.

There must also be a very clear account of the losses incurred.

In this way, it will be clear and obvious how much tax you should pay.

This will save the merchants from the confusion that always occurred in the past, as they were always worried and unsure.

We also have a lot of trouble when collecting taxes. We argue today and argue tomorrow, which is not conducive to the stability of our business."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly, with approval in his eyes.

He tapped the armrest lightly with his hands, the rhythm seemed to be keeping time for his speech.

Zhu Gang smiled and said, "Well, Mr. Zhan's opinion is very reasonable!
These details are indeed related to success or failure, as the saying goes, "All great things in the world are done with details."

I hope you can speak freely and don't have any concerns.

Let's put our heads together and make this plan perfect, as it concerns the prosperity and decline of Shanxi and even the entire Ming Dynasty's business."

After hearing what Zhu Gang said, everyone became even more excited and the discussion became more heated.

At this time, another older accountant, stroking his beard, slowly stood up. It was the representative accountant of the Shanxi Merchants Bank, Mr. Lei from Pingyao.

In the second year of Hongwu, a flood destroyed the western city wall of Pingyao.

In the third year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the reconstruction and expansion of Pingyao Ancient City.

The circumference was stipulated to be twelve li, eight fen and four li, and the height to be thirty zhang and two chi.

The moat was ten feet deep and wide, with six gates: two on the east and west sides, and one on the north and south sides. Later, forty enemy platforms and hideouts were built.

After Zhu Gang went to Taiyuan and took charge of the military and political power of Shanxi, he first repaired the East Gate City Wall according to historical records, and then built a city wall attached to the city.

After the establishment of the Daming Construction Company, Pingyao built the west and north city walls at Zhu Gang's request, and also built the north gate city wall.

After several years of development, Pingyao has added 94 enemy towers, all built with bricks.

A suspension bridge was built outside each of the six gates, and a brick gate was erected.

They all stand on lying stones with the word "Shanggan".

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

There are two east gates: one is called "mechanical mouth" and the other is called "smooth mouth".

Simon 2: One is to stab the mouth, the other is to intimidate the enemy.

The south gate is called Fenkou and the north gate is called Xirong.

At the same time, Zhu Gang ordered the appointment of assistants to guard each battlement and four regiment commanders to supervise them.

They have all the necessary equipment, including clothing, armor, firearms, gunpowder, lead bullets, bows and crossbows.

During this period, the Shanxi Provincial Government issued national defense bonds many times, with the Shanxi Merchants Bank making the greatest contribution.

Therefore, Zhu Gang specially allowed the Shanxi merchants' banks to send their accountants to represent the discussion.

Mr. Lei, who stood up to speak at this time, bowed to Zhu Gang.

Then he said slowly: "Your Highness, as for this tax incentive policy, we must also set some real conditions.

For example: a merchant who has been operating with integrity for many years and has an excellent reputation in the market, and has never engaged in any acts of short-changing or selling inferior products as good ones.

They are the conscience of our business community and they should be rewarded.

Or maybe they have made special contributions to the commercial development of our region.

For example, those merchants who contribute money and effort to help repair trade roads and build markets can be given appropriate discounts.

This will not only encourage merchants to be honest and do business well, but also make everyone remember your kindness, Your Highness.

In order to continue to enjoy this discount, everyone will have to work hard to make their business bigger and stronger.

It is of great benefit to both the public and private sectors!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a faint smile.

He bowed slightly and returned the greeting to Mr. Lei.

"Mr. Lei is absolutely right. This preferential policy is not only an incentive for merchants, but also our consideration for the long-term development of Ming Dynasty commerce.

However, the specific conditions and standards still need to be carefully considered.

The merchants must benefit tangibly, but the imperial court must not suffer any loss.

The balance here has to be struck well.

It's just like walking on a tightrope. If you're not careful, you could go astray."

So everyone had a heated discussion, with various ideas and suggestions coming one after another.

It's like boiling water, bubbling.

Zhu Gang also listened carefully, frowning slightly from time to time.

As if he was thinking about a certain point, a small lump formed between his eyebrows.

Sometimes he relaxed his brows and his eyes sparkled.

He obviously agreed with some of the good suggestions and kept nodding in praise.

(End of this chapter)