It's broken, and was picked up by a femme fatale

Since Chairman Shen said,
If we want to reduce the burden on the county government, then naturally some people will ask what the reason is.

How is subtraction?
Lu Yuan asked: "You are the elites of the county,

Why don’t you tell me what burdens you had before? "

The crying child gets the milk!
The county representatives are basically successful in their careers, have businesses, and have connections.

In recent years, in order to make up for the indemnity paid by the imperial court, he was exploited by the Jidong government and suffered terribly.

Therefore, I poured out all my grievances and dissatisfaction.

The county was excited, and commerce flourished.

Therefore, there are various commercial taxes.
Many of them were former county governors who deliberately did this by making up excuses in order to make money.

Normally, commercial tax is a simple and crude "10% tax".
That is, regardless of whether the merchant makes a profit or a loss, a 10% tax will be levied on the sales volume.

There is also a poll tax, which is a salary tax.

Regardless of whether they were working as a traitorous manager or a coolie carrying a bag, they were all charged 8%.

There is also a housing and land rental and sale transaction tax.
Regardless of whether the goods are valuable or cheap, a 20% tax will be levied on the transaction amount.

There are also special industry taxes and fixed business taxes that must be paid every year.

For example, gambling, salt, tea, tobacco, alcohol, hotels, boat and carriage companies, slaughterhouses, night incense companies, etc.
In fact, this is equivalent to the "license fee" in later generations.
In addition, there are also fees for entering the city, stall setting fees, fire protection fees, sanitation fees, cultural and educational fees, and military labor fees...

It even developed to the point that merchants had to send gifts to the government during festivals (including the 24 solar terms).
In order to gain huge profits, the former county magistrate really racked his brains and used every possible means.

Otherwise, how could he have accumulated millions of dollars in just a few years?
But now, this huge fortune,

Once it falls into the hands of the Eighth Board of Directors, Lu Yuan has also thought of a great use for it.

In short, if you encounter such a parent official,

The merchants and common people can only be described in one word: miserable! Too miserable!

When the county representative mentioned something, someone would write it down on a piece of paper. Eventually, the whole piece of paper could not hold all the words.

"Okay! No need to say it!"

Lu Yuan decisively called a halt.

"From now on, Far East will only collect three types of taxes.
The first is the capital gains tax, the second is the high salary tax, the third is the exit tax and the inheritance tax, and the others are not collected.”

Everyone was stunned. They had never heard of these three items and didn't know what they meant.
Lu Yuan talked freely.

“Profit tax mainly targets businesses.

For example, a rice shop charges 250 wen for 100 jin of rice.

Selling 300 coins, earning a gross profit of 50 coins, the government only collects 10% of the gross profit, which is 5 coins as tax.

Everyone was delighted.
Oh, so this is called "profit tax".
Only the profit tax is levied, which is obviously much lower than the original commercial tax. This is good!

The wealthy are even happier, as they can make small profits from selling grain in large quantities, but they can make much more money from selling luxury goods!
However, Lu Yuan said:
"According to the level of profit from the goods, the profit tax is divided into three levels: 11, 12, and 13."

The highest profit tax is 30% of gross profit.

This closes the loophole of huge profits of luxury goods. As the saying goes, the more you earn, the more you pay.
Everyone had no major objection to this, since it was much less than the original county governor.
Lu Yuan continued:

"The high salary tax refers to the original salary tax.
However, this is only for high-income people.

For example, low-level workers who earn less than two dollars a month are exempt from paying taxes.
For those with a balance of two to five taels, the excess amount will be levied at 11%.

For those who pay between five and fifteen taels, the portion exceeding the previous level will be taxed at twelve taels.

If the amount exceeds fifteen, the amount exceeding the previous level will be thirteen. "

After pondering for a while, everyone finally understood.
This is a tiered tax system. The higher the income, the heavier the tax, which is in line with the capital gains tax.

Regarding the last item, exit tax and inheritance tax,
Lu Yuan made a one-size-fits-all decision.
"Anyone who emigrates with property, or an elder who passes away and leaves inheritance to his descendants, will be taxed thirteen yuan by the government."

This sentence caused great controversy.
Those who can come to the meeting are all well-known and almost all rich people.

Profit tax and high salary tax are acceptable to everyone.

However, many people cannot understand the third point, especially the inheritance tax.

It is only natural that our ancestors, who have worked hard all their lives, leave their accumulated wealth to their children and grandchildren.
Why does your government have the right to come and take action?

Isn't this clearly a case of officials seizing people's wealth? !

If we continue to cut down trees like this, after several generations,

All the huge family fortune has become the property of the government!

In the end, the vast majority of representatives expressed opposition, and even asked Chairman Shen,

"Why should every household's private property become government property? This has never made sense since ancient times!"

Lu Yuan smiled slightly and asked softly:

"Everyone, there is an old saying in Tifa that wealth does not last for more than three generations. What does it mean?"

Everyone is smart and understands it immediately.

There is a widely circulated doggerel that illustrates this problem very well:
"What's the point of leaving money to my descendants who are not as good as me? What's the point of leaving money to my descendants who are better than me?"

Seeing that everyone was silent, or hesitated to speak,

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "If you really want to plan for your descendants, I have two ideas..."

Someone ignited hope and asked:
"I'd like to hear the chairman's opinion!"

“First, a family trust fund can be established separately.

Allocate a sum of money every month to your children and grandchildren so that they can live a worry-free life.

Trust funds are exempt from inheritance tax... However, if someone swindles money by hiding it, the government will investigate and recover it according to the law."

This is a workaround. After all, starting a business is difficult, and maintaining a business is even more difficult.
The curse of "wealth does not last for more than three generations" will almost certainly come true.
The trust fund allocates a living allowance to future generations every month, so that at least they won’t starve to death.

Someone else asked, "Is there another way?"

Lu Yuan smiled confidently and said:
"When one side is in trouble, all sides will come to its aid. This is Tifa's traditional virtue.
To encourage charity, all the wise men from all walks of life who donate enthusiastically to charity,
Three types of taxes can be deducted accordingly, and the amount of donation is equal to the amount of deduction."

Everyone's eyes lit up.
Hey!
This method seems good!

Everyone knows that doing charity can earn you a good reputation.

Since paying taxes is unavoidable, it is better to donate it to accumulate virtue for future generations.

Of course, the Tifa people are the smartest people in the world,

Someone asked, "Can we donate whatever we want?"

Lu Yuan laughed and shook his head decisively.

Some people are so shameless that they put money into their right pockets and put it in their left pockets, so he would not fall for it.

“The government only recognizes officially registered charities.
Moreover, the income and expenditure accounts are open and transparent, and are subject to unconditional supervision by government offices and the public. "

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Chairman Shen looked very young.

I didn't expect that he could be so flawless in his words and deeds. That's incredible!
Someone muttered, “Is there such an organization?”

Lu Yuan smiled and said:

"Yes! The newly established 'Far East Love Foundation'...

Miss Judy, please come up!"

Under the spotlight of the crowd, the mixed-race beauty Judy stood on the stage.
"Thank you all, my name is Judy.

The first president of Far East Love Foundation, our main charity project,
It is to help orphans and lonely old people... We plan to
An orphanage and old age home will be built in each state within three years...

I hope to receive generous donations and support from all walks of life!"

Judy is the future chairman's wife, and many people know her. Therefore, many people suspect that this "love foundation" is a husband-and-wife team.
"Can your charity foundation really make its accounts public and subject to supervision?"

Judy shook her head and said:
“First of all, there is no doubt that the accounts are open to scrutiny.

I want to make it clear that this foundation is not mine alone.

I was hired as the president for a two-year term, and I must resign at the end of that term.

Moreover, before taking office, I had already made my assets public.

If there is any corruption or fraud during the term of office, the government officials will strictly investigate and deal with it! "

However, some people are still worried.
What government office is investigating this? Aren’t they in cahoots with you?
“Excuse me, do I have to donate to your foundation?”

Lu Yuan continued:

"Sir, I have made it very clear just now.
Any charitable organization that is officially registered and has transparent accounts is welcome.”

"Chairman, do you mean I can also set up a charity foundation?"

“Of course, the government is happy to see this happen.

In addition, the government's annual budget and revenue and expenditure accounts will also be made public and subject to public supervision!"

"boom!"

Everyone's jaw dropped.
What! ! !
The government office discloses its income and expenditure?

The government should accept supervision from the people?!

This, this... Is there anything wrong with my ears?
Chairman Shen is kidding?

Lu Yuan smiled and said:

"The sage said: Your salary and benefits are the blood and sweat of the people.

The ancients said: If an official does not serve the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes!
The government offices were established by representatives of the people, who were elected by the people.
In short, the people of the Far East are the breadwinners of every official.
Therefore, the people’s affairs should be handled by the people, and the affairs of the Far East should be handled in the Far East!
On behalf of millions of people, Mr. Shen invites you to actively participate in the construction of the Far East New Era! Thank you! "

After saying that, Lu Yuan leaned forward, lowered his head slightly, and bowed to the representatives present.

Now, everyone has no doubts.

They all stood up, clapped their hands, and whispered to each other.
After all, new things always bring many new opportunities.
Anyway, on the surface,
Chairman Shen’s series of governance measures are indeed unique and impressive.

Lu Yuan set an example by publishing the details of the confiscated property of the county magistrate.

Gold, silver and silver notes, about one million dollars in cash,

There are many valuables, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, the value of which is no less than one million.

In Jidong County, the various fields, houses, businesses and hidden shares under his name amount to more than two million!
After all the items were publicly auctioned, the total amount was more than 420 million yuan, which put an end to the matter.

The first grant of 500,000 yuan was given to Judy's "Far East Love Foundation".
In addition to recruiting staff, orphanages, nursing homes and free soup kitchens should be built in each state city.

The second grant of 500,000 yuan was given to the Invalids Society.

Used to pay for the rehabilitation expenses, disability allowances and other expenses of all retired officers and soldiers.

The retired officers and soldiers received the ocean as promised.

They were convinced and returned to their hometown happily, and lived and worked in peace and contentment.

Because all the staff of the county government office were dismissed by Lu Yuan,

Some units and departments have re-hired professionals from society.

For example: Yamen, Far East New Army, Six Gates, Three Law Departments, Taxation, Transportation, Culture and Education, Health, Environmental Sanitation, etc.

The former officials, regardless of their rank or seniority, became civil servants in the transitional period and were employed on a contract basis.

Every civil servant must follow the requirements and serve the people wholeheartedly.
Once there is corruption, fraud, or poor service,
If the complaint is proven, the person will be fined, have his bonus and benefits deducted, and will also have to apologize.

In serious cases, the civil servant will walk sideways into the cell and enjoy free food and accommodation for life!
At the turn of the old and new order,
Lu Yuan acted as fast as lightning and stole the bell.
Within a month, a series of major issues were resolved, including the reorganization of the army, the parliament, various government departments, and the merchant groups of the great powers.

By the way, he also specially called Xiuniang and Mantun to the county seat to continue expanding the Chihe honeycomb coal factory.
"You guys work hard! Promote honeycomb briquettes to every county and town in Far East County as soon as possible!"

And his sister Shen Danfeng,
With the introduction of Elizabeth, she attended a church girls' high school and received systematic Western-style education.

Everything seems to be moving in a good direction.

However, there were two things that made Lu Yuan tense up again.
First, the court learned that a "bottom-up" coup had taken place in Jidong County.

Queen Xingzhen and all the civil and military officials were shocked and angry, and they refused to acknowledge the separatist reality of Jidong County.
There are reports that the imperial court is planning to send a large army by land and sea to besiege the Far East New Army.

This is not surprising to Lu Yuan.

In a corrupt and backward system, those princes, generals and ministers who have vested interests will never voluntarily give up power.

It doesn't matter. By the time they have finished their deployment, the new army will have basically completed its reorganization.

Because they received the county soldiers' equipment intact, the Far East New Army now has strong data on paper.
Three armed steamers, twenty-four rotary machine guns, six rear field artillery pieces, and more than a hundred rockets...

What?
Rockets...are you kidding?

Really not!
Do you remember the time when Prince Green, the monk who Tifa was most capable of fighting, was crippled at Shili Bridge?
At that time, the colonial armies of the great powers used hundreds of them.

The Congolev rocket blew back more than 10,000 elite cavalrymen, and it can be called a "big killer"!
Because of that disastrous defeat, the governors of various regions in Tifa began to believe in the "weapons only theory".
Foreign guns are good, buy them!
The turntable machine gun is awesome, buy it!
Once the rocket explodes a large area, people will buy more!

Far East County is a wealthy place.

In order to consolidate his rule, the county governor spent a lot of money to buy arms from the foreign powers.
However, they do not understand the most obvious truth... He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.

Therefore, this batch of powerful weapons easily fell into Lu Yuan's hands.

After the reorganization, Lu Yuan spent all his time in the army.
Not only that, an officer school and a general staff were established.

It also commissioned the great powers to purchase guns and manufacture and repair equipment.
Build small arsenals and strive to achieve localization of arms.

At the same time, we strengthened the training of our troops.
While innovating the command system and tactics, they also built a reserve militia system.

Because he knew very well,

The imperial court's encirclement and suppression army will arrive soon.

He divided the 20,000 troops into a three-level command system: company, battalion, and regiment.

A fully staffed company includes the company commander, deputy company commander, grenadiers, medics, cooks, communicators, etc., totaling 120 people.

A battalion has three companies, plus the baggage company, mortar squad, machine gun squad, engineering squad, communications squad, medical squad, etc., totaling 450 people.

A regiment has three battalions, plus a staff squad, a supply battalion, an artillery company, a machine gun company, an engineering company, a communications platoon, and a medical platoon, totaling two thousand people.

The entire Far East New Army has a total of six standing field regiments.

In addition to the General Staff, Officer School, Supply Corps, Artillery Corps, Rocket Battalion, Special Attack Brigade, Field Hospital, Engineering Battalion, Communications Battalion, Military Police Patrol, Military Intelligence Department, Arsenal, Transport Fleet, Water Detachment, etc., there are a total of more than 20,000 people.

Of course, there are also some related units, such as the Veterans' Association, the Military Uniform Factory, the Armory Factory, the Military Band, the Boy Scout Center, etc.
At present, the Far East New Army is in a state of looseness on the outside and tightness on the inside.
On the border of Liangjiangzhou and Jiangbeizhou, a regiment was stationed on each side.

At the same time, a regiment was sent to Jiangnan Prefecture in the west.

The other three field regiments gathered in the second line.

The Far East New Army Headquarters is located in the county seat, like a dragon hidden deep in the abyss.

However, the Governor-General of Liangjiang Dong Zhizhang did not see it that way.
According to the information gathered by the scouts,
On the map in front of him, the deployment of the Far East New Army was clearly visible.
After reading it, Governor Dong laughed out loud:

"Haha! I laugh at Shen Beixuan, he is unwise and has committed a cardinal sin in military strategy. He can be defeated in one blow!"

Wu Ziyu, the top general under his command, immediately asked in a timely manner:

"Oh! I would like to hear your opinion, Governor!"

Governor Dong was full of energy and said, pointing:

"Come and see..." (End of this chapter)