Chapter 100: Gambling is life and death! You can’t afford to gamble, and that’s the reality!
"Do you know why we set the commercial tax rate at 1% of the total tax rate?"

After a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Gang and Zhu Biao and said.

"Firstly, food is the most important thing for the people. After experiencing the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty needs to recuperate and resume production in order to restore the vitality of the Central Plains."

"Secondly, you set the tax rate at 1/30 because you are worried that excessively high commercial taxes will cause merchants to raise prices, causing the people to suffer unwarranted disasters."

"Third, just like the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, you want to lower the status of merchants. In this way, you can also ensure the production of food and thus protect the lifeblood of our Ming Dynasty."

"As for the fourth point, the fundamental principle of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce throughout the dynasties is nothing more than four words: strengthening the imperial power."

Zhu Gang thought about it, then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said.

"Yes."

"This is exactly the reason why we set the tax rate of 1 in 30."

"Not only for the people, but also for the Ming Dynasty for generations to come."

"Besides, we hate these unproductive profiteers from the bottom of our hearts!"

"Of course, this is related to my childhood experiences. After all, if it weren't for these unscrupulous merchants forcing people to buy and sell, driving up grain prices, and the exorbitant taxes imposed by the Yuan Dynasty, my parents, your grandparents, wouldn't have starved to death."

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed again, and a hint of bitterness appeared in his eyes.

In the chaotic times at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, corrupt officials were certainly despicable, but what was more straightforward was the harm that the landlords and merchants inflicted on the lower-class people.

Zhu Yuanzhang had a deep understanding of this!
Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang spent his entire life hating both corrupt officials and gentry and merchants!
"But Dad, you have to understand that business is the only way to promote the economy."

"And even if you set such a low tax, all merchants are dishonest. If there is a year of disaster, they will still drive up the price of food and make a lot of money."

"But the taxes paid to the court are still one in thirty."

"Take Taiyuan for example. When I first arrived in Taiyuan, it was a year of great disaster. Grain merchants sold grain at high prices, and the people suffered terribly."

"But they are still unscrupulous and plunder the people's wealth because the taxes are so low. Even though their status is low, their wealth and glory are real."

"This has resulted in ordinary people being unable to afford food, but all these gentry and wealthy businessmen are extremely wealthy."

"After all, the poor people in a certain area support the gentry and the wealthy businessmen, so how can they not be rich?"

"But what about you? There is no money for the Northern Expedition, no money for disaster relief, the Minister of Finance is almost crying, but the court has no money, which is a fatal flaw."

In response to Zhu Yuanzhang's sigh, Zhu Gang simply shook his head.

A tax rate of one in thirty cannot enrich the imperial court or the common people, but can only enrich the gentry and merchants.

Whether it is for the court or for the people, it is imperative to reform commercial taxes!
"But aren't you afraid of causing a turbulent upheaval?"

"After all, once the commercial tax is raised, the gentry and the powerful will become even crazier, and the people will suffer even more."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment before looking at Zhu Gang and said.

"kill!"

"I just arrived in Taiyuan, and I don't want to mediate with them to solve this problem."

"It means formulating rules, abolishing the 1:30 commercial tax, and fundamentally changing the tax system."

"At the same time, we will set prices for goods, set up market monitoring, and unify supervision. Anyone who dares to drive up the prices of goods will be killed!"

"After all, the military power is in my hands, so if anyone dares to disobey, I don't mind starting over from scratch."

Zhu Gang clenched his fists lightly, but the murderous intent in his eyes made even Zhu Yuanzhang, who had spent his entire life in military service, feel frightened.

“Every country’s reform begins with bloodshed.”

"And in this world, everyone except those with the surname Zhu can start over again."

A faint voice sounded, and Zhu Gang raised his head again, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang and continued: "History books are ultimately written by the victors, and behind the glamorous and beautiful scenes, there is always slaughter and blood, especially at this time."

"Putting justice first, the reputation of the Jiangnan gentry has been completely destroyed, and Hu Weiyong and the second brother have also firmly suppressed the gentry and powerful people in Jiangnan."

"Then now is the best time. Starting from Jiangnan and ending at the end of the world, we will begin an era of great governance and reform!"

"If there are those who do not submit to the king's rule, they will be destroyed under the iron hoof, and will not be able to overthrow the foundation of our Ming Dynasty!"

After saying this, Zhu Gang slowly stood up again.

"What should I do?"

Zhu Biao also stood up and looked at Zhu Gang.

"The Commercial Department will be established, with five departments under its jurisdiction: the Commercial Administration Department, the Regulation Department, the Commercial Management Department, the Price Department, and the Trade Department."

"Commercial Administration Bureau: Responsible for the drafting, compilation and revision of commercial laws, as well as the investigation of illegal merchants."

“The Regulatory and Supervision Bureau formulates and supervises the implementation of business norms and coordinates planning, supervision and management.”

"The Business Administration Bureau is responsible for the opening and closing of accounts for all merchants in Daming, as well as the verification of their qualifications and other management matters."

“The Price Bureau is responsible for controlling market prices, especially food prices, preventing price gouging and vicious competition, and maintaining market stability.”

"The Trade Department is responsible for managing and supervising domestic personal trade and personal foreign trade affairs to promote smooth trade."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment before turning to look at Zhu Biao and said, "As for the detailed planning, as well as the organizational structure and responsibilities of the business company, give me two days."

"Your idea is that from now on the imperial court will intervene in commerce and set up departments to manage it, so as to coordinate commerce across the country."

Zhu Yuanzhang also looked at Zhu Gang thoughtfully.

"Yes."

"In this way, the imperial court can unify the planning, increase commercial taxes, and promote the economy of our Ming Dynasty at the same time."

"This will help businesses to support industry, and industry to support agriculture, and avoid buying high and selling low in the market, which will be more beneficial to the people."

Zhu Gang smiled and nodded.

“Use business to help industry, and industry to help agriculture?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little confused.

“I explained this to my eldest brother. It is to let commerce and industry support each other and jointly promote the development of agriculture.”

"If we continue this cycle, then whether it's industry, commerce, or agriculture, they can all be developed, and then why should we worry about the Ming Dynasty not prospering?"

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and explained.

"But have you ever thought that vigorously developing commerce is not conducive to food production? Moreover, throughout the dynasties, the most prosperous period of commerce was definitely not the founding of the country."

"This is because, after the founding of the country, all national policies were centered on restoring farming. After all, after experiencing the turbulent times, human life was as cheap as an ant, so the first thing to do was to ensure that the people had enough food to eat."

"But look at the Ming Dynasty now. It's already difficult for the people to have enough food to eat. Where do we get the spare money to promote business?"

"Furthermore, if the imperial court fails to supervise properly and market supervisors collude with merchants, won't the people be the ones who suffer in the end?"

Of course Zhu Yuanzhang understood what Zhu Gang meant, but he still shook his head.

"First, commercial development needs to be gradual and should not be rushed. The main focus should be on restoring farming."

"The intention is to allow the court to intervene in commerce, thereby unifying the prices of goods and implementing market supervision, thereby avoiding buying low and selling high, so that the people can profit from it."

"Secondly, by focusing on agriculture, we can also lay a good foundation for business, thereby better promoting development."

"It means that the court will re-measure the land and implement the tax-tax system, so that officials and gentry will pay taxes together."

"The court also took this opportunity to reclaim many acres of land. According to my son's idea, all the confiscated land should be listed as official land, and a land division should be established to take charge of all land matters."

"What do you mean? It's what my elder brother and I discussed earlier."

"The government-owned land was leased to the people, who were allowed to cultivate it, but in name, it still belonged to the court and they did not have to pay taxes."

"As for rent, in a year of great abundance, the court will take 10%; in a year of great disaster, the court can take half, or even waive rent for the people."

"In this way, even in a year of great disaster, the people can survive, and the fields will not be abandoned, let alone fall into the hands of the gentry and the powerful." "It can also show your love for the people and your kindness."

"In this way, the people have the imperial court behind them and food in their hands, and they can avoid the middlemen making a profit from the price difference."

"For the people, this means having enough to eat, warm clothes, and plenty of food, which will create demand."

"Then how can we not promote business and industry if there is demand?"

"Underpopulation?"

"Stop joking. With abundant food, the population of our Ming Dynasty will also increase dramatically."

"As for your concern about the farmland being left uncultivated, that's unnecessary."

“No matter how wealthy a family is, in the hearts of the people, farming is the foundation of their family. No matter what, they will not give up their own land, but continue to cultivate it.”

"Besides, is that what you call collusion between officials and businessmen? Are the Jinyiwei just there to eat and work?"

"Well, the Jinyiwei are just eating dry food."

After saying this, Zhu Gang picked up the teacup and moistened his throat. Then he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang mysteriously and said with a smile: "Son also has a way."

What are deep-rooted ideas?

That is the earth!

For farmers, they cannot sleep well without land.

So no matter how good the court's policies were, they still wanted to have land in their own hands.

why?
Dynasties change and emperors take turns. Who can guarantee that the Ming Dynasty will not perish?

And who can guarantee that the next emperor will be a wise ruler or a foolish one?
After all, the people are not stupid. Once this national policy is gone and their families have no land, how can they survive?

So we still have to open up the fields when we need to.

As for doing business, don't make a fuss. The most simple moral value of the people is to weigh the pros and cons and calculate the gains and losses.

Instead of fighting with the family’s food rations, it is better to live an honest life.

Otherwise, there would be no poor people throughout history!
Only the dead and the rich!
Gambling is about life and death!

The reality is that we can’t afford the gamble.

Some people spend their entire lives complaining about being born in the wrong era, but when opportunities are right in front of them, do they have the courage to take that step?
"any solution?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment before nodding, but he was still curious.

"The court follows the system of appointment."

Zhu Gang smiled meaningfully again.

"The court follows the appointment system?"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both shook their heads.

"The imperial court's appointment system is to prevent local forces from forming cliques and strengthening the imperial court's control over the prefectures by regularly rotating the places of work of officials."

"To put it simply, it prevents local officials from solidifying their power, thereby strengthening central authority."

"For example, if the term is five years, then officials will serve for a five-year term. After the term ends, they need to be transferred to other states to avoid staying in the same state for a long time and forming a complex and solidified power."

"Furthermore, the performance of officials during their term of office will serve as an important reference for the adjustment of official positions during rotation. Outstanding officials can be promoted or transferred to the capital to serve."

"In this case, how can officials from different states and who have nothing to do with each other form a mutual interest and protect each other?"

Zhu Gang leaned lazily in his chair again, and then smiled slowly.

"good idea!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes suddenly lit up and he clapped his hands in applause.

“That’s a good idea indeed.”

A hint of joy flashed across Zhu Biao's eyes.

"If you have worries in your heart, you are doomed to be timid. Even if you want to be greedy, you have to consider the consequences!"

"After all, five years is too short compared to a lifetime, so no official dares to risk the wrath of the world!"

Zhu Yuanzhang also said with a smile on his face.

"First, it strengthens centralization."

"Secondly, we must prevent the solidification of power."

"Thirdly, even if we cannot completely eliminate corrupt officials, we can at least make them feel cautious and not dare to act recklessly."

"The next thing is promotion. After all, there is no official who doesn't want to be promoted, and the only criterion for promotion is political performance. However, since the implementation of the imperial appointment system, the imperial court has the final say."

"At the same time, my son proposed that they be transferred randomly from south to north to prevent them from colluding with the ministers in the court."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment before looking at Zhu Yuanzhang and said.

"Can!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded without even thinking about it.

"Then let the boss handle this matter."

After a pause, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Gang and spoke again.

"Of course I'll leave it to the boss. After all, I already have enough to do."

Zhu Gang waved his hand indifferently.

"only."

After saying this, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Yuanzhang again, hesitant to speak.

"Say!"

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately rolled his eyes.

"Then let me be frank. The court is implementing the appointment system, so shouldn't the salaries of officials also be increased?"

Zhu Gang thought about it and then spoke.

"Salary increase? No way!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then he decisively waved his hand and said, "The salary we set for them is definitely enough!"

"How can you say that?"

"Throughout the dynasties, has there ever been a lower salary than that of the Ming Dynasty?"

"Let's not talk about anything else. For example, the annual salary of a seventh-rank official is only 80 shi, and the monthly salary is only a little over 6 shi."

"If it's just me, it's enough, but what about a family? You're only counting one mouth!"

"There are also clerks in local government offices. The court does not fully cover their salaries. In order to support their families, don't local officials have to pay out of their own pockets?"

"Then the monthly salary is more than six stones. Even if they don't want to be greedy, it's impossible!"

"Otherwise, how can we live like this? If an official can't even afford to eat, then what's the point of being an official?"

"Of course, they can ignore it, but if they do, who among these local government officials would be willing to work for the court? Who would be willing to work for the government office?"

In response to this, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with annoyance.

(End of this chapter)