Shanghai has no shortage of blond and blue-eyed Westerners, as the largest port city in the East, as the most open city in the Qing Dynasty, as the political and economic, financial and commercial, industrial science and technology center of the Qing Dynasty, Shanghai is inhabited by countless diplomats, businessmen, missionaries, scientific and technological talents and technicians from Western countries all the year round, it is not difficult to understand the tax burden of Western countries, coupled with convenient cable telegraphs, in just a few days, Zhao Liewen and Yi Zhengxing have completed the task of Yi Zhi**.

Early this morning, Zhao Liewen put an investigation report on Yi Zhi's desk and sighed: "It's really better than not knowing, and I'm shocked, the backward autocratic imperial power of the Qing Dynasty is far lower than that of Britain, France, and the United States and other constitutional countries in terms of taxes." ”

Yi Zhengxing continued: "If the level of tax burden is used as the standard of freedom, there is no doubt that our citizens are undoubtedly much freer than those of Britain, France, the United States and other countries. ”

Yi Zhishu said casually while flipping through the investigation report: "If you want to talk about freedom, my country is better than Britain, France, the United States and other countries, the imperial court is extremely indulgent to the people, and the people have nothing to do with the government except for paying food according to the regulations."

As for the low tax burden, the reason is simple, the cost is low! Compared with Western countries, the Chinese court plays the role of an arbiter rather than a manager, so only a small number of bureaucrats are needed to effectively govern the people, and in addition, the income of officials is also very low. ”

Yi Zhengxing was a little puzzled: "The role of the arbiter? ”

"Yes, that's the role of the arbiter." Yi Zhizu said: "You need to understand the actual situation of our country in detail, and if you don't understand, please ask Mr. Zhao with an open mind." ”

"Don't dare to ask for advice, let's discuss it together." Zhao Liewen modestly asked: "Is the low tax burden a good thing or a bad thing?" ”

The two people who saw it asked one after another, and Yi Zhishu simply put down the report and said: "For the people, low tax burden is naturally a good thing, but for the country, low tax burden is a bad thing. In this era of increasingly fierce competition between countries, it is necessary to gather national strength as much as possible in order to compete with Western countries! ”

Zhao Liewen said worriedly: "If the constitutionalism is implemented, it will increase taxes, and I am afraid that it will cause the people to resist the constitutionalism ......." ”

Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, "Do you remember the previous debate about the people being rich and the country being strong and the country being rich and the people strong?" ”

Zhao Liewen nodded and said, "The student remembers that the big shopkeeper is in favor of the prosperity of the people and the strength of the country. ”

"Not bad." Yi Zhizhi said: "The country's fiscal revenue comes from taxes, and taxes come from the people. If the people are rich, a slight adjustment of the tax rate or the addition of new taxes can greatly increase the country's income. Yuanqi's personal income tax on the increase of various factory owners, has Huifu noticed it?

Personal income tax in the UK is still being piloted, this is a good tax, it is worth vigorously promoting the popularization, becoming the main tax of the country, the richer the people, the more abundant the income of personal income tax, from the people to the wealth of the country and then to the country, this is a virtuous circle. ”

Listening to the conversation between the two, Yi Zhengxing couldn't help frowning, feeling that the topic of the two seemed to be far away, Zhao Liewen had been content with Yi for a long time, and he knew his conversation style very well, so he muttered slightly, and then said tentatively: "The meaning of the big shopkeeper is to promote the wealth of the people, and then carry out tax innovation?" ”

Yi Zhishu did not answer directly, but asked rhetorically: "What is the essence of constitutionalism?" ”

Why did you get up to this problem again? Yi Zhengxing felt that he had been confused, but Zhao Liewen pondered: "The essence of constitutionalism is to protect the rights of citizens and restrain the power ....... of the imperial court. ”

"In my opinion, a country of imperial autocracy is a country of one surname, and a constitutional country is a country of the people." Yi Zhizhi said slowly: "The foundation of a constitutional state lies in the people, there is a country for the people, everything in the country represents the people, and the people are the real masters of the country, so the state will also put the protection of people's rights in the first place."

However, rights and duties are an inseparable and unified whole, and since citizens have rights, they must have obligations, so what are the obligations of citizens? The main thing is to pay taxes! Every citizen has an obligation to pay taxes!

The transformation of autocratic imperial power into constitutional government is, in my opinion, a power and tax transaction! The right of citizens to participate in politics in exchange for the obligation of citizens to pay taxes!

Compared with Western countries, China's tax burden is really low to the extent that it can not be lower, which is not conducive to China's competition with Western countries, nor is it conducive to China's own economic development, therefore, once the real constitutionalism is realized, tax reform is imperative, and tax increases are inevitable.

Before the tax reform or before the tax increase, before the realization of a real constitutional government, it is necessary to promote the prosperity of the people as soon as possible, so that the people will not resist the constitution, and if necessary, the state's fiscal revenue can be greatly increased. ”

After going around in a circle, he finally said it thoroughly, Yi Zhengxing groaned for a while, and then asked tentatively: "Is this investigation report publicly published by provincial newspapers?" ”

"Not for the time being." Yi Zhizhi said: "At present, the provinces are preparing to set up advisory bureaus, and the advisory bureaus have the right to decide on the provincial budgets, final accounts, tax laws, public debts, etc., and it is not too late to throw them out after they find that they are unable to make ends meet." ”

However, in half a month, the first consultative bureau of the Qing Dynasty, the Jiangsu Consultative Bureau, was officially established in the 'Wutong Garden' on Zhennan Road in Shanghai, and the newspapers of all sizes in Shanghai and abroad have carried out key reports on this, and the newspapers of various provinces have reprinted it and urged themselves to set up the advisory bureau as soon as possible, and the governors of all provinces have accelerated the pace of preparing for the establishment of the advisory bureau, whether actively or passively.

The ancient and huge empire of the East tried to implement constitutional government, and the Western countries maintained a high degree of attention, of course, their mentality was different, and the United States, which had the closest relationship with Yuan Qi and had no conflict of interest, highly praised it, Tsarist Russia was happy and worried, and Britain and France were quite complicated.

Jingshi, Embassy District, British Embassy.

In the spacious and bright office, the British Minister Walson sat on the high-backed sofa chair and smoked a cigar silently.

Obviously, once the Qing State implements a constitutional monarchy, the real power will fall into the hands of Yuan Qi, which means that the Qing State is likely to rise rapidly and accelerate the pace of foreign expansion, which will not only seriously affect the expansion of England in Asia, but may even endanger the interests of England in India. Of course, it is not without its benefits that Yuan Qi controls the real power of the Qing State, and the Qing State may be more open, which is conducive to the trade between the two countries.

More than half of the large quantities of arms ordered by the Qing court have been delivered, and I don't know if there will be civil strife, if a large-scale civil strife can break out like the United States, we must find an opportunity to test it, and at least show the Qing court that England is determined and actively supports them.

While he was meditating to himself, a counselor came in and reported, "Your Excellency, King Gong has come to visit. ”

Upon hearing that Gong Wang Yiyi, who was expected to be the prime minister of the cabinet, came to visit, Walson was overjoyed, and hurriedly got up and walked out quickly.

After greeting Yi Yi at the gate and greeting warmly for a while, Walson gave the other party to the luxuriously decorated living room, and after taking a seat, Yi Yi asked directly: "When will the next batch of arms be delivered?" ”

Hearing him ask about the arms, Walson was secretly happy in his heart, and said slowly: "I will be able to arrive in Tianjin next month." As he spoke, he tentatively said, "If you want to be in a hurry, you can be faster." ”

Yi Yi glanced at him and said, "The war against the Japanese has basically ended, and a large number of Yuanqi new troops are arriving in Tianjin one after another. ”

Is this a prelude to war? Walson's heart was ecstatic, and he hurriedly said: "I will immediately send a telegram urging me to deliver it within twenty days." After a pause, he continued: "Ships, artillery, rifles, and ammunition can be provided in large quantities by our country at the best price. ”

Yi Yi could see through the other party's thoughts at a glance, and he said quietly: "We still need a huge low-interest loan, can your country also provide it?" ”

"Absolutely." Walson said without hesitation, as long as he can provoke a large-scale civil war in the Qing Kingdom, it is worth paying even a little price.

"Thank you." Yi Yi said in a sincere tone: "If necessary, this king will seek assistance from your country as soon as possible, but the top priority is to establish a military factory in Beijing as soon as possible, and we need to be able to manufacture and produce guns and ammunition by ourselves." ”

"I am happy to serve His Highness, and we will help His Highness build a large-scale military factory as soon as possible." Walson smiled.

Forbidden City, Nourishing Heart Palace, East Warm Pavilion.

Ci'an glanced at Su Shun, who was kneeling outside the bead curtain, and said in a deep voice: "Clearly tell Yi Zhishu that after the implementation of constitutionalism, this palace can't manage it, and I don't want to take care of it!" However, before the implementation of the constitution, the new army of Yuan Qi was not allowed to enter Tianjin. ”

After a slight sigh, Su Shuncai said: "The landing of Yuanqi's new army in Tianjin should be caused by the imperial court's purchase of a large number of arms from England, and Weichen implores to go to Shanghai to meet with Yi Zhizhi. ”

"It's okay to go to Shanghai for an interview." Ci'an said slowly: "Tell him that since this palace is determined to establish a constitution, it will not be easily changed, don't be suspicious and disrupt the current rare good situation." ”

"Wechen obeys." Su Shun hurriedly kowtowed, raised his head, and said tentatively: "At the beginning, Yi Zhishu promised to conquer the Wa Kingdom and then imitated the example of Korea, but now the war of the Wa State has basically ended...... ”

"No need to mention it." Ci'an interrupted him angrily, she was full of unhappiness when she mentioned this, the entire Wa Kingdom was almost slaughtered by Yuanqi, what is the court going to do? The imperial court does not have large-scale immigration, besides, if this trend continues, a constitution will soon be formed, so why should she bother with that leisure.

"The Queen Mother'——。" Su Shun kowtowed lightly and said slowly: "The land of the four islands of the Japanese Kingdom is comparable to a major province, and the establishment of a province and a government can not only arrange officials but also increase the number of parliamentarians....... Moreover, immigration does not need to be burdened by the imperial court. ”

After his reminder, Ci'an came back to his senses, nodded slightly, and said, "Since this is the case, then fight for it." ”

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Book House.

Hu Guangyong walked into the room slowly and arched his hand: "Big shopkeeper——。 ”

"Snow Rock is here." Yi Zhixiang smiled and stretched out his hand to give up his seat, "Sit, no formality." ”

"Thank you, shopkeeper." Hu Guangyong sat down at the bottom after thanking him, he knew that the other party was very busy, and he didn't talk nonsense, so he said straightforwardly: "Big treasurer, there has been a wave of changes in the price of gold on the New York Gold Exchange, but in ten days, the price of gold has risen from $132 to $144........ ”

The price of gold in New York during the Civil War was like a roller coaster with amazing ups and downs, but the price of gold after the war has been extremely stable, the reason is very simple, a large amount of gold has been reserved by the Federal Treasury Department, and only 15 million gold has been put into circulation and trading on the market, so the purpose of this is to prevent the gold trading market from being manipulated and monopolized.

In ten days, the price of gold fluctuated by twelve dollars, which was indeed very abnormal, Yi Zhizhi lit a cigarette and groaned for a while before saying, "What do you think of Xueyan?" ”

"Gold in New York is not suitable for speculation at the moment." Hu Guangyong said slowly: "However, it has been reported that some congressmen strongly oppose the use of gold to buy back green-backed US bills issued during the war. ”

Listening to the green-backed dollar bills, Yi Zhizhi raised his eyebrows, Yuan Qi hoarded a large amount of greenback during the Civil War, that is, when the price of green-backed dollar bills was the lowest, and they were exchanged for gold after the war, which was a lot of bad money, and now there are people who oppose it? After a slight groan, he said, "Is this news reliable?" ”

"I'm not sure." Hu Guangyong shook his head.

Yi Zhixiang smiled and said, "Since Xue Yan came to report, I think you are tempted?" ”

"If the big shopkeeper can confirm that this news is true, we can speculate. Hu Guangyong said slowly: "The issuance of green-backed dollar bills is not small, and the intensity of recycling in recent years is not very large, if the federal government really intends to give up recycling, the price of gold will inevitably rise sharply." ”

"No need to inquire and verify." Yi Zhishu said in a firm tone: "This news is fake. ”

Hu Guangyong said with some surprise: "Fake? ”

"Fake." Yi Zhizu said: "It's impossible not to recycle!" Without the greenback dollar bills, the federal government could have lost the war, and even if the pressure was great, the federal government would not have been able to claim that it would not recycle the greenback dollars. ”

Hu Guangyong didn't dare to question Yi Zhicontent's judgment, however, he was still a little lost in his heart, he originally thought that the opportunity was coming, but he didn't expect that this was not an opportunity, but a trap, he stood up and was about to retire, but Yi Zhixiang suddenly remembered 'Black Friday', looked up and thought for a while, and then he ordered: "From now on, pay attention to the gold price in New York!" ”

Hu Guangyong was overjoyed, "Have a chance?" ”

Seeing the excitement on his face, Yi Zhixiang smiled and said: "There may be opportunities, but this market is too small." ”

"No matter how small a mosquito is, it's not meat." Hu Guangyong said with a smile: "The main thing is to practice hands. ”

"It's okay to practice." Yi Zhicontent said with a smile: "When the price falls back to a low point, I will eat a little bit one after another, and it is too ugly to eat goodbye." ”