Zheng Xunrui made the decision to adjust the tax structure, which cannot be discussed with anyone, because the result of the discussion is that everyone will oppose it, because the adjustment of the tax structure directly affects the interests of the scholar class, you must know that it is the scholar class that supports the imperial court, they hold the power and formulate policies, if you move their interests, they will fight back wildly.

Because the leaders stand at different levels, they can only make decisions on major matters alone.

Zheng Xunrui knows very well that if the current tax structure is not adjusted, then nothing can be handled well.

Judging from the rise of the Zheng family, although a large amount of money was seized in the early stage because of the conquest and so on, which allowed the Zheng family army to develop significantly, but what can really support the steady development of the Zheng family army is the mutual market with the Mongolian tribes, which is actually a means of making money, so Zheng Xunrui served as the governor of Caoyun, and still left 5,000 soldiers stationed in Xi'an and other places, the purpose is to protect the mutual market with the Mongolian tribes and make money from it.

However, with the gradual growth of Zheng Jiajun, such expenses are obviously not satisfied, especially after the Firearms Bureau began to develop firearms and artillery, the expenses have increased significantly, and if there is no stable source of income, it is almost impossible to sustain it.

Continuing to exploit the people is tantamount to quenching thirst by drinking a donkey, and ultimately destroying oneself.

The normal operation of the government, not to mention, the officials' salaries are pitifully low, if they do not rely on the income of fire consumption, they cannot maintain the basic life at all, but the fire consumption is all borne by the people, which is equivalent to increasing the burden of the people, and in the end the people have a time when they can not bear it, and the chaos in the north is a good example.

The imperial court is also exhausted because of the depletion of taxes and the frequent wars, and it can't take out the money to solve the problems of people's livelihood. So that the common people basically have no way to live.

The best way to solve all these problems is to adjust the tax structure so that commercial and trade taxes account for the majority of fiscal revenue, and the government must implement the concept of taking from the people and giving to the people. The commercial and trade taxes that will be levied must be reasonably disposed of, and there must be a part for people's livelihood.

The large-scale relief of the people in various parts of Huaibei actually relied on the income obtained after the Cao Gang was exterminated in the first place. This money could have lasted for a long time, so that Zheng Xunrui had enough time to adjust, but the emergence of many things made Zheng Xunrui aware of the dangerous atmosphere, if he didn't do it early, I am afraid that with the passage of time, the difficulties encountered will become greater.

Once the adjustment of the tax structure is successful, Zheng Xunrui will next give the imperial court a concession and open a sea ban in Huaibei.

Zheng Zhilong is entrenched in the Fujian area, relying on a strong fleet. Controlling the transportation by sea, the annual income from it reached more than 10 million taels of silver, which had long exceeded the actual tax income that the imperial court could get throughout the year, and it can be said that Zheng Zhilong was rich by controlling the transportation roads at sea.

How could Zheng Xunrui forget this piece, once he can free up his hands, he will definitely have to meddle in the affairs of maritime trade, the Penglai Naval Division, which has been under the direct jurisdiction of the Governor's Palace, is gradually growing, I believe it will not be long. The Penglai Sailor will become a giant on the sea, and at that time, Zheng Zhilong will have no chance to say no.

In these aspects, Zheng Xunrui still has a lot to do.

But do these things well. There is also a very crucial aspect, that is, there must be competent people to do it, and it must be supported on a large scale, especially the officials that Zheng Xunrui relies on and trusts.

Fortresses are easiest to breach from within.

Adjusting the tax structure can be said to be a matter of great importance. Regarding Zheng Xunrui's future development, Zheng Xunrui doesn't care whether the imperial court supports it or not, and he doesn't plan to let the imperial court really support it, but the officials of the governor's palace and Huaibei prefecture and county must be supported, not only to support, but also to participate in it many times.

For example, when Hongmen punished those merchants who were unwilling to pay taxes, these merchants went to the yamen of Fuzhou County or even the Governor's Mansion to complain, but they would definitely not be able to get support, not only could they not get support, but the officials of Fuzhou County and the Governor's Mansion had to be reprimanded mercilessly.

Merchants are powerful and shrewd, since ancient times, they will find everything that can be broken through, clever use, in order to get the greatest benefit from it, once the Huaibei Prefecture and County Yamen and the Governor's Mansion in the adjustment of taxes, there are different voices, you can imagine what kind of choice the merchants and scholars will make.

Shi Kefa, Ma Shiying, Su Jiancheng and others entered the Donglin Book House.

Zheng Xunrui did not be verbose, and explained the idea of adjusting taxes succinctly.

Shi Kefa and the others were dumbfounded when they heard this, and after Zheng Xunrui finished speaking, Shi Kefa couldn't help but speak.

"My lord, the imperial court has repeatedly emphasized that wealth is hidden from the people, and it is not allowed to compete with the people for profit, as for the scholars with meritorious reputation, it is the rule set by Emperor Taizu not to bear the taxes, if Huaibei adjusts the tax structure, will it not be punished by the imperial court......"

Shi Kefa's words represent the thoughts of everyone.

After Shi Kefa finished speaking, Zheng Xunrui spoke unceremoniously.

"The so-called hiding wealth from the people, not competing with the people, I think these are all disguises, Lord Shi, Master Ma, Lord Su, you have all been officials in the north for many years, you know the situation of the people in the north, hiding wealth from the people, do you have anything to do with them, they can't eat, what kind of wealth do you hide, you have followed me to the south for a long time, I have come into contact with a lot of businessmen and scholars, how rich they are, how luxurious, you should also know that the so-called wealth of the imperial court is hidden from the people, In fact, it is to protect these merchants and scholars. ”

"When the people in the north were struggling on the line of death, the merchants and scholars in the south did not save them when they saw death, but shouted that they were rich for the people, and when they saw that Fuzhou County was attacked by the rogues, and when the situation in the north was unstable, the scholars and businessmen thought of protecting their own interests, and they were even drunk on money, and they didn't care at all, and they even prevented any policy of adjusting taxes, and were unwilling to come up with a penny of silver."

"If we still want to protect the interests of these people, it is to watch the Ming Dynasty being hollowed out by these people."

"Emperor Taizu respects scholars and exempts them from paying taxes, which is to encourage more people to study, so that the imperial court can select more talents from them and govern the place. These scholars and merchants did not have to bear the agricultural tax, but the corresponding agricultural tax fell on the people. ”

"Farming and paying taxes is a matter of course, and the people understand things, scholars and businessmen will not understand, but it is a pity that in the face of interests, the discipline of scholars and businessmen does not exist, and they are blinded by the desire for profit."

"This situation must be changed, otherwise the chaos in the north will continue to the south sooner or later, and at that time, even if a saint comes, it will not be able to save the ruined situation."

"A few days ago, the cabinet actually proposed again to levy the arrears of agricultural taxes over the years, I am resolutely opposed, the so-called collection of arrears of agricultural taxes over the years, is to let the people bear, the first year of Chongzhen, the Donglin Party proposed to collect arrears of agricultural taxes, which led to a large-scale rebellion in the north, the lesson is still vivid, I really don't know what some adults in the DPRK want to do."

"Whether it is a scholar, a merchant or an ordinary person, they are all the people of the Ming Dynasty, and they must take responsibility, the most direct manifestation is in terms of taxation, this time I made up my mind, if there are scholars and businessmen who dare to resist, then they will wait for their families to be ruined, and wait until they become destitute people, see what they think."

"You are all the people I rely on the most, and each of you is responsible for one aspect of the matter, and I hope you can understand the reason, even if you can't fully understand it, and support me in adjusting the tax payment." ……

Zheng Xunrui's words made Shi Kefa and the others lower their heads in contemplation.

Zheng Xunrui said all the truth, and it is the actual situation, Shi Kefa, Ma Shiying, Su Jiancheng and others have been officials in the north for many years, the suffering of the common people, they have seen it with their own eyes, after coming to Huaibei, the wealth of scholars and businessmen really surprised them.

Some truths are actually very simple, once they are said, everyone will understand, but once their own interests are involved, no matter what you say, people will not admit it, and everyone wants to protect their own interests.

If Zheng Xunrui wants to break such a layer of interest pattern, he will definitely encounter huge resistance, which is no way to do it.

After a long time, Shi Kefa raised his head.

"What the lord means, the lower official understands, the adult's words hit the nail on the head, making the lower official feel ashamed, such a simple truth, the lower official has not been very clear, the adult's request is reasonable and reasonable, the lower official will do his best to support the adult's decision."

Ma Shiying and Su Jiancheng also expressed their position.

It should be said that Shi Kefa, Ma Shiying, Su Jiancheng and others have followed Zheng Xunrui's side for a long time, and they are responsible for a large part of things.

After Ma Shiying and others made their statements, Zheng Xunrui had a smile on his face.

"The adjustment of taxes will start next month, and we will encounter a lot of troubles at that time, as long as we work together, we will be able to overcome any difficulties, and I hope you will prepare accordingly in advance." (To be continued.) )