Xia Zhongshi's rise to prominence in the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was due to the recognition and strong recommendation of his fellow villager Tang Mo, who had attended a private school at a young age and was well-known in his hometown for his mastery of classics and history at the age of ten.
If his father and elder brother had not died one after another, leaving him as the only male in the family to shoulder the heavy burden, he would not have "dropped his studies to become a businessman." Perhaps he would have passed the imperial examination and become an official.
Others might not like Xia Zhongshi, and he also didn't like greedy and uncultured businessmen, but Tang Mo valued him very much and said with a smile: "Old Xia, explain it more clearly so that everyone can be assured."
Xia Zhongshi took a leisurely sip of tea and said slowly, "Shao Jingbang and Yang Qiaoshi have betrayed the imperial court by seeking fame and favor. As tax collectors, they fail to fulfill their duties. What kind of officials are they?"
Tang Mo pondered for a moment and guessed, "You mean to say that the imperial court is also going to clean up the bureaucracy, and it's not just targeting the Jiangnan merchants?"
Xia Zhongshi chuckled and said, "You all know it well, even if I don't say it. Given the current government's enforcement capabilities, even if the tax rate is raised several times, how much will the commercial tax increase be, and how much more can the court collect?"
Glancing at the crowd with a hint of disdain, Xia Zhongshi continued, "Landlords and gentry concealing and delaying payments, and merchants evading taxes—these are just superficial problems. When the imperial court cracked down on the corrupt gentry and landlords, it also didn't forget to punish the local officials. This shows the essence of the matter."
"Merchants are certainly responsible for tax evasion, but they are also helpless. Simply explain this to His Majesty. Since His Majesty wants the Chamber of Commerce to conduct self-inspection and self-correction, then we should establish a set of regulations. Anyone who dares to violate the law will be immediately expelled from the Chamber of Commerce."
"To ensure the Chamber of Commerce isn't compromised by a few greedy individuals, I'm thinking of setting up a membership threshold. Members would have to pay a deposit. If anyone commits tax evasion or other illegal activities, their deposit would be confiscated and they would be expelled from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce."
Everyone was either lost in thought, or frowning, or looking at Xia Zhongshi with displeasure. Finally, their gazes turned to Tang Mo, awaiting his decision as the guild leader.
Tang Mo pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, saying, "Old Xia is right. Regardless of whether the taxes we pay can be used by the court, we must still abide by the law. Paying a deposit will confiscate the property of the offender and revoke their membership in the Chamber of Commerce. This will appease the Emperor, and I think it should be included in the proposal to be submitted."
"President..." a middle-aged businessman said doubtfully, "Paying the full tax won't be a problem, but what about managing the situation? We used to take care of one side, but now we have to take care of two. I'm afraid we'll lose money!"
"Then let's not make any arrangements." Xia Zhongshi answered Tang Mo very straightforwardly, "Don't forget, if the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce had the right to submit petitions like the Haishang and Zhonghua Chambers of Commerce, the emperor would have the final say. What would there be to be afraid of?"
"Old Xia is right." A businessman nodded in agreement and said, "Last year, we saw that the emperor was extremely harsh in dealing with officials who broke the law. He was quite like Taizu. In the early Ming Dynasty, Taizu punished corrupt officials and recovered their salaries to compensate merchants..."
"The Maritime Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce rely on this, and the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce is also seeking the emperor's recognition." Someone else echoed, "If it weren't for this, who wouldn't go home for the New Year?"
Tang Mo smiled and nodded, knowing that the main tone of the letter had been decided.
This is not surprising. When they came here, they were prepared to pay a heavy price and get the same treatment as the Maritime Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Now it seems that the emperor is not interested in this and does not intend to rob or plunder. In that case, there is nothing to be afraid of. After all, obeying the law is a constraint. Don't be like those gentry and students who were beheaded and complained about it until their death!
………………
"Your Majesty, may you have a happy New Year and all the best." May ran over happily, knelt down and kowtowed, saying the New Year greetings fluently.
But Zhao Dabao was silly and came over with a grunt. At May's urging, he knelt down and kowtowed, just to pay his respects, but his words were far less sweet than May's.
Zhu Youxiao really liked this little cutie. He went up to her and pinched her cheeks, saying with a smile, "May, what did you eat today?"
Wu Yue grinned, knowing the emperor was teasing her, and said crisply, "We had pork rice and vermicelli soup for lunch, and we don't know what we'll have for dinner yet!"
Zhao Dabao chuckled twice, not sure if he was making fun of May or just thought it was funny.
Zhu Youxiao touched the girl's head and asked in surprise, "What a coincidence! You are the first one to see me coming."
May blinked her big eyes and smiled and said, "It's not a coincidence. I've been busy making a snowman here for a while!"
Snowman? Zhu Youxiao looked at a strange pile of snow beside the path, which was neither round nor square. He felt that his imagination was a little poor. He didn't even realize it was a snowman.
May didn't realize this and continued, "May knew Wansui would come sooner or later, so she built a snowman to welcome you."
As she said that, she turned and glared at Zhao Dabao, "I told you not to follow me, but you insisted. You wouldn't be able to build it faster than me alone, and it's so ugly."
Zhao Dabao scratched his head and said, "It's not finished yet. First, push it into a big pile, then cut and repair it, and it will look like a person! You didn't say it was for the emperor to see, otherwise, I could pile it faster and better."
May pouted, looking disgusted.
Zhu Youxiao was very pleased. What the child said was the most sincere. It was not a compliment, but came from the heart.
Li Chengcheng handed two boxes of candy to Wuyue and Zhao Dabao, saying, "Little Wuyue, and you, this is a reward for you."
Wu Yue happily took it and said, "Your Majesty, I will continue to build a snowman. You will be able to see it when you go back."
"Don't get cold." Zhu Youxiao instructed, "If you get cold, go back to the house and rest. I will come to see when the pile is finished."
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