As for the emperor's thoughts, the people of Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce have been studying and discussing them for several days, and they have not had a good time for years.
"Although the tax rate of one in thirty was set by Taizu, His Majesty seems to be interested in changing it. An increase is certain, but I don't know to what extent."
"This is the dilemma. If we say too much, we might end up losing money later. If we say too little, the emperor might be displeased, with serious consequences."
Tang Mo put down his teacup and said helplessly, "Just say that the tax will be increased, don't specify the amount. We'll wait for His Majesty to make the final decision."
Everyone looked at each other, smiled bitterly and nodded, indicating that they could just fool around like this for now.
In fact, the tax increase was certain, but Zhu Youxiao would not raise it too much. This was because the commercial tax collection in the middle and late Ming Dynasty was too low, and the relationship with the 30% tax rate was not as big as one might think.
The biggest problem is the failure to collect taxes that should be collected, and the serious tax evasion and tax avoidance. This is similar to the fact that the gentry and landlords concealed taxes and grain, and the common people bore the heavy burden.
Of course, the commercial policies set by Taizu also have major problems, or it can be said that they are outdated and no longer suitable for the current social and economic situation.
At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, business activities were very depressed due to the war.
Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang took protective measures for commerce and merchants, setting the commercial tax at "one in thirty", and also stipulated that books, pens, ink, agricultural tools, boats, vehicles, silk and cloth were all tax-free. He also ordered the abolition of 364 tax bureaus, making commercial taxes much simpler than at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.
In the early Ming Dynasty, such policies did promote the development of commerce.
But by the middle and late Ming Dynasty, industry and commerce had flourished, and imperial power (including eunuchs, concubines, and princes), official power, and gentry power all intervened, and tax loss became a major problem.
To later generations, charging tolls on the road always seemed a bit like extortion and bullying. But when you look at the commercial tax revenue of the entire Ming Dynasty and the number of tax checkpoints, you will feel that it was too little, too little.
For example, in later generations, there were tax bureaus in provinces, cities, counties, and even districts. There were many of them, no matter how many there were.
But in the Ming Dynasty, there were more than 400 tax bureaus in the early days, but by the early 17th century, there were only 112 left.
Why was it so low to begin with, and why did it get even smaller and smaller later? The reason is simple: not only was it unprofitable, but the court also had to pay for it.
For example, in the second year of the Longqing reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Ministry of Revenue reported that the annual salary and food expenses of a certain tax inspector were no less than 400 taels, while the silver he collected in exchange for banknotes was only 110 taels.
Look, why are we setting up checkpoints and collecting taxes? The money collected isn't even enough to feed the tax collectors. Closing it down sooner would save us some money.
The Ming Dynasty was very weird, so fucking weird. When Zhu Youxiao saw these data, he felt more and more that this was the case.
Just collect taxes, but the more you collect, the more losses you make. Isn't that too ridiculous?
What is the reason? Is it because business is underdeveloped, or is it because merchants no longer travel by land or water and have switched to air transportation?
Of course not. Business was very developed in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, and there were many traveling merchants selling goods, but the key lies in the people who collect taxes and the groups that are exempt from tax.
Let me give you the simplest, or perhaps a bit ridiculous, example.
In the 37th year of the Wanli reign, the commercial tax in Fenyang County, Shanxi Province was more than 6,600 taels, a very good figure; while in the 6th year of the Wanli reign, the commercial tax in Jinhua County, Zhejiang Province was less than 7 taels, which was the same as confiscation.
Putting aside the differences in time periods, we can see the imbalance in commercial tax collection across regions in the Ming Dynasty. Developed and prosperous regions actually collected less commercial tax, and this was particularly evident in economically developed regions.
In addition to the delay in setting up tax checkpoints, the more serious problem is the officials' slackness and even resistance in collecting commercial taxes.
When He Xun was in charge of the Shashi Taxation Office during the Zhengde period, he would reduce taxes on merchants once the quotas were met.
After Shao Jingbang of the Jiajing Dynasty took over He Xun's position, he completed the quota within three months and opened the customs to merchants for the remaining months of the year.
Also during the Jiajing period, when Yang Qiaoshi was collecting taxes in Hangzhou, he ordered timber merchants to register their own income for tax assessment.
This is the famous minister who is highly praised in history books. He generously used the country's money to gain fame and reputation for himself, and he probably also received a lot of benefits from merchants. Otherwise, how could he be so attentive to seek benefits for the merchant group?
If we follow the tax rate set by these three "famous ministers," we wouldn't even be able to reach a tax rate of one in thirty, let alone one in a hundred! As for the fixed rate, it's just a more acceptable figure compared to the past.
Yang Qiaoshi, this bastard, is even more outrageous. He takes the state's salary to collect taxes, and you let the merchants pay it. Is it charity or to send beggars away?
Therefore, the low tax rate is not the biggest problem. If it can be truly implemented, the revenue will definitely be much higher than it is now.
Of course, since he wanted to reform, Zhu Youxiao was ready to do it all at once. Although this involved many issues, he had to keep going, overcome difficulties, and solve problems, and things would not get worse.
The people of Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce certainly would not understand the emperor's far-reaching considerations. They thought that raising taxes was inevitable because the emperor needed money!
Whether it is plundering or exploitation, as long as it is not bone-sucking and as long as there is still profit, we have to endure it.
But among the senior figures of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, there are some who have a keener sense of smell and think more deeply.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in my opinion, the tax rate will definitely increase, but it may not be very high."
Xia Zhongshi stroked his beard and said, "Take a look at 'Da Ming Forum'. The last two issues have been discussing the problems of officials. Shao Jingbang and Yang Qiaoshi are both typical examples of the opposite of officials, villains who seek fame and reputation."
His head was small, his eyebrows were sparse, and his figure was thin, but his dark face often revealed a deep and cold thought. This was Xia Zhongshi, who usually kept a low profile but often had surprising ideas.
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