Although Chen Ming's tone was exactly the same as his expressionless face, without any emotion.
But every word he said revealed his immense arrogance.
If the country's tax revenue has been lost, that is the problem of our Tax Commissioner and has nothing to do with those employees. Our Tax Commissioner will bear full responsibility, but in fact, if you think about this sentence carefully, it has a very special meaning.
After all, it is national taxation. Can Chen Ming take on this responsibility?
Of course not.
Generally speaking, they are only executive departments, and the responsible ones are the decision-making departments, such as the Political Affairs Hall, the Dali Temple, the Court of Justice, the Censorate, etc.
For example, if something happened to Yuan Jiang, the responsibility would definitely be on Wang Anshi, not the Hezhong Prefecture Transportation Bureau.
But behind the Commissioner of Taxation was not a prime minister-level figure like Wang Anshi or Sima Guang, but the emperor.
In other words, the emperor was guaranteeing them.
This is no small matter.
...
...
If something goes wrong, the emperor has to come out and apologize.
Of course, this also indirectly shows that the emperor trusts their abilities and dares to take this responsibility.
In short, none of you tax evaders will be able to escape.
But this also earned him countless hateful glances.
You are trying to kill us!
Su Che naturally heard the hidden meaning in the question, so he didn't want to ask any more questions.
Although he dared to confront the emperor, that was only his implicit meaning. From a judicial point of view, he could do nothing about the Tax Commissioner because there was no law to restrict employees from accepting money. They were not regular employees and did not have any authority. He was only hired to investigate, so there was no way for him to control it. Moreover, if you gave them money, it would be providing clues, so it was natural and reasonable for them to follow the clues.
At least now, Baotou is on the side of the Tax Commissioner.
After sitting down, Su Che said to an inspector, "Bring the prosecution's complaint."
"yes."
Soon, the procuratorate handed the lawsuit to Su Che.
Su Che looked through it carefully and thought to himself, it seems that I have overlooked quite a few details!
After Su Che sat down, both sides said that there were no witnesses present.
Zhang Fei did not waste any time and immediately asked the prosecution and defense to make their closing statements. After all, there were more than 130 defendants behind him and he could not waste time.
Qiu Zhengwen stood up first. "I don't have much to say, because there are witnesses and material evidence in this case. It is certain that Yin Chengxing is guilty of tax evasion. In addition, I want to emphasize two points. First, it was the other party who took the initiative to contact the employee Batou. No matter how they talked, at least it can be proved that Yin Chengxing wanted to evade taxes, and he was the active party.
If he just wanted to know about some of the tax bureau's systems, he could have gone to the tax bureau to ask. Many people have asked there before, and there was no need to go looking for the tax chief. The tax bureau had not published the list of these employees in advance.
Secondly, I want to remind you that Yin Chengxing evaded a total of more than 3,000 guan in taxes, which is not a small amount. This amount is even shocking, but it is a very serious crime of tax evasion. Although the imperial court has issued a decree that since voluntary declaration is the first execution, the first offender can be exempted from punishment, I implore the imperial court to give him the maximum punishment and sentence him to a five-fold fine. "
Five times?
Sixteen thousand strings of cash?
When Yin Chengxing heard this, he immediately felt dizzy. Was all his work last year in vain?
These wealthy people value money like their own life, and being fined so much would be like asking for their lives!
Fortunately, there were two court guards supporting him, otherwise he would have fallen.
The officials sitting nearby and the employees outside the courtyard gate all felt a chill on their backs and a slight heat on their temples.
So scary!
I want to go home!
Although they are all professional tax evaders, they themselves don't actually know how much tax they have evaded every year, so this number is really shocking and unbelievable to them.
Qiu Zhengwen sat down and left, and Li Min stood up. "What the other party said just now is very correct, that is, voluntary declaration is the first time to be implemented in Hezhong Prefecture, and it is very different from the previous tax payment.
I don't want to say that there were any drawbacks to tax collection in the past, but the fact is that people used to be deeply afraid of taxation because they didn't know how much tax they had to pay. Countless facts have proved that the taxes paid by most people are different every year, and it is common to please the tax collectors.
Although I admit that the current situation is slowly improving, a three-foot-thick ice does not form overnight. This concept cannot be changed in a short period of time. The same is true for my client, Mr. Yin, as a good citizen. Past examples have made him panic and afraid of this unfamiliar way of collecting taxes. Moreover, the employee Baotou just said that when they collected taxes, they needed to make arrangements with people from all levels, and this was the reason why Mr. Yin found the employee Baotou, because they still believed that they needed to make arrangements with people from all levels to know how much tax they actually had to pay.
This practice is certainly wrong, and I strongly disagree with it, but it is undeniable that this practice was very common in the past. I believe the Chief Judge should also be aware of it. After all, you can just ask around and you will know.
My client was not clear whether the employee was actually from the tax department, he just thought he was. The employee, Batou, coveted the bonus, so he helped my client evade taxes and did not correctly guide my client to pay taxes legally.
Therefore, I hereby implore the Grand Court President to be lenient and give my client a chance. My client is also willing to pay all the back taxes. "
The routine remains the same, and the responsibility is still pushed onto the government. Anyway, if you don't say a few bad things about the government in the imperial court, it's like you haven't been to the imperial court.
Everyone has become accustomed to this, but in the past, the officials present were all furious about this. Today was different. Many officials nodded silently in their hearts.
"Well said!"
"good!"
There were bursts of cheers from outside the courtyard at the right time, expressing their thoughts.
The three little golden men couldn't help but look up, and when they saw that there were only wealthy people outside, they immediately reacted.
After all, no matter whether you are poor or rich, your head is determined by your butt!
As long as you are right, you must applaud!
"Yes! Yes! I do!"
Yin Chengxing couldn't stop nodding, tears already welling up in his eyes.
Only three thousand strings of cash!
Damn it!
He suddenly felt that the tax was not too much at all.
Compared to 16,000 strings of cash!
"Thank you for the testimony from both the prosecution and the defense."
Zhang Fei nodded with a smile as usual, then looked at Yin Chengxing, "Defendant, do you agree with the accounts, evidence, and final amount of tax evasion provided by the prosecution? If you think there is a problem with the accounts, we will send someone to investigate, and make a judgment after the specific amount is known."
"I!"
Yin Chengxing blinked and couldn't help but look at Li Min again.
You didn't say anything before, why are you looking at me now? Li Min complained in her heart, and suddenly said, "Grand Judge, since my client didn't look at the account carefully, and we didn't know about it beforehand, I'm sure you will allow us to look at it carefully before giving an answer."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I can allow this, and it is a matter of course, but if the evidence is damaged in any way, the defendant will not only be punished to the maximum extent, but also be punished."
"Yes, I understand."
"The court will be adjourned for the time being."
Zhang Fei knocked the gavel, stood up and left.
The place was covered in cold sweat. The officials who were sitting down couldn't stand up, and the rich people standing outside almost knelt down.
It’s over!
It’s over!
It's all over!
This tax commissioner is horrible!
what to do?
Cai Yanqing, who had just come to his senses, couldn't help but wipe the sweat off his forehead, "This tax commissioner really lives up to his reputation!"
I noticed that there was complete silence all around me. I looked around and found that many officials were sitting on their chairs with shaking hands. I thought to myself, this is all your own fault!
After a while, some officials stood up, pretended to stretch, and then walked out slowly.
But Cai Yanqing knew that they were actually very anxious.
Wang Shao wanted to stand up and move around, but when he looked at Lü Gongru beside him, he saw that he looked flustered. He wondered if he had evaded a lot of taxes. So he asked tentatively, "Why is Magistrate Lü so restless?"
Lu Gongru whispered, "You don't know, I originally planned to have the public security, procuratorate and court go to Jingzhao Prefecture this year, but after this trial, I'm afraid no one in Jingzhao Prefecture is willing to let them go. How can I not have a headache?"
This tax commissioner is much more terrifying than he had imagined!
Wang Shao laughed with glee.
Inner hall!
Zhang Fei put down his teacup and asked Cai Jing and the others, "What do you think the punishment should be?"
Cai Jing said: "The students think that giving five times the punishment is too severe. I am afraid Yin Chengxing cannot bear it, and it may even lead to their resistance. Giving three times the punishment can not only have a deterrent effect, but also show the mercy of the imperial court."
Xu Zhiqian on the side curled her lips and looked at Cai Jing with contempt.
What he meant was very simple, that is, to keep a distance from the Commissioner of Taxation. The Commissioner of Taxation is really scary now. He is truly the enemy of all the powerful and wealthy. You cannot make friends with him openly, only secretly.
Cai Bian said, "But the amount involved is not small. If an official embezzles so much money, he will be sentenced to death by beheading. I think the sentence should be five times greater."
Xu Zhiqian nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
When dealing with such a person, you still show sympathy for him and punish him to death!
Zhang Fei looked at Shangguan Jun again.
Shangguan Jun said: "The students thought that three times is too little, and five times is too much, so four times is enough."
"You are really good at smoothing things over!"
Zhang Fei smiled, then said seriously: "In fact, this sentence is non-negotiable. It is a five-fold sentence. I really don't know what you are hesitating about. If the tax evasion is 3,000 guan, the fine is only three times. Then how will you punish those small merchants who evaded taxes of 30 guan? Are you going to give them 30 guan instead?
Moreover, think about it, this is definitely not the first year he has done this. In the past, who collected the taxes he evaded? The tax commissioner has done his best and given them enough opportunities. It is their greedy nature. In addition, he earns 20,000 strings of cash a year. Don't we need to consider helping him save money?
As for whether this will provoke resistance from them, the tax commissioner will teach them a lesson when the time comes."
Xu Zhiqian said excitedly: "The Grand Judge is wise."
Zhang Fei turned around and looked at her with disdain: "Do you even need to tell me that?"
Witness lounge.
"Li Erbi, Mr. Li, Mr. Lu, you have to save me!"
Yin Chengxing was like a poor little thing, tugging at Li Min's sleeve, his eyes full of tears, his voice choked with sobs, it was really pitiful to see him!
What did you do earlier? It's too late to beg for mercy now! Li Min sighed, "Although we have tried our best to defend you, the other party has solid evidence now, and the employment contract between the tax commissioner and the dam head is not in your favor. You will definitely lose this lawsuit. It is almost impossible to avoid punishment."
Yin Chengxing asked again: "Then how much will I be fined?"
He knew it, but a punishment of more than 10,000 strings of cash would really be enough to cost them their lives!
Li Min hesitated and said, "I can only say that you should be prepared to accept five times the punishment."
"Five times?"
Yin Chengxing said excitedly: "This is too much. There is no way I will accept the punishment."
Li Min said: "This is a new official's first move. The amount of tax evasion you have done is too huge. If you don't impose a heavy fine, how can you deter others? The imperial court will definitely take these aspects into consideration, which will be very disadvantageous to you."
He knew this because he had tested the imperial court's penalty standards before.
Zhang Fei's answer to him was severe punishment.
Lu Bangxing suddenly said, "Mr. Yin, things have come to this point. This result is basically impossible to change. Why don't you show some grace? Since we have lost, then we should admit it."
Yin Chengxing tilted his head and glared at Lu Bangxing, then suddenly slammed the table and said, "Mr. Lu is right. I can't lose face even if I lose the money. It's just over 10,000 strings of cash. I have plenty of money. I'll just treat it as giving away a beggar."
But as he was talking, he started crying again, "More than ten thousand strings of cash, this is too much, these people are so cruel!"
I’m really crying!
This is simply a pig-killing scheme.
Li Min and Lu Bangxing looked at each other, but neither of them felt gloating.
In fact, they also feel it is too much.
When the Commissioner of Taxation was enforcing the law in the capital, he only checked the exemption tax, not the total tax. If he had checked the total tax at that time, the financial situation would probably have improved.
There are so many wealthy people in Tokyo.
Of course, there were no such conditions at that time!
In the witness lounge.
"Tax Collector Chen, I...I did everything you said. But..."
Baotou said anxiously again: "But after I get out, Mr. Yin will definitely not let me go."
It was not that he wanted to betray Yin Chengxing on his own initiative. In fact, he had just found out that the Commissioner of Taxation already had all the evidence. He also realized that he might just be a front for the Commissioner of Taxation. At that time, he could only stand on the side of the Commissioner of Taxation. As long as the Commissioner of Taxation laid out all the evidence, Yin Chengxing would definitely think that he was the one who betrayed him.
Yin Chengxing has such a huge family business and is also an old noble in Hezhong Prefecture. It would be easy for him to deal with a small obstacle!
Chen Ming nodded and said, "If you can prove that you can help the tax department find more taxes, then we will naturally protect you."
The chief immediately said, "Please rest assured, tax collector, I will do my job well and will never take this money again."
“Do a good job!”
Chen Ming nodded slightly. The Taxation Commissioner still needed people like Baotou who had very rich experience. Moreover, the Taxation Commissioner would be expanding soon. This group of people would be the most loyal to the Taxation Commissioner.
Although they violated the rules, Chen Ming wanted to promote them.
After saying this, Chen Ming was about to open the door and go out, but just as he reached the door, he turned back and said, "The fine of one hundred strings of cash and twenty hectares of land is your reward. This rule cannot be broken."
Is there any more money to be taken? Baotou was immediately grateful and said, "Thank you, tax collector. Thank you, tax collector."
The tax of more than 3,000 guan was not discovered by him, so naturally it could not be counted as his. Even if he were asked to investigate, he could not investigate so much. After all, the tax was so complicated that it required all kinds of talents to investigate it all.
After a half-hour recess, Zhang Fei came to the court again and announced that the trial would continue.
"Defendant, is there any problem with this account?" Zhang Fei asked first.
“No problem!”
At this time, Yin Chengxing could only pretend to be strong.
"Okay then!"
Zhang Fei said loudly: "Although the defense has repeatedly emphasized that the defendant was bullied by the employee, and that the self-declaration was the first execution, and they did not know the specific rules, which led Yin Chengxing to have a fluke mentality.
The President of the Court does not deny the defense's claims, and even agrees with them. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the defendant is not a three-year-old child, nor a young man who has just taken over the family business. On the contrary, the defendant is an educated, very shrewd, and wealthy businessman and landlord. His knowledge, experience, and intelligence are able to clearly determine whether something is illegal or not, and whether it should be done.
The defendant's tax evasion was purely out of greed, knowingly and deliberately, and it was premeditated and planned. Unfortunately, the law is long and nothing can escape it. The prosecution provided solid evidence. This court has decided not to deal with it at its discretion and impose the maximum penalty, a fine of five times the amount of tax evasion. However, he is the first offender, so he is exempted from punishment. "
A sound of surprise was heard.
Most of the people present did not expect that Zhang Fei would actually impose the maximum penalty.
They thought the tax department was asking for an exorbitant price and wanted to pay them back on the spot, but they didn't know that they were serious about it.
Xu Zhiqian looked at the faces of those people, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, she liked this moment very much.
On the contrary, Yin Chengxing was mentally prepared and sat there in silence.
At this moment, Su Che suddenly stood up and said, "Our procuratorate reserves the right to prosecute Yin Chengxing for selling illegal liquor."
He remained silent, waiting for the accounts to be finalized, because if he wanted to sue Yin Chengxing for bootlegging, he would have to use those accounts as evidence.
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar.
This is really one problem after another!
"I!"
Yin Chengxing even jumped up and looked at Su Zhe with a pleading look on his face.
Don't you want money?
I have given you all the money, and now you come to take my life. Do you want to let me live?
Those officials no longer felt a chill down their spines, but their faces turned pale, their mouths opened, and they could not utter a word.
They seem to have forgotten the procuratorate, a life-threatening department.
Wei Yingfang cursed fiercely in a low voice: "This damn procuratorate."
He turned around and looked at Cao Yi who had just sat down. "What's the situation?"
Cao Yi shook his head and said, "What they said is true. Someone outside just told me that just before the court session, a large number of tax police and royal police suddenly appeared and sealed off all their warehouses."
"This is definitely a conspiracy." But Wei Yingfang didn't care about being upset, and asked in a low voice: "Have you explained it clearly to them?"
Cao Yi nodded and said, "I just asked Li Min to pass on a message. If the other party really produces evidence, let them confess their guilt immediately and don't try to defend themselves."
Wei Yingfang said: "Fortunately we did this, otherwise!"
Having said this, he glanced at Su Che and rubbed his face in annoyance.
Even Lu Bangxing frowned and said, "This is too cruel!"
Li Min glanced at Su Zhe and said, "Chief Prosecutor Su is just making reservations. Maybe there is room for negotiation."
As he said this, he winked at Yin Chengxing, telling him not to say anything stupid, or else the consequences might outweigh the gains, and he couldn't afford to offend the procuratorate!
Yin Chengxing's mind was a mess now. He could only blindly obey Li Min and the others and was taken away silently.
The trial is still going on, and the Royal Court summoned the second defendant, Liu Zaichun, to appear in court.
As soon as this person came up, people inside and outside the courtyard started talking about it.
It turned out that this Liu Zaichun was none other than Wei Yingfang's brother-in-law.
Liu Zaichun looked very calm, but if you looked closely, you could tell that his hands were shaking a little.
Qiu Zhengwen stood up and said, "According to the investigation of the tax commissioner, Liu Zaichun's income last year was about 18,000 guan, and he should have paid 2,700 guan according to the law, but he only paid 300 guan last year, and the amount of tax evasion involved was as high as 2,400 guan.
The agricultural tax involved tax evasion of about 1,200 guan, and the remaining 1,500 guan came from the brothels, restaurants, gambling houses, and transportation income that their family owned.
Lu Bangxing said sarcastically, "Could it be that some kind-hearted person picked up all the account books on the street and handed them over to the tax commissioner?"
Zhang Fei said: "Defense."
"Sorry! I just couldn't help myself!"
Lu Bangxing quickly nodded and admitted his mistake.
Zhang Fei then turned to Qiu Zhengwen and said, "Prosecution, please continue."
Qiu Zhengwen took over the conversation: "Although no kind-hearted person has provided evidence, the tax bureau has found merchants who have done business with Liu Zaichun and obtained relevant accounts from them. According to our estimates, Liu Zaichun's income from business is far more than what he declared."
Can you check this way?
Liu Zaichun was dumbfounded. I have so many businesses and cooperate with so many people, and you have found out about all of them. You must be a ghost. He immediately looked at Lu Bangxing and Li Min.
The two of them were confused. You didn't tell us anything, just gave me a look. How would I know whether it was true or not?
Liu Zaichun saw that they were unreliable, so he spoke up to refute them: "Grand Judge, they are spreading rumors and slandering me. My family only has 30 hectares of land, but they say that I evaded more than 1,000 guan of agricultural taxes. How is this possible?"
Qiu Zhengwen asked, "Did Mr. Liu see the announcement issued by the Commissioner of Taxation regarding the rules for self-reporting?"
Liu Zaichun immediately said, "Of course I have seen it."
Qiu Zhengwen said, "Mr. Liu should know that the tax bureau checked all income. It was only because of the special nature of the land tax that the tax bureau stipulated that one bushel of grain was collected per mu. Therefore, the tax bureau would not simply look at the size of your land, but mainly at your income. According to the tax bureau's investigation, your family's granary received more than 20,000 dan of grain in November last year, but you did not fill in this information in your self-declaration."
"What are you doing!"
As soon as he said this, Liu Zaichun suddenly shut up and argued, "I bought this with my own money. You should ask those who sell grain to collect taxes."
Qiu Zhengwen asked: "Where did you buy it from?"
Liu Zaichun said: "Many people, I don't remember."
"Do you have any evidence?"
"No."
Qiu Zhengwen smiled and said, "Is there a farmer named Chen Xiaoyu who sells you grain?"
Liu Zaichun's expression changed drastically, he stammered and was unable to speak.
Qiu Zhengwen then said to Zhang Fei: "Grand Judge, please call the witness Chen Xiaoyu."
Zhang Fei said: "Send Chen Xiaoyu to court."
But a young man in his twenties dressed as a farmer came into the court. When Liu Zaichun saw this man, he gritted his teeth and his eyes flashed with ferocity.
Qiu Zhengwen asked: "Chen Xiaoyu, what do you do?"
Chen Xiaoyu said: "I am a tenant farmer of the Liu family."
Qiu Zhengwen asked, "The Liu family is referring to Liu Zaichun's family?"
"Yes."
"How much land did you rent from the Liu family?"
"Sixty acres."
"But according to the taxes I filed last year, there were only 20 acres."
“The title deed says there are only 20 acres, but in reality there are 60 acres.”
"why is that?"
"I don't know what method they used to count sixty acres of land as twenty acres."
When many people heard this, they couldn't help but glance at Wei Yingfang. At this time, Wei Yingfang was already sweating profusely. Who on earth is this tax commissioner? This land has been hidden for so long.
Qiu Zhengwen asked again: "Then how can you prove that there are only 20 acres of land on the title deed, but you actually own 60 acres?"
Chen Xiaoyu said: "Because the lease between me and the Liu family is sixty acres, and I have measured it myself."
"Thank you!"
Qiu Zhengwen then said to Zhang Fei: "I have the tax payment information for the land rented by Chen Xiaoyu, as well as the tenancy agreement between Chen Xiaoyu and the Liu family."
After the evidence was presented, Zhang Fei took a look and then said to Liu Zaichun, "Defendant, what do you have to say about this?"
Liu Zaichun glanced at Wei Yingfang, then nodded and said, "I plead guilty."
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