"Well, if Japanese silver flows into the Song Dynasty on a large scale, wouldn't the Song Dynasty's economy be further improved?"
Yan Shu pondered, "If this much silver were to flow into the Song Dynasty's market, it would be able to alleviate the Song Dynasty's current cash shortage. In the future, the court's annual tax revenue could reach hundreds of millions of strings of cash, perhaps even two or three hundred million."
"But we must be careful not to be swayed by capital, nor be deceived by these people into not collecting business taxes. In the future, we must establish a rule: anyone who dares to prevent the collection of business taxes will be executed!"
Zhao Jun looked around and said, "The lessons of the Ming and Qing dynasties, when merchant tax collection failed, are still fresh in our minds. We must not listen to the interests of the merchants at court and exempt them from taxes. In the future, we must not only collect merchant taxes, but also significantly increase their taxes to reduce the burden on the peasant class."
Are the lessons of the Ming and Qing dynasties, when commercial taxes could not be collected, still fresh in our minds?
Why does this sound so awkward?
Everyone looked at each other.
They were clearly in the Song Dynasty before the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but the Ming and Qing Dynasties later became negative examples.
"Well, that's natural."
Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "Our Great Song has its own ancestral system. Taizu established the 'Commercial Tax Regulations'. Anyone who dares to say that commercial taxes will not be collected will be executed without mercy!"
When it comes to the country, he won't be careless.
"This is the best. Commerce and agriculture are the foundation of the country. Agriculture is responsible for food, and commerce is responsible for all aspects of life. In later generations, our country has completely abolished agricultural taxes and even provided subsidies. Revenue is almost entirely based on commercial taxes."
Zhao Jun continued, "The Song Dynasty must learn from the lessons of the Ming and Qing dynasties, when commercial tax collection failed, leading to a lack of funds and ultimately the country's demise. Therefore, when it comes to taxation, we must diligently fulfill our responsibilities and improve various laws to prevent loopholes from being exploited. The Commercial Tax Regulations must also be constantly improved."
"But at the same time, we must also encourage and develop commercial prosperity in the commercial market. However, in terms of basic necessities such as food, clothing, housing and transportation, we still cannot do without the intervention of state-owned assets."
"Otherwise, if these things that are related to the lifeblood of the country are controlled by businessmen, then the country will inevitably be carried forward by capital, which will inevitably cause unrest in the domestic people's livelihood and intensify the birth of internal friction.
"I will be touring various regions at the beginning of next year. The commercial development of Bianliang is a top priority, and the reform will also start from Bianliang as a pilot. By then, I will still rely on the support of Prime Minister Li and you all."
"In short, we have only one goal: to improve the business environment, promote commercial development, and make money for the court, make money, make money!"
"Does everyone understand?"
After saying this, he looked at everyone with a very serious expression.
Li Zi had already been buried at this time in history, but Zhao Jun pulled him back from the gates of hell. He is currently serving as the Minister of Industry and Commerce. Tea merchant Tian Chang, grain merchant Meng Chengqi and many other businessmen have had contact with him.
Therefore, Zhao Jun plans to carry out commercial reforms next year, changing the original tea, salt and grain monopolies into a public-private partnership system.
But it just so happened that he needed to go to the grassroots level to understand the suffering of the people, and he would have to tour various places next year. He was really worried about the business reform without him.
But then again.
The Constitutional Court already gathered a group of prime ministers. If Zhao Jun had to intervene in everything, then what was the difference between them and good-for-nothings?
Therefore, Zhao Jun only planned to carry out preliminary reforms and development and tell them how to do it.
As for how well it was done, I'll have to come back and talk about it later.
This is also a test for them.
"Understood!"
As with any regular meeting of the Constitutional Yuan, everyone responded.
Zhao Jun nodded with satisfaction and said, "After the commercial reform, if we're lucky, Old Fan will be victorious in the north in the next few years. We'll be able to start finding ways to bring in silver from Japan, and vigorously develop our business. Our future is promising. Success or failure depends on this one move. Whether the Song Dynasty will prosper or end up like history depends on you."
"good!"
Zhao Zhen concluded his speech by saying, "This matter concerns the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. I ask you all to give your all."
"I will do my best!"
Everyone stood up and bowed to Zhao Zhen solemnly.
This is indeed a big test. Zhao Jun will leave Beijing next year, and they will have to carry out business restructuring, which is a lot of pressure for them.
(End of this chapter)
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