"But now it seems different. Duke Cheng has set an example for all the ministers, and I am very pleased. I have already passed on the reward and promoted my official rank. Duke Cheng, you must work hard and show those people that the nobles of our Ming Dynasty still know how to serve the country."
Zhu Chunchen was almost crying, but he still said quickly: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will not let you down and will do my best."
This matter was so big that Zhu Chunchen didn't know what to do.
You should know that the issue of collecting farmland tax has been raised for a long time, and it has not been raised by just one or two emperors. Civil officials have submitted petitions long ago, and this issue has been raised many times, but Your Majesty has never implemented it.
The reason was simple: no one among the nobles or relatives of the nobles stood up to take the lead. Not to mention taking the lead, no one even stood up to speak out. Although no one opposed it, they were all playing dumb.
Now that you have taken the lead, what do you want the other nobles and relatives of the nobles to do?
If you follow me, it will hurt. If you don’t follow me, how will His Majesty see you?
The most important thing in everything is to make the first move. As the saying goes, a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind; a pile that stands out on the shore will be swept away by the current.
There is also a folk saying: The protruding rafters rot first.
Those nobles and relatives of the nobles may not hate me at all, but this is equivalent to cutting myself off from them. What should I do then?
Zhu Youxiao didn't care what Zhu Chunchen thought. He just said, "Okay, very good."
Seeing that the serious business was over, Zhu Youxiao had no intention of keeping the two of them any longer, so he said directly: "You didn't go home last night, and I'm sure your family must be worried. There is no need for you two to stay in the palace any longer, go back."
Compared to Zhu Chunchen's reluctance, Zhu Changxun was somewhat calm. After all, he had already been extorted 2 million taels, so this matter was nothing at all.
Zhu Changxun then bowed and said, "In that case, I will take my leave."
Although Zhu Chunchen wanted to open his mouth to say something, he didn't know how to say it. He opened his mouth several times but nothing came out. In the end, he could only say, "I will take my leave."
After watching the two men leave, Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong and said, "Alright, go do your thing. Spread the news as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After Chen Hong agreed, he quickly turned around and walked out.
When Zhu Changxun and the other man left, the sun had just risen, and it was time for officials to go to the yamen.
The news spread throughout the capital in an instant, and the officials in the court were shocked.
The issue of manor taxation itself is very sensitive. It was first proposed during the Hongzhi reign. However, His Majesty did not agree at that time. Afterwards, it was repeatedly proposed, but still not agreed, and His Majesty rejected it every time.
No one expected that this matter would be brought up suddenly at this time.
For a while, people in the capital were talking about it, and officials were talking about it even more.
When the news reached the nobles and relatives of the nobles, the reaction was completely different. Countless people cursed Duke Cheng.
The news has naturally spread to the cabinet.
The four cabinet ministers gathered in the duty room again.
Before they started working, a few people began discussing this matter while drinking tea.
Han Yu was the first to speak. He put down his teacup and asked, "What do you think about this matter?"
"This is good news," Xu Guangqi said first. "The court is short of funds right now. Whether it's training troops at the border or providing disaster relief, everything requires money. The money the court receives is simply to increase revenue and reduce expenditure.
"We can't always cut back on spending. There are some things we can't hold back. So we can only find ways to increase revenue. The court doesn't have many ways to increase revenue, and increasing taxes is one. But if we do, the people's lives will become even more difficult."
"On the contrary, the estate tax has little impact on the people. The nobles and relatives of the nobles in the court all have estates. Moreover, they have been plundering and seizing for many years, hiding a large amount of land and people. If we take this opportunity to settle the accounts, the court will definitely get a large sum of money."
"With this income, the court's finances will be relieved. Whether it's training troops to suppress rebellions or disaster relief, it will be much easier to support.
Several people looked at Xu Guangqi, and no one spoke.
Of course, everyone understood what Xu Guangqi said, and more than one person saw this point; everyone could see it.
Otherwise, no one would have submitted a petition before. If the lands of the princes in various places were included and taxed together, the court's tax revenue would at least double, or even more.
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