"Your estates have already paid taxes. This incident has nothing to do with you. Didn't I ask you about this when I collected taxes on your estates?"
After saying this, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Han Yu and the others, "I want to hear your opinions now."
The meaning is very clear, it's time to take a stand.
In fact, Zhu Youxiao had already made up his mind that whoever opposed this time would be replaced. Not to mention others, even if Han Yu showed some hesitation, he would replace him.
Everyone was silent and looked at Han Yu.
You are the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, the highest official present, our leader. We all respect and honor you on a daily basis, but when it comes to a critical moment, shouldn't you also show some responsibility?
To put it bluntly, Han Yu was to be blamed for this. Cui Chengxiu proposed, and the cabinet's chief minister agreed, saying that we were just a bunch of followers and no one would criticize us after we got out.
At most, when scolding, he would say that the ministers in the court were irresponsible, but he would not name them individually. For those present, this was enough.
Han Yu wanted to stand up.
At this point, he had no choice but to express his opinion. Whether it was the ministers present or the emperor, they were all waiting for him to express his opinion.
What was unexpected was that Zuo Guangdou took a step forward.
"Your Majesty, I think this is a good thing," Zuo Guangdou said bluntly. "Since I arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, I've discovered that the accounts are chaotic and overlapping, and the various personnel structures are even more appalling. It's rife with interpersonal relationships, and corruption is rampant."
"If we can use this opportunity to clean up the Ministry of Revenue, I think it would be excellent. Moreover, if this method is implemented, it can reduce the hidden land among the people and increase the tax revenue of the court, which is a good thing."
"But I have one thing I'm concerned about. If all farmland is taxed, will that lead to higher rents for tenants? That would only make it harder for the landless to farm."
Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zuo Guangdou with surprise in his eyes.
He didn't expect Zuo Guangdou to stand up at this time, and he didn't expect Zuo Guangdou to put forward such an opinion.
In fact, Zuo Guangdou considered it very carefully. This is a problem that the Qing Dynasty later had.
The court's tax revenue increased, but the people's lives became even more difficult because the landlords would not pass on this cost to themselves, but would only increase the rent and pass this cost on to the tenants.
People's lives will become even more difficult. If there are no sweet potatoes and potatoes and the weather does not improve, people will starve to death.
Zhu Youxiao naturally had a clearer understanding of this matter. He was not without preparation. He had opened so many factories over the years and had actually recruited many landless people to work.
It’s just that the concept has not changed yet, and the people are not mentally prepared.
This time, I was going to do just that, drive some people off the land. Maybe their lives would become less comfortable, but there was nothing I could do.
With the development of maritime trade, factories in various places will need more manpower, and they will become the first batch of professional workers in the Ming Dynasty.
As business becomes better and better, more and more manpower is needed, and they will gradually get better.
Zhu Youxiao still had mixed feelings about the situation. However, there was no way to explain this to Zuo Guangdou. Therefore, it was inappropriate for Zuo Guangdou to raise the issue at this time.
"This problem is easy to solve, easy to talk about." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zuo Guangdou and said, "Then reduce taxes. Order all places to reduce taxes and set a ceiling for land rent. No one is allowed to exceed it. If it is exceeded, there will be severe punishment."
Zuo Guangdou glanced at Zhu Youxiao, and seeing that His Majesty was staring at him, he didn't say anything else.
Zuo Guangdou knew in his heart that the emperor's policy was totally unworkable.
Things like land rent are really hard to regulate, and it’s hard to tell what’s announced publicly and what’s collected privately.
How many people are there in the government offices below?
I can't take care of so many things. Add to that the collusion and collusion, and this thing won't work.
Zuo Guangdou really wanted to ask, but he saw the warning in His Majesty's eyes and realized that this matter could not be handled here.
But he made up his mind and went back to tell His Majesty.
However, tax reduction is a good idea and may be worth a try, but I am afraid that it will enrich the landlords while the benefits will not reach the tenants.
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