This is a very large project.
In order to deal with this matter, Zhao Lin mobilized some people who were proficient in arithmetic to help through the relationship between Mi Moli, Fu Chengwang and Li Xingye.
It took more than a month, and as the twelfth lunar month was approaching, all the maritime merchants' account books were finally cleared up.
"Great, everyone cheats on their taxes."
Zhao Lin took the sorted results and looked at the merchants in front of him with a serious face.
"Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Pay the evaded taxes within two weeks and the fine of the same amount, and I'll forgive you. Otherwise, I'll confiscate your property and kill you!"
When the merchants heard Zhao Lin’s punishment, they burst into tears.
"Sir, it's not that we don't want to pay, we just don't have the money."
A merchant complained, "Although we paid little tax, the money we paid was quite a bit, and it was all pocketed by the officials."
"Yes, if we don't hand it over to them, we won't be able to do business, and we won't even be able to sail out to sea."
"These corrupt officials are worse than pirates. At least we can fight pirates, but we dare not even curse them. When they rob, they are even more brutal than pirates."
"Sir, please go ahead and confiscate my property. If it can cover the taxes, I will be willing to accept the punishment."
Many sea merchants cried out in grief.
Zhao Lin also understood this situation.
Not to mention now, this situation was also very common in his previous life.
You can't survive without tax evasion, and tax evasion is illegal.
Because the various benefits fees that need to be paid are even higher than the taxes that should be paid.
But there's no way.
If you want to do business, you have to take care of everything.
Otherwise, bankruptcy would be the least of your worries.
These officials understand these methods best.
Only those big businessmen who have close ties with the higher-ups and are not afraid of being harassed by local officials can survive.
Zhao Lin said, "Alright, I understand your difficulties, but you still have to pay the taxes you owe."
When the merchants heard what Zhao Lin said, they burst into tears.
"but……"
Zhao Lin suddenly said "but" and his crying stopped immediately.
"If your property was stolen, please write down who did it, when, where, and what was stolen. If it matches, I will not pursue the matter. Otherwise, you will have to pay the tax without missing a penny. Do you understand?"
The merchants finally understood.
Zhao Lin not only wanted to discipline them, but also wanted to discipline the officials of the three provinces.
How can doing business be faster than robbing?
Zhao Lin was not satisfied with just robbing three governor's offices.
It was a good opportunity to deal with the lower-level officials in the three provinces as well.
This will not only help to find out the specific income of maritime merchants, but also crack down on corrupt officials and seize their property.
A great thing that kills three birds with one stone.
As for whether it would affect his reputation, Zhao Lin didn't care at all.
How much can reputation be sold for?
The merchants from the three provinces had no choice but to honestly write down the details of their bribery.
Some people were smart and left an account book, which clearly recorded what gifts were given to whom at a certain place on a certain day of a certain year.
At this time, you only need to hand in the account book and everything will be clear at a glance.
Some people didn't leave behind an account book, so they could only think hard and write it down one by one.
Zhao Lin did not avoid Qi Ziang about this matter.
Qi Ziang was terrified and said, "If this happens, won't all the prefecture and county officials in the three provinces be wiped out?"
Zhao Lin laughed and said, "Does Master Qi look down on them so much?"
Qi Ziang smiled bitterly and said, "Master Zhao, why do you still ask when you already know the answer? Let me put it this way. If the officials of our Daqi were to be drawn up and beheaded, there would certainly be some who were innocent, but that was just their first time in office and they hadn't had the chance to intervene. If you do this, there will be very few low-ranking officials left in the three provinces."
Qi Ziang said with a bitter face, "The high-level officials have been arrested by you, sir. If the low-level officials are arrested, the government offices of the three provinces will not be able to function. Sir, please be cautious!"
Zhao Lin nodded and said, "I know, so I have asked His Majesty to send people to replace those people."
Qi Ziang sighed and said, "As the saying goes, three years as a clean magistrate earns one hundred thousand silver coins. It's perfectly normal for someone to embezzle money and property. Just teach them a lesson, sir. You don't have to kill them all."
Zhao Lin said, "It's not that I want to kill them all, but these people are not cooperating. I'm investigating the maritime trade issue intensively, and they're actually dragging my feet. I can't calm down unless I kill them."
Qi Ziang could only sigh repeatedly.
He knows that too.
Zhao Lin ordered the maritime merchants from the three provinces to come to a meeting, but some officials actually tried to stop them.
Considering Zhao Lin's domineering personality, it was a good thing that he didn't confiscate their property and wipe out their entire family.
They will definitely not have an easy time.
"But if you do this, your reputation as a cruel official will spread throughout the world."
Qi Ziang tried to persuade him, "I know you don't care much about reputation, but having a good reputation is sometimes very useful."
Zhao Lin asked, "How much can a good reputation be sold for?"
Qi Ziang was speechless.
Zhao Lin said, "Once I have dealt with all these corrupt officials and the people can live and work in peace, who would say I have a bad reputation?"
Qi Ziang didn't say anything more.
After a long while, Qi Ziang finally said, "That being said, what do your colleagues think of you, sir?"
Zhao Lin said, "This world belongs to the people, not to the officials. If they think I'm a cruel official, then what's wrong with being a cruel official?"
Zhao Lin sneered, "I want them to be afraid when they hear my name, so that they will know to be respectful when they reach out their hands again."
Mi Banxia listened from the side, with stars in her eyes.
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