With the establishment of trade treaties between various countries, commerce in the Great Qi and its neighboring countries began to flourish.
The form of business has also begun to change significantly.
Originally, the main economy was controlled by the imperial court, such as salt, sugar, and various gold, silver, copper, and iron mines.
Even if powerful families coveted these things, they dared not get involved and could only sigh in despair.
But now, electric lights, wires, wind turbines, glass, and glass derivatives.
Surgical instruments, needles, various traditional Chinese medicines, alcohol, and various toiletries have become the most sought-after commodities.
Moreover, these products range from high-end to affordable, covering almost all consumer groups.
The profits here have begun to exceed those from the original salt, iron, and other commodities.
Moreover, unlike salt and iron, these things cannot be produced indefinitely.
Relatively speaking, it's not that precious, and it's not a strategic resource, so it's something that people can consider.
Everyone knows that these things are equivalent to real gold and silver, and the market has always been in short supply, with a huge market gap.
If you could get involved, you could make money for twenty or thirty years with your eyes closed.
It goes without saying that whether it's a prominent family or one of the major imperial merchants, who wouldn't be tempted?
Thoughts lead to action, and so, on a clear, sunny autumn morning, these people collectively wrote a petition, which was presented to Emperor Qingyuan by Wang Tingzhi, the Minister of Revenue.
The main point is that the production of glass, electric lights, and other such items by the imperial factories and Xie Yushu's Yuquan Manor alone could not meet the needs of various countries.
They were willing to invest and open branch factories to share Emperor Qingyuan's burdens.
That sounds nice, but really it's just that the cake smells so good that I want to take a bite.
Moreover, they have quite an appetite, wanting to each be responsible for supplying one country.
Emperor Qingyuan recently issued a new decree that any household with more than 200 mu of land, whether official, merchant, or commoner, would be subject to an additional 20% tax on the excess portion.
Anyone who defaults on taxes or evades taxes will be fined double the amount of the tax owed.
Those who fail to make up the difference will be dismissed from their posts if they hold official positions, and imprisoned if they do not.
Emperor Qingyuan's original intention was to get them to stop the land enclosure, increase tax revenue, and transfer more land to farmers.
Farming is no longer profitable, so land is no longer considered a valuable commodity for them, and only then can farmers have enough to eat.
As a result, the moment the edict was issued, the court erupted in uproar.
Apart from a few incorruptible and diligent officials, the vast majority disagreed outright.
The reasons they gave were varied and bizarre. Some directly complained about being poor, saying that they had to hire people and provide meals from planting to harvesting, and they simply couldn't afford to pay the heavy taxes.
Some heavy agricultural taxes can easily incite riots.
Others said that exorbitant taxes and levies were as fierce as tigers, and that doing so would tarnish the illustrious reputation of Emperor Qingyuan.
Emperor Qingyuan watched them spitting coldly, inwardly cursing them as nothing more than greedy rats.
They collect taxes every year but still owe money every year, and they still have the nerve to say he's raising taxes.
Exorbitant taxes? Don't think he doesn't know them; there are some tax names he's never even heard of!
Therefore, although Emperor Qingyuan's decrees were issued, they actually had very little effect.
Emperor Qingyuan was already seething with anger, and these people were taking advantage of his kindness by demanding a share of his business. How shameless!
So, Emperor Qingyuan glanced at Minister Wang's memorial, threw it back at him with a thud, hitting his boot, and declared that he would not approve it, then adjourned the court session.
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