Chapter 50: Wind and rain meet Qiongya from all directions (4)
PS: I had a bad stomach two days ago, suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, and worked overtime continuously at night. I really didn’t have time to type, so I stopped for a while and apologized.
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Thick smoke billowed and flames shot into the sky. The sound of wood burning and cracking can be heard endlessly.
The scalding heat wave rushed towards you, making it almost impossible for passers-by to get close.
The Chenji Cloth Store in Bobu Port is now bathed in a bright flame.
Seeing his most profitable store gradually turning into ashes, Boss Chen, who was so anxious, had to drive his assistants, trying his best to water the fire and save the stock goods that were not on fire. Cloths and silks were moved to the streets and piled up.
After hearing the news, people came from all over to watch the fire. For a time, they were surrounded by three floors inside and three floors outside the fire scene, blocking the originally not spacious street. However, based on the common thinking of the Chinese people, "Everyone sweeps the snow in front of his own door and doesn't care about the frost on other people's tiles." Everyone stood there with their hands folded, whispering to each other, and talking about it. But not one person in a hundred was willing to lend a helping hand to help put out the fire. As for Boss Chen and a bunch of shop assistants, they were anxious to become ants on the hot pot... and the bosses and assistants of several nearby shops also looked worried, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
——According to the general experience of people in the Ming Dynasty, due to the dense density of houses in the city, fires in the city often burn out in large areas, and are by no means just a disaster for Chen Ji Cloth Shop and his family. Faced with such a huge fire, any amateur would be at a loss to do anything.
At this moment, the professional fire-fighting team finally arrived!
"...Ding Dong! Give way! Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Give way! We are going to put out the fire!"
With the clear ringing of copper bells and the shouts of a strong man, the fire brigade newly established in Bobu Port this year pulled several human-powered water hoses, struggled to squeeze through the crowded crowds along the way, and finally arrived at the fire scene. The owners of the surrounding shops were immediately overjoyed and came forward to cheer and fawn over them. The attire was very similar to the fire brigade of later generations. These seventeenth-century firefighters who were recruited and trained by the time traveler senate also wore orange-red long-sleeved jackets. Wearing a bright red helmet on his head and yellow armbands on his arms, he looked very capable.
Although due to technical limitations, their equipment and equipment are a bit shabby. There are no dry powder or foam fire extinguishers, nor high-pressure water cannons or fire trucks with ladders. Even because of limited funds, we don’t even have animal-drawn vehicles. We can only rely on manpower to drag manual pumps mounted on several carts around. But they are regular professionals at least. With their arrival, the onlookers around the fire scene They all breathed a sigh of relief.
However, one strange thing about this seventeenth-century fire brigade that is completely different from that of later generations is that on the back of each firefighter's uniform, there is a large word "tax" embroidered on it - yes, in Lingao Crossing In the system of the Senate, the fire brigade is affiliated with the tax authorities!
As for why the "relevant departments" decided to let a group of tax collectors come to the fire brigade in such a weird way, please read below to find out.
——Seeing that professional fire fighters had arrived, several owners of other nearby shops seemed to have a backbone. They hurriedly came over and said hello with a flattering smile. Some even offered herbal tea and other items attentively, and some even wanted to treat them. . The big and round fire captain declined their solicitude with an upright face, saying that putting out the fire was more important at the moment... Then, amidst the flattery of the shopkeepers and waiters, he led a group of his men to attack every shop around Chen Ji Cloth Shop. The roofs and walls were sprayed with water to try their best to ensure that the leaping flames would not spread to the shops around the fire scene.
Strangely, the firefighters turned a blind eye to the raging fire at Chen Ji Cloth Store and did not even pour a water pipe on the flames.
However, the owner of the cloth shop that caught fire vaguely guessed the reason for this - the distressed boss Chen first lamented with infinite regret, and then put on a flattering face to greet him. He came up, took out a stack of circulation certificates printed by the "Australian Government" from his sleeve, and asked several "officials" of the fire brigade to accept them. But the leading captain quickly shied away: "...Don't do this, boss, we don't accept bribes!"
Then, the "thief tax collector" who guest-starred as the fire captain put on a businesslike expression, took out a small black leather notebook from his pocket and opened it in front of everyone, and then said in a pretense of worry, "... I said, Boss Chen, according to the records of the tax department, from the time the fire tax was levied to now, you have not paid a dime in circulation coupons for six months. Now that the fire has started, what are you going to do? What to do?”
When Boss Chen heard this, he felt that his cloth shop seemed to be saved, and he no longer dared to be stingy. He quickly took out more circulation rolls from his sleeves and asked the fire captain to accept them. This time, the upright fire captain immediately accepted it, but then said with a smile: "...Okay, Boss Chen is indeed a law-abiding person. The illegal occupation of these cloths piled on the road in your shop I have received the fine now. I will hand it over to the person in charge of that part for you later. I will also give you a proof of receipt. You don’t have to thank me, but what are you going to do about this?
Boss Chen, who already had a lot of money to give away, became angry when he heard this bastard's words: This money is for your fire tax, why do you treat it as tolls? Besides, I just piled the goods on the street for a while, why did I have to pay? This thief is indeed vulgar and uncivilized, with no kindness at all... But the situation is stronger than others, so he has no choice but to put on a cry and beg for mercy, "... Lords, I know I was wrong! I'm wrong!" It's all the villain's fault! But the villain's shop is still burning! I beg you, gentlemen, please do a good job and put out the fire in my little shop!"
Although Boss Chen burst into tears when he spoke, the tax collector who guest-starred as the fire captain seemed to be born with a heart of stone - he let out a long sigh and replied unhurriedly, "... ...Boss Chen! It’s not that we don’t put out fires. The purpose of tax collection by the Senate has always been to take money from the people and use it for the people. Since the money has been collected, it must be done - you Look, aren't we spraying water on the surrounding shops that have paid the fire prevention tax? We are obviously trying to save it! But you haven't paid a dime of fire prevention tax since you opened, so it's really hard for us to save it now! I saved your shop, and everyone will follow your example in the future. They usually refuse to pay their bills, but only come crying to ask for help when trouble comes. Where can I collect taxes? ”
After hearing what the other party had said so clearly, Boss Chen didn't bother to argue, "...tell me! How many circulation volumes. I admit defeat this time!"
Unexpectedly, the other party seemed determined to do nothing, but continued to hit him: "...Oh, how much tax should be collected specifically? I am not the person actually responsible for handling it. How can I make it clear at the moment? Otherwise, Boss Chen, hurry up and go to the tax department, pay all the tax arrears and late payment fees, and then issue a certificate, and I will definitely help you put out the fire! "
This kind of insincere official cliché immediately deceived the poor boss Chen - what kind of bad idea is this? Now run over there, queue up, stamp and pay the tax, and then run back with the certificate slip? After waiting for so long, his shop must have been burned to a pile of ashes!
Suddenly, Boss Chen, who believed that he had several talented people in his family and was quite arrogant towards others, finally lost his legs and knelt down towards the clerk whom he had always looked down upon. He kowtowed repeatedly and banged his head on the concrete pavement. There's a "dong-dong" sound. ...Please! Lord, please save this little dog's life! This shop is not mine alone, and the capital of many elderly people in the clan has been burned. Even if I lose my life, it won't be enough. Ah!”
"...Hmph, I really can't shed tears until I see the coffin! Boss Chen, when we asked you to pay the fire prevention tax in the past, you didn't get away with it. Not only did you hide better than a mouse, you even instigated your employees to play tricks to resist the tax! Now you know how to do it Come to beg me? Tell you, it’s too late!”
The fire captain stood leisurely in front of the raging fire, looking at the crying boss Chen with contempt. He was about to spit at him, but suddenly remembered something and stopped quickly, "...Ahem, anyway, I just want to say If you don’t pay the fire prevention tax, you will not be allowed to put out the fire. You can do it yourself!”
In this way, the newly opened Chen Ji Cloth Store in Bopu Port less than a year ago was slowly burned to ashes amidst the flames and thick smoke, while a fully armed fire brigade watched helplessly. Working hard to pour water around the fire. To ensure that surrounding shops will not catch fire...
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A middle-aged man with short hair, wearing a pullover, and dressed like a "naturalized citizen" stood on a dark street corner far away from the fire, watching from a distance this kind of thing that often appeared in American news in later generations, which fully proved that The absurdity of "capitalism's evil nature" cannot be understood:
"...Oh, damn it! He actually dared to ignore the dignified gentry just because of a mere tax payment. This thief is indeed an overseas barbarian who doesn't even understand the basic principles of superiority and inferiority! The Great Tomorrow Soldiers I don’t know when we will be able to regain this place and bring peace to the people of Qiongzhou!”
Just when this loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty, who was deeply lurking in the enemy's nest, was sighing in his heart, he finally waited for an old man and a young man to come to join him. Both of them were wearing traditional Ming Dynasty clothes. The older guy was quite energetic, but the young boy with a tender face was limping, as if there was something wrong with his legs. There were also scars on his face and hands. They were all looking around vigilantly, as if someone might appear at any time to make things difficult for him.
After the middle-aged man recognized the other person, he quickly came over. After exchanging a few pleasantries and exchanging the pre-agreed secret code, he complained to the old man and the young man, "...Isn't it already in the letter?" I said it, Australia’s thieves summoned The gathering of barbarians from all directions seems to be detrimental to the imperial court. Why did the superiors send you two here to find out the news? "< br>
"...Look what you said, the news of the Siyi fleet meeting in Lingao has been spreading in Guangzhou for a long time. Even the governor was alarmed. How could it be possible to send just two of us here? Various yamen and gangs sent There must be at least a hundred spies coming here!”
The old man chuckled and replied, "...But in order to prevent people from talking too much and leaking the news, we don't walk all the way, so as not to expose the trap, and be hunted down by the thief's minions... The superiors also ordered that even if arrive After reaching Lingao, the teams should not communicate with each other, just do their own thing. Our team has few people and few errands. As long as we can collect some useful information and bring it back, it will be a great achievement... ”
"...So that's it." The middle-aged man nodded reluctantly, seemingly frustrated that his superiors looked down on him, but in the end he sighed helplessly, "...and this young man's legs are... What’s going on? Could it be that a cripple was sent here?”
"...Hey, how can this be possible? It seems that this kid has no long memory and asked for a beating on his own. As soon as he came ashore, he received a killing blow from the bandit!"
The old man angrily hit the young man on the head, "...Before I came here, I gave him countless warnings, saying that the rules in Lingao were very strict, and told him not to urinate anywhere. But I just didn't pay attention." , he is on the street I took off my pants and pulled them up, so the Australian businessmen immediately rushed up and beat us... Fortunately, they didn't ask us to check our household registration papers, otherwise we would have been sifting through sand and doing hard work..."
"...There is nothing we can do, the security of Australian thieves is really tight..." The middle-aged man sighed, "...Let me find a place to live with me first..."
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At the same time, in the second-floor lounge of a restaurant a street away from the fire scene, Comrade Li Wei, the "true Australian" negotiator wearing a suit, was also holding a small white porcelain wine cup while admiring In the midst of soaring flames Chen Ji Cloth Shop, which was gradually reduced to ashes, joked to Wen Desi, one of the three giants of Lingao, in front of him with a faint smile, "...Mr. Wen, the way your fire brigade puts out fires is really interesting!"< br>
"...Well, what can we do? It has become a habit for businessmen in the late Ming Dynasty not to pay taxes. Paying taxes according to regulations will be ridiculed. In order to correct their wrong ideas in the shortest possible time, we have Sometimes I have to take some strong medicine..."
Wen Desi smiled awkwardly, but in his heart he cursed the guy in charge of collecting the fire prevention tax hundreds of times: Why didn't he set the fire earlier and then later, but why did he set the fire at this time? Others were embarrassed and were thrown to Java, but you were even more powerful, and you were thrown to Australia in one fell swoop!
——Speaking of which, although the Lingao Traveler Senate has fully learned from our party’s early base construction experience from the beginning, it has worked hard to develop state-owned enterprises and state-owned farms to develop production and improve its own hematopoietic capabilities, instead of just collecting and sucking blood from the people. But as time went by, the markets in the towns and cities in the base area began to become increasingly prosperous. Even if it was just to collect currency and establish a tax concept, taxation became necessary.
You must know that if a country cannot establish in the minds of its citizens the concept that "only death and taxes cannot be evaded" and form the golden rule that "everyone is responsible for paying taxes in accordance with the law", then the country will be equivalent to being abolished - it cannot be Let’s learn from Chiang Kai-shek’s example of how he made a living by printing money like crazy during the War of Liberation! And even the brain-cramped Chairman Chiang, while printing money furiously, did not forget to exploit and plunder the people!
But the agricultural tax in the countryside is just that, and the commercial tax in the cities and towns is not that easy to collect - after all, compared with the ultra-low commercial tax in the Ming Dynasty (the low commercial tax in the Ming Dynasty does not mean that the merchants in the Ming Dynasty) The burden is light, and examples need to be given to each yamen Practicing filial piety often bankrupts businessmen, but the money is basically not transferred to the government and is intercepted by private individuals. The national treasury is still too poor to run away.) The commercial tax standards set by the Lingao Traveler Senate can definitely be called Excessive taxation and extortion. Businessmen these days are not even willing to pay the Ming Dynasty's "Thirty-one tax" business tax. Even wealthy businessmen with a little status regard paying taxes as a shame and would rather bribe officials than pay taxes according to regulations. This tax awareness is simply poor. Couldn't be worse.
Moreover, merchants in the late Ming Dynasty were still full of rebellious spirit against the imperial court, and various anti-tax mass incidents emerged one after another. Suzhou's "Five People's Stele", which was once selected as a Chinese textbook in later generations, describes a large-scale anti-tax movement in Suzhou - the war If you follow the law without blaming everyone, you really dare to beat even the imperial envoy to death!
Therefore, collecting business taxes in Lingao sounds simple, but in fact it is full of blood and tears - the tax collectors will have a big fight almost every three days. For any newly opened store, if the boss has a little bit of background , basically you have to fight with sticks, knives and guns to make the other party know the rules. The most tragic thing is that there was a boxing gym owner who beat several groups of tax collectors to the point of being unable to find their way. In the most serious case, the time traveler senate even had to mobilize the army and push cannons onto the streets to intimidate the die-hard merchants. Only then can commercial taxes be collected smoothly.
In the view of the time-travelers, this kind of violent taxation not only has a bad social impact, but is also very costly. Each time you have to pay a lot of errand fees, injury medicine fees and pensions, it is really not something that can be sustained for a long time. things.
But on the other hand, no matter how high the cost of taxation is, merchants cannot be allowed to evade tax, otherwise it will quickly become a habit. In the end, just like the Ming Dynasty, the treasury is extremely poor, but the rich in Jiangnan are extremely fat. Oil, but the court just couldn't collect taxes from Jiangnan.
Therefore, after experiencing several riots caused by violent taxation, everyone in the Lingao Traveler Senate learned from the pain, brainstormed, and finally learned from one of the three giants at the end of the ancient Roman Republic, who suppressed the Spartacus slaves. The rebellious consul Crassus relied on setting fires and putting out fires in the city of Rome to make money, and eventually became the "advanced experience" of a generation of wealthy people. He decided to levy a fire prevention tax on a trial basis in Lingao County.
Specifically, it was to seal up some local Ming Dynasty natives who were engaged in private fire brigade business. Then, while setting up a government-run fire brigade under the name of the tax authorities, they openly and honestly apportioned fire prevention taxes to every merchant. In order to save the cost of taxation, this new tax no longer sends people to collect it door to door, but allows merchants to voluntarily come to the tax department to pay. As for the consequences of not paying the tax...well, it seems that no one will save you after a fire. ?
Haha, if you just think this way, you are too naive. The lower limit of moral integrity of time-travelers in some aspects is definitely beyond your expectation: if any merchant insists on not paying taxes, then the "relevant departments" will dispatch the most loyal and reliable elite troops to check his business from time to time. The store organizes an arson drill. If something goes wrong, someone will be sent to set a fire, and then the fire brigade will watch. Just in case (to prevent the fire from spreading and burning down the whole street) - After several large merchants attempted to incite a strike and attack the Senate, they were preempted by the death threat from the Senate's special team. , the forced taxation that had caused everyone to panic has turned into a voluntary tax payment with everyone scrambling first.
Of course, behind this harmonious atmosphere of "paying taxes is glorious", there are not without a few disharmonious notes. For example, the Chenji Cloth Store in Bobu Port is a strong believer in non-violence and non-cooperation. The owner of the store, Mr. Chen, seemed to have experience in putting out fires. He not only dug a well in the yard, but also installed a large fire-proof water tank in front of the warehouse door. In terms of fire prevention, he had reached the highest standards among the people in the late Ming Dynasty. As a result, the spies sent by the Senate lit a fire in his shop several times but failed to burn it. It also caused other businesses on the street to be adversely affected and hesitated to pay the fire tax.
However, after the Senate ruthlessly deployed the final weapon of war and threw "****************" **** at Chen Ji Cloth Store, this nail household who had long been in arrears with taxes... It finally started to burn, perfectly achieving the warning effect of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys...
However, at this time, His Excellency Wen Desi was sitting in the restaurant watching such a scene from a distance, but he was not happy at all - not only because it was so unethical and not worthy of public boasting and celebration, And coincidentally, the "real Australians" who came from Australia saw it clearly. It was really embarrassing to see these "Australians" whispering and smiling weirdly. Off to the Southern Hemisphere!
——Although no matter which time-traveling group it is, the lower limit of moral integrity in treating the natives of this time and space is very low. For example, in order to reach an armistice and peace treaty with the Kingdom of Spain, the East Coast Country of South America betrayed the Indians who fought alongside them against the Spanish. Rebel Army. China and the United States in North America also once fanned flames and provoked wars among European countries in order to make war profits. Even the newly arrived Australians brutally enslaved the Australian Aboriginals and forced them to work hard in the mines... But the fire brigade moonlighting as arsonists is just like the navy moonlighting as pirates and the police moonlighting as robbers. It still belongs to the category of things that can only be done but not said. Now it has become the laughing stock of the guests, which makes people feel a bit embarrassed.
"...Ahem, I'm sorry to let you see such an unsightly scene. However, I think the reason why both of us are sitting here now is not to watch such an insignificant little fire!"
Seeing the strange looks on the faces of all the "real Australians", Wen Desi could only cough dryly and change the topic, "...Mr. Levi, I don't know what your views and requirements are on the suggestions we just made. ”
"...are you asking the more than 100 of us to abandon our base in Australia and move to Lingao with the COSCO Star?"
Levi smiled playfully, folded his hands and put them under his stubbled chin, "...How should I put it? It's not impossible for us to move here. After all, Australia is a desolate wilderness. We are tired of it. The hard life of eating nothing but kangaroo meat is indeed very difficult. Being able to return to our roots and return to our motherland is a good thing. But the problem is, for me. In our hands is this unique 10,000-ton modern sailing ship in the world, as well as the remaining 4,000 tons of alloy steel and modern machinery on board, as well as more than a hundred of us travelers, including many biochemical (biofuel synthesis) ), highly educated experts in metal smelting and mining... What price are you willing to pay for such a tangible and intangible wealth that is nowhere to be found in this time and space? "