Chapter 315 Collection of Mining Tax
Zhu Houzhao heard that Zhang Cong had also passed by here, and thought that Zhang Cong might have completed his tour of the south, and perhaps he should have a clearer understanding of whether the Ming Dynasty should strictly ban mining or open up the administrative method of mining to increase mining tax revenue.
"Let Zhang Cong come and see me," Zhu Houzhao said as he got off the carriage. Looking at the vast Jiangbei wilderness and the cement road that looked like a giant white dragon across the wilderness, he was very moved, thinking that Ming Dynasty had opened up the sea in recent years. Foreign colonization, no Talking about other benefits, even the infrastructure is much better. Because there are sufficient funds for infrastructure construction, even now I can see cement roads in some not-so-rich areas in Jiangbei. It can be seen that the traffic in Daming has indeed improved a lot. .
What surprised Zhu Houzhao even more was that the massive infrastructure construction brought not only a cement road, but also more prosperous business activities. At this time, Zhu Houzhao was on the cement road because he secretly returned to Beijing in civilian clothes. Then I saw that there were gradually more and more people setting up stalls and selling on the cement roadside, and even many market towns appeared.
It is enough to see that the emergence of cement roads has caused people to no longer consider whether it is convenient for farming, but whether it is convenient for buying and selling. The emergence of cement roads quietly changed Chinese society, which was dominated by agricultural civilization.
"People like to build houses on cement roads. Basically, people living in the mountains are gradually migrating to the cement roads. There are more and more new counties and market towns. Although the implementation of Jiangnan's tax reform has encountered challenges, it has been relatively successful. , which can be promoted to other regions in the future.”
Zhu Houzhao said a few words to Wang Shouren. He could imagine that the industrialization and commercialization of the Ming Dynasty would come very quickly, and the imperial court that ruled the Ming Dynasty had to make administrative changes quickly, otherwise it would not adapt to this era and be abandoned.
Wang Shouren also nodded. He could also feel that the Ming Dynasty had changed a lot in the past few decades. Except for the elderly and children, it was difficult for people to stay in one place for a long time. Farming and studying were no longer the main ways of society. Shang gradually Priority was placed on agriculture, and villages gradually gave way to towns. If the imperial court did not change the way it governed, it would still only believe that the world was based on agriculture, which would only harm farmers rather than benefit them.
Ta-ta!
There was a sound of horse hooves.
Zhu Houzhao looked back and saw a group of officers and soldiers standing directly on both sides of the road.
It's a pity that the newly promoted corn sprinkled by nearby people on the cement road was trampled under the feet of these officers and soldiers. Zhu Houzhao could only feel helpless. Like later generations, with cement roads, farmers like to dry things on the cement roads. This cannot be stopped, and the officers and soldiers who stepped on the corn are naturally blameless. After all, it is their duty to guard the safety of both sides.
At this time, a large four-wheeled carriage came, with many officials and staff gathered in front and behind the carriage. Zhu Houzhao knew it was Zhang Cong at a glance. No one else would have seen such a pomp.
Because he came to see the emperor Zhu Houzhao, Zhang Cong did not dare to let anyone beat the gong to clear the way. He hurriedly got out of the car, came to Zhu Houzhao, and saluted him.
As soon as Zhu Houzhao saw Zhang Cong coming, he asked directly: "How to deal with the mining matter, do you have a clear idea now?"
"Back to Your Majesty, I have visited various mines in the pass. Most of the mine operators are powerful people, but there are also ordinary people who mine because of the poor local land. Therefore, I believe that the court should in principle prohibit mining in the pass, but for those who have already mined It cannot be banned to avoid cutting off its livelihood, but large mines opened by powerful people must be heavily taxed. At the same time, those who mine outside the customs and private miners can enjoy tax reductions or even exemptions. "
After Zhang Cong said that, Zhu Houzhao nodded. He also knew that it would take time to transfer mining to outside the customs and to the colonies, and it would definitely not be possible in the short term. After all, many mountain people in areas with sparse cultivated land in the customs relied on mining to make a living. Strictly prohibiting mining within the pass will only drive these people to rebel.
But the problem is how to define mining by the gentry and independent mining by the common people. The best way is to define it by the size of the mineral. Those with high operating profits, even if they are not gentry, are wealthy businessmen. Mines by the common people naturally have low operating profits and can only meet the needs of mining. Those who have food and clothing, otherwise they will be taken away by powerful and powerful households.
"After all, there should be a threshold for collecting mining tax within the customs. For example, based on the annual profit of 1,000 silver dollars, if it is less than 1,000 silver dollars, there is no tax, but you need to register and accept government safety inspection. If it is more than 1,000 silver dollars They must be taxed, and taxed heavily, making their profits very small.”
"At the same time, outside the customs, all mining bans can be opened, but registration is required, and the taxes must be low or even tax-free, especially in the bitter cold places north of Monan. If you go further north, the court can even directly provide subsidies. In short, To open mines outside the customs, let the gentry and common people know that the court encourages and even wants them to make a fortune outside the customs! ”
After returning to the capital, Zhu Houzhao listened to Zhang Cong and Xia Yan's report on the on-site investigation of Daming Mining. He also became more clear about how he should rectify Daming's mining issues and the use of northern territories.
Zhang Cong, Xia Yan and others all nodded and said yes.
Only Kang Hai stood up: "But, Your Majesty, I have inquired about many noble gentry in the capital openly and secretly. They can neither accept the mining ban nor the imposition of mining taxes. Under my persuasion, most of them are only willing to accept the illegal mining ban." Officials and ordinary people who mine mines pay taxes.”
"The privileged class itself has privileges. How can it be ridiculous if we don't even pay taxes? Although I am the emperor of Ming Dynasty, the industries under my name are also actively paying taxes. Ming Dynasty is not mine alone! If you don't want to pay taxes, then stop operating. Stop being a Ming Dynasty person!”
Zhu Houzhao said something sternly. He was so stern. First, he made it clear that as the emperor, for the long-term interests of the Ming Dynasty, he had decided not to consider the feelings of these powerful people. Second, he gave Zhang Cong and Xia Yan confidence and let them know. The emperor himself agrees with their change.
So, after Zhu Houzhao said this, Kang Hai said nothing more.
Next.
Zhang Cong was responsible for the tax reform of mineral taxes within the customs, while Xia Yan was responsible for the tax reform of mineral taxes outside the customs.
Zhu Houzhao first established the Mining Department to be responsible for the geological and mineral exploration and mineral development auditing of Daming. This also marked that Daming's mineral management entered a scientific management model, instead of allowing local forces and people to freely mine as before.
After all, according to the outline of the current constitution of the Ming Dynasty, the minerals belong to the emperor, but the Ming Dynasty is an empire, the emperor is the head of the empire, and the empire belongs to the emperor, so the minerals are also state-owned.
Private mining by private individuals usurps both the interests of the emperor and the country. Now that Zhu Houzhao is willing to open the mining ban, it is equivalent to allowing private development of land resources, but he must accept the control of the emperor and the Ming court. How much money do Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao and the Ming court want you to make? How much can you earn.
Zhu Houzhao unknowingly established another ministry. There was no way around it. The political system of the Ming Dynasty was too simple, and there were no official agencies to manage many areas. The affairs managed by the original six ministries were too broad, so many affairs could not be managed more professionally and scientifically.
After the Ministry of Mines was established, the main officials of the Mining Department were Tingtui. The main officials of Tingtui were recommended by Zhang Cong and Xia Yan. After all, these officials had visited the place with Zhang Cong and Xia Yan and knew how to manage the mining industry at the moment. good.
Zhang Cong began to preside over the mineral tax reform within the customs. He also knew that the mineral tax reform he presided over was offensive to others. It was intended to make these miners unprofitable, but some things always need people to do it. Ma Wensheng, Jiao The fate of Fang and others told him that the Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao was not an emperor who would take the blame and kill the donkey. Even if a gentry group wanted to harm him in the future, the emperor would not let himself take the blame.
Therefore, Zhang Cong is still gritting his teeth and doing it.
When Zhang Cong's first memorial was submitted and approved by the Superintendent of Ceremonies and sent to the Ministry of Mines and Mines, there was an immediate uproar in public opinion.
Vested interest groups have criticized Zhang Cong for being too ruthless in collecting money, as if they want to cause chaos in the world!
However, the dignitaries in the capital all knew that the Zhengde Dynasty was no better than the previous dynasty. The emperor wanted reforms, and the ministers who followed the emperor were all tough. Resisting reforms at this time was tantamount to asking for trouble.
But because of this, vested interest groups hate it even more.
Ding Guogong Xu Guangzuo now wanted to find someone to kill Zhang Cong, but he did not dare to do so. After all, Zhang Cong was the second minister of the cabinet and could not be killed easily. If the assassination was not successful, he would suffer more serious consequences. "Master Guo, our iron mine in Fengrun has been surrounded by officers and soldiers from Fengrun County. They require you to register in person with your household registration certificate and pay a mining tax of more than 374 million silver dollars." At this time, Xu Guangzuo's housekeeper ran over and told Xu Guangzuo.
Although Xu Guangzuo already knew that Zhang Cong was imposing an additional mining tax, he did not expect that Zhang Cong would impose such a harsh new tax policy on collecting taxes. He became even more angry for a moment: "What is Zhang Cong doing! I'm working in Fengrun Coal Mine." The annual sales are only about 100,000 silver dollars, but he charges me a heavy tax of more than 30%! Do I still want to make a profit?”
Xu Guangzuo was so angry that he immediately went to the palace to see the emperor Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao will naturally not meet Xu Guangzuo. Now Zhu Houzhao is only hiding in the palace, doing research with people from the Academy of Engineering of the Academy of Sciences, and has no time to pay attention to government affairs.
"My lord, please go back. The emperor is currently engaged in electrical research with people from the Academy of Sciences. He has no time. If you really have any important military affairs, it would be the same to directly submit the report to the Privy Council of the Guards." Gu, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, Dayong smiled and said that he would not let Xu Guangzuo have the opportunity to see Zhu Houzhao.
Xu Guangzuo had no choice but to come back and became angry for a moment: "Your Majesty is devoted to the matters of sacred learning. For one term, the government was managed by these treacherous ministers. The gentry in Jiangnan made the gentry resentful. Now he collects mineral taxes and even imposes heavy taxes on them. This policy will undoubtedly make the powerful people in the two capitals He is also resentful. If this continues, how can the world not be in chaos? Since His Majesty is so disregarding the safety of the world, why should our Xu family care? The worst is that the coal mines will not be opened. It depends on how you tax and let all the miners in Fengrun go home! ”
……
Here, Zhang Cong came to Zhu Houzhao: "Your Majesty, the collection of mining taxes in the customs has indeed caused a huge backlash. All the nobles, gentry and other powerful people who opened the mines went on strike. This is relatively minor, and some even directly encouraged the miners to resist the tax. ”
"This is expected, Zhang Qing, I know this matter is difficult, but we have held many court discussions, and I don't want to say more. You should understand that no matter how difficult it is to implement, it must be implemented! Don’t worry about small-scale incidents at the expense of the long-term interests of the Ming Dynasty!”
Zhu Houzhao patted Zhang Cong on the shoulder as he spoke.
Zhang Cong nodded resolutely: "I understand! Your Majesty, please rest assured that I have decided to put my personal reputation aside and am willing to risk the disapproval of the world and raise the mining tax!"
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said no more, but suddenly thought of Xia Yan in his heart. He didn't know whether the olive branch that Xia Yan was about to throw out could successfully extinguish the fierce taxation and anti-tax struggle launched by Zhang Cong, but he knew that this was He was the only way for Ming Dynasty to achieve economic benefits without giving up large areas of northern territory.
Zhang Cong returned to the cabinet for duty. Cabinet minister Kang Hai glanced at him and sighed. He knew that what Zhang Cong was doing was so offensive that even he, the chief minister of the cabinet, did not know what to do. say what.
At this moment, Wang Tingxiang, who was in charge of the Internal Revenue Service, ran over: "Mr. Ge, more than 500 miners from Fengrun No. 1 Coal Mine beat up the tax supervisor we went to collect taxes and killed two of them, but this coal mine belongs to Dingguo Gong. Industry, do you think? ”
After Wang Tingxiang said that, Zhang Cong couldn't help but raised his head and asked: "Kill the tax inspector? Go and have a look! Let the National Taxation Bureau deploy another 500 tax inspectors to keep up."
then.
Zhang Cong rushed to Fengrun County.
It happened that Xu Guangzuo, the Duke of Dingguo, also arrived in Fengrun County.
Because the court wanted to levy mining taxes, Xu Guangzuo originally closed the Fengrun coal mine, but more than 500 miners in the coal mine were unwilling to close the coal mine. Even after Xu Guangzuo announced the shutdown, they continued to produce spontaneously, but regardless of the miners themselves, Production should be done by Xu Guangzuo himself, and Fengrun coal mines must pay taxes.
As a result, these five hundred miners had a dispute with the tax supervisors of the Internal Revenue Service, and directly beat two tax supervisors to death.
When Zhang Cong arrived at the scene, he saw 500 miners holding various sticks and shovels guarding outside the mine, staring eagerly at Zhang Cong and a large number of tax collectors behind Zhang Cong.
Because Zhang Cong was present at the scene, Mingcheng, an official from the National Taxation Bureau of Shuntian Prefecture, couldn't help shouting: "Do you know that you are illegally mining His Majesty's minerals? Now the Emperor has issued a decree to allow you to mine, but you must register and Pay taxes, what else do you want!”
"We dug the mine ourselves. If we don't hand it over, we won't hand it over. If you have the ability, we will kill any one of you who dares to take a step forward!" One of the miners shouted with anger, and other miners also responded.
Mingcheng couldn't help but ask Zhang Cong back: "Mr. Ge, do you think?"
"You tell them that they don't have to hand it over, but the mines are not allowed to be mined anymore!" Zhang Cong said.
Mingcheng nodded and replied in the same way.
But these miners still said they would not pay taxes but continued mining.
After hearing this, Zhang Cong said: "In that case, we will seal the mine by force. Let's go down and load all the muskets of the tax collectors from the IRS!"
"But, sir, they are all my citizens of the Ming Dynasty!" Mingcheng replied.
"Although His Majesty loves the people, and the court now considers the interests of the people everywhere, the people are the people, and you cannot think that you can do whatever you want because of this! If you don't abide by the rules, you will be punished! I will suppress it directly! Let us let you They understand that the imperial court can give them benefits, but it can also punish them! They are the common people ruled by the imperial court from beginning to end! Don't think that the imperial court is a human being just because it loves the people!" Zhang Cong said very seriously! said.
then.
The officers and soldiers of the Internal Revenue Service had no choice but to load their guns and walked towards the mine. Seeing this, several miners thought that the officers and soldiers did not dare to hit them like before, so they came over with weapons.
But as soon as these miners raised their weapons, there was a snap! The miners were all shot and fell to the ground.
Xu Guangzuo, who came after hearing the news, couldn't help shouting: "Crazy, simply crazy! This Zhang Cong is simply crazy! What is he doing? He is killing people!"
Many thanks to book friend beboba for the 100 starting coin reward of Calm and Fanatic. 500 starting coin reward for I Love Flying Birds. 100 starting coin reward. Many thanks to book friend Joseph Brinovich Stalin for the 100 starting coin reward. Please explain, mining tax is levied in the customs here. There is a reason for heavy taxation The reason is that for the purpose of industrial transfer, it is mandatory to shift the mineral mining of Daming to outside the Great Wall. This will be conducive to the long-term development of Daming and meaningful control outside the Great Wall. After all, the climate outside the Great Wall is not suitable for the development of agriculture because of the small glacier. Mining can only be developed, but sometimes in the short term The long-term interests of the country and the interests of the people It goes against the interests of the people. For the people, the transportation and other costs of mining in the warm areas inside the pass are definitely lower than outside the pass. Therefore, both the upper and lower classes in the pass are opposed to the mining tax. However, the court still has to levy it and can still impose heavy taxes to force the people to go outside the pass. Mining, so Zhang Cong is here If you want to shoot at the miners, you can't do it without shooting. The miners don't want to pay taxes and don't want to close the mines. They think that because they have so many people, they can scare the court from taking action. But in fact, the Ming court here is not weak. The court will not be afraid that the people will not cooperate, and will still be tough when it needs to be tough.
(End of chapter)