flstandardbreds Chapter 289
Chapter 289
"Yes, Your Majesty, a 40% tax burden is far too heavy for the people."
Other officials echoed this sentiment, especially those from the Jiangnan Group led by Xia Yan, who were particularly vocal in their criticism.
Because customs duties are directly related to their interests, and it's not easy to evade taxes on these items. They are subject to inspection at customs, unless you can bribe customs officials.
Let alone a 40% tax, for them who are used to almost no business taxes, even a 10% tax is like cutting flesh off their body.
Jiajing had long anticipated this scene, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
"What? When did these merchants who go out to sea to trade become ordinary people? Speaking of competing with the people for profit, I think that the gentry of my Great Ming Dynasty who hide and annex land are the real ones competing with the people for profit."
Jiajing said with a cold expression.
"The events concerning the land of Jiangnan are still vivid in my mind, recorded in detail. Do I need to help you recall them?"
Those officials whose hometowns were in Jiangnan all lowered their heads upon hearing this, fearing that they would be named by the emperor.
"These merchants didn't starve to death before the seas were opened, did they? If they think the 40% tax is too high, then they shouldn't do business at sea. I'm not holding a knife to their throats and forcing them to go out to sea."
Jiajing's words became increasingly sharp, leaving no room for argument.
"But you lot keep talking about competing with the people for profit? Are you really competing with the people for profit, or are you just unwilling to give up your own interests?"
Jiajing suddenly questioned him sternly.
For a moment, the entire court fell silent; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone pretended to be dead. The officials who were allowed to attend court all had skin thicker than a city wall. Although the atmosphere was awkward, no one tried to ease the tension.
Everyone knows that whoever stands up will become the target of attacks.
"Should I call out names?"
When Jiajing saw the officials pretending to be dead, he was so angry that he laughed.
"Your Majesty, I think 40% is just right. Goods from our Great Ming Dynasty are in high demand overseas, and even if they are sold at a higher price, the supply still cannot meet the demand."
Yang Yiqing stepped forward.
What does it matter to him whether customs duties are high or low? No one in his family is involved in smuggling. Even if someone goes to sea in the future, he will probably no longer be the prime minister by then, so he doesn't need to worry about it.
The most important thing now is to restore the Zhou Chu state and solve the immediate crisis. There are priorities, and to go against the emperor at this time is simply absurd.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Half a year ago, Commander Zhou said that there was a group of foreign devils on Tuen Mun Island in the South Seas. Commander Zhou wiped them all out, and their heads were brought to the capital. We can open up a sea route to the foreign devils and make money off them."
Yang Shen also stepped forward.
"That's a good idea. If we only have Japan, it won't be enough to feed all the merchants of our Great Ming. We can continue to open up sea routes to the west."
Upon hearing this, Jiajing became interested.
Han Jie and others stepped forward to offer advice to Jiajing, but Chen Wanyan remained silent, unsure of what to say.
However, apart from the officials of the Six Ministries and one or two stubborn individuals who wanted to oppose such high taxes, no one dared to contradict Jiajing anymore.
As for the two officials from the Six Ministries, there was no need for Jiajing to refute them. Other officials, such as Han Jie, would naturally refute them one by one.
The arguments presented by these officials from the Sixth Division are completely untenable. Many people understand the reasons behind them, but in the past, everyone has pretended not to understand, and even encouraged them.
But times have changed. Jiajing now holds absolute power, and many officials hope that he will reinstate Zhou Chu and suppress Chen Wanyan, so they naturally lack the confidence to strongly refute him.
Moreover, they really couldn't think of any reason to refute what Jiajing had just said. Complaining about high taxes? Then they could simply not go to sea.
In the end, the matter of opening the sea and the customs duties was temporarily settled. Seeing that Yang Yiqing and Xia Yan were both so accommodating, Jiajing could not keep dragging things out with them.
"Regarding the weighing instruments, we still need to see his opinion. I can't force him to do something against his will, can I?"
Jiajing said with a hint of helplessness.
These words were tantamount to giving in, and openly telling Yang Yiqing and the others that if they wanted Zhou Hengqi reinstated, they could persuade him himself.
Yang Yiqing and Xia Yan exchanged a glance upon hearing this, not surprised by Jiajing's words.
"I will try to persuade Commander Zhou, after all, the affairs of the state are of utmost importance."
Yang Yiqing said.
"So is I, minister."
Xia Yan echoed.
"In that case, let's adjourn the court."
Jiajing yawned and waved his hand.
"Please wait, you need to be repaired."
It must be said that Yang Yiqing was still in good health, and he managed to catch up with Yang Shen in just a few steps on the way back from court.
"What advice do you have for me, Mr. Shizong?"
Yang Shen asked, puzzled.
Yang Yiqing was nearly seventy years old after all. Yang Shen might fight him to the death in the court, but after court, the proper etiquette still had to be observed.
"I can't possibly offer any guidance. This old man has been sending people to the Zhou residence every day for the past few days to deliver visiting cards, but I think Zhou Hengqi is still angry with me and refuses to see me. I thought that since we've always had a good relationship with Commander Xiu Zhou, could you please put in a good word for this old man?"
Yang Yiqing, as expected of an old fox, humbled himself greatly. When asking for help, one should have the proper attitude. He did not try to take advantage of his age in front of Yang Shen at all; every word he uttered was meant to highlight his pitiful state.
If it were an ordinary person, especially a cabinet minister who is nearly seventy years old, and he were to ask him for help in such a humble manner, he would not know how to refuse.
But Yang Shen was no ordinary person. He naturally knew why Yang Yiqing was so submissive in front of him, and he also knew exactly what kind of old fox Yang Yiqing was. Therefore, Yang Shen would not be soft-hearted at all.
"Your Excellency, this is putting me in a difficult position. I have a good relationship with Hengqi, but he has been spending his days drinking and making merry in his residence. You must have heard about how long the courtesans from the brothel have been staying at the Zhou residence. If I were to go there, wouldn't it be a real eyesore?"
Yang Shen remained unmoved.
"Why don't you, Grand Secretary, let Lord Xia give it a try?"
Yang Shen changed the subject.
"You don't need to say that. I will send a letter to the Zhou family. Lord Zhou is a man of the country and the people. How can he be so greedy for pleasure at such a young age? The Ming Dynasty needs Lord Zhou, and the people need Lord Zhou too."
Xia Yan said with a righteous and awe-inspiring air.
Hearing this, Chen Wanyan, who was not far from the three, felt extremely displeased. It seemed that overnight, most of the officials in the court had sided with Zhou Chu, and Chen Wanyan couldn't understand why this was the case.
Seeing that Yang Shen was unyielding, Yang Yiqing and Xia Yan stopped trying to persuade him and returned to their residence to send another visiting card to the Zhou family.
They continued delivering for two more days.
"Master, the Zhou family has replied."
The steward of the Yang family, holding an invitation, approached Yang Yiqing with a beaming smile.