Chapter 197 Salt Tax (2 more)
Not long after, Yang Ming led a few small officials over carrying two boxes.
Because paper is precious, bamboo slips are still used for most of the government documents. Only important documents, or those submitted to the emperor, will use paper.
The box was opened, and there were rolls of bamboo slips neatly placed inside.
The lighting in this room is not good, and Han Zhengtai didn't want to go in and light candles to watch, so he just watched in the yard.
Yang Ming and Cen Liangjun did not lie. They did submit memorials to the Ministry of Households every five days.
It states the current situation in the Yantie Division, requesting that the manpower be replenished as soon as possible and the warehouse be repaired. Han Zhengtai's requirements are all written.
The Ministry of Finance's response is very interesting.
First of all, he stated that he had received the request, but he immediately pointed out that the Ministry of Accounting is currently busy, and it will take time to process the request from Yantie Division, so let them wait patiently.
The ones who responded to the official documents were obviously veterans in the officialdom, and they didn't directly refuse requests that they didn't want to pay attention to.
All in all, this procrastination has no effect on the Ministry of Household Affairs at all, but the government office that made the request may not be able to procrastinate.
If the deadline is reached, if there is no way to complete the official duties because there is no manpower, then they will only be held accountable.
From this point, it can be seen that Daliang's current officialdom management system is not perfect.
Han Zhengtai held the bamboo slips replied by the household department in his hand, showing a thoughtful expression.
No matter how low the efficiency of this matter is, it is impossible that there has been no response in the past three months. Even if there is no way to send officials and guards over, it is always possible to have someone come over to repair the warehouse of the government office.
Hubu didn't do anything, anyone who wasn't a fool would know that someone deliberately tripped Han Zhengtai.
"Put away all these official documents. I will use them again. If you lose them, Yang Ming and Cen Liangjun, you two will quit."
Han Zhengtai put the bamboo slips in his hand back into the box and ordered them to be kept properly.
Of course, in order to prevent this group of veterans from shifting responsibility again, Han Zhengtai directly named the person in charge.
When the official document really went wrong, Han Zhengtai didn't ask the reason, but only held these two people accountable.
He would like to see how the two veterans, Yang Ming and Cen Liangjun, still try to shirk their responsibilities.
"Yes, my lord!"
Yang Ming and Cen Liangjun broke out in cold sweat on their foreheads, and hurriedly responded.
The two carried down the official document, put it away carefully, and without any hesitation, rushed to Han Zhengtai to listen to the training.
Han Zhengtai came to the warehouse, looked at the dilapidated gate and the leaky roof, frowned, and thought about how to deal with it.
"My lord, why don't we fix this warehouse with our own money." Yang Ming followed Han Zhengtai and made a suggestion.
Everyone in the Salt and Iron Division knows that this year's salt tax will definitely be able to be collected, so there is no need to go into too much detail about the reasons.
However, Yantiesi's treasury can't keep money at all.
If they really put the money in it, even if they dared to go to the Yantie Division to steal it, but if there is a heavy rain, then the warehouse will be full of feathers.
So when Yang Ming made this suggestion, he was actually thinking about it for Han Zhengtai's sake.
Everyone knows that Han Zhengtai is rich, not short of the money to repair the warehouse.
"build?"
Han Zhengtai sneered and said, "I don't know how to fix it. This is the responsibility of the Ministry of Household Affairs. I don't know how to help them."
"yes."
Hearing what Han Zhengtai said, Yang Ming didn't understand. He was planning to hold the Ministry of Accounts accountable, so he didn't dare to say more right now, so he lowered his head and pretended to be an ostrich.
Han Zhengtai was a celebrity in front of Li Yuanmin, and he was qualified to talk to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Yang Ming and the others should not get involved in the struggle of the big bosses, otherwise it would be a disaster if they accidentally became cannon fodder.
"Bring the bamboo slips over here, and I will personally write a memorial to the household department."
There was a smile on the corner of Han Zhengtai's lips. Since Hubu likes to play, he will play a big one with them.
...
Department of household.
Near the end of the quarter, the household department is checking the accounts, so they are extremely busy.
"Have the accounts and salt tax of the Chang'an Salt and Iron Division been delivered?"
Wang Zai, the minister of the household department, came here to ask the officials below.
"My lord, the accounts and salt tax of the Chang'an Salt and Iron Department have not been sent." The officials below inquired and gave a response.
"Didn't send it?"
Wang Zai was stunned, a little unbelievable.
There are still three days until the season-end grand court meeting. At the grand court meeting, Li Yuanmin will personally check the tax situation. If Han Zhengtai doesn't deliver the salt tax, then he will end up dereliction of duty.
"Could it be that Han Zhengtai is deliberately messing with the salt water because of the emperor's favor?" Wang Zai narrowed his eyes, revealing a thoughtful expression.
If this is the case, then Han Zhengtai is committing suicide.
If he dares to make trouble on taxes, even if he is protected by Li Yuanmin, he will not be able to escape the fate of dereliction of duty! "When the tax deadline is over, if the salt tax of the Chang'an Salt and Iron Division has not been collected, report it to Lord Shang Shu immediately." Wang Zai ordered.
Wang bears this order, so he has some skills.
Since Wang Zai knew that the salt tax had not yet been confiscated, he did not send anyone to urge the payment. Instead, he deliberately asked the officials below to wait until the final date passed before sending someone to complain to his superiors.
It can be seen from this that Wang Zai's purpose is not to tax salt at all, but to take this opportunity to deliberately punish Han Zhengtai!
"Yes, my lord!"
Naturally, the officials under him would not refute the orders of their superiors, and obediently complied.
After Wang Cheng was dismissed that day, he immediately went to his uncle Wang Yi.
"Uncle, Han Zhengtai's salt tax has not yet been delivered, and tomorrow is the deadline. If Han Zhengtai has not delivered the salt tax by then, it will be dereliction of duty!"
Wang Zai told Wang Yi the news.
"oh?"
When Wang Yi heard the news, he couldn't help showing a surprised expression.
In the past few months, they have been trying to find a way to deal with Han Zhengtai, but Han Zhengtai is like an iron bucket, leaving them no gaps.
So he has already rested his mind and prepared to wholesale snow salt in an orderly manner, to do this snow salt business, and to return some blood to the business of his own salt well.
Who knows, they didn't deal with Han Zhengtai, and Han Zhengtai himself fell into the pit on his own initiative.
"This Han Zhengtai acted with extreme caution. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have made such a mistake?" Wang Yi sensed that something was wrong at this time.
"Uncle, whether it's true or not, we'll know after tomorrow?" Wang Zai said with a smile.
"If you have specific news tomorrow, please come and let me know."
Wang Yi nodded thoughtfully.
Until the second day, Wang Zai kept guard at the household department. However, until the next day, there was no movement from Yantiesi.
"Early tomorrow morning, this matter will be reported to Mr. Dai, and then Han Zhengtai will suffer!" Wang Zaicheng informed Wang Yi of the news.
Wang Yi was relieved when he heard that the news was solid, and said with a smile, "Tomorrow, you propose in front of Dai Ji that Dai Ji issue a warning to Han Zhengtai."
The so-called reprimand is the reprimand order issued by the immediate superior to the subordinate.
Dai Ji is the Secretary of the Household Department, and Han Zhengtai is the Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy, so they are naturally Han Zhengtai's immediate boss.
If he issued a warning to Han Zhengtai, it would have a great impact on Han Zhengtai's reputation.
This affects not only the official career, but even a person's life!
This is equivalent to pouring a big pot of dirty water on Han Zhengtai's life history.
The ancients valued reputation. If Han Zhengtai's reputation is dirty, then no matter what Han Zhengtai does in the future, this matter can be used to criticize him!
Even if Li Yuanmin vigorously promotes Han Zhengtai, they have a reason to dissuade him.
"Master Dai and Uncle are good friends, so I have to say a few words about this matter to Uncle and Mr. Dai." Wang bearing some hesitation.
It's not that Wang Zai is unwilling to propose this matter to Dai Ji, but he is worried that his weight is not enough and Dai Ji won't listen to him.
If it was someone else, Dai Ji might not have any worries, and the warning was issued as soon as it was issued.
But Han Zhengtai is not an ordinary person after all, he is Li Yuanmin's favourite.
This is not looking at the monk's face but at the Buddha's face, it is for Li Yuanmin's face, Dai Ji is afraid that he will not issue this warning lightly.
"Don't worry about this, Dai Ji will naturally have me to talk about it. You just need to mobilize your colleagues to publicly propose that he issue this warning."
Wang Yi nodded. He has a good personal relationship with Dai Ji, so he will naturally agree with Dai Ji in private. Wang Zai only needs to give Dai Ji a head start.
"Okay uncle, bearer understands."
Wang Zai understood and immediately agreed.
The next day, Wang carried it to the household department. Because the taxes from various departments had already been sent up, the household department was extremely busy at this time.
Of course, it is the clerks below who are busy counting and entering the accounts. The officials still sit leisurely in the office, just waiting to see the final reports from the clerks.
"There are only so many taxes this year?"
Dai Ji looked at the account books submitted by his subordinates, his brows were furrowed, and his heart was heavy.
This year's tax situation is very bad. In the past two years, there have been frequent famines in various parts of the Liang Kingdom.
However, the war continued in the north, and the Xiongnu encountered heavy snow one after another. If they couldn't survive by themselves, they could only go south to rob. The Dugu army was stationed in the north, and they fought dozens of battles, large and small, in the past two years. The military pay was extremely high. big.
This income is not much, but the expenses are getting bigger and bigger.
The entire country's finances have run into serious fiscal deficits.
If the situation continues to develop like this, it will shake the foundation of the country!
Li Yuanmin is an emperor with great ambitions. If Dai Ji, the Minister of the Household Department, cannot solve the country's financial problems this year, I'm afraid his position as the Minister of the Household Department will be changed.
.
Chapter 198 Remonstrance (three more)
"Mr. Dai, all the taxes have been paid on time. There is only one place where the taxes have not been paid."
The little official bowed and reported the truth.
When Dai Ji heard this, a dark light flashed in the depths of his eyes, and he frowned and asked, "Where is it?"
"Chang'an Yantie Division." The little official replied.
Listening to the little official's words, Wang Cheng raised his eyebrows, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips.
With this matter brought to Dai Ji's face, Han Zhengtai's warning this time is probably a certainty.
"Chang'an Salt and Iron Division under Han Zhengtai's supervision?"
Dai Ji looked at the little official to confirm.
"Reporting to Duke Dai, that's right." The little official nodded and admitted.
"Mr. Dai, this Han Zhengtai was in court back then, but he said in front of the emperor and the ministers that he would pay the salt tax. Now that the deadline has come, he has not paid the salt tax. We can't let it go easily!"
Wang bearing made a decisive decision, stood up, and stomped on Han Zhengtai.
"Mr. Dai, Mr. Wang is right. If you let it go easily, it's inevitable that the various departments below will follow suit. I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to collect the tax in the future. It must be severely punished, so as to imitate others!"
Lu Jiarong, the left servant of the household department, echoed from the side.
Both the Lu family and the Wang family are top-notch families, and the two families are on good terms. Wang Cheng and Lu Jiarong have a good personal relationship, and Lu Jiarong doesn't mind helping Wang Cheng with ordinary things, let alone the common enemy of the two families, Han Zhengtai.
"Mr. Dai, this trend cannot grow, it must be severely punished!"
The servants on the left and right stood up to criticize Han Zhengtai, and the officials below naturally couldn't just sit still, and they all stood up to express their support.
"Draft an order and issue it to the Chang'an Yantie Division."
Dai Ji's voice was cold, and he punished Han Zhengtai, "When the court meets, I will personally explain to the emperor Han Zhengtai's crime of dereliction of duty!"
"Mr. Dai is wise!"
Everyone below agreed.
Dai Ji looked at the official document in his hand, and a strange look flashed across his eyes.
Dai Ji, as Han Zhengtai's immediate superior, can naturally punish Han Zhengtai directly.
It's just that Han Zhengtai is Li Yuanmin's favorite after all. He heard that Han Zhengtai has the privilege of directly entering the palace to meet Li Yuanmin. This kind of privilege is full of civil and military affairs, but only Han Zhengtai has this honor. What is the position in the hearts of the people?
If Dai Ji really punished Han Zhengtai, even if the reason was justified, it would inevitably make Li Yuanmin feel uncomfortable.
And Wang Yi personally came to ask for it yesterday, and Dai Ji couldn't refuse his request.
After weighing the two, Dai Jicai made the decision he made today.
He issued a warning, which is considered to have complied with Wang Yi's entrustment, but at the same time, he handed over the right to convict Han Zhengtai to Li Yuanmin.
"This official document from the Department of Salt and Iron..."
Originally, the little official was going to hand over the official document sent by the Yantie Division to Dai Ji, but was interrupted by Wang Zai.
The petty official didn't dare to interrupt the conversation of these officials, so he could only stand aside and wait with his neck curled up.
In the end, Dai Ji punished Han Zhengtai.
The little official looked at the bamboo slips in his hand, thought about it, and decided not to speak.
Anyway, the Chang'an Salt and Iron Department will issue an official document every five days. The content is similar, and Wang Zhuang and the others must be aware of it.
Now that Han Zhengtai, the envoy of salt and iron, has been punished, there is no need to read the official documents sent by Han Zhengtai.
...
Chang'an Salt and Iron Division.
"My lord, the household department has issued a warning to you!"
Yang Ming came in anxiously to inform Han Zhengtai with the notice stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
"An order?"
Han Zhengtai raised his eyebrows as he looked at the paper announcement in Yang Ming's hand.
This household department is worthy of being a central department. Compared with their small departments like the Yantie Division, they are richer and richer.
The documents written by Han Zhengtai, the envoy of salt and iron, can only use bamboo slips, but all the documents issued by the Ministry of Households use paper, and they are of good quality.
This office fee is really a sky and a ground.
"Bring it to me."
Han Zhengtai took the document from Yang Ming's hand, opened it and read it.
The content inside is very simple, that is, Han Zhengtai did not pay the salt tax within the prescribed time limit, and Han Zhengtai scolded him politely.
The ancients had a low face, especially the literati. Under normal circumstances, they would be ashamed and indignant when they were reprimanded by the superiors.
Not to mention that the influence of this warning is extraordinary, the above words will be accompanied by an official's life!
After such a notice was issued, some officials would be so angry that they would vomit blood on the spot if they could bear it in their hearts.
"My lord, you must not get angry."
Yang Ming looked at Han Zhengtai nervously, fearing that Han Zhengtai would get angry in the Yantie Division, and then none of them, the Yantie Division, would be able to escape punishment.
"Give me this order and hang it on the gate of our Yantie Division."
Han Zhengtai read it with a smile, and handed the document to Yang Ming.
"grown ups?"
Yang Ming stared blankly at Han Zhengtai, unable to understand what he meant for a while.
Did he hear hallucinations just now, or did Han Zhengtai lose his mind because of anger? Otherwise, how could he have heard that Han Zhengtai asked him to hang the official document on the gate and show it to everyone.
"What are you still doing in a daze, hang this official document on the gate!"
Han Zhengtai threw the document into Yang Ming's hands and reminded him again.
"Big, my lord, I really need to hang up."
Yang Ming held the document in his arms at a loss and looked at Han Zhengtai.
Han Zhengtai's expression darkened, and he looked at Yang Ming coldly.
Where did Yang Ming dare to continue to ask more questions, and immediately responded: "Yes, I'll hang up now, sir!"
"Hang it in the center of the gate, and the position is more eye-catching." Han Zhengtai reminded.
"Yes, my lord!"
Yang Ming wiped the cold sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, feeling extremely flustered.
It's over, Han Zhengtai, the boss, was furious.
However, even if Han Zhengtai is a lunatic, he still has to obediently listen to the other party.
Yang Ming carefully pasted the official document on the gate. Seeing the officials coming and going outside the gate, he felt ashamed and indignant. He quickly covered his face with his sleeve and walked in ashamedly.
"My lord, it's already posted on the door."
Yang Ming was a little hesitant, and couldn't help reminding: "My lord, many officials who passed by saw it just now, you..."
Han Zhengtai looked indifferent, nodded, and signaled that he knew.
Now that this warning has been issued, no matter how Han Zhengtai conceals it, it will still cause trouble to the point where all civil and military officials in the court will know it.
Instead of hiding it, it's better to post it openly for everyone to take a good look.
Moreover, the more scolding this warning is now, the harder it will be for him to end up with the Ministry of Household Affairs.
"Don't worry about it, what happened to what I arranged for you?" Han Zhengtai asked.
"Don't worry, my lord, everything is ready." Yang Ming said quickly with a serious expression.
"Well, send someone to watch over it. If something goes wrong..."
Han Zhengtai patted Yang Ming's shoulder and reminded him, "You know the consequences."
"Don't worry, my lord. The villain is living in this warehouse these days, and he will never let the salt tax go wrong!"
Yang Ming was horrified, and quickly answered loudly.
"Work hard. When the time comes, the emperor will reward you. Naturally, I will ask for credit for you."
Han Zhengtai slapped him and gave him another sweet date.
"Thank you, my lord!"
Yang Ming was indeed attracted by this sweet date, and his mood rose a little more immediately.
He has already made up his mind to take the toilet to the door of the warehouse, and he will not leave the warehouse for a quarter of an hour in the past few days. No one is going to use the salt tax under his nose.
"Go ahead."
Han Zhengtai let people go and went to the warehouse.
The warehouse is still dilapidated, but compared to its empty appearance, the entire warehouse is now filled.
All the storerooms were filled with baskets of money, and even because there were too much money, the baskets were piled up several times.
Cen Liangjun and twelve small officials were desperately counting copper coins into the account. At this moment, they only had copper coins in their eyes, so that Han Zhengtai didn't even notice when he came in.
It's just that Cen Liangjun and others didn't notice the arrival of Han Zhengtai and others, but someone did.
"Master."
Su Minglie came down from the roof and came to Han Zhengtai's side.
"Although it is in the palace, the security is guaranteed, but it should not be underestimated, and we still have to be vigilant." Han Zhengtai reminded.
Han Zhengtai has now stored all the salt tax in the warehouse of the Yantie Division.
The amount of this salt tax is huge, and there are no guards in the Salt and Iron Division, so in order to ensure the safety of this salt tax, Han Zhengtai asked Su Minglie to take twenty guards with high martial arts skills from the Han family to watch in shifts day and night.
In addition to supervising suspicious people from outside, they also keep an eye on these people from Yantie Division to prevent them from stealing money.
"Don't worry, young master, the detailed arrangements have been made, and there will be no problems inside and outside." Su Minglie said immediately.
After all, Su Minglie had managed many soldiers in the barracks, so he was well versed in deployment, and he took care of everything inside and out.
Han Zhengtai also saw Su Minglie's ability in his eyes, and he was very relieved of him.
Now that everything is ready, we are waiting for the court meeting.
...
At the end of May, the DPRK and China held a large court meeting.
This Grand Court Conference will be held for three days in a row. If there are too many things to discuss in three days, it will be postponed.
This court meeting is mainly to check whether the work of various departments is progressing smoothly, so as to facilitate the subsequent planning and arrangement.
Of course, not everyone can participate in this grand court meeting. Only officials of the fifth rank or above can participate.
Han Zhengtai's salt and iron envoy happened to be from the fifth rank, so he didn't need to go to the court to participate in the political discussion.
However, even so, Han Zhengtai still put on his official uniform this morning and entered the palace early.
Of course, he didn't go to the Hanyuan Hall to attend the court meeting, but to the Yantie Division.
Today, the Minister of the Household Department will definitely explain to the court that Han Zhengtai did not pay the salt tax. Han Zhengtai is preparing in advance in the government office and waiting for summons at any time.
.
Chapter 199 Accountability (one more)
At Chen's hour, in the Hanyuan Hall, the officials of the three provinces and ministries all stood in their designated positions.
Li Yuanmin anxiously checked the tax situation of the first quarter of this year at the Ministry of Household Affairs, and when the time came, he immediately went to court.
Taxation can be said to be the foundation of a country and the pillar of the imperial court.
The harvest has not been good for two consecutive years, so it's no wonder Li Yuanmin is in such a hurry.
"Dai Qing's family, what is the tax situation this year?" Li Yuanmin asked Dai Ji, Minister of the Household Department.
"I would like to report to the emperor that except for Chang'an Salt and Iron Department, the taxes of the other ministries have been collected. Please take a look at the emperor."
Dai Ji stood up and reported to Li Yuanmin, while submitting the sorted official documents.
"Chang'an Yantie Division?"
Li Yuanmin was stunned for a moment, thinking that he had heard wrong.
Han Zhengtai?
How can it be?
Although no one can figure out exactly how much the snow salt was sold for, as long as anyone with a discerning eye is not blind, they will know that the business of this snow salt is not bad.
Now in Chang'an City, except for the snow salt, other salts cannot be sold at all. How could Han Zhengtai not be able to collect this salt tax?
Dai Ji's words surprised not only Li Yuanmin, but also many ministers in the court.
"My Majesty, the Chang'an Salt and Iron Division not only failed to submit the salt tax to the household department within the specified date this year, but even the account books were not submitted."
Dai Ji said loudly: "I remember that Chang'an Salt and Iron Envoy Han Zhengtai promised to hand over the salt tax in full in front of the emperor and the officials, but now the Ministry of Households has not collected even a penny. , I also hope that Han Zhengtai, the emperor's governor of Chang'an Salt and Iron, will commit a crime of dereliction of duty!"
Li Yuanmin looked at Dai Ji with suspicion in his eyes.
On the one hand, he knew that it was absolutely impossible for Dai Ji to tell such lies in court, but on the other hand, he also did not believe that Han Zhengtai had not taxed the salt.
"Xuan Han Zhengtai went to the hall for questioning."
Naturally, Li Yuanmin would not easily accuse Han Zhengtai and let Yu Fuhai bring him to confront the court.
Yu Fuhai didn't dare to underestimate him, so he personally brought someone to look for Han Zhengtai.
"Master Han! Pack up and go with our house, the emperor is still waiting in the hall!"
When Yu Fuhai came to Yantie Division, he was relieved when he saw Han Zhengtai, and immediately urged people to follow him.
Han Zhengtai tidied up his clothes and followed Yu Fuhai to the main hall.
On the way, Yu Fuhai informed Han Zhengtai of the situation in court.
"Master Han, this Minister of Household Affairs, Mr. Dai, is asking the emperor to ask you about your crimes. You really haven't paid the salt tax, have you?"
Yu Fuhai couldn't help looking at Han Zhengtai and asked him the result.
"The salt tax has not been paid yet."
Han Zhengtai nodded slightly and admitted.
The salt tax is still in the treasury of the Yantie Division, so it hasn't been paid yet?
"Master Han, this matter is no small matter, you, you..."
Hearing this, Yu Fuhai rarely showed an anxious expression, "Master Han, can you rely on the emperor's favor and be self-willed in this errand!"
Hubu Shangshu personally questioned the officials in the court. If it were someone else, let alone defending himself in the hall, he would be imprisoned on the spot.
It was also Han Zhengtai who had this great honor and let Li Yuanmin personally intervene.
"Your Majesty Long En, I naturally don't dare to mess around with my errands. The salt tax is not due to my willful refusal to pay it, but because I can't pay it."
Han Zhengtai explained briefly.
"Lord Han, let's think about how to deal with the emperor and the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty." Yu Fuhai sighed, but didn't say any more.
Han Zhengtai followed Yu Fuhai into the hall.
As soon as he came in, all the eyes of the hall were focused on him alone.
"Sir Han Zhengtai sees the emperor."
Han Zhengtai respectfully saluted Li Yuanmin in front of him.
"Han Zhengtai, Dai Qing's family said that the salt tax of your Yantie Division has not been handed over to the household department. Is this true?" Li Yuanmin looked at Han Zhengtai and asked straight to the point.
"My Majesty, the salt tax has indeed not been submitted to the household department." Han Zhengtai responded.
"you......"
Li Yuanmin was at a loss for words. He had no idea that Han Zhengtai really didn't pay taxes.
Why?
This salt tax cannot be collected by others, but isn't Han Zhengtai's left pocket out of his right pocket?
How could he fail to collect taxes?
"Your Majesty, since this Han Zhengtai has personally admitted to dereliction of duty, please forgive me!" Wang Yi stood up and reminded Li Yuanmin of Han Zhengtai's guilt.
"I also ask the emperor to punish Han Zhengtai for dereliction of duty."
"Han Zhengtai has blatantly dereliction of duty. If the emperor does not punish him, he may not be able to convince the public!"
Immediately afterwards, a group of ministers echoed the silence.
Han Zhengtai memorized the faces of this group of people.
It seems that he is really unwelcome in this court.
"Han Zhengtai, why don't you pay the salt tax?"
Li Yuanmin looked around coldly, suppressed the voice of discussion, looked at Han Zhengtai and asked.
"Your Majesty, the salt tax is now in the salt and iron treasury. The reason why it has not been handed over to the household department is not that the minister is unwilling to hand it over, but that the minister is unable to do so." Han Zhengtai responded.
"Can't do it?"
Hearing Han Zhengtai's answer, not to mention Li Yuanmin, even the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were confused.
Since the salt tax is already in the treasury of the Yantie Division, why can't the salt tax be sent to the household department?
"Your Majesty, apart from the ministers, there are two deputy envoys and twelve minor officials in the Chang'an Salt and Iron Department. Other than that, there are no other personnel."
Han Zhengtai did not betray the situation, and informed Li Yuanmin of the situation: "The salt tax was sent to the Yantie Division at the end of the season, but because the salt tax was too much and the Yantie Division had too few staff, it was impossible to pay the tax within the time stipulated by the Ministry of Household Affairs. All the salt taxes have been counted." "According to the regulations, there are at least 80 people in this Yantie department, why are there only more than ten people?" Li Yuanmin was stunned, but he didn't know that there were so few officials here.
"As early as when I took office, I already explained the situation of the Yantie Division, and asked the Ministry of Households to send people to support it, and to repair the dilapidated warehouses, but the Ministry of Households has never sent any more manpower."
Han Zhengtai cupped his hands and continued: "Your Majesty, with such a huge amount of salt tax, it is impossible for more than a dozen people including the ministers to count it within the specified time. This manpower is beyond their reach. Nothing to say."
"Your Majesty, Han Zhengtai is talking nonsense!"
When Dai Ji heard this, he couldn't sit still, and immediately stood up and retorted: "Even though there are only a dozen people in the Yantie Division, they can still count the salt tax and send it to the household department within the specified time. Just making excuses for myself."
"Master Dai!"
Han Zhengtai looked at Dai Ji, and said with a smile: "If Master Dai can use fifteen people to count the salt tax in the Yantie Division within the time specified by the Ministry of Households, I, Han Zhengtai, will be punished willingly, no matter what! "
When Dai Ji heard this, he couldn't say anything else.
"Here, how much salt tax is there in the salt and iron treasury?"
Li Yuanmin came back to his senses, looked at Han Zhengtai and asked.
"Your Majesty, the ministers have not finished the settlement, and they don't know the exact amount." Han Zhengtai had a helpless expression on his face.
"Follow me to the Yantie Treasurer's room to have a look."
Li Yuanmin's eyes flickered slightly. He also wanted to see how much the salt tax could not be counted!
Li Yuanmin took all the important ministers to the Yantie Division in person.
Yantiesi was in the front court here, not far from Hanyuan Hall. In less than a quarter of an hour, a group of people arrived in front of Yantiesi's mansion.
On the gate of the Yantie Division, there is a notice from the Ministry of Household Affairs to Han Zhengtai, the Yantie Division, posted brightly.
Li Yuanmin glanced at the announcement, and calmly glanced at Dai Ji.
Dai Ji's heart trembled, but he quickly comforted himself.
This is Han Zhengtai's dereliction of duty. As the secretary of the household department, it is his duty to issue the order.
Li Yuanmin didn't stay outside the gate for long, and said to Han Zhengtai, "Lead the way to the warehouse yet!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this way please!"
Han Zhengtai followed Li Yuanmin and led him the way.
The entire main hall of the Yantie Division was empty, and no official or petty official was seen working, and it was unknown where these people went.
Although everyone had doubts in their hearts, Li Yuanmin's face was gloomy, and no one dared to raise them at this time.
Han Zhengtai led Li Yuanmin through the main hall and went to the government storehouse at the back, and a group of people followed after looking around.
Before he got close, he could vaguely hear the sound from the warehouse.
"This is one hundred taels. After counting, let's put it in the account book."
"I also have one hundred taels here. The counting is over."
...
Li Yuanmin followed Han Zhengtai to the door of the warehouse. Looking at the dilapidated doors of the warehouse, he couldn't help frowning.
He did not expect that the Yantie Division's warehouse would be so dilapidated.
How can such an environment guarantee the safety of the salt tax?
Han Zhengtai proposed to have someone repair it three months ago, but after so long a delay, either the Ministry of Household Affairs was not doing well, or someone made things difficult and deliberately refused to send him someone.
The reason for this is naturally clear to a discerning person.
Li Yuanmin glanced at Dai Ji coldly.
It is Li Yuanmin's taboo to take advantage of his power to openly retaliate.
Dai Ji couldn't help but break out in cold sweat on his forehead. Speaking of this matter, he could be regarded as an innocent disaster.
Naturally, Dai Ji would not care about the small matter of repairing the government office.
The officials below are responsible.
However, once something like this happens, he, his immediate boss, will naturally have to blame him.
"My lord... Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Yang Ming and the others who were counting the money in the warehouse heard the movement and took a look here. They didn't react much when they saw Han Zhengtai. After all, Han Zhengtai would come here every day these days, and they were all used to it.
But when he saw Li Yuanmin wearing a black python robe beside Han Zhengtai, he hurriedly put down the things in his hands, came out in a hurry, and saluted Li Yuanmin.
Su Minglie also brought twenty Han family guards to salute Li Yuanmin.
"Your Majesty, there are obviously more than twelve people. Han Zhengtai openly deceived the Emperor in the court, and asked the Emperor to punish him!" Dai Ji said immediately when he saw Su Minglie and twenty guards, his eyes lit up.
"Lord Dai, these people are the guards of my Han family. Because there is no guard in the Yantie Division, in order to ensure the safety of the salt tax, they are specially asked to wait here." Han Zhengtai explained lightly.
Li Yuanmin also promised Han Zhengtai to allow him to bring his own people into the Yantie Division. At this time, Li Yuanmin naturally would not blame him for this matter.
"Open the warehouse door."
Li Yuanmin didn't pay attention to these trivial matters. His attention was all on the salt tax in the warehouse.
Because the doors of the warehouse are very broken, and some doors have even fallen off, so you can vaguely see a lot of baskets piled up inside.
Dozens of storerooms were filled with baskets.
What's in these baskets?
Dai Ji swallowed his saliva, his face was a little panicked, he looked at Han Zhengtai, his eyes were full of horror.
"Kang kuang kuang~"
Yang Ming took the little official and opened the doors of all the warehouses. The sunlight shone into the warehouses, and everyone could finally see clearly what was inside the baskets.
The baskets were full, and they were filled with copper coins!
The amount of copper coins in this warehouse is shocking. No one dares to imagine the amount of money in dozens of warehouses.
The cold sweat dripped down Dai Ji's forehead, and now he only had one sentence in his head.
How come there are so many?
How could there be so many copper coins? !
.
Chapter Two Hundred
Dai Ji, as the Minister of the Household Department, is in charge of the world's money and food. Basically, all the money in the treasury has to pass through his hands.
Logically speaking, he is someone who has seen big scenes, so he wouldn't be shocked by a pile of copper coins like he is now.
However, don't overlook one point.
There is indeed a lot of money in the national treasury, which has reached the point of piling up like a mountain.
However, that is the tax of the entire country.
But now, there is only a small treasury of Chang'an Salt and Iron, and there is actually money that can rival the national treasury. How could this not shock Dai Ji!
Not only Dai Ji was shocked by the copper coins in the warehouse, but Li Yuanmin and other ministers present were also shocked by the copper coins in the warehouse.
All of them stared dumbfoundedly at the warehouse with their eyes wide open.
After all, Li Yuanmin was the emperor. He was the first to come to his senses. He quickly stepped forward and entered the nearest warehouse.
The mountains of baskets were almost piled up on the roof.
Li Yuanmin picked up a basket casually and pushed it aside. Not only the surface layer, but also the bottom layer of the basket was full of copper coins.
Basket after basket, warehouse after warehouse.
Li Yuanmin randomly checked all the warehouses, and finally confirmed that these copper coins are real.
"How much salt tax did you collect?"
Li Yuanmin suppressed the excitement in his heart, looked at Han Zhengtai beside him and gritted his teeth and asked.
"Your Majesty, I haven't finished counting all these, minister..."
Han Zhengtai showed a troubled expression.
Li Yuanmin glared at Han Zhengtai and warned him that it was already this time, so don't open your eyes and talk nonsense to challenge his patience.
This salt tax was dragged from the Han family. Could Han Zhengtai not know how much salt tax there is? !
"How much salt tax has been collected has not been counted in the Yantie Division yet, so there is no way to be sure, but the minister's family has paid a salt tax of nearly 6,000 taels of gold." Han Zhengtai said in a low voice.
Han Zhengtai's words are relatively watertight.
Han Zhengtai naturally wouldn't slap himself in the face if the salt tax he had collected hadn't been counted.
So I changed the way to tell Li Yuanmin how much tax there is in the treasury.
And the reason why they were able to sell so much snow salt was thanks to the group of veterans brought by Su Minglie.
These people worked very hard, and the output of the salt mines they mined was greatly increased.
In addition to the snow salt, not only the whole country needs it, but also the surrounding countries. The Han family's orders are already three months away. It's a seller's market, and they don't have to worry about selling.
If the Han family's salt mining continues to increase, then the snow salt tax will only be higher.
"Six thousand taels of gold?"
When Li Yuanmin heard this amount, his pupils dilated slightly.
This is equivalent to 600 million!
How much did the treasury's tax revenue last year?
Adding up all kinds of taxes, the amount that was finally put into the national treasury was only 20,000 taels of gold.
Han Zhengtai has 6,000 taels of gold in this quarter. After a whole year, the tax he pays alone can offset the income of the entire national treasury.
No, even more!
"Is there really six thousand taels of gold?!"
Li Yuanmin couldn't believe it, so he asked again.
"Your majesty, I don't dare to deceive the emperor. The minister's family does business honestly and pays taxes in a regular manner. How much is the tax, and the minister's family is not greedy for a penny."
Han Zhengtai continued: "Of course, the tax revenue in the first quarter was a little low. I'm already trying to find a way to increase the mining of salt mines. Give me a few more months, and the tax revenue should be increased."
Li Yuanmin glared at Han Zhengtai Versailles after listening to him.
If his tax revenue is still low, what face do the other officials of the household department have to gain a foothold in the court?
"What I said is the truth." Han Zhengtai said aggrievedly.
He paid so much taxes, Li Yuanmin just didn't praise him, and he always stared at him viciously with big copper bell-like eyes, which was really scary.
Li Yuanmin ignored Han Zhengtai and came out of the warehouse with his hands behind his back. Han Zhengtai hurriedly followed behind Li Yuanmin.
Many ministers in the courtyard also recovered from the shock of the copper coins at this time.
Everyone knows that the salt tax collected by the Salt and Iron Division will not be less this season.
But everyone never expected that there would be so many.
With so much salt tax, it is impossible for Han Zhengtai to take fourteen officials and petty officials to complete the count within the stipulated time.
Everyone's eyes swept across the household officials headed by Dai Ji.
The Ministry of Households ignored Han Zhengtai's repeated requests.
Right now, the matter is even in front of the emperor.
In this matter, who is dereliction of duty, I am afraid that the emperor has already made a conclusion in his heart. "Your Majesty, I failed to lead the Chang'an Salt and Iron Department to complete the count of the salt tax within the specified time. I am guilty, and I ask the Emperor to punish me."
Han Zhengtai followed behind Li Yuanmin, asking for punishment.
Dai Ji originally wanted to pretend to be a quail, but who knew that Han Zhengtai didn't want to let him go at all. Li Yuanmin just finished looking at the warehouse, and he immediately came to complain.
"Han Qing's family has no need to blame themselves. You are not to blame for this matter."
Li Yuanmin looked at Dai Ji with a cold look in his eyes.
Dai Ji didn't dare to continue to shrink his neck to pretend to be a quail, so he stood up and pleaded guilty, "Your Majesty, I'm guilty, please punish me."
"What's wrong with Dai Qing's family?" Li Yuanmin asked lightly.
"The minister failed to urge his subordinates to send personnel to the Yantie Division as soon as possible, so that the collection of salt tax was delayed. The minister was not strict and managed poorly. He also asked the emperor to punish him."
Dai Ji shifted the specific responsibility to his subordinates, while he himself only claimed the responsibility of not controlling his subordinates strictly.
"I don't know that the Ministry of Household Affairs is shirking things to such an extent. Han Qing's family, since when did the Yantie Division ask the Ministry of Accounting for additional staff?"
Li Yuanmin had no expression on his face, but the ministers who knew him well knew that Li Yuanmin was really angry at this moment.
Everyone knows that this Han Zhengtai is Li Yuanmin's favorite.
The official position of Han Zhengtai's salt and iron envoy was personally appointed by Li Yuanmin, and Li Yuanmin also participated in the sale of snow salt.
Under such circumstances, the Ministry of Household Affairs dared to target Han Zhengtai deliberately, refusing to give people, not repairing the warehouse, and deliberately making things difficult.
This is not slapping Han Zhengtai in the face, this is directly slapping the face of the emperor Li Yuanmin, or the kind of slap.
If Li Yuanmin is not severely punished, will his emperor's dignity be lost?
"Returning to the emperor, when I found out about the problem with the Yantie Division on the first day I took office, I immediately wrote to the Ministry of Accounting, but the Ministry of Accounting never gave a positive answer."
Han Zhengtai gave Yang Ming a wink, and Yang Ming understood it, and immediately asked the little official to bring up the documents that had been submitted to the household department in the past few months, as well as the documents that the household department responded to.
"These are the documents that the minister asked to submit to the Ministry of Households. These are the documents issued by the Ministry of Households."
Han Zhengtai pointed to the two boxes brought up and introduced them to Li Yuanmin.
One paperwork every five days, there are six papers in one month, and a total of 20 paperworks in more than three months.
A thick stack of bamboo slips filled the box to the brim, while the paper documents issued by the household department in the other box seemed too empty.
Li Yuanmin casually picked up two documents from the box.
Han Zhengtai asked Yang Ming to write this document. After all, Yang Ming has been in the Yantie Division for many years. This document is written in a very orderly manner, and the requirements are all normal and reasonable, and there is nothing beyond the rules. .
"Three months, 20 documents, Dai Ji, as the secretary of the household department, haven't you read even one of the documents?"
Li Yuanmin threw the bamboo slips in his hand onto Dai Ji fiercely, with a sullen expression on his face, he sternly reprimanded him.
"My lord, I'm guilty!"
Dai Ji was hit by the document, his legs went limp, and he knelt down.
Even the officials of the household department behind Dai Ji also knelt down.
"Dai Ji, I let you be the Minister of the Household Department because I trust your ability, but now it seems that you are not worthy of my trust."
Li Yuanmin looked at Dai Ji coldly. After all, he was thinking that Dai Ji had grown old and did not dismiss him from his official position in public, leaving him the last bit of decency.
"The veteran has failed the emperor's trust, the veteran is guilty."
Dai Ji's face was full of misery. He really didn't expect things to turn into what it is now. Facing Li Yuanmin's anger right now, he has no other choice but to plead guilty.
The surrounding officials looked at Dai Ji's appearance, and none of them dared to intercede for Li Yuanmin against Li Yuanmin's anger.
Han Zhengtai looked at Dai Ji coldly, without any sympathy for him.
When the order with Dai Ji's seal was issued, Dai Ji was inseparable from this matter.
Dai Ji wanted to pour a basin of dirty water on Han Zhengtai's body, but he was embarrassed, and Han Zhengtai returned all the basin of dirty water.
"Since the Ministry of Households won't send anyone over, you, Dai Ji, will take the Ministry of Households with you to check all the salt taxes in the Yantie Division today. If you don't finish it, then you, the Minister of the Household Department, don't do it. "Li Yuanmin said coldly.
Asking the officials of the household department to count the salt tax is naturally a punishment.
But it doesn't mean that the punishment is just that.
Li Yuanmin has long been dissatisfied with Dai Ji, the Minister of the Household Department. Since Dai Ji took office, the Minister of the Household Department has always adhered to the attitude of not seeking merit, but seeking no fault.
When the harvest was good a few years ago, he barely passed the test, but in the past two years, the country has been in a state of panic, and he, the secretary of the household department, immediately appeared to be very dereliction of duty.
Now, with the addition of Han Zhengtai's matter, Dai Ji used his power to maliciously target Han Zhengtai to avenge his personal revenge, which immediately brought Li Yuanmin's dissatisfaction to its peak.
It was only in order not to chill the hearts of the courtiers that Li Yuanmin suppressed his anger today and did not dismiss Dai Ji from his position on the spot.
As long as Dai Ji has a little self-knowledge, he will know that after this incident, he will take the initiative to submit his resignation and return home.
"The minister obeys the order!"
Dai Ji and other household officials responded immediately.
"Yu Fuhai, you send someone here to watch."
Li Yuanmin ordered Yu Fuhai beside him to send someone over to supervise him, and then he shook his hands and prepared to leave. Today is the Grand Court Meeting. Although Li Yuanmin is very happy about the taxation issue, this is not the only thing he has to deal with.