Chapter 269: Only a fool would take it

"Commercial tax reform?"

"What kind of task is this?"

Houmochen Yi listened to this unfamiliar term, frowned, and was puzzled: "I've never heard of it?"

The meaning of reform, this Duke of Liang could probably understand; it should be equivalent to reform, but the degree should be much lighter...

But why was the object the commercial tax?

Unheard of, it had never even appeared in history books...

Crucially, because there was no reference, he couldn't taste whether it was good or bad!

"This is the response the Grand Chancellor wants to make to this chaotic phenomenon after seeing the five great merchant guilds harming the country and thinking hard about it!" Chen Yan smiled indifferently, his face unchanged, and said with solid evidence.

Why change?

Why reform?

Because the five great merchant guilds were harming the country and the people, this chaotic phenomenon must be crushed!

Raising the height, reasonable and well-founded.

"Oh?"

Houmochen Yi rubbed the teacup, his brows didn't show the slightest relaxation, looked at this kid who spoke without leaking a drop, and asked tentatively: "Then I wonder what aspects the commercial tax reform wants to reform?"

"Xu Zhixiang and other merchants can sit big, one is because supervision is not strict, and the other is because the tax rate is too low..."

Chen Yan pursed his lips and smiled, tapped his knuckles on the table, making a rhythmic sound, and said unhurriedly: "I believe the Grand Minister of Works also knows that the current commercial tax of Great Zhou is three percent..."

He paused, his gaze froze, and he said with rising and falling tones: "Therefore, the focus of the reform is to increase taxes!"

"So it's to increase taxes!"

Houmochen Yi listened to Chen Yan talking around in circles for so long, and finally said the real intention. He couldn't help but have some bottom in his heart, and after thoughtful consideration, he said: "This old man has one place I don't understand..."

"Grand Minister of Works, please speak!" Chen Yan raised his hand.

"Superintendent Chen, you are shrewd and capable, able to write and fight; why doesn't the Grand Chancellor entrust such a heavy burden to you?" Houmochen Yi's eyes narrowed, but his gaze was like glue, sticking straight to Chen Yan, and he asked playfully.

You had to know that this kid in front of him was Yuwen Hu's confidant, and he didn't lack ability or courage...

Such a task of great importance, reasonably and legally, and out of trust, should be entrusted to him to handle, right?

"This official is shallow in learning and has only been in office for a short time; how can I compare to your prestige, Grand Minister of Works?"

Chen Yan shook his head, looking ashamed in the face of praise, and countered.

He paused and argued righteously: "The Grand Chancellor and the adults of the Heavenly Office all believe that this matter must be you, the Pillar State, who is of high virtue and prestige!"

This was both an unobtrusive flattery and the truth.

He, Chen Yan, didn't have low prestige now, but he was young after all, and it was difficult to convince the public.

To strike a heavy blow at the commercial tax and suppress the voices of dissatisfaction, there had to be a big figure with prestige. Thinking about it, only this Duke of Liang, who was pinched by the handle, was the most suitable!

Of course, this was only part of the reason. Chen Yan had another more important reason...

"Hahahaha!"

Houmochen Yi was flattered and laughed heartily, then asked: "Then how much does the Grand Chancellor intend to add?"

"This number!"

Chen Yan's mouth curled slightly upward, unhurriedly raised his finger.

"Six percent?"

Houmochen Yi restrained his smile, looked closely, thought for a moment, and said indifferently: "Although it doubled, it's not too high..."

From three percent to six percent, it was within the acceptable range.

He originally thought, how difficult would this task given by Yuwen Hu be!

Nothing more than that.

"Grand Minister of Works, you misunderstood..."

A flash of playfulness crossed Chen Yan's eyes, he shook his head.

Immediately, still raising his finger, he said word by word: "It's sixty percent!"

"You say how much?!"

Houmochen Yi, who hadn't been happy for a moment, instantly welcomed a head-on blow, looking at Chen Yan in astonishment.

The voice was full of disbelief.

For a moment, even with his extremely strong concentration, he didn't dare believe his ears...

"Sixty percent."

Chen Yan was expressionless, repeating it lightly.

"Sixty percent?"

Houmochen Yi twitched his mouth, his whole body was angry, and he gritted his teeth: "My Great Superintendent Chen, do you know what you are talking about?!"

What did sixty percent mean?

More than half of the profits earned by merchants had to be paid as tax, which was twenty times higher than before!

Wouldn't they fight you to the death?

No wonder Yuwen Hu wanted him to handle this task; so that was it!

"I know!"

Chen Yan nodded, smiled indifferently, and said: "This sixty percent is at least..."

He paused and continued: "For industries like the Jinxiu Merchant Guild, the commercial tax will be ninety percent later!"

Was Chen Yan crazy?! Or was Yuwen Hu crazy?! Did they want silver until they were crazy???... Houmochen Yi listened to this "crazy talk," widened his eyes, and a stormy sea was set off in his heart. After forcing himself to calm down, he asked: "Superintendent Chen, are you really not joking with this old man?"

Ninety percent?

Why don't you go rob someone!

Wouldn't that merchant guild be working for you?

Could people be stupid to that extent?

Who was crazy?

"The Grand Chancellor's hand-written order is here..."

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows, took out the hand-written order from his sleeve, and laughed: "Grand Minister of Works, if you don't believe it, you can take a look yourself!"

As he spoke, he handed it to Hongye and passed it up.

"It really is the Grand Chancellor's hand-written order..."

After Houmochen Yi took it, he looked at it carefully, confirmed that it was Yuwen Hu's handwriting and seal without a doubt, weighed the pros and cons, and cupped his hands toward Chen Yan:

"This old man's ability is mediocre, I'm afraid I can't bear such a heavy burden, please, Superintendent, plead guilty to the Grand Chancellor on my behalf!"

This Duke of Liang's refusal didn't have the slightest hesitation and was extremely firm.

Only a fool would take it!

Since ancient times, reformers have never had a good end...

Shang Yang who was torn by chariots, Wu Qi who was shot to death, Li Kui who committed suicide, Zhao Wuling Wang who starved to death in Sand Dune...

Moreover, this was cutting off people's wealth, and added a layer of debuff!

Such intentions, how vicious were they!

Was he really afraid that he, Houmochen Yi, wouldn't become the target of public criticism?

"But Grand Minister of Works, the Grand Chancellor has already appointed you to handle this matter!" Chen Yan had long expected this reaction and reminded.

"It doesn't matter, tomorrow this old man will go to the Heavenly Office to explain in person..."

Houmochen Yi didn't care, pressed his hand, and said: "I believe the Grand Chancellor will understand!"

He wouldn't jump into this fire pit!

Could you force a cow to drink water if it didn't want to?

As long as he didn't cooperate, Yuwen Hu would be helpless!

"Fine, then this official won't disturb you anymore..."

Chen Yan unexpectedly didn't "persuade" much, just stood up straight, cupped his hands toward Houmochen Yi, and laughed: "I have to go back to try the case of smuggling and colluding with the enemy!"

"The Grand Chancellor has instructed that there is no ceiling for this case!"

"Farewell!"

Having said that, without waiting for any reaction from this Duke, he turned and left.

Zhu Yi and Hongye followed closely behind.

This damn thing was a naked threat... Houmochen Yi heard this, rolled his eyes in his heart, and after struggling for a while, called out to stop him: "Superintendent Chen, please stay!"

What did "no ceiling" mean?

It meant it would check anyone, after all, even the Prince of Yan had been dealt with...

It also meant that the words said before had all been invalidated!

"I wonder what else the Grand Minister of Works has?"

Chen Yan stopped, turned his head slightly, and asked expressionlessly.

"The Grand Chancellor is busy with ten thousand things, and this old man, as a Pillar State of Great Zhou, should also share the worries for the Grand Chancellor!" Houmochen Yi clenched his fists, made a difficult choice, and gritted his teeth.

"Listening to the Grand Minister of Works, are you willing to take this task?" Chen Yan turned around and asked.

"What is there to be willing or unwilling?"

Houmochen Yi cupped his hands toward the direction of the Heavenly Office, his expression struggling, but he said righteously: "This is the duty that this old man, as a subject of Great Zhou, should fulfill!"

"Hahahaha!"

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows, laughed heartily, and said meaningfully: "This official just said that the Grand Minister of Works is a pillar of Great Zhou!"

"There is no ceiling, and it won't reach the loyal officials and good generals!" ===== CHAPTER 270 =====