Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 606 - 442 Tea Tax

Gu Chengyu shook his head and smiled brightly.

"Emperor! Our dynasty has land tax and poll tax, why can’t there be a tea tax?"

As soon as the Emperor heard this, he immediately became invigorated, his eyes bursting with a captivating brilliance.

"Tea tax? The previous dynasty never had it, please elaborate."

Gu Chengyu went over what he was going to say in his mind before speaking slowly, "Your Majesty, I have yet to come up with the detailed steps for implementation, I can only give a rough idea."

Gu Chengyu frowned slightly, this tea tax ordinance must be clearly listed, and must maximize the benefits of the tea farmers and merchants.

If the new tax law were implemented but used by those officials to amass wealth, it would be his fault.

However, if utilized well, it would not only benefit the court, but the tea farmers and merchants would also reap considerable benefits.

Besides, if a dynasty wants to prosper, it indeed should not have excessive miscellaneous taxes, but appropriate taxation is still necessary.

"Then tell us what you have thought of." The Emperor was very interested in what Gu Chengyu said about the tea tax, as for the details of the tea tax, they could be supplemented later.

"Your Majesty, regarding the tea tax, I believe it should not be too heavy, as it is not a necessity. If it is too heavy, tea farmers and merchants will have little profit, and surely no one will be willing to spend the effort."

Gu Chengyu said this because he feared that if the Emperor truly wanted to implement a tea tax to fill the National Treasury, those courtiers might seek personal gain by extending their claws towards the new tax law. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Of course, although the Dayan tea culture is prevalent, it is mostly among families with some surplus wealth. Those impoverished people cannot afford good tea, heavy tea tax is not a good thing."

As a monarch, how could the Emperor not understand this reasoning? If merchants have no profit, who would still sell tea?

"Your Majesty! The tea tax cannot be monopolized by the government, a permit for the exclusive sale of tea—tea permit, can be initiated."

"Tea permit? Gu Aiqing, quickly elaborate."

The Emperor was extremely excited, he could already foresee that this tea permit could bring enormous revenue to the court, solving the problem of an empty treasury would no longer be a challenge.

"For example, register each tea farmer in the register, and merchants obtain the tea permit from the government office when selling tea. Merchants also need to show the tea permit when purchasing tea, otherwise, it would be illegal tea trading. Thus, from production to sales, it is all under the strict supervision of the government, known as the Tea Monopoly System."

"But how can you be sure that no one will trade privately? What if those merchants and farmers conspire and deceive the government?"

The Emperor felt that the tea permit was indeed a crucial part of the tea tax, but what he just pointed out was the biggest obstacle in the tea tax.

Even if the government bans it, there will not be a scarcity of private traders willing to take risks for huge profits, who could resist such temptation?

Gu Chengyu had considered this issue beforehand, at this moment, he could only think of a few points temporarily, it was impossible to conceive a complete plan in such a short time.

After all, a new tax implementation won’t be without difficulties and obstacles.

All new systems have loopholes when they start being implemented, mostly they get perfected after being carried out for a long time.

"Reporting to the Emperor, I have only thought of three points for the time being. First, government tax posts can be set at key traffic points for tea trading, where all tea merchants must use the tea permit as a certificate for traveling."

After finishing, Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment before continuing, "Second, set up government offices specifically for tea tax at large tea gardens and plantations, where tea merchants must use tea permits as proof when buying tea."

"Third, if merchants fail to pay the tea permit tax on time, the government has records and can send officials for recovery. This is just my humble opinion, as for the details, I have not yet thought them through."

In fact, Gu Chengyu had thought of much more, but he did not intend to say it all.

He only picked three points that were beneficial to the government, maintaining benefits for the tea merchants was also necessary, and he had some thoughts on those as well.

The implementation of the tea tax could indeed drive economic development for the Dayan Dynasty.

It would not only significantly benefit the court but also the tea merchants and farmers.

Not to mention, with the government’s oversight, the security of the trade was beyond doubt.

In these ancient times, bandits were rampant. Like tea merchants, roaming traders could not ensure personal safety either.

Unless you could afford to hire guards and pay the toll fees imposed by mountain bandits, otherwise, your sold tea might be snatched, not to mention your life being in jeopardy.

But how could those small tea merchants possibly afford it?

The Emperor could not help but sigh, that Gu Chengyu could come up with such a good plan in just one hour.

Especially since he even thought of some details, the Emperor was very satisfied.

"Your idea is excellent, I think this tax law is very feasible."

The Emperor became excited just thinking about how this law could fill the National Treasury.

"Gu Aiqing! I order you to draft a memorial detailing the specifics of the tea tax, I’ll give you two days, is that feasible?"

Gu Chengyu was somewhat stunned, the previous reforms were only verbally praised by the Emperor.

He knew that even if there were rewards, they would be given after the completion of the compilation or once the compilation was underway.

Unexpectedly, regarding the tea tax this time, the Emperor actually asked him to write a memorial.

He could not help but become excited, if this law begins to be implemented, his involvement would certainly be needed.

Seeing results would mean that he was not far from promotion.

Gu Chengyu immediately knelt to accept the decree, "Your servant obeys the order!"

Although two days was too short, Gu Chengyu dared not haggle with the Emperor.

After all, the Emperor had been so troubled by the lack of silver that he was unable to eat or sleep well.

Besides, he already had a general outline in mind, it just needed to be organized properly.

"Good! Then I will await your good news! Hahaha!"

The Emperor was very satisfied with Gu Chengyu’s readiness, thinking he might have felt the timeline was tight, but Gu Chengyu agreed cheerfully.

The Emperor originally planned to promote Gu Chengyu’s rank after the compilation began, with an empty Assistant Reader position at the Hanlin Academy.

But Gu Chengyu had given him a great surprise.

As long as Gu Chengyu could draft a detailed overview of the tea tax this time, elevating his rank would prevent other officials from having objections.

After all, it would be too soon to promote someone who had just entered the court for less than a month.

"Gu Aiqing, after two days, bring the memorial for my review. If it’s deemed feasible, you will participate in the policy discussion on the third day of the court meeting."

The Emperor was not keen on the verbal skirmishes with the old ministers, such tasks, he felt, were completely suitable for Gu Chengyu.

Besides, since he proposed the tea tax, only he would be most familiar with its details, and if any courtiers raised questions, it would naturally be best for Gu Chengyu to answer!

Gu Chengyu suppressed his overwhelming joy, he didn’t expect that he could participate in the court meeting as a Secondary Sixth-Rank Official, how could he not be excited?