Li Mu originally wanted to explain that there was really nothing between him and Wei Yingluo. At least so far, there has been no ritual between them, but after thinking about it, Li Mu felt that he could not guarantee what he would be like in the future. Moreover, too much words would lead to mistakes. If he could not keep up with what he said, he would be caught. It was really unnecessary.

There was nothing to say all night. The next day, when Li Mu got up, Zhang Tianai was no longer invisible. She now goes to the yamen early in the morning and works very diligently. From this point of view, Zhang Tianai is obviously a typical career-oriented woman, while Jin Chen is the opposite. She likes acting very much, but when Bai Qiaoqiao gets heavier and wants her to accompany her at home, she never mentioned that she wants to act again.

This made Li Mu more satisfied with her and became more and more good to her. Every time he went out, he would secretly bring her some small objects, which was a little secret between the two. Of course Bai Qiaoqiao knew it, but she had never expressed her dissatisfaction. Since Li Zhien left, Jin Chen had been with her the most days, and the relationship between the two became better and better. Jin Chen was very tolerant, not as strong as Zhang Tianai or Li Zhien, so it was naturally easier to integrate.

The locust plague has basically been completed. The Chidao project has also been restored to regularity. With the help of monk Deyan of Baima Temple, the good men, women, laypeople and pilgrims near Luoyang City were mobilized to invest in the construction. Some people contributed their talents, made strong efforts, and donated money. The road sections were divided into sections, which was more efficient. Gongsun Kang calculated the construction period. Before the snow fell, the completion of the area in Luoyang should not be a problem. As for the area in Chang'an, because it was not affected by the locust plague, if nothing unexpected happened, it should be completed on time or even in advance.

Before the snow falls, the road is closed and the coal transportation plan will not be delayed. Li Mu's plan is that the heating problems in Chang'an and Luoyang this year must be solved by coal. There is naturally not so much coal used near Chang'an and Luoyang, and due to the monopoly of Datang mining, there is no allowance for mining near Chang'an and Luoyang. Open-pit coal mines are mainly concentrated in Taiyuan, Shuozhou and other places. Therefore, before the snow falls, how to take into account coal mining and transportation is also a question that must be put on the agenda.

Before the river is closed, it is necessary to transport coal to Chang'an and Luoyang through waterways. How to do this transportation link needs to be solved urgently.

People need to use coal mining and horses need to use coal transportation. If you want to transport large quantities of coal, you need to need ships. The ship can transport coal to Luoyang, but not to Chang'an. Then you can still make a profit from Luoyang to Chang'an. Li Mu had already made arrangements for which link, which link can make money, and who will make money from which link.

The establishment of Datang Mining was already last year. Although Li Mu had not been involved in Datang Mining during this year, he had also heard some news indirectly. Compared with Datang Salt Industry, which encountered "difficult production", the development of Datang Mining was smooth, especially the mining of coal, which was simply too simple. There is too much coal near Shuozhou and Taiyuan. Almost a layer of soil was dug out, and the bottom was full of coal. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was picked up everywhere. Therefore, the so-called mining is just the word "digging".

The Wang family in Taiyuan wants money and people, and there are no delays in mining, and there are already a lot of stocks. Li Mu has received the news that Taiyuan is preparing to transport coal to Chang'an, but in this matter, the "Datang Mining Industry" mainly in Taiyuan Wang family did not say hello to Li Mu, and it is true that he did not take him seriously.

According to the rules, this is understandable. Who made you, Li Mu, give up your shares? But just talking about the matter is a bit unauthentic enough. After all, without Li Mu, there would be no Tang Mining, and this money would not be made.

Li Mu's personality is also a bit strange. If the people from the Tang Dynasty mining industry had to give him money, he would ask for anything he hadn't seen. But if he was ignored, he would be a little unhappy. Who do you think of? So, when he was about to transport coal in Taiyuan, Li Mu sent a notice that in order to fill the huge investment in building Chidao, he would transport different goods and different weights, and taxes would be imposed on the goods.

Once the notice was posted, it immediately caused an uproar.

Li Mu's move was very unethical. Although he mentioned that he could charge "tolls" when he proposed to build roads, it was a fee, not a tax, and it was a fixed standard. Moreover, Li Mu originally represented the court and signed a very low fee standard with the road construction companies, and it would take several years to recover the capital at the earliest.

But Li Mu himself built a 'tax', and taxes are very different. Taxes cannot be paid, and taxes represent the official and there is no constraint. Li Mu is a Marquis of Luoyang and Luoyang is his fiefdom. If he wants, he can set the price at will, unless Li Shimin issued an order, no one can control him.

With this premise, although Li Mu has not "collected randomly", those who are familiar with his temper will feel that his statement at this time have already sent a signal that he would do that. This is an open threat. If you don't give me benefits, if you want to transport goods to Chang'an through the Chidao in winter, you will definitely have bleeding.

The impeachment memorial flew into the palace like snowflakes. Li Shimin's decree was rushed to Luoyang for 800 miles, asking him to explain the tax.

Li Mu quickly gave an explanation, his words were very concise. He spent a lot of money on road construction, so someone must pay for the money? Now the two methods in front of him are either the court allocated funds or the taxes to fill, and he can do whatever he wants. His Majesty’s holy heart is arbitrary, and he has no objection.

Where did Li Shimin go to get him money? The national treasury was empty, and the money from the inner treasury was his own, so he couldn't bear to take it out.

After thinking for several days, Li Shimin finally expressed his support for Li Mu's tax collection. He was strongly resisted by the Censorate. They took out Li Mu's previous treasury bond sales. The general idea was that Li Mu had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through bond sales and other means. According to Li Mu's statement at the time, this money was enough to build Chidao, but now it is not enough. Where did the money go? Is it corruption? An explanation must be given!

Li Shimin was also curious where the money went, so he rushed to the 800-mile rush and asked Li Mu: Where did the money go?

Li Mu replied quickly: the disaster relief was used, and every transaction could be checked, but it was true that there was no money.

Others don’t know the details, but Li Shimin knew it. Although this locust plague seemed very serious, it actually didn’t cost much money. Li Mu’s statement was untenable. There must be still money, and Li Mu would not embezzle either. He just wanted to collect taxes.

Li Shimin really wanted to ask, Li Mu himself said he wanted to reduce taxes and pay less, so why did he still have to pay taxes? But it was not convenient for him to ask in Luoyang. In the court, the opposition became louder and louder, and he really couldn't withstand the pressure.

Just as he was considering whether to recall Li Mu to inquire, news came out of Luoyang again.

The tax collection stick has gone from shouting to the ground. Luoyang Hou Mansion posted a notice that all merchants in Luoyang City must report their accounts at a limited time. All transactions must be paid 30 taxes, whether they are shops or markets. They will collect taxes according to this. They can enjoy exemptions, tax refunds, and even subsidies depending on the situation. However, those who refuse to pay commercial tax will be immediately imprisoned, fined, exiled, and will never tolerate them once they are verified.

When the news came back to Chang'an, not only the civil and military officials in the court were confused, but Li Shimin himself was also confused.

What is Li Mu going to do? Is he going to declare war?

Commercial tax has existed since ancient times, but it is only there. Because actual tax collection is very difficult to achieve. For ordinary people, many of their transactions are made by things or by work. And so-called merchants are rarely their own business. Most of the merchants in Luoyang, Chang'an and Luoyang, are slaves from large families and families, who are just in charge of business for the forces behind them.

In short, in this era, those who can afford to buy and sell and make some scale are basically privileged classes. For example, the five surnames and seven sects, such as the nobles, clans and so on, if you want to collect taxes, it ultimately means paying money in their pockets. Luoyang is Chang'an's throat, and you are stuck in your throat and collecting taxes. What is the difference between this and extorting the world?

More importantly, if this example is made, the court will benefit from the ruling of commercial taxes, but for the privileged classes such as nobles and aristocrats, how much should their losses be? Li Mu asked for 30 taxes and one, and their losses were one-thirty. Can they recognize such losses?

Li Shimin dreamed of collecting commercial taxes, but he himself felt that this matter might not be implemented. But Li Mu did it suddenly. Although Li Shimin admired his courage, he also felt that Li Mu was talking nonsense. Why did he think he could do this?

...

Ma Zhou also had the same doubt. When he received the news, Ma Zhou was still collecting public grain. As soon as he received the news, he quickly returned to Luoyang City and found Li Mu who was using the [tailor] skill to make clothes for his unborn child. Seeing that the Lord of Luoyang and the only Marquis of Che in the Tang Dynasty were wearing the lead wire to make a female red girl, Ma Zhou almost fainted. He forced himself to stop talking and waited for Li Mu to cut off the last thread before he gave a gift and asked.

"...What is the marquis' basis? Don't you know, is this causing public anger?"

"Don't be impatient," Li Mu looked at the 'open-crotch pants' he made, nodded with satisfaction, and placed it next to him. After the skill upgrade, the effect was indeed much better. He put all the clothes he made in the morning on the side, turned around and looked at Ma Zhou, and said, "What is the basis? Just Luoyang? Take the road to be repaired soon? What else can he use?"

"Mr. Marquis, do you think they will pay taxes obediently?" Ma Zhou wanted to say, you are too naive, but when he saw Li Mu smiling, he didn't dare to say it.

"They have to pay taxes." Li Mu chuckled, as if saying something normal: "Winter is coming soon. Chang'an City is short of food and clothing, people are sick and lack medicinal materials. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has signed many orders and has to deliver them before the winter begins, otherwise it will be a breach of contract. Breach of contract will be compensated, and it is not a small amount of money, it is a large sum of money, you know?"

Of course Ma Zhou knew, but what he didn't know was what was the relationship between these.

"You really disappoint me." Li Mu sighed, shook his head, and said, "I thought you were a smart person, but I didn't expect that your knowledge would be shallow... Chidao, I built Luoyang City, I am in charge of me. If they don't pay taxes, I will block the road and not let them pass. Just merchants dare to rebel without raising flags and rebellion? They can't pay taxes, and I won't force them to? But if you miss the time limit for the order, you can't blame me for the compensation. You can pay taxes without delay, right? Of course, they can also go to your Majesty to complain, but I'm in Luoyang, and Your Majesty can't ask me in person. The messenger is 800 miles in a hurry, and it's only two days to go back and forth. This marquis has time, so let's fight together? Anyway, if you don't pay taxes, I will block the road and not let it pass, and it depends on who will suffer greater losses."

Li Mu sneered and said, "It's okay if Your Majesty recalls me to Chang'an for a few months. I won't lose money!"

Ma Zhou's lips twitched, and he almost blurted out with a word "shameless". It turned out that this was a chain of condoms. He finally understood why Li Mu added the breach of contract when he was in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It turned out to be a pit! A few days ago, wasn't the grain merchants in Luoyang so afraid of breach of contract that Li Mu was so tightly controlled by Li Mu? Who would have thought that he could use a trick twice, and it was so easy to use!

Ma Zhou suddenly thought of something and asked, "Marty, isn't it right? I remember that there seems to be another 'Dang Tang Insurance'. Isn't it just for this kind of insurance? You suddenly collect taxes, which is considered to be the 'force majeure' among them. If it is delayed, Datang Insurance will have to lose money!"

"Ha!" Li Mu smiled even happier, took out a piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Ma Zhou. Ma Zhou took it and took a closer look. It turned out to be an insurance policy issued by Datang Insurance. The third article of the agreed terms above said that the goods insured by Datang Insurance are only applicable to legal goods within the scope of the Datang Law. The owner of the cargo must bear the obligation to inform. If the goods are found to be illegal, the insurance policy will not be effective and Datang Insurance can refuse to pay compensation.

Ma Zhou immediately understood where the pit was.

According to the Tang Dynasty's law, the thirty taxes are legal. If you do not pay taxes, then your goods will be illegal. If the goods are illegal, I will not pay compensation. You deserve it. However, in the breach of contract clause of the order, it does not say that your goods are judged to be illegal and the order will not need to be delivered. This seems to be fine, but it has picked it all. With this, the loss of Datang Insurance will not be possible for a penny.
Chapter completed!