Chapter 565 Financial Meeting (II)
Peter has already imagined the empire having a large number of colonies, but there is still business to do next, so he should give up his imagination for the time being. "Baptiste, how much revenue does your financial department manage each year from specialty supplies?"
The empire's material monopoly mainly includes salt, some spices, ivory and other commodities, with an annual income of approximately 900,000 lei. The finance minister truthfully reported to the emperor that because he had to ensure that the price of salt, a necessity, was within the affordability of the people, his income was relatively small.
"I understand. It seems that you are doing well here and working hard for the development of the empire."
"I just did what I should do."
Peter began: "I have thought of a way before, which is to impose a unified tax on each commodity, but the workload is too heavy and I have to give up.
However, in recent years, the empire has become stronger and some people have become richer, but they still find ways to evade taxes, for fear that the government will take more from them. They also didn't think about it. If the empire didn't have enough financial resources to maintain the army, then they couldn't have more wealth. "Peter's aggravated tone made everyone's hearts skip a beat.
Baptiste asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, do you want to raise taxes?"
“What’s wrong with raising taxes? Which other country doesn’t charge higher taxes than Romania?
In order to collect military expenses for the war with Britain, France levied poll tax and stove tax several times, and also continuously reduced the gold content of its currency. Previous Roman emperors also raised taxes several times to cover expenses. For this reason, farmers and poor people resisted several times, and even the so-called senators could not escape death. Compared with them, life now is paradise.
I must not only consider the governance of the empire, but also care about the lives of the people, so of course I cannot increase taxes casually and must be cautious. "
Baptiste asked the emperor, "Your Majesty, what do you think should be done?"
"Since they earned so much wealth during their lifetime, in order to ensure that they go to heaven, they should contribute part of it after their death. This way the empire can ensure the safety of their descendants.
Moreover, when farmers die and landlords take away part of their property, the government must also take away part of their property for the sake of safety. "
The emperor wanted to impose an inheritance tax, which was unprecedented.
"Furthermore, this is not a sudden thought. Egypt already had this tax more than 2,000 years ago. When a property owner wants to transfer property to relatives or other people, the court will recognize that the transfer is valid and will also levy tax on it. 1/10 of the property is paid as tax to the state.
I think inheritance tax can also be implemented within the empire because it has many advantages. First, it can increase tax revenue. Second, it can adjust the gap between the rich and the poor among the subjects.
This is particularly important. If a person works hard from the age of 20, he may already have his own land by the time he is 50. If he is a successful businessman, it will be even better. He can save at least 3,000 lei in his lifetime. Compared with those new subjects who have just joined the empire and are working hard to survive, the children of these people can live a comfortable life without having to work hard to contribute to the empire. Even if they are passed down for several generations, they can easily become domestic leaders. Big landowners and rich people. In the long run, it will arouse the jealousy of others and is not conducive to social stability, so we need to use inheritance tax to regulate it. "
"Aren't the subjects working hard to gain merit and wealth just to live a good life and pass it on to their children and grandchildren?! Implementing this will probably dampen their enthusiasm!" Baptiste asked doubtfully.
"Leaving too much wealth to the next generation will only cultivate the arrogance of future generations, making them lack the motivation to strive, and become greedy for pleasure and unwilling to contribute to the empire. Moreover, the standard of collection will also be adjusted, based on the value of the property The standard tax is above RON 2,000, which can reduce the burden on farmers and poor people.”
"Your Majesty, I think the subjects will appreciate your painstaking efforts, and the bill to collect inheritance tax will definitely be established!" Listlin immediately expressed his attitude.
Others also expressed their support, among which Baptiste was the most active.
"Let's talk about the current situation in Europe." Speaking of this, Peter's face also showed a look of solemnity and excitement: "With the current strength of our Romanian Empire, it is already the most powerful country in Europe. In recent years, it has also become the most powerful country in Europe." Peace generally remained.
However, there are still some countries in the west that have not submitted to the imperial rule. Brandenburg and Sigismund joined the whirlpool of the Bohemian War. The elector wrote several times asking for support, and I also provided some gold coins and Weapons, but the war is still far from over. "
Foreign Minister Luca offered his ideas to the Emperor, after successfully persuading him not to send troops directly but to instead provide funds and weapons to help Brandenburg. At the same time, England and the Berlin Alliance signed an agreement, which improved their ability to respond alone.
"Your Majesty, I think it is best not to blindly launch a war. The current situation is beneficial to the empire. We only need to let our allies continue to attack the enemy and tire them out. In this way, the empire can continue to maintain its advantages and not There will be no power to invade Constantinople."
"But Lord Luca, what if they form an alliance to attack again like last time? Burgundy and Orleans have been reorganizing their armies in the past few years. Seeing this situation, they want to take action against the empire." A Blue Faction representative asked.
"Don't worry, sir. This is expected. The Empire can't force Burgundy to give up its army. At present, no country's army can last for more than a year like the Empire's army. This is our advantage.
Also, although the alliance is powerful, it has too many members and poor coordination of plans and interests. Therefore, it will disband or its combat effectiveness will decline after a few months of formation. As long as they survive the first few months, they will collapse without fighting."
Peter also agreed with this plan. Now the Empire and its allies have formed a semi-encirclement of the Catholic world. England and Brandenburg are responsible for containment, while Rome continues to encircle the other side, especially the Holy Roman Empire.
"The most important thing now is Andalusia and England. I think Castile and France will be busy for several years, or even more than ten years."
Not long ago, Peter received a letter from Stefan. He said that he was ready to attack France. In order to put together the army, he used every manpower to the extreme. The population of Ireland greatly alleviated the labor shortage. In addition, Henry IV of Scotland died, and the new King Thomas signed a peace agreement with him in York. The worries were eliminated, and the next step was to face France.