***
After chatting with Tao Ze and Li Yuan, Qin Mu had many new feelings about the medical insurance system. Li Yuan's words left a deep impression on him: instead of rolling out insurance across the board, which would be a thankless task, it would be better to directly reduce or exempt some taxes for the households.
The Ministry of Revenue has just calculated the total amount of autumn taxes this year. This year, Daqin's commercial taxes exceeded agricultural taxes for the first time, accounting for 52% of the annual revenue, and this trend will continue. In the future, the proportion of industrial and commercial tax revenue in the total annual revenue will become larger and larger.
In other words, Daqin's reliance on agricultural taxes will become smaller and smaller.
Under such circumstances, the imperial court could afford to reduce or exempt some taxes for the lower households, and on the other hand, it would help promote the further growth of the middle class.
No matter what era, the middle class is the main body driving consumption. The expansion of the middle class has an irreplaceable role in boosting the consumption demand of the Qin Dynasty and promoting the development of industry and commerce, thereby accelerating the process of the industrial revolution.
Compared to this big goal, perhaps health insurance can really be considered later.
However, major disease protection and separation of medical care and pharmacy should still come first. Regardless of whether the medical insurance system is fully implemented, public hospitals are already being established in various states and counties. If we don't separate medical care and pharmacy now, it will be difficult to deal with once a huge vested interest group is formed in the future.
Qin Mu likes to listen to the voices from the lower classes. Such voices are more real, just like Li Yuan's words, which are not mixed with any selfish motives. He just expresses his own opinions. Qin Mu feels relieved to hear such words, and he doesn't have to worry about who is setting a trap for him to jump into.
After seeing off Li Yuan and Tao Ze, Qin Mu returned to the upper cabin. Qiao'er, who had lost a lot in guessing numbers, was still blushing even though she drank sweet wine. When she saw Qin Mu, she immediately ran up to him, grabbed his arm, pointed at Momo and said, "Your Majesty. Momo bullied me, he bullied me..."
Momo couldn't stand it anymore, so he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, she is the one who is bullying. She lost the guessing game and she cheated."
Qin Mu smiled, hugged the cute and naive Yun Qiaoer, sat next to Yang Zhi, picked up Yang Zhi's wine glass and drank. Yang Zhi looked at him and did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Yun Qiaoer was like a kitten, burrowing in his arms. She continued to complain, "Your Majesty, please help me. And Ruoruo, she is the same. She only supports Momo and doesn't help me."
"The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs."
Qin Mu's sudden remark made Qiao'er and the others dumbfounded. What did this have to do with the Queen's interference in politics
I didn't interfere in politics? Qiao'er looked aggrieved. Ever since Qin Mu told her the story of He Nu, she didn't dare to ask anyone for mercy.
"Similarly, I also... ahem, do you understand?"
Momo laughed proudly when she heard it. Qiao'er snorted, "Don't be so proud." Then she put on the sweetest smile and said to Yang Zhi, "Sister, you are the best..."
“Hahahaha…” Qin Mu laughed.
Yang Zhi couldn't help twisting Qiao'er and said angrily, "You girl, you never have a peaceful time." Yun Qiao'er giggled and went back into Qin Mu's arms. Yang Zhi twisted and arched in Qin Mu's arms, which made Qin Mu want to beat her up.
"Your Majesty..."
"Call me husband."
Yang Zhi's eyes slowly moved to him. She then changed her words and said, "I saw that my husband and the two people just now were talking happily. Did my husband meet another talented person?"
"Not bad, at least I got some good advice."
Hearing him say this, Yang Zhi felt happy and thought that accompanying him out tonight would be worth it even if the censors found out.
***
Edo, Japan.
During these few days, Sakai Tadakatsu, a senior elder of the Tokugawa shogunate, came to the Qin Embassy in Japan for the fourth time.
Wei Zhengdao, who was injured in the Ronin rebellion, has stabilized in condition. However, despite long-term recuperation, he still receives guests while recuperating in bed.
Every time Sakai Tadakatsu came, he never forgot to bring some precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng. This time he also brought some ambergris, which is said to have a calming effect and help with recuperation.
"I am fine now. Your Excellency is very busy with official duties. I am really sorry to trouble you to come here again."
"Ambassador Wei, you are welcome. To be honest, I feel bad for disturbing Ambassador Wei's rest at this time. But the General's Mansion really needs the help of Daqin. Ambassador Wei, please take care of us."
The ronin rebellion led by Yui Masayuki became more and more intense. In addition, the emperor in Kyoto officially expressed his support for Yui Masayuki and awarded Yui Masayuki the rank of Sekigahara Shogun. Many samurai who had lost their source of livelihood from all over Japan flocked to Sekigahara.
On the other hand, the daimyo from all over the country saw that the shogun was young and the more talented senior councilor Abe Tadayaki was squeezed out of the shogunate, resulting in repeated defeats in the battle of Sekigahara. The daimyo also became disloyal, some pretended to obey, and some simply refused to obey.
The Tokugawa shogunate is now surrounded by enemies on all sides. If it does not take measures, it may collapse at any time.
Wei Zhengdao took the tea handed over by the maid, moistened his mouth and said, "Regarding the matter of sending troops to help the shogunate fight, I have asked the North Sea Fleet Admiral Shi Lang."
"Has Admiral Shi agreed?" Sakai Tadakatsu was full of expectations. He had given all the gifts he should have given and said all the nice words he should have said. If there was no result this time, he would be desperate.
Wei Zhengdao replied: "Master, once our North Sea Fleet sends troops to help the shogunate fight, Kyoto and those rebellious ronin will inevitably vent their anger on our Great Qin merchants..."
"Don't worry Ambassador Wei, the shogunate will do its best to ensure the safety of the Qin merchants."
Wei Zhengdao smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, I am the ambassador of the Qin Empire to Japan. One of my main responsibilities is to protect the safety of the Qin citizens traveling to Japan. Sir, please do not say anything unpleasant. If the shogunate is now capable of protecting the safety of the Qin citizens traveling to Japan, I am afraid there is no need to ask my North Sea Fleet to send troops to help."
Sakai Tadakatsu was a little embarrassed. He knew that if the North Sea Fleet was to send troops to help, the shogunate would have to pay all the price. Now that the matter was urgent, he could not care about much: "Ambassador Wei, the general's elder sister Chiyohime is about to reach the age of marriage. She is smart and beautiful. The general is willing to serve his elder sister in the upper state and serve the emperor of the Qin Dynasty.
In addition, as long as Daqin is willing to send troops to help our general office overcome these difficulties, all expenses will be borne by our general office, and if there are sacrifices, the compensation will be doubled. After the rebellion is quelled, the shogunate is willing to open more ports to trade with Daqin..."
Wei Zhengdao said solemnly: "Sir, I'm afraid that's not enough. I have a duty to protect the safety of the people of Qin who travel to and from Japan. This is more important to me than anything else."
"I understand. Please take care of me, Ambassador Wei." The white-haired and bearded Sakai Tadakatsu bowed repeatedly. Their official hats were somewhat similar to Tang Dynasty crowns, which shows how deeply Japan was influenced by the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Wei Zhengdao waved to Assistant Counselor Lu Zhi, who immediately took a map and spread it out. Wei Zhengdao pointed to the central east coast of the Miura Peninsula in the southern part of Kanagawa Prefecture and said to Sakai Tadakatsu, "Master, if we want our Great Qin to send troops to help, the shogunate must agree to one condition for us;
Sir, please look, there is a small fishing village called Yokosuka. We need to lease an area of 60 miles around Yokosuka to build a port, station appropriate troops there, and then concentrate the Qin merchant ships coming to Japan here for trade to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
If the shogunate can agree to this additional condition, then our Great Qin will be able to send troops to help the shogunate win the war. Otherwise, for the sake of the safety of the people of Great Qin, we will not interfere in Japan’s internal affairs.”
Sakai Tadakatsu was a little surprised. He had never even heard of this small fishing village in Yokosuka. It was obvious that the North Sea Fleet had conducted a field investigation before making this request.
Although Sakai Tadakatsu did not have much talent in governing, he was not a fool. He certainly knew that it was unusual to have the Qin army stationed there, especially since Yokosuka was located near Kanagawa and controlled the Edo entrance, and Edo was the heart of the Tokugawa shogunate.
He said hesitantly: "Ambassador Wei, this Yokosuka is just a deserted fishing village. It is inappropriate to let your country build a port here. It will cost a lot of money and labor. How about this? We have a ready-made port in Kagoshima, and we will lease it to Daqin to show the sincerity of our general office."
Wei Zhengdao shook his head and said, "I think you know that the merchants of Daqin mainly go to Edo now, and the garrison at the port of Kagoshima will not provide much protection for our merchant ships of Daqin.
This small fishing village called Yokosuka, you can decide for yourself. If you are willing to rent it to me, I will send troops to help the shogunate suppress the rebellion. If not, for the safety of the people of Daqin, I can only say that I can do nothing to help."
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ps: The second update is here, the pursuers are getting closer, I urgently need monthly tickets, I urgently need monthly tickets!
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