When Su Ran learned that the business community was boycotting the economic reforms, his heart tightened. He immediately set aside his current affairs, dedicating his full attention to resolving this internal crisis. He knew well that the business sector held a pivotal position in the Great Qing economy; any mishandling would not only obstruct the New Policies but could very likely trigger social unrest, threatening the very foundations of the empire.
Su Ran first dispatched trusted officials to travel through the night to reach various merchant guilds across the country. Tirelessly, these officials navigated through major commercial hubs, engaging in in-depth discussions with merchants of different sectors and scales to understand the specific reasons behind their resistance. After a meticulous investigation, the officials hurried back to the Capital to report. It turned out that the controversy centered on an adjustment to commercial tax policy. While the intent of the new policy was to optimize the tax structure and promote healthy, orderly commercial development, its implementation lacked the necessary nuance to distinguish between different industries and business sizes. This had led to a sudden tax burden increase for small and medium-sized merchants, causing acute operational pressure, while some large commercial groups benefited significantly from loopholes. Naturally, this sparked strong dissatisfaction among the smaller enterprises.
Upon learning the situation, Su…
Chapter 26