Fang Yingwu suddenly woke up. He clearly wanted to reconcile and could not let his cheap grandfather mess up the situation here. Although he still didn't understand what Mr. Wang wanted to do, he spoke again to Mr. Li Yingzhen and said: "Actually, in my heart..."
"Brother Qiu, don't worry!" Mr. Wang Shu suddenly slapped the case, interrupting Fang Yingwu's speech, and then said forcefully: "I will never see you being bullied! Although the Wang family is a wealthy family in Suzhou, I also
Not easy to deal with!"
Fang Yingwu was speechless. I really want to say something, are you familiar with Mr. Wang and I? The Mr. Wang in front of him has the image of an elder who helps his relatives but not others, and desperately protects his children. This is in line with his cognition.
Misplaced.
If historical records are true, this Mr. Wang should have a selfless style that would send his family members to prison even if they committed crimes. It is impossible for him to protect his children without principles.
As expected, nothing is too simple for a politician. Fang Yingwu said helplessly: "Old Zhongcheng, I'm here."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted again. Mr. Wang Shu said domineeringly: "There is no need to worry! I will make the decision for you!"
Mr. Li Yingzhen had been friends with Wang Shu for many years. Of course he could tell that Wang Shu was acting, but he couldn't tell what kind of medicine was being sold in the gourd.
But the matter was still this matter, so Mr. Li asked: "Mr. Jie'an, the Wang family asked me to come here. No matter what you think, you have to give me an answer. Just tell me how to answer it!"
Wang Shu made a big deal and said: "If the Wang family is sincere, let an older person in charge come forward and agree on a good place. I will take Brother Qiu to talk to him."
Mr. Li nodded and said, "That's fine, I'll tell them right away." After that, he stood up and left.
Wang Shu had a distinguished status and did not need to see the guests off too far, so he asked Fang Yingwu to see them off for him.
When they arrived outside the gate, Mr. Li said to the other party: "Little friend Fang, please stay. If you have time in the future, you can go and persuade my son-in-law."
Fang Yingwu asked in confusion: "Who is your son-in-law?"
"The one you've seen is called Zhu Yunming."
Fang Yingwu couldn't help but secretly sigh, these celebrities in Wuzhong are really intertwined, closely connected through various relationships, and eventually formed a small regional circle.
At the same time, this network of relationships is used as a platform to interact with each other from top to bottom, left and right, and continuously create a new generation of celebrities in the circle. Of course, the premise is that these people are really talented.
After seeing Mr. Li off, Fang Yingwu returned to the study, only to see Mr. Wang Shu sitting there, frowning and thinking deeply, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the desk.
Wang Shu was so absorbed in thinking that he didn't notice Fang Yingwu coming in. It wasn't until Fang Yingwu coughed heavily that he woke up. After looking at Fang Yingwu for a few times, he asked: "Why do you use the place where you study?"
?”
Fang Yingwu quickly tried his best to express himself, "Managing the world for economic benefits, repaying the country's kindness, and caring for the people, this is how you live up to your life ambitions."
Wang Shu nodded and said appreciatively: "Although I don't know if it's just words, but if you can say it, it's worthy of what Xianggong Shang taught you."
Fang Yingwu was very speechless. If you, the old man, want to praise your younger generation, can you remove the previous sentence "I wonder if it's just lip service"? Otherwise, I really don't know whether you are sarcastic or complimentary.
Wang Shu changed the subject: "How much do you know about the official and civilian fields in Suzhou?"
Fang Yingwu was a little excited. After meeting him several times, his words were always true and false. Apart from angrily defending his character and abilities, there was really nothing else to say. Although Wang Shu seemed to talk about the land issue suddenly, but
It’s a real topic.
He showed his intention and quickly recalled the research situation in his previous life. Suzhou Prefecture was a key research object in the history of the Ming Dynasty, and there was a lot of material.
Then he answered in an orderly manner: "As far as I know, Suzhou Prefecture has about 70,000 hectares of land, seven-tenths of which are official land, and three-tenths of which are civilian lands. In other words, the number of official land acres in the whole prefecture is one-third.
two."
Wang Shu's old eyes widened. Of course he knew that Fang Yingwu was right, which was even more surprising.
Fang Yingwu's tone was very understated, as if he was just talking about some trivial common sense. However, this person was just a young scholar of sixteen or seventeen years old. He had just left home for a few days. He actually knew the land situation of Suzhou Prefecture very well and could talk about various data.
Just come.
Not to mention that Fang Yingwu came from a remote mountainous town. Even for local scholars in Suzhou, nine out of ten people cannot tell how many acres of land Suzhou Prefecture has and what its proportions are. Who in the world would study these things?
thing.
Wang Shu was really interested, "You continue talking."
Fang Yingwu said: "The rent of official land is too heavy and the tax of private land is too light. If things go on like this, there will be many disadvantages!" Although he said it simply, it was enough in front of Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang understood the meaning and didn't need to be too much.
It’s wordy, just click through.
The so-called official land refers to state-owned land, such as academic land, confiscated land, land left by Zhang Shicheng's influence before the founding of the People's Republic of China, etc.; the so-called private land refers to private land. Another distinction is that what the state collects from private land is called taxes, while official land is collected by the state.
What is collected is called land rent.
Suzhou Prefecture has a lot of official land but little private land. The private land is basically occupied by large landowners. Ordinary poor people who have no land to cultivate are forced to rent official land.
But there is another problem. The rent for official land is extremely heavy, several times that of private land. If one acre of land is private land, you only need to pay two dou in taxes, while official land may have to pay six or seven dou. There are too many official land,
This is also one of the reasons why the Suzhou government accounts for one-tenth of the world's money and grain.
Therefore, a serious problem of tax inequality has arisen. Most farmers in Suzhou Prefecture rent government land and bear extremely heavy government rents and increased costs, but the private land owned by a few large households only has to pay very little tax.
This is extremely unbalanced. This problem has existed since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and it is something that people with insight have always wanted to correct.
Fang Yingwu said again in response to this problem: "Such a common people are overwhelmed and their financial power is weak! And the common people are having a hard time, I'm afraid it will lead to other changes in the long run! Nowadays, there are already many refugees who have fled their homes, right?"
For the first time, Wang Shu looked at the other party squarely and applauded: "Well said, I really didn't expect you to have such knowledge! It really impressed me.
To be honest, when I went to the northern counties to investigate the floods, I saw that the people affected by the disaster in Guantian were ruined and bankrupted, and there were many people selling their children and daughters. I have been thinking about this matter recently. The root cause is that the taxation of Guantian is too high.
Seriously, the poor people who rent government land are really unable to bear the burden, so they need to pay equal taxes.
I have always had this idea since I took office, and now I plan to start implementing it."
Fang Yingwu interjected: "Many sages in the past dynasties had this intention, but most of them failed, and some even dismissed their officials for this reason. On the one hand, large local households and civilians opposed it, and the Su people in the imperial court echoed it. On the other hand, the imperial ministers were afraid
It has not been very active in affecting the taxation of Suzhou government."
"Of course the total number cannot be changed, otherwise the court will not be able to pass the test. The tax on official land will be reduced by one dou per mu, and the tax on civilian land will be increased by two dou per mu. In this way, the total number sent to the court will still be the same."
Fang Yingshang realized the meaning of the matter. Could it be that Wang Shu was planning to use administrative orders to force it? This would not be easy, and it was very likely to fail due to internal and external difficulties.
He advised: "I'm afraid it won't be easy, sir. The sages of the past generations have tried this, but very few have succeeded."
"It's not easy, but you have to try it. Someone has to do it! Otherwise, what's the use of the court asking me to guard the place?"
Regarding Wang Shu's responsible attitude, what else could Fang Yingwu say besides being convinced? No wonder Mr. Wang was so conspicuous in the chaotic era of Chenghua.
This can be said to know that there are tigers in the mountains, but go to the tiger mountains! Fang Yingwu doesn’t know if he has this kind of spirit. Maybe he will show his true nature when he really faces the problem.
But this time it was Wang Shu's matter. Fang Yingwu suddenly remembered, what does this have to do with him? What does this have to do with his reconciliation with Wang Quan?
Wang Shu said: "For this important matter of equalizing taxes, the local wealthy families who are used to taking advantage are afraid that they will oppose it, and they will not be able to get it in the future. In fact, I was worried that I had nowhere to start, and it happened that the Wang family took the initiative to give me the handle. This is
An opportunity.
Wang Quan's family was originally from a wealthy Dongshan family, and their reputation has soared especially after Wang Hao was born. Before doing anything, you must build momentum first. If the Dongshan Wang family is willing to take the lead in expressing support for the equalization of government and private land taxes, at least it won't be a bad thing?"
Fang Yingwu was shocked. No wonder Mr. Wang had just rejected the Wang family for him. It turned out that he wanted to ask for a price! He wanted to tie him up and go with him!
Of course Fang Yingwu understood that it was just a matter of scolding and quarreling, it was still a dispute between literati and gentlemen. But if it involves something like this that touches the fundamental interests of a wealthy family, it would be a bit troublesome.
He was a little frightened and said: "My lord, I'm too high-minded. With this little thing, how can I change the attitude of the Wang family?"
Wang Shu said categorically: "It depends on people, step by step. It's not really about doing anything to the Dongshan Wang family, it's just a show of support. I also said just now that such a thing will never be successful in one fell swoop. Now we just have to take it slowly.
It’s just to create momentum.”
Fang Yingwu really didn't know what to say. This old man asked others to do things together and never asked others if they were willing?
Now he just wanted to leave Suzhou and go to the capital to help his father. Unexpectedly, after a long time of building up his reputation, actively showing his knowledge, and gaining some say in front of Wang Shu, he ended up being forced to do something by him.
This old man never considers other people's feelings, so you might as well continue to look down on him!
When Fang Yingwu was in a daze, he heard Wang Shu command again: "You seem to be good at writing poems? Then write a few poems about sympathy for farmers. Maybe you can use them these days."
Fang Yingwu was extremely unhappy and was about to protest when he heard Wang Shu say: "If you work hard, I will report to the court for commendation."
What is the use of commendation? No matter how commended it is, it is impossible to give away a candidate or a Jinshi for nothing. Otherwise, it is nonsense. Issuing a certificate has no practical value.
Wang Shu seemed to have read through Fang Yingwu's thoughts and said calmly: "If you record your merits, it will not be of much use now, but in the future when you are qualified to be an official, you can use these merits to directly list your merits and get an official position."
"My dear boss, I have a mission, and I shall serve you!" Fang Yingwu said excitedly. (To be continued. Please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!)