This is true whether it is the State of Qin or the Six Kingdoms of Shandong. Without the support of taxes, the government cannot do anything, and the whole country cannot do anything.
If you want to fight a foreign war, you need money and food!
If you want to overhaul the project in the country, you need money and food!
If you want to distribute salary, you also need money and food!
…
The source of those money and grains is taxes. In previous years, King Qin would not have been worried, but this year is indeed different from previous years. During the summer planting last year, there was a prolonged drought, and the growth of grains was almost negligible.
The poor harvest in the fields has also affected this year's harvest, and will undoubtedly affect this year's taxation. According to the Datian Order, there are three major difficulties in taxation this year, all of which are difficult to overcome.
First, due to poor harvests in famine years, especially the people in the hinterland of Guanzhong were unable to pay taxes at all.
Secondly, the Qin Dynasty did not provide disaster relief. Last time, due to the incident of the Jingshui River Canal, people were recruited to offset the corvee. However, there was a severe drought in the whole country. The entire Qinchuan and the northern part of the Hexi Plateau, and dozens of counties in Shangjun were affected.
Almost nothing was harvested.
With more than a million common people living in the Jingshui River, it has become virtually impossible to pay taxes and levies, unless the Qin law is changed. However, for the Qin government, which has always adhered to the rule of law, this will never be the case.
Thirdly, the land of the Three Jin Dynasties was also marked by a severe drought, and all the countries had issued orders as early as last year to exempt taxes this year. After that, the eyes of the entire Kanto Six Kingdoms fell on Qin.
There are still two or three months until the tax collection day, which seems very long, but it is already a bit late to make the decision to issue and implement the king's letter. If Qin's law remains the same, it will undoubtedly fall into the contempt of the six kingdoms of Guandong.
.
If you want to be like the six countries in Shandong, you will undoubtedly have to break the Qin law, which is impossible for the Qin king to do.
However, if the tax is not exempted, it will undoubtedly lead to the loss of the newly gathered people's hearts and go against the general trend of the country. What's more, the book "Lu Shi Chun Qiu" by Wen Xin Hou Lu Buwei is not far away from spreading throughout the Qin Dynasty.
If you want to exempt taxes, it undoubtedly shows that the current King of Qin agrees with Wen Xinhou's lenient punishment and punishment, and agrees with Wen Xinhou's governance philosophy. If he does this, all the crimes previously imposed on Wen Xinhou will be questionable. A bad one
, those troublemaking diners are coming out again.
"Mr. Changping, Wang Wan, how do you two think we should deal with this?"
We just solved a dilemma last year, and now we have another one. It is not feasible to exempt taxes. If we don't exempt them, there will be no small disadvantages. After thinking for a while, Qin Wangzheng put down the document in his hand, and his eyes fell on Changping Lord Xiong Qihe.
On Wang Wan's side.
"Taxes should be exempted, but they cannot be exempted. It's so difficult!"
"The warehouses of the State of Qin were originally well-stocked. The construction of the Jingshui River Canal has started, and grain has been transported from the warehouses in Guanzhong. The inventory has been greatly reduced. It can be maintained for one year. If it is not fully ripe next year, it will be difficult to maintain the military and official rations!"
Mr. Changping has also thought about this matter for a long time. After all, there is no way to achieve both ends. In worldly matters, it is the most difficult to find a way to achieve both ends. He has also discussed it with Ota Ling and others, and now, he has not yet sorted out the situation.
Wearing a light red brocade robe, he stood up leisurely, bowed his hands to the king of Qin, and spoke slowly, sighing, feeling ashamed that he could not help the king.
"My king, as Mr. Changping said, it is difficult to conclude the taxation history this year. After the summer harvest last year, the drought continued. The millet, millet, broomcorn millet, and bean sprouts that were sown were all in all likelihood dead from drought if the seedlings were less than one foot old.
"
"Fortunately, a few months ago, on the Jingshui River Canal, a waterwheel headed by the master came out to mobilize the water flow. The situation in Guanzhong eased slightly. Even so, it was still not enough for the entire Qin State. Even if there was food in stock, it would not be enough.
Just enough for the common people to survive."
"I have also discussed with the Order of Datian. The only way is to exempt taxes from taxes. However, this conflict with Qin law. Therefore, it has been wasted until now and no real strategy has been formed."
As Lord Changping stood up, Wang Wan on the side also stood up, raised his hands and bowed his head. Every action regarding taxation, military and political affairs must be reasonable. If you do it casually, you are afraid of harming the country.
This is why there is still no good solution until now.
"The waterwheels that the master ordered the craftsmen to build are now found on both sides of the Wei River. They are indeed wonderful. If the Jingshui canal is built, and supplemented by waterwheels, it will be possible to spread the beneficial water throughout the entire Guanzhong area."
"Mr. Changping just said that the big warehouse in Guanzhong can only last for one year?"
Qin Wangzheng had also seen the waterwheel that was extremely easy to use. When people stepped on it, the water flowed out slowly. If the waterwheel kept running day and night, the water would spread along the canals and flow into the fields needed by the people.
Regarding the wonderful use of waterwheels, the King of Qin had already issued a letter to the king, ordering all counties and counties to build them to alleviate the drought. Then, after hearing the words of Lord Changping and Wang Wan, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows again.
"Nearly 1.8 million people were on the river canal and wasted in the warehouse. Such a thing has never happened in ancient times."
The strategy that Master Xuanqing mentioned before is wonderful, but the consumption on the Qin State is also huge. 1.8 million people are not 180,000. The consumption every day exceeds the years of the Changping War.
"If there is no good harvest next year, how much grain will be stored in the warehouse to supply the army?"
Regarding what Changping Jun was worried about, Qin Wangzheng's expression instantly became solemn. There is no problem with Master Yu's strategy. The main problem is how long the drought will last. As long as Qin can survive it, nothing will be a problem.
If the warehouse is really exhausted, no matter what, we must be the first to ensure that the army has food. Otherwise, the Qin State will be really in danger. For a while, the Qin Wangzheng also suddenly stood up from the top.
"Without the water tanker to alleviate the drought, the grain reserves could at most supply an army of 100,000, but now, it can supply an army of 180,000 to 250,000, which can barely guarantee the deterrence of the six countries in Shandong and the deterrence of the Huns in the north!"
Lord Changping looked increasingly unhappy. Since the Battle of Changping, the standing army of the Qin State has been stable at around 400,000. If the drought cannot be alleviated, half of the soldiers will not be able to eat enough by next year.
That...is a pretty serious problem.
"With one thing, the master of the Qin Dynasty can feed one hundred thousand more soldiers of the State of Qin, which is a great achievement."
"This year is still far away from next year. Let's not mention the military rations for now. If next year is still a year of drought, can the royal garden and all the mountains and forests of Qinchuan be able to ensure that the Qin people in Guanzhong can pick and hunt to survive the famine year?"
For the Qin State, when faced with such a thing, it must prepare for the worst. As long as the sergeants are still capable of deterring the six countries, they should try to stabilize the domestic situation. Only when the country is stable, the sergeants will be stronger.
"Last year there was a severe drought. The people of Guanzhong and Qin tried their best to fight the drought and rush to plant crops. In the winter, the people of Qin State did not go to the mountains to beg for food. Only the hungry people of Shandong came to the mountains. However, the mountains and forests of Guanzhong did not suffer much damage, and the wild vegetables and fruits were still acceptable.
Fengmao.”
"However, Qin Fa does not provide disaster relief, and the royal palace has never been opened in disaster years..."
Xiong Qixuan, Lord of Changping, said that since the warehouses were insufficient, the only way was to find other ways to satisfy the consumption of the Qin people. No matter what, the current difficulties must be overcome.
"Mr. Changping only needs words. If the Forbidden Garden is opened, can it be protected against drought?"
However, before Lord Changping could finish speaking, Qin Wangzheng interrupted him.
"If the royal palace is opened, we can generally survive the famine years."
After a few breaths, Lord Changping gave Qin Wangzheng a satisfactory response.
"In this way, Qin can still hold on for two years. Even if the weather continues to be dry, the people of Qin will not be afraid."
There was a hint of joy in King Qin's political expression, his hands suddenly clasped together, and a clear voice echoed in the empty Xingle Palace hall.
"My king and I believe that the Qin State currently has room for maneuver in its financial and material resources. Therefore, those who are in a dilemma are because of conflicting laws."
"Wang Wan is bold and dares to invite me, Wang Zhaotingwei, Guozhengjian and other six law enforcement agencies, to meet with the law to consider contingency strategies. Only when the laws are in compliance and the economic agencies provide disaster relief can we free our hands."
Now that the king has made such a plan, the next thing can be done as appropriate. It seems that it is not impossible to change the Qin law because of this. Wang Wan bowed his hand and said to his superior Qin Wang Zheng.
"Can!"
Qin Wangzheng nodded in response.
An hour later, Tingwei, Guozhengjian and other official offices completed their discussions in Xingle Palace and issued orders, led by Tingwei Yingteng, to oppose this critical situation and change the Qin law.
The foundation of the Qin State is the Qin Law. If the Qin Law is changed, the Qin State is likely to be in chaos. The Imperial Supervisor agrees with this, but it is a pity that the Datian Order in the hall, Wang Wan and others frowned slightly.
Unexpectedly, Tingwei is still so insistent on the current situation. The Qin law cannot be changed, which means that taxes must still be collected. So, how to deal with the next trouble?
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Sitting quietly at the top, listening to the discussions of everyone in the hall, I also insisted in my body and mind that the Qin law cannot be changed, but what Wang Wan and others said is not unreasonable. Qin law will not be changed, and taxes will remain the same.
How are the people feeling?
This scene is so similar to the dispute over the disposal of the people's nationalities in Shandong a few months ago!
However, because of the presence of the master in that matter, the last words settled the matter and solved the trouble. Now, a similar problem is placed in front of them, which stumps the ministers, each of whom is holding on to his own side.
As soon as the words fell, the entire Xingle Palace fell into silence. Although there were strategies, they could not be used at the same time.
Suddenly, the entire huge Xingle Palace fell into silence. Qin Wangzheng took a deep breath and decided to make such a decision. He did not blame the ministers. In fact, such a thing had not happened in the Qin State in a hundred years.
If it had been a hundred years ago, before the Qin Dynasty reformed, the matter would have been easy to solve. Wouldn't it be to exempt taxes? It was in line with the way of kingship and hegemony since Mu Gong!
But this way is not in line with Qin’s rule of law!
"Zhao Gao, you immediately set off for the Jingshui River Canal and ask the master strategy."
"Last time, the master solved your problems with one word. This time, I still believe that the master will not disappoint me!"
To be honest, in the past few years, what the master has done has never let me down. He has put aside state affairs and is extremely strong in martial arts, suppressing hundreds of schools of thought in Shandong, and getting involved in state affairs.
His eyes once again glanced at the group of ministers, and a little light flashed across his eyes. Then he looked at Zhao Gao, the young man next to him, and after giving the order, Zhao Gao did not hesitate, bowed and left quietly.
.
After staying with the King for more than ten years, I naturally know the King's temperament.
"This... Master Xuanqing is an expert outside the world. He has never been involved in worldly affairs. Your Majesty's words are because he is convinced that Master has a long-term solution to the problem?"
The important officials of the Qin court had a difficult problem, but the king threw it to the master who was far away in the Jingshui River. As soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone in the Qin court changed slightly, especially the civilian leader Xiong Qi of Changping.
The king's strategy is tantamount to expressing his dissatisfaction with himself. As the prime minister, he cannot adjust yin and yang and solve major issues. Instead, he has to rely on Taoist Tianzong's worldly experts.
"Mr. Changping, the master has already solved one of the national problems for me. Moreover, the master's vision and knowledge are far beyond the comparison of ordinary people."
"The Taoist "De Jing" says: Governing a big country is like cooking a small dish! The master's martial arts realm is so high that all methods lead to the same goal. With the master's realm, we may be able to see places that we have not seen."
Seeing that Chang Pingsheng looked a little ugly, and the officials in the audience looked a little strange, King Qin smiled brightly. For some reason, he firmly believed that the master would have a good strategy, and that he would have the same strategy as last time.
If he asked the question out of thin air, everyone would be dissatisfied. However, after what happened last time, the ministers in the hall could not say much for a while. They looked at each other helplessly.
Counting the time, Zhao Gao headed to the Jingshui River Canal at this time, thinking that he would be back at midnight.
******
Since the severe drought last year, almost every official document has been an urgent matter. The King of Qin is accustomed to reviewing at any time, and there is almost no backlog. Even if he is on a short-term patrol, he will still review documents on the royal carriage.
The young King of Qin has been in charge for nearly two years, and this fast and neat style has quickly stirred up the Qin government and the public. Even in the two most distant counties of Bashu and Bashu, it takes less than a month for documents to go back and forth.
In the more than 20 counties under the direct jurisdiction of the Guanzhong Internal History Office, documents were sent out early and returned late. All officials of the Qin State were serious and respectful and did not dare to slack off. Wang Wan, as the long history of Xianyang, set an example.
At dusk, the people from Shangshifang brought food to the side hall of Xingle Palace. Qin Wangzheng hurriedly ate a can of fat sheep stew and two pot helmets, and continued to review the king's book. Wang Wan followed.
Time passed so fast, the time teller in Xingle Palace had already spoken four times, Qin Wangzheng was still in the side hall, and Wang Wan, the chief historian who was working in the study on the side of the side hall, knew that the reason for this was because Zhao Gao had not yet
return.
Originally, according to usual practice, Wang Wan could leave at the third watch. However, today's events were strange. Wang Wan expected that King Qin would definitely wait for Li Si's reply, and there would be urgent matters later, so Wang Wan also stayed in the study, sorting out the situation.
While writing, I paid attention to the movements inside and outside the study.
Soon, it was time for the fifth watch. Spring had just risen, and the night outside the temple was still dark. A light breeze blew faintly into the temple, bringing a fresh coolness, mixed with a faint smell of dust.
Unless it was a drought, the land of Qinchuan with beautiful mountains and clear waters would not be experiencing what it is now, and it can be regarded as the first time in a hundred years. Wang Wan was sorting documents in his study, waiting for them to be issued quickly tomorrow.
"But the Young Master ordered Zhao Gao?"
Suddenly, there was an urgent sound of horse hooves reverberating in the empty and quiet square outside the palace. In an instant, Wang Wan's expression changed and he hurriedly walked out of the palace and looked at the figure who had quickly dismounted and walked to his position.
"I have met Chang Shi, it is Zhao Gao!"
With a faint hoarse voice coming out, Zhao Gao's figure came quickly, and with a strong whirlwind, he rushed into the side hall, where the Qin Wangzheng was located.
Seeing this, Wang Wan smiled hoarsely. This kind of appearance was rare in the Shaofu Ling Zhao Gao.
With such a state of mind, I must have gained something after thinking about it. With a smile on my face, I felt deeply in my heart. Could it be that the important matter that troubled the Qin court officials during the day was really solved by Master Xuanqing?
"Young Master ordered me to rest and eat first. I'm here!"
Walking into the palace, he walked slowly and approached Qin Wangzheng not far away. There, Zhao Gao, covered in dirt and dust, was exuding strong heat and sweating profusely. Wang Wan looked at this and hurriedly stepped forward to whisper.
However, Zhao Gao seemed unaware of Wang Wan's words and still stood quietly beside Qin Wangzheng, like a huge stone, unyielding and unmoving, with sweat flowing freely and dyeing his clothes.
"Zhao Gao, please go down and rest first."
Qin Wangzheng was looking at a small paper document in his hand. After a few breaths, his eyes narrowed slightly and his smile spread. After a while, he raised his head and gave instructions to Zhao Gao.
After saying this, Zhao Gao bowed and retreated.
"This is the master's opinion, Wang Wan, what do you think?"
Afterwards, Qin Wangzheng gently handed the paper document in his hand to Wang Wan.