"You should think about yourself, be public-minded, and be kind-hearted. You will have a bright future and be safe." [Spiritual Lotus·Dongpo Interpretation]
Cao Cao, who wanted to contain Xu Huang, planned with Guo Jia and others, and planned to use the competitive relationship between Zhang Liao and Xu Huang to make the emperor re-examine and weigh his own decision.
However, before this idea was put forward, Cao Cao deliberately revealed something to Xun Yu during a private meeting with Shangshu Ling. Since he wanted to use this matter to maintain the relationship with Xun Yu in the past, after all, Cao Cao did not avoid the other party even in such matters. This shows that Cao Cao
Because of the importance of this matter, Cao Cao also needed to listen to other people's opinions.
"Guo Fengxiao, Dong Gongren's proposal is a bit extreme." Cao Cao originally asked a routine question, but unexpectedly Xun Yu actually raised objections: "Although it does make your majesty more cautious, in order to appease Zhang Liao, Xu Huang is temporarily postponed.
It will be used for the Western Regions. But once this matter comes out, there will be a rift between Zhang and Xu. What will happen if Your Majesty loses balance?"
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao laughed in a low voice and said: "This is exactly what they mean by Fengxiao."
Xun Yu's expression changed and he whispered: "Meng De!" He raised his head cautiously and looked around. Although this was a private house, it was difficult to prevent the walls from having ears. At this time, he looked at Cao Cao seriously and gritted his teeth and warned: "You guys
This is a rift!"
At present, the emperor is extremely generous towards his heroes. Not only does he not intend to kill the rabbit, but he also places more important responsibilities on him. If this harmonious situation between the emperor and his ministers is broken because of Cao Cao, the court will immediately be in chaos...
"There is a saying about filial piety." Cao Cao shook his head and said slowly: "If there is sincerity between the monarch and his ministers, what if there is a estrangement? If there has been a rift for a long time, why is there a need for estrangement?"
Xun Yu felt inappropriate in his heart, sabotaging the overall situation simply for personal gain. Even he did not want to see this happen. He looked at Cao Cao worriedly and whispered: "Xu Gongming was personally promoted to the army by your Majesty, and he has repeatedly served
He was promoted, favored and given a good life. Zhang Wenyuan initially served Ding Yuan, then he and Lu Bu submitted to Dong Zhuo, changed their masters several times, and finally served his majesty. Does Cao Cao think that the two are equal in your majesty's heart?
"
Cao Cao pondered for a long time and then said: "Zhang Liao may not be so self-aware."
Xun Yu sighed lightly, and seeing that Cao Cao was still acting like this, he refused to persuade him any more.
The excitement of Xu Huang's entry into the court soon passed. The government and the public gradually turned their attention to the current New Deal. With the strong support of the emperor and the active promotion of Cao Cao, Zhao Wen and others, various reforms were carried out in an orderly manner.
Go on. Whether it is prohibiting private ownership of Wubao tribes, limiting the power of local officials to recruit scholars, or strengthening the central government's vertical management of local areas, they all involve the vital interests of the powerful nobles, and the impact of Xu Huang's entry into the DPRK on the Western Expedition.
In comparison, the latter is more worthy of attention.
Because the imperial court has been constantly deploying troops in Liaodong, Hebei, and Nanzhong in the past two years, the soldiers and the people were not allowed to rest, which caused a great impact on the imperial court's wealth. When Cao Cao thought about the difficulties in the emperor's proposal to conquer the Western Regions, Cao Cao emphasized this aspect.
: "Nowadays, the state supply is insufficient. Hebei, Yangzhou and other places cannot be stable for a while, but Liaodong and Nanzhong still need to be comforted. Your Majesty wants to manage the Western Regions and Xianbei, which is a great undertaking. How about waiting a few more years to provide rest for the soldiers and the people?"
"The scholars have no wealth, but the people's strength is exhausted." The emperor's words made Cao Cao and others frown, secretly thinking: "Mi Zhu has been talking about politics recently, and he happened to talk about the tax changes, saying that it can be used by the country.
"Have you ever seen this book and commented on it?"
Cao Cao, Zhao Wen and others looked at each other hesitantly and did not answer for a moment. In fact, they had all seen Mi Zhu's speech. The content was shocking. They actually thought that the national policy of "Thirty taxes and one tax" that had been adhered to for four hundred years was implemented.
It is too rigid, so I want to improve it and charge different rates of tax according to different acres of land. For example, for a field of 100 acres, a tax of 30 to 1 will be charged; for a field of 1,000 acres, a tax of 15 to 1 will be charged, etc...
This advanced concept of graded taxation was naturally not something Mi Zhu could have come up with. He was inspired by the emperor and the result of comprehensive optimization during a private meeting with the emperor.
According to Mi Zhu's proposal, farmers with little land will have almost no need to pay agricultural taxes, while wealthy landowners who own many fertile fields will have to bear extremely heavy tax rates. This will not only bring income to the country, but also fundamentally crack down on powerful landowners.
Methods of annexing land.
The tax system of the Han Dynasty was different from that of later dynasties in that it did not focus on rent taxes. Not only was there a consistent "tax of thirty to one", there was also a "tax of one hundred to one" for a period. Under Emperor Xiaowen, all land rents were exempted.
In a sense, this is indeed a king's policy and an act to benefit the people, but upon closer inspection, the average farmer can only own a hundred acres of land, and the thirty-one-tax policy benefits more people in "Lianqianmo"
The wealthy families not only have to pay a small amount of land rent, but can also avoid other taxes through various privileges, resulting in various burdens being passed on to ordinary people.
The general land rent of thirty taxes per one cannot support a country's finances, so after Emperor Xiaowu began, he gradually increased the collection of taxes, taxes, salt and iron, etc. In the later period, the people preferred to rely on the powerful as tenants.
, a hidden household, bearing a more harsh tax of 10% and 50% of land rent.
The tenants paid 10% tax and 50% of land rent to the powerful, and the powerful people paid 30% tax and 1% of land rent to the court, even concealing the acres of land. If things continued like this, the court would begin to collapse financially.
"Your Majesty..." Even though he was the emperor's confidant, Sikong Zhaowen had to take into account the interests of everyone behind him at this time. He said softly: "Since Emperor Gao, this dynasty has been frivolous in doing small gifts and giving to the royal government. Now we have returned home.
, the scholars and the people support your majesty. Since your majesty is the lord of the world, he regards the scholars and the people of the world as his own. They are also land rents. If you prefer one to the other, I am afraid... the people will talk about it."
"It seems that this is what all of you want?" The emperor sighed softly, looking at the firm faces of everyone, and said: "The way of heaven is to make up for the deficiencies by making up for the excess. I naturally regard the people of the world as my own, but in a family
, there are good things and bad things. You say you should stick to the middle and keep things right, but how can you not favor one over the other? The disaster of annexation caused Han Zuo to decline twice. What is the reason for this? Can the princes still return?
Are you confused?"
Zhao Wen, Xun Yu and others looked at each other and lowered their heads in shame.
Paying more land rent means that the court must accurately grasp the latest land area data. In the past, some people would privately reclaim wasteland and conceal the land area, but this time since the rent and tax are to be changed, "land control" may be imperative! I think of Guangwu's land area transfer.
The fierce confrontation they encountered was also the reason why Xun Yu and others did not dare to agree without authorization...
Looking back at Cao Cao at this time, he suddenly frowned, and immediately prostrated himself and said: "The good strategy proposed by Mi Zizhong will be of great benefit to the country. I second my opinion."
There was a trace of appreciation in the emperor's eyes: "Forgetting selfishness, now that this policy is implemented, I don't know how many people in the world will be saved from the pain of abandoning their land and being exiled. From now on, the imperial court's management of the Western Regions and Mobei will all rely on this innovation. Cao Cao
My father-in-law has made great efforts to implement it this time, which can be regarded as a first achievement."
Cao Cao looked surprised. Seeing the emperor's thoughtful gaze, how could he not understand anything in his heart? He couldn't tell for a moment whether he had been led away by the emperor from beginning to end, or whether he had just reached an impromptu agreement with the emperor.
After entering into a "transaction", he just nodded in agreement, his mouth slightly bitter...
Now Xia Houyuan can explain everything, but other things...