"All our rulers and ministers should be concerned about the prosperity and danger of the Ming Dynasty, and should not settle for peace of mind." [Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty, Renzong Ji]
Weiyang Palace, Chengming Palace.
"When changing the tax system, we must be cautious. It's good that you can come up with such a strategy." The emperor looked through it roughly and found that the thirty tax was an ancestral system and it was not easy to abolish it directly. Cao Cao understood the emperor's thinking and thought
The progressive method was adopted. On the basis of stipulating that the land should be cleared every ten years and the population calculated, the land rent would be determined based on the number of acres per capita. Those with less land would have a tax of 30 yen, and those with more acres would have a tax of 20 yen or 15 yen.
Taxes range from one to ten. Of course, the prerequisite for the perfect implementation of all this is whether the system is perfect and whether the policies are implemented: "The first thing to govern the world is to govern the officials. If the officials are unclear, the decrees will not be passed; if the officials are not honest, they will abuse the common people."
No matter how good the strategy is, if the people below do not follow the rules, it will be in vain..."
He looked around and suddenly said: "Fu Xun should be sent."
Fu Xun is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He has served in the Office of the Minister for many years. He is the emperor's confidant. If you want to discuss the management of officials, you can't do without him. What's more, the emperor also intends to promote him. Hearing this, Mu Shun of Xiaohuangmen immediately hurried out.
Cao Cao was moved in his heart and said alertly: "Fu Gongti has been in charge of civil affairs for many years and is very good at managing officials. He can be said to be a master in this field. It may be helpful to call him here for discussion."
Yang Biao interjected at the side and said: "In the end, it is necessary to change the tax system with 2,000 dan or less. Why not spread it to the Shaofu, Si Nong, Du Zhi, etc., so that they can understand the intention of the imperial court."
The emperor thought for a while and realized that they would not dare to take on such a big thing as changing the tax system. It would be easier to move forward if he could get the consensus of others. Thinking like this, he looked at the other two people: "
What do Zhao Gong and Lingjun think?"
Zhao Wen and Xun Yu looked at each other. He thought that changing the tax system was related to the country's foundation and was very confidential. Now he only set a tone and called so many people. How could he talk freely? However, Xun Yu's face was nervous at first.
Then he relaxed again. Unlike Zhao Wen, his considerations were more mixed with the pros and cons of public and private matters.
"I think it's okay." Zhao Wen quickly respected the emperor's opinion after a brief consideration.
So soon, the chief minister Nong Mi Zhu, the Shaofu Wang Jiang, the official official Fu Xun, and the Du branch official Han Bin came to Chengming Hall one after another.
At this time, the emperor was no longer in the Chengming Palace. It turned out that the emperor had explained the next matters to Cao Cao and others before everyone came, letting them discuss it first and then report the results. The emperor suddenly gave up and didn't care.
, which made Cao Cao feel more embarrassed. He originally thought that this matter only needed to be discussed by everyone in the Chengming Palace, the emperor made the decision, and the Zhongshu could directly draft the edict and implement it. As the emperor's authority and power were weighted, many major policies were like this, and gatherings like this were
The situation of the Two Thousand Stone Conference is rare.
After putting an end to privileges such as supporting the tribes and building barriers, the New Deal finally pointed its finger at the tax system. But at this time, the emperor stayed out of the matter, leaving Cao Cao to face the unknown resistance alone. Seeing everyone entering the palace one after another, Zhao
Wen and Yang Biao both stood on the sidelines and watched. Cao Cao frowned and looked at Xun Yu again, but saw that Xun Yu was also silent. His heart twitched faintly and he forced himself to speak.
The emperor strolled back to the announcement room and saw that Jia Xu, Xun You and others were still following behind him. He said, seemingly truthfully, "You should be allowed to stay in the Chengming Hall."
Jia Xu held back a lot of words along the way, and then he bowed and said: "What your Majesty just said about the administration of officials is related to the foundation of the country, and it is indeed an insightful statement! I just thought about it carefully, taxation is easier, the matter is of great importance, and it cannot be implemented overnight. It is still necessary to think carefully and postpone the discussion first before making a decision. After this meeting in Chengming Palace, the whole court will need to know about it, check for any leaks and fill in the gaps. After the courtiers are familiar with it, they will first go to Hedong. After two or three years, some achievements will be made. It can be announced to the world. If the discussion is completed today, it will be done tomorrow. Not only the local officials will be caught off guard, but even the common people in the fields will be at a loss."
After hearing this, the emperor smiled, pointed and praised: "After all, Mr. Jia has thought carefully."
Jia Xu hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is so complimentary, but I still believe that the reform did not happen overnight. It will only take a few years for the Han Dynasty to be revitalized. Since your Majesty is in his prime, there is no need to rush for a while, and it is not impossible to implement it slowly."
The emperor remembered that he had made several big moves in the past few years, which had completely intimidated the powerful. Now he continued to swing the sword without giving him a chance to breathe. According to the other party's words, it was indeed inappropriate. His face was slightly dark, but he was silent in deep thought. Xun You He said: "Ruling a big country is like cooking small dishes. It is better to be quiet and not to move. This move is such a big move that it will definitely make the world look at you. Although I don't know how the cavalry general came up with such a method, but... I still think it is inappropriate." "After that, he took a breath and stared at the emperor without saying a word.
"In Mr. Xun's opinion, what should we do about this matter?" the emperor came to his senses and asked.
Xun You frowned and said solemnly: "I think your majesty should govern the world with the scholars, not with the people. If the people are the land, the scholars are the pillars. If the pillars are unstable, the house will be stable? Previously, we moved Things such as the mausoleum of the city, the destruction of the fort, and the land transfer can be said to be cheap strategies, and there are a few stubborn and lawless people. But now this strategy is bound to be shaky. I am worried about your majesty's ten years of hard work, and please give me some advice."
"Ruijian?" The emperor's face suddenly changed and he sneered: "Am I taking state affairs as a joke?"
"I dare not..." Xun You was interrupted by the emperor before he could finish his words:
"Cao Cao proposed the matter, and the method was thought up by his subordinate Wei Xiang. Everyone in Chengming Hall and even Duke Yang have no objections. Why do you think that is? Are they more loyal to the country than you?" Emperor He picked up the tea bowl, took a sip in a hurry, and then said: "I thought Cao Cao had this courage in the first place. If he can't succeed, why keep him?"
Seeing that the atmosphere was tense, Jia Xu couldn't help but soften his words and said: "It's just a step forward and a half step back. When dealing with ordinary people in the East and West markets, one party raises the price and the other party lowers the price. Although the temple is high, the truth is also consistent. Mr. Xun, there is no need to be like this."
With these words, Xun You said nothing more. Although he understood that the emperor wanted to compromise afterwards, he still couldn't help but worry about the turmoil this matter would cause. Bargaining is easy to say, but this step is so easy to 'advance'. What?
The progressive tax system was more complex and more difficult than any previous reform. It directly violated the interests of powerful landlords. Not only did Wang Jiang and others have a bad fight with Cao Cao in the Chengming Palace, the news spread to the front Dynasty also caused an uproar. A large number of people did not point the finger at the emperor for the time being. Instead, they picked up Cao Cao and regarded him as a rebellious minister like Wang Mang. Even Xun Yu was affected a lot.