When the people of the world, especially the officials in the capital, were waiting for Gao pragmatism's three-point plan with various mentality, Gao pragmatism did not disappoint them.
Two days later, Gao Pragmatic had just completed the handover of various tasks in the Household Department, and reviewed the Household Department's branch books for the years since the first year of Wanli. Immediately after, there was a message titled "Taxers take what they take from the people and use it."
Presented to the emperor in "Minshu".
Of course, memorials always go to the cabinet through the General Affairs Department first, so the first ones to see the text are the cabinet ministers.
The opening chapter of "Qi Yong Shu" is quite interesting, almost copying Gao Gong's statement about "the distinction between justice and benefit" almost exactly.
"The Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs is highly pragmatic and sincere in his report: Why does the "Great Learning" talk about wealth? It says: This is the useful learning of sages. The eight political affairs in "Hong Fan" are the first to be about food and goods. The three things in "Yu Mo" finally lead to good health.
Financial management is the most important task of the royal government.
Later generations are pedantic and fame-loving people who do not understand justice and benefit, and do not distinguish between public and private affairs. They only regard profit without mentioning it as the highest priority, and even make it impossible for people to serve the country. Little do they know that gathering people is called wealth, and managing money is called righteousness. The sum of benefits is called righteousness, and righteousness is achieved.
It is definitely disadvantageous. The difference between righteousness and benefit lies only in the judgment between public and private. If you go beyond righteousness, then all benefits will be righteous; if you go beyond profit, then righteousness will also be beneficial."
Gao pragmatic is the successor of Gao Gong. He starts this book with Gao Gong's former views, and his political intention is very obvious. However, it is not just for political purposes, he has always agreed with this view.
Gao Gong's idea of using public interests to defend private interests is indeed a noble idea. Among them, "gathering people is called wealth, and managing money is called righteousness" is a refutation of the Song Confucian view of "profiting by fame".
On the contrary, Gao Gong gave a new explanation to "righteousness" and "profit", which is what was mentioned above: the so-called "righteousness" means financial management and the management of the country's property; the so-called "profit"
, of course, is to gather wealth and talents to create wealth.
From this, "righteousness" and "profit" are no longer abstract and empty concepts, but the sum of the benefits created by the public for the country.
If you only seek benefits for the country and do not care about the gains and losses of personal interests, then righteousness is benefit; otherwise, righteousness is not benefit. Therefore, "righteousness" and "benefit" are a dialectical relationship, and the two are interdependent under certain conditions.
They can be transformed into each other, and the condition for transformation is the "judgment between public and private".
Gao Gong had a strict distinction between public interests and private interests. In his book "Questions and Debates: Mencius" he once wrote: "Mencius's teachings are most stringent in the debate between justice and interests, so in this chapter, neither take away nor satisfy."
It is beneficial but not disadvantageous. It is disadvantageous but not disadvantageous to not leave relatives behind and not to inherit the throne. This means that the country does not use profit as a benefit, but uses righteousness as a benefit."
Therefore, Gao Pragmatic has always been very clear that the "profit" that Gao Gong pursues is not personal gain but public benefit, that is, "not profit for profit, but righteousness for profit."
Gao Gong's thoughts are very clear to the current courtiers. Gao Jingshi starts the chapter with this preamble, which is to remind others that he, Gao Jingshi, is the successor of Gao Gong's political ideas, and any reform must be based on Gao Gong's original ideas.
At the same time, this is also a means to unite the forces of the Practical School. After all, the move from "High Party" to "Practical School" is itself a transformation from a political group with social relations as a link to a political group with governance concepts as a link.
and sublimation.
Next, Gao Pragmatic's memorial continues: "Those who have a country should not use it privately to benefit themselves, but use it as a benefit; they should only use it publicly to benefit others, and use righteousness as a benefit.
If you lose the hearts of the people and the country cannot be protected, there is no benefit; if you use righteousness as a benefit, you will gain the hearts of the people and have land and wealth, and the benefits will be endless. This is the argument between righteousness and benefit. As a ruler, you should not think deeply about it.
Si?"
This paragraph is to explain to the emperor why "the distinction between justice and benefit" is important. In fact, this paragraph not only emphasizes the importance of "the distinction between justice and benefit", but also lays the foundation for his reasoning below.
"Our country is based on agriculture, and pursues business as its end. Our ancestors have established the law, and every word of it is taught. Farmers are the foundation of the world, and they are also the foundation of wealth. Therefore, the ancients believed that if agriculture is prosperous, the country will prosper.
But if the world is full of farmers, can it be done? I don’t think so.
I believe that agriculture is the foundation, just like a tree has roots, and if the roots are deep, the pedicle will be strong, and the tree will flourish. However, a tree is a tree, and its strength lies in its trunk, and its glory lies in its leaves. Although you must not ignore its roots, you must not underestimate it either.
Its stem and leaves are also called.
I have something to say: without scholars, the country will be unclear; without agriculture, the country will be unstable; without industry, the country will not be strong; without business, the country will not be rich. Although scholars, farmers, industry, and commerce are prioritized, they cannot be neglected. I hope your majesty will think about it and examine it.
They are like human beings, with scholars as their heads, farmers as their bodies, workers as their hands, and merchants as their feet. If only scholars and farmers remain, then they cannot move or do anything. How is it different from human beings?
My great ancestor, Emperor Gao, was benevolent and benevolent, benefiting the world, cherishing the farmers and showing compassion to them, and issuing imperial edicts to teach them. The world's state of affairs has lasted for 219 years from the second ancestor to your majesty.
Yes, I sincerely recommend it to the best of all time.
However, since this dynasty regards agriculture as its ancestral law, it is not strange that it does not regard the construction of water conservancy as a common practice. I investigated the source and asked about the various yamen, and they must say: Taicang is not enough, and it will not be prosperous.
He also asked: Why is Taicang not enough? The answer must be: the people's power cannot be misused, and the people's wealth cannot be exhausted, so it cannot be sufficient.
Is it true that this is not enough? I think it is ridiculous!"
At this point in the memorial, the groundwork for Gao pragmatism has been laid, and the "dry stuff" will begin next.
"In the "Record of Income and Expenditure" of Su Zhe of the former Song Dynasty, I found out the income of his household in the early years of Yuanyou. He said: "Today's income for one year, the gold is calculated as two thousand and three hundred, and the income is 4,300."
The amount of money that cannot be exhausted is 2,700; the amount of silver calculated in two is 57,000, and the maximum amount is 60,000; the amount of money calculated in thousands is 48.48 million (this number is obtained after dividing the rice, salt and money)
), and the amount of the amount produced is 1.82 million (and it is said that this number should be given by Zhe Fanzhi before it is broken); the amount of silk and silk is 1.51 million, and the amount of the amount is 1.51 million
170,000; the grain is measured in stones, 24.45 million, and the endless yield is 740,000; the grass is measured in bundles, 7.99 million, and the yield is 800
One hundred and ten thousand.'
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! According to calculations by the ministers and colleagues, one tael of gold was worth about ten guan of money at that time, 4,300 taels of gold was worth 43,000 guan of money, and one tael of silver was worth about one guan of money.
, fifty-seven thousand taels is worth fifty-seven thousand guan of money; each piece of silk is worth about one and a half guan, 1.51 million pieces is worth 2.265 thousand guan; one stone of rice is worth about
In Guanqian, 24.45 million shi is worth 22.45 million Guanqian (note: for the conversion standard here, please refer to Cheng Minsheng's "Song Dynasty Price Research"), a total of about 26.8 million
Guan. In addition to the tax revenue of 48.48 million guan, the total amount is about 75 million guan.
Seventy-five million yuan can be considered a huge amount, but is this the income of the Song Dynasty before the beginning of Yuanyou? No.
I learned that the finance of the former Song Dynasty was divided into two. One was commanded by Zuo Cao of the Ministry of Household Affairs (it was the third division before Yuanfeng was reorganized). It was composed of the transportation department, prefecture and county chief officials, and city and town tax collectors.
, he is in charge of land tax, commercial tax, wine tax, regular tribute, and the benefits of levy;
One is commanded by Youcao of the Ministry of Household Affairs (it was Sinong Temple before Yuanfeng was restructured). It is composed of the Changping Division, the prefecture general magistrate, and the county magistrate. It takes charge of the various yamen, and is in charge of Changping, exemption, factory, and mining.
There are river crossings, mountains and swamps, favorable geographical location, and there is absolutely no money for the households to collect goods.
In the former Song Dynasty, Zuo Cao was under the authority of the Minister of Household Affairs, while You Cao was not under the authority of the Minister of Household Affairs, so the world's wealth was divided into two. Su Zhe's "Yuanyou Accounting Records" also said: "If the husband has the accumulation of You Cao inside,
, If the actual facts of sealing the pile with the world are not obtained by the past three divisions, they will not be included in the accounting. They will be written in other books for viewing.'
It can be seen from this that the 75 million yuan converted by the ministers is not the annual income of the official tax that can be accounted for by the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the income of the Right Cao of the Ministry of Household Affairs is not even included in it. Viewed in this way, the territory of the former Song Dynasty
It is not as good as our dynasty, but the annual income is no less than ten times! With your majesty’s sage and wisdom, don’t you think it’s unusual?”
Speaking of practical things, Gao Pragmatic compared the fiscal income of the Song and Ming dynasties here - although he only talked about the Song Dynasty, the emperor certainly knew the annual income of this dynasty, so there is no need to say more.
As for the result, it was of course so shocking that Gao pragmatically used the word "no less than ten times" to describe it. Before it was over, Gao pragmatically continued to illustrate the huge gap in fiscal income between the Song and Ming dynasties, and then looked at various production indicators such as ironware
, grain (roughly estimated output), cloth, silk and other output to prove that the "productivity" of the Ming Dynasty actually exceeded that of the former Song Dynasty.
However, all this is to bring out another factor. He said: "Therefore, the income of the former Song Dynasty was about 100 million, but its land tax was only about 30 million guan (including 24.45 million shi of rice collected in kind, and the part levied in cash).
unknown, but the number will not be very large), the proportion is only 30%; non-agricultural taxes are as high as 70%. Therefore, the minister said: the wealth of the two Song Dynasties was not in agriculture but in business.
However, one might say: Our dynasty is generous to its people and loves its people, so it implements a benevolent government that has never been seen in the past. This is advocated by a righteous saint. Why do you compare it with the harsh government of the two Song Dynasties?
I have also been taught by saints, and I also advocate benevolent government. However, when it comes to taxes, it is not just reduction or exemption, but I also believe that benevolent government!
It is taxed and is neither owned by the imperial court nor your Majesty. This money is taken from the people and used for the people.
The emperor herds the people on behalf of heaven, and the ministers and others assist the emperor. Taxes are used for the emperor only to enable the emperor to herd the people effectively, without being constrained by expenses. Taxes are used for ministers, etc., only to enable the ministers to effectively assist the emperor, and are not subject to food and clothing.
Forced. A grain of rice, a half of millet, a needle and a thread, are all used by the herdsmen to feed the people. How can we talk about harsh governance?
Or it can be said: In ancient times, there were Tang and Chang, and there were also Jies and Zhou. My emperor was a man of great virtue, culture, and martial arts, so how could he know that his descendants would all be virtuous? If there are only one or two unworthy men, there is a limit to the meager taxation. Wouldn't heavy taxation be an abuse of the people?
He also said: Although there are restrictions on the appointment and dismissal of officials, it has never been possible to fully detect the appearance, loyalty and treachery, and the difference between appearance and appearance. What if the court imposed heavy taxes, committed crimes and committed crimes, and those who were greedy and took it for themselves would get ten times as much as today.
?
The minister believes that this is the urgent need to establish regulations early. For all taxes levied, the accounts must be clear, and the comings and goings must be clear. This is not the reason why the separate tax law should be changed, but the old accounting system of the Ministry of Accounts and other government offices should also be changed.
It’s easier to do something. It takes more than one person to enter and exit accounts; it takes more than one person to put in and out of warehouses. Check for leaks at every level and track down the deficiencies at every level.
If the accounts are incorrect, they must be compared step by step; everything must be investigated for ten generations! I would like to follow the old system of four ministers in the Ministry of War, and also set up two ministers in the Ministry of Households to take charge of two new Cao. These two new Cao,
One is the Audit Office; the other is the Customs Department.
The former specializes in auditing and has six departments under its jurisdiction: the Agricultural Audit Department, the Industrial and Mining Audit Department, the Commercial Audit Department, the Customs Audit Department, and the Branch Audit Department.
The latter specializes in border trade and maritime trade, and has five departments under its jurisdiction: the Border City Department, the Seaport Department, the Land Department, the Sea Department, and the Political Research and Security Department.
The details of the two departments and eleven divisions above have been documented by me..."
As expected, the memorandum received by the cabinet was followed by a thick note detailing the roles and functions of the "Audit Office", "Customs Office" and "New Cao" he proposed, as well as the areas under their jurisdiction.
Scope, the goal to be achieved.
In addition, the eleven departments of the two agencies were explained in detail, including the significance, functions, goals, etc. of each department's establishment.
Even Shen Shixing couldn't help but admire the pragmatic nature of this memorial and the "sustaining memorial".
In particular, the attached note contains tens of thousands of eloquent words. The details of the specific matters it focused on and the thorough arrangements it made were completely beyond Shen Shixing's imagination.
After Shen Shixing admired in his heart, he felt deeply alarmed: Gao Pragmatic had only been in office for three days as Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. It was hard to say whether all the officials in the Ministry of Household Affairs could recognize them. How could he come up with such a detailed plan for the establishment of two new departments?
Come on? It would be absolutely impossible for him to be so pragmatic and so talented.
Therefore, it can only mean one thing: this plan must have been planned for a long time!
God knows when Gao Pragmatic started thinking about these things!
But Shen Shixing thought about it and felt that Gao Pragmatic had never expected that he would be transferred to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. After all, with his status as the top six scholar, even if he had been sent to other places as an official, he would not be able to do so after returning to Beijing.
Consider entering the cabinet from the Ministry of Husbandry instead of the Ministry of Rites, or simply follow the example of his third uncle Gao Gong and set a precedent in the Ming Dynasty by entering the cabinet from the Ministry of Personnel!
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Anyway, Gao Pragmatic must be thinking about joining the cabinet, and Shen Shixing can think of this with his toes.
In this case, since when did Gao Pragmatic start thinking about things like the household department? What was his reason for thinking about these things?
Shen Shixing judged others by himself, and of course he did not think that Gao Pragmatic did this just to save the Ming Dynasty. His train of thought involuntarily began to go astray: Could it be that Gao Pragmatic thought that he was "the best writer and handsome man in the world" by virtue of his "world's boldest literary skills"
"When your status is not enough to win your favor, you still want to make yourself into another Cai Jing?
(Note: One of the main reasons why Cai Jing was favored during the Song Dynasty was that his financial management ability was basically irreplaceable in the eyes of Huizong. However, civil servants in the Ming Dynasty generally believed that his financial methods were nothing more than harsh governance. Here Shen Shixing compares Cai Jing to being more pragmatic.
, also stems from this consideration.)
When thinking of Cai Jing, Shen Shixing, who regarded himself as a gentleman, couldn't help but break out in a sweat. When Yan Song was in power in the past, many people compared him to Cai Jing, which shows Cai Jing's power and influence on the emperor when he was at his peak.
Nowadays, Gao Pragmatism's influence on the emperor is probably not weaker than that of Cai Jing. When Yan Song was there, he was now in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and even wanted to turn the Ministry of Household Affairs into a "four ministers system" like the Ministry of War. Previously, Shen Shixing only thought of his plan.
At least it seems quite thorough, but now that I think about it...
Oops, he is cultivating power!
Why do you think so? Not to mention that after two more ministers were added to the Ministry of Revenue, the authority of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue will definitely be stronger. Just say that there is a lot of trouble in his "Audit Office"!
The last of the six departments of the Audit Office, which was placed by Gao Pragmatically, is called the "Duzhi Audit Department". Although this department is not high in rank, it is just a "division" and the chief officer is only a doctor of the fifth rank, but it has great authority!
How big is it? All the financial expenses of the central yamen must be audited by it! When the accounts are entered at the beginning of the year, they must be reviewed, and the accounts issued at the end of the year must be verified by it to see if your yamen’s expenditures this year are on track.
No concealment, no abuse!
Shen Shixing gasped and sweat started to fall on his forehead: You are such a pragmatic person, you are going to strangle the necks of the entire central government offices!
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Thanks to book friends "Cao Mianzi" and "Cheng Yue Sui Feng" for their support, thank you!
Thank you book friends for your monthly ticket support for "first login", thank you!
PS: Today’s chapter contains a bit too much in ancient Chinese. I wrote from about six o’clock in the evening to a quarter past eleven. Judging from the subscription status of this book, my “cost-effectiveness ratio” is really bad.
It's too bad. If Gao Pragmatic were replaced, I guess he would go on strike.