Han Shizu

Chapter 1832 Needed for ruling

Zhao Pu listened carefully, until Zhao Chengzong finished speaking, there was not much change on his old face, but a little deep thinking was revealed in the still sharp eyes.

Zhao Chengzong, who had a dry mouth, couldn't help but took a sip of tea, looked at his father carefully, and gradually fell silent.As a matter of fact, Zhao Pu was already aware of some local chaos when he was still in office.

However, at that time, the situation was still good, Zhao Pu also focused on maintaining stability, and the payment of taxes was normal, so it was inevitable that he would be a little more lenient in supervision.

In the past two years in Jiangyin, I have also quietly observed and studied the government, land, and taxation of the county and township. I have gone deep into the grassroots and have a deeper understanding. It got a little more serious.Maybe it's because the big man has been in constant turmoil in the past few years, external conflicts have caused internal conflicts, or it's just that the hidden conflicts in the past have gradually surfaced
Especially in terms of taxation policy, there are too many unscrupulous officials. If it is as Zhao Chengzong said, there is still some bottom line and sense of propriety in Chuzhou. The land in the south of the Yangtze River is already rich and rich, and it is a place of great wealth and taxation. The local bureaucrats didn't dare to go too far, and they were barely able to maintain it.

However, what about other states?What is the appearance of those poor mountains and bad waters, remote counties and counties?It is obviously not optimistic. You must know that most of the local bureaucrats who have acted recklessly, exploited the common people, and abused the people with businessmen in the past belonged to poor, remote, and backward areas.

There are unruly people in poor lands and bad waters, as well as unruly officials. The bureaucrats in economically developed areas can still maintain some dignity, and there are more resources for them to grab. Only in this way can a relative balance be reached.

The rectification of officials since last year, anti-corruption and eradication of evil, in addition to causing the chaos that has already occurred, but the positive side has also been reflected. A large number of corrupt officials have been eliminated, and a lot of local moths have been solved. It is very good. Shocking the inside and outside, to a certain extent, eased class conflicts.

However, Zhao Pu also realized that the current local status quo still needs to be changed. Local bureaucrats must be restricted so that they cannot be allowed to search and exploit unscrupulously or even "with laws to follow". Given the current social development trend, problems will arise sooner or later. of.

At present, the wealthy areas can still be appeased, but if they are left alone, I am afraid that it will not be long before even these wealthy towns will be angered by greedy dignitaries, bureaucrats, and landlords.

The technology of smelting, weaving, and farming and animal husbandry has also been significantly improved. Even though food and clothing are still a big problem that has plagued the Han people for a long time, the possibility of survival has indeed improved, and the opportunities for the bottom-level people are relatively more. No matter how bad it is, there is still the way to go to sea and enter Nanyang.

In the past, Emperor Liu was so elusive, but now it's been two years since we saw each other. What big changes have happened between Emperor Liu and the court? It's not something that can be fully figured out by staying in Jiangyin to receive some news, so we have to be cautious.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Pu suddenly had some understanding and understanding of Emperor Liu's reorganization measures that were raging in Beijing.Emperor Liu is old, so why should he carry out fiscal and taxation reforms under the pressure of nobles and bureaucrats, and at the risk of offending the powerful landlords in the world? Deficiencies must be perfected.

On the other hand, only Emperor Liu has the ability and prestige to promote reforms in these matters. If the problems are left to future generations, it will be too difficult to change them.

"Hehe!" Hearing this, Zhao Pu couldn't help laughing with emotion: "The tax amount set by the court chief for you is only 31 guan! Isn't this tax system changed?"

The key issue is how to manage it. The traditional methods of combating corruption and eliminating evil, and censor supervision, are bound to have limited effects. Obviously, the campaign-style cleansing just happened cannot be used as a routine method.

The social productivity of the current Han Dynasty has made great progress compared with the previous dynasty. Whether it is agricultural, animal husbandry, fishery production or commercial development, its vitality far exceeds that of previous dynasties.

However, at the same time as the society was developing, the speed of the decline of the powerful and powerful who occupied the dominant position was beyond imagination, almost in sync with the speed of social development and progress.

The original intention of Emperor Liu's reform was for the sake of the country and future generations. How many of them are truly considerate of the people and caring for the people? This is a big question mark.

After thinking about it, even if there are such and other disadvantages, it is a good solution to start from the system to change, get rid of the old disadvantages, improve the loopholes in the system, restrain the powerful from the law, limit the bureaucratic power, and protect the peasants.

In terms of local finance and taxation, there are too many places that are not transparent, and there are too many cases of smuggling and corruption.As for Chuzhou, at least there are no places like some places that set up clever names and try their best to get money and food. Even if there is an additional apportionment, there is a limit.

Hearing and asking, he hesitated a little, but Zhao Chengzong still told the truth: "About 30 guan."

Glancing at him, Zhao Pu said, "You want to ask why I was recalled to Beijing!"

However, even so, such a situation is somewhat unacceptable to Zhao Pu, who has served as prime minister for a long time.His position is naturally at the center. To maintain the authority of the imperial court, there may have been some conservative compromises in administrative supervision in the past, but this is also limited. Once the bottom line is broken, it will not be tolerated.

Raising his hand and nodding in the air, Zhao Pu really wanted to reprimand him, but he didn't know what to say.It's not because Zhao Chengzong is his son, it's the same with other state officials.

After thinking for a while, Zhao Pu said seriously: "Two things, you have to be prepared, one is to straighten out Chuzhou's past financial and tax accounts, and those affairs that do not comply with regulations and laws will be banned immediately; The land must be clarified, whether it is arable land, cotton fields, or fruit forests, it must be recorded in detail!"

Of course, from the beginning to the end, Zhao Pu believed that Emperor Liu called him back to the capital to entrust him with a heavy responsibility, otherwise, if he was full, he would be summoned by Qianlixiang to toss his old bones.

Upon hearing Zhao Pu's instructions, Zhao Chengzong's expression immediately became serious, looked at Zhao Pu, hesitated to speak, and finally said: "Father, there is something I've always wanted to ask!"

In the past, I didn't move because it wasn't serious enough, and I could barely get by. Now I have to change if I want to make a big move.Up to now, even if we don't let it go, even if we maintain the status quo, as time goes by, its disadvantages, harms, and contradictions will only gradually deepen and aggravate until it cannot be suppressed and completely shakes the rule of the court.

Hearing this, Zhao Chengzong was silent.In fact, local income comes from a wide variety of sources. In addition to the two regular taxes, the increasingly prosperous business tax is also the main source. Coupled with the output of employment, some industries run by the government, such as salt and iron, tea, cotton, sugar, etc., Even if a large piece is taken away by the Financial Secretary, the rest is enough to eat and drink.

"In Chuzhou, what is the annual disposable income?" After a long time, Zhao Pu came back to his senses and asked again.

While thinking about it, Zhao Pu gradually formed some ideas in his mind. Although many of them belonged to his personal judgment, he already had a preliminary plan in his heart.For the rest, after returning to Beijing, after talking with Emperor Liu, he will be the District Office.

Under such circumstances, even if it is for the needs of ruling and extending the country, reform is imperative.There are some things that the subordinates can compromise and muddle through, but the emperor cannot.

Let alone those who are too far away, even the current 30-year-old prince can hardly do anything.In Zhao Pu's eyes, the prince can be regarded as a master of success, who can follow the rules and follow the current policies and systems, and move forward along the existing track, but it is difficult for him to make major changes.

Zhao Chengzong nodded: "Exactly! Could it be?"

"You guessed right!" Zhao Pu nodded bluntly, "If there is no accident, His Majesty should use me again!"

Zhao Chengzong's complexion changed slightly, and he said worriedly: "I've heard about the things in Beijing, if it happens, I'm afraid there will be many difficulties and people will be hostile!"

Facing Zhao Chengzong's concerned eyes, Zhao Pu smiled faintly: "In my life, I have been targeted, hostile, attacked and slandered, isn't it rare? Now that I am over sixty years old, I have long been indifferent to world affairs, and I am afraid of some vulgar harassment! Besides, if I Jiang Yin is unknown, and it’s fine for the rest of his life, since His Majesty has summoned him, but he has an assignment, how can I refuse?"

(End of this chapter)