Daming Yuanfu

Chapter 537
The topic of Qingzhang Jingshi Xun Guitianmu came to an end in the tacit smiles of Gao Wushi and Zhang Xueyan, and then Wei Xuezeng was about to start talking about his business.

Wei Xue used to be the minister of the Ministry of Industry, but he said something related to the Ministry of Households when he opened his mouth: "The Ministry of Households received an imperial decree yesterday, saying that since the Jiajing period, a whip method was implemented, and the people said it was simple. To save it, some officials pursued the levy as before, and the people suffered. Therefore, the emperor decided to relieve the people's plight, and according to the requests of various places, a total of more than 130 million taels of silver was reduced."

Gao Wushi was startled: "How much is the reduction?"

Wei Xuezeng said blankly, "130 million taels is more than enough."

Gao Wushi opened his eyes wide: "Then the increase in the income of the household department in the past few years has been filled in more than half?"

Wei Xuezeng glanced at Zhang Xueyan, Zhang Xueyan said with a wry smile: "Old Xuan spent several years of hard work to increase the annual revenue of the treasury from 300 million taels to more than 500 million taels, an increase of about 210 million taels a year. The reason why everything is going well is that, to put it bluntly, it is nothing more than the payment of the full amount. As a result, this year, because of this decree, the actual increase is only about 80 taels. .”

"Why?" Gao Wushi was puzzled: "It's not that the emperor doesn't know the importance of wealth, why did he make such a decision?"

Wei Xuezeng sighed: "This was caused by local officials all over the place talking about local hardships. In fact, they just wanted to say that the examination method was too strict, and they could not collect so many commercial taxes."

Gao Wushi frowned slightly, but before he opened his mouth, Zhang Xueyan helped to add: "Then the elder Shen Ge went to the office, saying that now that the national treasury revenue has increased greatly, there is still room to relieve the people's hardship. Taxes and corvee will be reduced and exempted, so that in the future the local government can restart the calculation, and there will be no reason to default.”

But Gao Wushi still frowned, thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "This is not right. Over the years, it is not impossible to reduce the exemption, but there must be a reason for the reduction. For example, a certain place has suffered a serious disaster this year, and the emperor is kind enough to reduce the exemption." There is no problem with the local land tax, and it is no problem to reduce or exempt the local land tax that has been owed over the years. But such a national reduction and exemption, how is it fair? ——I mean, for those places that have not owed payment, how is it fair? That is not the same as saying, They were stupid to pay normally in the past? Anyway, they will be gone if they drag on!"

Wei Xuezeng sighed: "To be honest, you are the only one who dares to say these words. Do you know that as soon as Mr. Shen Ge handed over this memorial, officials from all over the country applauded him one after another, and it is almost a flower?"

"Magistrate? That's why we should praise him!" Gao Wushi sneered, "Those local officials who have been reduced or exempted from the owed taxes over the years should be praised, because they have lost a lot of tasks; the magistrates who have no owed taxes can also be praised." We should boast, because what if they also owe in the future?
So the losers are nothing more than ordinary people who have paid taxes normally over the years!It's a pity, these people may not know about this at all, even if they know, they will still boast, because when they hear that the emperor has reduced taxes elsewhere, they will only feel that the emperor is merciful, and he really is the people What a blessing—they will never consider this matter from the standpoint of the whole country! "

Zhang Xueyan and Wei Xuezeng looked at each other in surprise. Before, they only thought that Gao was pragmatic, shrewd and old-fashioned, and he was not at all suitable for his age. Now, after hearing these words, they felt for the first time that this is really a high school mystery. Heir to the mantle!

This is "graciously taking the world as our responsibility"!

These days, if you can consider your annual income for the court, you are already a great loyal and capable minister!

You mean Shengdou Xiaomin?

Don't be kidding, what does Shengdou Xiaomin have to do with these officials and lords?Officials don't pay taxes!

In particular, local officials have been called "Mushou Fang" since ancient times. What is Mushou?What is shepherding? Shepherd!Sheep live to provide wool and dead to provide meat. In this case, it does not matter whether they are alive or dead!

Of course, the current test method must be a "bad law" - how can I be required to provide wool and mutton, and not allow the sheep to rebel?There is no reason!Do I, the shepherd, still have to be responsible for raising sheep?How can such a humble and troublesome matter be handled by us scholars who have studied hard for many years?It's so gentle!
Zhang Xueyan was stunned by Gao Wushi's words, and Wei Xuezeng was an "Old Gao Party" who had been with Gao Gong for many years. Hearing the words, he sighed: "The people can let them do what they want, but they can't make them know..."

Gao Yushi interrupted: "The people can be entrusted, let them do it; if they cannot be entrusted, they should know it!"

Wei Xuezeng was taken aback: "This sentence reads?"

Gao Wushi said: "Does Wei Butang know about "Respecting Virtue and Righteousness"?"

Wei Xuezeng nodded.

Gao Wushi said: "Then Wei Butang should know these two sentences: first, 'respect morality and righteousness, understand people's morals, and you can be a king; Loyalty is trustworthy, learning is beneficial, teaching is classifiable’, isn’t it?”

Wei Xuezeng nodded again.

"So, isn't the truth obvious?" Gao Wushi said: "Actually, Confucius also meant this: If the people know benevolence, righteousness and etiquette, they can govern according to the principles; if the people don't know it, let them understand the principles. In short, governance People, don't use coercion."

Wei Xuezeng opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say for a while, but Zhang Xueyan said: "Educate all people, this is what has been said in the past, but how can you actually educate them? I am the Minister of the Ministry of Households, and I started with 'spending money'. Now every year How much money can be used in sociology, county schools, etc.? How many scholars have been educated? If you want to talk about the people, where will the court collect so much money and food to educate the people? If you want to collect so much money, I am afraid it is not too late Enlightenment, Wanmin will... have unbearable changes."

The reason seems to be the same, compulsory education is of course good, but how can the current Ming Dynasty afford compulsory education!Even if children across the country only receive one year of compulsory education, the money and food they need may be astronomical. Don't worry, before compulsory education is started, "the world is against you"!

However, Gao Yushi did not change his expression at all, but said seriously: "That's why we must unswervingly implement the examination method! Why can't people who can afford to pay taxes pay more taxes? Let's not talk about others, just say I am very pragmatic. As we all know, I make a lot of money every day, but I have no name to pay taxes! Except Jinghua Gun Factory and Jinghua Cannon Factory need to pay taxes—but that idea was proposed to Sanbo by myself. I set the tax amount for myself! In addition, I don’t have to pay taxes on so many properties, don’t you think this is absurd?”

Facing the dumbfounded two ministers, Gao Wushi waved his arms and said, "Where is the problem with Daming? Actually, it's not because of Xiaomin, but because of people like us, especially my senior Pragmatism for such a person! I was born with an official status, and I was not born to pay taxes, but I am still very good at business, but...why do I not have to pay taxes? Is it because I was reincarnated well? Just because my family has been an official for generations , everyone in the family is studying and serving as officials from generation to generation?"

Now, not to mention Zhang Xueyan, even Wei Xuezeng didn't dare to answer the question. He swallowed, coughed dryly, and changed the subject: "This... Let's get down to business first, let's talk about the lack of income this year? That... …Because of insufficient annual income, brother Xin Zhai has already calculated that this year’s river project allocation may be reduced by [-] to [-]%, but in this way, the major project of diverting the Yellow River may not be completed as planned.”

He coughed dryly, and said: "This matter involves Henan, so the Headquarters here also wants to discuss with you, Qiuzhen, to see if there is any way... For example, can President He's purchase of cement be temporarily postponed?" One or two?"

　This was written and released in advance last night. I hope I can maintain my writing efficiency today...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)