People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1782 Return a Clear and Bright World to Hebei

In the Liangyi Hall, the light covered the ground.

Li Xuan turned sideways to look at Yun Hongyin and asked, "If I remember correctly, there is a miscellaneous tax in Hebei called horse mouth money?"

Yun Hongyin bowed and stepped forward, saying seriously: "Yes, Your Majesty, each household shall pay three coins every year to replenish the chariots, horses and equipment of the soldiers in Hebei Prefectures."

"Yeah!" Li Xuan nodded slightly. Although there were many government soldiers in Hebei, most of them were foreigners such as Turks, Mohe, Khitan, etc.

When fighting, the main force would often be dispatched from the central government, and then foreign troops would be mobilized to fight, even when facing the Turks.

The military pay for these foreign soldiers mostly came from taxes paid by the prefectures and counties in Hebei Province.

It can be said directly that it was the people of Hebei who paid money to support a group of foreigners to fight for them.

This sounds good, but in fact, these foreigners are not only good at fighting against foreign enemies, but are also skilled in oppressing the people at home.

The people of Hebei are troubled by this.

That would be fine, but the most crucial thing is that the existence of these foreign soldiers has seriously squeezed the room for advancement for the people of Hebei.

The people of Hebei have no good feelings towards the Tang Dynasty, and the same is true for the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, except for a few big families, other aristocratic families, wealthy families, poor families, and the Tang Dynasty in Hebei are not very important.

Even in the imperial examinations and the path of official appointment, people from Hebei were strictly restricted.

In a situation where this upward channel was strictly restricted, the existence of the government soldiers was almost the only upward channel for the people of Hebei.

The government soldiers were exempt from taxes and labor.

However, most of the soldiers in Hebei were foreigners, and taxes and labor service still existed.

They all fell on the people of Hebei.

The treatment of the government soldiers was not the same as that of the people of Hebei, and the official positions of the government soldiers were even less available to the people of Hebei.

It was even difficult for them to achieve military merit.

Auxiliary troops, taxes, labor, and various other levies all fell on the people of Hebei.

They were overwhelmed and could not breathe.

But I still have a breath, so I continue to hold on.

……

"In the future, a portion of this tax will be used to support the expenses of Hebei Academy." Li Xuan looked at Lu Yuanfang thoughtfully and said, "What do you think, Left Prime Minister?"

Lu Yuanfang stood up with his hands clasped, and asked in confusion: "Your Majesty, if Your Majesty wants to show mercy, why don't you waive all of this tax? In fact, this amount of money is not that much."

"Each household is charged three coins. There are 1.5 million households in Hebei, so that means 4.5 million coins, or 4,500 strings of cash. If it is exempted, then we have to add the expenses of the Hebei Academy, which will be nearly 10,000 strings of cash." Li Xuan looked at Pei Judao and said, "The Ministry of Revenue earned 13 million strings of cash last year. Can the Ministry of Revenue come up with this amount of money?"

"Your Majesty!" Yun Peijudao stepped forward and said with a folded hand, "Last year, Hebei Province's tax revenue was 790,000 guan. After deducting expenses, the remaining disposable amount is 80,000 guan. If you don't prepare for a disaster year, you can use this amount of money."

Although Pei Judao said it was possible, he was unwilling to pay the money.

Li Xuan waved his hand gently and said, "It doesn't matter if I forgive this money. I can just grit my teeth. But you should understand that this money was not really handed over to the court. A small part of it was embezzled by officials in Hebei. If I forgive it all at once, they will think of other ways to exploit the people of Hebei."

The ministers suddenly became solemn.

Put aside the high-sounding words, all that remains is petty intrigues.

Li Xuan came from the countryside, so these things could not be hidden from him.

"So, I will give you two years. After two years, this tax will be cancelled and the expenses will be paid by the Ministry of Revenue. At the same time, the expenses of Hebei College will also be paid by the Ministry of Revenue." Li Xuan looked at Pei Judao and said, "Pei Qing, how about giving you two years to deal with this matter?"

"I obey your command." Pei Judao bowed and stood up, accepting the order solemnly.

If this continues for a few years and the country has a good harvest, there will be nothing wrong with the Ministry of Revenue's expenditures.

Li Xuan nodded, looked at Kong Huiyuan, and said, "Mr. Kong, go back to Hebei and tell the people of Hebei that in the next two years, this money will be used to let the children of Hebei go to school. After two years, this tax will be cancelled and the money will be provided by the Ministry of Revenue."

"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace." Kong Huiyuan bowed solemnly.

Three cents, not much, really not much.

Especially every household.

However, if you look closely, the annual income of the lower-class people is not that much. Excluding the expenses for food and drink, it is already very difficult to save 300 coins a year without spending.

If they put these three hundred coins aside every month, they would be lucky if they could save thirty coins every month.

If they suddenly had three cents more this month, they would be so happy that they would go crazy.

Especially in a disaster year, if you use the three cents to buy a few pounds of rice in advance and are careful, it can feed the whole family for half a month.

Although food is not cheap in Chang'an and Luoyang, if you go to other places, such as Hebei, food will be incredibly cheap.

More importantly, this exemption of miscellaneous taxes and fees is not just for this year.

……

"Hebei is like this, so Jiangnan should follow suit." Li Xuan looked at Lu Yuanfang and said, "If I remember correctly, Jiangnan also has this tax, right?"

"Yes!" Lu Yuanfang bowed excitedly. Even though it was only three cents, with these three cents, he could save countless lives.

As long as the news spreads in Jiangnan, he, Lu Yuanfang, will be the saint of Jiangnan.

This also has great significance. In the future, the emperor will gradually reduce the exorbitant taxes and levies in Jiangnan and restore it to normal.

Li Xuan nodded and said, "Let's also set up the Jiangnan Academy, in Yangzhou, and all matters should be handled in the same manner as before." "I obey your order and thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" Lu Yuanfang kowtowed solemnly.

"Jiangnan is a wealthy place. I believe the affairs of the academy can be properly handled." After a short pause, Li Xuan said thoughtfully, "I may go to Yangzhou in July next year. The time will not be too long. I will go back to Luoyang after a trip around Yangzhou in three to five days. The Ministry of Works and the Director of Works should prepare the boats in advance. I will come back as soon as possible after I leave."

"I obey your order." Pei Judao and Su Gui, the Vice Minister of Works, stepped forward and bowed to receive the order.

"Regarding the affairs of the academy, Hebei Province, Jiangnan Province and Northwest Province will take action first, and the other provinces will proceed depending on the situation." Li Xuan decided all the affairs of the world with just one sentence.

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Xuan waved his hand, then looked at Liu Jingxian and said, "The provincial governors of all the upper states in the country should come to the capital one by one, and the Secretariat should arrange for the provincial governors to have an audience with the emperor."

"I obey your order." Liu Jingxian immediately bowed.

Seeing that Li Xuan was about to dismiss the court, the Minister of Personnel Yun Hongyin came out and said, "Your Majesty, the New Year is coming soon. After the New Year, the new year's imperial examination will be held. Your Majesty, please decide on the examiner immediately."

"It's time for the imperial examination again. This year has passed so quickly." Li Xuan sighed and looked at the ministers and said, "Last year, Wei Qing was in charge of the imperial examination as the Minister of Rites. I was very satisfied with the result. I would like to continue to use Wei Qing, but you are now the Imperial Censor..."

Doctor of the Imperial Censorate, I am not in a position to be the chief examiner.

Li Xuan's gaze fell on the ministers, Wang Fangyi, Li Yuangui, Pei Judao, Xiao Siye, and Yun Hongyin.

"Yun Qing." Li Xuan looked at Yun Hongsi with a pensive expression.

"Your Majesty!" Yun Hongsi saw the difficulty on Li Xuan's face and asked in surprise, "Your Majesty wants to use me, but is worried that my literary reputation is not good enough?"

Li Xuan nodded and said, "Wait a few years, when the Eastern Palace compiles another book, I will let Yun Qing take the lead, how about that?"

A trace of bitterness flashed across Yun Hongyin's face, and he bowed and said, "I obey your command."

"Then let Prime Minister Cen be the chief examiner of the imperial examination this time." Li Xuan raised his head and looked at the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Cen Changqian.

Cen Changqian stood up and said, "I accept your order."

Li Xuan nodded slightly and said solemnly: "Compared to last year, the requirements for this imperial examination are stricter. A total of 33 people will be admitted. We would rather have no one than accept someone who is not qualified."

The total number of admissions is thirty-three, which means the total number of admissions is thirty-three, but it may be less than thirty-three.

Those who are not up to standard will not be accepted.

"I obey your order." Cen Changqian bowed solemnly.

"The Secretariat, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, Yongzhou Prefecture, the Jinwu Guards, and the Qianniu Guards, please cooperate to make this talent selection ceremony a success." Li Xuan said solemnly.

All the ministers bowed and said, "We obey your orders."

……

In the afternoon, in Lizheng Hall.

Liu Jinyu looked at Li Xuan who had just finished her work in the government and asked curiously, "Why did my husband only recruit thirty-three people this time, or even less?"

Li Xuan teased Li Zhihe, looked up at Liu Jinyu in surprise, and said, "This year's imperial examination has admitted 49 people. Almost all the scholars in the world who can pass have passed, especially those from poor families. If they fail to pass this year, it will be even more difficult next year."

"My husband, what you mean is that most of the people who pass the imperial examination next year will be children of aristocratic families?" Liu Jinyu immediately understood.

Li Xuan nodded and said, "For the truly poor children, after this trip, it is very unlikely that they will be able to come to Chang'an next year. Only the children of aristocratic families can come for two consecutive years. Moreover, for them, it will be much easier to be admitted next year than this year. But I just won't accept them."

Liu Jinyu looked at the sneer on Li Xuan's face and couldn't help laughing. She nodded and said, "My husband still wants to replace the noble family with the humble family."

"If possible, I would enroll more children from Hebei." Li Xuan sighed softly and spoke out her true feelings.

"What about Jiangnan?" Liu Jinyu instantly grasped the key point in Li Xuan's words.

"We already gave them a top scholar last year, so let's take it easy this year so they can know that Guanzhong has the most talented people." Li Xuan turned his head again, looked at Li Zhihe, and smiled softly again.

Liu Jinyu, who was lying on the bed, could hear the manipulation.

Last year's number one scholar was Lu Xiangxian, the son of the left prime minister and an old friend of the emperor, who could even be said to be half a student of the emperor.

With him being the top scholar, the people from Guanzhong had nothing to say.

But if you are not the son of the prime minister, your desire to become the top scholar is wishful thinking.

The people of Guanzhong will never give them this opportunity.

Even this year, the children of Guanzhong will even gather the power of their families to suppress the children of poor families.

Even especially the children from Jiangnan.

At that time, conflicts will arise between the children of Guanzhong and those of Jiangnan, and may even affect the central government.

When Li Xuan first ascended the throne, the central government was indeed harmonious, and there was even only one voice. But now, Li Xuan has begun to sow discord among the prime ministers.

When you need it, you can take it out and resign.

Liu Jinyu was Li Xuan's bedmate, and she saw through his true thoughts at a glance. However, Liu Jinyu did not intend to say more, and asked, "I heard that my husband will tour Jiangnan next year?"

Li Xuan looked at Liu Jinyu in surprise. Seeing her playful smile, Li Xuan quickly shook his head and said, "Not counting the Eastern Tour, I will set out directly from Luoyang, at most stop in Xuzhou for a while, and then go straight to Yangzhou to inspect the navy and meet with the governors of various states."

After a short pause, Li Xuan said in a low voice: "My husband's biggest purpose in going to Yangzhou is to put an end to Chongzhao's matter. By March next year, he will have been gone for more than three years. My husband will leave at the end of June, arrive in Yangzhou in July, and return to Luoyang in August. I will confer Ming'er the title of Prince of Yong."

"At that time, all the influence of Emperor Gaozong's reign will be completely gone in my world." Li Xuan paused for a moment, then said softly: "In this way, I can start to thoroughly rectify the affairs of Hebei and make plans for the attack on Silla."

In one fell swoop, we will defeat Silla and the aristocratic families in Hebei.

Give Hebei a clear and peaceful world.

(End of this chapter)