big song poppi

Chapter 294 0291 [Spread the land! 】

At this time, Qi Meng also noticed something was wrong, slapped his forehead and apologized quickly: "Brother Zhu, please forgive me, I was temporarily confused."

Zhu Da joked: "Haha, it's normal for Brother Qi to look down on me because of his high school helmet, but that's understandable."

"What a mouth you have."

Qi Meng couldn't help shaking his head and laughing.

Zhu Da looked at the list and said: "Brother Tan performed well in this lock-down examination. He is No. 3 in the second class. He thought that he would be able to serve as an official and govern the people, which would be considered as fulfilling his wish. Brother Huang, on the other hand, It’s really surprising that Brother Bai failed.”

Qi Meng sighed slightly and said in a regretful tone: "It's really a pity for Brother Huang and Brother Bai. Current policy theory is their weakness. Besides, the test questions this time are too difficult. Especially about the policy theory about the locust plague, I also I have to bite the bullet and answer.”

Speaking of this, Zhu Da became interested and asked: "How would Brother Qi answer the question about the locust plague?"

"How else can I answer? Grab food, appease the people, and provide relief with work. The locust plague has been unable to be eradicated since ancient times. In the face of such a natural disaster, we can only do our best and obey fate." Qi Meng smiled bitterly.

Zhu Da had a real expression on his face: "This is a mature and prudent statement, which is in line with Brother Qi's temperament."

"Where's Brother Zhu?"

Qi Meng asked curiously.

Zhu Dan can be ranked second, which shows that his strategy must be amazing.

Hearing this, Zhu Da chuckled and said slightly mysteriously: "Don't say it, don't say it."

The answers to his policy are somewhat shocking, and if he were to speak out, he would definitely be criticized verbally and writtenly.

Because at this moment, the world's perception of the locust plague is dominated by hostility.

"Taiping Guangji" records: Whenever locust plagues are seen after soldiers, they may be the souls of soldiers who died in battle.

After fighting, there will be locusts, and the people are convinced of this.

There are even locust temples built in many places, and the incense is extremely prosperous.

Whenever there is a locust plague, local officials will organize people to kill three animals and hold a grand ceremony to worship the locust god.

Qi Meng still wanted to ask more questions, but saw Tan Xingzhong and three others walking towards him.

"Brother Qi, congratulations to Brother Zhu!"

The three people clasped their fists in congratulations.

Tan Xingzhong looked happy, but the other two friends were forced to smile.

"Just a fluke."

Qi Meng humbled himself, and then comforted him: "Brother Huang and Brother Bai, don't be discouraged. This defeat was a combination of weak and strong, and they were unable to use their full talents. With their talents, they only need to focus on political theory. Come to think of it, Next time I try to lock the hall, I will definitely catch him."

After hearing his comfort, the two of them felt much better, and confidence was rekindled in their eyes.

The talented man surnamed Huang greeted: "Let's go, I'll be the host. I won't come back from Zhuolou until I'm drunk today. I'll congratulate Brother Qi and the three of them on their high school."

Qi Meng hurriedly said: "How can I make Brother Huang spend money? I should be the host."

After working as a supplementary official for several months, he also saved some money. Although he was not rich, he could still afford a restaurant.

A group of five people walked towards Zhuo Lou while talking and laughing.

In front of the gate of the government office, it can be said that some families are happy and some are sad.

A total of 38 people were hired this time, and there will naturally be more replacements who failed.

……

Shaoyang Palace, inside the main hall.

The weekly court meeting is being held, and the cabinet and the chief officials of the four ministries and four houses are all present.

Han Zhen said loudly: "Zhao and Song Dynasties inherited the tax system of the Five Dynasties, with excessive levies and numerous miscellaneous taxes, which made the people miserable. Now that the lands in Shandong are stable, I plan to reform taxes."

Everyone was silent, no one objected.

Everyone present was stunned. Since the superior dared to announce something in public, he must have already gotten angry with the bosses of various departments in private.

Everyone knows it, and it's just a formality right now.

Even if you don't know the inside story, you won't express your opinion easily.

Han Zhen looked at Liu Mi: "Regarding taxation, does the Ministry of Household Affairs have any plans?"

Liu Mi obviously had a draft in mind, and he said unhurriedly: "There are so many types of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes that many officials, not to mention the common people, can't remember them clearly. Firstly, it will make the common people fear them like tigers, and secondly, it will make it easier to replace officials. To make money from the people. Therefore, Wei Chen proposed to eliminate some unreasonable tax items, and then merge all the tax items into two taxes, namely agricultural tax and commercial tax."

"Not bad!"

Han Zhen nodded and ordered: "Tell us in detail."

It stands to reason that with Champa rice, agricultural tools and farming methods having reached their peak, with more than seven acres of cultivated land per capita, and well-developed commerce, the people should be living a pretty good life.

Not to mention that every household will be well-off, but as long as you are willing to work hard and endure hardships, it will not be a problem to have enough food and clothing.

But the people at the bottom of the Song Dynasty were the most miserable in all dynasties.

It is because the exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes are too heavy, and they have to endure the hands of subordinate officials.

It is no lie to use the strength of a country to support a city.

Liu Mi pondered: "Weichen suggested eliminating a series of miscellaneous taxes such as penis money, cowhide money, bent money, salt money, shoe money, foot money, farm tool money, public money... and at the same time integrate the remaining taxes into income tax. , draw one out of ten.”

Hearing this, Xie Ding frowned slightly and said, "How to collect this income tax? One month or one year?"

Liu Mi replied: "Not by month or year, but by income." As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Weizhong couldn't help but said: "Wouldn't this be confusing?"

"No."

Liu Mi shook his head and explained: "You only need to divide the tax areas. The people in the countryside mainly rely on farming, so they only need to collect taxes during the summer and autumn harvests. The people in the city mainly work, and receive wages every month. , then arrangements were made to supplement officials and levy taxes every month, so why is there such chaos?"

Mayundi objected: "This move is a good thing for farmers, but it is not a good thing for workers. How can workers endure the monthly withdrawals?"

"Uh……"

Liu Mi was stunned for a moment, and then said with a strange expression: "Farmers seem to only pay taxes twice for farming, but that is the income for the whole year. How is it different from doing work if it is divided equally?"

Ma Yundi looked embarrassed and said: "Liu Shangshu, please forgive me, it's because the subordinate is confused."

Xie Ding asked: "Has Liu Shangshu ever calculated this move?"

Liu Mi nodded and said: "Of course I have calculated it. Take the coolies at the county dock ferry as an example. A coolie worker can get about 180 cash per month. If calculated according to the previous exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, if it is divided equally, it will cost [-] yuan per month. We have to pay [-] Wen, but after the restructuring, we only need to pay [-] Wen tax per month. I think workers should know which is more important."

"I have no objection."

"I have no objection."

Many officials expressed their opinions one after another.

Han Zhen continued to ask: "What about the business tax?"

Liu Mi replied: "I have discussed the matter of business tax with Dean Su. They also draw one out of ten. Street merchants follow the county magistrate's method and pay stall fees. Depending on the prosperity of the area, from two cents to two cents." It doesn’t range from fifty cents.”

Shi Wenhui looked slightly surprised and said: "Fifty Wenhui? Is it too much?"

Liu Mi shook his head and said with a smile: "Don't think that all hawkers are miserable. In fact, this is not the case. For example, in a good area of ​​Xishizi, they only sell wonton pancakes and other food, and they can make hundreds of yuan a day. If it is a festival, they can make two or three coins. Needless to say, by the end of January, the salary will be higher than that of officials of the eighth or ninth grade."

"I see."

Shi Wenhui suddenly realized.

Liu Mi stroked his beard and said: "After the tax reform, the accounts will be clear at a glance. It will be even more difficult to replace officials and try to get them."

At this time, Su Zhaode said: "Reporting to the county magistrate, Wei Chen proposes to add an additional luxury tax to the commercial tax."

Xie Ding asked in confusion: "What is luxury tax?"

Su Zhaode explained: "Luxury taxes are levied on goods that have huge profit margins and have no impact on ordinary people. For example, the price of northern pearls has skyrocketed. A high-quality northern pearl sells for 200 million." Money, but it is not difficult to collect it in the Northland. Merchants buy it from the Northland at a low price, and the profit can be as high as dozens or even a hundred times."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Ting objected: "This is inappropriate. Businessmen pursue profits. If a luxury tax is imposed, they can sell it elsewhere."

Han Zhen glanced at Su Zhaode and said, "What Zhao Pushe said is true. Let's put the luxury tax on hold for now."

It’s good to want to do things, but you’re still too young.

Luxury tax must be collected, but it is not the case right now. If you charge luxury tax in Shandong, businessmen can sell elsewhere.

There are many rich people in Kaifeng Prefecture, Zhejiang and Jiangnan.

"It's Wei Chen who didn't think carefully."

Su Zhaode handed over and apologized.

Han Zhen continued: "Now that we've talked about taxes, it's time to talk about taxes. Do you have any suggestions?"

Since ancient times, taxation has not been divided into families.

Taxes are enough for food, taxes are enough for soldiers.

It can be simply understood that taxes are the money paid in peacetime, while taxes are the grain and corvee collected by the state during wartime.

Throughout the ages, they have struggled to maintain a sentence.

If the people do not add wealth, the world will be full!

This tax was set at the beginning of the founding of the country and cannot be changed easily.

But there has never been a saying that the people will not increase taxes, because taxes are the foundation of the country. When the court began to compete with the people for profits, the country came to an end.

Even though Zhao and Song imposed heavy taxes and many miscellaneous taxes, the land tax was always one out of ten.

After the words fell, the courtiers who had been discussing it heatedly all shut their mouths.

Looking around at the crowd, Han Zhen slowly said: "As for the land tax, I plan to divide the land into acres!"

Spread into acres!

Zhao Ting and Liu Mi were present, so they obviously knew the inside story in private, but Xie Ding and others were completely confused.

After a moment of silence, Xie Ding asked doubtfully: "I forgive you for being stupid, why do you mean sharing a small family with your family?"

"Zhao and Song Dynasty followed the previous dynasty and implemented the household level system, which divided farmers into five levels from low to high. The intention was good, but in the end it became a means for officials to be greedy for money. The level of farmers was completely decided by officials. , The subordinate official made a decision. Before the uprising, I had seen with my own eyes that large landlords colluded with officials to arbitrarily determine the household status of the people and take advantage of them. "

Han Zhen paused and continued: "In order to prevent officials from taking advantage of the plunder, we have switched to a method of dividing the land into acres. The land tax is also one in ten, but the corvee depends on the amount of land. Those who have no land do not need to bear the corvée. . At the same time, wealthy merchants and landlords with too much land can use their money to hire others to replace the corvee, or they can directly hand over their money to the local government, which will recruit people uniformly."

The so-called spreading the ding into the mu, also known as spreading the ding into the land, and combining the ding and the land into one, are the continuation of Zhang Juzheng's whipping method.

In fact, it was already implemented in some areas at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and it was not fully promoted until the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty.

The significance of apportionment of land, household, land, etc. was of great significance. It ended the phenomenon of confusion regarding land, household, land, etc., and at the same time liberated some people from the land, accelerating the development and prosperity of industry and commerce.

In conjunction with the tax reform, taxation will become clearer in the future, while also greatly reducing the burden on the people.

(End of this chapter)