Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 598 Helping Brothers

In a signing room of the Bianzhou government office, Liu Yan was studying the new tax law.

The war in Xingyang had nothing to do with him. Kaifeng County was already working overtime to transport grain, coal, and timber to Xingyang.

The freezing of the canal was a little troublesome, but Bianzhou was originally a logistics distribution center and had no shortage of horses, mules and flatbed trucks for transporting goods.

In addition, the distance from the Xingyang front line to Bianzhou is not far, so transporting grain is an easy task, and there is no need for Liu Yan to watch at the front at all.

"Li Baochen was about to be defeated, but the commander-in-chief actually ordered the transportation of grain to be accelerated. The commander-in-chief is really cautious in fighting."

Liu Yan, who was sitting at the desk writing government decrees, said with emotion.

What he is now compiling is a new tax law. The old rent and labor service system will be officially abolished after the Lantern Festival.

The principle of the new tax law is to abolish the "head tax" and no longer use the number of people as a method of taxation, but each person still has to bear certain corvee labor every year.

The original tax collection based on people was changed to a new tax collection based on "output". Taxes were collected from whoever owned the land. Half of the land was converted into currency and sent to Bianzhou, and the other half was collected in kind and kept in the local area.

If a family has no output this year, they don't have to pay taxes.

Therefore, this main tax type no longer divides local land into "main households" and "customers". Whoever owns the land will pay the tax.

Tenants do not pay taxes for farming for landlords, they only pay rent to the landlords; only landlords pay taxes.

Generally speaking, the tax rate is determined by the amount of assets, and the amount of output is the object of collection.

Liu Yan only determined the general principles of taxation, and left the other details to his subordinates. For example, a tycoon like He Dafu would have tax clauses tailored specifically for him.

The flaw of this tax law is that it does not trace back the legitimacy of the land source. That is, whoever has the land now owns it, regardless of whether you bought it in the past or stole it through murder, arson or robbery.

From the day the tax law was enacted and promulgated, taxes will be collected according to the rules in the future. If you don't obey, your whole family will be killed. No previous mistakes will be investigated, and no disputes will be accepted.

After "reclaiming" a large amount of government land, there was no more settling of past messes.

Commercial taxes are collected separately and are divided into three types: transit tax, residence tax and tax exemption.

Transit tax is a commodity circulation tax, which is levied specifically on merchants who resell goods, namely traveling merchants. Merchants are taxed along the way, and the collection point is set up at the ferry.

The residence tax is a transaction tax on buying and selling. Any merchant (sitting merchant) who opens a shop locally and sells goods in Bianzhou, or any traveling merchant who comes to Bianzhou and sells goods shipped from other places, will be taxed.

Duty-free refers to small commodities. For example, a farmer in Bianzhou goes to the market in the city and brings some local specialties from his home to sell in Kaifeng.

If the value is not high and the quantity is small, then neither transit tax nor residence tax will be collected.

That is to say, people are encouraged to trade local specialties from their hometowns.

The new law stipulates that housing tax will remain the same at 3% of the sales price.

There is a "tax refund" rule for tax overdue, which is 2% for the first time. When you come for the second time, you can refund part of the tax overdue last time according to the amount of tax paid last time.

The higher the tax last time, the lower the tax refund ratio this time, but the maximum is no more than one-third. In other words, the more you sell goods in Bianzhou, the less tax you will collect.

This is a policy that encourages trade.

Liu Yan believed that once this method was implemented, Bianzhou's commerce would surely flourish. Bianzhou's advantage was that it was well connected. By taking advantage of this, we could achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Before the regime was established, all kinds of tax laws were planned. Liu Yan also felt that Fang Zhongyong could see farther and think more clearly than ordinary people.

With a sound tax law and a clear system, whether it is the common people living here, or the merchants, big and small, or the wealthy families, everyone knows what can and cannot be done, and everyone can feel at ease.

This is undoubtedly very beneficial to calming people's hearts and stabilizing the political situation. When the world begins to be in chaos, some people will look for a "stable" place. This is also a normal human nature.

"Oh, it's snowing heavily."

Liu Yan looked up and saw heavy snow falling outside.

It is said that auspicious snow indicates a good harvest, but will next year really be a good harvest? Nowadays, there are counties and prefectures where no one is cultivating the land, so how can there be a good harvest?
A cloud of gloom loomed in his heart.

At this moment, a young woman wearing a red cloak and a white skirt came quietly and bowed to Liu Yan.

"You are……"

Liu Yan knew that this person was Fang Zhongyong's new concubine, who had already moved into the backyard of the government office.

But this woman looked very familiar. He must have met her a long time ago, probably in Chang'an.

"Ah, I remember now, you are Li Heng's legitimate daughter, Li Yi.

It's you! "

Liu Yan suddenly realized who this woman was. Liu Yan had stayed in the palace for a while and attended a banquet where Li Yi had appeared.

Of course, my appearance has changed a little now. Back then, my face was a little chubby, but now my chin has become pointed.

"Mr. Liu, can you take me to Alang's military camp?"

Li Yi pleaded as soon as they met. She naturally recognized Liu Yan. After all, she had seen him in the past and had some impression of him.

More importantly, she knew that Liu Yan was an honest man.

"It seems a bit...inappropriate for women to be around in a military camp."

Liu Yan waved his hand and declined politely.

He had heard some rumors that Li Yi was pregnant with Fang Chongyong's child.

Li Longji's granddaughter actually became a concubine of the general. She was like a plaything, at most a plaything worth collecting.

Princesses of the royal family were always domineering in the past, and the princes-in-law were miserable. I didn't expect that today she would become an object to satisfy men's carnal desires.

This is a bit sad.

Although the imperial power still existed in name, it had long lost its former majesty. Without the protection of the imperial power, the princess was just an ordinary woman.

Liu Yan was a smart man and vaguely sensed something unusual from it.

"I know something about Luoyang, which may be helpful to the general in his battle."

Li Yi told a lie that wasn't really a lie.

She did know a lot about things in Luoyang City, but this time she insisted on going to the military camp not for this matter.

Instead, Li Yi dreamed that Fang Chongyong had dozens of arrows stuck in his body and many knife wounds, and he fell straight in front of him.

In the dream, the other person seemed to want to say something, but couldn't speak it because of his serious injuries.

The tragic scene woke Li Yi up from his dream. He was so scared that he covered his face and cried.

"Well, there is a batch of food and fodder that needs to be sent to the camp. You can accompany me and set off with the grain transport convoy."

Liu Yan sighed softly, unable to refuse such a request.

The influence of a beautiful woman's pillow talk can sometimes be so strong that it is unimaginable. Liu Yan was really a little worried that Li Yi would bear a grudge against him and say bad things about him to Fang Chongyong in the future.

This kind of thing is always hard to guard against.

Now that the other party is begging like this and he is an old friend, it would not be nice to refuse him.

Considering the current battle situation, Liu Yan felt that nothing serious should happen.

"Thank you, Mr. Liu."

Li Yi bowed to Liu Yan again and again with gratitude and let out a long sigh.

……

After several days passed, Li Guiren, who sent many scouts to investigate, also smelled many ominous smells.

Li Baochen hid in Luoyang and refused to come out, while the Xuanwu Army dug deep trenches and fortified itself in Xingyang and stayed there.

If you don't know the inside story, it's easy to notice that the current military deployment of the warring parties is extremely abnormal!

Because Marshal Baochen, who should have been furious, retreated, the weaker Xuanwu Army, instead, took a provocative attitude and advanced to the outer line to build fortifications.

Li Guiren was also a veteran on the battlefield, so he naturally saw the way.

It is precisely because one party has a hidden card of "ready to attack" that the party that should attack is now hiding in its nest and dare not come out.

There is an external force ready to take effect, so the current situation is not abnormal, but rather the most normal thing possible!
"General Li, it is just as Cen Shen said. Now let's just pretend that nothing happened." In the study of Yecheng government office, Liu Longxian poured wine for Li Guiren while persuading him slowly.

Li Guiren was always worried that someone would use the opportunity to attack Guo and take Yecheng as well. But Liu Longxian was very calm and felt that Fang Chongyong would never do such a thing.

"I always feel uneasy. As long as the troops in Guanzhong don't leave, the sword hanging over my head will remain."

Li Guiren sighed and said.

His uneasiness came from the loneliness of being surrounded on all sides, and he was always in a state of no reinforcement. Even Li Baochen was not someone Li Guiren could be loyal to or rely on. Perhaps, he could try to develop in the eastern part of Hebei?
A strange idea popped into Li Guiren's mind, and then he began to think about it seriously.

Yecheng is a good place, but it needs a lot of effort to build. And it is located at a transportation hub.

The current Yecheng is no longer the Yecheng during the Cao Wei period.

If you stay here, the possibility of being beaten is relatively high.

"General Li, let's wait and see. We will never be able to rule the world, so why bother ourselves?
Someone will come out to clean up the mess. We have a lot of room to maneuver.”

Seeing that Li Guiren remained silent, Liu Longxian continued to persuade him.

Li Guiren didn't know whether the road was wide or not, but he felt that Liu Longxian was right: people like them would never be able to become emperor.

This means that you either rely on this person or that person, but ultimately you will have to rely on one person.

In that case, if there is no suitable candidate, wouldn’t it be better to just wait a little longer?

Li Guiren also admitted that Liu Longxian was indeed more open-minded than him. It was the same when he listened to Huangfu Weiming's military order before. When Liu Longxian saw that the situation was not good in Puzhou, he dragged him away. Otherwise, I am afraid that my life would have been explained by the bank of the Sushui River.

At this time, a personal soldier came in, clasped his fists and said to Li Guiren and Liu Longxian, "Generals, Chief Li Shiyu wants to see you."

Ok?
Li Guiren and Liu Longxian looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes. Li Shiyu was Li Baochen's military advisor and was deeply trusted by the latter. He came to Yecheng... I'm afraid he didn't have good intentions!

"Let's go to the government hall."

Li Guiren said calmly.

The two of them came to the lobby of the government office together and saw that Li Shiyu had a calm expression and had been waiting for a while.

"I wonder why Li Changshi came here?"

Li Guiren stepped forward and asked without greeting. Liu Longxian stood aside and said nothing.

It's clear that he's keeping strangers away.

"Scouts have learned that the troops in Guanzhong are likely to attack Luoyang from Tongguan.

Marshal Li hoped that General Li could take advantage of the lack of troops in Bianzhou and launch a surprise attack on Kaifeng County.

After the war, all the acquired lands came under the jurisdiction of General Lee. "

Li Shiyu said this without blushing or beating his heart, secretly admiring his own thick skin as a city wall.

Hearing this, Li Guiren almost laughed out loud.

Li Baochen was treating him like a fool! He even said that all the occupied land belonged to him, Li Guiren.

This is the territory I conquered. It's not mine. Should I give it to you, a bastard, to honor you?

Li Guiren knew immediately that this was something Li Baochen would say. As long as Marshal Baochen didn't fight, his inferior IQ would be completely exposed.

"Got it. My army will decide when to send troops based on the situation on the battlefield.

Yecheng is extremely important and must not be lost. Even if you want to use military force, you must think twice before acting.

Marshal Li had a good idea, but he didn't know the situation in Yecheng.

Please, Li Changshi, say a few good words for us when you return."

Liu Longxian spoke in an official tone and helped Li Guiren out of the predicament.

Compared with the relationship between Li Baochen and Li Guiren where they took advantage of each other, he and Li Guiren could be considered comrades-in-arms who had shared hardships.

Naturally, he would rather help Li Guiren than kneel down and lick Li Baochen.

"Generals, this is a matter of life and death.

Without further ado, Li just wants to say four words: When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

Please consider this carefully. Goodbye."

Li Shiyu saluted the two of them, then turned and left.

"Li Changshi, I also have something to say."

Li Guiren quickly called Li Shiyu.

"What else does General Li want?"

Li Shiyu turned around and asked with a sigh.

"Marshal Li's lips are on his body, and my teeth are on my body.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Li is unreasonable.”

Li Guiren said meaningfully.

This is... quite hypocritical.

Li Shiyu was speechless. He left with a sigh without stopping.

There's no point in talking nonsense if you don't agree.

After he left, Liu Longxian persuaded Li Guiren, "General Li, you should have just been polite and evasive. Why did you have to make it so clear? What if, what if Li Baochen gets angry and wins?"

"Li Baochen can still win? Tell me how he is going to win? If we don't go to help him, he probably won't even be able to leave Luoyang City. How can he win?"

Li Guiren questioned Liu Longxian impatiently.

I have to say that Li Guiren is quite capable.

His views are completely consistent with those of Fang Chongyong, Yan Zhenqing, Gao Xianzhi, Li Guangbi, and even Li Baochen himself.

That's right, even Marshal Baochen himself felt that he was doomed to lose this time. It was just a matter of how much he would lose.

Li Baochen sent people to ask for help, which made Li Guiren confirm that Marshal Baochen was completely finished this time.

So he just said something harsh.

Your lips are dead, what does it have to do with my teeth?
It's true that the lips and teeth are interdependent, but that has to be on the mouth, right?
Li Guiren thought over and over again and decided to draw a clear line between himself and Li Baochen.

Li Shiyu naturally had nothing to say. He couldn't argue that Marshal Baochen still had a chance and that you would regret it in the future. There was no point in saying such timid words, which would only make others look down on you.

"General Li, haven't you heard that there are fifty great ways and forty-nine heavenly ways? The remaining one is the heavenly secret.

The secrets of heaven cannot be fathomed or guessed.

Li Baochen only destroyed the life of these forty-nine people, but he still had a glimmer of hope.

How can you say he is dead?"

Liu Longxian had read the "Book of Changes" and immediately felt that Li Guiren was too arbitrary.

"Dao 49 is enough to kill him.

I just don’t believe that Li Baochen really has some destiny!
snort! "

Li Guiren snorted coldly and continued, "I will write a letter to Fang Qing right now to show my goodwill. If Prince Yong ascends the throne in the future, it would be great if I could seek refuge with him and get a position there."

He is planning to change allegiance so soon?

Liu Longxian was speechless. He didn't know why Li Guiren was so arbitrary and thought that Li Baochen would definitely lose.

Well, having said that, this time Marshal Baochen really doesn’t have any advantage to win.

There was no reinforcement from outside, internal discord, and no support from the outside, and powerful enemies were pressing in and attacking from both ends.

He is indeed a bit miserable.

Seeing that Li Guiren had picked up the pen to write a letter, Liu Longxian quickly stretched out a hand and pressed on the paper to stop him from writing.

"General Li, once the troops from Guanzhong leave Tongguan, the situation will become clear.

It won’t be too late for you to write then.”

He really was doing this for Li Guiren's own good.

"So... that's fine."

Li Guiren sighed and shook his head helplessly. He was afraid that he would jump off the boat too late and sink with the boat!

(End of this chapter)