Emperor of the Red Chamber

Chapter 74 Qingbai offers advice: spread the family into the family

Although Yuan Qingbai had already decided that when he became the prince, he would stay in peace.

At the moment, it was Emperor Jing'an who took the initiative to ask him about state affairs such as taxes and land taxes. Emperor Chengtai was also present, which was a test for him as the prince.

In this case, of course he had to perform. Otherwise, wouldn't it mean that he, the prince, was incompetent in major national affairs?

Yuan Qingbai deliberately pondered for a moment before speaking respectfully and politely:

"Originally, the Imperial Grandfather and the Emperor Father were face to face. As a grandson and son, I would not be able to talk too much about such important state affairs. Now that the Imperial Grandfather has asked me, I will boldly tell my humble thoughts and hope that the Emperor Father will forgive me. .”

"The imperial grandfather's benevolent government was concerned about the country and the people. Ten years ago, he issued a decree to 'never increase the number of people in the country.' This is a plan that is truly good governance and will benefit the country and the people."

"It's just that ten years have passed and times have changed. As my father said just now, the double taxation of people and acres of land has placed a heavy burden on the people who have no or little land."

"The rich have vast fields, but there are few servants. The poor have no standing cones, but there are many corvees."

"I'm thinking that maybe the Ding tax can be integrated into the land tax, and it can be called 'sharing Ding into the land', or 'sharing Ding into the land', or 'the land is combined with Ding'."

"The number of acres is Ding. If there are more fields, there will be more Dings. If there are fewer fields, there will be fewer Dings. If there is no land, there will be fewer Dings. The acres calculation department will calculate the Dings of each field. The people will not have to pay compensation. In the year of compilation and review, a book will be made as usual." No further audit is needed.”

"It's just that although this policy benefits the poor people, it actually does not benefit the landowners with many fields. These landowners account for a very small proportion of the total number of people registered, but they own a large proportion of the land. This policy is also not conducive to passing the Ding tax. Corrupt officials, these landlords and officials will definitely be displeased.”

"In addition, the Ding tax has been implemented in China for more than two thousand years since the Western Han Dynasty. If the Ding tax is divided into acres, it will also cause a lot of criticism."

“It’s easy to say that one person can grow an acre, but it’s difficult to put it into practice.”

"The above are my brief thoughts on Dingshui Tianfu. I hope that the emperor's grandfather and father will give you correct advice. If there are any errors, I will correct them."

After speaking respectfully and politely, Yuan Qingbai stopped, as if waiting for correction.

In fact, he still has a lot to say.

He knew that once the system of dividing households into acres was implemented, control over household registration would be relaxed, and farmers and craftsmen would be able to move freely and sell their labor. Workers have greater personal freedom, which is conducive to releasing social vitality, promoting production development, and also promoting population growth...

It's just that he feels it's inconvenient for him to say this. Moreover, this time he presented the strategy of dividing the family into a family, and it is enough to show it. Talking too much may be self-defeating. After all, he is the prince, not the emperor.

Emperor Chengtai was so excited that he couldn't help but look at his son Qingbai with admiration.

In fact, before Emperor Chengtai came to see Emperor Jing'an today, he had already thought of the strategy of sharing the land with his family.

He did not directly propose this strategy to Emperor Jing'an, but planned to first explain the serious issues of taxation and land tax to Emperor Jing'an in detail, and then bring up the strategy of dividing farmers into acres. Anticai is more likely to agree.

Emperor Chengtai didn't expect that before he proposed this strategy, Emperor Jing'an asked Qingbai first, and Qingbai actually proposed sharing the land with his wife, and considered it in such detail. He was only sixteen years old!

You know, Emperor Chengtai thought hard for a long time.

At this moment, Emperor Chengtai couldn't help but look at his son Qingbai with admiration, and he couldn't help but admire in his heart: "I really have a good son and a good prince!"

Emperor Jing'an fell into deep thought after hearing Qing Bai's suggestion. After pondering for a while, he looked at Emperor Chengtai and asked, "What do you think of Qing Bai's suggestion?"

Emperor Chengtai said decisively: "Back to my father, I think Qingbai's strategy is very good and feasible."

Emperor Jing'an breathed a sigh of relief: "I don't know how good this strategy is, and I'm not an old fool." The topic changed, and Emperor Jing'an sighed: "Just now Qingbai also mentioned it, it's easy to say how difficult it is to have a small family living in an area. Okay, the burden on your shoulders as the new emperor is already heavy. If you rush to implement the method of apportioning a small person into an acre, the burden will be even heavier. Moreover, I estimate that it will take a long time to promote it to the whole country. "

If you want to implement the idea of ​​dividing one child into an acre, it will not only require Emperor Chengtai to invest a lot of time and energy, but it will also offend many people.

Although Emperor Chengtai, the new emperor, has only been on the throne for a few months, he is already further cracking down on corruption, including further investigating deficits.

In addition, he also took action to "eliminate humble status."

In the late Jianwen period of the Ming Dynasty, many people in Shanxi and Shaanxi were registered as "Lehu", that is, official prostitutes, because they were not attached to Zhu Di. These "Lehu" registrations still have many descendants today.

Emperor Chengtai has issued an order to remove these "Lehu" registrations and turn them into civilian households, so that they will no longer be untouchables and can take part in the imperial examinations to change their lives.

Emperor Chengtai has also planned to take further actions in "removing humble status" in the future.

At this moment, Emperor Chengtai listened to Emperor Jing'an's words and couldn't help but said with emotion: "Thanks to my father for your profound plans for me, I am grateful and happy, and feel honored."

"However, I regard the world as my own responsibility. Although I carry a heavy burden and move forward, although it is difficult and difficult, I have no regrets."

"I am fully aware of the difficulty of implementing this strategy of spreading small families into acres. However, I am determined to implement it in order to hope that the Great Zhou Dynasty will be prosperous and the people will live and work in peace and contentment. I sincerely ask my father to support me."

Emperor Jing'an pondered for a while before nodding: "Come on, come on, since you have this intention, I, as the Supreme Emperor, will do my best to help. This is a plan for sharing the same family, so you can do it freely."

Emperor Chengtai said respectfully: "My dear father, thank you!"

After Emperor Jing'an and Emperor Chengtai discussed for a while the plan to divide the land into acres and acres, Emperor Jing'an said, "I know you are very busy. Once this plan is implemented, you will be even busier. Go ahead."

Emperor Chengtai immediately resigned.

Emperor Jing'an shouted, "Stop."

Emperor Chengtai turned around and said, "What else can your father teach you?"

Emperor Jing'an said: "This policy of spreading young people into acres and acres of land must not be revealed to be Qing Bai's gift."

Emperor Chengtai immediately understood what Emperor Jing'an meant, smiled slightly and said, "Father, don't worry, my son and minister will be spared."

It's very offending to let people live in the house. This is to protect Qingbai.

Moreover, after all, Qing Bai was still just a prince, and he was only a secretly established prince, not an openly appointed prince. It would not be good if he showed his sharpness too much.

After Emperor Chengtai left, Emperor Jing'an smiled at Yuan Qingbai, who had been standing by him, and said, "Qingbai, do you want to play chess with me?"

Yuan Qingbai smiled and said: "This is my grandson's honor and blessing. Does the emperor want to study in this study or go to the main hall to study in the Nuan Pavilion?"

Emperor Jing'an smiled and said, "Just get off here."

Yuan Qingbai immediately brought the chessboard pieces and played face to face with Emperor Jing'an.

At the same time, Emperor Chengtai had returned to the Jiujing Sanshi Hall and couldn't wait to start his business.

(End of this chapter)