Great Han Empire

Chapter 544 Immediately Crossing the Gun
Dong Zhuo looked at the agitated Li Wei, waved his hand and said, "Zhong Yuan, tell me, why can't taxes be increased?"

"My lord, taxes and servitude are the lifeblood of my great man's survival, and they cannot be changed easily." Li Wei said, "There are three kinds of taxes in this dynasty, land rent, oral tax and calculated tax. There are many kinds of taxes, such as taxes, which are paid to the Dasinong Mansion, and the taxes are paid to the Shao Mansion, but the land rent is the main support for our Dahan community. To increase the tax, it is nothing more than to increase the land rent. Your lord has just collected a lot of money, and Since the promulgation of the Proclamation Order has affected the collection of land rent, it is the best policy for the adults to appease the world as soon as possible and collect taxes into the treasury. Why should the land rent be increased suddenly? Increasing land rent will directly affect the survival of the people. A little carelessness may cause catastrophe, and this is absolutely unacceptable." Then he asked cautiously, "My lord, have you used up the money you collected recently?"

Dong Zhuo snorted coldly and didn't speak.Obviously, he was very disgusted with Li Wei's last sentence.

Li Wei frowned and continued: "Since Emperor Gaozu, this dynasty has always adopted the policy of light corvee and light taxation. The land rent is implemented under the system of 'fifteen taxes and one'. Emperor Xiaowen once promulgated the policy of halving the land rent. According to the imperial edict, the land rent was only "thirty tax one", and later Emperor Xiaowen exempted the people of the Han Dynasty from the land rent for 13 years, and it was not until Emperor Xiaojing's reign (155 BC) that the land rent system of "thirty tax one" was restored. This system lasted for more than 300 years, until Emperor Xiaoheng’s reign. Because of the continuous war disasters in the western borders and the huge expenditure of the court, the tax per mu was increased by ten qian on the basis of the ‘fifteen taxes and one’. The first emperor also adopted this system. If your lord If you increase the tax again, it will probably be a tithe.”

"You are right. What Jia Xu suggested is the tithe tax." Dong Zhuo nodded slightly and said, "Zhongyuan, since you think it is not appropriate to increase the land rent, can you increase the income tax and calculation ability?"

"No." Li Wei said, "According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, Oral Fu is a tax levied on minors aged seven to 14. The tax levied by adult men and women is 56 yuan per person per year, and merchants and slaves are doubled. The increase in oral tax is actually to ask the people to pay more money, but please think about it, how many people are there in Dahan now? Do Chinese people have money now? Since the Yellow Turban Disaster in the first year of Zhongping to the present, there have been many disasters in the Han Dynasty, and population loss is inevitable. Taking Jizhou as an example, it had a population of more than 120 million at most. What about now? Now I think the population is only 600 million to 300 million at most. If you look at the western and northern Xinjiang, the population loss is also very severe. Isn’t one of the purposes of the imperial court moving the victims to Bingzhou to guard the border and increase the population of the northern Xinjiang? Frequent wars not only reduce the population, but also make the Han people fall into extreme poverty. The mourning is everywhere, which is terrible. As for the merchants, due to the recent order issued by the imperial court, these people died and fled, and they could not increase their income. Here we are. There are slaves..." Li Wei smiled wryly, "Your Excellency is very clear about the households where the slaves are. Even if this gift is increased, the imperial court will not be able to receive any money."

"Whether it is land rent or oral taxation, it is directly related to the survival of the country and the people, and it will affect the whole body. Even if there is a change, it should be done when the country is stable and the people live in peace." Li Wei advises Dao said, "Although the wars in today's Han Kingdom are gradually ending, disasters continue, and there are millions of refugees and victims. In any case, you can't take this desperate strategy for temporary difficulties. What the Han Kingdom needs most now is to recuperate. Light and thin."

Dong Zhuo slowly closed his eyes, and heaved a long sigh, "After the imperial court sent the rations to northern Xinjiang this month, the Dasinong Mansion and the Shaofu will have no money. What about the rations and salaries of the expeditionary army? What about relief? What money will the imperial court give to Xiliang and Youzhou? What about the military pay for our [-] troops in Gyeonggi? During the Chinese New Year, even I want a sum of money to reward my subordinates, I want money..."

"I also hope that the people can recuperate, live and work in peace and contentment, but is the current situation allowed? I just need to overcome the current difficulties. In the future, I will follow the way of governing the country in the early years of this dynasty, govern by doing nothing, abide by the law quietly, and lightly pay taxes. , resting with the people, quickly restore the vitality of my great man, and revive my great man's Tianwei."

===

Luoyang, Taiwei Mansion.

Li Ru, Lang Zhong Ling (in charge of Lang Zhong Suwei), has been relocated to Liu Ai in the servant, Jin Caoyu Jia Xu, and Susukita Yi in charge.These four people are all close friends who came out of Xiliang with Dong Zhuo.Jia Xu used to be the marching Sima under the account of Zhonglang General Li Jue (jue), and Tian Yi was the marching Sima under the account of Zhonglang General Li Su.After Dong Zhuo became the Minister of the Three Dukes, he immediately enlisted them as subordinates in the mansion.When Dong Zhuo was undecided about any important matter, he would call these few people to have a private discussion first.Governing the country is not like fighting a war. Dong Zhuo doesn't understand many things. He has to figure out the ins and outs of the matter before speaking, and then deal with the ministers in the court.Although the chief historian He Yong and a group of famous scholars and scholars in the mansion were familiar with political affairs, Dong Zhuo didn't trust them, and he was even more afraid that he would make a fool of himself in public, be ridiculed and insulted by scholars, and lose face.

It was the first time for Li Wei to see Jia Xu and Tian Yi.After exchanging greetings with Li Ru and Liu Ai, he exchanged greetings with Jia Xu and Tian Yi.

Jia Xu is in his 40s, tall and thin, with a dark complexion, three long beards, a weather-beaten and deep face, and a pair of cautious and energetic eyes under light eyebrows. He looks very ordinary, typical The image of a small government official, humble and gentle, cautious, timid and fearful.If Dong Zhuo hadn't just said that he was the one who came up with the idea of ​​increasing the wealth, Li Wei would never have looked at him as carefully as he does now.

Tian Yi is about 40 years old, of medium build, a little fat, with a reddish-black complexion, with a faint smile on his face, and a very strong Xijiang accent when speaking.Li Wei stayed in Yicheng for a while, and he could barely understand it.

After a few chats, they immediately began to discuss the matter of increasing taxes.Jia Xu talked the most. He mainly explained several compelling reasons for increasing taxes at this time, and then explained the possibility of increasing taxes in detail.Jia Xu has a humble demeanor, speaks slowly and clearly, and is very persuasive.

The main items of tax increase this time are land rent and tithe tax, which has increased by about one-third compared with the previous [-]th tax.Jia Xu believes that except for some disaster-stricken prefectures and border counties this year, the harvests in other prefectures and counties are good, especially in Gyeonggi and Yan, Yu, Jing, Yang, Xu and other large prefectures.Half of these places are the prefectures and counties that issued the notice order, and the merchants who fled south from these prefectures and counties mainly settled in Jing, Xu, and Yangzhou.Due to the disappearance of merchants in the states and counties that issued the notice order, their fields are now being harvested by the local government. This part of the grain can be used as an increase in the income of these states and counties.In addition to increasing taxes, Jing, Xu, and Yang prefectures also need to increase their income as money.Those merchants who escaped should be killed by us. If they want to survive, they must pay the bills and donate property in the morning.As for some disaster-stricken counties and border counties, according to His Majesty's decree, not only will they not have to pay taxes this year, but the imperial court will allocate money and food for relief.

Calculated in this way, the states and counties that increase taxes are all states and counties that are wealthy and have a large population, and states and counties that have not suffered wars and disasters in recent years, so increasing taxes will not affect the overall situation, let alone cause chaos.After two years, the treasury of the big man has money, and the crisis is over, we can also reduce and exempt taxes appropriately, and return the money collected over the past two years to the common people.In addition, when the national treasury has money, the warning order can be cancelled, and merchants can return to Gyeonggi and continue to do what they should do.

Li Wei still said the same thing, the current big man should quickly stabilize people's hearts, rest and recuperate, and the strategy of increasing taxes is not feasible.

Li Ru said: "Master Li, at Shangshutai today, you have also seen the attitude of Lord Taifu and many ministers in the court towards the expeditionary army. What, it’s self-evident. Without enough food and pay, how can the army occupy the southern part of the desert? The chariot general will lose Hanbei County in the future, and the crime is so serious that one can imagine it.”

"If we don't increase taxes today, how will we solve the food and wages of the expeditionary army? If Xiliang and Youzhou don't get relief money and food, what will happen if the border people rebel? Youzhou is in chaos, can Bingzhou still be able to farm stably? Hanbei County can still hold on ? Jizhou can still be stable, and can provide money and food to Beijiang? Jizhou has no money and food to Beijiang this year, and Mr. Li doesn’t know about this, right?”

"An accident happened to the northern border army, the chariot general fell down, and the northern border was in chaos. This is not good for you and me. For the great Han country, the loss of the northern border barrier will make the great Han's disaster even more serious."

Li Wei said with a smile: "The imperial court used the pretext that the states and counties delayed the payment of taxes into the treasury and the treasury was exhausted to force the expeditionary army to retreat and cut the food and salaries of the expeditionary army. I am afraid that the purpose is not to attack the strength of the chariot general, but..." He Looking at Dong Zhuo who was sitting silently behind the table, he whispered, "Is it for the sake of the Taiwei?"

There was no sound in the lobby, and the atmosphere was dignified.

"According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, after the autumn harvest in all states and counties, taxes must be put into the treasury, but now there is no movement in Jizhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou and other counties around the capital. This kind of public violation of the law, if no one in the court is behind Instigate and support, who dares to do it?" Li Wei said, "If the northern border is to be stable, and if the generals of chariots and cavalry want to defend Hanbei County, we need a stable Luoyang, but we need the support of the Taiwei even more. Support, so the Taiwei wants to increase taxes, we can support it."

"I'm sitting here today. Don't you adults just want to get the full support of Beijiang? But what I don't understand is that in the Great Han Kingdom, only the Taiwei is the only one who participates in the official affairs. Why can't the Taiwei be in power alone? Today I I saw Lord Yuan Ji in the court hall. Yuan Ji is the son of Yuan Feng, the nephew of Lord Taifu, and the elder brother of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Why did the power of the Yuan clan in the ruling and opposition forces become stronger after Lord Yuan Feng fell ill?"

"Why don't you agree with Lord Taiwei's plan to increase wealth?" Li Wei looked Dong Zhuo's sharp eyes without fear, and cupped his hands and said, "Master Taiwei, now you can't even say where the expeditionary army will withdraw. Forget it, then how can this policy of increasing taxes be approved by the ministers in the court? According to the officials, I still humbly beg Yuan Feng and Yuan Kai to write a few letters to my old officials. Put the tax into the treasury as soon as possible, so that you will not be forced to resign in the future because you will be forced to resign. It seems that there is no good ending for the previous captains of the Great Han Kingdom."

Li Ru, Liu Ai, Jia Xu and Tian Yi were stunned.Dong Zhuo's eyes widened and he glared angrily. Suddenly, he laughed, "Seeing off the guests."

===

Li Ru accompanied Li Wei and walked slowly towards the gate of the mansion.

"Zhong Yuan, do you know why Lord Zhu Jun handed in his resignation today?"

Li Wei smiled and said: "The teacher and the ministers in the court want to give me and my colleagues in Beijiang a warning, and at the same time give a warning to the scholars in Beijing. In addition, it is also a hint to the Taiwei. The barrier between the Han and the Gyeonggi, the imperial court does not want to turn it into a threat to the Han and the Gyeonggi, let alone the backing of the Taiwei."

"What else?" Li Ru nodded appreciatively, then asked.

"Lord Taifu wants to test the limit of Lord Taiwei's patience." Li Wei shook his head and said, "If Lord Taiwei agrees to Lord Zhu Jun's resignation, then it means that Lord Taiwei did not realize their intentions, and Lord Taiwei did not. Difficult to deal with. But now it seems that Lord Taiwei still can't bear it."

"Why?" Li Ru said with a smile, "You can talk about it later."

"Wang Kuang, the prefect of Hanoi, has thousands of troops, and Han Fu, the prefect of Jizhou, has 1 troops. The two of them are enough to deal with the Yellow Turban of Heishan. There is no need to ask the court for help. The purpose of their request for help is nothing more than to induce the Taiwei to divide the troops in Hanoi so that The consumption of military resources and food and salaries has made the Taiwei even more difficult and difficult." Li Wei said, "The Taiwei asked my teacher to lead the army to leave Luoyang as the right general, which is tantamount to saying to the Taifu that I have already I can't bear it anymore, if the states and counties in various places don't pay taxes to the imperial court, I will do it."

"Zhongyuan, let Master Zhu Jun leave the capital, the Taiwei Lord also made the move after careful consideration, you have to understand Taiwei Lord's painstaking efforts." Li Ru touched the scar on his face and said in a low voice, "You today This is a good thing to say, and we dare not say it normally. Although Mr. Taiwei participated in the affairs of Li Shangshu, his authority is still restrained by Mr. Taifu and other lords in the court. Regarding taxation, clean up the court, completely control the power, and then wait for the opportunity to replace state and county officials in order to ensure the smooth flow of government orders. This is an indispensable step to control the overall situation and revitalize the country in the future."

"The power of the nobles in Beijing is very powerful, and it is impossible not to kill people. Lord Zhu Jun is deeply involved. Once something happens, it will be difficult for us to deal with it due to the affection of General Cheqi and you, so Lord Taiwei takes this opportunity. The meaning of transferring him away from the capital..."

"Brother Changsheng, don't worry, at this time, Beijiang will resolutely obey the orders of the Taiwei." Li Wei said, "Please tell the Taiwei, the power of the Luoyang clan is by no means what we expected. Lord Wei must be careful to prevent changes, especially to firmly grasp Chang'an and Xijiang, and control the eight passes of Gyeonggi, so that Lord Taiwei can remain invincible."

===

Li Wei and Li Ru bid farewell outside the gate of Taiwei's mansion.

As soon as the car entered the street where Zhu Jun's mansion was located, Li Wei saw He Yong.Li Wei got out of the car in a hurry, before he could speak, He Yong said first, "Zhong Yuan, come to my car, follow me to Yuan Mansion."

Li Wei turned around and ordered Cao Xuyan, the supervisor under the door, to go directly to Zhu Jun's mansion with his attendants, and not to follow any more.

On the way, He Yong chatted with him about some things about Jinyang, saying that Taiwei intends to recruit Cai Yong, Gai Xun, Zi Shao and others to serve in Luoyang. Qi and the others quarreled violently.Li Wei said that northern Xinjiang needs more advice from these experienced adults.He Yong smiled and said: "Master Cai, Mr. Gai, they are all veterans. Do you young people in northern Xinjiang listen to them, or let them listen to you? Haven't you seen what happened in Jinyang?"

Li Wei sighed: "The prefectures in northern Xinjiang are very short of talented subordinates. It is very difficult for us."

"It's not difficult." He Yong smiled, "There are many talents in Taiyuan, Hedong, and Youzhou. The key depends on whether you can find them. In winter, you can recruit a group from various places in northern Xinjiang. Recommended by the county. The most important thing that I am a big man is talented people."

Li Wei's heart suddenly brightened, and he thanked him repeatedly.

"My lord, I remember that in September, Master Yuan Pang said that there were more than 30 billion yuan in the national treasury, plus the money collected in the last month, there should be more money in the national treasury. How could there be no money? gone?"

He Yong smiled bitterly and said: "Zhongyuan, think about it, why did Lord Taiwei drive away Lord Jing Zhaoyin Gai Xungai? Who is Jing Zhaoyin later? It was Dong Min, the younger brother of Lord Taiwei. Guanzhong is the foundation of Lord Taiwei, and this is the main reason why there is no money in the treasury."

Li Wei suddenly realized.

"Master He, are you familiar with Jin Caoxu and Jia Xu from Taiwei's Mansion?"

"He is from Guzang, Wuwei, Xiliang. He is a talented Wang Zuo just like you." He Yong sighed, "Yan Zhong, a famous scholar in Hanyang, do you know?"

Li Wei nodded and said: "Isn't he dead? At the beginning of this year, after the Xiliang rebels were defeated by General Huangfu, Han Sui and Ma Teng immediately joined forces to abolish the kingdom, and supported Yan Zhong as the leader. He was probably very scared, and his health was not good, so he fell ill and died two months later. Why did your lord suddenly mention him?"

"Jia Xu was not well-known when he was young, but after Yan Zhong met him, he praised him for having the talents of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, and he will be the mainstay of the great Han in the future. I think he has a good vision, and he is indeed talented." He Yong said, " Because of Yan Zhong's evaluation, Jia Xu was promoted by the Wuwei prefect as Xiaolian. After he arrived in the capital, he resigned because of illness and returned home. Dozens of them were captured by the Qiang people. Jia Xu lied to the Qiang people, saying, "Don't kill me, I am Duan Jiong's grandson, and my family will redeem me with money. Master Duan was so powerful in western Xinjiang that the Qiang people not only Did not dare to kill him, but made an oath to make friends with him, and sent him back."

"Jia Xu is extremely talented, but he has been unappreciated and frustrated. It was not until he met Dong Zhuo that he had a place to use his skills. Unfortunately..."

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(End of this chapter)