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Chapter 246 Abolition of Tax Exemption Privileges for Aristocratic Families and Land Reform

The next day.

The morning court begins.

Civil and military officials walked in turn along both sides of the imperial road into the Golden Palace.

After all the civil and military officials entered the Golden Palace, Emperor Zhou Chen walked out from the special imperial path and sat on the dragon throne.

All the civil and military officials immediately knelt down and bowed; "Greetings, Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

All the civil and military officials shouted in unison.

Zhou Chen leaned back on the dragon throne, looking down at the civil and military officials; "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

All the civil and military officials stood up.

"When there is something going on, we will start, and when there is nothing going on, we will retreat."

Cao Zhengchun's shrill voice rang out in the Golden Palace as usual.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Xun Yu came out.

Upon seeing this, all the civil and military officials couldn't help but raise their eyebrows.

Xun Yu was ordered to measure and survey the land of the entire realm, a fact known to all civil and military officials.

Now that Xun Yu has returned to Luoyang, the matter he should be reporting is related to land.

"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to measure and survey the land of the entire empire. The land of all the prefectures and counties in the empire has been measured and surveyed by me."

“Land annexation is very serious in our Great Zhou. Eighty percent of the land is in the hands of powerful landlord families, while the common people own less than twenty percent of the land.”

"The land owned by powerful landowners enjoys the privilege of not paying taxes, which has led to a year-on-year decline in the tax revenue of our Great Zhou."

"Your Majesty, I request that you change the land tax system and abolish the tax exemption privileges of aristocratic landowners."

"Your Majesty, I have already compiled the surveyed land into a register. Please review it."

Xun Yu took out a memorial from his sleeve, held it in his hands, and said loudly.

Upon hearing Xun Yu's words, the expressions of all the civil and military officials changed simultaneously.

All the civil and military officials knew that Xun Yu was going to submit a memorial concerning land, but they did not expect that Xun Yu would also submit a memorial to change the land tax system and abolish the privilege of tax exemption for aristocratic families.

This is absolutely earth-shattering.

"Send it up."

Zhou Chen said expressionlessly.

Cao Zhengchun immediately went down and took the memorial from Xun Yu's hand, then presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen opened it and glanced at it.

Zhou Chen had already read the memorial yesterday; today's court meeting was merely a formality.

After closing the memorial, Zhou Chen looked at the civil and military officials below and said, "My dear ministers, what do you think of the matter reported by Minister Xun?"

"Your Majesty, you must not do this."

A minister immediately stood up and objected, saying, "Your Majesty, the right of aristocratic landowners to be exempt from taxes was established by Emperor Taizu. How can it be easily abolished?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"The right of aristocratic landlords to be exempt from taxes is a rule that has been passed down in our Great Zhou Dynasty and cannot be abolished."

"Otherwise, it will be opposed by all the powerful families and landlords in the land."

Xun Yu's proposal was met with opposition from a large number of civil and military officials in the court.

Some of these ministers came from prominent and wealthy families, while others were loyal and experienced officials.

These ministers had many reasons for their opposition, but in general, the biggest reasons were nothing more than two points: adherence to convention and opposition from powerful families and landlords.

Zhou Chen looked at the ministers who stood up to oppose him, but his face showed little surprise.

Even high-ranking officials like the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, and the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian opposed this matter, let alone the civil and military officials of the entire court. It is normal for there to be some dissenting voices.

Zhou Chen looked at the ministers who stood up to oppose him, his face expressionless. "Since you ministers oppose Minister Xun's proposal, then tell me, how should the land taxation of the Great Zhou be resolved, given that powerful landowners have annexed 80% of the land in the country and do not have to pay taxes?"

"Can the taxes from the less than 20% of land owned by the common people really sustain the expenses and operation of the Great Zhou?"

Zhou Chen calmly surveyed the dissenting ministers.

The dissenting ministers exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.

They can't exactly say they're investigating the lands of wealthy landowners!

If they really dared to say that, they would undoubtedly offend all the powerful and wealthy families in the land.

"how?"

"Can't you say anything?"

Zhou Chen glanced indifferently at the dissenting ministers.

They did not make things difficult for the ministers.

Zhou Chen surveyed the assembled civil and military officials and said in a deep voice, "I truly did not expect that the extent of land annexation in the Great Zhou Dynasty would be so severe."

“Eighty percent of the land was in the hands of powerful landlord families who did not have to pay taxes, while less than 20 percent of the land was in the hands of ordinary people.”

"In other words, in recent years, our Great Zhou has only relied on tax revenue from less than 20% of the land to maintain the operation of various expenses."

"Furthermore, this situation is not static; it is declining year by year."

"Leaving aside the fact that powerful landowners have seized and annexed land through trickery and force, just look at the tax revenue of the Great Zhou. If this continues, the land tax revenue of the Great Zhou may one day drop to less than half a percent!"

"If that time really comes, what will our Great Zhou use to cover expenses and operate?"

Zhou Chen's questioning voice echoed in the hall, making all the civil and military officials feel as if they were being deafened.

"Xiao He, you are the Left Chancellor of our Great Zhou. What do you think of the matter that Xun Yu reported?"

Zhou Chen then looked at Xiao He.

"Your Majesty, I agree with what Minister Xun has proposed."

"The land tax system of our Great Zhou has reached a point where it is too deeply entrenched to be reformed. Only through reform can it be transformed."

"If the tax exemption privileges of aristocratic landlords are not abolished, the land tax system of our Great Zhou will never be changed."

Xiao He said loudly.

Zhou Chen then looked at Fang Xuanling and the six ministers of the Six Ministries, including the Minister of War.

"Your Majesty, we also agree with what Minister Xun has proposed."

"Only by abolishing the tax exemption rights of aristocratic landlord families can the land tax revenue of the Great Zhou be restored."

Several high-ranking officials, including Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who were ministers of the Six Ministries, all voiced their agreement with Xun Yu's opinion.

Even the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, and the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian were no exception.

Yesterday, Zhou Chen summoned them to the palace, and the matter was basically finalized.

Therefore, during this morning court session, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, and Prince Zhou Xian dared not object anymore and could only unanimously agree to pass the resolution.

Seeing that Fang Xuanling and the other six ministers, as well as Prime Minister Xiao He, all agreed with Xun Yu's opinion, the civil and military officials finally understood.

It turns out that His Majesty had already consulted with key ministers such as Xiao He and Fang Xuanling, and had obtained their support.

Now, the abolition of the tax exemption privileges of aristocratic landowners is basically a done deal, and even if some of their ministers object, it will be useless.

"Your Majesty, no!"

"The tax exemption for aristocratic landowners was a rule established by Emperor Taizu. It was a preferential treatment and reward he bestowed upon the powerful families of the land for their help in stabilizing the country." "If Your Majesty abolishes the rule established by Emperor Taizu, you are destroying your own Great Wall."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Several ministers from powerful families were still unwilling to accept this and knelt down to loudly object.

It wasn't that these powerful ministers were oblivious to the emperor's decision to abolish the tax exemption privileges of aristocratic landowners.

These powerful ministers knew that they had to oppose it to the end and could not allow Zhou Chen to abolish the tax exemption rights of powerful landowners.

Otherwise, once the tax exemption rights of aristocratic landowners are abolished, it will not be so easy to regain such privileges.

"enough."

Zhou Chen looked at the ministers kneeling on the ground, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"The founding emperor granted such privileges to aristocratic landlord families so that they could better serve our Great Zhou, not so that they could bleed the Great Zhou dry or uproot it."

"When Emperor Taizu established the Great Zhou Dynasty, 70% of the land was in the hands of the common people, while only 30% was in the hands of aristocratic landlords."

"But what about now?"

Zhou Chen's cold gaze swept over the ministers kneeling on the ground.

"Now, the land owned by powerful landlords accounts for 80% of the total land, while the land owned by ordinary people is less than 20%."

"Tell me, of these lands that differ by more than 50%, how much were sold willingly by ordinary people to powerful landlords, and how much were seized by powerful landlords through trickery and force?"

"Do you think I don't know about the dirty deeds of the powerful landlords and aristocratic families behind the scenes?"

"Should I order the Eastern Depot to thoroughly investigate the powerful and wealthy families, and also investigate you officials?"

Zhou Chen's cold, sharp voice echoed throughout the hall.

The kneeling ministers from powerful families couldn't help but shudder.

Especially Zhou Chen's last words, "Otherwise, let the Eastern Depot investigate these officials," gave these ministers a real fright.

You should know that almost none of these high-ranking officials have a clean record.

If the Eastern Depot were to investigate, even if they weren't sent to the guillotine, they would at least have their hats removed and be thrown into prison.

Several powerful officials kneeling on the ground bowed their heads, not daring to utter another word.

Their hands are not clean, and the secret dealings of powerful landlord families cannot withstand scrutiny either.

If we really anger His Majesty enough to order the Eastern Depot to thoroughly investigate all the powerful landowners in the country, the final result will not be as simple as abolishing their tax exemption rights.

Seeing that the ministers kneeling on the ground remained silent, Zhou Chen stopped wasting words and said loudly, "Issue my decree: effective immediately, abolish the tax exemption of aristocratic landowners. From now on, aristocratic landowners and wealthy families shall also pay taxes in accordance with the regulations of the court."

“Abolish the equal-field system and order the Minister of Revenue to change the Great Zhou tax system to taxation based on acreage.”

"Starting today, investigate the lands that have been seized from the people by trickery and coercion. The imperial court will dispatch officials to various places to accept the people's petitions."

"As long as the common people sue for the illegal extortion of land, no matter who it is, investigate it thoroughly for me."

"..."

"The specific details will be discussed by Xiao He and Xun Yu, with the other five departments providing support."

Zhou Chen issued several decrees in succession.

These decrees not only abolished the tax exemption rights of aristocratic landowners and changed land taxes, but also investigated the land that had been seized from the people through trickery and coercion, and abolished customs duties and added commercial taxes.

Upon hearing the contents of Zhou Chen's decree, the expressions of the officials changed slightly.

Once these decrees are implemented, the powerful landlord families will have no good future.

Only Xiao He, Fang Xuanling, and a few other important officials remained calm. They already knew the contents of these decrees yesterday in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Some of the imperial edicts were actually written by these key ministers.

"besides."

"Effective immediately, the power to maintain private armies of powerful and wealthy families is revoked."

"After this, powerful and wealthy families are not allowed to keep private armies or forge bows and crossbows without authorization. Those who violate this rule will be punished for treason."

Zhou Chen's cold, unquestionable voice echoed throughout the hall.

After the rebellions of powerful families like the Yuan family of Runan and the Zheng family of Rongyang, Zhou Chen already had the idea of ​​taking back the power of private armies held by these powerful families.

Now, at this morning court session, taking advantage of the momentum that had suppressed the dissent of the officials, Zhou Chen issued this decree.

Once the power of private armies held by powerful families is revoked, it will be much more difficult for them to cause trouble again.

As soon as Zhou Chen issued his decree to reclaim the power of private armies from powerful families, the situation changed.

The expressions of all the civil and military officials in the hall changed.

what?
To reclaim the power of private armies belonging to powerful and wealthy families?

All the civil and military officials were shocked.

None of them expected that Zhou Chen would not only abolish the tax exemption rights of aristocratic families, but also take back their power to maintain their private armies.

Even Xiao He and Fang Xuanling, among other important officials, were visibly taken aback.

None of them knew that Zhou Chen intended to take back the private soldiers of powerful families.

Zhou Chen had not mentioned this to them before.

"Your Majesty, shouldn't we reconsider taking back the power of private armies held by powerful families?"

Xiao He raised an eyebrow and stepped forward to speak.

These previous decrees have already impacted powerful and influential families. If another decree were issued to reclaim the power of their private armies, it would be disastrous.

Xiao He feared that acting too hastily would provoke resistance from powerful and influential families.

When the powerful families unite in rebellion, it will bring considerable turmoil and impact to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Need not."

Zhou Chen shook his head without any room for doubt; "The alien races around the Great Zhou have been wiped out, and the Great Zhou has no external enemies afterward. The Great Zhou is peaceful both inside and outside."

Why do powerful and wealthy families keep so many private soldiers?

"Does he intend to rebel and usurp the throne like the Yuan family of Runan and the Zheng family of Rongyang?"

"Take back all the private armies of powerful and wealthy families. Anyone who disobeys will be charged with treason and executed."

Zhou Chen said coldly.

Taking back the private armies of powerful and wealthy families is an imperative.

No one can stop it.

Even the four major clans were no exception.

If anyone wants to test the edge of Emperor Zhou Chen's blade, Zhou Chen suggests that he mobilize a large army to wipe out a few families first, to make an example of them and establish his authority.

Seeing Zhou Chen's unquestionable expression, Xiao He said nothing more and retreated.

Some other ministers also wanted to speak up and persuade Zhou Chen.

However, seeing Zhou Chen's unquestionable and cold expression, even the Left Prime Minister Xiao He's words were useless, so these ministers had no choice but to swallow back the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

All the civil and military officials understood that with the four foreign tribes beyond the Great Wall wiped out, Emperor Zhou Chen's next move was to clean up and reorganize the internal affairs of the Great Zhou.

This means they're going to target powerful and wealthy families.

After issuing this decree, the morning court session was nearing its end.

All the civil and military officials secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as they were genuinely afraid that Emperor Zhou Chen might issue some further decrees concerning powerful and wealthy families.

Thankfully, it's gone.

(End of this chapter)