Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 449: Lack of taxes and hidden dangers of money and food

"I remember that there were not many problems with tax collection in the previous generation of the county, but the harvest was very small. Most of the money and food came from the caravan tax, city tax, and the revenue from the mutual trade led by the government. It can be seen that Border trade is of great importance to Dai County, you said that money and food will be affected, is it true that border troops want to hinder the mutual market?"

There were two types of land rent in the New Han Dynasty. One was simple land rent, and the other was called household transfer. The corresponding law was called "household adjustment style".

Among them, land rent is tax and household transfer is tax. Together they are tax.

The land rent of the New Han Dynasty is stipulated in the law. Every citizen has fifty acres of land, and the rent collected is four bushels, which is half that of a male household.The rules of household regulation stipulate that a male household should lose three bolts of silk and three pounds of cotton every year.

After considering different situations, it was stipulated that the border counties should be divided into two-thirds, and those further away, one-third.The barbarians lose one horse to Buhu, and those who are far away may be ten feet away.

To put it simply, land rent is collected according to the ownership of the land in the family. It is mostly in kind. However, considering that many households are tenant farmers of large families, their own land is getting less and less, and the method of user adjustment is used. , Directly collect taxes according to the head, in order to open up financial resources.

However, these are general regulations, and there are many detailed regulations, such as changes in different regions and different historical periods, rent reductions after natural and man-made disasters, and the subdivision of men and women, etc.

Even at the local level, the yamen at the state and county levels still have certain authority to formulate the situation themselves. After all, communication is not timely enough. In many cases, everything is changed and decided by the court, but it is too late.

On the other hand, this taxation law took shape after Xuanwu unified the north and south. As time went by, the local land ownership situation became more and more complicated. Until now, in order to increase fiscal revenue, the imperial court had to pay more attention to physical goods and money. All comers are accepted, and there are many additions and overlaps. The same legal provisions are repeatedly levied under different names, and the pressure from the people is increasing.

This situation is especially obvious in the northern states. On the one hand, local disasters require a lot of money and grain to recover, but production is damaged, people are displaced, and money and grain income continues to decrease. In Youzhou, there are still people plundered by barbarians. Troubled, if you want to maintain the situation, you must increase revenue and reduce expenditure.

Trade in this frontier has naturally become a top priority, and is valued by local governments, who take a cut from it.

This is what Su Liao is emphasizing now. After hearing Chen Zhi's inquiry, he immediately replied: "General Wang Quan, I'm afraid he has some thoughts about this and is planning something under Wu Jie's instigation! You must be on guard against it! You can't even do it!" Don’t ask, the Lord should make a decision as soon as possible, so as not to regret it later!”

"First explain to me clearly what Liu Bao told you." Chen Zhi stopped Su Liao who was looking anxious and asked with a frown.

"Liu Bao didn't know the specific situation clearly, but he mentioned the stakes." Su Liao took out a piece of paper from his arms and handed it over, "This time, General Wang of the border army summoned The younger generation of several big families in Dai County wanted to make an agreement with them, but in the end they were semi-forced and sent people to send them back. Liu Bao sent his son there, but his son was also under surveillance, which was not good. Send a message, so the content is simple.”

Chen Zhi nodded, took the note, and said: "Wu Jie was the one who put the needle in the middle of Wang Quan's call. Liu Bao gave me a breath before, and now he came to report it as soon as possible, explaining that He really wants to take refuge." While speaking, he looked down at the note in his hand.

Su Liao said from the side: "But as far as my subordinates know, the situation of the Liu family is relatively complicated. Liu Bao can only represent some people. Otherwise, they would not have to send people to the border army at all."

"Is it a big family? It's normal, especially for the Liu family who are on the rise. Because there are many outstanding people in the family and they all have their own careers, they each have the right to speak in the family, and they often have different opinions and meanings when they encounter things. ," Chen Zhi put down the note, shook his head and said, "However, Wang Quan is determined to take advantage of me this time. He wants to invest the manpower and material resources of the Daijun family in the so-called fort building. This is to suck the blood of the entire Dai County."

Su Liao showed a worried look and said: "The entire Dai County has experienced several wars and is located on the border. There are not many scattered households left. Most of them belong to aristocratic families. If the aristocratic families are sucked by the border troops, the entire Dai County will indeed be affected." If they all have their blood sucked, it will seriously affect the governor’s plan.”

Chen Zhi nodded and said: "Yes, yes, but this is actually what I was worried about at first. It was the special situation of Dai County that allowed the family to control the people too deeply, almost covering all aspects. Their words may be more useful than the government. If there is a conflict between the government and the aristocratic family in the future, if the aristocratic family unites as one, they can easily sideline the government." "Originally, I wanted to divide, draw together, and finally disintegrate the aristocratic family, but now it seems that it is difficult to achieve, with the so-called fortification. "It's justifiable to absorb the blood of aristocratic families," Su Liao glanced at Chen Zhi, "Such a strategy is definitely not Wang Quan's idea. Judging from the previous situation, although General Wang has no intention of getting close to you, the prefect. , but at least there is no thought of confrontation, otherwise we would not be so cooperative regarding the Huns."

"The Huns' invasion is also related to his official position. It's normal to behave." Chen Zhi laughed. "I'm afraid his current behavior is also related to the Huns' invasion. He wants to protect himself and make meritorious service. His aristocratic family is drawn by him." At first, I may be reluctant, but once we get on the thief ship, we can only help each other. I just don’t know if we can stop it. If not, or if we can’t stop it, how can we turn the situation around as soon as possible? .”

Su Liao looked worried, hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "I know that Your Majesty has your own plan, and you don't intend to rely on the family, but the necessary use is still needed, not to mention a large part of the Daijun government. Income from goods comes from border trade, which requires the help of the family's fleet. If General Wang Quan's plan comes true, the family's power will be concentrated on it. Over time, border trade will be wiped out. If he holds it in his hands, the government’s income will plummet!”

"I also learned a little about this part. During the handover, some files were recorded." Chen Zhi nodded, acknowledging Su Liao's concerns. , those who trade directly with Daijun, what Daijun wants to provide are some handicrafts, food, and other trivial matters, and there are trades in salt and tea in Youzhou."

"Yes, the entire Youzhou is engaged in border trade with the grassland. Dai County accounts for a very small proportion due to the barren land. However, taxes from domestic border trade account for nearly [-]% of Dai County's income!" Su Liao's expression became more serious. "Border trade will attract merchants from the Central Plains. Their fleets will pass through government control and need to pay customs fees."

"But if the aristocratic family trades with the grassland through the border army, they can save part of the taxes they should pay in the name of the military family." Chen Zhi understood the key point. "Once there is no money, nothing can be done. ”

As a prefect, of course he could not take the money back to his home, but he could directly spend it locally in the name of the government to lay the foundation. Moreover, to maintain the operation of the government and to change people's livelihood, money was indispensable.

Especially the finances of this border area are actually quite special in the New Han Dynasty. This is because in the border counties, the prefects have a certain power to command troops. Because of the relationship between transportation and communication, if the prefects are not given the power to do things easily, When the country fell, it would be too late. There were many examples in the past. Therefore, in border counties, the prefects actually had soldiers under their command.

But the court generally won't help you raise this soldier. Where does the money come from?In addition to the allocation from the superior state government, local financial support is also needed.

In addition, no matter whether you want to study or encourage farmers, no one can do without money. If you have no income, you can stop mentioning everything.

After thinking about it, Chen Zhi said: "I have my own ideas about border trade. Maybe it won't be long before there are new things to trade with each other. At that time, these aristocratic families will take the initiative to look for me. The plot of the border army, It’s self-defeating.”

"A new thing to trade?" Su Liao was stunned, but didn't ask any more questions. Over the course of more than a year, he got to know more or less the lord's acting style. When the arrangement was almost complete, he would announce it himself.

Sure enough, I heard Chen Zhi say next: "Originally, this matter had to wait for a while, but it happened that all the people from Xiapi were sent, and there were two Mohists. With their help, we can start work in advance. As for the thoughts of the aristocratic families, you might as well wait and see what happens. This is a good opportunity to investigate. Among the several aristocratic families, which one can be supported and which one should be suppressed, the results will be available soon."

Su Liao nodded, and suddenly thought of something: "By the way, there is another question. I am also verifying this matter, but there are already signs. In addition to part of the tax revenue of the current generation county having to be handed over to the court, there is also a large amount. The expenditure is likely to be provided to the General’s Mansion!”

"This is not a surprise," Chen Zhi had already considered this aspect, "Lu District relied on Wang Jun's support to rise to power, and he has always been regarded as Wang Jun's supporter in Youzhou. Lu District's power, A large part of it comes from Wang Jun's guarantee, and of course he has to repay it. Turning it over every year is the most direct method and the best choice. In fact, when I handed over, I found clues from some files."

Chen Zhi stretched out a finger, flicked it lightly on the table, and said: "In the past three years as the prefect, Lu District has promoted many changes. Starting from suppressing the Tang family and wooing the Liu family, he has continued to help The family acquired land and people and opened up industries. In the process, the government received a lot of benefits, the most intuitive of which was the income from money and grain. A large part of the money and grain he gained was given to Wang Jun. These can be found in the files.”

"This is what worries me," Su Liao said sternly: "Now that the Lord has just taken office, Wang Jun has not said anything yet, but the autumn plan will be launched soon. The court will not evaluate the Lord's political performance this year, but the taxation Still, this is the proper intention, I am afraid that Wang Jun will intervene and make Daijun give most of the money as an offering in accordance with past rules and habits. What will happen then?"

(End of this chapter)