Han officials

Chapter 22: Big Rat【4K】

"I understand that Heaven's creation is so confused, and I lament that the people are so confused."

After leaving Xinchuansai, Wei Zhe couldn't help but sigh like this.

Xi Zhicai's face was also filled with regret.

Although he had known that the government was in chaos and corruption was rampant, Xi Zhicai still did not expect that the border had become so rotten.

If this continues, the beacon towers and barriers outside Lelang County will probably be useless.

Taishi Ci found it extremely absurd.

"How did the world become like this, where people are asked to work hard and live frugally at the same time?"

To be honest, if Taishi Ci were in the other's place, he wouldn't be sure he could hold out for so many years like Zhao Chang, the commander of Xinchuan Pass.

However, after expressing their feelings, Wei Zhe and Xi Zhicai quickly analyzed the situation in detail.

On the official road, Wei Zhe and Xi Zhicai were seen riding side by side.

After thinking for a moment, Wei Zhe frowned and said, "According to Zhao Chang, in the early years, Han merchants who crossed the border would pay tolls. With this income, they could barely cover the expenses of the Xinchuan Frontier."

"However, since the world became increasingly turbulent, small caravans with modest means have gradually disappeared. The caravans that still cross the border are basically controlled by powerful people in each county. For example, the Tian family of Yangqiu is the only caravan in Daifang County that is qualified to trade outside the border."

As for why only the Yangqiu Tian family was qualified in Daifang County, it was naturally because they "conquered people with virtue."

Even if a person without moral integrity goes out of the border, he will probably never return.

Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai immediately understood.

No wonder Xinchuansai’s life is getting harder and harder. It turns out that there are powerful people who are monopolizing the market.

Local tyrants like the Tian family of Yangqiu naturally would not take a small Xinchuan Pass seriously.

Otherwise, if the Dongyi invaded, the Xinchuan Pass would be destroyed in the conflict.

The Dongyi people may not have this ability, but they can definitely do it by colluding with both internal and external forces.

"No, the harm done by the Yangqiu Tian family doesn't end there." Xi Zhicai, a thought coming to his mind, spoke up. "The imperial court has issued a clear order prohibiting officials and civilians from taking weapons or iron out of the border. Even though there were occasional smuggling activities by merchant caravans in the past, they certainly didn't have the courage or facilities of the powerful people in the border areas."

At this point, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but shake his head slightly. "In recent years, the invasions by the Xianbei and the Three Han tribes have become more and more frequent. I'm afraid this is related."

Wei Zhe fell silent upon hearing this.

It's not that he doubted Xi Zhicai's judgment, but he was worried that the situation might be more serious than he imagined.

Because he knew how high the profits of Hu City were, and the court also knew it.

In fact, the Han Dynasty conducted regular trade with the surrounding Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Xianbei, Qiang, Dongyi and various ethnic groups in the Western Regions, and there were many restrictions on the goods traded.

However, unlike the previous Han Dynasty, although this dynasty set up checkpoints and beacon towers on the border, it generally did not hinder people from going out to trade. As long as they had official permission and a "talisman" to enter and exit the border, they could pass.

But this kind of thing is basically not difficult to buy nowadays as long as you are willing to spend money.

However, since only the caravan of the Yangqiu Tian family can go out of Daifang County to trade, it means that they have a close relationship with the Dongyi people.

If the Tian family of Yangqiu can do this, what about the powerful people in other counties and prefectures?

No wonder the Goguryeo people grew stronger in Liaodong. It seems the root of the problem was the word "profit".

As a result, the Han army now uses inferior iron armor and their swords and spears are blunt, while the barbarians and the foreigners have their own private armies.

It is no wonder that the Xianbei people invaded every year, and the number of Han people in the Youbing border area became fewer and fewer, and it almost became a pasture for the Hu people.

……

Not to mention how Wei Zhe and his group came and went in a hurry.

When Wei Zhe and his party returned to Daifang County, Tian Wen, who was in the greenhouse of Tianshiwu, received the news.

"You useless idiot, why didn't you report here earlier?"

The angry Tian Wen threw the iron ruyi he was playing with away.

The middle-aged servant didn't even dare to dodge, and was immediately hit in the face with blood flowing out.

Even so, the man still crawled on the ground in fear and trepidation, saying, "Sir, the news from the city earlier said that the county lord was going on a winter hunt. We never thought he would dare to patrol the border in such freezing weather."

I have to say that Wei Zhe's habitual feint is sometimes very effective.

Tian Wen knew that getting angry would not help, so he could only wave his hand irritably and let him go.

After a moment, Tian Wen said bitterly, "I want to see how long you can hide!"

Tian Wen had no idea why Wei Zhe was so timid. He had clearly been promoted to an official position based on his military achievements, yet he didn't act like a fierce general. Whenever he traveled, he was usually accompanied by a hundred horsemen; he never set out alone.

Otherwise, why would he worry so much? He could just send a few assassins to solve the problem.

At the same time, after returning to the official residence, Wei Zhe also began his next plan.

……

The next day, he went to Daifang County Temple.

"What? Collecting land tax?"

As soon as Wei Zhe finished speaking, there was an uproar in the lobby.

Chief Clerk Tian Wen, with a look of deep concern for the country and its people, said, "In previous years, it always started in March. County Master...isn't this a bit too hasty?"

Unexpectedly, Wei Zhe scolded him instead, "Provincial Yuan is so ignorant!"

"To suppress the Yellow Turbans, the Emperor even took out the treasury hidden in the palace and the horses from the Western Garden stables to use as military supplies. Now that the Yellow Turban Rebellion has been quelled, how can we, as his subjects, not sympathize with His Majesty?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the officials in the hall fell silent.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe's expression eased slightly and he said in a gentle voice, "I'm not asking you to collect the debt right away. I'm just counting the number of acres in advance. That will make it much easier when the time comes to collect the debt, right?"

After hearing what Wei Zhe said, all the officials in Cao could only bow their heads and agree.

However, after leaving the lobby, many people couldn't help but frown.

Zhang An, a court official, slowly approached Tian Wen and whispered, "Brother Yuan Sheng, what do you think about this?"

"What else can I say? He's just trying to curry favor with the people!" Tian Wen said with disdain, "A warrior is a warrior. He has no sense of shame!"

Zhang An, the court official, asked again, "Then...how should the land tax be calculated this year?"

This is actually the issue that Zhang An is most concerned about. You know, the Zhang family of Zhaoming Township is also one of the powerful families in the county.

Although they are not as powerful as the Tian family of Yangqiu, they still own a lot of fertile land.

Tian Wen hesitated for a moment and then said decisively: "...reduce two layers!"

Hearing this, even though Zhang An was prepared, he couldn't help but look surprised.

"Is this too little?"

You should know that the taxes in Daifang County are almost fixed every year.

If the income of several of these families suddenly decreased by 20%, then Wei Zhe would definitely be rated poorly by the county government when he reported this year.

But unexpectedly, Tian Wen smiled coldly when he heard this: "Isn't this just right?"

Seeing Zhang An still pondering, Tian Wen immediately said, "I'm sure you've also seen that this guy is restless. If we don't drive him away soon, you and I might both be harmed by him!"

Hearing him say this, Zhang An thought about it carefully and finally nodded slowly.

...A few days later, in the county temple.

"Seven hundred and sixty-eight hectares? An estimated three hundred and twenty-seven dan of grain?"

Looking at the numbers in front of him, Wei Zhe laughed out of anger.

Then his expression suddenly darkened, and he stared coldly at the County Magistrate Huang Xiong in front of him and said, "Mr. Huang, is this your answer to me?"

Seeing this, the wealthy-looking Huang Xiong broke out in a cold sweat.

But no matter how much Wei Zhe urged him, he had no choice.

After all, the amount of land tax in Daifang County in previous years was negotiated between the county magistrate and various powerful families.

Although there are not many powerful families in the area, there are only four or five of them, big or small, and they are basically headed by the Tian family.

But these four or five powerful families control most of the resources and population of Daifang County.

To put it nicely, it is a negotiation, but in fact it is asking for help.

Especially after the indulgence of successive county magistrates in Daifang County, whatever the powerful said became the final word.

As for measuring the acres of land, Huang Xiong didn't have the courage to do that.

In fact, after receiving the replies from various parties, he didn't say a word and just came back to report.

Seeing Wei Zhe looking at him with murderous intent, the fat man finally couldn't stand it anymore.

He knelt on the ground, sweating profusely, and cried out in pain, "This is really not what I meant!"

"Your Excellency, I'm not aware that I'm called the County Magistrate, but I'm actually a puppet. All matters have been decided by the Chief Clerk, Tian Wen."

As he spoke, the fat man started to cry. Although he was already over forty years old, he still said with a face full of resentment: "If the county lord is dissatisfied, I can only die to prove my innocence!"

However, despite saying so, the fat man looked at the pillar for a long time but there was no movement.

After all, he had bribed people all over the place to buy the position of county magistrate, so naturally he didn't want to die so early.

Wei Zhe was disgusted when he saw this: "How can you cry so much at your age?"

After saying that, he waved his hand helplessly, "Well, go ahead, don't worry about this matter anymore."

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiong's bloated body suddenly became extremely agile. He bowed hurriedly and left immediately.

After Huang Xiong left, Xi Zhicai walked out from behind the screen.

He frowned slightly and shook his head, saying, "Although your plan is good, it's still a little off!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhe looked regretful and said, "I understand too, but the household tax, head tax, and tax on land have already been collected this year, so we can start with the land tax now!"

The Han Dynasty had quite a few different taxes. Besides household tax, head tax, calculation tax, and land tax, there was also a fodder tax, which levied three dan of fodder and two dan of fodder per hectare of land to raise horses for the imperial court.

Of course, when collecting taxes, they are usually converted into money.

也就是1石刍等于15钱，1石稾等于5钱，故每顷每年征收55钱。

In addition, every adult man and woman in the Han Dynasty had to "offer" sixty-three coins to the emperor every year to cover palace expenses. This was called the "offering fee"!
There are even various miscellaneous taxes such as vehicle and vessel tax, livestock tax, etc.

Therefore, it was extremely difficult for the common people to live a better life in the Han Dynasty.

However, Xi Zhicai laughed heartily upon hearing this and said, "Have you forgotten where we are?"

He pointed to his feet and said with a sly smile, "Although Daifang is bitterly cold, it also has its geographical advantages."

Wei Zhe was stunned at first when he heard him say that, then he suddenly realized, "Are you talking about the taxes on mountains, seas, ponds and lakes?"

Xi Zhicai nodded immediately after hearing this: "Yes!"

You must know that in the Han Dynasty, the mountains, forests, rivers and lakes all had owners, and even the sea had an owner.

This is what it means that all under heaven belongs to the king.

Therefore, taxes such as salt tax, iron tax, fishing rent and sea tax, and tax on fish harvest naturally came into being.

In short, all the "benefits of mountains and seas, livestock in vast lakes" and other "treasures of heaven and earth" belong to the Son of Heaven.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhe thought for a moment and found that this was indeed a good excuse.

After all, although this dynasty had salt officials and iron officials, it did not abolish the salt and iron state-run enterprises.

However, since the death of Emperor Guangwu, the policy of state-run salt and iron industries has been abolished.

Therefore, starting from Emperor Zhang, private individuals were allowed to engage in salt and iron business, but taxes were levied on them.

There is a mining tax for mining, a salt tax for boiling salt, and an iron tax for casting iron.

It can be said that the treatment enjoyed by the powerful people in the Han Dynasty was so good that even the landlords in the Tang and Song dynasties would drool.

So after Wei Zhe and Xi Zhicai had some discussion, another piece of news soon spread out of the county temple.

……

"Is this guy trying to buy an official position?"

In Tian's Valley in Yangqiu Township, Tian Wen pondered for a long time before he uttered such an exclamation.

His father, Tian Shao, couldn't figure it out at first, but after hearing this, he couldn't help but nod his head: "That should be the case."

After all, if it weren't for this reason, there would be no way to explain why Wei Zhe was so eager for quick success as soon as he took office.

If you think the land tax is too little, then you come and beg me? If you want to make money, you can just kneel down and act like a dog. Why bother to quibble over the taxes on mountains, seas, ponds and lakes?

But even though they understood, the expressions of Tian and his son did not improve at all.

Tian Wen said with a look of resignation, "I thought this guy would overestimate his own abilities and try to save the land, but I didn't expect he actually had some brains."

That’s right, the numbers reported by County Magistrate Huang Xiong were intentionally made by Tian Wen.

He knew that Wei Zhe would definitely be dissatisfied with this number, so he wanted to attract his attention to the fields.

Once Wei Zhe, ignorant of his own limitations, prepares to investigate the land holdings of the powerful people in Daifang County, Tian Wen will be confident that he will be killed.

Apart from anything else, in Tian Wen's calculations, the civil unrest plus the invasion of the Xianbei people would be enough to kill Wei Zhe eight times.

Not to mention the backlash caused by Wei Zhe's investigation into the land holdings of the powerful in Daifang County and the spread of the news to other counties in Lelang County.

But unexpectedly, Wei Zhe did not fall into the trap, but chose another place to start.

However, before Tian Wen could say anything else, Tian Shao, the old head of the Tian family, said decisively: "We can't let this person continue investigating!"

Tian Shao would rather Wei Zhe investigate the Tian family's land than investigate the taxes on mountains, seas, ponds and lakes.

After all, hiding the farmland can only provide more food, or we can just treat it as a drought this year.

But Tian’s salt fields and iron mines are not visible to the public.

Whether it was the people of the Three Han, the Huimok people, or even the Tian family of Goguryeo, they were all accepted.

As long as they can afford food and furs, Tian's salt and iron companies don't care about whether they are Han or Hu people.

Upon hearing this, Tian Wen gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, father. Leave this matter to me. I will make sure this guy never comes back!"
-
references:
Juyan Han Bamboo Slips

Book of Han, Book of the Later Han

(End of this chapter)