The elite did not migrate south

Can Chapter 726 be achieved?
The so-called equalization of land tax is actually very simple.

That is to set the head tax for a certain year, and then distribute this head tax evenly among the land tax, and no longer collect head tax.

As a result, the pressure on the powerful families will increase because they will have to pay more grain.

If you dare to do this, you will risk offending the powerful families in the world. After Yongzheng completed this system, he was hated by the landlords and powerful people for his whole life. Until later generations, his image among the people was often that of a tyrannical villain.

However, his not very promising son has a great reputation.

However, Cao Mao did not care about this so-called reputation.

His reputation has long been ruined.

After implementing so many policies that were unfavorable to the big families, his reputation had long been ruined.

Not to mention that those scholars all have opinions about themselves.

Cao Mao could imagine that in many literary works, he was probably portrayed as a tyrant like the First Emperor.

You never know, there might be a scene where a female hero comes and kills Cao Mao.

His previous policies had already completely offended the powerful families. Since he had already offended them, why was he afraid of offending them even more thoroughly?
Originally, Cao Mao wanted to do this after settling the refugees from all over the country and completing the initial construction.

But since Zhong Hui took the initiative to bring up the issue of taxation, Cao Mao also wanted to talk to him about it.

"Shi Ji, if I now order the abolition of the poll tax, what will happen?"

Zhong Hui pondered for a moment before saying, "If Your Majesty abolishes the poll tax, the people of the world will undoubtedly be overjoyed. They will deeply respect and love Your Majesty. Within thirty years, the world's population will likely return to that of the Later Han Dynasty. Within fifty years, it will surpass that of the Later Han Dynasty. As for a hundred years, I cannot even imagine it."

Cao Mao threw his head back and laughed.

"That's what I want to say. Since it can bring such great benefits to the court, why not do it?"

Zhong Hui added, "Your Majesty, not to mention the benefits, without the head tax, the court's revenue will be reduced by more than half."

"Especially now that Your Majesty has exempted the land taxes in Shu and Wu."

"If Your Majesty decrees the abolition of the head tax today, the treasury will be empty this year and taxes will have to be increased next year."

Cao Mao sighed, "In the end, we still have to raise taxes. The land tax is already very high. If we increase it further, how can the people bear it?"

Zhong Hui subconsciously wanted to nod.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning flashed through his mind.

Cao Mao's words made him think of something instantly.

Looking at the dazed Zhong Hui, Cao Mao hurriedly called out, "Shi Ji?"

Zhong Hui quickly looked at Cao Mao, "Your Majesty! If this is added to the land tax, the people can afford it!"

"Your Majesty, by abolishing the poll tax, the pressure on the people has been greatly reduced. The people do not own much land, so even if the land tax increases, it will not have much impact on them."

"No matter how much more Your Majesty adds, it will not exceed the total of the previous land tax and head tax."

"On the contrary, it is those large clans that occupy so much arable land. If the land tax rate is increased."

Zhong Hui suddenly laughed, "How long has your Majesty been wanting to do this?"

Cao Mao knew that he couldn't hide it from this guy.

He chuckled and said, "A long time ago, probably. When I was young, I went out once and learned a lot. I remembered this at that time."

"I've been thinking about this for a long time. When I was in Yuancheng, I saw many people abandoning their own children. I felt very sad, and I was thinking about how to abolish the head tax."

"Would it be more appropriate if we decided not to increase the poll tax this year, and then spread the tax evenly among the land taxes, reducing them in turn?"

Zhong Hui was really attracted by Cao Mao's ideas.

At this moment, the two began a heated conversation.

Because the backgrounds and policies of the two eras are different, if it is to be implemented, people like Zhong Hui are still needed to first calculate whether it can be successful.

The two chatted very enthusiastically. Cao Mao did not hide anything and told Zhong Hui almost everything he knew, in great detail.

Zhong Hui kept adding to his remarks, and at the end, the look in his eyes when he looked at Cao Mao became more and more fiery.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we don't even need descendants. We can create a prosperous era in this lifetime!"

"The reason why the governance of the current Wei Dynasty is slow is because of the lack of manpower. If what Your Majesty said can really be promoted, coupled with the land reward order allowing the people to own farmland..."

Zhong Hui's whole body began to tremble, and he could hardly hide his inner excitement.

"Your Majesty!! Please do this as soon as possible!!"

After seeing Zhong Hui off, Cao Mao returned to Xitang.

Zhong Hui was very anxious. If it were handed over to him, he would want to start carrying out the task tomorrow.

But Cao Mao was much more calm. The greater the impact of a policy, the more calmly he had to think about it.

There can't be any mistakes.

We must not underestimate these big families today. They have many tricks up their sleeves, and you never know what methods they will use to evade or transfer pressure.

After Zhang Hua left the palace, he took Lu Kang back to his own residence.

Zhang Zai and his brother had been waiting here for a long time.

They also brought a heavyweight guest on this trip, and that person was Ruan Ji.

Ruan Ji was also one of Cao Mao's imperial guards.

Seeing this person coming, neither of them dared to sit down easily.

After a few people sat down, Zhang Hua quickly asked his disciples to prepare food and drinks and started chatting with them.

They discussed the two policies being drafted today. Zhang Hua said, "I see that Your Majesty attaches great importance to the affairs of Shazhou and is sending envoys to the countries outside Shazhou to reopen the roads. I strongly agree with Your Majesty's idea."

"Emperor Wen was not very willing to send envoys to or from the Western Regions before."

"He felt that it was the small countries that should send envoys, and there was no reason for the big countries to take the initiative to send envoys."

"Even the Han Dynasty did this, so I don't know why Emperor Wen refused."

Several people started chatting lively, and Ruan Ji couldn't help but look at them a few more times.

Since the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove were forcibly dispersed by the emperor, they each had a different fate.

Except for Liu Ling who was still living a secluded life outside, the rest of them were already in official careers.

Ji Kang was at the Chongwenguan, gathering some literati all day long to write poetry and so on.

Shan Tao was the most powerful. He was already serving as a minister in the Shangshu department, and the next step up would be the Shangshu department.

A little below Xiang Xiu, he served as a writer.

As for Ruan Ji, he had neither made any progress nor regressed in these days, and was just muddling through as a Sanqi.

Just when everyone was happily discussing, there was suddenly a noise outside.

Then I heard someone shouting something, which immediately ruined the atmosphere in the room.

Even Zhang Hua couldn't help but frown at this moment.

Just as Zhang Hua was about to go out to ask, the door was suddenly pushed open and a tall guy rushed in, looking at everyone.

Seeing this person, Zhang Hua sighed inwardly.

That’s right, the person who came was Zhong Hui.

Although reluctant, several people still bowed to Zhong Hui.

The servant stood behind Zhong Hui with a look of grievance on his face. He really couldn't stop him! !

Zhang Hua knew that this guy was here to cause trouble.

Zhong Hui looked at these people, walked to their side very naturally, and then sat down directly next to Zhang Hua. He squeezed Zhang Hua again, and Zhang Hua moved aside and let him sit in the host seat.

Zhong Hui looked at everyone and said, "I have something very important to discuss with you two."

"what?"

Zhang Hua was stunned.

Lu Kang was also a little hesitant.

Zhong Hui looked at Ruan Ji and said with a smile, "I didn't know you were here. Please don't spread the important matter we discussed today."

Hearing this, Ruan Ji was very angry. He immediately stood up, waved his sleeves, turned around and left.

But Zhong Hui did not chase him, but just sat in his seat calmly.

Zhang Hua stood up and hurriedly caught up with Ruan Ji, apologized in various ways, and then sent him out of the mansion.

After Zhang Hua came back, Zhong Hui looked at the second Zhang again.

When he saw Zhang Zai, Zhong Hui subconsciously leaned back.

"Who are you?"

"Imperial College student Zhang Zai pays his respects to Minister Zhong!"

"Oh, Zhang Shou's son?"

Zhong Hui waved his hand and said, "You two will stay here and serve!"

"only!!"

Zhong Hui looked at the two people beside him and said seriously, "Originally, I didn't want to look for you, but today His Majesty told me about an important matter. I can accomplish this task alone, but if someone helps, it will be much smoother."

"Although you two are not as good as me, you are still considered sages in the temple."

"I need both of you to help me complete this task."

After Zhong Hui finished speaking, Zhang Hua and Lu Kang looked at each other, both of them were very surprised.

What kind of thing could make Zhong Hui come to ask these two for help?
Is this some bad thing? The kind that will be despised by future generations?

Zhong Hui continued, "This matter has not yet been confirmed. I am only thinking about it, so I cannot reveal it. I just drove Ruan Gong away because he had too many famous friends."

Zhang Hua glanced at Zhang Zai. So he was able to stay because he had no famous friends?
Why do you think he has no friends?

"So, you guys can't leak it!"

After getting the consent of several people, Zhong Hui slowly talked about the important matter of equalizing the land tax and the tax rate that Cao Mao had mentioned to him.

Zhong Hui spoke faster and faster, and the two people beside him became more and more shocked as they listened.

When Zhong Hui finished expressing all his thoughts, Zhang Hua stood up first.

"Good!! Great good!!"

“I think it can be implemented!!”

Lu Kang still seemed a little hesitant.

Zhong Hui glanced at him and asked with a sneer, "Why, Lord Lu, are you worried that your family will pay too much land tax?"

Lu Kang said, "I was just wondering, if it's to be shared equally, how should it be shared? Mr. Zhong just said it should be shared according to the amount of cultivated land, and then he said it could be shared according to grain production. I'm afraid that after all this sharing, the burden will end up being on the poor people."

(End of this chapter)