Rebirth of the best emperor

Chapter 709 You Don't Agree

Inexplicably, after Wang Mang said the words, the hall fell into silence for an instant, and everyone looked at Wang Mang, as if they were waiting for Wang Mang to ask questions.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Wang Mang suddenly thought that he had just arrived in this world, and had just boarded this position to participate in the first court meeting. At that time, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty talked to each other, and there was no room for Wang Mang to intervene. Without opening his mouth, all the ministers of civil and military affairs in the entire hall asked Wang Mang for money.

But now, with the passage of time, no one in the entire court dared to treat Wang Mang as nothing, and all the ministers had to look at Wang Mang's face and act carefully, carefully guessing Wang Mang's thoughts.

Is this the real emperor?
Lonely!

Wang Mang shook his head in his heart, then looked at Li Hong and said, "Tell me about the current financial situation of the imperial court?"

"Observe the order." Li Hong did not expect Wang Mang to be the first to call his name, and quickly congratulated him: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, the current financial situation of the imperial court is unprecedentedly good. We have had such good finances before, and this is all due to His Majesty's wisdom and martial arts."

"Really? But there is still arrears of salaries for officials?" Wang Mang said.

"No more." Li Hongdao: "Due to the abundant finances of the imperial court, I have paid the full amount of 2508 million taels of silver that the imperial court owed to hundreds of officials over the years. Everyone is grateful to His Majesty. With tears in my eyes, I thank Your Majesty for your grace."

"Hehe." Wang Mang sneered coldly, and said, "Kow to thank God? When you get the money, you kowtow to God, and when you don't get the money, do you point at Sang and scold Huai?"

Li Hong was so frightened that he knelt down on the ground and said very carefully: "In the past, there were indeed some disharmonious voices about the arrears of salaries to officials, but they were basically directed at ministers and the household department. It is no exception when it comes to money, all the officials say that His Majesty is wise and powerful, but the ministers and the household department are all a bunch of useless materials."

Wang Mang stretched out his hand to support Li Hong, and Li Hong stood up involuntarily. He looked at Wang Mang in horror, wondering why he stood up, and then stood there in a daze, not daring to move.

Wang Mang looked at Li Hong's incompetent look, and said, "How much money does the court still have?"

"There are 800 million taels of gold in the warehouse, 8808 million taels of silver, 99 million carts of grain and grass, and 6606 million taels of silver in other goods." Li Hong said a number that he still doesn't quite believe. , This is a wealth that Li Hong has never seen since he became the Minister of the Household Department. Li Hong never even dreamed that he would be able to manage so much wealth one day. This all happened during this period of time. Li Hong felt that As if he was dreaming, Li Hong couldn't understand how the emperor, who was clearly militaristic, had accumulated so much wealth in such a short period of time.

"Why do you leave so much money in the warehouse?" Wang Mang looked at the officials and asked, "Don't you have any projects that need money? Just look at the household department saving so much money for no use?"

this……

The ministers stared blankly at Wang Mang. The officials of the Qin State were all accustomed to being poor. With the strength of the Great Qin State, when they made their budgets, they only considered how to spend 20 to 100 silver, and they didn’t even consider how to spend [-] million silver. Hua, now there are inexplicably tens of millions of taels in the national treasury. They don't know what to do, they just spend the money according to the previous steps, but no matter how they spend it, they can't catch up with the treasury's accumulation of wealth.

Wang Mang quickly understood the situation from the whispers of some officials, and said, "It turns out that they are all those who don't know how to spend money. Li Hong, let me ask you, how much is Daqin's annual agricultural tax?"

"Last year, we collected 330 million taels, and this year we have already collected 220 million taels. We will probably be able to collect another one million taels in the future. Daqin's land is barren, so we can't collect any agricultural taxes." Li Hong is an old treasurer. All taxes are kept in mind.

"It's only 300 million taels a year." Wang Mang shook his head, looked at Li Hong and said, "Li Hong, do you think such a small amount of money is meaningful for the current state treasury?"

Li Hong really wanted to say that very few would pile up, and piles of sand would form a tower, but when he thought of the mountains of gold and silver in the treasury, the inexhaustible food, and the treasures that kept coming in, he finally had to honestly say: "Yes. In terms of the current national treasury, although several million taels of silver is not small, it is indeed not too much."

"Yes, not too much." Wang Mang said: "Agriculture is the foundation of all industries. If agriculture is not developed, the people will not have enough to eat. Naturally, if the people cannot eat enough, they will not do other things. Our land in Daqin is barren and has always been It is not a big agricultural country, and the annual production is enough for the people to eat. In order to maintain the operation of the court, the farmers of Daqin have suffered a lot these years, do you think so?"

"Your Majesty is wise. The peasants are indeed very fortunate. After a year of busy work, they can only eat their own food in the end. It really makes us meat eaters feel guilty."

"Farmers are indeed suffering, but there is nothing to do about it. Not only is the land barren in my Daqin, but even the mining and handicrafts have nothing to do with it. These years, the imperial court does not expect these peasants to pay agricultural taxes. The imperial court has long been unable to continue. , This is what our imperial court owes the peasants, but my Daqin can't change the overall economic status quo in one day, so it can only go on like this."

"Actually, it's not just my farmers in Daqin who are suffering. Farmers from all over the world don't have a good life. Who makes the mainland fight for years and everyone is short of food?"

Zhang Jian glanced at the chattering ministers, then at Wang Mang, stepped out and bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you suddenly mentioned the farmer. You must have something to announce, right?"

"That's right." Wang Mang glanced at Zhang Jian indifferently, then looked at the officials and said, "My Great Qin's land is barren, and the land does not produce much, but our Great Qin has a large population and a lot of wars. The annual consumption of food and grass is a large number. And this is a further vicious circle, which makes the land of our Great Qin even more barren. I heard that the big countries in the Central Plains outside the Guan have a land fallow system, but my Great Qin does not. What is the reason for this? It is because the land of my Great Qin is not enough. If it falls fallow again, my Daqin will starve to death countless times, so I can only bury my head in farming. I know that 100 years ago, my Daqin's land could produce 150 catties of grain per mu, but now it only has [-] catties. The biggest reason is that the land is now more infertile than before."

After a pause, Wang Mang continued: "Since I succeeded to the throne, I have always wanted to reward farming, but because my Daqin foundation is too weak, there has been no good way. Now my Daqin treasury is abundant. As far as the court is concerned, it will not be worth it for several years. The court can continue to operate even if it collects agricultural taxes, so I plan to reward farming with tax cuts, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty is wise." Zhang Jian first praised Wang Mang, and then said, "I don't know how Your Majesty plans to reduce taxes?"

"How about cutting taxes for three years first?" Wang Mang said.

"Tax reduction for three years is of course possible." Zhang Jian said: "It's just that there is a folk saying that raw rice favors rice hatred. Now His Majesty has ordered a three-year reduction of agricultural tax. What about after three years? After three years, it will not be reduced. If it is not reduced , I am afraid that the people will feel resentment."

"You don't agree with the tax reduction?" Wang Mang said, "I remember that your family is a famous landlord in Daqin. If the tax reduction is true, I'm afraid your family will benefit a lot, right?"

"Your Majesty, I am dedicated to the public, and I have no selfishness at all." Zhang Jianlang said: "From the perspective of selfishness, I must be one of a hundred people who are willing to reduce taxes. If nothing else, I am afraid that the family of the minister will have a high income every year." The income of ten thousand taels of silver, but as far as Yu Gong is concerned, this matter is very inappropriate."

"Can you tell me a way?" Wang Mang looked at Zhang Jian with a flat face, but he wanted to see what the veteran of the three dynasties would give him.

"Your Majesty." Zhang Jiangong said: "Since it is a reward for farming, I think the reward should be the main thing. We can formulate a regulation and write the reward content on it, such as the amount of silver that can be rewarded for the invention of new farm tools. The tax will not be reduced, and the tax will be reduced." Part of it is used to reward people, so that the people are happy, the court is righteous, and there is no need to worry about the story of Sheng Mi's kindness and Mi's hatred in a few years."

Ginger is still old and spicy!
Wang Mang had to admit that Zhang Jian's proposal was much better than his own violent tax cuts. Just as Zhang Jian worried, if the tax is reduced now, if the tax is added back in a few years, will the people really resent it? None?If there is resentment in the hearts of the people, then the money is not only spent in vain, but also forced to spend money to raise enemies for themselves.

"Shangyang is here!"

At this moment, Deng Fang, who was guarding the main entrance of the hall, shouted loudly.

Shang Yang, Wang Mang's most trusted reform minister, Wang Mang is not in Chang'an these days, and Shang Yang is in Chang'an to make the various laws and regulations that have been implemented very popular. Many people in Chang'an admire Shang Yang.

This time Wang Mang came back from Yunzhong City, and when he came back suddenly, when Wang Laoshi ordered to summon a group of ministers, Shang Yang was leading people to Hedong to inspect the effect of the reform, so he couldn't catch up with Wang Jingyao's excitement, but Shang Yang was also in When I got the news, I rushed back immediately, and I rushed back at this time.

Shang Yang plunged into the main hall, walked quickly to the front of the hall, kowtowed three times and bowed nine times to the ground and said in a loud voice: "Minister Shang Yang sees Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live, Your Majesty!"

"Get up." Wang Mang said.

Shang Yang didn't get up, and said again: "I am late to save you, I am guilty, please be punished by Your Majesty."

"This matter has nothing to do with you, I forgive you for your innocence." Wang Mang said.

"The decree must be strictly abided by the emperor's relatives and relatives, and down to the common people. You can't exonerate the minister's guilt just because you have won the trust of your majesty. If you can't convince the people, the central government is entrusted by your majesty to protect Chang'an. Now It turned out that there was chaos in Chang'an, and this serious crime should be punished according to the law." Shang Yang bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, please punish the minister's crime."

Many people in the hall looked at Shang Yang kneeling there with cold eyes. They hated Shang Yang. If those who came late like Shang Yang were punished, then how could they just sit on the wall while watching? Isn't it all going to prison, it's unreasonable!
Wang Mang felt helpless in the face of Shang Yang's stupid and straightforward nature. Seeing Shang Yang looking at him sincerely, making it clear that he would not get up if he didn't punish him, Wang Mang finally said helplessly: "I will punish you for half a year." .”

"Thank you, Lord Long En." Only then did Shang Yang stand up.

Zhang Jian glanced at Shang Yang, knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, the officials in the palace were threatened by the rebel Wang Jingyao before and dared not speak out. Although they did not rebel, they were guilty. Although Your Majesty forgave the ministers, the ministers could not forgive you." Myself, now inspired by Lord Shang Yang, the ministers are willing to punish me for half a year, and I implore Your Majesty to allow it."

"The ministers are willing to punish you for half a year, please Your Majesty for permission."

The officials' eyes lit up, and they all knelt down on the ground in unison. They were always worried that Wang Mang would turn over their backs for not resisting Wang Jingyao. Now if they can get rid of this matter with half a year's fine, they will make a lot of money. sent.

Seeing all the ministers kneeling on the ground sincerely begging him to be fined for half a year, Wang Mang was almost laughed out of anger. Finally, he glanced at the ministers coldly and said, "So, it's up to you!"

"I thank the Lord for your kindness, long live Your Majesty!" The ministers kowtowed to Wang Mang beamingly.

The scene in front of me, I am afraid that no one will believe it. Many ministers of the Great Qin Dynasty in the whole hall are happy to be fined. Shang Yang looked at Zhang Jian expressionlessly, and Zhang Jian also looked at Shang with an expressionless expression Central, only two people understand that the scene just now was actually a tacit cooperation and fight between the two.

Wang Mang clearly saw the small actions between Zhang Jian and Shang Yang, and knew in his heart that many things might have happened between the two when he left Beijing, and after he retired from the court, he would ask people to inquire about it. , don't get yourself into any trouble.

Wang Mang just turned around in his mind, then looked at Shang Yang and asked: "Shang Yang, you came just in time. I am discussing with the ministers how to reward farming. What do you think of this matter?"

Immediately, an official repeated Wang Mang's words and Zhang Jian's point of view to Shang Yang. Shang Yang rolled his eyes and said in a respectful voice: "I think that your Majesty's compassion for farmers can show the sun and the moon, and the world will be moved by your majesty's kindness." , Your Majesty is able to consider this for the common people, it is simply the blessing of our Daqin people who have cultivated for ten thousand generations."

By changing the topic, Shang Yang said again: "It's just that Mr. Zhang Jian is right. Shengmi is kind to fight against Miqiu. Your Majesty is the heart of the people. He knows and understands, but if the agricultural tax cannot be exempted forever, the farmers The gratitude to the imperial court will be much less."

"In fact, it's not just that." Zhang Han came out and said: "Your Majesty, I have been working in the local area, and I deal with the people most. I admit that most of the people are good, but there are always exceptions when there are too many people. Those who like to stir up trouble, as local officials, to govern the people, you can’t only have good or evil, you need to reward good and punish evil, hold a stick in one hand, and honey in the other, balancing the relationship between the two hands, so In order to be able to manage the people with ease, and now for many local officials, the agricultural tax is a great weapon for them to govern the region. If this sharp weapon is taken away from the officials, the officials will not have the power to govern the people. Great, without this method, it would be difficult for them to do a lot of work, such as labor. In the past, the government could collect labor and let the people who were confiscated build water conservancy and roads. Now there is no agricultural tax, and the government still wants to collect it for nothing Labor is ten thousand times more difficult, after all, for the majority of the common people, it is everyone who cleans the door and does not care about the frost on others."

"This is the limitation of Min." Zhang Jian said: "This limitation is almost unsolvable under the current situation."

"So you don't agree with my idea?" Wang Mang glanced at the officials indifferently, but the officials bowed their heads and dared not speak.

(End of this chapter)