Chapter 20 Taxation

Household Minister Du Guangsheng turned his head and winked at Zhao Liting, the vice minister. Zhao Liting immediately stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I believe that these lands taken over by the imperial court should be distributed according to the number of people in each household. More people get more, and fewer people get less," Zhao Liting said.

Jiang Chen nodded slightly. Although this Zhao Liting was not a good person, he was capable enough.

However, he did not speak, but looked at Household Minister Du Guangsheng.

"Du Qing, what is your opinion?"

Du Guangsheng stood up and said, "I agree with Lord Zhao's statement, but I think that for each household, the land allocated to those under the age of sixteen should be halved."

Jiang Chen nodded: "You are right."

"In that case, follow Du Qing's plan and start distributing the land!"

In the hall, there was immediately a burst of cheers: "Your Majesty is wise!"

It's just that many ministers felt a little unbelievable in their hearts.

Too smooth!

Especially the six ministers, not only did they not have any relaxed expressions because of the smoothness of this matter, but they became more and more uneasy.

Unreasonable, too unreasonable!

After the ministers stood up, Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Gentlemen, now that the people have got the land again, I would like to discuss the issue of taxation."

Taxation?

Many ministers did not react for a while.

One second they were talking about distributing land, and the next they were talking about taxation?

What is the connection between these two things?

Household Minister Du Guangsheng frowned. Jiang Chen's jumping thinking made it difficult for him to keep up.

After thinking for a while, he winked at Zhao Liting again, signaling him to test the waters.

Zhao Liting didn't understand Jiang Chen's intention at all, but he had to bite the bullet and come out because his superior ordered him to. He said the idea that he had just thought of, without deep consideration.

"Does Your Majesty mean that the taxation of the people needs to be adjusted?"

Zhao Liting's idea coincided with that of most ministers.

After all, the imperial court distributed land to the people, which was a great favor.

It is very reasonable to collect more taxes.

Before the ministers could agree, someone said loudly: "Your Majesty, no!"

Yuan Buyi stepped out, looking indignant, and said, "Lord Zhao, the people have just been divided the land, not to mention that it will take a year to get a harvest."

"Just the seeds needed for farming are enough to empty their homes! Increasing taxes at this time is not giving them a way to survive?"

As he said that, Yuan Buyi knelt on the ground and advised Jiang Chen: "Your Majesty, the people have suffered for a long time, and taxes cannot be increased at will! Otherwise, the world may be in chaos!"

After Yuan Buyi finished speaking, the hall was silent.

All the ministers were observing Jiang Chen.

Household Minister Du Guangsheng was also secretly observing the change in Jiang Chen's expression, trying to read Jiang Chen's meaning from his expression.

But he was soon disappointed.

Jiang Chen was expressionless, as if he had not brought up the topic just now.

But after thinking about it, Du Guangsheng's eyes lit up.

No expression, doesn't that mean that the old fool Yuan Buyi didn't speak to His Majesty's heart?

What's more, the current Majesty is a extravagant person, who only changed his temperament because the Mei family was too domineering.

The so-called nature is hard to change, it is estimated that His Majesty's old problem has occurred again!

Thinking of this, Du Guangsheng had an answer in his heart.

He stepped out, turned his head to look at Yuan Buyi, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I think that Grand Tutor Yuan's words are absurd!"

Du Guangsheng immediately attracted the attention of the ministers by so clearly opposing Yuan Buyi's statement.

Du Guangsheng was a little proud in his heart, and then said: "Your Majesty, I think the tax should be increased!"

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the weather in Wei has been good, and there have been no disasters in various places. The people are self-sufficient and live in peace. How can they have suffered for a long time?"

"Since they live and work in peace, how can they empty their homes because of a little seed? Grand Tutor Yuan is a little alarmist!"

"Now Your Majesty is kind and has given the people a lot of land, which is something that even Yao and Shun could not do. This is the first wise ruler in ancient and modern times!"

"I believe the people can also think of this. Naturally, they will not have any objections to increasing taxes, so how can the world be in chaos?"

After refuting Yuan Buyi's statement, Du Guangsheng bowed to Jiang Chen with a flattering smile: "Therefore, I think there is no problem with Your Majesty's statement of increasing taxes!"

Du Guangsheng's words were immediately recognized by many ministers.

Several ministers looked at each other and stood up at the same time.

"We think that Lord Du's words are very true. Your Majesty has redistributed the land, and the grace of heaven is mighty. The people should naturally be grateful. It is only natural for the people to approve of a slight increase in taxes."

With the ministers taking the lead, most of the ministers suddenly realized.

So that's what His Majesty meant!

These ministers followed suit: "We agree with what Lord Du said!"

"You!"

Yuan Buyi was so angry that his beard and hair were all stretched out. He hurriedly said to Jiang Chen, "Your Majesty, no! The people..."

"Grand Tutor Yuan, don't be impatient."

Jiang Chen raised his hand and interrupted Yuan Buyi's words.

Yuan Buyi wanted to say more, but found that Jiang Chen winked at him, and Yuan Buyi immediately shut up.

Jiang Chen looked at the kneeling ministers and smiled.

"Gentlemen, when did I say that I was going to increase taxes on the people?"

"Huh?"

The kneeling ministers were all stunned.

Especially Du Guangsheng, the smile on his face froze.

He tried his best to look up, unable to believe what he had heard.

He had actually guessed His Majesty's intention wrong?

After calming down, Du Guangsheng couldn't help but ask, "Then what is the tax that Your Majesty is talking about..."

Jiang Chen did not answer directly, but talked about another matter.

"Half a month ago, when I was reading the local tax logs in Jinling, I found that the local gentry and wealthy merchants had not paid taxes for more than twenty years. Do you know about this?"

The ministers all fell silent.

Of course, everyone present knew about such a big thing.

In fact, most of the ministers present were members of it.

This was already an open secret.

Du Guangsheng's heart jumped.

His Majesty suddenly mentioned the tax issue of the gentry and wealthy merchants, could it be that he wants to make a fuss about this?

Jiang Chen continued: "I thought about it carefully at the time. It seems that Wei has not exempted the taxes of the gentry and wealthy merchants?"

"In order to prevent me from misremembering, after returning to the palace, I specially read through the decrees of Wei since its founding, and did not find this article, but there is an article on exemption from corvee."

Speaking of this, Jiang Chen looked at Du Guangsheng: "Du Qing, I'm not mistaken, am I?"

Now that the words were said here, how could Du Guangsheng not know what Jiang Chen meant?

This is to completely cut off the way for the gentry and wealthy merchants to annex the land again!

How could this be?

He was the first to disagree!