The old east wind comes to dream

Chapter 121 The new strategy first appeared, to Jun Yao and Shun

The imperial examination system in Dazhao was established by Tai/Zu on the basis of the previous dynasty and after modification.When the country was first established, the Central Plains suffered from wars and the torment of the former emperor, and the court urgently needed to add clean and capable officials.In addition, in order to compete with the aristocratic families, Tai/Zu simplified the imperial examinations, eliminating the need for the county and government examinations and the courtyard examination process, making it easier and faster for children from poor families to enter official positions.

Therefore, when April comes, the children who have passed the county examination in each county will gather at the location of the government office in each prefecture, and begin to usher in the second big examination on the road to the imperial examination—the government examination.

If you pass the government examination, you are considered a scholar in Dazhao.Those who are scholars will have fame. When they see county magistrates, they don't have to kneel and worship.

But before the government test, there is another important test to take.In March every year, each government will organize an official selection evaluation.Therefore, those children who have passed the county examination and have reached the age of sixteen, and think that their talents and learning are average, and they are satisfied with the post of clerk, will go to the official selection examination to try their luck before taking the government examination.Therefore, the first half of the year, from February to April, is the busiest time for academic officials in various governments.

At the beginning of March, due to the previous decree, women were also allowed to participate in the official selection examination this time, and the number of applicants also increased significantly, especially in places in the northern border where there were many female officials, the enthusiasm of women to participate in the examination was even higher.Governments of various governments wrote letters one after another, requesting the imperial court to allocate money and allocate manpower to deal with this situation which was completely different from previous years.

For this reason, Tan Sixian, the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, showed the same bachelor disposition as the old Shangshu Ma Guangyao, and opened his mouth with two words: "No money."

With his appearance, Emperor Tianshun, who was becoming more and more lazy in the court hall, laughed angrily.

Half propped up from the dragon chair, Emperor Tianshun raised his eyebrows and said with a sneer, "Nonsense!" He looked at Tan Sixian again, and lazily said, "You need your household department to find a way if you don't have money! You, Tan Sixian, go here with a pestle." , There is no money when you open your mouth, what's the matter, your account department is just a bunch of bookkeepers who don't even think of ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure?"

Tan Sixian's face turned red, and he argued, "I dare not. It's just that your Majesty, there were many wars last year, and the treasury spent countless taels of silver. This year's tax money has not yet been collected and put into the treasury. The treasury is really out of money now. "

In his words was the word "no money" again, and he didn't mention the solution that Emperor Tianshun asked him to think of. As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a little guilty.He coughed lightly and added: "If the tax system does not change, the Ministry of Household Affairs will indeed not be able to collect money."

Emperor Tianshun straightened up, his eyes were a bit muddy, and his eyes were bare. "How to change it, have you thought it through?" He asked Tan Sixian again, "Is it too late to hold Buddha's feet temporarily?"

Tan Sixian didn't dare to argue any more, fell to his knees with a plop, and sighed: "I'm incompetent."

Emperor Tianshun sneered, "You are incompetent, but fortunately my prince is not incompetent." Looking at Gu Zizhan who was sitting obediently by the side, Emperor Tianshun asked her: "Prince, although Tan Sixian is stupid, but fortunately he is still loyal and brave. , you can help him."

Gu Zizhan was taken aback for a moment, he didn't expect that he, who was watching a play, would be called by his name suddenly.Why are the original melon-eating crowd suddenly about to be dragged onto the stage?Moreover, listening to Emperor Tianshun's tone, it seems that the parents are dragging their children to a talent show in front of others?

Tan Sixian was a member of Emperor Tianshun. Although he was close to Ma Guangyao, who was born under Taifu Chu's family, his position had always been that of the imperial party.So when Emperor Tianshun questioned him, Gu Zizhan only thought that Emperor Tianshun was pulling his subordinates to dig holes for others.But it never occurred to her that this hole was dug for her.

Fortunately, she had made preparations for this early in the morning, and when she was questioned temporarily, she happened to speak out in public at this great court meeting that she had originally planned to have a detailed discussion with Emperor Tianshun in private.

After encouraging Tan Sixian a few words, Gu Zizhan began to talk about his own thoughts. "I Dazhao's current tax system is extremely detailed, but looking at the overall situation, most of the burden is still on the people."

"Among the common people, the burden of farmers is the heaviest. Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and scholars are not taxed. The tax on labor is low, let alone merchants. Therefore, agriculture has become the main source of various taxes. I know that there are many peasant households, but the income of the peasant households is all dependent on the sky. If a famine occurs and the people are too busy to take care of themselves, how can they have the spare energy to pay taxes to the court? What's more, the tax is still collected according to the population. Most of the big families have hidden Regarding the matter of population, although we have checked several times before, the results are not immediate. Therefore, in Gu’s opinion, if we want to open up sources of income, we should start with other types of people.”

As soon as she said this, there was a commotion among the officials in the hall.

What do you mean, is it possible that His Highness the crown prince still wants to dig money from them?

Sure enough, Gu Zizhan's next words made them turn pale with shock.

"You are all the talents of my Dazhao. It is only natural for you to contribute to the affairs of the country and receive the imperial salary. But then again, apart from the important status of officials, you are also the people of Dazhao. You live in Dazhao and enjoy the court. The stable life under operation should also provide some protection for this stability."

After Gu Zizhan said this, the officials in the hall couldn't bear it anymore.Some younger ones even shouted loudly that the ancestral system is like this, trying to make the young crown prince admit defeat under the banner of the ancestral system.

Even Emperor Tianshun didn't expect to cast a questioning look at Gu Zizhan.

Gu Zizhan waited for the noise of the people in the hall to subside before opening his mouth again: "Of course I know the ancestral system, and I also know the salary of the people today. To be honest, it is not too much. Even some families with a large number of people rely on the salary , and the days are very tight."

There was a hustle and bustle among the crowd, but then they became heartbroken again.You know, to make us pay taxes?Is the crown prince out of his mind, playing tricks?

Gu Zizhan laughed, "So, everyone, don't be in a hurry to object. Before this, I have already planned to speak to the emperor, and I will give you your salary, and then mention it."

Emperor Tianshun didn't hold back, and let out a "Huh?"

Gu Zizhan winked at him, indicating that he still has other options, and then continued: "After the salary is raised, the Ministry of Households does not need to pay the salary at the end of the year, but once a quarter instead. Every time it is paid, the government will be deducted from it according to the rate. Taxes. In short, no money will be taken from your pockets. In addition, I can guarantee that if this case is implemented, the salaries you will receive this year will not be less than in previous years."

Seeing that everyone was still full of doubts, Gu Zizhan came to a conclusion, "Officials come first to the people, and this matter is also to set an example for all people. If the court does not express itself, how can it be decent, and then collect taxes from merchants and so on?" ?”

The first half of her sentence was nonsense to everyone's ears.But the meaning conveyed in the second half of the sentence made the courtiers concentrate again.

Gu Zizhan glanced at the expressions of the people in the lower hall, and said loudly: "All counties and counties have re-established case books to register the names and names of merchants within their jurisdiction. Those who have not registered with the Yamen will not be allowed to open shops. After that, the solitary association will formally come up with a detailed plan , pay business tax according to the tax system. If there are hidden persons, they will be severely punished. For prefectures and counties that complete registration and tax collection first, the local yamen can keep part of it as an encouragement."

In a few words, Gu Zizhan directed the main point of criticism to the merchant.These court officials have always looked down on those merchants' families, but they are making a lot of money. In some wealthy places, officials have to rely on the local wealthy households.Now hearing that the crown prince put the tax on the merchants and allowed the prefectures and counties to collect it themselves, I feel relieved and at the same time there is money to make.

As a result, the tax reform was largely passed.

It's just that they didn't expect that what Gu Zizhan said today would be easy, and after it was actually implemented, there would be a set of strict laws and regulations, which would wipe out all those who had deluded ideas among them.

Commercial tax is only a small part of it.

But all in all, the talent show that Emperor Tianshun temporarily pulled Gu Zizhan out was still well completed by her.

Emperor Tianshun looked at her with more satisfaction.What he cared more about was actually what Gu Zizhan mentioned at the beginning, the matter of officials paying taxes.No matter how much money the officials got this time, as long as this matter becomes a decision, then when it is actually implemented in the future, there will be another standard for evaluating officials.He even thought of what Gu Zizhan hadn't said - property declaration.

In this way, it can be linked with the purge of officials.

This matter has been disturbed for a while, and the main hall finally returned to calm.

Just when the courtiers thought that the emperor would announce his retirement, Emperor Tianshun sat up straight suddenly.He raised his right hand slightly, and immediately, the chattering voices below were completely dissipated.

Emperor Tianshun erected his majesty, and glanced at the officials who were kneeling or standing below.

After a while, he slowly said, "The East Palace is becoming more and more stable, and I am very happy."

Li Ruoyu hurriedly made a tune at the side, and all the officials hurriedly knelt down and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise! Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise!"

Gu Zizhan also knelt down and yelled the first half of the sentence, but swallowed the second half after all out of embarrassment.

Emperor Tianshun was very satisfied with everyone's reaction.After a pause, he said again: "This is the blessing of the heavens, and the blessing of the ancestors."

The people below shouted again: "Your Majesty is holy!"

Emperor Tianshun nodded, his tone was a little brisk, and seemed to be joyful.

"As I'm getting older, I'm not in control of many state affairs, and I rely heavily on the crown prince."

The voice below hesitated slightly, and some people quietly raised their eyes to look at Li Ruoyu.Seeing that he started to tune again, he quickly picked up. "Your Majesty is holy!"

Gu Zizhan had a bad premonition in his heart.

Emperor Tianshun's tone became more brisk, as if he had lifted a heavy stone from his shoulders. "Therefore, I decided to pass on to the Crown Prince, abdicate as the Supreme Emperor, and take care of myself for the rest of my life."

Everyone: "Your Majesty—"

The courtiers subconsciously wanted to continue calling Shengming, but suddenly realized something was wrong, and their voices became chaotic.

The Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry was the first to shout: "Your Majesty, please think twice!" Immediately, everyone who came to their senses also kowtowed, asking Emperor Tianshun to think twice.

Gu Zizhan didn't even think about it, and shouted: "Father, don't—"

He lowered his head again, "Father, please think twice! The qualifications of the minister are dull, without the help of the father, it is impossible to take on such a big job!"

Emperor Tianshun stretched out his hand to her, with kind eyes, and said to her softly: "My son, don't underestimate yourself. Besides, father will not help you."

"Be obedient, and take care of your father's worries!"

At this time, Emperor Tianshun looked at Gu Zizhan with distant eyes, as if he saw someone else through her. "You and I are father and son, don't separate again."

The word "Zai" was heard by Gu Zizhan, which made her nose sore and almost shed tears.