Originally, Song Wenyi was still wondering what the emperor meant when he said that tenants were not allowed to be treated harshly, but after hearing what Wang Cheng said, he immediately understood.
You should know that the current taxation in the Ming Dynasty is mainly land tax, but the specific number of land tax varies.
Acres of land in various places can be roughly divided into different types such as military land, civilian land, and official land. Different acres of land have different yields and different taxes depending on the region.
Among them, the highest taxes are in the Susong area. The reasons for this are complicated, and there are different opinions among the people. Many people believe that when Emperor Taizu attacked the Jiangnan area, the local people relied on Zhang Shicheng, so after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, they began to treat Susong.
Song area is subject to heavy taxes.
This statement cannot be said to be completely false, but it is not comprehensive. Putting aside subjective factors, since the Tang Dynasty, due to various reasons, the south has been relatively stable and the economy has developed rapidly. Specifically, farmland reclamation has
The number has increased significantly. At the same time, the climate in the south is relatively suitable, and the yield per acre is higher.
Relatively speaking, wars are frequent in the north. Coupled with climate change, the output continues to decrease. In addition, the closer to the north, the closer to the border. Even in times of peace, border disturbances often occur. This has led to the situation of the people in the north.
The environment we are facing is even worse, and farming is extremely dependent on the environment. Once we miss the farming season, the next year's harvest will be greatly reduced.
With this increase and decrease, the imperial court had no choice but to impose heavy taxes on the south.
Generally speaking, the tax rate in Susong area is between five to eight dou for civilian fields, and the official land is heavier, between six to one stone. This tax rate accounts for between 20% and 40% of the harvest.
It can't be said to be unimportant.
However, if you look purely in terms of quantity, even for official land with the heaviest taxes, after paying the land tax, you can still have about two dan of grain left. However, if you are in the north, although the land tax paid is relatively low, only two dan.
However, due to various reasons, they actually had less than two dan left over each year.
What the court has to consider, in addition to how to collect taxes, is to maintain local stability and keep the people alive.
After all, taxation on acres of land, whether it is official land, military land or civilian land, is inevitable.
However, ordinary people who really farm do not necessarily have their own land. If they are tenants who rent land from a landlord, then in addition to paying land tax to the court, they also have to pay land rent to the landlord. When added up, it really becomes
What can fall into the hands of tenants is actually only about 20 to 30 percent.
Of course, this is talking about the largest number of landowners with only a small amount of wealth, not the country gentry.
Most of the so-called squires are landowners with a good reputation in their families. According to regulations, the acres of land under the names of these people are exempt from land tax.
From this perspective, the emperor's current imperial palace actually exists like this.
The fields in the imperial village belong to the emperor's private land, so there is no need to pay taxes. You only need to pay land rent to the emperor, a big landowner.
What really surprised Song Wenyi was what Wang Cheng just said about the method of managing Huangzhuang.
You should know that most squires do not have to pay land taxes, but this does not mean that the land taxes originally collected by the court will not be collected. On the contrary, they will add these land taxes to the land rent and collect them in their own pockets.
Therefore, for the tenants at the lowest level, what they want most is always to own their own land.
Because only if you own land, you can only pay the court's land tax.
Although the court imposes heavy taxes in some places, the people's land is only eight dou at most, which is about 20% of the annual harvest, and the remaining 80% belongs to you.
However, if you work as a tenant for others, then no matter how much the court's land tax is, in the end it will only fall into their hands, which is a pitiful 20%, which is barely enough to make ends meet.
This sounds cruel to say, but it is the truth.
Moreover, this is the case in every place. Song Wenyi's own farm also charges 80% of the rent, but the actual amount that can be collected every year is only about 60%.
That's why Song Wenyi was so surprised.
According to Wang Cheng, the land rent in Huangzhuang is twice the official land tax, which is about 60% to 70% of the output of the land. This is a very normal land rent ratio.
However, this ratio is not the same every year, but is reduced by half a bushel every year. Calculated according to this ratio, if a tenant cultivates the land for Huangzhuang for five to ten years, his land rent can be reduced to the same as official land.
If we farm continuously for ten to fifteen years, then the tax will drop to the same level as the tax on private land, which actually means that these acres of land are actually owned by these tenants.
Although these acres are not inheritable, this is already a great benefit to ordinary tenants.
Therefore, Song Wenyi was a little confused for a while.
You know, the emperor made it clear just now that by making him the mining tax eunuch, he would make those squires spit out all the acres they had taken in.
Although the emperor didn't say it clearly, Song Wenyi was not stupid. The emperor said "voluntarily buy and sell", so Eunuch Song had many ways to make them voluntary.
To put it bluntly, this is actually a hard grab!
Therefore, Song Wenyi originally thought that the emperor wanted to expand the imperial palace and allow it to continue to expand and become a stable financial source for the internal treasury like the imperial store.
However, if this is the case, then the emperor should have also charged a high land rent for Huangzhuang. Even if it was to show sympathy for the tenants, a slight reduction of 20% would be enough. Why make it so complicated?
You know, according to this algorithm, the harvest of Huangzhuang will decrease every year. If it is serious, it may be cut in half in a few years.
Is it possible that the emperor felt that he had too much money and no place to spend it?
Song Wenyi thought for a moment, but couldn't figure it out.
However, this was the imperial court after all, and it was impossible to leave him too much time. Feeling that the emperor's eyes were slightly impatient, Song Wenyi quickly calmed down and said.
"Your Majesty is kind and loving to the people, and this servant respects you. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best to fulfill your Majesty's instructions and dare not slack off in the slightest."
After hearing this, the emperor's face softened a bit, his tone became gentler, and he said.
"I know this is a difficult matter, but if it wasn't difficult, I wouldn't have specially transferred you back. When you do things, as long as you follow the two sentences I gave you and don't contradict them, then you can just go ahead and do it.
"
"If you need money and food, go to Wang Cheng. If you need manpower, Shu Liang will allocate it to you. As for everything else, I'm here, so you don't have to worry."
This is both encouragement and reassurance.
After listening to this, Song Wenyi couldn't help but show a hint of excitement on his face.
In fact, Song Wenyi realized that this was a very risky job from the moment the emperor finished talking about what he was asked to do.
Just like the emperor said, these squires can no longer be dealt with by reasonable means, so they can only use unreasonable means.
Song Wenyi certainly has the means, but the reason why these squires are difficult to deal with is that they have their own backers behind them.
Therefore, once they are touched, Song Wenyi will inevitably face pressure from the court.
He knew this very well, but what he knew even more clearly was that he actually had no choice.
The emperor chose him to serve as a favor. He was just a royal slave and had no right to refuse.
And, more importantly, he now understood that to the emperor, he was actually just an ordinary eunuch recommended by Jin Ying.
The emperor didn't know much about his ability and character, let alone have any feelings for him. Therefore, it was impossible to entrust him with such important tasks as imperial store and chief ceremonial supervisor right away.
If he wants to climb up, he must gain the emperor's trust. As a eunuch, the best way to gain the emperor's trust is to fulfill the emperor's orders to the letter.
Although the job at Huangzhuang is risky, it is also a huge opportunity. If it is done well, then it will definitely win the favor of the emperor, and it will skyrocket from then on, just around the corner. Therefore, Song Wenyi is actually ready.
However, what he didn't expect was that the emperor had already anticipated this and expressed his attitude in advance.
With these words, he naturally dared to do things with confidence and boldness.
After all, for the eunuchs in the palace, as long as the emperor protects them, there is nothing anyone can do to them.
I didn't see what the commotion was like when they were in Xuan Mansion, but now, this Eunuch Shu Liang is not safe and sound in front of the emperor, and his position of power is even greater.
Therefore, after hearing the emperor's words, Song Wenyi immediately knelt down and said.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will do my best to repay His Majesty's kindness."
So, Zhu Qiyu nodded and waved his hand.
"Well, you go ahead. From now on, you can go and do it. Regarding the detailed details of how to manage the Imperial Village, I will let Wang Cheng explain it to you later."
"Slave, please leave..."
Song Wenyi breathed a sigh of relief, and then realized that his back was soaked with cold sweat, but no matter what, today's test was finally over.
Also leaving with Song Wenyi was Wang Cheng.
At this moment, the wind and snow outside the palace had gradually stopped, and as the two people left, the palace gradually became calmer.
The tea in hand was getting colder, but neither Huaien nor Shuliang moved. They just stood there quietly, as if waiting for something.
Zhu Qiyu frowned and looked at Song Wenyi's leaving figure. After a moment, he opened his mouth and gave instructions.
"Huai'en, what do you think of Song Wenyi?"
Generally speaking, questions like this are the most difficult to answer. If the answer is yes, then the emperor may feel that the question is in vain. If the answer is no, then there will be suspicions of mutual criticism.
However, Wynn did not hesitate too much, just thought for a moment and said.
"He has the ability, but his character needs to be tested. Although we have not been in contact with him for a long time, I always feel that this person is quite greedy. First he wants to enter the Chief Ceremony Supervisor, and then he wants to covet the emperor's shop."
"The Emperor handed the Imperial Mansion over to him. The man was depressed and disgusted at first, but when he saw that there was an opportunity for expansion in the Imperial Mansion, he became enthusiastic again. He could not help but be suspected of being greedy for power and profit. However, the servant saw it for a while.
You can't do it accurately, but time will tell people's hearts. Since Eunuch Song has returned to Beijing, his character will naturally be seen as time goes by."
"Um……"
Regarding Huaien's comments, Zhu Qiyu did not comment, and calm returned to the palace again.
After being quiet for a moment, Zhu Qiyu suddenly asked again.
"Shu Liang, go back and check. Song Wenyi picked those people from the palace, found out their origins, family background, and temperament, and reported them to me."
"In addition, the people assigned to him should find more smart and trustworthy people. If Song Wenyi disobeys my instructions in the process of running errands, oppresses the common people in order to seek rewards, robs people's fields for no reason, or treats them harshly in the management of the imperial village.
Those who are tenants should be repaid to me as soon as possible."
"According to the decree..."
Shu Liang bowed his hands and looked respectful.
"In addition, didn't the Supreme Emperor reward Song Wenyi with a piece of writing before? Now, it should come in handy..."
The emperor's voice sounded again, making Shu Liang stunned.
When news of Song Wenyi's return to Beijing came out, Nangong asked Zhu Yi to contact him secretly. However, Zhu Yi was afraid that she had been too ostentatious in the past, so she wanted to use Xu Youzhen's hand to test him.
However, Mr. Xu's identity is secret. Naturally, it is necessary to inform Shu Liang in advance about this kind of matter. This kind of back and forth has been delayed.
Although Shu Liang was a little surprised when the emperor mentioned this matter again, he quickly reacted and said.
"This slave obeys the order..."
So, when Song Wenyi and Wang Cheng heard about the situation in the Imperial Mansion all day long and finally returned to the mansion in the darkness, they saw a soft sedan in front of their door. Looking at the snow falling on the top of the sedan,
You know you have been waiting for a long time.
Frowning, Song Wenyi opened the curtain and cast a questioning look at the boy beside him. So, the boy hurriedly went to the concierge to ask. After turning around, he said.
"My father-in-law, I said that Xu Youzhen, a bachelor from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's palace, came over and waited as soon as it became dark. According to your instructions, I was going to send him away, but this Xu scholar did not say anything.
When he saw you, the people below didn't dare to welcome him in, so he just waited outside. You see..."
"Xu Youzhen?"
Song Wenyi frowned and looked at the soft sedan in the distance with a somewhat unhappy look on his face.
He remembered that when this person just returned to Beijing, he handed him a greeting card and wanted to visit him at his door.
Logically speaking, the person in the crown prince's womb should be given some face no matter what. However, he had just returned to the capital at that time and was not familiar with all the forces in the capital. In addition, at that time, he still had the slightest hope of becoming a minister.
The expectations of the eunuch, so naturally, he would not get involved with the people in the prince's womb if possible. In the end, he accepted the invitation and threw it aside without further care.
But who would have thought that this Bachelor Xu would be so persistent, waiting here in the wind and snow.
You know, ordinary ministers maintain their own identities and visit eunuchs privately, and they keep a low profile as long as they can. This Xu Xueshi is very different.
After waiting in the wind and snow for such a long time, I am afraid there are many people in the capital who know about it.
If he still refuses to see the other party after reaching such an extent, he will really offend him. Although he does not want to get too close to the person in the prince's womb, it is not good to completely offend him. What's more, Xu Youzhen is a
If you wait like this, even if the news gets out, it will be because Xu Youzhen insists on seeing him and has nothing to do with him.
Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, Song Wenyi nodded and said.
"Please go in. First, take this Bachelor Xu to the front hall to serve tea. I will come after I change my clothes..."