After drinking with Liu Zai, Zhou Jun returned home.
The next day, Zhou Jun went to Li Linfu's house again. After queuing for a long time, it was finally his turn.
After entering the mansion, Zhou Jun announced his identity and purpose of visit. When the officials from Shangshu Province heard his name, they were extremely polite and helped him to register and complete the formalities for state officials to report their duties in Beijing.
When Zhou Jun finished everything and was about to leave, a servant of the Li family walked into the mansion and said to Zhou Jun in front of all the officials: "Prince Zhou, the right minister has invited you."
Under the envious gazes of others, Zhou Jun looked solemn, braced himself, and followed the servant to the side hall of Li Mansion.
Entering the study at the back of the hall, Zhou Jun saw Li Linfu leaning on the desk, correcting memorials.
Hearing the movement at the door, Li Linfu raised his head. When he saw that the person coming was Zhou Jun, he smiled and said, "Come in."
Zhou Jun cautiously entered the room and sang a song.
Li Linfu put down his pen and said with a smile: "No need to be polite."
Zhou Jun stood aside with his head bowed.
Li Linfu: "It's nearing the end of the year, and the state official went to Beijing to report on his duties. Why did he stop thousands of people, but the real person invited you to meet him? Do you know why?"
Zhou Jun: "Jun doesn't know."
Li Linfu glanced at Zhou Jun and asked, "Do you know how much tax revenue Tianbao received from the Tang Dynasty in the past five years?"
Zhou Jun was stunned and didn't know why Li Linfu suddenly asked this question. He could only answer: "Jun doesn't know either."
Li Linfu: "You are a state official who has been sent abroad. I don't know but it is unusual. Let me tell you, last year, there were 8.9 million households in the Tang Dynasty. Each household paid a household tax of 250 yuan, and the total household tax was 2 million yuan."
"The average household has 7 acres of land, and each mu collects 2 liters of millet as land tax. The total land tax is more than 12 million shi of millet."
"The whole country pays rent according to the population, and there are more than 12.6 million stones of millet and more than 5.7 million pieces of cloth."
"Yongdiao is based on silk, silk and cloth, with a total of more than 21 million pieces."
"Household tax, local tax, Dingzhi and Yongdiao, all added together, converted into money and silk, the five-year taxation of Tianbao in the Tang Dynasty totaled 10.53 million yuan."
10.53 million yuan?
Zhou Jun was thoughtful when he heard this number.
Li Linfu added: "It sounds like a lot, right? Do you know the tax revenue of the Tang Dynasty in the 21st year of Kaiyuan?"
Before Zhou Jun could answer, Li Linfu said: "12.7 million yuan."
Zhou Jun was shocked and asked: "Why is the income in Tianbao Year less than that in Kaiyuan Year?"
Li Linfu shook his head and said: "Yes, the weather in Tianbao is good, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the Tang army is invincible, but the tax revenue is much less."
Zhou Jun vaguely guessed the reason, but could only pretend not to know.
Li Linfu patted the album on the desk and said in a deep voice: "Princes and aristocratic families are living in seclusion, high-ranking nobles are annexing land, and civil and military officials are vying to buy slaves. The taxes paid by the Tang Dynasty are not getting better every year!
"
Speaking of where he was angry, Li Linfu slapped his palm on the desk, making a loud noise.
Zhou Jun cupped his hands and said to the right minister to calm down his anger.
Li Linfu took a long breath and said: "Lin Fu's anger is not directed at Zhou Erlang. On the contrary, I called you here this time to reward you."
Zhou Junqi asked: "A commendation?"
Li Linfu: "As the Superintendent of the Hexi Mutual Market and the Governor of Wuwei County, the taxes and operations you have paid this year are seven times the amount in previous years."
Li Linfu picked up the Kan book and said while reading: "In addition to the Hexi Mutual Market, the daily taxes and income of Wuwei County, the confiscation of the Kang family in Hexi, the proceeds from the extermination of the horse bandits, the reconstruction of the Baiting Mutual Market and the collection of Hexi commercial taxes.
All these sums together amount to more than 1.9 million yuan, which can be regarded as solving the court's urgent need to spend money."
Zhou Jun understood in his heart and said, this is the duty of a minister.
Li Linfu looked at Kan Ce and said to Zhou Jun: "Starting from next year, Hexi's commercial tax will be adjusted back to the original level and will no longer be increased... Although increasing commercial tax can supplement the imperial court and border troops, the impact is too bad.
The Censor Yanguan has repeatedly reported to the court, requesting that this matter be stopped. Although the saint has a change of heart, he still has to take into account the opinions of the public."
Zhou Jun thought that the abolition of the commercial tax reform was probably related to Wang Zhongsi's loss of power. Li Linfu picked up another memorandum and asked Zhou Jun: "Before you came to Chang'an, you gave a statement saying that you wanted to reopen the Dunhuang Ancient Road?
"
Zhou Jun raised his hands and said yes.
Li Linfu: "I have read your memorial. If the Dunhuang ancient road can be rebuilt, then the Tibetan plateau trade routes will be squeezed, and the caravans from Tocharo, Tianzhu, Dashi and other countries will divert to Dunhuang to go to the Tang Dynasty."
Mutual trade was a great benefit to the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue. However, the reconstruction of the trade routes will cost a lot of money. You said you don't need any funding from the court and are planning to borrow money from the private sector?"
Zhou Jun: "The reconstruction of the Dunhuang trade route will not only benefit the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue, but also benefit Hexi merchants. They can save half of the time on the road, and the loss of goods can also be reduced. It's just that they have to pay such a large sum.
If I want to use the money to rebuild trade routes, I’m afraid I’ll have to promise some benefits.”
Li Linfu: "This matter is easy to hear. If Hexi merchants are willing to bear the cost of rebuilding the Dunhuang trade route, then it would be natural for them to be exempted from some taxes or given some innocuous conveniences."
Li Linfu and Zhou Jun discussed the details of the Dunhuang trade route for a while.
After the discussion, Li Linfu looked at Zhou Jun with a smile and asked: "I almost forgot, Hexi Mutual Trade and Liangzhou Taxation, both of which solved the Tang Dynasty's urgent need to use money. I said before that I would reward you, what do you think, Mr. Zhou?"
What do you want? Promotion? Or money?"
Zhou Jun thought about it for a while and calmly said to Li Linfu: "It is Jun's original intention to share the worries of the saint and the Prime Minister. He is not interested in money or official status... It's just that Jun has something and wants to ask the Prime Minister for help."
Li Linfu smiled and said: "Just say it, as long as I can do it."
Zhou Jun: "Jun wants to meet Wang Zhongsi."
Li Linfu's smile suddenly solidified on his face, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became much more solemn.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Looking at Zhou Jun's calm face, Li Linfu smiled: "That Wang Zhongsi made a big mistake and refused to admit his guilt. He is now in jail. In the past,
Friends and relatives are afraid of him, so why should Zhou Yilang go to see him?"
Zhou Jun cupped his hands and said frankly: "There are two reasons. First, from Shuofang to Hexi, Wang Zhongsi was kind to Jun. Without him, Jun would not be able to achieve the position he is today.
Secondly, Wang Zhongsi is stubborn and does not know how to adapt. He has a good relationship with the prince and has failed the grace of a saint. Jun met him once and wanted to try to enlighten him and persuade him to return as soon as possible. "
After hearing this, Li Linfu's expression softened slightly.
After thinking carefully, Li Linfu said to Zhou Jun: "It's rare that Mr. Zhou has such thoughts. I'll just arrange it for you. Just go back and wait for the letter."
Zhou Jun heard this, bowed and said thank you again.
After Zhou Jun left the room, Li Linfu's son, Li Xiu, came out from behind the screen and said to his father: "Zhou Jun and Wang Zhongsi have a very close personal relationship, and now they propose a private meeting, they must be accomplices.
"
Li Linfu burst out laughing when he heard this.
Li Xiu was puzzled.
Li Linfu: "If Zhou Jun was an accomplice of Wang Zhongsi, he should have concealed himself at this time and tried his best to avoid being noticed. How could he take the initiative to ask to see Wang Zhongsi?"
Li Xiu: "Then Zhou Jun is...?"
Li Linfu: "Wang Zhongsi has rebelled against the saint several times, and there is no chance of him turning over. Everyone in the court can see this clearly. At this time, if someone wants to visit Wang Zhongsi, there are only two kinds of people.
Will do this... The first type is a pedantic fool..." The book is dull
Li Xiu: "What about the second kind?"
Li Linfu sighed: "The second type is those people with true nature who must repay kindness when receiving kindness from others. However, such people are rare in this world..."
Li Xiu was silent for a moment, looked at Li Linfu, and asked tentatively: "Father intends to recruit Zhou Jun?"
Li Linfu did not answer this question, but asked instead: "Xiu'er, do you still remember that you once said something to your father?"
Li Xiu: "I wonder what father is referring to?"
Li Linfu: "The Li family has been at the center for a long time, and resentments are everywhere. If disaster strikes, I'm afraid even if I want to be a servant, I won't be able to do so."
Li Xiu was silent.
Li Linfu then said: "Think about it, what kind of people are the people under my father's command? Ji Wen, for example, only knows how to flatter the horse and act according to the wind. If the Li family falls one day, they will definitely turn around.
The first group of people; people like Luo Xixi, who are more than loyal but not very capable. They climb to the end and are just average people at best. What the father really wants is someone who is both loyal and capable.
Only such talented people can help the Li family in the future."
Li Xiu: "In my father's opinion, this is Zhou Jun?"
Li Linfu closed his eyes and was silent for a long time, and finally said: "Somewhat similar, but not similar."
Li Xiu looked confused.
Li Linfu opened his eyes: "Anyway, let's take a look. As long as Zhou Jun does not threaten his position as a father, it is not impossible to grant him some benefits and sell him personal favors to pave the way for the Li family in the future."
Li Xiu: "What if Zhou Jun is interested in his father's aspect?"
Li Linfu's eyes flashed coldly, and he said in a deep voice: "Then don't blame Li for being ruthless."
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