Chapter 1,450

Xiao Lintian said with a frown on his face, looked at the abandoned farmland, and looked sad.

"Master Li can't take care of farmland, but wouldn't it be a pity for these good fields to be left in ruins like this!"

Mr. Chen from the Ministry of Revenue had received instructions from Prime Minister Lu before, and now he stood up and said.

"Your Majesty, I also feel that it is a pity that such good farmland is deserted. Since Mr. Li is not good at managing farmland, why not let Mr. Li sell these farmlands back to the government, and the government will send people to manage them uniformly!"

"This will not only prevent the fertile land from becoming barren, but also prevent Mr. Li from being troubled by it!"

"Master Li, if you neglect fertile land, you will be punished according to the law depending on the seriousness of the situation! You have laid waste hundreds of acres of fertile land. You have to pay taxes and you will be punished. But the gain outweighs the loss!"

Before Mr. Chen finished speaking, Mr. Li was so frightened that he knelt on the ground with a thud.

"Your Majesty, I really didn't know that these fertile fields were being laid waste. I am guilty of negligence! Please, Your Majesty, consider that I am dedicated to serving the country and give you a lighter sentence!"

Xiao Lintian still sounded like he was thinking about Master Li, frowning and said: "Master Li, you are making things difficult for me!"

"You have indeed laid waste hundreds of acres of fertile land. It seems like it has been left for more than a year or two. Just paying back taxes will cost you a lot of money!"

First domain name

"If I don't punish you, it won't be enough to convince the public!"

"I can't bear to punish you. After all, the land was given to you by the Supreme Emperor. It's understandable that you are not good at managing fertile land!"

Xiao Lintian pretended to ponder for a while and then said: "I think Master Chen's suggestion is reasonable. Since you are not good at managing fertile land, let the court take it back!"

"But since it's a reward, I can't let you suffer a loss, so I'll sell it to the court at the market price! If you make up for the taxes for these years as a punishment, I won't punish you again!"

When Mr. Li heard that he would not be punished but could still keep his official position, he kowtowed and thanked him without having time to think about it.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will sort out the land deeds when I get back and hand them back to the court!"

Zhao Hui felt vaguely that something was wrong, but before he could think about it thoroughly, Xiao Lintian turned to Mr. Jiang of the Household Department and gave instructions.

"Sir Jiang, I think the same thing happened to other ministers like Mr. Li. It is my decree that if your family has deserted farmland, register it with the Ministry of Household Affairs on your own. You can follow Mr. Li's example to deal with it."

"Those who are not good at managing fertile land and cause it to become barren will be bought back by the imperial court. As long as the taxes are paid, I will treat them equally and will not punish them!"

"Those who are unwilling to sell their fertile land must pay the taxes and be dealt with according to the law and the circumstances!"

"The Ministry of Household Affairs will inspect these fertile fields one by one, and any fraud found will be severely punished!"

Xiao Lintian lowered his face this time and scolded sternly: "There are many farmers in Western Qin who have no land to plant! You have so much farmland, but you don't plant it well. If you encounter a famine year, don't you all guard it?"

Going to Baoshan to drink the northwest wind?"

"Although the four countries have suspended the truce and are recuperating, why don't you take this opportunity to grow more food and go hungry to kill the enemy when war breaks out?"

"So many people froze to death this winter, and many others starved to death. Isn't it a heinous crime to desolate farmland like this?"

"It is my decree that no matter whose land is plowed in the spring, if it is more than ten acres of land barren, we will lay down thirty boards, and if it exceeds one hundred acres, we will behead it in public."

First soft and then hard, Xiao Lintian's move shocked countless officials into silence.

Even if Zhao Hui wanted to object, it was too late.

Xiao Lintian put all the facts in front of them, and the many deserted fertile fields were ironclad evidence.

This is a major matter of people's livelihood. Even if Xiao Lintian's actions infringe on their interests, on the basis of serving the country and the people, their resistance is powerless.


Chapter completed!