Chapter 319 Considerations of the tax system, Erzhi Shanyang
"Your Majesty, this is a proposal for exemption of summer tax this year in Henan, Hebei, Hedong, Yanshan, and Shanyang prefectures!" Zhao Pu took out another document and presented it to Emperor Liu.
This is a common practice. In the past, when troops were mobilized to fight wars, after the war, the states and counties that recruited corvees would appropriately reduce or reduce taxes as compensation.
The same is true this time. This is also the most important point in the implementation of the policy of nourishing interest. It reduces the burden on the people and reduces the burden on local governments. In the past, Emperor Liu often gave approval with a swipe of his ink pen.
But this time, Emperor Liu unexpectedly showed some hesitation. After reviewing it carefully, he looked up at Zhao Pu, raised the note in his hand, and said directly: "It is the right thing to exempt summer taxes, but this time
I have decided not to stick to the same example, but to make some distinctions. The above-mentioned Daozhous all made great contributions to the Northern Expedition, but the number of people and efforts they contributed is also different and cannot be generalized!"
"What is your Majesty's wish?" Zhao Pu asked.
"On the central side, the amount of tax reduction is based on the contributions of various states; the various government agencies also determine the amount of tax based on the use of people's power by states and counties!" Emperor Liu's meaning was very clear.
In response to this, Zhao Pu couldn't help but frown, but after thinking about it for a moment, something strange came into his eyes. This matter can once again involve the tax system of the Han Dynasty.
The two tax laws of the Han Dynasty were basically inherited from the Tang Dynasty. Although there were adjustments to suit the times, the core spirit did not change much. To put it simply, the court set a tax amount every year based on the fiscal revenue and expenditure of the past year.
Then it was distributed to local states and states, and then levied according to the property of the people. Money was collected by household and grain was collected by acres of land. The rich were assigned more and the poor were levied less.
But this is an ideal tax system after all. When implemented, it is often accompanied by various problems. The most obvious one is the gap between the rich and the poor.
It is difficult to determine the amount of property. In the early years, it was relatively fair. However, with the development of society, this contradiction has continued to accumulate. With the exchange of favors, power and money transactions, etc.,
Coupled with the exchanges of merchants and population movements, even relative fairness has been destroyed.
Every household pays money, but the result is that the rich do not pay more and the poor do not pay less. As private land transactions become more and more frequent, transaction taxes are somewhat unstoppable, and underreporting is even more common.
Emperor Liu was not unaware of these growing situations, but as far as the Han Dynasty was concerned, it was far from the point where serious changes were needed, so he did not seek changes.
It was because of the financial constraints caused by the Northern Expedition that Emperor Liu started thinking again. He was originally a person of overthinking and worrying nature, and long-term worries were always with him.
This preferential tax reduction policy has once again aroused Emperor Liu's consideration of the fairness of the tax system. Of course, the most important thing is to consider the stability of national fiscal and tax revenue.
Regarding the reduction and exemption matters, perhaps more reasonable arrangements should be made between roads, between states, between counties, and between households. This is Emperor Liu's idea.
However, it is not that simple to implement it properly. It requires close cooperation between the central government and local governments, and the supervision mechanism must be fully operational.
Of course, this can also be seen as an attempt and a foreshadowing. If this matter can be handled beautifully and properly, we will be more confident when we actually take action on tax control in the future.
It has to be said that in Emperor Liu's mind, it would be more reasonable to pay taxes based on the amount of land, and it should also be a more viable tax system. In the past, he did not feel the urgency of this, and he also had a muddled mentality.
We are unwilling to easily disrupt the country's stable and upward development.
After all, any changes to the tax system will inevitably offend a large number of interest groups. The noble class can still retain part of the tax-free land, but there is no such preferential treatment for most officials, businessmen, and landlords. But it is conceivable that it will really affect them.
The benefits will never be spent peacefully.
It may be difficult for Zhao Pu to detect that Emperor Liu had already set his mind so far, but he felt it to some extent. At the same time, Zhao Pu himself also had some ideas on the tax system of the Han Dynasty.
He is a promising man. When he is in office, he does not want to just be an Anping prime minister, but also wants to accomplish some political achievements that will truly go down in history. For major events such as the Northern Expedition, the protagonist is naturally Emperor Liu, but what about other matters?
Zhao Pu has also been planning to make some sensational measures. The tax system is a place to start. This is a direction that is beneficial to the country and the people.
However, Zhao Pu did not show it at this time, but just responded: "I will work with my officials to come up with specific measures to supervise this matter!"
"Okay!" Emperor Liu nodded: "I can rest assured that Zhao Qing is doing the work!"
"Your Majesty is so flattering that I cannot accept it!" Zhao Pu responded politely and humbly.
"Your Majesty, this is the report from the Ministry of Personnel. After the Northern Expedition, the list of promotions and transfers of officials in the northern states!" At this time, Song Qi also took out a memorial and presented it to Emperor Liu.
"The Northern Expedition has been protracted. The north, especially Shanyang and Liaodong Road, has suffered serious war disasters and is devastated. It is in urgent need of recovery. The first thing to do is to select and appoint capable officials. Only when officials are used well can we get twice the result with half the effort!" Emperor Liu suddenly shouted
He cheered up and chuckled.
Emperor Liu read it over and found that the scale of the personnel transfer this time was quite large. In addition to Shanyang and Liaodong, which needed to continue to recruit officials, it also included normal promotions and demotions, as well as some officials who had made meritorious services in the Northern Expedition.
Emperor Liu naturally did not have the energy to look at the list involving hundreds of people. He browsed through the lists of officials in Shanyang and Liaodong, the two more important states, then put it down and instructed Song Qi: "You have approved it."
After that, if there are no problems, it will be handed over to the prince for review. If there is no objection, the system will be reduced!"
"yes!"
Emperor Liu thought about it, looked at Song Qi, and said: "As for the candidate for Shanyang Road's chief envoy, why is there no selection? Chu Zhaofu is responsible for two posts. It is only a temporary measure and cannot last long. I will return to Beijing.
I promised him before, but now that spring has begun, this matter cannot be delayed!"
"The post of pastoral guardian still needs to be appointed by His Majesty. I don't dare to make an arbitrary decision." Song Qi said.
Emperor Liu smiled slightly: "I have the right to decide, so you don't have any recommendation?"
"I think that we should select from among the chief officials of various ministries and yamen, so they have equal status!" Zhao Pu said.
Hearing this, Emperor Liu stood up slowly, walked a few steps, turned to look at Song Qi, and said, "Song Qing, are you willing to take up a post in Shanyang again?"
After saying this, the three ministers had different expressions. Li Ye was greatly surprised and couldn't help but look at Emperor Liu. He naturally thought of his own advice when he was in Saibei. Has His Majesty adopted his own opinion?
Zhao Pu frowned. In the Political Hall, any personnel transfer was worthy of consideration, let alone Song Qi, the junior prime minister. Although Zhao Pu and Song Qi had conflicts on some matters, they also cooperated.
After such a long time, Zhao Pu suddenly resigned, and it was unpredictable for Zhao Pu. Someone else might not be more compatible than Song Qi. However, Zhao Pu changed his mind and didn't say anything. The emperor had already spoken, so for now
Sit and watch.
Song Qi paused for a moment, faced Emperor Liu's slightly smiling and peaceful gaze, thought for a moment, bowed and said: "If your Majesty has any mission, I will not hesitate to do anything!"
"Song Qing is a true scholar of the country, a role model for mankind!" Emperor Liu was very pleased with his statement and said with a smile: "To be honest with you, I have been thinking about Shan Yang's appointment for a long time. The Han Dynasty has no shortage of talents for pastoral care, but Shan Yang
Yang is special. After much deliberation, Song Qing is the most suitable one and the one who can reassure me the most. I will entrust him with Shan Yang!"
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!" Hearing what Emperor Liu meant, it was obvious that he had already made up his mind, and Song Qi was not dissatisfied at all and responded with her hands.
"It's the festival, so there's no need to rush to your post. Just take a rest in the capital and wait for the spring to bloom before embarking on your journey again!" Emperor Liu's attitude became more and more kind: "At that time, I will personally see you off. This will be a great way to govern Shanyang."
It will be a good story in the official circles of the Han Dynasty!"