Chapter 395: When it comes to showing off, you are the son of heaven.
Owner???
With a shake of his hand, the tea cup shook, and Wei Changtian almost spilled the tea on Ning Yuke's head.
After traveling through time, he has many identities. He is usually both a son and a grandson, a disciple and a master, a husband-in-law and a senior brother...
But this is the first time for "Master"!
No, what on earth did you just do?
Why did Ning Yuke suddenly "let herself go" like this??
Wei Changtian was dumbfounded and held up the tea cup. He didn't come back to his senses for a long time.
Fortunately, Ning Yuke kept her head down and did not see his current appearance, otherwise the majesty of the "master" would be compromised to some extent.
"Ahem, you..."
After quickly organizing the words in his mind, Wei Changtian finally coughed dryly after being silent for a long time and prepared to let Ning Yuke get up.
However, at this moment, a voice came from outside the house first.
"Your Majesty, Master Chen Zhong would like to see you."
"..."
The shout was a bit sharp, and Wei Changtian recognized it as a young eunuch named "Little Plate" who was serving Ning Yuke.
As for Chen Zhong in his mouth, he is now the Minister of Household Affairs of the "Shu Kingdom".
Wei Changtian is quite familiar with Master Chen.
He was a typical neutral local magistrate who served as the prefectural magistrate of Shuzhou before. Later, he was so frightened by his own manipulation of "referring to a human head as a dog's head" that he boarded the Wei family's "thief ship" in a daze.
One thing to say is that although Chen Zhong's political stance is not very firm, his abilities are indeed impressive.
Otherwise, he would not have "jumped six levels in a row" and risen from a small seventh-level prefectural judge to his current position of "first-level official".
"Owner......"
Slowly raising his head, Ning Yuke called softly, as if waiting for Wei Changtian's instructions.
The latter was now eager to come over and relieve his embarrassment, so he immediately replied:
"Ahem, let's meet."
"yes."
Ning Yuke nodded obediently after hearing this, and then asked softly: "Master, can this slave get up?"
"..."
Wei Changtian suddenly had a black line on his forehead: "Get up..."
"Thank you, Master."
After receiving the permission, Ning Yuke slowly stood up and the blush on her face gradually faded.
She gently smoothed away the wrinkles in her uniform caused by kneeling for a long time, then turned to look at the closed palace door, her voice suddenly became cold and noble.
"Please come in, Mr. Chen!"
...
"Master Chen, Your Majesty, please come in..."
Outside the palace, the little eunuch's voice sounded faintly, and after a few breaths, the palace door was slowly pushed open.
"Squeak~"
"I have met Young Master Wei! I have met His Majesty!"
The gray-haired Chen Zhong knelt down as soon as he entered the door. He was not surprised at all by Wei Changtian's presence. The young eunuch must have told him about it.
"Master Chen."
Ning Yuke, who had already sat back on the chair, had a dignified look on her face and stretched out her hand to help her slightly: "Sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Chen Zhong stood up slowly, glanced secretly at the silent Queen Wei Changtian, lowered his head and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"Speak." Ning Yuke nodded lightly.
"yes......"
Chen Zhong immediately raised his head and started talking without any trace of ink.
The Ministry of Household Affairs is in charge of household registration and finance, and its functions are roughly equivalent to the combination of the modern Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
As the Minister of Household Affairs, Chen Zhong came to ask for instructions today on the matter of land tax.
Daning's previous land tax system was "twenty taxes and one tax", which meant that farmers had to pay a 5% tax to the court regardless of their harvest.
To be honest, this ratio is actually not high, and it is far from the level of "harsh taxation".
However, all self-proclaimed kings will appropriately lower tax rates after the rebellion to show that they are more considerate of the people.
Ning Yuke was naturally the same, so on the first day of court, he asked Chen Zhong to handle the matter.
After several days of research, the latter finally came to a result.
"...Your Majesty, therefore I feel that it is just right to change the tax system to twenty-five taxes per tax."
"What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The 25% tax is 1.4%, which is one percentage point lower than before, which also means that the national treasury will receive at least hundreds of thousands of taels less money every year.
For Shuzhou, which is in a good financial situation, a few hundred thousand taels is not a big deal, but it can make farmers really feel the benefits, so this is indeed a more appropriate "tax reduction range".
"Well, this matter..."
Ning Yuke turned to look at Wei Changtian. Seeing that the latter had no reaction, he nodded and said:
"I think it's acceptable, so I'll ask Master Chen to make arrangements as soon as possible before the autumn harvest."
"Yes, I will order someone to do it right now."
Chen Zhonggong cupped his hands and flattered him: "Your Majesty is so considerate of the people's sentiments, I believe the people will be more loyal, and your Majesty's good deeds will one day spread far and wide throughout the world."
"..."
I have to say that those who flatter officials are very capable.
Wei Changtian curled his lips, thinking that he couldn't say such a thing anyway.
However, he suddenly had other ideas about this "tax reduction".
"Your Majesty, Mr. Chen, I think the tax rate is still too high."
"Um?"
Chen Zhong, who was about to say goodbye and leave, suddenly turned his head, hesitated for a moment and then asked in a low voice: "I wonder how appropriate the young master is?"
"Is this..."
Wei Changtian rubbed his chin.
Although in previous lives, many countries had already completely abolished agricultural taxes and even provided certain subsidies to farmers who farmed the land.
However, I definitely cannot completely copy the system from my previous life.
After all, agriculture is still the largest industry these days, while the manufacturing and service industries are still very small, and taxation is far from being able to support a country's finances.
Therefore, land tax still has to be collected.
It’s just that 4% is still too high and far from reaching the goal of attracting the population.
so......
"I think......"
After thinking for a while, Wei Changtian slowly gave the answer: "It's just the other way around."
"in turn?"
Chen Zhong was stunned when he heard this, obviously not understanding what Wei Changtian meant: "Mr. Wei, you are referring to..."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "What I mean is that this reduction is pretty much the standard for collecting land taxes."
Wei Changtian paused for a moment and spoke more straightforwardly.
"That is, one hundred tax per tax."
"Wha, what???"
For a moment, Chen Zhong's eyes suddenly widened, wondering if he had heard wrongly.
One hundred tax?
Directly reduce the largest item of fiscal revenue by 80%?
This, this is simply nonsense!
Of course, although he thought so in his heart, Chen Zhong would definitely not dare to say this in front of Wei Changtian.
"Wei, Mr. Wei, one hundred taxes and one tax... Throughout ancient times and today, no one has ever done this!"
"Hahaha, so what if no one does it? We just have to be the first to do it."
After laughing twice, Wei Changtian stood up and patted Chen Zhong on the shoulder: "Master Chen, I know what you are worried about."
"But I'll do the math for you and you'll understand."
"If you think about it, less than 20% of the farmland in Shu is currently cultivated, and the remaining 80% is abandoned as forest..."
"If we could..."
"..."
In the next quarter of an hour, Wei Changtian explained in detail a series of benefits of "low tax rate" to Ning Yuke and Chen Zhongzai.
Once such a shocking land tax standard of one hundred taxes is introduced, it will definitely attract a large number of people to flock to Shuzhou.
After these people come, they will naturally open up wasteland. By then, the total area of cultivated land in Shuzhou will undoubtedly be much larger than it is now.
The tax rate is low, but the total amount of cultivated land is high.
If two and one are offset, Shuzhou's fiscal revenue can return to normal levels in a few years.
But those extra people and farmland will be in vain.
Well...if I could put it more simply.
Wei Changtian actually wanted to use the sharp decline in fiscal revenue in recent years to exchange for the explosive development of Shuzhou.
"this......"
The truth is not complicated, so Ning Yuke and Chen Zhong quickly understood the key.
The two looked at each other quietly, and both saw a hint of shock and surprise in each other's eyes.
High emotional intelligence: This idea is really unconstrained, and it takes a long-term view.
Low emotional intelligence: This idea of governing the country is simply like playing house.
From the tax of 1 on 20 to 1 on 100.
No one knows what the consequences of this decline will be, but it will definitely bring violent shocks to the entire Shuzhou.
Even if it really has so many benefits, it must be proven through rigorous and repeated research.
Why is it that when it comes to Wei Changtian's mouth, it's as casual as deciding what to have for dinner today?
"Master Wei, this matter must not be decided so easily..."
Chen Zhong swallowed and wanted to retort.
But before he could finish his sentence, Ning Yuke's cold voice came over first.
"Master Chen, I think what Mr. Wei said is quite reasonable."
"That's it, you go back first and think about the pros and cons, list them out one by one, and we'll discuss it again in a few days."
"If it is discovered by then that the harm really outweighs the benefit, then Mr. Wei will not insist on going his own way."
"..."
A cold wind seemed to blow by, and Chen Zhong suddenly shivered unconsciously.
Ning Yuke's words were not harsh, but the majesty of the superior was clearly revealed in these few words.
"Wei Chen obeys your orders..."
He didn't dare to say anything more and quickly bowed his head and cupped his hands.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Wei, if there is nothing else to do, I will leave first."
Your Majesty, Mr. Wei.
Two quarters of an hour ago, when Chen Zhonggang came in to say hello, he put Wei Changtian in front of him.
But now he subconsciously put Ning Yuke in the front of the queue.
The change in order does not mean that the status of Wei Changtian and Ning Yuke has been reversed. After all, Chen Zhong knew very well how the latter became the "King of Shu".
Therefore, his current actions can only mean one thing——
That was the first time that he really regarded Ning Yuke as a queen, not just Wei Changtian's puppet.
"..."
"Well, let's go down."
Waving her hand, Ning Yuke no longer looked at Chen Zhong.
On the contrary, Wei Changtian kept smiling as he watched the latter leave the hall.
He was still very satisfied with the way Ning Yuke handled it just now.
Tax reduction is indeed not a child's play, and it will undoubtedly be safer for Chen Zhong to carefully study the pros and cons.
Tsk tsk tsk.
Unexpectedly, Ning Yuke is not only suitable in appearance, but also has a bit of an imperial style in the way he thinks about problems.
With a sigh in his heart, Wei Changtian turned around and prepared to praise Ning Yuke and ask her to continue in this state.
However, when he turned around, the expression on his face suddenly froze again.
"No, why did you kneel down again???"
"Owner......"
The queenly demeanor just now had long since disappeared. Ning Yuke just knelt on the ground, raised her head and replied softly:
"My slave is happy and likes to kneel down and serve my master..."
"I hope the master will agree..."
"..."
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and Wei Changtian looked away forcefully, not knowing how to deal with this situation.
Good guy!!
I have never been so panicked when fighting against a third-grade master!!
I have never been so at a loss when fighting Xiao Feng!!
Is this... the curse of beauty???
...
...
...
Dali Dynasty, Kuixing Academy.
Just when Ning Yuke's move caused Wei Changtian to be stunned in an instant, thousands of people knelt on the ground in front of the majestic main hall of Kuixing Academy.
They all faced true north, with enthusiasm and excitement in their eyes.
True north is the direction of the main hall of the Academy and the direction of Wenquxing.
However, these thousands of academy disciples are not worshiping Wen Dao constellations now.
They are worshiping the new Holy Son of Kuixing Academy——
Shen Ran.
...
The magpie bridge comes out of the waves, and the dragon chariot flies out of the sky.
The soldiers were all wearing golden armor, colorful girls were waving and scattering flowers, long bells were ringing from all directions, and sixteen academicians from the academy were standing around the stage in white robes.
The only person standing on the stage was none other than Shen Ran, one of the thirteen Sons of Heaven, who had met Wei Changtian at the Spring Dragon Poetry Society.
Unlike the "perfunctory" way in which the Tianluo Sect established Wei Changtian as its holy son, Kuixing Academy is undoubtedly the largest sect in Dali, and its power even vaguely overwhelms the Dali court.
Therefore, the scale of this ceremony was naturally very large, and even the emperor came to the scene in person, just to give a platform to this "son of hope" of Dali.
"Senior Brother Shen is mighty!"
"Great talent! Great talent!!"
"With the sudden emergence of Senior Brother Shen, my literary career will flourish! The academy will prosper!"
"In less than ten years, I, Dali, will definitely avenge my previous humiliation and no longer have to be at the mercy of Daning!"
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuoriu, I have been waiting for a hundred years, and finally I have waited for this day..."
"..."
All kinds of shouts and shouts came from the heart. Although they were chaotic, they clearly showed the expectations of the entire Kuixing Academy, and even the entire Dali, for Shen Ran.
Unlike Daning, which follows the Taoist path, almost all practitioners in Da Li follow the "literary Taoist" lineage.
Under such circumstances, Shen Ran, who received the blessing of "literary education", naturally became the number one person among the younger generation in Dali.
And the words he said three days ago at the last stage of the "Controversy of the Holy Son", "In order to inherit the unique knowledge of the Holy Son, even if there are tens of millions of people, I will go!" It even triggered the Wenquxing vision and forcibly destroyed the entire Kuixing Academy. Raised an inch.
This means that the literary destiny of the entire Dali, or the national destiny of the entire Dali, has improved by 10% because of this sentence.
Such a "sage's act" cannot be overly praised. Many people in the community have already called Shen Ran the reincarnation of Wenquxing. Even a three-year-old child knows the name "Shen Ran".
It's just that although all this is known to everyone in Dali, it has not reached Wei Changtian's ears yet.
But in fact, with Wei Changtian's current mentality, even if he knew, he wouldn't be too aggrieved.
After all, he has long been enlightened... Appearing as a saint in front of others has nothing to do with him!
When it comes to showing off, I still have to be your son of heaven!
Of course, it doesn't matter how you pretend to be on your own territory, as long as you don't come to trouble me!
It's very difficult for me to deal with Ning Yongnian and Bai Youheng, but don't let anyone interfere!
Wei Changtian was not aware of Shen Ran's shocking move, and was too lazy to care about Dali's affairs. He had almost forgotten about this person.
But this doesn't mean that Shen Ran will also forget him.
"..."
"teacher."
After the ceremony, Shen Ran, who was dressed in white robe, bowed respectfully to an old man with a fairylike appearance and crane bones.
"The students will leave for Shuzhou tomorrow. I wonder if the teacher has anything else to tell the students?"
"Don't worry, we'll just talk on the way..."
The old man smiled and twirled his beard, and replied in Shen Ran's slightly puzzled eyes: "Master, I will go with you this time."
"Go and meet Mr. Wei who created the Spring River with Flowers and Moonlight Night."
...
ps: Two chapters in one, and the update is late, sorry.