typeface
large
in
Small
Turn off the lights
Previous bookshelf directory Bookmark Next

Section 663: Press the bull's head to drink water

"I heard that Zichan said to my uncle in the past: Only the virtuous can serve the people with leniency, and the next best thing is fierceness. Now, Your Majesty, in accordance with the order of heaven, will benefit the world even more. Virtue will be spread to the people, and it will benefit the birds and beasts, so with leniency

The government of virtue governs the common people of the world! However, the chief ministers of the settlement regiment are all ministers of your majesty. Although they are many virtuous, their virtues are weak and they cannot help the people and guide them to be polite! Therefore, I secretly believe that your majesty should stand up

It is based on laws and regulations, and it is established by systems, and the envoys are sent to patrol the various settlement groups to inform the people, and to show them with fire, so that the people know the ferocity of the fire and will not violate it!"

Gongsun Hong suddenly bowed and started talking. ┢┢╪┢┠﹝.

His words, at first glance, are full of Legalist ideology.

But if you think about it carefully, it is actually still the same Confucian approach, with just some slight adjustments.

The quotations and arguments of sages also come from Zichan.

Mr. Zichan was a great sage of the Spring and Autumn Period and a sage respected by all schools of thought.

When Confucius heard that Zi Shan had passed away, he shed tears and said: This is the love left over from ancient times!

Therefore, as a disciple and grandson of Confucius, there is absolutely no problem in quoting and borrowing from Zichan's policies and ideologies.

After listening to Gongsun Hong's words, Liu Che nodded and said: "What you said is true, I have already had this intention!"

It's so refreshing to talk to smart people.

Liu Che had long wanted to strengthen the control of the Reclamation Corps and keep it firmly in his hands.

However, Liu Che was a little worried, which caused some bad associations among some people.

After all, today's reclamation regiments are managed in a paramilitary manner and are controlled, trained and armed by military commander groups, causing many people to shout: This is Qin's law.

If controls are further tightened, then these people may have to jump in and even engage in more extreme confrontations.

Now, Gongsun Hong can be said to have spoken out what Liu Che was thinking.

So Liu Che smiled and said: "You have just returned from Liaodong, and you must have some understanding of the pros and cons of reclamation. You might as well try to write a memorial detailing the pros and cons. I will read it myself!"

What Liu Che couldn't mention, Gongsun Hong, the chief of the reclamation regiment with less than 600 shi, could mention it.

The reason is very simple. First of all, it is politically correct for a minister to advise the emperor. No matter what he says is reasonable or not, no one can suppress him, but can only argue with him.

Any scumbag who attempts to engage in evil or deceitful tactics will, once discovered, be labeled as: blocking the way of speech, isolating China and foreign countries, intending to seduce the emperor, and acting as a powerful minister, etc.

Especially for the label of blocking speech, Liu Che believed that no minister would be willing to bear it.

Secondly, Gongsun Hong was a disciple of Hu Wusheng, a giant of the Gongyang School of Confucianism.

So he came to ask these questions and no one could blame him.

On the other hand, if a Legalist disciple shouted like this, he would probably be spitted on.

When Gongsun Hong heard this, his face darkened.

Although he had heard about Jinshang's ability to dig holes, Gongsun Hong never expected that Jinshang would be so unruly!

Directly digging a hole into a minister whom I met for the first time...

But there was no way. Gongsun Hong knew very well that he had to use this gun whether he wanted to or not.

At the very least, after making this gun, he could properly stuff private goods into it and pile some Confucian ideology into it.

But if he doesn't do it, Long Yan will be furious immediately, and then he will be put on the bench. With the urine of Emperor Liu, he may never be reused in this life.

What's more important is that Gongsun Hong knows that if he doesn't do this, others will rush to do it.

For example, Gongsun Hong heard that Chu Da, a native of Lanling, the eldest disciple of his uncle Dong Zhongshu, had recently been thinking about how to flatter the emperor.

Based on Gongsun Hong's understanding of him, Gongsun Hong believed that as long as the emperor gave a hint, Chu Da would happily jump into the pit and serve as the emperor's messenger.

Then, he happily stuffed some private goods that were sensed by heaven and humans into them...

Gongsun Hong could not accept such a result. If the emperor accepted Chu Da, then Dong Zhongshu's line would rise.

Form and concept will lose the market.┢╞╡.

For Confucians, competition among orthodoxies is greater than anything else.

In line with the fearless spirit of "If I don't go to hell, whoever will go to hell will go to hell," Gongsun Hong said: "Promise! I will obey the imperial edict!"

Liu Che greatly appreciated Gongsun Hong's knowledge and interest.

Although in stories, people always like to see stories such as Wei Zheng and Tang Taizong, Bao Zheng and Song Renzong.

However, in fact, no emperor would like a minister who is always at odds with him and spits on his face every day.

Especially when the king's power is strong.

Liu Che turned the matter over and got to the point, saying to Gongsun Hong: "Do you know my intention of urgently sending your beloved back to Beijing?"

Gongsun Hong immediately said: "I am stupid and do not dare to judge the will of heaven. Please give me your Majesty's instructions!"

Liu Che clapped his hands, and immediately a eunuch appeared in front of Gongsun Hong holding some books.

These books are very thin, with only dozens of pages each, and there are three or four books in total.

"Please take a look at these books first..." Liu Che ordered: "After you read them, tell me your opinions!"

"No!" Gongsun Hong kowtowed and said, "I accept your order!"

Then, he took the pamphlets respectfully and began to read them attentively.

After just briefly reading a few pages, Gongsun Hong knew that his guess was correct. Your Majesty really wanted him to take charge of the matters of increasing mining tax and vehicle and ship tax. In addition, he would also be responsible for the so-called "fake horses to the people".

'Business.

Judging from the meaning revealed in these brochures and the outline of the so-called "lord and captain" yamen that will lead all this in the future.

In the future, this brand new government, the "Zhujue Duwei" government office outside the current Jiuqing government office, will take the lead in checking the affairs of the carts, ships and mines controlled by the world's powerful people and noble officials, and at the same time assume the responsibility of communicating with the Shaofu and Taifu.

The Pu Yamen is in charge of the affairs of "fake horses to the people", and its authority is not insignificant.

However, the rank ratio of the lord to the captain is only 800 stones...

Undoubtedly, this was a position specially designed for him, Gong Sunhong.

There is a description in the booklet: The Lord is a captain, the rank is eight hundred stones, he is affiliated to Lantai, he is on holiday, and he can do things cheaply.

The so-called holiday festival is actually to hold the Emperor's Festival and appease one party.

Obviously, this is a disguised way for the emperor to enhance the authority of the lords and captains, so that they can perform their functions independently as much as possible without interference from the outside world.

Otherwise, with a small amount of 800 shi, I would be tired of trying to check the accounts of powerful locals and counties!

However, after the holiday, the lord and captain had the blessing of imperial power. In terms of status, he was already on an equal footing with the local county governor or the county's two thousand stone, and he had the power to act expediently and make arbitrary decisions based on the situation.

Some guys who don't open their eyes can be arrested directly.

But with great power comes great responsibility!

Just the tax collection methods of Lords and Captains outlined in these pamphlets made Gongsun Hong very painful.

Because, in these brochures, it is described and emphasized in detail: Any car or boat with a price of less than 100,000 yuan, or a mining person with a price of less than 300,000 yuan, should not give out money, as he ordered.

This one item alone made Gongsun Hong's teeth chatter.

First, how to define the value of these vehicles, ships and ores?

Although the Han Dynasty had the Pingjia system, it could ensure that the value of property could be fairly determined by market price.

However, if there are countermeasures from the top and policies from the bottom, there will definitely be a large group of people who will play around with the situation.

For example, someone's fleet of cars or ships was actually worth 150,000 yuan, but through some tricks, it was turned into 100,000 yuan, and then it was exempted from tax. [Such a method is not difficult to use.

Gongsun Hong didn't believe that the emperor had not thought of this level.

So, here comes the question, since the emperor thought of this level, why did he still use such an ambiguous and loose law to stipulate the threshold?

After thinking about it for a moment, Gongsun Hong broke out in a cold sweat: Your Majesty may have deliberately left such a loophole for others to take advantage of.

If we use a darker psychology to speculate on the emperor's behavior.

Gongsun Hong easily came to the following conclusion:

When the country's finances are strong, the emperor relaxes taxes on small and medium-sized private businessmen, which causes a large number of businessmen to evade taxes. Then when the country's finances are in trouble, the sickle will be swung to harvest those who evade taxes.

By then, I'm afraid that the fines alone will be enough to collect countless amounts!

What's even more troublesome is that as the specific executor, the Lord Commander will bear the most complaints and anger.

The merchants and powerful people among the people would only complain that the lords and captains extorted excessive taxes and robbed their money.

These are only secondary!

The real trouble lies with those large-scale merchants.

For example, the Cheng Zheng family and the Zhuo family in Linqiong, the Tian family, the Wuyan family and the Yang family in Guanzhong.

These are all super-large merchants who have merged government and business, and even have imperial merchants.

Especially the two from Linqiong were relatives of the emperor. It was said that they invested tens of millions of dollars every year to help the emperor build the memorial road. The two ladies were even more favored, and gave birth to a prince and princess the next day.

It's almost inevitable.

Who dares to collect their taxes?

Anyway, Gongsun Hong didn't have the courage.

In addition, the Tian family in Guanzhong is supported by Zhang Tang, the Wuyan family, and the Yang family have all been trying their best to curry favor with Princess Guantao Taichang recently.

It is said that other big families in Guanzhong have also stepped up their efforts to win over the emperor's close ministers such as Ji, Yan and others.

If you want to move them, you have to ask the big shots behind them first.

As for those tycoons in local counties and counties whose family assets are worth millions, tens of millions or even tens of millions, you can guess with your buttocks that if you want to collect taxes from them, you must first be prepared to use force to collect taxes.

Otherwise, the tax collector would not even be able to get in, and would be killed by a group of desperadoes or strongmen.

What's more, the business of 'fake horses to the people' is also very hot.

Didn’t you see that the former servant, Yuan Ang and Yuan Si, who had dominated the Han Dynasty for decades, were all included in Ma Zheng?

With Yuan Ang's reputation and status, he still couldn't control the hands reaching up and down.

Gongsun Hong felt that he probably couldn't stop those big shots who wanted to 'make things convenient'.

Even if he has the Emperor's Day to protect him.

But this Emperor's Day thing is only meant to scare the country bumpkins below.

If we really want to meet giants like the Bo family and the Dou family, and they invite the Queen Mother, how can a small lord and captain of 800 dan still be able to stiffen his neck?

Gongsun Hong didn't believe that the emperor would go to the East Palace for the sake of the dignity of the lord and captain.

After all, a small lord and captain really pissed off the East Palace. The East Palace was furious and sent an envoy to hold the knot with a stick to kill this small official. The emperor might not even be able to save him in time!

Holding these pamphlets, Gongsun Hong felt that his hands were about to get goosebumps.

But he didn't dare to throw it away, let alone criticize it, so he had to lower his head and pretend to be reading and thinking attentively. But in fact, he was already thinking about the excuse to decline the emperor's appointment.

Gongsun Hong even decided: If His Majesty insists on appointing me, then I will seal it.

Hanging up the seal and leaving will make the emperor very unhappy.

But it's better than losing your head inexplicably or committing suicide or falling into the water.

Liu Che sat on the throne and looked at Gongsun Hong with a smile.

Of course he knew that this lieutenant's trap was quite deceiving.

But there is no other way. For the time being, Liu Che can only use the method of low-level officials and high-ranking officials to put on airs first, and then slowly enhance the status and rank ratio of the lords and captains, so that they will eventually reach the level of two thousand stones directly under the central government.

status and size.

After waiting for a while, Liu Che suddenly said: "Do you have any doubts or scruples?"

Gongsun Hong moved his lips but did not dare to speak.

Of course he didn't dare to express the scruples and doubts in his heart.

In that case, it would be questioning the emperor's ability.

Although the actual situation is indeed possible.

But questioning the emperor's ability is undoubtedly courting death.

Liu Che said it for him: "You are worried that someone will use power to dominate others, putting you in a dilemma, or even putting you in a situation where you have no choice but to do it?"

When discussing the setting and structure of the Lord Commander with the ministers in Lantai, Liu Che and his think tanks had long considered the possibility that the Lord Commander would be unable to control the situation.

After all, a small official with a salary of eight hundred dan is still an ant even if he is fake.

The holiday can only protect him from interference from other departments and yamen. But it cannot protect him from being played like a dog by the real big shots.

When the reform is going to hurt the vital interests of the bureaucracy and interest groups, let alone false holidays, the emperor himself is in front of them. They all have the courage to play tricks and conspiracies, and they are both obedient and secret.

There are simply not too many similar examples and stories in history books!

Wang Anshi and Shenzong, weren't they just played to death by these guys?

Even Xiaozhu, wasn’t he also tricked by them?

The expansion of complaints in history is not so much the result of Xiaozhu's intention. It is better to say that the officials below deliberately pushed the situation and deliberately messed up the situation.

For bureaucrats, if the emperor does not allow them to act randomly, then they will inevitably choose to do nothing or act randomly.

Don't care about anything else, just disgust the emperor first, and finally force the emperor to return to the track they want.

Liu Che knew these things very well.

That's why he chose Gongsun Hong to fill this hole.

Apart from a duplicitous guy like Gongsun Hong, who would do anything to achieve his goals, who could outplay that group of people?

Of course, Gongsun Hong alone cannot defeat those guys.

Therefore, Liu Che arranged a powerful boss for Gongsun Hong.

"You don't need to worry about these issues. I have ordered Zhi Jinwu to cooperate with the lord and captain. You only need to calculate the tax amount for the powerful merchants and large households, and give them an official document ordering them to pay within a time limit. Those who refuse to pay, I will

Zhi Jinwu has been authorized to enforce it! In addition, Ting Wei Zhao Yu will fully assist the lord and captain's yamen and give priority to the powerful people reported by the lord and captain. In a word, if the lord and captain can't do anything, the lord and captain will

The captain can be handed over to Zhijinwu and Tingwei, or even report directly to me, and I will send Lantai Shangshu to the lord captain's yamen to report on various affairs every morning and evening!" Liu Che comforted Gongsun Hong and said.

Why is Midi’s Internal Revenue Service so powerful?

Because people can be armed to tax!

You don't pay taxes, they drive armored vehicles directly to your door to collect taxes by force.

I don’t know how many big figures and gang leaders from the US federal government and the courts, who are unable to do anything about it, are all on the Internal Revenue Service.

The current Zhujue Duwei Yamen is a small organization of 800 kilograms. It may have only a hundred employees at the beginning, so it is obviously unable to possess such powerful means.

Therefore, Liu Che had no choice but to let Zhidu and Zhao Yu work as nannies.

Liu Che believed that no one could resist the double blow of the Emperor's big stick and the Emperor's shackles.

But it can only be a stopgap measure. In the future, building the Zhujue Duwei Yamen into an institution with tens of thousands of employees and powerful departments is the final solution.

But Gongsun Hong didn't know this.

He was still very frightened and frightened.

Confucian ministers have never had the Legalist thought of "if you can practice my ideas, even death will mean nothing."

On the contrary, Confucius taught them that if the state has the way, then they will be officials; if the state does not have the way, they will hide. If they use it, they will act; if they abandon it, they will hide.

Although they also have the so-called idea of ​​"sacrifice one's life for righteousness and sacrifice one's life for charity" in their philosophy, it is more about personal ethics rather than ideas and ideals.

What's more, the ideology and structure of this Lord and Lieutenant Yamen look like a Legalist-style Yamen.

This makes it even more unnecessary to use your precious life to practice it.

Therefore, Gongsun Hong kowtowed and said: "I died ignorantly to report to your majesty: I am a crude barbarian, ignorant of rituals and music. Fortunately, your majesty favors me and does not regard me as a mean person. When I ask you about the national affairs and major policies, I should be full of heart and mind to repay your kindness.

However, my talents are sparse and my knowledge is limited, so it is difficult for me to hold a big position. Your Majesty, please take a closer look!"

Well, it was obvious at first glance that this was a big trap, and a lord captain who would lose his life accidentally would not do it no matter what.

Liu Che was not surprised at all when he heard Gongsun Hong's answer.

He already knew that Gongsun Hong would not take office willingly.

But it does not matter.

What to do if the cow doesn’t drink water?

The answer is to just press its head!

It’s not like Gongsun Hong has never been forced to drink water by pressing his head!

In history, wasn't this guy ordered by Zhu Maichen to drink a lot of water?

Therefore, Liu Che acted as if he had not heard what he said, and said with a smile: "I have written the imperial edict to serve as Prime Minister and Censor, appointing Aiqing as the Duke and Lieutenant. I am already in Lantai now. Please prepare it."

, prepare to accept the imperial edict! In addition..."

Liu Che said with a smile: "I have found a deputy for you. This person's surname is Master Fu and his last name is Yan. You must remember to cooperate well with him in the future..." Liu Che said with a smirk on his face.

Gongsun Hong + Zhu Fuyan, this combination is a perfect match!

With the combination of perverse behavior and duplicity, Liu Che couldn't wait to see their chemical reaction.

As for Gongsun Hong wanting to run away?

Liu Che smiled, how could he not consider this situation, so Liu Che said with a smile: "I heard that your maid is very filial. Considering that you and your mother have not seen each other for more than a year, I have ordered someone to invite your mother.

After arriving in Chang'an, I am currently staying in the house prepared for you by Shangguan Lizhong. Someone will take you there later..."

Gongsun Hong suddenly felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten Xiang.

He is indeed a filial son!

Although, his mother was not his biological mother. Gongsun Hong's biological mother died early, and his father Xuxuan later married him a young stepmother.

But this stepmother was very kind to him and doted on him since he was a child. During the most difficult period of his life, she even only ate one meal a day and used the saved food to buy him books and pens.

This incident affected Gongsun Hong's life.

If there is something in this world that Gongsun Hong values ​​the most.

Then, his mother is undoubtedly.

For Gongsun Hong, he can do without everything, but he cannot live without his mother.

In history, when his stepmother passed away, Gongsun Hong strictly followed the etiquette and observed mourning for her for three years and ate vegetarian food every day.

At that time, Gongsun Hong was serving as Zuo Neishi, and he was already in his sixties, nearly seventy years old.

This is almost impossible to show off! (To be continued.)


This chapter has been completed!
Previous Bookshelf directory Bookmark Next