Liu Bei only stayed in the village for less than a week.
I spent the first five days traveling around the mountains and rivers. I heard that Liu Bei had made a fortune and returned to his hometown in fine clothes. All his old friends and friends came to visit him and played around. He was drunk and dreaming with Gongsun Zan, Jian Yong and others every day. It was so happy.
On the sixth day, I finally did something serious.
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty made him the Marquis of Lousang Township. In theory, the entire people of Lousang Township should pay taxes to him.
Now the patriarch of the Lousang Liu family is Liu Yuanqi, Liu Bei handed over this issue to him, and Liu Yuanqi will be responsible for collecting this tax from now on.
Two hundred households in a city is not too much, but it is small, of course. After all, the top title is the Marquis of Ten Thousand Households in a city of 10,000 households.
But at least there is a fiefdom, because some marquises don't have a fiefdom, so it would be nice to have one.
According to the taxation of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the annual land tax, oral tax and calculation tax for a family of three were about 500-600 yuan, and 200 households with 600 people could provide about 300,000 yuan each year.
Of course, this is just a general calculation. The actual number of people in a family in the Eastern Han Dynasty is much more than 3. There are elders and younger children. There are seven or eight people in a family with more children, and there are many people in even families with more than ten people, so the normal income is
Taxes are just a lot more money.
But it is impossible for Liu Bei to really collect that much tax. He must reduce a lot of taxes to benefit his hometown, so the annual tax is about more than 100,000 yuan.
Naturally, this money was not given to Liu Yuanqi, but used as a subsidy, supervised by the entire Liu clan, to support all poor families in Lousang Township and help the villagers get rid of poverty.
This was Chen Mu's suggestion.
Liu Yuanqi had always had prestige in the Liu clan and was of good moral character. He resolutely supported Liu Bei despite his wife's objections, which shows that he was not a selfish person.
Therefore, this suggestion quickly won the support of everyone in Lousang. After all, it reduced a lot of taxes and paid a lot less money every year. Of course everyone was willing to do it.
Originally, this money was tax revenue that should be handed over to the country, but now it is taken from the people and used for the people. Compared with other princes and kings who take the food and towns under their jurisdiction into their own pockets to support themselves and enjoy a luxurious life, this is the real
to benefit the people.
After dealing with some personal chores, the excitement of returning to his hometown gradually died down. A man should have high aspirations. Liu Bei left his hometown in late February, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom.
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei didn't know that it would be many years before they came back.
It’s just that the peach blossoms at that time were not as blooming as they are now.
The spring breeze from ten miles away brings the fragrance of flowers, and more than a hundred Youzhou cavalry rush south to Sili.
Seven or eight days later, we arrived in Luoyang.
Generally speaking, princes who have a fief are actually not allowed to leave the fief, but it is a different matter if they hold other positions.
For example, Kuang Heng is the Marquis of Le'an and the Prime Minister. Should he be allowed to stay in Le'an all day without handling affairs? There are also ten ministers who are also princes with fiefdoms, and they have not stayed in the fiefdoms.
However, Liu Bei left all affairs in Jinan to Jushu and left home to celebrate the New Year. This was with the permission of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, and it was not considered slacking off in government affairs.
After arriving in Luoyang, Chen Mu separated from his three brothers. Liu Bei took Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Jian Yong, who had just joined the camp, to Hedong County, while Chen Mu stayed in Luoyang.
After returning home, take a bath first to get rid of the dust on your body, then rest for the night to relieve your fatigue, and then go to the palace to meet the Holy Spirit the next day.
In early March of the second year of Zhongping, after the clapper sounded at the third quarter of the morning, the carriage slowly stopped in front of Zhuque Gate. After paying the driver, Chen Mu handed the palace card around his waist to Yu Lin, who was guarding the door.
The guard will be released after confirming that everything is correct.
Now his position is Yilang, and he was granted the right to walk in the palace by Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty. From now on, he no longer needs to wait outside the palace gate or wait for Zhang to let Wang Jun take him in. He has the right to enter the palace at any time.
After passing through Chongde Hall and Jiade Gate, we officially entered the Emperor's Palace. After asking about the Emperor's location, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty was currently in the West Garden, so he had no choice but to go to the West Garden.
The West Garden is next to the North Palace. Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty liked to live in the South Palace in autumn and winter, and in the North Palace in spring and summer.
Fortunately, he also knew that the emperor had moved to the North Palace at this time, so he entered through the Zhuque Gate, passed directly through several palaces, and entered the West Garden from the White Tiger Gate on the left.
It is the time when spring is warm and flowers are blooming. In the West Garden, countless exotic flowers and plants are vying for beauty. The grass and trees cover the sky and the sun is dense and dense. Among the mottled forest leaves, the spring breeze blows through the bamboo forest, and the floating bamboo leaves dance with the wind.
, making a rustling sound.
Next to the artificial lake not far away, swarms of goldfish were playing in the pond. It is said that Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty spent billions of dollars just to build this Western Garden.
In the early days when the world was in chaos, it was common to amass money and spend money like water. Now that the world is in chaos, there is no money to use.
Thinking back to the day when Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty said that he was not a foolish king, Chen Mu didn't know how to evaluate this person.
But one thing is certain, that is, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty was indeed willing to spend money in order to maintain the ruins of the Han Dynasty.
In order to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty almost went bankrupt. If it were not for Chen Mu, the millions of refugees outside Luoyang City would not know how to settle down.
However, after he put down the rebellion and gained money, his true nature was quickly revealed and he began to enjoy life again.
When Xiao Huangmen and Chen Mu arrived at the artificial lake, they saw Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty leaning on the wooden platform in the pavilion in the center of the lake from a distance, with his legs crossed and his chest exposed, opening his mouth without the demeanor of an emperor, waiting for someone.
The palace maid feeds grapes.
Seeing Chen Mu coming, Zhang Rang, who was waiting on the side, smiled and said: "Your Majesty, Zigui is back."
Liu Hong's eyes lit up, he climbed up from the wooden collapse and looked around: "My good brother is back?"
Just recently, when the land taxes for the three states of Yang, Yijing and Jing were paid, Liu Hong actually shouted excitedly, "Zhang Rang is my father, Zhao Zhong is my mother, and Chen Mu is my brother."
For a time, the government and the public were shocked, shocked by the absurdity of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty.
Originally, Chen Mu's fame was only circulated in a small circle. Even if people in the court knew about it, they would only say, "Oh, is he the young man who burned down Changshe after Qu Nihou?"
It's different now.
As Liu Hong said these words, and at the same time, the world publicized Chen Mu's deeds of avenging his father, not only everyone in the world knew about such a person, but even the high-ranking princes in the court knew about this new favorite of the emperor.
minister.
Although the attitudes of the imperial court are different, one thing is certain, that is, there is a hint of hostility. After all, how can it be better if he is juxtaposed with Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong?
certainly.
They still don't know that it was Chen Mu who gave the advice and encouraged Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty to collect land taxes.
If the princes in the imperial court had known about it, they would have become extremely angry and immediately criticized Chen Mu with words and writings, describing Chen Mu as a monster who brought disaster to the country and the people.
Chen Mu followed the small steps and walked into the pavilion, bowed his hands to Emperor Ling of Han Dynasty and said: "Greetings to the Emperor."
"Zi Gui's departure makes me miss him very much."
Liu Hong smiled and waved his hand, indicating for him to sit down.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Mu is so grateful." Chen Mu sat down beside him and said complimentary words.
Liu Hong laughed and said, "Now that Zigui is gone, are the adults in the family well?"
Chen Mu sighed: "My father was forced into a corvée by Zhang Chun. He fought with the barbarians and cut off an arm and injured a leg. But my father was not a coward. He killed seven people and had great military exploits."
Liu Hong was in awe and said to Zhang Rang and other eunuchs on his left and right: "Zi Guijia is really a loyal man. I issued an edict to make Zi Gui's father a Marquis of the country and give him a hundred gold."
Chen Mu was shocked and said: "How can this make His Majesty so affectionate?"
"hey-hey."
Zhang Rang laughed on the sidelines: "Zi Gui, don't be humble. Do you know how much money there is in the national treasury now?"
How much money is in the treasury?
Who knows.
Chen Mu shook his head.
Zhang Rang and Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty looked at each other, smiled, and stretched out two fingers: "More than two billion, this was just last year. If we collect another amount this year, the national treasury will be even more abundant."
According to records in "History of Qin and Han", "Book of the Later Han" and other books, the area of cultivated land in the country during the Eastern Han Dynasty was approximately 700-800 million acres.
Yangzhou, Yizhou and Jingzhou are considered the three richest states, with a total of 100-200 million acres of cultivated land.
If you pay 100 yuan per acre, you can get 10-20 billion in revenue.
Although according to common practice, each locality needs to withhold part of it, and Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty must fulfill his promise and use most of the money to relieve the three states of Hebei, Yu, and Qing Dynasty that were most severely affected.
But taking one-twentieth of it and adding the money earned from the floor heating effect, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty became rich instantly, and the national treasury suddenly became full.
The most important thing is that such taxation does not harm the people at all, it only harms the local powerful.
If one county's land is counted as 300,000 acres of land, according to the seriousness of land annexation in the Han Dynasty, half of it was occupied by local tyrants and half by ordinary farmers. Then the oral tax was cancelled, and the taxes that farmers had to pay were much less than before.
In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the oral tax was paid from the age of one to the age of fourteen, and the calculated tax was paid from the age of fifteen to fifty-six. If a family of five had thirty acres of land, in the past, one from thirty, plus taxes, would be paid one year.
It costs about 2,000 yuan.
But this is just the surface. There are countless exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes these days. In addition to the normal field tax, there are also household taxes, Ding taxes, Geng taxes, tribute fees, corvee taxes, and single taxes. Each family has to pay a total of 6,000 yuan every year.
More than money, and even more.
According to records in books such as "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic" and "Ju Yan Han Bian Shi Wen Shi", the annual income of an ordinary person at that time was generally around 3,000-5,000 yuan.
If a family of five has 30 acres of cultivated land and an income of 1,000 yuan per acre, then the annual income is about 30,000 yuan. After paying taxes and deducting various living expenses, after a year of hard work, there will be little left. Once there is a disaster, people will go bankrupt.
countless.
But now that the oral calculation tax has been cancelled, and some exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes have been exempted, the actual money to be paid is much less, which is equivalent to being exempted from half, that is, the original one-thirtieth of the land tax has been reduced to one-tenth. See
It seems that taxes have increased, but in reality they have decreased because of the absence of other exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes.
For ordinary civilians, this is something they are very happy to see and reduces their burden.
It's just that for the powerful, they are not so happy. Ten thousand acres of land will cost 1 million, and 100,000 acres will cost 10 million. Although it won't hurt your muscles and bones, it will also take away a piece of flesh.
How can local powerful people be happy after paying so much money for nothing?
However, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty adopted Chen Mu's plan of differentiation, and the three states were trying to plunder wool. The powerful powers in Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Yizhou were making trouble again. The interests represented by the three states in the court were opposed by the bureaucrats, and the bureaucrats in other states would not help.
If they talk, they will naturally stop making trouble in the end.
All this is due to the national policy proposed by Chen Mu.
How could you not make Han Ling Emperor happy?
After listening to Zhang Rang's words, Chen Mu smiled slightly, sat on the mat and cupped his hands and said: "All this is because the emperor and Zhang Gong have a keen eye and know the benefits of this strategy. Mu does not dare to take credit, so he can avoid granting the title of marquis to his father."
Alright."
Well, now that the emperor is rich, it is acceptable to give him a hundred gold.
"Hey, don't be too modest."
Liu Hong showed an unhappy expression and said: "Now that the national treasury is full, the people in Jizhou, Yuzhou and Qingzhou have also been settled. It's all your credit. How can you reward you regardless of your merits? I originally wanted to promote you to the chancellery, but it's a pity.
You are too junior, and I am afraid that you will not be able to convince the public if you are promoted rashly. I will transfer you to the Chancellery in two years, and you will be a servant first, and then an order. With you at the Chancellor, I will be able to sit back and relax."
Shangshu Ling was a thousand stones, but his position was low and his authority was equivalent to the fifth rank of the Ming Dynasty cabinet. It seemed smaller than those first rank high-ranking officials, but the power in his hands was huge.
Zhang Rang said from the side: "Your Majesty, now that the world is at peace and the national treasury has money, in two years the country will be rich and the people will be strong. Why don't you let me go back to the local area to serve as the governor first, and then transfer him back to Luoyang two years later to be the governor?"
Wouldn't it be better for the minister to always be by the emperor's side and plan the way to govern the country for him?"
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty thought for a while, nodded and said: "This is a good idea, Zigui, which state do you want to be the governor of?"
"Let's go to Qingzhou."
Seeing Zhang Rang's assist, Chen Mu said without hesitation: "Qingzhou is in ruins and waiting to be revitalized. If I go there, I can try out some strategies for governing the country. If it succeeds, I will dedicate it to Your Majesty to make the Han Dynasty stronger and restore the Han Dynasty."
Magnificent."
"But, when you graduate from Hongdu School, you will go to Qingzhou."
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty made the decision.
Being from Hongdu School is much more comfortable than being from Taixue School. You can start with 600 shi as soon as you graduate. Today's minister, Liang Hu, has no ability and is proficient in all kinds of music, chess, calligraphy and painting. But after graduating from Hongdu School,
, he was immediately promoted to the governor of Youzhou, and within two years he was promoted to minister, which shows how important academic qualifications from Hongdu School are.
Chen Mu's plan to be the governor of Qingzhou had long been expected. Chen Mu felt calm and saluted with thanks.
In a few years, the age of great strife will begin.
The plan to conquer the world starts with Qingzhou!