Yang Peng smiled and thought: "The country cannot rely on spoils of war to maintain normal operations. The most fundamental solution is to develop the economy and achieve a balance of payments! At this annual meeting, we must discuss the development issues of various places!" Han Bing felt that what Yang Peng said made sense, but she couldn't figure out where to start with economic development. After all, this was not something she was good at.
Unknowingly, the group of people arrived outside the palace gate, entered the gate, and came to the main hall. Yang Peng walked up to the top, stood at the foot of the steps and turned around. Everyone bowed to Yang Peng, and the civil and military personnel separated and stood on the left and right sides. Yan Yun respected the left, so the generals headed by Han Bing stood on the left, and the civil servants stood on the right.
Yang Peng glanced at everyone, "You all have done a good job, eliminating a huge rebellion without causing major damage to the entire Ningxia! I came all the way from Xiliang and saw that the people were still living. Yes, the social atmosphere is quite stable, and Yinchuan seems to be more prosperous than before! Very good!" Li Tongren and other civil servants couldn't help being happy when they heard this. Li Tongren clasped his fists and worshiped: "This is all due to the mighty virtue of King Yan. Thank you, how could we have done anything!" Other civil servants hurriedly said together: "The majesty of King Yan is everywhere, and the people of Ningxia are bathed in the glory of King Yan's majesty, and their lives will naturally be rich and better and better!"
Yang Peng said with a smile: "I am not a god, how can I get my mighty glory! Don't say such words again in the future!" All the civil servants ugh, feeling as if they were flattering the horse's legs, and they were submissive. Yang Peng looked at Li Tongren and asked: "How is the implementation of various policies?"
Li Tongren clasped his fists and said: "Reporting to King Yan, the implementation of various policies has been basically smooth, and all qualified people have basically received the land allocated by the government. The people are very grateful to King Yan, and they all say that King Yan is a living Bodhisattva who saves people in need. !" At this point, he quickly added: "This subordinate is just describing the matter!" Yang Peng smiled and said, "Continue."
Li Tongren responded and continued: "At the same time, the first batch of excess land tax has been collected, and my subordinates are preparing to send people to Tianjing New City." The so-called excess land tax is a kind of tax formulated by Yan Yun. Unique land tax. When the land you own exceeds a certain amount, you must pay land tax. As the land in your hands increases, the tax you need to pay will also increase accordingly. It is divided into multiple stages, similar to the ladder of modern society. The electricity price and the highest level of land tax are 100%. In other words, all the food and materials produced by the land in your hands must be turned over. A year's hard work is equivalent to a complete contribution to Yanyun.
Yang Peng asked with a smile: "Is there anyone who is unwilling to hand it over?" Li Tongren said: "Yanyun's laws are like a mountain, and no one dares to test them." Yang Peng nodded. Li Tongren took out a pamphlet from his arms, presented it with both hands, and said: "This is the total amount and various details of excess land tax this year, as well as the total amount and various details of customs duties, commercial taxes and other taxes, please ask King Yan to take a look. "
Yang Peng glanced at Yan Ji, who went down, took the booklet, and handed it to Yang Peng. Yang Peng picked up the brochure, opened it and read it. After a while, Yang Peng nodded, put down the pamphlet, raised his head and said with a smile: "It's better than I expected. The amount of various taxes actually exceeded four million taels of silver, which is great!" Li Tongren Hearing Yang Peng's praise, he couldn't help but feel happy. He quickly clasped his fists and said: "This is a matter that belongs to my subordinates. I finally lived up to King Yan's entrustment!" After a pause, he said again: "There is something I need to ask King Yan for permission." .Many nobles came to inquire about the sale of land, and my subordinates did not know how to deal with it."
Yang Peng glanced at everyone and asked loudly: "Where is the person in charge of the State-owned Enterprise Department?" When a woman in her thirties came out, she bowed and said: "My subordinate, Zhao Yan, is the person in charge of the State-owned Enterprise Department." The person in charge of Ningxia pays homage to His Highness King Yan!"
Yang Peng looked her over and said, "I seem to have seen you before." Zhao Yan showed excitement and said hurriedly: "This subordinate was originally a shopkeeper under Lord Meng, and I have met King Yan a long time ago. !" Yang Peng thought about it and remembered that Zhao Yan was the shopkeeper of a shop under the name of Meng Yulou. She was a pretty lady and was very famous in the whole street at that time.
Yang Peng said to Li Tongren: "Master Li, you can tell those nobles who want to sell their land to ask Master Zhao Yan if they want to sell their land." Li Tongren glanced at Zhao Yan, clasped his fists in agreement, and then said to Zhao Yan: "This is I will trouble Mr. Zhao with this matter." Zhao Yan replied: "Sir Li, you are too polite. I am also a subordinate of King Yan, and it is my job to handle this matter!" Then he asked Yang Peng: "Excuse me, King Yan, for what reason?" At what price will we acquire that land?”
Yang Peng said: "Just buy it at the usual price. I won't set any restrictions for you. Just do whatever you want. Do you understand?" Zhao Yan bowed and promised: "I understand." Yang Peng asked: "How is the operation of the state-owned sector? ?" Zhao Yan said: "For the information to King Yan, our state-owned department is mainly sorting out various industries during this period, and its profits are very limited. It can only turn over a profit of more than a hundred thousand taels of silver." Yang Peng nodded and said: "Xixia can be said to be Everything is in vain, so your performance is commendable!" Zhao Yan said gratefully: "Thank you, King Yan, for your understanding!"
Yang Peng asked: "Do you need anything? I can talk to Zhang Ping and his wife for you." Zhang Ping and his wife are currently the heads of the Ministry of State-owned Enterprises. All government-owned industries under Yan Yun's control are under the control of Zhang Ping and his wife. Zhao Yan shook her head and bowed: "Thank you very much, King Yan, for your kindness, my subordinates can cope with the current situation!" Yang Peng nodded with a smile and asked: "What industries does your state-owned department mainly operate in Xixia?" Zhao Yan said: "Each industry There are various industries, all of which were taken over from the original Xixia royal family and nobles. Among them, animal husbandry accounts for the largest proportion! There are more than two million cattle and sheep, and more than 300,000 horses of various types!"
Yang Peng smiled and asked: "Do you have any opinions on the future economic development of Ningxia?"
Zhao Yan couldn't help but get excited when she heard Yang Peng's inquiry. She knew that this was a rare opportunity to show her talents to King Yan. She thought about it carefully, bowed and said, "My subordinates thought that compared with It has two major advantages over other regions. The first is the location advantage. This is the only way for the Silk Road. Merchants trading through the Silk Road must pass through Ningxia. Therefore, my subordinates think that we should take advantage of this and work in Ningxia. Establish a material distribution center so that merchants from the Central Plains and the South can buy goods from the far west, and merchants from the West can buy goods from the entire Central Plains and the South;"
Yang Peng nodded thoughtfully and said with a smile: "Very good, you are going to build Ningxia into a logistics base. It is indeed a good idea to adapt to local conditions!"
Zhao Yan couldn't help but feel excited after hearing Yang Peng's praise, and continued: "For this reason, my subordinates believe that in order to better promote trade, too many checkpoints in Ningxia should be removed to make circulation smoother; in addition, Tax incentives can be implemented to encourage trade.”
Li Tongren frowned and said: "It's just a matter of removing too many checkpoints within the territory, and tax benefits are also required. Doesn't this mean that the government's tax revenue has been reduced in vain? How can this be done?" All the civil servants agreed. Now under Yan Yun's rule, the economic and tax situation can be said to be one of the two most important political achievements. Therefore, as soon as Zhao Yan proposed to abolish checkpoints and reduce taxes, all civil servants felt unhappy and expressed opposition.
Zhao Yan said: "Although the measures I have proposed will reduce taxes in the short term, they will definitely greatly promote trade in the long run. As long as the volume of trade increases, not only will taxes not be reduced, but there will be a substantial increase." Increase!"
Li Tongren said angrily: "This is impossible! There are only so many people who need to buy things, and there are only so many goods that need to be sold. Abolition of checkpoints and lowering tax burdens will only reduce income! How can we increase income? Mr. Zhao's The suggestion is only beneficial to those merchants and the people who bought the goods! But it will not be of much benefit to Yanyun as a whole!" His view reflects the thoughts of many traditional civil servants. Under the long-term influence of Confucianism, their vision It is not broad enough, and the promotion effect of lowering taxes on the entire people's livelihood and the economy cannot be seen.
Zhao Yan frowned, and she didn't know how to explain it for a while. For these civil servants, she had a depressing feeling that they had nothing to do.
At this moment, Yang Peng spoke: "Reducing the tax guess level will significantly reduce the cost of trade, and a substantial reduction in trade cost will inevitably lead to a substantial reduction in the final price. When the price comes down, people Naturally, people’s purchase intention will be different. People who were originally unwilling to spend money will naturally be willing to spend money. For example, luxury goods that were only consumed by wealthy people in the past may enter the homes of ordinary people. People who were originally unwilling to buy furniture will When people see that the price of furniture has dropped, they will naturally want to buy new furniture. As a result, the consumption of the entire society will increase significantly, and a significant increase in consumption will inevitably promote the expansion of production in related industries. In this way, from the perspective of the people All walks of life will be further invigorated, and this will inevitably lead to an increase in taxes!"
Zhao Yan looked at Yang Peng very excitedly. She didn't expect that King Yan had such a thorough understanding of economic matters. After listening to Yang Peng's words, Li Tongren and other officials felt enlightened and felt that everything King Yan said was true. It was an area that I had never thought about before, but it made perfect sense.
Yang Peng thought: "The abolition of checkpoints can be implemented immediately, but the tax reduction is too involved, so we will put it aside for now." All the civil servants and Zhao Yan worshiped together: "The King of Yan is wise!"
Yang Peng looked at Li Tongren and said: "From now on, only Yumen Pass and other checkpoints connected to foreign countries will be retained, and all internal checkpoints will be removed. The redundant personnel will be transferred to various government offices." Li Tongren promised with clasped fists.
Yang Peng said: "On my way to Yinchuan, I met businessmen from Tubo. According to them, Xiliao has lifted the blockade order on the border?" Han Bing said: "That's what happened. About half a month ago, Xiliao The Liao side revoked the blockade order. But the strange thing is that although they revoked the blockade order, they did not come to contact us. Although the border pass allows caravans to pass, they are still on strict alert. "
Yang Peng frowned and said: "That's right! This is a bit strange!" Li Tongren said: "Xiliao's approach is very puzzling. Since the caravan is allowed to pass, why doesn't it come with us? Contact? It seems like they want to gain benefits from trade, but they don’t want to improve relations with us!" The officials were talking incessantly, and the hall was buzzing for a while, making it a bit noisy. After a while, the hall became quiet again.
Li Tongren clasped his fists and said: "King Yan, my subordinates think that Xiliao has ulterior motives, so we should be careful!" Yang Peng nodded and said: "General Yang Yanzhao is still responsible for the military affairs of the entire Ningxia region. He knows what to do. You don't have to. Worry." Everyone agreed in unison.
Later that day, Yang Peng and Han Bing sat in the garden of the palace, facing the bright moon, drinking and talking. As the saying goes, "A little separation is better than a new marriage." After a period of separation, both people's hearts are filled with tenderness and sweetness. After three rounds of drinking, both of them were already drunk. Han Bing's beautiful face was flushed, and her beautiful eyes were shining with moving colors. It was the most charming scenery in the world, and Yang Peng's soul couldn't help but get stuck in it, unable to extricate himself. Got it!
Yang Peng said: "Little sister, it's getting late, let's take a rest early." Han Bing looked at Yang Peng lovingly and said nothing.
Yang Peng felt itchy and hurriedly got up, walked to Han Bing and pulled her up. Han Bing looked at Yang Peng and gasped with excitement. His towering chest was heaving violently, which could be described as turbulent. His beautiful face was as red as grease, emitting an extremely exciting light. Yang Peng couldn't bear it any longer and picked up Han Bing by the waist. Han Bing exclaimed, hooked his hands around Yang Peng's neck, and looked at Yang Peng with angry yet charming eyes.
Yang Peng hugged Han Bing and quickly walked into the palace. The red candle was burning high, and the waves were rolling. The soul-stirring music rippled away. It was a lingering night, endless romance and beauty; the night was silent, and the moon hid behind the clouds. .
Han Bing lay on Yang Peng's chest, her hair hanging on Yang Peng's chest, her skin all over her body glowed with a pink luster, her face showed a tired, lazy and satisfied look, her eyes were half open and half closed, Her red lips softly exhaled the fragrance of orchid, and her slender jade fingers drew circles on Yang Peng's chest.
He stopped drawing circles, raised his head, and asked curiously: "Is that Yan Ji having an affair with you?" Yang Peng rolled his eyes, patted Han Bing's pink back gently with his palm, and said angrily: " What does it mean to have legs?" Han Bing said tiredly, "You know what you're asking! The way you look at her is like a mouse seeing rice!" Yang Peng laughed, stroking Han Bing's pink back and said with a smile : "Do rats love rice? Haha."
Han Bing rolled her eyes at Yang Peng, put her cheek on Yang Peng's chest, and murmured: "I don't want to care about these things of yours. Anyway, as long as you have me in your heart. This Yan Ji is so beautiful. Well, us sisters, when it comes to beauty, Zhao Jinxi is the leader, but compared with this Yan Ji, she is inferior! Of course, only the eldest brother can have such a beautiful woman!" Then he said teasingly: "But I think eldest brother you It seems like I haven't succeeded yet!" Yang Peng sighed, "It can be said that King Xiang has a dream, but the goddess has no intention!" Han Bing pursed his lips and smiled, rolled his eyes, and said with a smile: "My little sister can help a bunch of big brothers. !”
Yang Peng's eyes lit up, he lowered his head and kissed Han Bing's forehead, and said with a smile: "She is really a good wife for my eldest brother!" Han Bing rolled his eyes at Yang Peng and said angrily: "I must have owed you in my previous life! Not only will I want to be you in this life, My wife was bullied by you, and she still wants to help you chase other women!" Yang Peng laughed, and came over with his other hand, wrapped his arms around Han Bing's waist, pulled his head down, and kissed Han Bing red lips. Han Bing glanced at Yang Peng charmingly and lay back on Yang Peng's chest.
The two hugged each other tenderly for a moment, and Han Bing said: "There is nothing going on here. I want to go back with my eldest brother." Yang Peng nodded, "Okay! That's what I asked for!" Han Bing raised his head and looked. He glanced at Yang Peng and thought: "This rebellion is not entirely a bad thing. After this rebellion, the rebel forces that were originally hidden in Ningxia society were completely exposed, and they were wiped out by us! Although there are still a few remaining , but it will never be able to stir up any more waves!”
Yang Peng nodded sympathetically and said, "Yes, after this time, Ningxia should be able to get rid of the constraints of the past and enter the track of rapid development!" Han Bing said with a wise look in his eyes, "I have a feeling, I feel that Ningxia will become a wedge for our Yanyun to expand our territory and move towards a powerful empire!"
Yang Peng nodded and couldn't help but think of some words Wang Laozhi once said. He once said that four countries will dominate the future of the world. Yang Peng now knows three of them, namely Yanyun, Liao and Japanese, but for the fourth country, it is still like seeing flowers in the fog and it is difficult to understand. Yang Peng stroked Han Bing's smooth skin and said, "Which of those countries in the West will become our enemy?"
Han Bing thought: "The first one to bear the brunt is of course Xiliao. However, I feel that Xiliao entered the Western Region with the remaining enemies of Daliao and developed, and now it has reached its limit. Although its strength should not be underestimated, it cannot be said that it can compete with our Yanyun alone. Confrontation, but not necessarily.”
Yang Peng nodded and thought: "Even if the Liao Kingdom, Xiliao, and the imperial court are all annexed by us, it will only restore the territory of the heyday of the Han Dynasty, which cannot be said to be such an amazing achievement."
Han Bing was startled, looked at Yang Peng, and asked curiously: "What is the ideal of eldest brother? Does it mean that eldest brother wants to share the whole world?" Yang Peng smiled, "I don't necessarily want to To unify the whole world, I just want to try my best to do it! In the end, just go to that step if you can do it, and I won’t force it!"
Han Bing thought: "Brother's ideal will be accompanied by endless wars!"
Yang Peng nodded and said: "Actually, I want to unify the whole world, but I don't exactly want to realize my personal ideals." He lowered his head and glanced at Han Bing, "Peace is good, but for a country and a nation, Talking about it is the deadliest poison! Peace will kill our fighting spirit and corrode our souls. I will make our nation gradually lose its enterprising spirit, and finally become an enslaved object in the fierce competition! Therefore, I will use constant War to maintain the enterprising spirit of the entire nation and maintain this fighting spirit! Only in this way can our nation continue to develop and become stronger! Survival is cruel, and only constant fighting can win dignity and development opportunities, at the cost of temporary comfort. It must be the ultimate destruction!”
Han Bing nodded, sighed, and said: "Although I don't want to admit it, I have to say that what the elder brother said is very correct! In life, one should continue to work hard and make progress, otherwise he will become a servant of others, and the country Of course, the same is true. What future can a country that is content with the status quo and unwilling to compete and fight with others have? The reason why the Song Dynasty fell into a situation where it was invaded by foreign enemies and almost overturned the entire country was precisely because of their lack of fighting spirit! He glanced at Yang Peng and said with a smile: "But if this happens, those Confucian scholars will probably say that my eldest brother is being militaristic again!"
Yang Peng sneered and said: "If they want to say it, let them say it. I'm afraid there will be no Confucianism in the world in thirty years!" Han Bing frowned and said: "I'm afraid that's not the case!" Yang Peng showed confusion. Colorful, he asked: "Why did Han Bing say that?"
Han Bing glanced at Yang Peng and said: "Brother is a hero and only wants to build a powerful empire. What he needs is to think that nature will not be the self-destructive thought of Confucianism! But a figure like eldest brother has only been around for thousands of years." It is rare to have a successor, and nine out of ten successors will not be like the eldest brother. Most people with mediocre qualifications think about how to maintain their own rule, and to maintain their own rule, the most useful doctrine is Confucianism, so once When mediocre people come to power, nine times out of ten they will pick up Confucianism again and put Confucian scholars in the spotlight.”
Yang Peng nodded, "You're right!" Then he smiled and said: "But this situation will definitely not happen!" Han Bing's heart moved and said: "Brother, are you talking about the education of children? That is useful. , but I’m afraid it won’t work all the time! It’s impossible to guarantee that every successor will be the kind of person that big brother wants. As long as someone with wrong ideas appears, everything may be overturned!”
Yang Peng looked at Han Bing and asked: "Han Bing, if you have our child in the future, will you want him to be the emperor?" Han Bing shook his head, "No!" Yang Peng asked with a smile: "Why? ?”
Han Bing said: "I just hope that my children can live a happy life. As for being an emperor, be a good emperor. You have to work as hard as my elder brother, but be a bad emperor. I don't like it either, not to mention being a bad emperor. It’s hard to die well! All in all, it’s hard to live happily as an emperor! So I hope our child can become an ordinary person, marry a beautiful wife, have an obedient and lovely child, and live peacefully. Spending your life quietly is actually a rare happiness!"
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
