5. Light corvee and small gifts
5.1.1 After Li Siyuan became emperor, he wanted to amnesty the world as usual, write off the people's tax arrears, and abolish a series of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes enacted by Kong Qian;
The tax system was restored to the Later Liang Dynasty (according to the Zhu Liang system). The taxes previously collected by Kong Qian with unreasonable items should be returned to local prefectures and counties; the summer and autumn taxes collected in advance should be returned to the people.
5.1.2 During Li Cunxu's period, when people paid taxes, they had to pay an additional 10% "provincial consumption". Li Siyuan ordered the abolition of "provincial consumption" and the people only had to pay the normal amount.
5.1.3 In the case of usury, if the creditor has recovered the principal, no more interest is allowed (the usury will be turned into an interest-free loan in the form of an administrative order); if the interest earned exceeds the principal, the debtor will be charged with the principal and the principal. No profits need to be returned.
In the case of excess productivity and means of production, appropriate financial leverage, or private lending, has a positive effect on economic development. However, when the means of production are scarce, productivity is low, and the economy is in dire straits, this kind of financial leverage will also magnify the dilemma infinitely. In particular, the interest rates of these loan sharks can often skyrocket. In years of disaster and famine, poor people will go bankrupt (all over the country). The annual income is not even enough for interest, and the principal and unpaid interest will become the principal of the next period, with interest compounding and theoretically impossible to repay).
The year before Li Cunxu's defeat, there was a severe drought and then floods. Coupled with endless expropriation and expropriation, the farmers were already overwhelmed. In this context, the newly appointed Li Siyuan must forcefully stop loan sharking. That’s why there are the above-mentioned extremely tough administrative laws.
5.1.4 Lift ban on music and iron ban
Salt, iron, and distiller's yeast are all important strategic materials monopolized by the imperial court, and their production and sales must be controlled and operated by the government. Because of their huge profits, illicit salt and wine were banned repeatedly, and the court had to pay additional control costs for this.
After repeated discussions, Li Siyuan's court canceled the koji ban and the iron ban, allowing the people to make wine and make farm tools as they pleased. The court levied a koji tax and a farm tool tax based on the land.
The tax on distiller's yeast was 5 cents per mu (later reduced to 3 cents), and the tax on agricultural tools was 1 and a half cents per mu. In a good year, the price of grain is about 5 cents per bucket.
This move not only benefits the people, but also significantly reduces tax costs, making it a win-win situation for the people and the court.
5.2 Practical regulations on tributes, contributions, etc.;
5.2.1 There is no need to present rare treasures from various places to celebrate the enthronement;
5.2.2 Local officials and deputy provincial cadres (Jiedushi, Defense Envoy) and above are only allowed to give congratulatory gifts during the "Four Festivals" (Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Winter Solstice, Emperor's Birthday), and the gifts must be paid out of the official's own pocket. Don't take the opportunity to exploit the people, and the congratulatory gifts are just as meaningful (just express your feelings). No congratulatory gifts are allowed at the municipal bureau level (provincial governor) or below at any time.
The local tax system should formulate and clarify corresponding tax regulations and clearly mark prices. They should not impose heavy taxes on business travelers based on clever names or local protectionism.
5.2.3 Open a special horse market in the western frontier and prohibit the Dangxiang and other Tibetan people from entering the Central Plains.
Previously, these northwest Tibetan tribes always came to Luoyang with so-called "war horses" of varying quality under the guise of donating war horses to the Central Plains dynasty. Big countries want face, small countries want li. The Central Plains Dynasty would generally provide them with food, food, housing, and generous gifts of gold and silver. In addition, no matter what kind of donkey-like dog-like horses they brought, the Central Plains Dynasty would always pay the price of a first-class war horse.
Lose money and make money. Li Siyuan set up a special horse farm at the border and purchased horses at actual market prices; he no longer allowed the Tibetan people to enter the mainland to cheat on food and drink. Save government expenditure to a great extent.
5.3 Cancel the "red glue" and "rail paper" fees.
At that time, the letter of appointment issued by the court required the parties to pay "red glue" and "silk paper", just like the "production fee" required to obtain a marriage certificate today. The production fee for two small red books was 9 yuan. Although there was a surplus, it was not too bad after all, and the newcomers would not be able to afford it. At that time, the "production fee" for the letter of appointment was relatively expensive, and the historical records were not directly When it comes to how much it costs, I just say that many poor officials from poor backgrounds cannot afford it...
However, this kind of letter of appointment is not a necessity. You don’t need to do it. You can take office with just a free appointment notice (ultimatum). Therefore, many officials from poor backgrounds chose to refuse to ask for letters of appointment.
Li Siyuan initially ordered that all civil and military officials in the central government must receive formal letters of appointment. This was an honest and honorable matter, so why should it be done secretly?
As a result, the ministers discussed that the paper, pen and ink, and ink pad for the letter of appointment actually cost little money. Why did the court go to all the trouble to collect such small amounts of money? The flesh on the fly's legs is not spared either. Are you crazy about being poor?
So Li Siyuan ordered: From now on, he will no longer ask for production fees from the parties involved.
5.4 Reduce “gift money”
At that time, the imperial court not only stripped officials of their legs in letters of appointment, but also stripped them of their bodies in various large-scale ceremonies. For example, when "something happened in the southern suburbs", officials at all levels had to "voluntarily" donate a large sum of money. .
Li Siyuan issued an edict to reduce or reduce the price as appropriate.
6. The army went to Kinki
The public reason for mobilizing various armies (mainly those who came with Li Siyuan) to the Gyeonggi area was to shorten transportation routes, save manpower and material resources required for transportation, and save expenses. In fact, it was also an act of self-protection for the weak Li Siyuan. It is convenient for command and control and can respond to rebellion at any time.
7. Arrangement of surrendered ministers from former Shu
After the surrendered ministers of the former Shu arrived in Luoyang, they received cordial greetings from Li Siyuan, and assigned corresponding positions to the prime minister of the former Shu, Wang Kai and others. Those who are willing to stay can stay, and those who want to return to Shu can also go home.
8. Rectify the official system
In fact, it is to rectify the civil servants group.
For example, when central officials of the imperial court went to local areas to perform official duties, they often took advantage of their positions to dictate and interfere in local administration, and placed their children and cronies in local areas by "saying hello". Li Siyuan issued an edict to prohibit it. If it happens again, once verified, he will be severely punished!
9. Justice
Li Siyuan ordered that local administrative officials must personally interrogate prisoners every ten days to strictly eliminate "unjust, false and wrong" cases; all death sentences must be carefully verified and must not be taken lightly.
An extremely absurd and confusing case occurred during Li Siyuan's period: an inspector named Hun Gong'er verbally reported a serious "rebellion" case, saying that two common people "practiced fighting with bamboo poles." Li Siyuan was shocked when he heard the news. How could ordinary people learn military skills? Want to rebel! So Shi Jingtang was ordered to go and deal with it seriously. Shi Jingtang was extremely efficient and beheaded the two civilians immediately.
Later, An Chongjie recalled that the so-called two commoners were two young children playing with bamboo poles and were accused of "treason" and executed.
But Li Siyuan was very angry. He issued a rare "Edict of Sin" and took the initiative to reduce his meals for ten days. Seriously criticized Shi Jingtang and fined him one month's salary; Hun Gong'er was exiled to Dengzhou with twenty sticks; he compensated the young boy's family with fifty bolts of silk, one hundred stones of wheat, and one hundred stones of millet; all states across the country must take this as a countermeasure A typical example, study carefully and learn from it.
Li Siyuan apologized to the people of the country in the form of a "criminal edict". His attitude was sincere and the punishment was quite severe. This case and the edict were recorded in "Mingzong Benji".
