2.2.4 Clarify national tax and local tax
In order to solve the problem of central fiscal deficit, the Later Han Dynasty passed the pressure to the local governments and stipulated that all local fiscal surpluses must be turned over to the central government.
This approach cannot solve the problem, but transfers the problem. It transfers the problem of fiscal deficit from the central government to the local governments. It is a self-deception. Moreover, doing so will seriously affect local production enthusiasm and retard local economic development.
It can be said that there are hundreds of disadvantages and no advantages.
In his enthronement edict, Guo Wei announced the abolition of this provision. Local fiscal surpluses would still be retained for local use and no longer need to be turned over to the central government.
2.2.5 Opening up border trade
Previously, Uighur missions came to the Central Plains every other year, claiming to pay tribute but actually purchasing goods. The Central Plains dynasties generally prohibited private trade with them, and "foreign trade" was directly monopolized by the court. There are many reasons for this, such as protecting the country's financial markets.
Guo Wei revoked this ban and announced that the people of the Central Plains could do business with these foreigners at will, which was equivalent to giving the country's profits to the people.
2.2.6 Open the “cowhide ban”
Cowhide is also an important strategic material and can be used to make armors, war drums and other items. Therefore, private sales have always been prohibited, and it is purchased by the government and distributed as needed. Firstly, it can prevent it from flowing into the enemy country, and secondly, it can make a certain profit.
When Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, was in power, the government used salt to purchase cattle hides from the private sector, further increasing government profits;
Since the late Jin Dynasty, even salt has been saved; obviously, the people are unwilling to give such a scarce commodity to the government for free, so "private cowhide" on the black market has been banned repeatedly;
The Later Han Dynasty stipulated that anyone who bought or sold an inch of private cattle hide would be punished by death.
Guo Wei adopted the suggestion of Prime Minister Li Hub and opened the "cowhide ban":
First, the “cowhide tax” is significantly reduced, requiring only one-third of the original amount to be paid;
Secondly, and most importantly, it is to allow people to buy and sell cowhide freely. Of course, this "freedom" also has limitations, that is, it is not allowed to be sold to enemy countries.
As a result, the imperial court's fiscal revenue increased, and the people's production and life became more convenient, killing two birds with one stone.
2.2.7 Abolition of “buying banquet money”
"Buying a banquet" is an open bribery by a minister to the emperor, or the emperor's open blackmail of a minister. The minister handed over a "banquet money" to the emperor, and then the emperor treated him to a banquet. At that time, the standard for "buying banquet money" was five hundred taels of silver and one thousand pieces of silk and satin, with prices clearly marked.
Some ministers are willing to curry favor with powerful people and are happy to pay for this money, while some more upright and honest ministers are disgusted by this, especially honest ministers who do not engage in corruption or bribery. Where do they get so much money?
If you don't pay, the emperor will take the initiative. For example, it is common in history books to say "fortunate to such-and-such's private status", which means that the emperor visited the house of such-and-such minister. The emperor has come to your house to play. Your family will be flourishing and your ancestors will be honored. Then... pay for it.
In addition, when the princes from the local vassal towns come to Beijing for pilgrimage, the emperor will of course show his friendship as a landlord, treat them to a meal, and then... pay for it.
Guo Wei hated this very much. He probably had been blackmailed by the Liu family men a lot. He said to people around him: "Local officials come to the capital to meet the emperor. The emperor should hold a banquet to express his condolences. It is just a working meal, so why should he charge others? Not to mention the cost is so high! From now on, 'buying banquet money' is abolished!"
2.2.8 Abolition of camp and field affairs
When it comes to the "garrison" system, many people are familiar with it. Cao Cao strengthened his strength through the garrison system. The ancient border guards were stationed on the frontier and faced huge pressure on logistical supplies. Therefore, the border guards fought during wartime and cultivated wasteland in peacetime to become self-sufficient.
By the Tang Dynasty, participation in farming was not limited to the border troops. Many farmers also participated. The government collected grain and taxes from them and set up a special agency for unified management, namely "field affairs". This agency was affiliated to the Ministry of Household Affairs. It is under the direct jurisdiction of the central government and not under the jurisdiction of local governments.
In other words, local governments produce land, people, and means of production, but the profits go to the central government.
The imperial court often seized local farmland in the name of "camping land" and even exchanged barren land for fertile land.
In addition to economic exploitation, "Ying Tian Wu" has also seriously damaged the judicial system, because "Ying Tian Wu" is under the direct control of the central government in terms of administration, justice, and economy, and local officials have no right to interfere. It is like a small independent kingdom. Therefore, it has become a lawless place for criminals.
When the camp system developed to the Five Dynasties period, it already caused more harm than good.
Prime Minister Li Hu suggested abolishing the camp field service and abolishing this long-standing system, and Guo Wei approved it.
2.2.9 Stop recruiting “zombie cattle”
As early as in 905, when Zhu Wen went to the Second Town in January, he launched a large-scale conquest of the Huaihe River. Although he did not annex Yang Xingmi in Huainan, he went deep into the Huainan territory and looted tens of thousands of cattle. . Zhu Wen distributed this batch of cattle to farmers in the territory, and then the farmers paid tax on the use of cattle every year.
It is equivalent to the government renting cattle to farmers. It not only promoted production efficiency, but also brought considerable tax revenue. At that time, it was undoubtedly a thoughtful measure that benefited the country and the people.
From that time until now, nearly 50 years later, all those cattle have long since died, but the rent has been collected. The farmers are miserable.
After Guo Wei ascended the throne, he announced to seek truth from facts and cancel this tax.
2.3 Judicial reform
Reform is often accompanied by pain, because the reform will touch the interests of some people and encounter huge resistance. Guo Wei indeed forged ahead amidst difficulties and obstacles, sacrificing some of his own interests, setting an example and deepening reforms.
However, when faced with judicial reform, Guo Wei smiled happily because it was a question that required points. The judicial system of the Later Han Dynasty collapsed in a 360-degree, three-dimensional manner with no dead ends. There was no room for improvement. No matter how Guo Wei changed it, even if he made random changes with his eyes closed, there would always be improvement.
In the late Tang Dynasty, those who stole more than three pieces of cloth were punished by death; in the Later Jin Dynasty, this was relaxed to more than five pieces.
In the later Han Dynasty, it was simple and crude: If you dare to steal, you will die! Anyone who steals more than one copper coin shall be punished by death.
For cheating in marriage or improper relationships between men and women, the penalty is also the death penalty.
And no matter what crime you commit, there is a high chance that your whole family will be executed, or all your family property will be confiscated, and your whole family will become slaves...
Guo Wei stipulated that crimes of theft, crime of immorality, etc., should all be implemented in accordance with the laws of the Later Tang Dynasty; unless it was rebellion, no house confiscation or implication of relatives was allowed.
It took the Later Han Dynasty just three years to successfully lower people's expectations of the ruling class, and the country was on the eve of bottoming out. It can be said that as long as the successor is not the rebirth of Jie and Zhou, it must be the rebirth of Yao and Shun.
Although Guo Wei's start was also difficult, his future is infinitely bright. As the saying goes, there is no harm without contrast. It is precisely because of the shadow of the Later Han Dynasty that Guo Wei appears taller and more three-dimensional, and he has a god-like existence in the annals of history.
Guo Wei should really say to Liu Chengyou: "I thank you for eight generations of ancestors!"
