Wu Xianzhe was invited to stay in Weinan for four days, and together with Li Dan drafted two documents, the "Shaanxi Tax Collection Management Measures" and the "Scope and Rules for the Use of Tax Payment Certificates", which stipulated for the first time:
Rural residents protected by the empire and expatriates from foreign vassals have the obligation to pay taxes. For the first time, taxes were linked to civil rights.
Although Li Dan understands that this is still a long way from civil rights in the true sense, this regulation is a beginning, and it will be evaluated in the future that it opens the door to all civil rights!
According to these two legal documents, only villagers and expatriates who paid taxes could receive protection from the imperial Shaanxi government and had the same legal rights as other people. In other words, if you don’t pay your taxes, I’m sorry!
You can't win a lawsuit because the government won't support you, you can't do business because the guild won't accept you;
You can't pass through the border crossing because the county won't give you a way out, and you can't stay in a hotel because you've been staying in the province for a year and haven't paid taxes, and the store owners don't dare to stay there;
Even if your parents die, you won't be able to get the inheritance because you haven't paid up the previous taxes.
So is there no way out for the poor? No, the "Rules" declare that you can apply to volunteer for the government and have your taxes offset based on your hourly wages.
For example, if you participate in road, bridge, or construction projects, add the taxes you owe and the food and accommodation expenses provided by the government together to calculate how many hours of volunteering you should do, and then the household will transfer your information to the workshop to arrange the work. .
The number of hours in the current year must be used up in the current year, and only after using up can you get the tax payment certificate. Of course, it is also possible to make additional payments when you have money or in kind.
If the number of hours in the current year is not used up, it will be considered as unpaid, and the taxpayer who owes taxes needs to report to the county barracks and perform labor service until the accumulated hours are full. Labor labor is a form of forced restraint, but it is not as relaxing as being able to go home and visit as a volunteer.
There is another major change in these two documents. They were originally intended to promote the circulation of banknotes and avoid the use of money.
The government mandated that paying taxes must use banknotes issued by the dynasty. Now the regulations are relaxed, and banknotes, money, or physical objects can be used.
Wu Xianzhe didn't understand this change at first, but it wasn't until Li Dan patiently and carefully explained it to him and showed him a sample of Liao banknotes that he suddenly realized it and readily agreed to it.
They spent a day discussing each item, and until each item was understood clearly, Wu Xianzhe returned to Xi'an happily with the text, and rushed to Jiang Cunli's house without even entering the house.
Jiang Cunli read the document carefully and was so shocked that he was speechless: "This, this, has Brother He Sheng read it?"
"Not only have I read it, but I also discussed it with Li Youshen and drafted it. You see, this is the official handwriting of the manuscript!"
"Hiss!" Jiang Cunli frowned deeply.
"Brother Yide, are you too surprised?" Wu Xianzhe asked with a smile.
"More than surprised, simply shocked!" Jiang Cunli had no expression on his face, and he couldn't tell whether the imperial envoy was going crazy. After thinking about it, he raised his head and asked, "What does Mr. Zuo Shen think of these two laws?"
"Unprecedented and unprecedented!" Wu Xianzhe shook his head and said: "This idea of using tax payment as a prelude is simply brilliant. It seems to have nothing to do with banknotes, but secretly preparations are made for the implementation of new banknotes."
As he spoke, he gave Jiang Cunli a detailed explanation, and then said: "Next, Li Youcan means to make a set of regulations similar to those in Liaoning, such as the Banking Law, the Banknote Reserve System, the Banknote Issuance and Management Regulations, etc.
Li Youcan's original words are: The New Deal promotes the law first, such as Shang Yang's reform before the Qin Dynasty. Only by having laws to follow can we win the trust of the people! "
Seeing Jiang Cunli nodding silently, he pushed again:
"Brother Yi De, you are the chief of Qin, and your subordinates and right counselors are just assistants. Please draft these two documents and sign them together, and then submit them to the cabinet and the emperor for approval. If you think it is not good for San Qin, we can It’s full of discussion, don’t be in a hurry.”
This was also the tone Li Dan had set for him. According to Lin Yutang's report, this Jiang Cunli was a loyal old official, but after he reached a high position, he became a little hesitant and was not as free as he used to be.
Li Dan judged from many aspects that Jiang Cunli was not bad in nature, but the position of a feudal official was a bit difficult for him.
force. Therefore, Li Dan found it difficult to say whether he could sign his name on the back of the document, so he warned Wu Xianzhe not to push too hard.
As expected, Jiang Cunli hesitated again in the face of such an unprecedented approach, and a fierce struggle arose in his mind.
"I have to say that this method proposed by Li Youcan is indeed clever. On the surface, it is an idea for tax collection for the court, and it also provides a new way for the people to pay taxes. But in fact, it kills three birds with one stone."
"Why three eagles?" Wu Xianzhe was puzzled.
"The tax is one, the currency is two, the disintegration of the Zodiac is three!" Jiang Cunli said, twirling his beard: "He is not stupid, he has never forgotten the Zodiac. Isn't the reason why cults are rampant because of things like currency and tax evasion?
Due to the war with the Egu people, Shaanxi was responsible for the military losses on both sides of Guyuan and Yulin.
Since the reform of the system of prefectures and counties in the Ula tribe, the border areas have become much more stable. The emperor has specially granted permission to exempt the province from grain taxes for two years. However, the burden on the people is still heavy. After subtracting 30%, it is still much higher than that of Henan and Huaisi per capita. This is The root cause of displacement.
If we were given a way to deduct taxes, it would alleviate the pressure on the people. On the other hand, it would also solve the problem of insufficient government personnel and people's refusal to respond. "After he finished speaking, he picked up the tea bowl and drank tea.
"Brother Yi De said this, so you agree with Li Youcan's proposition?"
"Wait a minute." Jiang Cunli waved his hand. Putting down the tureen: "The method is good, but there are two methods:
First, it does not solve the fundamental problem but only provides relief. Second, this "Tax Payment Certificate" is really an astonishing move. If it is implemented, it will not only require the cabinet to coordinate with the Ministry of Revenue, but also the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Punishment...
What will be the court's reaction after seeing this? It’s hard to say! "
Wu Xianzhe thought that Li Youshen had really spoken, so he whispered: "Actually, brother Yide doesn't have to worry too much."
"Oh? How do you say it?"
"As soon as I arrived at Weinan Plains, Li Youcan took the subordinates to discuss the tax system, and slowly led the conversation to this "Tax Payment Certificate". What do you think this means?"
Jiang Cunli was very smart and immediately understood what he meant: "You mean... that he might have discussed this matter with the emperor before leaving Beijing?"
"It's even possible that he has obtained His Majesty's approval!" Wu Xianzhe lowered his voice: "He knows our place of origin and family background very well. He knows the mountains and rivers of Shaanxi better than the lower officials. What do you think this means? He has been prepared for this for a long time. ah!"
"Hiss!" Jiang Cunli gasped again: "This is the true hero!"
"Yes, what does it mean to win a thousand miles, and the temple counts? And to be able to drive young talents like Li Youcan, today's ZTE ambitions are fully revealed! We are born to meet the heroic master, and it is the right time to assist me in completing our great cause. dont you agree?"
"Well, that makes sense!" Jiang Cunli suddenly understood: "Even if the cabinet has different opinions, it is a matter between them and the emperor. Why should we be the praying mantis blocking the car?"
After he finished speaking, his decision was made. Then he walked behind the desk and picked up his pen:
"If this case is adopted, Shaanxi will be the first in the world. From then on, the tax system, legal system, and labor system will all be changed! I don't ask for a name in the history, but I just want to be worthy of the land of the Three Qin Dynasties. That's all!" After that, in The final mark and seal on the document.
When he learned that Jiang Cunli had signed for custody, Li Dan said calmly that it seemed that the old gentleman understood quite well and was not one of those who would never change things. In this case, the rest of the matter would be easier to handle. Li Dan sent a secret message to the emperor, along with copies of two documents.
"According to your instructions, all armies have begun mobilizing." Shen You sat in Li Dan's cabin (Li Dan legitimately raised the flag after Wu Xianzhe left), opposite Lu Chengyuan, who was accompanying him on the visit.
"But Yan'an is the farthest away. How long it will take to receive the news and how long it will take to get to Luochuan and be in position. I am really not sure."
He was telling the truth. In the valley terrain of northern Shaanxi, communication and communication were indeed difficult under the technical conditions at the time, not to mention that there was an enemy-occupied area in between?
Li Dan thought for a moment and asked, "Master Shen, does he know that pigeons can communicate?"
The two generals' eyes lit up: "Hey, I've heard of this. It seems that Gansu Town uses this method."
"That's good!" Li Dan
He made a decision immediately: "I will immediately go to Xingansu Town and recruit some experts in pigeon training to bring the pigeons over. This matter is important and cannot wait!" He paused and said:
"Let's see, I'll find a few trading companies to hold a pigeon competition and see if I can find some good players and good breeds of pigeons from the private sector.
Lord Shen will make preparations after he returns. He will set up full-time officers in all the armies of the Forbidden Army and their subordinates in each thousand generals, generals, strongholds, passes, ferries, key passes, every guard, post, station and beacon fort, as well as in every county and township regiment training brigade and squadron. Signal Corps, including existing messengers and pigeon messages.
You take a rest first, and then we will discuss a charter tonight, including establishment, number of people, management methods, reward mechanism, etc. Set up all the stalls within three months! "
Next, Li Dan asked about the training and equipment situation, and promised to deliver to the Shaanxi Army within three months 10,000 sets of uniform infantry half-armour, 3,000 muskets, 150 two-inch cannons, 1,000 war horses, and 700 draft horses. .
"First equip two reorganization groups, one in Tongchuan and one in Hancheng." Li Dan said. Shen You and Lu Chengyuan looked at each other, both knowing what the purpose was.
Zhou Zheng arrived with Wei Xiong and Dou Jiong and was very happy to see his old acquaintance Li Dan. Zhou Zhengxing was given the position of joining the army and serving as the director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Wei Xiong was arranged by Shen You to gain experience in the inspection department of Shaanxi Province.
Dou Jiong took over the task of investigating and investigating the situation of the Zodiac and various gangs in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border.
The assistant Li Dan gave him was Qi Dazhuang, the deputy squad leader of Yuliang's reconnaissance squad. Now he has accumulated the rank of sergeant due to his meritorious service and joined Li Dan's personal guard.
Crab King Wu and his men followed the two monks, but they lost them after following them for more than eighty miles. This made Li Dan realize the importance of relying on the locals. "Monks from other places are not necessarily better at chanting than local monks!"
He smiled and said to Crab King Wu who looked ashamed, "I can't blame you for this. There are many ravines in this place, and it is really difficult for you, a newbie, to climb up and down.
Let's do this. You put up a notice saying that our camp has vacancies and we need to recruit soldiers. Then you select two hundred people just like how we recruited scouts in Liaoning, and then select the most capable and clever forty people to form a team. A detective team. "
"What is this for?"
"It is a replica of our Military Intelligence Section." Li Dan said, "You will be the military intelligence staff officer and the captain of this detective team. In principle, you will be responsible for the interrogation heroes and report directly to me or my designated agent."
"yes!"
But when Crab King Wu came to invite Li Dan to inspect his newly formed military intelligence investigation team, Li Dan frowned and became more and more angry. He called Crab King Wu to a place where no one was around and asked angrily:
"What did I order you to do? Why did you find so many rotten fish and shrimps for me? What kind of scout are you doing?"
"Sir, please listen to my explanation." Crab King Wu said quickly with a look of grievance on his face: "It's not appropriate to select people like scouts exactly as you said." Seeing Li Dan's eyes widening, he hurriedly waved his hand:
"I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying that in Liaoning we were fighting against the Kelges, but we can't do this to the Zodiac Sect in Shaanxi!"
"Huh?" Li Dan looked at him again. But no, the people who rebelled against the Zodiac Sect were only a small number, and most of them were scattered in hidden places, and these people were still ordinary people.
If you throw a six-foot-tall, broad-waisted man into the middle of them, it will be very eye-catching and most people will run away when they see him. How can you do reconnaissance?
Thinking of this, Li Dan understood his intention. King Crab is not stupid. He found some crooked people from all walks of life to make it easier to win the trust of the enemy and to conceal his identity.
"I understand, it seems I wrongly blamed you!" After Li Dan finished speaking, he patted him on the back. Crab King Wu grinned when he saw him turn the corner and quietly exclaimed. That's the good thing about adults. They never hide their mistakes and are willing to listen to others' advice.
He gave lessons to these people, teaching them how to use daggers and repeating crossbows, how to draw maps and map terrain, as well as shorthand, hand gestures, secret signs, and codes with Arabic numerals.
These people specially found an abandoned village in a ravine, where they ran, had classes, drills, practices, etc. every day. Unexpectedly, this place later became a specialized military intelligence school.
Green Flag quickly sent news that Biaoying had left Wuguan Road
Entering Hanzhong, now approaching Shangluo. Li Dan told Aying with a smile: "It seems we won't be able to stay here for long, we will enter Chang'an soon!"
We packed up and set off, but we didn't go to Xi'an for the time being, but to Lintong first.
Here Li Dan participated in an "Investment Conference" organized by the Chief Envoy for businessmen. The previously planned auctions and contracts were all held at this conference, and a total of 1.41 million taels were harvested. Li Dan's confidence This is enough!
Having money makes it easier to do things, so he immediately threw out several documents such as the "Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of Banks in Shaanxi Province" (the "Bank Law" that Wu Xianzhe mentioned earlier). The chief envoy signed one by one and submitted it to the cabinet for approval. Li Dan then Written in a secret form and delivered to the emperor for review.
Fortunately, good news came at this time. The previous two tax-related documents had been approved by the emperor. Under His Majesty's strong push, the cabinet finally had to agree to give it a try.
However, the information obtained by Li Dan seemed to have led to a conflict between the emperor and the cabinet. In the end, His Majesty threatened to dissolve the cabinet in the name of their inconsistent attitude and lack of credibility, which forced the other party to sign a seal.
Another thing that surprised Li Dan was that the person who came to convey the order to him this time was not the familiar Liu Xi, but a new eunuch named Deng.
From him, Li Dan learned that Liu Xi had been sent to manage the water system in the garden after Liu Kan was demoted. As a result, he was implicated in the last fish dumpling incident and was given twenty board punishments and sent to the coal depot as an errand. .
"Oh!" Li Dan stumbled. If he had known better, he would have been more careful with his words. Now he probably offended Liu Xi severely. Li Dan regretted this endlessly.
"The consequences of offending an eunuch can be disastrous!"
