In Daxia, he went to the capital to attend a court meeting.
Emperor Xia sat on the dragon chair, his eyes slightly lowered, and he glanced at the ministers. The Spring Festival had just passed, and the north was still in the wind and snow, but the white hair and snow were obviously much less.
Although it is a good thing for the people of Daxia, they have finally survived a year of poverty, hunger and cold, and can look forward to the days when spring will bring warmth and flowers will bloom.
But for the Daxia military and even the imperial court, this time of year is extremely difficult.
The imperial court had already squandered all the taxes from the previous year, and it’s unclear where to find the money for the new year?
The aristocratic families' granaries are full, and people are starving to death everywhere. In addition, the counties in Luochuan last year suffered from both natural disasters and military disasters. There are also constant wars in Longyou and Longxi.
As a result, the imperial court's taxes were reduced by more than 20%. The 20% may not seem like much, but in fact, the imperial court had already tightened its belt and lived a good life. The two % less was to divert the load-bearing pillars of this dilapidated house in Daxia.
Many contradictions that were previously hidden have begun to emerge. The number of bandits and refugees in various places is gradually increasing. The demons of Lisheng who originally disappeared have reappeared, and there are even signs of blooming across the country.
In the past few days, memorials have been flying in from all over the country like snowflakes, and the dynasty seems to be on the verge of collapse.
Counties, counties and state capitals all over the country requested to send troops tax-free to calm the people and get rid of bandits. Of course, from the perspective of the imperial court, this was definitely not possible.
The tax must not be less, or even more than in previous years. Otherwise, how will the court make up for the shortfall of 20% of the tax money?
You must know that 50% of Daxia's fiscal revenue is currently used on the frontier and military.
Twenty percent was used for royal family members, such as fiefdoms and fixed treatment for various princes and grandsons, while the last 30% was captured by Daxia's huge bureaucracy.
It can be said that there is almost no extra money collected.
Now that it is 20% less, although everyone does not say it, they also know that the emperor is going to be killed.
Emperor Xia slowly opened his mouth and said: "My dear friends, happy New Year. I see, everyone's face is shiny."
The ministers hurriedly handed over their hands: "It's all because of His Majesty's favor and His Majesty's blessing that my country in Daxia will be safe, the people will live in peace and contentment, and the country will be stable and worry-free..."
Emperor Xia waved his hand and snorted: "That's enough, I don't want to hear these empty words from you."
"Xu Jiang!"
"I'm here!"
Xu Jiang stood up. After Shen Wansan left, Xu Jiang was successfully promoted to the position of Minister of Household Affairs. Looking at the entire officialdom of Daxia, it was quite explosive.
You know, Xu Jiang was once a discarded person, but now he has entered the temple in Qingyi and has become the Minister of Household Affairs, second only to the Ministry of Officials in power among the six departments.
Such a speed of promotion is rare since the beginning of the dynasty, coupled with Xu Jiang's upright and resolute character.
He never played the tricks of officialdom. He was the Minister of Household Affairs and held financial power. Many officials complained endlessly, saying that there was no money to be made.
Many memorials and copies flew to the imperial study like snowflakes, and some people even boldly tried to find a way to Liu Jin and asked His Majesty what he meant.
But Liu Jin only gave four words, which made the officials who heard the news instantly become honest.
"Jane is in the heart of the emperor"
For the feudal dynasty, the value of these four words was so high that when Xu Jiang appeared on the stage, all the courtiers became nervous.
Their expressions naturally fell into Emperor Xia's eyes. Qin Yun had lost his hands with this knife, so he naturally needed another knife.
"Xu Aiqing, you have written several times, saying that you want to reform our tax system in Daxia. Now is the beginning of the year. Why don't you express your thoughts in front of me in front of the ministers."
The officials looked at each other with concentration. What could Xu Jiang think? It's not the emperor's idea.
The ministers subconsciously glanced at Yang An, the leader of the hundred officials, and then at the prince Qin Zheng. These two are now the only people in the court who can change the emperor's mind.
Under normal circumstances, the prime minister comes from the official department and is the real pinnacle of human affairs. His every word and deed represents the officials and the interests of the nobles in the world. All reforms will touch the interests of the past, but at this moment Yang An But he was unmoved, as if the old god was there.
Xu Jiang did not go around so many twists and turns and said bluntly: "Your Majesty, I believe that the bureaucracy of Daxia is too bloated and should be abolished. I have investigated it privately and found that if some officials who are empty payers and useless are eliminated and abolished, it will be a big problem." Save more than 10% of your finances.”
“This is a big way to make up for some fiscal shortfalls.”
As soon as these words came out, the officials were in an uproar. Are they going to put the knife directly on their heads?
Of course, everyone present is an important member of the court, and it is unrealistic to lay them off. But who doesn’t have descendants, who doesn’t have relatives?
These people are all pointing to the imperial court's little official salary and leisure and happiness. If this is implemented, they may be ignored when they go back tonight, and some may even kneel in the rubble!
As soon as this statement came out, Li Zhiyuan, the official in charge of the officials across the country, naturally had to stand up and express his attitude.
"Your Majesty, you must not do it! I think this is a matter of the Ministry of Personnel. Mr. Xu, a minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, comes to criticize the Ministry of Personnel. It is really a big joke."
"Mr. Xu, your Ministry of Household Affairs has insufficient finances. You don't think about how to increase revenue and reduce expenditures. Instead, you blame others. Although there are corrupt officials in the Ministry of Household Affairs, the laws of Daxia are strict. Your Majesty is aware of the situation above and there are guards in uniforms below. Undercover investigation, who are you talking about being paid for free? Mr. Xu, you just need to name the person, and Mr. Xu doesn’t need to worry about it. I will personally tie the person to the Hubu Yamen, so that you, Mr. Xu, can eliminate harm for the people!"
Li Zhiyuan didn't open his mouth, but when he opened his mouth, he was very angry. Your household department is in charge of the affairs of the official department. What are you going to do? Want to see the government affairs at a glance?
Of course, this sentence is also meant for Emperor Xia. The court has its own rules. Even the emperor is only a referee. As a referee, he must act according to the rules.
Otherwise, the rules will be chaotic, and without the rules, the court will not be a court.
Xu Jiang was born in the world, and he is not a fool to become an official again. Naturally, he will not name a specific official, otherwise they may actually be able to send people to the Ministry of Household Affairs. For the entire bureaucracy, So what if you sacrifice one or two?
At that time, some people will make a mark for Xu Jiang, saying that he forced to death a good official who was dedicated to serving the people. If he continues to hype him up in officialdom and in the public opinion field, Xu Jiang's reputation will naturally become bad.
Xu Jiang said in a deep voice: "I'm not targeting certain people, I'm targeting everyone present. Not only are officials being laid off, but the monthly salary of the clan and royal family will also be cut. Daxia is now in a state of turmoil. Can't you all do something for Daxia?" Xia did his best and you treated me like a gentleman, how can we not repay the favor?"
"Li Zhiyuan, let me ask you, if there is no layoff, tell me, where does this money come from?"
Li Zhiyuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I happen to have something to report."
Emperor Xia waved his hand and said, "Say it!"
Li Zhiyuan: "I think that if we can continue to suffer the people, after this year is over, it will not be too late to reduce taxes!"
Xu Jiang was furious: "Fart, Li Zhiyuan, are you talking human language? Have you, the official minister, seen the suffering of the people? People who changed their sons to eat, starved to death everywhere, even in the land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River, there are people who can't even eat one meal a day I can’t even afford food.”
"In Luochuan, I saw with my own eyes the misery of the people, and the source of all this was the increase in taxes. The court increased taxes, and the noble families tried their best to spread the pressure on the tenants. When natural disasters came, the noble families covered their granaries and drove up prices. It’s hard for the people to even feed themselves.”
"You Li Zhiyuan, what do you know? The food you eat and the clothes you pass on are all obtained by the sweat and hard work of the people. If you raise taxes, can you afford the people of Daxia?"
Li Zhiyuan said: "Then the problem can be solved according to Master Xu's words? Take Luochuan as an example. Years ago, officials from the Luochuan Prefecture suggested abolishing the horse post offices. This is what caused the tragic situation that you said the people of Luochuan were exchanging their children for food. Little Pony Post Officer Liu Jiangong."
"He swept away the chaos and caused countless people to suffer in Luochuan in the name of going to Beijing to ask for an explanation. You, Xujiang, have been away from the temple for many years, living far away from the rivers and lakes. You think that the suffering of the people is all the burden of the temple? You are too naive to think .”
"The common people you talk about, such as Liu Jiangong, have to rely on the imperial government's salary to support their families. With a stroke of your pen, you became a saint and won praises from the people. But those low-level officials who were laid off, Who will be responsible for their livelihood?”
"Why, are you going to drive them to farm and reclaim wasteland?"
"Xu Jiang, managing finances and protecting people's livelihood is the business of your Minister of Revenue. Don't blame me because the Ministry of Revenue is incapable of making money. Maintain the operation of Daxia and maintain the authority of the court. , it is the responsibility of my household department to be able to have someone available in times of crisis."
"A person like you is upright, an upright official, and one who records history, but is this really good for the court and the people? Mr. Xu, I hope you will think twice. If you insist on dismissing me, then what will happen to me?" As you wish, I will go home and farm!"
As he took off his official hat, Xu Jiang was also aroused.
"Okay, who else?"
However, before he finished speaking, all the officials knelt down and took off their official hats.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to return to my hometown to work on farming in order to save the finances of Great Xia."
Qin Zheng sneered in his heart, Xu Jiang was a clown. He knew in his heart that Xu Jiang was Qin Yun's man, so he was naturally happy to see him in trouble.
Xu Jiang's face darkened, he said the wrong thing, but the matter has come to this, as long as the people can relax, so what if they are broken into pieces?
Fortunately, Emperor Xia stood up slowly at this time and said in a calming manner: "Okay, dear friends, Lord Xu is just joking, you don't need to take it seriously."
All the ministers were kneeling with their heads down, but no one got up.
Until Emperor Xia scolded him with a straight face: "Xu Jiang, this is your fault. You sirs have worked day and night for the court and the people of Li. You have refuted all their past achievements in one sentence. If you pass, I will punish you to shut up and think about your faults." day."
"Li Zhiyuan, as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, are you trying to take the lead in forcing the palace?"
Li Zhiyuan trembled in fright: "I don't dare!"
"Then why don't you get up!"
The ministers then stood up. Xu Jiang on the side was expressionless. He looked around and saw no like-minded people. But when he met Emperor Xia's gaze, he realized that he was too hasty.
Xu Jiang cupped his hands and said, "I just made a mistake and I am willing to be punished."
Emperor Xia smiled and said: "Although I made a mistake, Mr. Xu, as the Minister of the Ministry of Households, can be forgiven for thinking about the country and the people. So let's inform the clan that all princes and viscounts will have their salaries reduced by 30% in the future. I will take the lead for them and suffer for a while." bitter."
Li Zhiyuan stood up and said: "I am willing to cut my salary by 90%, but I want to give the lower-level officials a bite to eat!"
The ministers followed: "The same is true for me!"
Emperor Xia smiled and said: "I feel the patriotic heart of all of you who love me, and I have passed it on to the inner treasury. From now on, I will eat three simple meals a day, and the concubines in the harem will cultivate the back garden and farm with me."
"My Holy Emperor!"
Qin Zheng also quickly expressed his position: "My son is willing to follow his father, and is willing to donate all family assets and reduce the cost of food and clothing."
"Okay, the prince deserves encouragement!"
The officials bowed their hands to Qin Zheng again: "The prince is knowledgeable and sensible, and loves the people like a son. It is a blessing to have such a prince in Daxia!"
But just when the ministers were at peace, a court captain hurriedly stepped forward.
"Report! The letter from Chaozhou is extremely urgent!"
As soon as these words came out, the officials were stunned. Could it be that Qin Yun was calling?
Emperor Xia's face darkened, Qin Yun was trying to cause trouble again.
