The imperial court has always been a place of right and wrong, with swords and swords flashing, and intrigues and intrigues never ending. However, in this power field, Emperor Liu will always be the core, but the political focus changes from time to time, with the changes of high-ranking officials and ministers or changes in major policies.
Rumors are often the most common and cheapest things that accompany political changes, and in the past two months, the topic of discussion inside and outside the court was undoubtedly the tax reform proposed by Emperor Liu.
Although Emperor Liu was the source of the problem, no one dared to target him directly, so all kinds of rumors that were difficult to distinguish between true and false centered around Li Fang, who actually presided over the preparations for the new system and various implementation preparations.
As for Li Fang, compared to other characters, no matter how you look at it, he is easier to "bully". What's even more gratifying is that the new system reform presided over by Li Fang has been progressing slowly. While hesitantly summing up the shortcomings of the old system, he is slow and lagging in the construction of the new system. This has more places worthy of attack and more sufficient reasons.
If Emperor Liu's strong will makes people dare not confront him directly, then targeting the executor becomes a feasible method, which is simple and effective, and can advance and retreat freely.
The most important thing is that Li Fang's performance in reform so far is really unflattering. He is exhausted, trapped in disputes and disputes, as if he is stuck in mud, struggling, and not enough prestige and excellence. The courage to break the situation.
Not to mention anything else, it has been almost two months, and some details of the new tax system are still being discussed, and it is difficult to draw a conclusion. Studying in detail and considering everything is a serious attitude, but we pay too much attention to some details and ignore the most fundamental The question is how to effectively promote reform progress instead of getting into endless wrangling and trouble.
And when Emperor Liu showed his dissatisfaction, Li Fang was under greater pressure from all aspects. The implementers of policy reforms in the past dynasties were most concerned not with constraints and confrontations from inside and outside, but with support from the imperial power.
Li Fang's performance proved that he was not a person capable of taking on the responsibility of reform, and Emperor Liu's attitude towards him also showed that Li Fang might not be in Emperor Liu's heart. This becomes more and more obvious as time goes by.
No, another piece of news began to spread from Chui Gong Hall and Zhengshi Hall. Mr. Li was scolded by His Majesty again because of a newly submitted proposal for a new fiscal and taxation system. Emperor Liu was very dissatisfied with this memorial about difficult childbirth. After reading it, he directly gave Li Fang a four-word evaluation, which was twice the result with half the effort.
In fact, among the various people who are dissatisfied with Li Fang, not all are because of their opposition to tax reform. On the contrary, they are disappointed with Li Fang's slow and hesitant actions. There are conservatives and radicals in any reform, and the same goes for tax reform. There are many people who are actually opposed to it, but there are also many people who openly support it.
The supporters come from all kinds of backgrounds, from different sources and for different reasons. They are not organized into factions, but their basic political attitudes remain the same. Some of these people were followers of Emperor Liu's orders. These people had been shrouded under Emperor Liu's personal authority for decades. Under Emperor Liu's will, they almost lost their personal thoughts and habitually followed Emperor Liu's instructions. ideas come.
There are also some people who belong to the insightful people in all strata of the Han Dynasty. Regardless of nobles or bureaucrats, there are always some people whose knowledge exceeds the limitations of class interests and pursues higher and more valuable needs. Although meat eaters are despicable, not everyone is harmed by the immediate benefits. For the continuation of national rule and the guarantee of longer-term interests, they are willing to make some compromises.
Among the current bureaucrats of the Han Dynasty, there are also a large number of officials who came from humble beginnings, have experienced local people's sentiments, and witnessed the hardships of people's livelihood. They know better how to maintain peace and stability by reducing the oppression of farmers. They know that tax reform is a continuation of The practice of ruling the life force. Although many of these common people bureaucrats have changed their colors in the imperial dye vat, there are still a group of people who maintain some idealistic colors. These people were also the most important supporting force for the reform besides Emperor Liu.
In addition, there are some officials who do not care about the significance and importance of reform. They are happy to see changes happen and actively participate in them in order to take advantage of the opportunity to make profits. Reform means change, and it often reflects the redistribution of interests. For many people who are unwilling to accept the status quo, change means opportunity. Whether they are following the trend or fishing in troubled waters, they all need a changing environment.
Such people may not be afraid of chaos, but they definitely don't want to see things remain unchanged. The civil service movement, while purging lawlessness, also gave rise to a large number of new powerful people. The same is true for tax reform. This is also an opportunity. Reforms tend to give rise to new talents, and the opportunities are much greater than the usual hard-earned political achievements.
Even some people are obviously doubtful about the tax reform, or even reject it, but on the surface they appear to be extremely positive and show very strong execution ability. For these people, how to take advantage of the opportunity to achieve career progress is the most important Yes, as for political ideas and so on, it is meaningless until you reach a certain status. As for interests, as long as you have official power, you will have everything...
And Zhao Kuangyi obviously belongs to this kind of person.
Finally, there is a group of people who choose to sit back and watch the situation, swaying from side to side and ready to change their stance at any time. In fact, a large number of people do not have too clear and fierce opposition to the reform. First, it is because of their short-sightedness. No matter what the rumors are, they will not have any overreaction until their vital interests are not violated. , it’s really not necessary.
On the other hand, it is a political rule, or habit, developed by the Han Dynasty over many years. During the nearly forty years Emperor Liu was in power, dozens of policy reforms were initiated and implemented, each of which would infringe on vested interests, but they were all implemented one by one.
Among them, in addition to Emperor Liu overcoming all obstacles and resolutely implementing it, it is also because most of Emperor Liu's reforms were very measured. It is not so much a reform as an improvement. Since it is an improvement, no matter whether the means are drastic or severe, No, it is difficult to hide the compromise involved, and there is often room for it.
After much experience, everyone is used to it. Although this tax reform feels awkward from the beginning, many people choose to wait and see until there is no specific plan, no implementation of new policy measures, and no feedback on real effects. Attitude.
One of the most important principles in the tax reform is to unify local taxes and once again strengthen the court's control over land. However, this does not involve the most sensitive issue of land ownership. "Reducing rents and taxes" is always better than "fighting local tyrants and dividing taxes." Field” is much more acceptable. What's more, even if the tax reform is passed, how and how much local taxes will be collected in the future has not yet been decided, and everything is up for grabs.
In the final analysis, this is still a change along the path of mild improvement. Although it touches land, the most critical means of production, the effect depends on subsequent development.
Li Fang's inability to effectively promote the tax reform process has naturally aroused dissatisfaction from all walks of life. Opponents will not mention it. Supporters are impatient with his conservative approach, while onlookers are also uneasy because there is no final conclusion. It's rare that Li Fang has reached the point where people hate him and ghosts hate him.
There have been a lot of accidents recently. Unfortunately, my grandma passed away and she is attending the funeral. I cannot guarantee updates.
