It's early spring in the twenty-fifth year of Kaibao.
Pan You has been staying in Yangzhai County for almost a month, supervising the clearance of the last batch of land in Yangzhai. At the same time, the clearance of land owned by the powerful has also begun throughout Gyeonggi Province. .
Officials from various places began to work hard. After repeated twists and turns, Pan Shijun's authority was finally established. The officials below still maintained a sense of awe. After all, most official titles were controlled by him.
The dignitaries from all over the country were also paying attention to the situation in Yangzhai. When they learned that even such a thorn in the side of Dang Jin had softened, they stopped making trouble and quietly divided the land.
Just after the Shangyuan Festival, Pan You, who had only rested for one day, could not sit still. He called his subordinates and went out to patrol Yangzhai with his guards.
The spring is cold, the wind is cold, and it is particularly uncomfortable when it blows on the face. I patrol along the Yingshui River Valley. There are large fields along both sides of the river. Many farmers are already immersed in loosening the soil in preparation for spring plowing. .
Due to the flat terrain, most of the land in Yangdi is arranged in a square shape. Compared with areas with complex terrain, the land in Yangdi is clear and is much less difficult to operate.
Looking around, we can see that most of the land has obvious separation standards. There are also wooden signs confirmed by the government inserted on the side of the fields, which record detailed information about the land ownership. This is also an important document in addition to the land title.
During the land clearing process, all the trees on a mountaintop were cut down in Yangzhai alone to make enough wooden signs. Carpenters in the area made a lot of money from this.
In Pan You's eyes, these wooden plaques are obviously his political achievements, the fruits of his work, and the result of his efforts. Although the spring breeze is cold, Pan You's heart is a little more fiery.
However, while patrolling Zhudian Town on the north bank of Yingshui River, Pan You finally discovered some problems. Standing on the mound, pointing to a large piece of fertile land by the Yingshui River in the distance, Pan You looked indifferent and asked in a stern tone: "Why is this large piece of land without any markings for several miles? Is it possible?" The land inventory in this town has not been completed yet?”
After hearing the question, a subordinate officer who was following him hesitated for a moment, left quickly, and after some inquiries, returned with a solemn face, looked at Pan You and carefully replied: "Hui Shijun, part of the land in this town has been cleared." Finished, enter the register!"
"Part of it?" Pan You frowned and immediately asked: "The rest? Why is this tail left?"
"This" official looked hesitant, as if he had something to hide.
Seeing his expression, Pan You's face became more serious and he said: "What is so special about this Zhuzhuang Town that it deserves you to be so scrupulous?"
Facing Pan You's oppressive gaze, the subordinate officer carefully reported: "Returning to the envoy, the uncleared land in this town belongs to the Duke of Chu!"
"Chu——" Pan You's voice, which was about to explode, suddenly got stuck in his throat. He calmed down, and then asked with a stiff face: "How could Mr. Chu own property in this little Yangzhai?"
The subordinate official shrank his neck and replied: "It is said that the Duke of Chu has a medicinal business, and most of the land in this town is medicinal fields! The people below are concerned about the identity of Duke Chu, so they have never dared to offend!"
"Why didn't you repay me before?" Pan You said angrily.
"I want to come. I want to come." The official wanted to explain something, but couldn't seem to find the right words for a while.
He looked up at Pan You, who was deep in thought, and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, do you want to inspect Duke Chu's land as well?"
"Of course I do! In the whole world, there is nothing but royal soil, and there is no exception to the inventory of the fields!" Pan You blurted out.
However, even though the words were spoken, Pan You sighed and said: "Don't move for now, let me think about it before I make any decisions!"
"Yes!" The subordinate officer was obviously relieved. Pan You has touched the butts of many tigers, but the one he encountered now was one that really wanted to eat people. It was really untouchable, especially when the holy intention was unclear.
When this happened, Pan You was no longer in a good mood. He waved his hand and said, "That's it for today. Let's go back to the county seat!"
"yes!"
When leaving, Commander Pan, who had always been in high spirits, already seemed a little heavy in his steps.
When he returned to Yangdi County Yamen, the sky was already dark, and Pan You's mood lingered like the dark clouds hanging in the sky at dusk.
The tax reform work in Gyeonggi Province is now on the right track. The most critical land issue has basically been overcome. Next, it is just a matter of course and implementation in accordance with the new tax system.
Along the way, we have endured pressure and come into contact with many interest groups. At this point, some issues that we had not paid attention to in the past, or deliberately ignored, have finally come to light.
Not fearing the powerful and resolute, these are the hallmarks of Pan You's governance. However, there are some problems that Pan You cannot solve, and some pressures that he cannot bear.
He could ignore Li Shouyuan and dare to hit the party family with a killing stick, but when facing the prince and involving the Tian family, he still hesitated. In the final analysis, the authority Pan You currently holds comes from the court system, and in essence, it is given by the imperial power. Chu Gong Liu Shu naturally could not represent the imperial power, but after all, he was the son of Emperor Liu and the prince of the Han Dynasty.
Tax reform, after all, is land reform, and there is no doubt that the largest landowner in the world is the royal family. Not to mention the real estate owned by the sons, grandsons, and relatives of the emperor, the land manor under the jurisdiction of the Shaofu alone is staggering. Otherwise, in the past many years, Emperor Liu's rewards of village houses and land to princes and ministers all came from this, and they were just a drop in the bucket.
All land in the world must be inventoried and registered, and taxes must be paid according to regulations. What about the royal family? Do you want to check? Do you need to collect taxes? Pan You couldn't answer this question, and no one could give him an answer at the moment.
At the beginning, Pan You also encountered similar problems in order to check the official and professional fields in Gyeonggi Province, but the conflicts and pressures at the beginning were obviously different from this time.
For tax reform, Pan You offended the bureaucrats and the powerful. If he offended the royal family again, Pan You, who had never thought about the future, would be a little shocked for a while.
However, after all, Pan You was a man of strong character and determination, and he couldn't help but think that the new regulations covered all cultivated land and did not separate the royal land. Logically speaking, the royal land was also included in the reform.
Your Majesty may have overlooked it, but when the princes of the court formulated the regulations, it was impossible to ignore this article. After thinking about it, Pan You finally gritted his teeth and made up his mind to do it thoroughly.
So, while sending an envoy Pegasus to report the cause of the matter to the political hall, Pan You took his staff with him on the next day and went to Zhuzhuang Town. Under the surprised eyes of the officials of the Duke of Chu, he issued an order to clear the land of the abbot. and personally participated in the specific implementation with people and tools.
When Pan You reached out to the Duke of Chu's mansion, those who learned the news were either surprised or admired. Of course, most of them were gloating about his misfortune. They knew that Pan Chou was reckless, but he didn't expect him to be so reckless. I really dare to touch the dragon's reverse scale.
Even Dang Jin couldn't help but get up from his bed, marveling and admiring after hearing the news. Naturally, Dang Jin had dealt with the Ninth Prince Liu Shu. In his medicinal materials business, the Dang family had many helpers. He was a more chaotic person than his Dang Houye. One can imagine what the reaction would be when hearing this.
With Pan Youzai's actions, Yangzhai once again became the focus, attracting the attention of both the government and the public. Of course, as the matter progressed, Pan You was no longer the focus and everything had been done. On the contrary, many people turned their attention to the court and Emperor Liu to see how he would react.
Many nobles have this idea. Your Majesty wants to inspect our land and force us to pay taxes. Under your authority, we accept it and submit. But things must be done fairly and people must be convinced.
Although Liu Shu is a prince, he is also a distinguished noble and should be treated equally. Of course, even if you treat them differently, it doesn't matter, just don't blame everyone for saying weird things.
If Liu Shu's land is included in the tax calculation, what about other nobles and relatives of the emperor? What about the royal land managed by the Shaofu?
As Pan You pierced the window paper, the tax reform finally fell on Emperor Liu himself.
