The Wei Dynasty had officials of seventh rank and above who were actually serving, and the total number of civil and military officials was about 4,000. A conservative estimate is that the total amount of taxes after apportionment will be at least the same as now.
That is 40 to 50 million taels per year. Maybe even more after a smooth rollout. In other words, on average, each person has at least one thousand taels.
Converted into food, it is about one thousand dan. It is almost equivalent to the entire harvest of 200 acres of fertile land.
If you exclude the taxes retained by the tenant farmers and the taxes they need to pay, it is almost equivalent to the net profit of five or six hundred acres of land.
It has to be a good year! If the year is bad, it may be doubled. Although subsidies are based on grade and position, they are not very friendly to officials with lower grades.
But similarly, low-ranking officials generally don't have that much land at home. Unless it is a descendant of our family, the family will suffer a lot of losses.
However, except for a few of the descendants of the aristocratic families in the Wei Dynasty, most of them were holding empty positions, eating at home and waiting to die, and they were not effective.
People like Jia Jing and Jia Zheng are already rare. Otherwise, the emperor would not have taken action to cut off Jia Zheng's career.
As for Kedao, Hanlin, etc., most of these noble families are just well-off families, which can be regarded as more than the upper ones, less than the lower ones.
Such subsidies are real to them. It can even solve the urgent needs of many people and make their lives more decent.
So when Feng Yibo asked this question, most of the commentators who had previously opposed it turned their backs on it, which was regarded as acquiescence to the new policy of sharing the land with each person.
But this little profit cannot make up for the loss of the Shi family. Several children of the family are eager to try, but they are wary of not wanting to stand out.
"I agree!" While everyone was hesitating, one person stepped forward and said loudly: "The two policies before and after are complementary to each other. They can maintain integrity at the top and stabilize the people at the bottom. They are actually good policies for the country! Therefore, I am the first to agree!" Liu Zheng was the first to stand up. Zhang Songyue's eyelids twitched, his mouth twisted, and he agreed: "As a minister, I am not that important, but I should be loyal to the country, share your Majesty's worries, and seek welfare for the people of the world. I Before coming here, I have written a letter to my family, asking my family to cooperate with the government and pay taxes on all the land owned by the Zhang family in accordance with His Majesty's decree." Liu Zheng was stunned when he heard this, and then bowed: "I am ashamed, the student has been taught." Zhang Songyue meant Reminding him that maintaining integrity is a good thing, but there is no need to say it openly.
On the contrary, things that are beneficial to the people can be mentioned more. But Liu Zheng’s understanding was not like this.
He and Feng Yibo were wearing the same pair of trousers, and they had always been involved in the New Deal, but they never thought about asking the family to take the lead in responding.
That's why he felt a little ashamed when he heard that Zhang Songyue set an example and wrote directly to let the Zhang family respond first.
In fact, Zhang Songyue was just a conditioned reflex. He didn't want this stupid apprentice to be used as a gun, so he tried his best to divert his attention.
But as soon as the words came out, he reacted again and turned to look at Feng Yibo. I saw this kid looking at me with a half-smile!
Damn it! Obviously, Zhang Songyue understood that he had fallen into Feng Yibo's scheme again. He asked Liu Zheng to take the lead just to force himself to express his position together.
Unexpectedly, even though he had come to take charge, this boy would not be at ease and engage in such a trick. Fortunately, Zhang Songyue's anger went away as quickly as it came.
Because he is not alone in this matter.
"I also support this matter!" Chen Qinzhi, who was always concise and concise in the court, also stood up at this time, and smiled at Zhang Songyue: "Mr. Zhang is lingering on the sick bed, and today he dragged his sick body out of the mountain for the sake of the late emperor's legacy. Let me This old guy is really embarrassed!" This was something he approved of, and logically he should be the one to go out and control the situation.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Songyue took the lead. When Zhang Songyue saw that the Grand Master of the dynasty also expressed his stance, he couldn't help but feel slightly relieved.
This at least proves that Feng Yibo did not trick him, but instead attracted a sufficient alliance. The push he gave just now was just to prevent him from being hesitant and holding him back.
Zhang Songyue can understand this approach. In fact, I really appreciate such a thoughtful layout.
After all, if you work with someone who controls things to the extreme, your chances of success are much greater.
"This method..." Chen Qinzhi was just trying to explain the benefits of the new policy, but was interrupted by a gentle voice mixed with impatience.
"I object!" It turned out to be Shuirong, the king of Beijing County. Seeing that no one stood up to oppose, but heavyweights came out to support one after another, he had no choice but to stand up and take the lead.
In order to avoid being forced by the pressure of the two chief ministers, no one dared to oppose him face to face. He bowed to Lord Dan, and at the same time calmed down the impatience in his heart, and then continued: "You said that this method can maintain integrity and bring peace to the people. But if it continues like this, where will it leave the gentry in the world?" In the Wei Dynasty, the gentry The concept is actually very broad.
Including famous officials from aristocratic families, local prominent families, powerful and wealthy people, successful candidates, etc., they can all be included in the scope of gentry.
In other words, people from well-known families, or people who are only famous in the local area, people with fame, people with official positions, etc., can all be called gentry.
All the civil and military officials present today can actually be considered part of the gentry class. But the meaning of water-soluble at this time obviously refers specifically to those gentry and landlords who have a lot of land at home.
At this point, he stood up straight and said loudly: "Scholars, farmers, industry and merchants are the four people of the country. How can we only let the gentry contribute money to support the court? This is an evil method!" Shui Rong deliberately confused the details of the New Deal and exaggerated Cheng only asked the gentry to support him, hoping to arouse everyone's hatred and hatred.
However, before anyone could stand up to support him, someone said: "No, no! The prince is wrong to say that!" As one of the participants of the New Deal, Yang Mingxin also stood up at this time.
He bowed to Lord Dan, then smiled at Shui Rong and said, "What is a farmer? Those who cultivate the land are farmers! Isn't it the royal land in the world? The land of the Wei Dynasty is cultivated. Is there any problem in paying taxes to the Wei Dynasty?"
"Nonsense!" Before the Prince of Beijing County could respond, an officer from an aristocratic family, Enyin, stood up.
Seeing that someone was finally on his side, Shui Rong breathed a sigh of relief. But what he said next made him feel numb.
"The gentry are the mainstay of the Wei Dynasty. The imperial court should treat the gentry well. How can we confuse the gentry with mud-legged people?" This man was not from a high background, but he had a strong sense of superiority in his words.
As soon as his words came out, many people present immediately frowned. There are some things that you can think about but not say.
A person's attitude towards stakeholders and those in superior positions reflects his IQ and EQ, and his attitude towards those who have no interests and those with lower status than himself reflects his quality and cultivation.
Obviously, this man insulted the farmers in a frivolous tone in front of the civil and military officials of the court. This is IQ, EQ, quality, and cultivation, none of it.
Most of the prominent people present looked at him with contempt.
"What a mud-legged guy!" Feng Yibo, who had been watching the fire from the other side, couldn't help laughing and shaking his head. Today, he arranged for himself to be an official on duty, originally wanting to hide behind the scenes.
As the planner of the New Deal, there was no need for him to rush into battle. But the appearance of this person made him a little more interested, and he felt that it was time to teach the civil and military officials a lesson.
"Whether it's your Majesty or the gentry, it's the Clay Legs you said are providing support, yet you pick up the bowl to eat and put down the bowl to scold Clay Legs?" Feng Yibo walked forward slowly and bowed to Lord Dan unhurriedly. Then he continued: "According to what you said, the gentry is the mainstay, so it is even more important to assume the responsibility of the mainstay." The man saw that it was Feng Yibo, but he didn't take it seriously.
listen to him
When "Mud Legs" spoke, he smiled disdainfully and responded: "The responsibility of the gentry is to serve as herdsmen for His Majesty. Do you know what herdsmen are?" Feng Yibo said with a smile: "I would like to hear the details."
"Herdsmen are just herding, and these mud-legged horses are cows and horses! Do you understand?" The man felt that his explanation was very subtle, and he couldn't help but feel proud, and continued smugly: "As officials, we just watch these cows and horses and make them work honestly. Live a good life and pay your taxes on time!" Although this person said it in a vulgar way, it was still vivid.
In fact, many people have this idea, but they are not stupid enough to say it. Feng Yibo nodded and tried to guide him: "I have learned a lot. It turns out that farmers are cattle and horses in the eyes of this gentleman. So according to this theory, are the gentry his majesty's cattle and horses?" The man laughed and shook his head and responded: " The gentry is naturally the one who herds the cattle for His Majesty."
"It turns out you just don't treat the common people as human beings." Feng Yibo understood that this man was a bastard and no longer struggled with him.
He just glanced at Liu Zheng calmly. Liu Zheng nodded knowingly, thinking about where this person should fall to minimize the harm.
Feng Yibo turned to scan the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, and said in a deep voice: "It is said that every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, but every man's ability is limited. How can a country prosper only by one man?" Farmers are hardworking and simple, creating wealth bit by bit.
If this wealth is used to build the country, it can be considered a good use. However, most of this wealth has been exploited by people in various ways.
The squires and landlords were the main subjects of exploitation.
"The gentry are more capable. They are loyal to the country and should not do their part to share His Majesty's worries?" These people relied on exploitation to obtain wealth and continued to annex land to obtain more wealth.
They would rather let this wealth rot at home than spend any money on it. Over time, if such people are passed down from generation to generation, they will become a cancer in society and the source of the collapse of many dynasties.
"Some people say that with great ability comes greater responsibility. Although this is biased, it is not unreasonable." These words made the people present who were famous and famous couldn't help but feel inspired.
Many people vaguely feel that this seems to be related to
The concepts of "cultivating one's moral integrity, harmonizing one's family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world" are similar, but different.
"Only when you put your energy in one place and think in one place, instead of pushing me to give way, just want to let the incompetent common man do his duty, in this way, the gentry is the mainstay of the Wei Dynasty!" How can they be called the mainstay if they blindly enjoy privileges? ?
Such a pillar, placed under the wheel of history, is at most just a speed bump that is often rolled over.
"Otherwise, if you only enjoy your rights without fulfilling your obligations, you will be a moth in the country and will be eliminated sooner or later!" At this point, Feng Yibo specifically looked at Shui Rong and said with a hint: "This method is precisely to give the gentry a chance to prove themselves. , is also the way to make the country prosperous!" Shuirong's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.
Obviously, Feng Yibo was not only responding to him
The comment of "evil law" also implies that he should seize the opportunity. Otherwise... before the Prince of Beijing County could think clearly, Li Shouzhong also took a step forward and said expressionlessly: "This method can, firstly, reduce the burden on the common people, secondly, it can improve the financial deficiencies of the imperial court, and thirdly, it can allow all officials to have no worries. , as long as the squire and landlords contribute more, it will not hurt their muscles and bones. This is a good strategy that kills three birds with one stone, and I have to support it." Although Feng Yibo did not discuss it with him, he knew that this matter was inevitable Related to apprentices.
Even if Zhang Songyue and Chen Qinzhi came forward, he felt that this matter was led by his apprentice. Regarding Feng Yibo's failure to discuss with him, Li Shouzhong felt that his apprentice did not want to involve him.
So he thought over and over again and stood up without hesitation. Seeing that both the first and second ministers of the cabinet expressed their support, Yuanchun looked at the other two people and asked, "I wonder what Mr. Zhao Ge and Mr. Jia Ge think?" Jia Yucun understood Yuanchun's meaning as soon as he heard it, and immediately took a step forward. , bowed to Lord Dan and said: "This move will benefit the country and the people. The Wei Dynasty is now in a difficult time, so we can only suffer from our gentry first." Although he agreed, he placed himself among the gentry.
At the same time, Jia Yucun also used a
The word "Xian" secretly reveals his helplessness. Zhao Shunjun also stood up at this time, bowed to Danbi and said: "This is good governance, which can greatly alleviate the financial pressure on the court." He said nothing about matters involving the gentry.
I only talked about the financial benefits from my professional perspective. Although all four members of the cabinet agreed with it, there were obvious differences.
Chen Qinzhi advocated reform and was one of the planners of the New Deal, so of course he fully supported it. Li Shouzhong had different ideas, but he spared no effort in what his apprentice wanted to do.
Jia Yucun was reluctant, but he was attached to Yuanchun and could not agree with him. Zhao Shunjun ignored him and just wanted to take care of his own finances.
Fortunately, although the four of them were thoughtful, they still managed to reach an agreement.
"Several pavilion elders said this, and I feel relieved." Yuan Chun nodded with satisfaction, and then said sincerely: "At first, I only thought about the word 'benevolence and filial piety'. When I learned that the late emperor's will was like this, I rushed to fulfill it on behalf of your majesty. As a filial piety, I told the world about it, but I didn't expect it to cause an uproar. There were a lot of opposition memorials. Fortunately, it was thanks to the mediation of the cabinet ministers that follow-up measures were taken." She tried her best to take the matter on herself.
I hope that even if the reform fails, there will be a buffer. The worst thing is that she just admits her mistake.
At least as the Queen Mother, there is no need to worry about her life.
"Now that you are so supportive of this, I and Your Majesty have finally made an explanation to the late Emperor." Hearing Yuanchun's customary words, he moved Emperor Jingshun out again.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty knew that this matter was finally over.
