Chapter 305 Official Reform

For Li Shimin, after being like that with Li Xiang a while ago, he really didn't want to chat with Li Xiang. This guy clearly knew what he meant, but he still wanted to play devil's advocate, but after these few conversations , Li Shimin feels that he should be in constant contact with Li Xiang, because this guy can often hit the point in a few words. If you abandon him, you will still be the one who will suffer in the future.

"In the past, I always wanted to set an example and respect these great scholars of the time, so that they could cheer for the imperial court. But now I hear what you say, there should be a limit to respect. We really need them to help govern the world, not to fight against them. They govern the world together, you are right."

Li Shimin carefully thought about Li Xiang's two sentences. Everyone who becomes the emperor has this mentality. Even his own son and grandson cannot be said to share the world. You can only take care of this matter if I give it to you. , otherwise you are going too far, let alone these great scholars of the world.

"This is an ideological issue. We can proceed slowly. However, reforms in taxation must be carried out slowly, otherwise it will still be the court that will suffer in the future. We cannot ask all officials and gentry to pay taxes now, but Can ask for some of it…”

Li Xiang knew that talking about respecting scholars was illusory, and there was no need to discuss it in detail at this time. Anyway, nothing happened yet, but the matter of letting officials pay taxes was urgent and needed to be carried out in the long term. It is not enough to arouse their hostility. After all, the main enemies of the imperial court are the aristocratic families, not these scholars, especially those from poor families. They are still our helpers.

"So which part is it?"

Li Shimin said a little strangely, according to his idea, the world's scholars and officials are one, and it doesn't matter if you touch any part. If they cause chaos, it will be a huge shake for the court. We are just They had just taken action against the aristocratic family. If the aristocratic family found an opportunity, life would be difficult for the court. They had many ways to make Li Shimin uncomfortable.

"I can't say for the time being. The method is still the same as before, which is to divide and disintegrate them. For example, the concubines in the big family are another kind of existence. If we don't ask for money from them, as long as the money of the concubines exceeds a certain level, of course Quantity, for example, those with less than 100 acres of land do not need to pay tax, those with 100 to 200 acres of land will pay a portion, and those with 200 to 300 acres of land will pay another portion..."

Although what Li Xiang said is relatively general, it is the personal income tax in modern society. Doing so will only offend the top group. As for the majority of small businessmen and small landowners below, they have not lost much and they should not follow these people. Make trouble.

"But these big bureaucrats and big landowners are the basis of our rule. If we offend them, our life will not be easy, especially because some of them are your brothers, nephews, and they are all royals. If you make them pay taxes If so, these people will probably rise up."

Li Shimin shook his head and thought that Li Xiang's idea was inappropriate. How could anyone collect taxes from his own people? Li Xiang did not continue to talk about this issue. After all, in the feudal society of more than two thousand years, collecting taxes from bureaucrats was the same. Yongzheng set a precedent for a topic that had never been mentioned before, but quickly asked his son to change it back.

"Since grandpa thinks it's not appropriate, let's take it slowly and give good guidance. For example, if my grandson pays taxes voluntarily, grandpa can inscribe a plaque for me, or he can maintain it in other places to ensure that it is not complete. Some people follow me, and some are willing to throw money away for honor. This can also increase the court's tax revenue. There may not be too many people following me in a short period of time, but as long as a habit is formed, the court's tax revenue will be reduced. It’s increased a lot.”

Li Xiang's statement made Li Shimin's eyes light up. To be honest, although Datang's strength is not weak now, the treasury is still empty. Especially after the number of officials increases, the annual expenses give Li Shimin a headache. We do not force people to pay for it. All bureaucrats and landlords collect taxes, but if you take the initiative to pay taxes, the emperor will give you some praise at some point, then some people will take the initiative to pay taxes.

"Your method is good, and we can also use our brains on the promotion of some officials."

Li Shimin said this, and Li Xiang admired him very much. This era has its limitations. Li Shimin was able to take this into consideration and was already much better than many people. No wonder he can have the title of great talent and strategy.

"Grandpa is right. For example, if two county magistrates of the same type want to be promoted, but one pays taxes and the other does not pay taxes, but there is only one promotion position, then we can let the one who pays taxes go up, and the one who does not pay taxes can go up. No one will punish him, just let him continue to wait. The amount of taxes paid each year can be regarded as a score. If both county magistrates pay taxes, then he and his immediate family members have higher scores, and he will You can be promoted, and the other person will continue to wait."

Li Xiang's words made Li Shimin very happy. Li Shimin had been looking for ways to increase fiscal revenue, but he did not want to change the current laws. If too many changes were made, many people would stand up to oppose Li Xiang's plan. The right approach is to let these officials and landowners do it themselves and do it proactively.

"From this point of view, it only works for officials. I'm afraid it doesn't matter to the landowners, right?"

Li Shimin thought of the many landowners in the world who would put their land in the name of officials. Although there are not many such things now, when the dynasty continues, similar things will increase.

"It's also very simple. Landowners also want to become officials. Many landowners don't want their sons to continue to be landlords, so they will let their sons take the exam. At this time, the score will be useful. If two people take the exam The scores are the same, so the person with the higher tax payment score can successfully become a candidate."

What Li Xiang said is not uncommon in the Tang Dynasty. Many people understand that there are four levels of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce. No matter how much land you have, if no one in your family is an official, it is very likely that you will be in the future. People will plot against them, so these landowners will pay high prices to hire scholars to teach their children, just hoping that they will be on the list one day...