"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and go and have your property confiscated!"
At this moment, Li Si's cold, deep voice rang out, and the Qin soldiers immediately sprang into action.
As the sun gradually rose into the sky, Xianyang City, like a ball about to explode, was filled with the gathered people.
The wicked man looked up at the bright, warm sun, stood up, and uttered a cold remark that made one feel as if they were in the dead of winter.
“I am the wicked Commandant of the Guards, hereby issuing a new decree on behalf of the King: the poll tax shall be incorporated into the land tax, and the land tax shall be combined into one.”
"From this day forward, the poll tax will be merged into the land tax and will no longer be levied per capita, but will be distributed equally based on the number of acres of land."
"From now on, no additional taxes will be levied on the population that increases."
At this point, the wicked man paused, then uttered a sentence as powerful as a thunderclap, leaving Li Si and the others dumbfounded and their expressions changing drastically.
"Your Majesty often says that the Qin state belongs to the millions of Qin people. Without the people, the Qin state would have no possibility of existence."
"In this case, why should the common people bear the burden of both prosperity and hardship, while the high-ranking officials and nobles feast on their riches?"
"From this day forward, officials and gentry alike shall pay taxes, and no one shall be exempt from taxes."
This...this...
Feng Jie and Li Si looked at each other in bewilderment. Why had they not received any news about such an important event?
At this moment, they couldn't even tell whether it was the wicked husband's spur-of-the-moment decision or a conclusion reached after discussions with Ying Zheng.
"This is... the sky is about to fall?!"
Feng Jie muttered to himself, prompting Li Si to nod repeatedly. The initial proposal to merge land tax and poll tax had drawn criticism from the entire court; had it not been for the wicked man's suggestion, it would never have been implemented.
Today, he betrayed all the officials. How is he going to explain this?
Even Feng Jie and Li Si found it hard to accept. They were paid by the emperor and governed the world, so why did they have to pay taxes?
Wouldn't that be conflating them with the common people?
Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—isn't this a reversal of the natural order?
"General...this matter...this matter needs further discussion!" Li Si said cautiously, mustering his courage.
"Whoa!!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"May the Qin Dynasty last forever!"
The people, regaining their senses, erupted in cheers as loud as a landslide and as high as a tsunami. Their voices carried so far that even Ying Zheng, who was in the Xianyang Palace, could hear them.
The wicked man turned around and stared at the two of them, then pointed to the cheering crowd behind him and said, "Look, why are they so happy?"
"How can a prosperous era oppress the people's backbone, while a chaotic era devours their blood and bones?"
"If you two cannot accept this, leave now, and I will take full responsibility for everything."
He knew the consequences of officials and gentry paying taxes together, but since the land tax system had already been implemented, what difference would a little more make?
After all, Ying Zheng and he were now of one mind, and he knew Ying Zheng's thoughts and ideas well, which was why he dared to make this decision on his own.
As long as Ying Zheng was there, he feared nothing.
This is the true harmony between ruler and subject!
This is what it means to follow the ruler's orders and exert the minister's efforts.
Feng Jie and Li Si were stunned, momentarily enveloped in boundless bewilderment.
A short while later.
“Let’s do it. This old man has one foot in the grave and doesn’t have many days left. Let me take responsibility for this.” Feng Jie’s eyes flashed with bloodlust as he uttered a sentence that made the wicked husband look at him with new respect.
"General, please step back and give way to Feng Jie. Today, let this old man shield you, this extraordinary young man, from some of the storms."
At this moment, Feng Jie's figure seemed to magnify infinitely, and his hunched body became as majestic as a mountain.
He went through countless formalities, then stretched out his withered, wooden hand and forcefully gripped the wicked husband's arm, pulling him behind him.
"Hahaha, Mr. Feng, I thank you very much."
The wicked man let out a carefree laugh, clasped his hands in a deep bow, and then said, "From the day I stepped into the court, I have been fearless of any storms."
"This matter was decided by me alone; how can I allow you to stand in my way?"
The sight of Feng Jie before him truly commanded his respect.
You have to understand, at his age, he has a huge family of children and grandchildren. By standing there, he's not only risking his own life, but also the lives of his descendants.
"Please accept my bow, sir. I am not your equal!" Li Si, who had just come to his senses, also bowed deeply, his face full of admiration.
As a member of the Legalist school, how could he have hesitated just now?
Faced with personal interests and the law, he actually hesitated because of personal gain or loss?
Tormented by inner turmoil, he said in a deep voice, "General, you are young and talented. You will surely support the foundation of our Great Qin for ten thousand years. We cannot afford to lose you."
"Mr. Feng is already quite old, with a large family of children and grandchildren. He should be enjoying his retirement. How can we allow you to stand in the way of the younger generation?"
At this point, a resolute glint flashed in Li Si's eyes, and he said in a relaxed and easy tone, "Li Si is all alone, a disciple of the Legalists, so this is the right thing for me to do."
The three of them actually started arguing in front of countless people and under the watchful eyes of countless people.
The three refused to budge, and none of them would allow the other two to take on the responsibility, resulting in a stalemate.
About half an incense stick's time later, a series of sharp, high-pitched voices suddenly rang out, interrupting the three people arguing.
"His Majesty's decree..."
The people parted to make way, and Zhao Gao, accompanied by more than a dozen eunuchs, strode over.
Zhao Gao approached the high platform and loudly proclaimed, "By order of the King, the policy of requiring officials and gentry to pay taxes together is a well-thought-out plan of mine, and no one is allowed to object."
Having said that, he turned to look at the wicked man and said, "Wicked man, Commandant of the Guards, listen to my command."
"Your subject obeys!"
Zhao Gao announced loudly, "The King has decreed that the Commandant of the Guards, Efu, shall have full authority to make decisions on this matter, and those who speak ill of him may resign."
"Anyone who dares to commit such a vile act shall be executed!"
A flicker of emotion crossed the wicked man's heart, and he said in a deep voice, "Your subject obeys!"
Zhao Gao moved his lips and said in a very low voice, "Lord Commandant, the King asked me to tell you to go ahead and do it. The King will support you from behind."
The wicked man nodded and laughed heartily, then ignored Zhao Gao and the others, and took a few steps forward.
"Fellow villagers, have you heard the King's decree?"
"I heard you!"
"Then go back, sharpen your farm tools, and prepare to be self-reliant!"
"Hahaha, we thank Your Majesty and Commandant Wei."
The people knelt down in respect, a sea of people bowing low, to express their gratitude and excitement.
"stand up!"
"No kneeling allowed!"
The wicked man's face immediately hardened, and he said loudly, "His Majesty often says that Qin is the home of the Qin people, and he is merely the head of the family."
"What you have done is only right and proper; there is no need for thanks!"
He shouldn't have said these words, but since Ying Zheng wasn't present, he didn't want to miss this opportunity to win over the hearts of the people for Ying Zheng.
Therefore, he could only pass on the message falsely!
It is believed that Ying Zheng would understand his thoughts and not mind.
"Alright, everyone disperse and go home to patiently wait for the land allocation."
"This matter will be resolved soon!"
The wicked man waved his hand, turned around, and led Feng Jie and Li Si, following Zhao Gao to Xianyang Palace.
Only after the wicked man's figure had completely disappeared did the crowd slowly begin to leave.
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