Chapter 397: When it comes to showing off, you are still the sons of heaven
Owner???
His hand trembled, the teacup shook, and Wei Changtian almost spilled the tea on Ning Yuke's head.
After crossing over, he has many identities. Usually, he is both a son and a grandson, both an apprentice and a master, both a husband and a senior brother. But this is the first time he has been called a "master"!
No, what did I just do?
Why did Ning Yuke suddenly let herself go like this? Wei Changtian held up the teacup with his eyes wide open, and didn't come back to his senses for a long time.
Fortunately, Ning Yuke kept her head down and didn't see his current appearance, otherwise the majesty of the "master" would be somewhat compromised.
"Hey, you"
Wei Changtian quickly organized his words in his mind, and after a long silence, he finally coughed dryly and prepared to let Ning Yuke get up.
However, at this moment, a voice came from outside the house.
"Your Majesty, Lord Chen Zhong requests an audience."
“.”
The shout was a bit sharp, and Wei Changtian recognized it as coming from a little eunuch named "Xiao Panzi" who served Ning Yuke.
As for the Chen Zhong he mentioned, he is now the Minister of Finance of the "Shu Kingdom".
Wei Changtian was quite familiar with this Lord Chen.
Previously, he was the magistrate of Shuzhou, a typical neutral local official. Later, he was frightened by his own behavior of "calling a human head a dog's head", so he got on the "pirate ship" of the Wei family in a daze.
To be honest, although Chen Zhong’s political stance is not very firm, his abilities are indeed impressive.
Otherwise, he would not have "jumped six levels" from a small seventh-rank provincial judge to his current position as a "first-rank official."
"Owner."
Slowly raising her head, Ning Yuke called out softly, as if waiting for Wei Changtian's instructions.
The latter was eager for someone to come and relieve his embarrassment, so he immediately replied: "Well, let's meet."
"yes."
Ning Yuke nodded obediently after hearing this, and then asked softly: "Master, can this servant get up?"
“.”
Wei Changtian's forehead was black for a moment: "Get up!"
"Thank you, Master."
After getting permission, Ning Yuke slowly got up and the blush on her face gradually faded away.
She gently smoothed out the wrinkles on her robes caused by kneeling for so long, then turned her head to look at the closed palace door, and her voice suddenly became cold and noble.
"Please come in, Master Chen!"
"Mr. Chen, His Majesty invites you in."
Outside the palace, the voice of the young eunuch was faintly heard, and after a few breaths, the palace door was slowly pushed open.
"Squeak~"
"Your humble servant greets Master Wei! Your Majesty!"
The white-haired Chen Zhong knelt as soon as he entered the room. He was not surprised at Wei Changtian's presence. The young eunuch must have told him about it already.
"Master Chen."
Ning Yuke, who had already sat back in the chair, looked dignified and stretched out her hand to support him: "Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Chen Zhong stood up slowly, glanced at Wei Changtian who remained silent, then bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"Go ahead." Ning Yuke nodded slightly.
"yes"
Chen Zhong didn't waste any time and immediately looked up and started talking.
The Ministry of Household Affairs was in charge of household registration and finance, and its functions were roughly equivalent to the combination of the modern Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
As the Minister of Revenue, Chen Zhong came to ask for instructions today on the issue of land tax.
The previous land tax system in Daning was "one in twenty", which meant that no matter how much farmers harvested, they had to pay 5% tax to the court.
To be honest, this ratio is not that high and is far from being considered “harsh taxation”.
However, all those who proclaim themselves kings will appropriately lower the tax rate after the rebellion to show that they are more compassionate to the people.
Ning Yuke naturally felt the same way, so on the first day of court, she asked Chen Zhong to handle this matter.
After several days of research, the latter finally came to a conclusion.
".Your Majesty, therefore, I think it would be appropriate to change the tax system to 25% tax to 1%."
"What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The tax rate of 25% is 4%, which is one percentage point lower than before. It also means that the national treasury will lose at least hundreds of thousands of taels of silver every year.
For Shuzhou, which has a good financial situation, hundreds of thousands of taels are not a big deal, but they can make farmers feel the benefits, so this is indeed a more appropriate "tax reduction range".
"Well, this matter."
Ning Yuke turned her head and looked at Wei Changtian. Seeing that the latter had no reaction, she nodded and said, "I think it's OK. Lord Chen, please arrange it as soon as possible before the autumn harvest."
"Yes, I will order someone to do it right away."
Chen Zhong bowed his hands and flattered him: "Your Majesty is so considerate of the people, I'm sure the people will be more loyal to you. Your Majesty's good deeds will one day be known far and wide."
“.”
I have to say that officials are very good at flattering their superiors.
Wei Changtian curled his lips and thought that he couldn't say such words anyway.
However, he suddenly had some other ideas about this "tax reduction".
"Your Majesty, Lord Chen, I think this tax rate is still too high."
"Um?"
Chen Zhong, who was about to say goodbye, suddenly turned around, hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "Then I wonder how much you think is appropriate?"
"This one?"
Wei Changtian rubbed his chin.
Although many countries in the past have already completely abolished agricultural taxes, and even provided certain subsidies to farmers.
However, I certainly cannot completely copy the system of my previous life at the moment.
After all, agriculture is still the largest industry these days, while the manufacturing and service industries are still very small, and taxes are far from enough to support a country's finances.
Therefore, land tax still needs to be collected.
But 4% is still too high and is far from achieving the goal of attracting population.
So. "I think"
After thinking for a while, Wei Changtian slowly gave the answer: "It's just the other way around."
"in turn?"
Chen Zhong was stunned when he heard this, and obviously didn't understand what Wei Changtian meant: "Mr. Wei, you mean..."
"What I mean is that this reduction is about right, considering it as the standard for collecting land tax."
Wei Changtian paused for a moment and spoke a little more bluntly.
"That is, one percent tax."
“W-what???”
In an instant, Chen Zhong's eyes suddenly widened, wondering if he had heard it wrong.
One percent tax?
Directly reducing the largest item of fiscal revenue by 80%? This, this is simply nonsense! Of course, although he thought so in his heart, Chen Zhong certainly didn't dare to say so in front of Wei Changtian.
"Wei, Prince Wei, throughout the history of the world, no one has ever done this before!"
"Hahaha, so what if no one does it? We'll just be the first to do it."
After laughing twice, Wei Changtian stood up and patted Chen Zhong on the shoulder: "Master Chen, I know what you are worried about."
"But I'll do the math for you and you'll understand."
"You can imagine that less than 20% of the farmland in Shu is cultivated, and the remaining 80% is abandoned and turned into forests."
“If we can”
“.”
In the next quarter of an hour, Wei Changtian carefully explained to Ning Yuke and Chen Zhongzai a series of benefits of "low tax rate".
One percent of the land tax, such a shocking land tax standard, once introduced, will inevitably attract a large number of people to Shuzhou.
When these people arrive, they will naturally reclaim wasteland, and by then the total arable land area of Shuzhou will undoubtedly be much larger than it is now.
The tax rate is lower, but the total amount of cultivated land is higher.
With the two factors offsetting each other, Shuzhou's fiscal revenue will be able to return to normal levels in a few years.
But those extra population and arable land are all wasted money.
Well, if I put it more simply.
Wei Changtian actually wanted to use the sharp decline in fiscal revenue in recent years to exchange for the explosive development of Shuzhou.
"this"
The principle is not complicated, so Ning Yuke and Chen Zhong quickly understood the key.
The two of them glanced at each other quietly, and both saw a hint of shock and astonishment in each other's eyes.
High emotional intelligence: This idea is really wild and far-sighted.
Low emotional intelligence: This philosophy of governing the country is just like playing house.
The tax rate was reduced from 20% to 1% per 100 years.
No one knows what consequences this decline will have, but it will definitely bring severe shocks to the entire Shuzhou.
Even if there are so many benefits, they must be subject to rigorous and repeated research and demonstration.
How come when it comes to Wei Changtian, it sounds as casual as deciding what to eat for dinner today? ? "Master Wei, this matter must not be decided so easily."
Chen Zhong swallowed and wanted to retort.
But before he could finish his words, Ning Yuke's cold voice came first.
"Sir Chen, I think what Master Wei said makes a lot of sense."
"Well, go back and think about the pros and cons of this first, list them one by one, and we'll discuss it again in a few days."
"If it turns out that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, I don't think Master Wei will insist on doing it."
“.”
There seemed to be a gust of cold wind blowing, and Chen Zhong suddenly shivered unconsciously.
Ning Yuke's words were not harsh, but the majesty of a superior was clearly revealed in these few words.
"I obey your command."
He didn't dare to say anything more and quickly bowed his head and saluted.
"Your Majesty, Prince Wei, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Your Majesty, Prince Wei.
Quarter of an hour ago, when Chen Zhonggang came in and greeted everyone, he put Wei Changtian in front of them.
But now he subconsciously put Ning Yuke in front.
The change in order does not mean that the status of Wei Changtian and Ning Yuke has been reversed. After all, Chen Zhong knows very well how the latter became the "King of Shu".
Therefore, his current actions can only mean one thing -
That was the first time he truly regarded Ning Yuke as an empress, rather than just Wei Changtian's puppet.
“.”
"Well, go down."
Ning Yuke waved her hand and stopped looking at Chen Zhong.
Instead, Wei Changtian kept smiling and watched the latter leave the hall.
He was still very satisfied with the way Ning Yuke handled the situation just now.
Tax reduction is indeed no joke, and it would undoubtedly be wiser to let Chen Zhong carefully study the pros and cons.
Tsk tsk tsk.
Unexpectedly, Ning Yuke not only has the right appearance, but also has an imperial way of thinking.
After sighing in his heart, Wei Changtian turned around and prepared to praise Ning Yuke and asked her to continue in this state.
However, as soon as he turned around, the expression on his face suddenly froze again.
"No, why are you kneeling down again???"
"Owner."
The queen's demeanor just now had long disappeared. Ning Yuke just knelt on the ground, raised her head and replied softly: "I like to kneel and serve my master."
"I hope the master will agree."
“.”
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and Wei Changtian abruptly looked away, completely at a loss as to how to deal with the current situation.
Good job!!
I have never been so panicked even when I was fighting with a third-grade master! !
I have never been so overwhelmed when fighting with Xiao Feng! Could this be... a beautiful woman brings disaster? ? ?
Dali Dynasty, Kuixing Academy.
Just when Ning Yuke's action made Wei Changtian feel overwhelmed for a moment, thousands of people knelt down on the ground in front of the majestic main hall of Kuixing Academy.
They all faced due north, with fanaticism and excitement in their eyes.
Due north is the direction of the main hall of the academy and also the direction of the star Wenqu.
However, these thousands of academy disciples are not worshipping the stars of literature and Taoism now.
They were worshipping the new Holy Son of Kuixing Academy—
Shen Ran.
The magpie bridge emerges from the waves, and the dragon chariot flies into the sky.
The soldiers were all wearing golden armor, and colorful girls were waving their hands and scattering flowers. Long bell sounds came from all directions, and the sixteen university scholars of the academy stood around the Huatai in white robes.
The only person standing on the Huatai was Shen Ran, one of the thirteen Sons of Heaven, who had met Wei Changtian once at the Chunlong Poetry Conference.
Unlike the "perfunctory" attitude of the Tianluo Sect when it appointed Wei Changtian as the Holy Son, the Kuixing Academy, as the undoubted largest sect in Dali, even surpassed the Dali court in terms of power.
Therefore, the scale of this ceremony was naturally very grand. Even the emperor came to the scene in person just to support the "Son of Hope" of Dali.
"Senior Brother Shen is so awesome!"
"What a talent! What a talent!!"
"With Senior Brother Shen's sudden appearance, our literary path will surely flourish! The academy will prosper!"
"Within ten years, Dali will avenge our previous humiliation and no longer have to be at the mercy of Daning!"
"Wow, wow, wow, I have waited for a hundred years, and finally this day has come."
“.”
All kinds of shouts and cries came from the heart. Although chaotic, they clearly showed the expectations of the entire Kuixing Academy and even the entire Dali for Shen Ran.
Different from Daning who follows the Taoist path, almost all practitioners in Dali follow the "Wen Dao" lineage.
Under such circumstances, Shen Ran, who was blessed with "Wen Dao", naturally became the number one among the younger generation in Dali.
And his words at the last stage of "The Battle of the Sons of God" three days ago, "To carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, I will go forward even if there are tens of thousands of people against me!" triggered a strange phenomenon at the star Wenqu, which forcibly raised the entire Kuixing Academy by an inch.
This means that the literary and cultural fortune of the entire Dali, or the national fortune of the entire Dali, has improved by 10% because of this sentence.
Such a "saintly act" deserves no exaggeration in praise. Many people in the community have already called Shen Ran the reincarnation of the God of Composition, and even three-year-old children know the name "Shen Ran".
Although everyone in Dali knew about this, it had not yet reached Wei Changtian's ears.
But in fact, with Wei Changtian's current mentality, he would not feel too aggrieved even if he knew it.
After all, he had already realized that showing off in front of others had nothing to do with him!
When it comes to showing off, you Sons of Heaven are still the best! Of course, you can show off as much as you want in your own territory, as long as you don't cause trouble for me!
It’s hard enough for me to deal with Ning Yongnian and Bai Youheng, so don’t let anyone else interfere!
Wei Changtian was still unaware of Shen Ran's shocking move, and was too lazy to care about what was happening in Dali. He even almost forgot about this person.
But this doesn't mean that Shen Ran will forget him.
“.”
"teacher."
After the ceremony, Shen Ran, dressed in a white robe, bowed respectfully to an old man with an immortal look.
"I will leave for Shuzhou tomorrow. Do you have anything else to tell me?"
"Don't worry, we'll talk about it on the way."
The old man smiled and twirled his beard, and answered Shen Ran in a slightly puzzled look: "Master will go with you this time."
"Go meet the young master Wei who composed the poem "Spring River Moon Night"."
ps: Two chapters in one, and the update is late, sorry (end of this chapter)
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