"Why should the people suffer?"
Qin Yuan’s words echoed in Yan Jiaoran’s mind.
She opened her mouth, her breathing became rapid, and her chest rose and fell.
Why...
Why?
She doesn't know either.
Yan Jiaoran began to recall in her mind what Qin Yuan had said.
This bastard first unraveled the law based on the "three elements of productivity" and came up with the rule that "land determines taxation, proportion determines tax base, and tax base determines lifespan."
Based on these three laws, we then proposed to think from the perspective of self-cultivating farmers, and then found three issues that affect people's lives.
Corvée labor, grain, oxen and seeds.
Then I further asked questions to understand the nature of corvee labor.
The project of maintaining social public services requires collective labor.
It's an economic account.
Since it is an economic issue, why should we make the people suffer further?
An answer.
A final answer.
There's a layer of window paper between us.
It was placed in front of Yan Jiaoran.
Since it is an economic issue, why can it only be solved by making the people suffer?
Yan Jiaoran asked tentatively, "Then, my husband, how do you think we should solve this problem?"
Qin Yuan stared at his wife and grinned, "My dear, what do you think? Don't you already have the answer in your heart?"
"Try to tell me the answer that comes to your mind?"
Yan Jiaoran timidly met Qin Yuan's gaze, her lips moving slightly, and after a long while she uttered two words:
"More money?"
"Yes!" Qin Yuan affirmed, "Just add money!"
Qin Yuan pretended to stretch, and then continued, "Corvée labor, to put it bluntly, is because it's too expensive for local officials to hire people to do things. Without the money, they can only rely on the court's laws and ask the people to do their work for free."
"But in this world, free things are always the most expensive. Fate has already secretly marked the price!"
"The topic of 'National Destiny' I'm discussing tonight is actually about how unpaid corvée labor is completely damaging the national destiny and shortening the lifespan of the dynasty."
Free things, fate has secretly marked a price?
really!
Yan Jiaoran agreed very much.
Although she had been getting Qin Yuan's benefits for free these days, it seemed that she had paid nothing and gained a lot of benefits for nothing.
But nothing in this world will ever be without a price.
Maybe one day, you will have to bear the consequences of your own actions.
But she understands the reason.
Where will this money come from?
If unpaid corvee labor was abolished, where would the court get so much money?
We can't raise taxes, can we?
The lives of the people are already hard enough.
If unpaid corvee labor were really abolished, the entire Great Zhou would probably be in chaos.
Even if Yan Jiaoran racked her brains, she couldn't think of a way to solve this problem.
What will be the answer of this dog man?
Yan Jiaoran looked at Qin Yuan seriously and asked, "I understand the principle, but how should I do it specifically?"
"As long as we find a new policy that brings far greater economic benefits than unpaid corvée labor and free rides on the lower classes, then even a fool would know which policy to choose."
"But the question is where to find such a policy?"
"Even if the economic benefits are less than freeloading on the lower-class people, as long as it allows the people to live and work in peace and contentment, I believe the court will not refuse."
"But the question is, how can we find a policy that can take both into account?"
"No one in every dynasty has come up with a proper solution, so we can only use the corvée system..."
Yan Jiaoran sighed a little.
She understood the questions, but she didn't know how to do them. What was the point of trying harder?
Qin Yuan held his wife in his arms and whispered in her ear, "My dear, your husband, I really have a good idea that can take into account both economic interests and the people's livelihood."
Yan Jiaoran's eyes suddenly lit up. This bastard really has a way!
She hurriedly asked, "Husband, please tell me, tell me!"
Qin Yuan chuckled and said proudly, "It's very simple, just pay the tax according to the amount of land you have!"
"Sharing the labor service according to the land? How should it be done specifically?"
Yan Jiaoran asked as she changed her position to make herself more comfortable leaning on Qin Yuan's shoulder.
You know what, this feeling is so sharp.
I really want to sleep with this bastard every night.
Qin Yuan explained with a smile: "It's very simple."
"Since unpaid corvée labor is not feasible, then we can just increase the payment. Isn't it enough to just pay for hiring people?"
"If the court can't afford this money, then just increase taxes."
"Calculate the annual corvée labor expenses required by the imperial court and distribute them evenly to every acre of farmland throughout the country."
"This way, whether you're a high-ranking official, a landlord, or an ordinary citizen of the Great Zhou, everyone is equal, and all taxes will be collected as part of the tax!"
"From now on, corvee labor can be abolished forever!"
Qin Yuan is very confident about this.
His plan actually originated from Zhang Juzheng's "One Whip Method", and he just refined the content a little.
After Zhang Juzheng's reforms, the Ming Dynasty reversed its decline since the Jiajing period, just like a seriously ill patient who was given a strong medicine and immediately came back to life.
Although the people had to pay more taxes, they no longer had to suffer from heavy corvee labor. Their lives improved greatly, and their morale was boosted. Everyone praised Zhang Ge Lao for his good deeds.
At the same time, the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty also improved rapidly, and the treasury became increasingly full.
After that, it was used until the Qing Dynasty.
Since it is a plan that has been tested by history, there must be nothing wrong with him proposing it.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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