Although none of the people in the hall had ever been bricklayers, they still knew some basic common sense.
If a house can't withstand the pressure, demolishing and rebuilding is the most appropriate course of action.
But they weren't talking about a house; they were talking about a country.
Even though it was the emperor's dream, a warning from heaven that the house was about to collapse, no one dared to suggest rebuilding it.
The Han Dynasty, spanning four hundred years, has deeply penetrated people's hearts. People still prefer to prop up the crumbling edifice and seek a way to remedy the situation.
The solution is now before everyone: remove the roof and reform!
It all depends on whether someone is willing to remove the first tile.
The officials in the hall looked at each other, none of them willing to be the first to step forward.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say!"
Just as everyone was frowning and deep in thought, an old but powerful voice broke the silence in the hall.
Everyone looked up and saw Situ Hu Guang.
Liu Hong nodded: "What can the Minister teach me?"
Hu Guangyan said, “Your Majesty, as the saying goes, the people are the foundation, the ruler and his ministers are the bricks and stones, and the land and grain are the roof. As long as the foundation is solid and the bricks and stones are strengthened, it is not impossible to remove the roof and rebuild it!”
In my opinion, the tax exemption privilege is no longer acceptable and should be abolished. All cultivated land must be subject to grain tax!
After saying this, Hu Guang bowed firmly to Liu Hong with a resolute expression.
"What the Minister says makes sense; I agree!"
Chen Fan was also the first to stand up and speak in agreement.
"I second that proposal!"
Immediately afterwards, Cao Song and a group of officials voiced their support.
After all, they don't own much land, and their main source of income is high salaries and profits from the Royal Trading Company.
Furthermore, with the royal family taking the lead and the royal trading company guiding them, most of these officials have now opened workshops and shops, making a fortune.
Although commercial taxes are payable, they are still dozens of times more than the land revenue.
Therefore, the privilege of land tax exemption has little impact on them.
On the contrary, the officials from aristocratic families remained standing still, neither agreeing nor opposing.
In their subconscious, the main source of income still has to be land and tax exemption, because it is stable and can be passed down to future generations.
Seeing that less than 30% of the officials in the court supported abolishing tax exemption privileges, Liu Hong couldn't help but frown.
These members of the aristocratic families were clearly unwilling to give up their privileges.
For a moment, the imperial court fell silent once again.
Noticing that the emperor's expression was somewhat unpleasant, Cao Song quickly said:
"Your Majesty, as the saying goes, what the superiors do, the inferiors will follow, without exception! If those who are rulers and ministers do not pay taxes, how can they have the face to demand that the people below pay taxes?"
Therefore, I believe that both Your Majesty's imperial estates and the public fields of the court should be subject to taxes, so as to set an example for the world!
Liu Hong nodded: "Yes, what the Grand Minister of Agriculture said makes sense. Taxation is an important support for maintaining the operation of the country and keeping the army stable. There can be no exceptions!"
What do you all think?
After saying that, Liu Hong turned to look at the aristocratic people who were still standing in the same place.
"We second that proposal!"
Sensing the emperor's gaze, Yuan Feng, Xun Shuang, Yang Ci, and others stood up to express their agreement, and officials associated with their families followed suit.
In a short time, the once numerous and powerful aristocratic officials were reduced to less than half.
Li Jing, Han Ping, and others couldn't help but show hesitation. If they disagreed, they would inevitably offend the emperor and the other officials.
But if we agree, we will instantly become the target of all scholars in the world.
Clearly, they were more afraid of the latter, which is why Li Jing, Han Ping, and others ultimately stood still and chose to persevere.
Liu Hong, sitting on the throne, was furious as he looked at the scholars who still stood in the same place, occupying nearly half of the court.
Liu Hong let out a soft breath, his face regaining its composure.
"Alright, the tax exemption is a matter of great importance, let's discuss it later!"
Helpless, Liu Hong finally chose to back down. He had just been lecturing the officials with great enthusiasm, but when he started talking about serious matters, he was slapped hard across the face by these people.
"Your Majesty is wise!!"
Only then did Li Jing, Han Ping, and the other scholars begin to praise him.
Seeing the relaxed expressions on the scholars' faces undoubtedly intensified Liu Hong's desire to kill them.
Thinking about how he had repeatedly tolerated and accommodated others, always sharing the profits with them, his current high salary plus the royal business's share of the profits was enough for all of them to live a rich and luxurious life, but in return he only received a little over half of the support. This made Liu Hong feel resentful.
At this moment, Liu Hong believed that those stubborn and unyielding scholars should not be allowed to stay any longer.
Then Liu Hong looked down at the Grand Master of the Imperial Stud and said in a deep voice:
"The Grand Master of the Imperial Stud is upright and outspoken, which greatly pleases me! Effective immediately, he is promoted to Left Assistant Grand Master of the Household Department!"
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!!"
Upon seeing that he had not only escaped punishment but had even been promoted, the Grand Master of the Imperial Stud was overjoyed. After getting up, he unconsciously joined the ranks of the officials.
Liu Hong then turned to look at Lü Qiang beside him. Lü Qiang understood and immediately stepped forward, saying loudly:
"Speak if you have something to say; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
"I have something to report!"
As soon as Lü Qiang finished speaking, Li Jing immediately stood up and bowed to Liu Hong.
"What brings you here, Minister Li?"
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