However, we cannot only see the advantages and ignore the disadvantages.
Everyone present also knew that this matter had both advantages and disadvantages.
For civil officials, the benefit was simple: it could increase their income, and the court could do more with more money. From another perspective, if the court had money, it would be much easier to enrich itself.
But there are also disadvantages, and that is about tax exemption.
During the Ming Dynasty, three groups of people enjoyed tax exemptions. The first group was the imperial family, including the feudal princes and their descendants; the second group was the nobles and their relatives, whose estates were tax-exempt; and the third group was the scholars, or the literati within the scholars.
Although the three categories of people have different areas of tax exemption, what they have done over the years is similar, which is to embezzle and hide land as much as possible.
After all, according to the court's regulations, taxes were not unlimited. Whether it was the royal family, nobles, or scholars from all over the country, there was a limit on the amount of tax-free land. To put it bluntly, if your family had 100 mu of land, 10 mu would be tax-free, and the remaining 90 mu would still be taxed.
But times have changed. The Ming Dynasty lasted for more than 200 years, and many rules have been abolished. For example, the rule of concealing land is a common practice. To put it bluntly, it means that all our land does not need to pay taxes.
When Zhang Juzheng was carrying out the reform, he recompiled the Fish Scale Book and checked the land across the country, clearing out a lot of hidden land, thus increasing the income of the Ming Dynasty.
This was correct in Zhang Juzheng's reforms. Although a loophole in the law was exploited, it still had some merits.
It’s just that so many years have passed since Zhang Juzheng’s reforms, and Zhang Juzheng himself has fallen from grace. Everything in the court has long since changed, and people have not paid taxes for a long time.
They have embezzled taxes from farmland, profits from mines, and profits from salt. It can be said that these people have already done everything they can. To a certain extent, everyone is a community of interests.
If we were to levy a manor tax now, the nobles and royal relatives would have paid, and then only the scholar group would be left. Wouldn't that be a bit conspicuous?
Civil officials have always shouted their loyalty to the emperor and their country, their slogans always resoundingly. They speak of the nobles and their relatives as parasites of the state; they speak of the princes and relatives of the emperor in various places with disdain.
If the tax on farmland is paid, what will the civil officials do?
Paying taxes hurts, but not paying taxes makes you feel uncomfortable.
The people below can pretend to be ignorant and know nothing, but the officials at the center cannot pretend to be ignorant. If they are really asked questions in the court, they will not know what to say.
So Han Yu and the other three looked at Xu Guangqi without saying anything.
Because Xu Guangqi had already expressed his position, his attitude was very clear, that is, support. They also did not believe that Xu Guangqi could not see the hidden dangers behind this matter.
After spending some time together, Han Yu and the others also got to know Xu Guangqi's character.
Xu Guangqi was a thoughtful and thoughtful person, but more often than not, he was selfless. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, he was willing to sacrifice many interests and was not afraid of damaging his reputation.
Your Majesty has promoted him and has also been kind to him, so Xu Guangqi often stands on Your Majesty's side. As long as Your Majesty does the right thing, he will stand firm in his position.
Now it seems that Xu Guangqi also thinks so, and his attitude is very clear.
Xu Guangqi's attitude can largely represent the attitudes of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, because all the people there are his people.
After saying this, Xu Guangqi did not stop. He glanced at Han Yu and the others and asked, "Do you have anything to say, sir?"
None of the three spoke.
Finally, Xu Guangqi's eyes fell on Han Yu.
"Lord Han, don't you think it's inappropriate to do this?" Xu Guangqi said slowly, with a smile on his face, picking up the teacup and taking a sip.
This sentence is murderous and heartbreaking.
Han Yu was the chief minister of the cabinet. Given his status, he had to express his position. It was impossible for him to get away with it vaguely, so Xu Guangqi pressed on step by step.
If Han Yu dared to oppose it, he would not only offend His Majesty, but many civil officials would also be dissatisfied with him.
After hearing what Xu Guangqi said, Han Yu was filled with hatred.
This is just dragging yourself down!
It is clear that I should take the lead in expressing my opinion.
Perhaps Xu Guangqi did not want his father Han to agree so that he could take the opportunity to pull himself down.
Yes, Xu Guangqi has been eyeing the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet for a long time.
Helplessly, Han Yu gritted his teeth and said, "This is a good thing!"
He continued with a sigh, "Duke Chengguo has such a broad mind. He is truly a role model for nobles and relatives of the nobles!"
After hearing this, Huang Kezun and Sun Chengzong both had strange expressions on their faces.
Although they didn't know what had happened, Sun Chengzong and the others didn't believe that Duke Chengguo would have such a patriotic attitude. It was obvious that he had been misled by His Majesty.
After Han Yu finished expressing his stance, his gaze fell on Sun Chengzong and Huang Kezun. The meaning was obvious: I've already jumped in, so you two should stop hiding.
Sun Chengzong didn't care. This matter itself had little to do with him. Moreover, for him, since someone had started it, it was good for him to agree with it. It was a good thing anyway. If he was asked to step forward and do it, the pressure would be very great.
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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