However, Zhu Yunying understood even more clearly that he couldn't just focus on minor details. A policy that benefits the majority of people can be considered a good policy; there can't be a perfect policy that satisfies everyone.
Xu Miaoqing was taken aback for a moment, and asked with some confusion, "Your Majesty, what is meant by 'integrating land tax into poll tax'? I remember that our Great Ming Dynasty uses a two-tax system."
Xu Miaoqing's statement naturally reflects traditional understanding. After all, Xu Miaoqing had been managing a household since childhood, and had been involved in issues such as taxes. While she might not fully understand everything, she had a general idea of the situation.
Let alone Xu Miaoqing, even Xu Miaoqing's father, Xu Da, instinctively felt that the tax system was the Two-Tax System, and since people paid taxes that way in the past, people should naturally pay taxes that way now as well.
Zhu Yunying was quite patient, although he also insisted that the empress dowager should not interfere in politics, so Xu Miaoqing was only now realizing the situation. However, some matters now needed to be discussed in court, so there was no need to keep them from Xu Miaoqing.
Moreover, even though they were an old married couple, Zhu Yunying and Xu Miaoqing still had a very good relationship. They were not only lovers, but also family and relatives. In front of Xu Miaoqing, Zhu Yunying was not necessarily just an emperor, but also a husband.
Zhu Yunying quite enjoyed Xu Miaoqing's admiring gaze, which filled him with a sense of accomplishment.
If Xu Miaoqing had only tried to figure it out on her own, she would have had a hard time understanding the meaning of "equalizing land tax and poll tax," and might even have felt that it was self-destructive.
With Zhu Yunying's continuous explanation, Xu Miaoqing gradually seemed to understand. This policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax would not have any adverse impact on the imperial court's tax revenue; in fact, it could greatly eliminate some drawbacks and shortcomings, making it more difficult for some people to evade taxes.
This policy, once implemented, would be extremely beneficial for many landless individuals or tenant farmers. Their burden would be significantly reduced, and some might even be exempt from paying taxes altogether.
The reason, of course, is that there is a certain threshold for taxation; if you don't own land, you don't need to pay taxes. This "land tax reform" is fundamentally different from the previous poll tax, and for many people, it was nothing short of a blessing.
However, Xu Miaoqing quickly realized that for many people who had little or no land, this imperial decree was naturally a blessing from heaven.
For large landowners and gentry, the implementation of the land tax reform would naturally have a significant impact on their interests.
If that time really comes, these people will probably be the ones who oppose it the most. It concerns their own interests, or even the interests of their family. Even if they fear imperial power, they will still need to try their best to fight for it.
After all, such a policy would not only affect one generation. For those powerful families, once the land tax was converted into a poll tax, their accumulated wealth or their desire to continuously improve their family's strength would inevitably be greatly affected.
Zhu Yunying knew there would definitely be opposition; it would be truly strange if there were no dissenting voices at all.
Seeing Xu Miaoqing's worried expression, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "Just because we hear cicadas chirping, does that mean we shouldn't be farming?"
Xu Miaoqing also laughed, immediately becoming full of confidence, "Your Majesty, I am ignorant and have made you laugh."
"This time, with the land tax reform, it's easy to deal with some wealthy families at the bottom, but it's mainly the nobles who are affected," Zhu Yunying said with a smile. "That's why we sent my uncle and his men to Liaodong to open up land. We won't cut it off all at once; we'll give them some time."
Looking at Xu Miaoqing, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "What we are doing now may not guarantee the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty, but it should make life a little better for many people and make them remember the kindness of our Ming Dynasty. If we do this, it will be easier for Yin'er to handle things when he inherits the throne in the future."
We'll do the things that offend people!
We have nothing to be afraid of, even if some things are thankless and difficult. We'll just do them well!
Even though he appeared to be a pragmatist, Zhu Yunying also had his own ideals and ambitions. He certainly wouldn't let the Ming Dynasty develop along the 'historical process'; he wanted to create a different history through his own efforts.
This is also Zhu Yunying's confidence. He is already the emperor, so he naturally has the confidence to back it up!
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