Chapter 140: Every household in Pingzhou has land
Beiyan doesn't want you to just talk about being a vassal. They want land, money, and the political power of Laizhou.
Patriarch Xie's expression darkened instantly. "Did Cui Liuniang tell you this?"
"What does this have to do with Liu Niang?" Cui Jing raised his eyebrows slightly. "Have you been to the Cui family?"
After Cui Jing thought about it, his mind suddenly became clear.
The Xie family was so arrogant that even though the King of Northern Yan had already occupied seven states in the world, in the eyes of the Xie family, he was just a rebellious kid and there was no way he would come to Yan Xingchuan to talk about surrender.
I think they sent people to Xianyang to ask the Cui family to come forward, but they ran into a snag with Cui Si. Cui Si must have asked them to give up land and pay money.
The Xie family was unwilling to do so, and was worried that Beiyan would really make such a request in the future, so they wanted to take advantage of the fact that Yan Xingchuan might not have thought of these things and go directly to Yan Xingchuan. Who knows, Yan Xingchuan might agree in great joy in order to get Laizhou.
Once things are settled, even if they think of these things and regret it, due to the greater good, Beiyan cannot cross the river and burn the bridge, or go back on its word.
I never thought that Yan Xingchuan was not a fool, and he was very strong.
Cui Jing, the white-faced man, couldn't continue singing anymore and sneered, "So you think you can't invite the Cui family and try to fool the Lord? You really have the guts to do that. Do you think the Lord is a fool? Are all of us civil and military officials fools?"
"Sixth Lady has warned you, yet you still refuse to repent and think carefully about this matter. You even hope to get away with it by brushing it off. Who knows, even if the Master doesn't know about it now, he will not tolerate the Xie family in such a state when he comes to his senses one day."
It's simply courting death.
Xie Fangyuan frowned when Cui Jing said this. He said, "The Xie family's wealth is the result of years of accumulation. The Xie family's land also belongs to the Xie family. The Xie family is willing to serve as a vassal, but they are still giving away these things. I'm afraid this is not appropriate."
Even though Xie Fangyuan was not familiar with and did not care about general affairs, he felt that this matter was extremely harmful to the Xie family.
A hundred years of accumulation was wiped out in one day, which was like destroying the foundation of the Xie family.
Otherwise, Xie Fangyuan would not have made this trip in person.
"Besides, when the Cui family welcomed the King of Northern Yan into Pingzhou, I never heard that the Cui family or other noble families gave away any land."
The aristocratic families in Pingzhou, led by the Cui family, gave the Northern Yan army a sum of money and food, but no land.
Cui Jing looked at Xie Fangyuan, and that look seemed to be somewhat meaningful, but also a little disappointed.
Xie Fangyuan felt a little uncomfortable with this look and frowned.
Cui Jing said calmly, "Sir, you are confused. Every household in Pingzhou has land."
Pingzhou implemented the policy of "aristocratic families and common people jointly guarding Pingzhou" in those days. In order to appease the people, the Cui clan persuaded the Pingzhou aristocratic families to return many fields to the common people, and even reclaimed a lot of land. If it were not for the families that suffered misfortune, every household in Pingzhou would have land.
Xie Fangyuan was stunned.
He understood what Cui Jing meant. The aristocratic families occupied a part of the farmland in Pingzhou, but the common people had land, which was the foundation for their livelihood. Therefore, when Northern Yan took control of Pingzhou, it did not care about the land affairs in Pingzhou and acquiesced to the distribution of the Cui family and other clans.
But in Laizhou, all the land belongs to the Xie family, while the people have nothing. Northern Yan cannot tolerate this.
Cui Jing continued, "You are respected as a teacher by students all over the country, and you are high and mighty. You only know how prosperous the Xie family is, and how they live in luxury, but you don't know how the people in Laizhou are struggling."
"If you had any compassion, you should have lowered your head and taken a look. Perhaps you would have known how your Xie family abuses their power to bully others and exploit the people."
"How dare you!" The Xie family head's face turned grim. "It's not your place to comment on the status of our Xie family."
"Since you dare to do it, why should you be afraid of outsiders' comments?" Cui Jing sneered, not afraid of the Xie family head at all. He asked Xie Fangyuan, "Mr. Xie, do you know how much tax the court collects?"
"30% tax."
"That's right. However, over the years, the old emperor has become increasingly incompetent, and corrupt officials are in power. The amount of tax to be paid each year varies, sometimes reaching 50%."
"The taxes in Pingzhou have always been based on those set by the imperial court. Do you know how much the people of Laizhou can keep?" Cui Jing narrowed his eyes and stared at Xie Fangyuan, as if waiting for his answer.
Xie Fangyuan shook his head: "I don't know about this."
Cui Jing said, "Then I will tell you something. If the imperial court collects 30% tax, the tenant farmers in Laizhou can keep 30%. If the imperial court collects 50% tax, the tenant farmers in Laizhou can only keep 10%. "
One percent?!
Xie Fangyuan was completely stunned.
If only 10% is left, how can the people survive?
Xie Fangyuan suddenly looked at the head of the Xie family.
The head of the Xie family's face turned red, and he didn't dare to look at Xie Fangyuan out of guilt.
Cui Jing continued, "With only 10% of the harvest left, it's hard to survive. To survive, they have to cultivate more land. There are many cases of them working themselves to death. Some even cannot make ends meet and have to sell themselves into slavery, serving as slaves for the Xie family for the rest of their lives."
"Sir, if you are interested, just look at how many slaves in Laizhou have sold themselves to the Xie family, and you will know whether what I say is true or not."
"Sir, don't say that Beiyan is asking for too much and wants to seize the foundation of your Xie family. If the Xie family doesn't hand over these things, the people of Laizhou will have no way to survive. In addition, those indentures will be of no use at that time."
"The Lord has stated that the Xie family, as a vassal, can keep 30% of their land and wealth. Beiyan will distribute the remaining land to the people, and part of the wealth will be used for Beiyan's military supplies and the rest for the subsequent governance of Laizhou. This matter is non-negotiable."
If you don't agree, I would really be willing to send troops to Laizhou and uproot the Xie family.
There is no other reason. There is a giant insect sucking blood on this land. As long as the Xie family is not dead, the people of Laizhou will have no way to survive.
Xie Fangyuan frowned but didn't say anything.
The head of the Xie family had an ugly expression on his face: "Asking for 70% of the money and land of my Xie family is a bit too much. Cui San, you should know that my Xie family does not only have Beiyan as an option.
Not long ago, Crown Prince Jiang sent envoys to Laizhou, asking the Xie family to join forces to deal with Northern Yan. If the imperial court and the Xie family attack Northern Yan from both sides, Northern Yan will not be in a good situation. "
"There are also the King of Xiling and the King of Nanhuai, both of whom are interested in cooperating with the Xie family."
"Let the Xie family go ahead." Cui Jing's face was calm and unconcerned. "If the Xie family has the ability to establish themselves as kings, no one else can interfere. However, in the future struggle for the world, life and death will be at the hands of their own risk."
Patriarch Xie was a little dumbfounded and didn't believe it: "Are you really not afraid?"
"Why should we be afraid? Beiyan has already given the Xie family face by agreeing to accept them as its vassal. If you don't know what's good for you, then we will send troops. By then, the Xie family will lose not only 30% of their wealth but also their lives."
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