The reason why Xia Hongsheng feels that the time is ripe is not untargeted. Pen ~ Fun ~ Pavilion www.biquge.info And it was precisely because of this two-year trip that he saw and heard on the road that he felt that it was time to propose the concept of the two tax laws to the emperor. Of course, from concept to trial, from trial to implementation, these take time and need to be brewing. But now, it is time to talk about this matter in detail with Li Shimin and put it on the agenda and start thinking about it.

From Chang'an to Quanzhou, and then from Quanzhou back to Chang'an, although Xia Hongsheng did not stay for a long time along the way, he basically turned around and watched.

Over the years, under the subtle influence of Xia Hongsheng, although Li Shimin has not clearly expressed his support for industry and commerce, he just casually said that agriculture and commerce should be promoted at the same time, but he has not written it into the government's policy as a decree, but he has turned a blind eye to it. Although there are still many restrictions on merchants, they are still much more relaxed. Xia Hongsheng thinks, exaggeratingly, that the current atmosphere is slightly similar to the social and political atmosphere on the eve of reform and opening up in later generations, and before the advent of the tide of the sea.

The phenomenon of land annexation has already begun, and although it has not yet reached the point of irreconcilability and serious harm, it has begun to take shape. In recent years, driven by Xia Hongsheng, industry and commerce have got more ideas than before. Although it is still an insignificant stage in the scope of the commodity economy, it represents a trend that more and more people gradually see the prospects and benefits of industry and commerce, and begin to move closer to it, and even devote themselves to it.

This is the social basis for Xia Hongsheng to think that he can formally propose the two tax laws with Li Shimin and take them into consideration.

It just so happened that Li Shimin lamented that the imperial court was short of money, and Xia Hongsheng had long wanted to boil warm water for the "frog" of the existing tax system.

So when he heard Li Shimin's question, Xia Hongsheng laughed and said, "To answer this question, Weichen has to ask His Majesty a question first." ”

"Ask." When Li Shimin saw Xia Hongsheng's smile, he knew that he was going to make something again, so he leaned back, found a comfortable sitting position, and was ready to listen to what Xia Hongsheng had to say.

Xia Hongsheng saluted and asked, "Your Majesty, this Shi Nong, Industry and Commerce, the four people of the world, according to Your Majesty, which one is the richest and which is the poorest?" ”

"The peasants are poor, but the merchants are rich. There are many powerful and powerful soldiers, and many workers are in vain. Li Shimin paused and said.

On the contrary, Xia Hongsheng was stunned by these words, it seems that Li Shimin's understanding of the four people in the world is very objective and has not avoided it, which is much better than before.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty can look at the four people of the world so objectively, and the ministers should congratulate the Tang Dynasty! Xia Hongsheng stood up and saluted solemnly, and then said, "What Your Majesty said is not wrong at all. However, in all dynasties, the positive taxes were calculated to the peasants in the end, and the rich and the noble, although they also paid taxes, but they sat on the tenants, and in the end it actually went to the peasants. Businessmen pay taxes, but very little. Let's take an analogy, it's like now that His Majesty wants money, there are two people in front of him who can ask for it, one is Weichen, and the other is the old farmer who ate Zhenzi noodles when His Majesty went to Zhuangzi last time. Dare to ask Your Majesty who wants money? ”

"Naturally, I asked you for it! If I were ruthless enough to come down and interrogate you, you stinky boy would be as rich as the country! Li Shimin said angrily at Xia Hongsheng, his tone was hateful, and he felt very angry that Xia Hongsheng was so rich and able to make money.

"Uh...... Your Majesty, you can't say that......" Xia Hongsheng scratched his head and said: "But Your Majesty, you see, if according to the current tax system, it should be based on the Ding body, then the adult male of the old peasant family has a wife, counting himself, that is, four heads, and he has to pay taxes according to four people." As for Weichen, there is only one person, but he only needs the tax of that one person. Of course, taxation is complicated, it's not that simple, let's just make an analogy. But Your Majesty, you see, Weichen's wealth is more than that of the old farmer, but it is not as much as the tax paid by the old farmer. If Wechen is no longer an official, goes home, and becomes a merchant, then Wechen will have less taxes to pay! Your Majesty, you say, how can there be such a truth in the world? ”

"Since ancient times, the imperial court has divided the land among the people, so taxes are calculated on the basis of people. Since you are a nobleman, you naturally cannot compare with the old peasant. If you are also a household, not me, how can you escape the law of rent? Li Shimin frowned and said.

"If Weichen is not Jingyanghou, but just a common person, with the method of making money by Weichen, he may also be able to become a rich party!" Xia Hongsheng said: "But the taxes paid by Weichen to the imperial court are still less than those old farmers. It's like if you ask for 10 points of food, and ask the rich for only 3 points, but ask the poor people who dig the soil all day long for food, then naturally the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. A large amount of wealth is all in the hands of the rich, and the court can only squeeze a little bit from the hands of those poor people, and the burden of the people is heavy, and the court picks out very little. In this way, of course, the imperial court has no money. ”

Li Shimin was speechless, he could understand what Xia Hongsheng said.

"Then from your point of view, if I don't ask the old farmer for money, how can I ask you for money?" Li Shimin sat up straight and asked with a somewhat solemn expression.

Hearing him ask, Xia Hongsheng knew that Li Shimin was serious, so he also became serious, and replied solemnly: "Reform the tax system, only take assets as the foundation, not Ding's body!" ”

Li Shimin was startled, his eyes suddenly condensed, and he stared at Xia Hongsheng tightly.

Xia Hongsheng's face was calm and looked at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin's heart beat wildly a few times, and quickly calmed down. looked at Xia Hongsheng, saw his unwavering appearance, and said: "Only take assets as the foundation, not Ding's body!" …… Do you know that if this word spreads, tomorrow morning, the ministers will impeach, and even if they do not hesitate to touch their heads to the pillar, they will put you to death? Even I can't protect you! ”

Xia Hongsheng smiled and nodded: "The minister naturally knows." ”

"Then why are you ......?"

"The minister wants this Tang Dynasty to move even little by little, but also to jump out of the historical circle, forever and forever." Xia Hongsheng interrupted Li Shimin's question, smiled, stretched out two fingers, compared a distance of more than two inches, and said: "The method of making salt has been moved so little; The new riding equipment has been moved so little; The establishment of a military academy, the development of things, and the establishment of a military aircraft workshop have been moved so little; seized Dongying and occupied Linyi, but it was moved so little; The manufacture of firearms and artillery has been moved a little bit...... Now that the tax system has been reformed, it has also been moved a little. Although this is a small amount, it can be moved little by little, which can make Datang better, more stable, and more prosperous and powerful. It can make the people love and respect the Tang Dynasty more and more, and make the relationship between the people and the imperial court closer and closer, more and more harmonious, and more and more trusting...... When this little bit adds up, after a long time, Datang will be able to jump out of that historical circle and truly live forever! (To be continued.) )