RPAGF Chapter 17 For the People? Or for Fame?
Chapter 17 For the People? Or for Fame?
The plan is good.
But the fact is that there's no money to implement it.
With the national treasury empty, it was simply impossible to come up with 2.88 million taels of silver for military pay in a short period of time.
Of course.
The national treasury is broke, but we have our own money.
Currently, the daily tax revenue in my world is 1.2 million loaves of bread.
The 2.88 million taels of silver included the horses' food.
120,000 people, even if they only eat three meals a day.
It consumes 360,000 loaves of bread every day.
Horses consume far more food each day.
A horse consumes at least ninety wheat grains a day.
That's equivalent to thirty loaves of bread.
Thirty thousand horses.
It consumes 600,000 loaves of bread every day.
In total, it amounts to approximately 960,000, but the actual figure is likely to be even higher.
After all, the amount of food consumed during wartime is definitely more than that consumed in peacetime.
In other words.
I am actually fully capable of supporting this annihilation war.
However, during this period, his personal savings were basically in a state of deficit.
I will definitely take the money myself, but I can't take it all.
Yang Sichang naturally thought of this as well.
He immediately suggested, "Since the national treasury is empty, we have no choice but to increase taxes."
"Your Majesty, I propose that we increase the levy on the suppression of the rebellion."
These words were spoken.
Hou Xun, Qian Qianyi, and others immediately and vehemently opposed it.
"Your Majesty! The people are suffering greatly, and there are refugees everywhere. If we were to increase taxes and burden them further, it would only lead to more refugees! I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"
What the Donglin Party loved to do most.
It's all about portraying oneself as a paragon of virtue.
Zhu Youjian glanced at Hou Xun, Qian Qianyi, and other Donglin Party officials who were opposing the movement.
He wasn't surprised.
The Donglin Academy initially gained fame by discussing politics.
In short, it's about standing on the moral high ground.
On the surface, he was dedicated to the country and its people, but with just a few words, Huang Taiji could also be a loyal subject of the Ming Dynasty.
After all, anyone can say nice things.
"Minister Yang, you heard it too."
"If taxes are imposed on the people, then your claim that protecting the people is the key to defeating bandits will no longer hold true."
Yang Sichang immediately bowed and explained.
"Your Majesty, I have no intention of increasing the taxes on the people."
"Instead, it is added to the land."
He knew very well that he wanted all the land to belong to the powerful.
That is, it was in the hands of powerful and wealthy families.
The people were already dirt poor.
Increasing taxes on land can not only raise grain, but also, to some extent, curb land annexation.
Taxes don't need to be increased too much.
One hundred acres of fertile land, plus a tax of three to four qian of silver, would suffice.
Zhu Youjian gazed at Yang Sichang for a moment, then spoke, "Does Minister Hou object to increasing taxes on the land?"
After learning that Yang Sichang's tax increase was aimed at land.
Hou Xun, Qian Qianyi, and others bowed and said, "We have no objections."
Zhu Youjian's gaze then fell upon Wen Tiren.
"What about the rest?"
Wen Tiren and the others had no objections.
Just when Yang Sichang thought the matter was a done deal.
Zhu Youjian slowly stood up: "Minister Yang, this matter still requires my careful consideration."
When I heard that sentence.
Yang Sichang felt as if the sky had fallen.
A thought suddenly popped into his mind: Did the emperor not trust him?
Not a single official in the court objected.
The emperor did not agree.
These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all of Yang Sichang's enthusiasm.
Without money, his plans are nothing but a pile of worthless paper.
The current imperial army is simply not capable of suppressing the bandits.
"His Majesty……"
Zhu Youjian raised his hand: "I am tired, you may all leave."
Wen Tiren, Hou Xun, and the others bowed and retreated.
Yang Sichang was also somewhat disheartened and prepared to leave.
At this moment, Zhu Youjian called out to Yang Sichang.
Looking at Yang Sichang, whose eyes were dull and lifeless.
Zhu Youjian slowly walked towards him: "Do you think that I don't trust you? That's why I disagree with your proposal to increase taxes on land?"
Yang Sichang lowered his head and pondered for a moment.
"Yes."
"Your Majesty is puzzled. Since you have entrusted me with full authority over the plan to suppress the bandits, why do you disagree with my suggestion?"
"There were no dissenting voices among the court officials."
Yang Sichang is not young.
But in his actions, he was somewhat idealistic.
In response to Yang Sichang's lack of understanding, Zhu Youjian calmly explained, "Your plan is excellent."
After gaining Zhu Youjian's approval.
Yang Sichang then raised his head: "Then why, Your Majesty?"
"However, the matter of imposing additional taxes is not as simple as Minister Yang thinks."
Yang Sichang remained silent.
"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
Looking at Yang Sichang, Zhu Youjian paused to think.
He nodded and said, "Minister Yang, are you aware that most of the officials in the court own anywhere from a hundred to tens of thousands of acres of farmland?"
"Why do they oppose you raising taxes on the people, but not on you raising taxes on them?"
Speaking of it.
Yang Sichang also found it somewhat strange.
Hou Xun and others, when they first proposed raising taxes.
They strongly opposed it, believing that they should impose taxes on the people.
But when he proposed increasing taxes on land, all dissenting voices disappeared.
After the silence.
Yang Sichang responded, "Are all the gentlemen here truly concerned for the people, and not concerned with their own gains and losses?"
Upon hearing Yang Sichang's words, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but smile.
All the officials in the hall had the people on their minds.
If that's really the case.
Where did the million displaced people come from?
If you truly care about the people, why engage in partisan strife?
"No."
"The assembled officials oppose your imposition of taxes on the people, not for the people's sake, but for your own reputation."
"They don't object to you increasing taxes on land, not because they don't care about their own interests, but because... these taxes will ultimately fall on the shoulders of the common people."
"Your idea is good, but they're not stupid either."
"No matter how you operate or under what name you use, you will impose additional taxes on the powerful and wealthy."
"Ultimately, it will all fall on the shoulders of the poor."
It's because they are a privileged class.
There are always ways to evade taxes or shift the burden of taxes onto the poor.
That's why.
When Yang Sichang said that taxes should be increased on the land and on wealthy families.
Not a single person in the hall objected.
Because they all knew that it would be extremely difficult for the imperial court to collect taxes from them.
In any case, the imperial court cannot harm their interests.
What's the point of opposing it?
Not only will you not gain any benefits, but you will also damage your reputation.
In summary
The officials in the hall opposed increasing taxes on the people, but only for the sake of reputation.
They don't oppose increasing land taxes because people can evade them in various ways.
They all look like loyal and righteous men.
Dare to speak up for the people.
In reality, he gained both fame and fortune.
Ultimately, the burden of taxes fell on the people.
"How could they?" Yang Sichang asked in disbelief.
Zhu Youjian said calmly, "Now you know why I disagreed, right? In the end, the taxes still fall on the people."
"The heavy taxes levied on the people are like adding insult to injury."