allonlinenovel Chapter 288: Land Tax Exemption
Chapter 288: Land Tax Exemption
Chapter 288: Exemption from Land Tax Fang Xuanling took a steady step forward, his expression worried, and said, "Your Majesty, this will put a heavy burden on the court."
He seemed to be thinking about the pressure behind this decision, and between his furrowed brows, he was filled with worries about the future financial direction of the Tang Dynasty.
The decree can be implemented, but not now!
Li Chengqian sat upright on the dragon throne. After hearing Fang Xuanling's words, his eyes naturally turned to Li Wei who was standing beside him.
Li Wei's face was calm, without any fluctuations in expression.
Seeing this, Li Chengqian pondered in his heart.
In this court, no one can understand the economic pressure the court is bearing better than the Ministry of Revenue.
Today, salt, iron, and tea—vital resources crucial to the nation's survival—are firmly under the imperial court's control. Coupled with the vast tax revenues that pour into the treasury, the Ministry of Revenue is a far cry from its former self, its financial resources robust enough to handle any challenging situation.
Li Chengqian's thoughts drifted far away. If the Tang Dynasty's economy was to take off further, Japan must be incorporated into the territory as soon as possible.
There are two silver mountains in the territory of Japan. If we can successfully take them, we can push the Tang Dynasty's economy to transform into a silver standard, allowing the Tang Dynasty to reach a higher level in the economic field.
In Li Chengqian's considerations, although copper is still important economically compared to the potential value of silver, its role is relatively limited.
But in terms of practicality, silver is far inferior to copper.
After the silver standard was adopted, a large amount of copper and iron was freed up for the country.
Li Chengqian coughed lightly, and the crisp cough echoed in the silent hall, instantly attracting the attention of all the ministers, who all looked towards the emperor sitting on the dragon throne.
"Prime Minister Fang, don't worry. The court has the capital."
"Gentlemen, the problem facing the Tang Dynasty today is not anything else but population."
Li Chengqian's voice was powerful and slowly swept across the faces of each minister.
"So, I have decided to exempt the people from land tax for five years, starting this year, in order to encourage them to have more children."
"During these five years, whatever crops they harvest from the land they cultivate will belong to them."
"As for the grain needed by the court, we can purchase it from the people. Minister Li, please name a base price."
Upon hearing this, Li Wei hurriedly bent down respectfully, holding the tablet in both hands, and saluted, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Chengqian nodded slightly and continued, "The price cannot be too low. We must ensure that the price of grain does not fall."
"Also, inform the people of the world that they are free to reclaim all wasteland. As long as they are successful, ten years' worth of crops from the land will belong to them."
"Ten years later, the imperial court will reclaim the property and provide the people with appropriate compensation."
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a thousand waves in the court.
When the officials heard what Li Chengqian said, they all gasped in shock.
Land tax was exempted, and the people could obtain ownership of wasteland for up to ten years after reclaiming it. Such a bold and people-friendly measure had only been implemented by Emperor Wen of Han since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.
Such practices undoubtedly mean that the court is giving up many benefits to the people.
All the officials knew that if the court was financially strapped and unable to withstand the pressure, then everything would be in vain and would only become a laughing stock.
Now that I think about it carefully, the Tang Dynasty is now strong and the court has enough financial resources to support it.
This realization made the ministers feel very excited. They realized that the glorious and prosperous scene of the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing could be recreated in the reign of Emperor Qianwu.
They seemed to be able to clearly see how the Qianwu Reign would be recorded in vivid detail in future history books.
An era that was famous for its martial spirit miraculously created a peaceful and prosperous era like the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, which was simply an even greater reign of Emperor Zhenguan.
The Zhenguan Reign, in the final analysis, was a period in which both civil and military governance reached a pinnacle.
And if the current Qianwu Dynasty continues to develop in this way, it may be able to surpass the former and write a more brilliant chapter.
This great opportunity to leave one's name in history was like a bright pearl shining in front of the ministers, and no official could resist its temptation.
They raised their tablets high in their hands, and with their postures in unison and solemnity, they saluted Li Chengqian and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise and wise!"
Li Chengqian showed a look of relief, nodded slightly, and said, "Thank you, Minister, please choose an auspicious day to announce the matter between the Emperor and the Crown Prince to the world."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
When the matter of the retired emperor's fake death was mentioned, the atmosphere in the court became subtle in an instant.
When all the court officials heard the news for the first time, their first reaction was extreme shock. They opened their eyes wide with disbelief on their faces, as if they had heard a fairy tale.
After the initial shock subsided a little, the ministers calmed down and thought about it carefully, and they felt that it was not that difficult to accept.
After all, a new emperor appoints new ministers, and whether the emperor is in power or not actually makes little substantive difference to the current political situation.
The group of historians was the most profoundly affected by this incident.
Zhang Ananda has returned to serve the retired emperor.
Young eunuchs would often hurriedly shuttle between the palaces, bringing the emperor's handwritten instructions to the historians. The instructions were written in earnest, ordering them to record them carefully, emphasizing that his fake death was not a mistake, but a great achievement.
The historians were required to praise him with gorgeous words.
This sudden request stumped the historians.
Your Majesty has solemnly declared before that once the records are confirmed, no changes are allowed!
The historians were caught in a dilemma, wavering between loyalty and pressure for a long time. In the end, they decided to uphold the integrity and professional ethics of historians and chose to record the facts.
In their hearts, the deeds and achievements of the previous emperor are ultimately not as great as the talent and strategy of the current Majesty.
"When there is something to do, we will start to act, but when there is nothing to do, we will retreat."
Li Chengqian raised his body, his buttocks had already left the dragon throne that symbolized supreme authority, at this moment.
A minister shouted loudly: "Your Majesty! I have something to report!"