The next day, early in the morning.
All of the branches of the Great Tang Newspaper Company delivered the day's newspaper to the homes of the subscribers as quickly as possible. The notice board of the yamen was also updated with the day's new content.
Almost all of the Great Tang citizens acted as usual, not noticing anything amiss.
However, when more people finished reading the newspaper, a portion of them noticed a problem with it, and the entire Great Tang began to fall into chaos.
*****
In Hanyuan Hall, Li Longji sat upright while the officials stood by his side, listening to the contents of the newspaper.
"From today onwards, the royal court will add a new policy. First, the tax on farmers, such as the tax on farmers and the poll tax, will be replaced with currency. All farmers will have to sell their crops to raise money."
When the first clause was read out, the officials who were qualified to attend the royal court frowned as they pondered over the function of this clause. After a moment of contemplation, most of them found that it didn't have much of an effect. At most, the grain that had been handed over previously would be converted into money, and the farmers would have to sell their crops themselves.
Li Longji narrowed his eyes, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded.
The reporter continued to read, "Second, all cultivators are allowed to work together with other cultivators in the surrounding area. All cultivators are allowed to work together in groups of a hundred households, or in villages. A leader is chosen, and the members of the group are the owners of all the land. The leader can choose two types of farming. The first is to negotiate the distribution of the crops. That is to say, the owner of the land will reach an agreement with the leader, and the variety of crops to be farmed each year will be decided by the leader. The second is to lease the land. That is to say, the leader will lease the land of all the farmers and hire the owner of the land to work in the fields. All decisions will be made by the leader, and they will be protected by the corresponding laws. "
The moment these words were said, the officials burst into an uproar.
They finally understood the function of the first clause. The first clause was to serve the second clause. After a transaction, the amount of money one would earn would depend on the price set at the time of the transaction. If one sold for more money, one would make a profit. If one sold for less money, one would make a loss. All of the risks would be shifted to the owner of the land.
The next day, there was another way of land acquisition. If one chose the first option of the second option, the owner of the land would have to bet with the team leader. They would bet that the team leader's decision this year was correct. Although it was said that it could not be changed, in fact, once the seeds were planted, they could not be changed even if they wanted to. It would delay the growth of the crops.
If one were to choose the second option, the owner of the land would avoid the risk of selling their own grain. They would pay for the land and receive two portions of money. One portion would be the rent for the land, and the other portion would be the income from labor. There were two risks in the process. One was the risk of not being hired, and the other was the risk of their own income being reduced when the price of grain was high.
If it was completely up to the team leader to decide, the team leader was likely to exclude those who were not good at farming. These people would only receive a portion of the income from the lease of the land, but they themselves would be unemployed.
"I don't agree." Without waiting for the person reading the newspaper to continue, Zhang Jiuling stepped out and said bluntly. He had a good relationship with the Zhang Family and the Wang Family, but he could not let his personal relationship go to waste.
Li Longji put the microphone to his mouth and said, "Minister Zhang, stand down. Today's court assembly is not to hear whether you agree or not. It is to let you listen carefully and act accordingly. Today is different from the past. Everything that is done, starting from me, to the head of the secretariat, to the lower ministries, you only need to cooperate and are not allowed to question."
However, Yuan Qianyao, who was nearby, did not agree. He stood out forcefully and asked loudly, "Your Majesty, I don't know why this policy was not brought out to discuss with us first before coming to a conclusion. Why did it have to be passed today?"
"Bring it out to discuss? Didn't you need to discuss for a long time? Can you guarantee that not a single piece of information will be leaked? Do you know what the consequences will be once the nobles of the Great Tang know about this policy in advance? Minister Yuanqing, I ask you, do you know the situation that our dynasty is facing now? "
Li Longji threw out a few questions consecutively and waited for Yuan Qianyao to give a reply.
Yuan Qianyao pondered for a moment and said loudly, "Your Majesty, our dynasty is now filled with the benevolence of the Emperor. The people are of one mind, commerce is connected, agriculture is flourishing, and the army …"
"Speak frankly, I don't like to listen to people talk for a long time without saying anything practical. No matter how much you flatter, the problems that should exist will not be solved." Li Longji interrupted Yuan Qianyao's words.
All the officials, including Zhang Zhong, sighed secretly. They felt that His Majesty had been influenced by Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan to be too utilitarian. There must be practical returns for his efforts. If not, he would definitely not waste his time.
Yuan Qianyao coughed lightly and changed his way of speaking. "Your Majesty, our dynasty's national treasury is now filled with money. This year's national treasury can't be used up just based on the budget. As the Agriculture Temple has been vigorously researching crops, the cultivators all over the country know how to be flexible when farming. Furthermore, they use fertilizers and pesticides. The crop output has more than doubled.
In addition, the roads are well repaired, the railways are connected, the caravans are organized into a large scale, and the small products developed by the Ministry of Works help the people increase the efficiency of manual labor. The situation is very good.
Also, in terms of education, many people spontaneously learn to read with their children at night. There are countless schools all over the country, and they can participate in the work of heaven and earth. Everything is very good. "
"Good, I naturally know that there are good aspects. However, in the way of heaven and earth, there must be a Yin and a Yang. There must be a disadvantage to every advantage. I also know that our Tang Empire's military is strong, our weapons are advanced, and our morale is high. We can fight whoever we want. However, I am asking about the disadvantages of the advantages. "
When Li Longji said this, he was very proud. Especially in the past two years, the Ministry of Works had developed a lot of research results. For example, pesticides and fertilizers, as well as the improvements made by the Agriculture Temple, the development of the entire country was like flying.
No matter which place was affected by the disaster, as long as the people were fine. As for the money and food that the people lost, the imperial court would directly make up for it.
Furthermore, it wasn't like in the past. When the disaster struck, the people would be very grateful just by reducing the rent or sending people to cook a few bowls of porridge. At the very least, they didn't have to leave their homes and die on the road.
But now, when the disaster struck, the people's homes would be registered with the government. Even if a cow died in your home, the imperial court would compensate you with a new one. If your house collapsed, it was easy. When the disaster was over, a new house would be built for you. If it was a drought, the government would arrange for you to work elsewhere. They would definitely not let you bear the pain of the disaster alone.
This was a great contribution. In the past, which emperor had done this? Which emperor dared to say or think about it? Only Zhen, only Zhen's Kaiyuan era.
"Your Majesty is right." Minister of Works Zhang Zhong stepped forward and said, "Even though our government is harmonious, there are still some disadvantages. Although Regional Commander Zhang and Deputy Regional Commander Wang have done many things, such as providing for the elderly, educating the young, and treating the sick, all of these are national benefits that don't require the people to spend money. However, in the process of rapid development, many things have happened that are not conducive to the stability of the country. Moreover, it has reached a critical period, so we have to investigate and take action. "
When Zhang Zhong said this, some people started to pout and cursed in their hearts. Why are you pretending to be a big wolf, Zhang Zhong and Deputy Regional Commander Wang? It's as if you aren't familiar with them. If you don't stand out and show off, will it kill you to directly say that you have a son and daughter-in-law?
How shameless. You are really shameless. You are using the fact that you have a good son and daughter-in-law to attack others. Where is your conscience? Do you still care about the friendship of your colleagues?
Although they were cursing in their hearts, they had to endure this anger. Otherwise, if they offended them verbally, the revenge would come very quickly. The first to take action would probably be their other children.
Yuan Qianyao's face didn't look very good when he was mocked by the Emperor and the Minister of Works at the same time. He lowered his head and thought about it before saying, "There are also disadvantages, but they are not big. Due to the increase in national benefits, a small number of people have become lazy. Especially the policy that the imperial court will pay for the raising of infants, all kinds of men have started to work."
"Is there anything else?" Li Longji asked again.
"Yes." Yuan Qianyao said firmly, "There are also people who are active at this good time. After they earn money, they won't spend it for a while. They buy a lot of luxury goods and compare their wealth with others. Their friendship with others is usually measured by their wealth. They are arrogant because of their wealth, causing others to compare with them."
After saying that, Yuan Qianyao probably thought that he had admitted his mistake, so he explained, "Of course, this is human nature. Moreover, rich people buy a lot of luxury goods, which will help increase the income of the imperial court's treasury. It can promote the competitiveness of others and make them work harder. Logically speaking, after three generations, it will return to peace."
"Logically speaking, if we don't solve it immediately, we won't need to wait for three generations. This generation will definitely cause the country to be in turmoil and the people's hearts to be unstable. Everything is based on money. At that time, will the world belong to people or to money? Those who only know their nature and food are animals. Money can buy sex, food, clothes, and houses. With money, you can do anything. Do you still want ethics and morals? If you lose the warmth of people and only have money left, I don't care about this country. "
Li Longji said angrily. In the end, he had already started to hit the armrest with all his might.
"Your Majesty, please calm down." The officials persuaded in unison with tacit understanding.
Yuan Qianyao trembled and knelt on the ground. He said, "This official has committed a crime of not thinking deeply and not being aware of many things."
Li Longji waved his hand. "Get up, I don't blame you. I did the same in the past. Who would have thought that there was such a hidden danger behind the prosperity? It was Xiao Bao and Cuckoo who told me over and over again. After analyzing it over and over again, I finally understood that things in the world are unpredictable.
I believe that all of you know how capable the two of them are. When they encountered monstrous disasters, the two of them worked together and stubbornly fought against them. When they encountered military disasters, the two of them laughed and chatted non-stop. When they said that they didn't have enough money, the two of them talked about the world and turned stone into gold. No matter what they encountered, I have never seen the two of them afraid. As for your impeachment, it was just a joke to the two of them.
However, every time they talked about today's matter, the two of them would always have a serious expression. Occasionally, they would show a panicked expression and sigh when talking to me. All of this shows that the pressure this matter has on the two of them is far greater than the previous few cases. The sum of the previous cases is not as serious as this.
Isn't this enough? Isn't this enough to explain the problem? What exactly is hidden behind the prosperity that makes the two of them so afraid? Do you think there is anything in the world that can make them afraid? "
As Li Longji's voice fell, the sound of people inhaling could be heard in Hanyuan Hall. Under the warm sunlight, the officials felt their bodies turn cold.
They had always known that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were strong. It was a kind of strength that was soaked in their souls. They had never been afraid of anything and could easily solve any problem in front of them. They were knowledgeable in astronomy, knowledgeable in geography, and knowledgeable in the study of things in between. Regardless of whether it was the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, song, or poetry, whether it was farming, craftsmen, or merchants, they were able to spread government and administration, and as a general, they were able to open up new territories. They were invincible in battle and were invincible.
Such people would actually be afraid. Who wouldn't be afraid of something that could make them afraid? However, it clearly looked very good now and there wasn't much of a problem. Why were they so scared?
"Brother Yongcheng, do you know?" Prime Minister Song Jing asked. He was asking Zhang Zhong. After all, he was Zhang Xiaobao's father and had probably interacted with him often.
Everyone's gazes simultaneously shifted to Zhang Zhong.
Zhang Zhong considered, then solemnly said, "Xiao Bao and Cuckoo once said that our Great Tang does not fear calamities. Calamities are nothing more than rebuilding one's home. We also do not fear weapons. When we fight, we fight with our lives. As long as the hearts of the people are united, as long as we are of one heart, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.
What they fear is that the hearts of the people are scattered. Officials do not work for their own interests, instead using public office for personal gain. Farmers do not plough their fields, instead stealing their jobs. Craftsmen do not learn their skills, instead using shoddy goods. Merchants do not sell their goods, instead hoarding them and inflating their prices. Teachers do not look good, instead choosing students for their own benefits. Doctors do not inherit their virtues, instead using money to divide the affliction.
If they do not control it now, when the time comes, it will be very difficult to change it. When the time comes, who will make the first move? Will they be able to kill all the people in the world? How many years will it take to change a nation that has lost its spiritual pillar? What methods will they use to recover the original soul?
That kind of country is not a civilization, but a slave to money. Thus, Xiao Bao and Cuckoo have always been worried about this matter. They need to find a good balance in the process of development, and at this moment, they need everyone's help to settle on this point first. We can talk about other points later. "
After Zhang Zhong finished speaking, he used a sincere expression to look at his colleagues in the hall. Some nodded at him, some responded with firm gazes, and some lowered their heads in deep thought.
After a while, Li Longji ordered, "Continue reading."
At this time, no one objected. Everyone was frightened by what Zhang Zhong had said.
The person reading the report took a deep breath and read again, "The second decree, the Great Tang Bank will reduce the loan interest by ten percent, the deposit interest by ten percent, and the reserve rate by twenty percent, using the internal funds.
Any handicraft industry with more than a hundred workers and less than five hundred workers can enjoy a one-off loan of three thousand strings of coins from the bank. Those with more than five hundred workers and less than a thousand workers can enjoy a one-off loan of ten thousand strings of coins from the bank. Those with more than a thousand workers can enjoy a one-off loan of less than two hundred thousand strings of coins from the bank according to the requirements of their development plan, and the loan amount can be increased in the future. "
The officials knew that Zhang Xiaobao was starting to give out money, allowing the people of Great Tang to take out their savings and spend it. At the same time, he was encouraging handicraft industries to swallow each other. There were many consequences, but the most direct one was the depreciation of the currency, even if the country did not increase the amount of currency issued.
Song Jing pondered for a moment, then walked up to Li Longji and asked softly, "Your Majesty, can you let the currency depreciate?"
His voice was soft, but there was a microphone in front of him, so everyone heard it. This caused Song Jing to be taken aback, and he sighed helplessly.
Li Longji smiled and shook his head, "It's fine. This is soft depreciation, also known as temporary depreciation. As long as the imperial court does not suddenly increase the amount of currency issued, there is no need to worry about the currency being worthless. After all, this is a cyclical process.
The depreciation that you are worried about comes from the taxation of currency circulation. Every time you spend money and earn money, there will be taxation. You're afraid that the imperial court will spend money in a short period of time, causing the production of actual goods to be unable to keep up with the sudden spending of money, resulting in a depreciation of the currency. Is that right? "
Song Jing nodded, "That's right. Furthermore, if we do this, the people will take their money out of the bank and spend in a rush. This will cause the price of goods to rise, and if the goods are expensive, the money will be cheap.
"Of course, this is a small problem, and Xiao Bao does not care about it. Song Qing, do you know what the main source of goods is? " At this time, Li Longji felt that he could be a teacher. Back then, he had chased after Xiao Bao and asked for a long time before he finally figured it out.
Gao Lishi, who was standing at the side, also had a smile in his eyes. At that time, he had also followed along with Wu Huifei. If he did not learn, he would not have known. After learning, he realized that the more he learned, the more ignorant he became. The methods, goals, and execution of the various historical dynasties that he had read in books were far inferior to Xiao Bao's. It was like the difference between heaven and earth. Xiao Bao had played the economic game to the height of the 'Dao'.
It was unknown when the people who were learning now would be able to learn all of Xiao Bao's economic knowledge and continue to improve.
As a Prime Minister, Song Jing was quite capable. When he heard the emperor's question, he immediately replied, "Your Majesty, is it the production of land and mining of minerals?"
"What you said is only a part of it. There is more." Li Longji narrowed his eyes and said.
"There is more? There is also the transportation of goods from the outside. This is the most direct. "Song Jing said.
"Then how do you do it? During the transportation process, how can you guarantee that the domestic currency will not depreciate in the flow of goods and goods between the cost and profit? "Li Longji asked again. He wanted to show his professionalism.
Song Jing regretted. He regretted that he had not properly studied Zhang Xiaobao's book recently. That book was only circulated among the upper class, and ordinary people could not even think about reading it. He was not afraid that others would read it and learn it, but he was afraid that they would learn it at a half-baked level and use it blindly. At that time, Zhang Xiaobao would have to come back and clean up the mess.
For example, a person who thought that he was smart would start to play with cash flow after reading the book. He would use all kinds of methods to collect funds. Then, a problem would occur in a certain part of the process, and the chain of funds would be broken and all would be lost. Zhang Xiaobao did not want to add such trouble to himself.
Song Jing decided to go back and learn properly. Otherwise, if he was always questioned by the emperor in front of other people, it would be embarrassing.
Song Jing hesitated for a moment, then braced himself and replied, "This subject feels that we can use force to solve the problem and make the nature of the trade with the outside world less fair. This way, we can use low-cost goods to exchange for high-profit goods."
"This is a bandit's way of thinking. It's a sign of incompetence. Then just say that you are like Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, who did not even exchange goods and relied on the army to fight for them." Li Longji was amused by Song Jing's words.
"Your Majesty, please teach this subject." Song Jing played along.
"Fine, we will teach you. It's your fault for not learning properly. What you just said was correct, but you did not mention the most important problem. The key lies in the production and application of production technology. Whether it is planting in the fields, mining in the mines, or trading with the outside world, they all require technical support.
The problem of the fields is left to the Agriculture Temple, the updating of the mining tools is left to the Ministry of Works, and the trading with the outside world is also the Ministry of Works. If we want to reduce the actual cost of the goods, we have to increase the cost of the technology.
For example, how much do you think a mirror is worth? A palm-sized mirror is not even worth a copper coin, but when we trade with the outside world, we can give it a value of ten strings of coins.
This is the cost advantage brought by technology. If you don't have the technology, you can only accept the other party's cost. If you want to own something, you can only pay as much as the other party says.
Thus, a portion of the taxes that our Great Tang earns can be allocated to the technical research department, and a portion can be used to build infrastructure, such as roads. Once the roads are built, the cost of transporting goods will naturally be reduced.
For example, if you send five people to transport a cart of rice, and the road is not good, you will have to travel for several months. Even after the cart of rice is eaten by you, you will still starve to death. The time wasted by your five people is actually non-productive consumption. I might as well not ask for a cart of rice and let the five of you find a place to raise chickens. "
Li Longji gestured as he spoke.
"That's not right." Song Jing pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "Your Majesty, look, the land needs people to grow it. If you don't grow it, someone else will. There are only so many lands, and with the same technology, you don't need to be a laborer. Wouldn't it be a waste for you to go and farm? It's the same for raising chickens. Chickens need to eat, and no matter what they eat, they will consume the local resources. The resources are only in a cycle, and they don't increase. It's not like obtaining things from the outside world. "
"Your thinking is wrong. The resources are indeed in a cycle, but we don't make use of all of them. For example, if you don't raise chickens, can you fully utilize the resources of the land and forests in the area where you raise chickens?
Furthermore, these resources are increasing. For example, sunlight and wind. If you don't use them, they will still exist. When the time comes, it will be wasted. The most direct manifestation of sunlight is the growth of plants.
There's also water. Clouds bring rain from other places to our Great Tang. If you don't use them, they will flow into the sea. Why don't you hoard them and raise fishes?
As for wind, it's not easy to make use of it now. The technology can't keep up. For example, the generator in the wind can produce electricity to illuminate the land. If you think that illumination is useless and people only want to read books, then you should think of using it to replace candles. There's also heating. For example, hatching chickens in winter. If you use electricity to hatch chickens, won't you be saving other resources? "
Li Longji began to give examples to Song Jing. In fact, when he reached the end, Song Jing already knew, but he didn't want to interrupt him. It wasn't easy for the Emperor to teach you, so shouldn't you listen carefully?
"This subject understands." Song Jing saw that His Majesty had stopped talking and was drinking tea, so he immediately said respectfully.
Li Longji nodded contentedly and instructed the person reading the report, "Continue reading. There are many policies today."
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