The former had the support of the Punishment Hall. However, the tax increase was not justified and would be difficult to achieve.
The difficulty of reforming the tax system was much higher than reforming the judicial system.
This was because the tax system was taking away from Jingguo's aristocratic families.
With the current tax system and financial situation in Jingguo, if the tax system was not reformed, it would not last for more than five years.
However, if the tax reform was not carried out properly, it would not last for more than three years.
Whether it was Fang Yun's reform of the Ministry of Personnel or the judiciary, it did not touch the fundamental interests of the various forces. However, the reform of the business tax was different. It was cutting the flesh of the various forces' hearts.
Without sufficient benefits in exchange, the various major forces would definitely not let the matter rest.
In the Saint Origin World, the real businessmen were all scholars. These businessmen were either from aristocratic families or had the backing of aristocratic families.
Increasing the tax system was basically taking money from the scholars of Jingguo.
This was far more difficult than taking away the imperial power.
After all, the aristocratic families were also involved.
Therefore, Fang Yun did not force the reform of the Ministry of Personnel and the judicial system. Instead, he set up the Department of Taxation first. He would complete the structure and system of this department before doing anything else.
The establishment of the Department of Taxation did not attract much attention. On the surface, it was just to sort out the tax system and increase the number of tax collectors. This did not affect the interests of the aristocratic families.
During the construction of the Department of Taxation, Fang Yun organized a summer literary event and invited all the aristocratic families and aristocratic families in Jingguo to participate.
Fang Yun was a scholar, so this literary event was not taboo. However, the people he invited were too special. Therefore, Jingguo immediately became the focus of attention.
Fang Yun invited all the aristocratic families in Jingguo.
Fang Yun was Xusheng, the Minister of the Left. His status had long surpassed that of the aristocratic families. Therefore, all the aristocratic families in Jingguo paid great attention to him. Except for a few aristocratic families who could not attend, all the aristocratic families brought their elites to attend the event. Some of the aristocratic families even specially selected the most beautiful ladies from their families to attend the event.
Fang Yun had invited the head of the Chen family, Chen Mingding, to host this literary gathering. Moreover, this literary gathering was not much different from ordinary literary gatherings. It was nothing more than reciting poems, composing essays, and playing games.
Many people were disappointed. They thought that Fang Yun would announce something big. However, they guessed that Fang Yun was just using the event to communicate with the aristocratic families in Jingguo. It was just a way to express Fang Yun's attitude.
The Minister of the Left was willing to share the world with the scholars.
When the event was about to end, Fang Yun.
Fang Yun's first sentence.
Fang Yun sighed and said, "Sigh, it's so hard to be the Minister of the Left!"
Everyone stared at Fang Yun with their mouths agape. Some of the well-dressed ladies were even disappointed. They did not expect Fang Yun to bring up such a topic at the event.
Fang Yun ignored everyone and continued to pour out his grievances.
"Look at this spring garden. The last time I came back, it was just green. Now, it's flourishing and the lotus flowers are blooming. Only now do I realize that I haven't been back for months. The position of the Minister of the Left may seem glorious, but it's actually very difficult. There's the Notre-Dame, the Punishment Hall, and the Hall of Rites. I can't move at all. There's the Empress Dowager in the middle and hundreds of officials below. Even if I have the strength, I can't do anything. However, there's one thing that I'm very happy about! "
Fang Yun looked at everyone with a sincere gaze and said, "Most of the scholars outside of the Imperial Court support me."
Some of the young scholars did not expect Fang Yun's position to be so difficult.
"Fang Xusheng, don't worry. We'll always support you!"
"You're the pillar of Jingguo. We won't oppose you!"
"Fang Xusheng, don't worry. Even if the world opposes you, we'll stand by your side."
The young people were excited, but the older scholars just looked at Fang Yun quietly. Some of them even frowned and felt that something was wrong.
After waiting for the young scholars to finish speaking, Fang Yun smiled and said, "Many thanks to everyone. With everyone's words, this Fang is much more at ease. However, Jing Country is plagued by both internal and external troubles and is in grave danger. My colleagues in the imperial court and I have racked our brains. We don't dare to say that everything is perfect, but as long as we can stabilize Jing Country and make progress, we are satisfied. I didn't want to say this at the event. Unfortunately, I found out today that the national treasury can't make ends meet. I'm afraid that the Imperial Court's finances will encounter some difficulties. "
The crowd was silent.
Now, even the inexperienced young scholars realized that Fang Yun was crying about being poor. There must be a deeper meaning.
Fang Yun did not seem to care about what others thought. He continued, "What if the national treasury is empty? Someone called Dong Yueqian said that he wanted to increase the land tax. I was so angry that I almost slapped him. Jingguo's farmers work hard for a year. How much food can they get? How much money can they earn? If we increase the land tax, how will the farmers survive? How many families would be destroyed and people would be killed? Is this what we officials should do? It's ridiculous! "
There were many guests at the event, so Fang Yun called people from the Imperial Cabinet, including Li Zhixiao, Xu Changgeng, and Dong Yueqian.
All the Imperial Cabinet officials looked at Dong Yueqian.
Dong Yueqian's face was flushed red, but he honestly couldn't say a word. He had never said anything like that before, but he didn't dare to go against Fang Qiu's luck in front of everyone. He could only suffer in silence.
Li Zhixiao was a gentleman. He was puzzled. He felt that this did not sound like something Dong Yueqian would say.
Xu Changgeng was the cleverest. He vaguely realized something and laughed secretly. He patted Dong Yueqian and said in a low voice, "Don't misunderstand. This is a good thing."
Dong Yueqian felt wronged, but he did not dare to say anything.
Fang Yun continued, "At that time, I thought that if the country is in trouble, everyone will help. However, we can't exploit the hardworking people. Everyone, don't you agree?"
Less than half of the people nodded.
The older family heads did not move at all. They were like wooden statues.
"Therefore, someone called Xu Changgeng suggested that the richest people in Jingguo should be taxed." Fang Yun said.
Xu Changgeng, who had his hand on Dong Yueqian's shoulder, was dumbstruck. His face was blank. What was going on? He had never said anything like this. How could the Prime Minister say something like this?
Li Zhixiao saw Xu Changgeng's expression and immediately guessed the reason. He almost laughed out loud. He lowered his head and suppressed his laughter.
Xu Changgeng was a popular figure in the political circles. Because of Fang Yun, he was very popular. Almost everyone present knew him. Thus, many strange gazes swept over him.
Xu Changgeng swallowed his words and did not say anything.
Li Zhixiao patted his shoulder unkindly and said, "Don't misunderstand. This is a good thing."
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