Section XI

"Land is the foundation of the country, and taxes should be tailored to local conditions, not set in stone. The rich can be taxed five and one, and the poor can be taxed ten and one, and if there are special circumstances, they can be reduced or exempted according to the circumstances. ”

Shang Yukun patted the horse and caught up with Wu Ming.

This is the east gate of Tingya, after the merchant recovers the card tax, vigorously rectify, reduce the commercial tax to one-fifth of the original, and make a road guide, the merchant but with the road guide, can pass in the central and western provinces, and even the northwest three provinces. In this way, double collection of card taxes is avoided. As soon as this policy was announced, the merchants rejoiced, and after only a few days, the flow of people entering and leaving the court increased significantly. Shang Yukun does have the talent to govern the country, and this alone makes Wu Ming admire.

Wu Ming stopped the horse, turned to Shang Yukun and said, "Dare to ask Brother Shang, in that case, can taxes be reduced?" ”

"But in the event of a military disaster, the exiled people can be exempted from cultivating their own land for five years; However, in the case of a bad year, the field can be exempted from the year if it is not half of it; However, those who open up the land can be exempted from paying taxes for five years; But...... In addition, all people must pay public rations, which are allocated uniformly, so that the widows and lonely people can be supported. ”

Wu Ming nodded secretly, Shang Yukun seemed to have put in a lot of effort, he thought about it, and continued: "This is all field management methods, but the terrain in China and the West is complex and changeable, and various management forms such as tribes, tusi, and cottages are derived. ”

Shang Yukun smiled slightly: "There is a way, it depends on whether the governor has the courage to do it." ”

Seeing his mysterious look, Wu Ming also became interested: "You say." ”

Shang Yukun said in a low voice: "The integration of politics and religion, and the use of religion to purge China and the West, will inevitably achieve twice the result with half the effort." ”

"Theocracy?" Wu Ming muttered, sighed, and said, "The way of religion is just to fool the people after all, is it really so?" ”

"Governor, you're confused." Shang Yukun saw that Wu Ming seemed to be a little reluctant, so he couldn't care about being rude, so he cut off the conversation and continued to admonish: "Integrate politics and religion, and take officials as teachers." Son of Heaven, Son of Heaven, what is the Son of Heaven? The so-called divine authority of the monarch is to add a sacred cloak to the emperor's rights, and in other words, it is fooling the people. And the Son of Heaven is the greatest god stick......"

He suddenly said such a rebellious word, which almost frightened Wu Ming, and he hurriedly looked around, grabbed his horse and ran towards the distant grassland, and Shang Yukun followed. Before I knew it, I had run far away, and the flow of people entering and leaving the east gate had become black spots. Seeing that the surroundings were quiet, Wu Ming lowered his voice and said: "Brother Shang, be quiet, it will be heard, it is really me Wu Ming is going to stand on his own feet in China and the West." ”

Shang Yukun pursed his lips, quite disapprovingly: "Now within the imperial court, the queen mother and the prime minister are fighting fiercely, who still has the leisure to take charge of you." He changed his words, but still persuaded himself: "Governor, you see, in addition to these people fighting for power and profit, there are a few people who have taken care of the life and death of the people, and you are still so stupid." ”

Wu Ming was speechless for a while, generally speaking, students who have received systematic education are loyal supporters of the imperial power faction, but Shang Yukun is definitely an exception. Although this guy has read a lot of books, his other identity is that he is the head of a big merchant family, and he has seen the world, and his mind is lively, unlike ordinary students who work behind closed doors and are pedantic. In recent years, there have been frequent regime changes in China and the West, and the merchants have suffered greatly, so he has no good impression of the imperial power, and it is not surprising that he can say this.

Seeing that Wu Ming was still silent, Shang Yukun continued: "You also know that the situation in China and the West is complicated, whether it is a tribe or a Tusi cottage, etc., almost all of them have their own beliefs, these beliefs have Gu gods, totems, and even the true gods of Persia, etc., if you want to truly integrate this place, you must adapt measures to local conditions if you can achieve the goal by force." And the Bailing Sect is a unique condition. The doctrine of the Hundred Spirits Sect is not just to fool the people, you should know it. ”

Wu Ming nodded, sighed and said, "Our Lady of Humble Jing Bailing once said, 'There are a thousand ways, and there is one purpose. He also said, 'It is beneficial to the people to it, and it is contrary to the people's sacrifice.' I believe that she can do this, but in fact, what I am worried about is not myself, but the court. Brother Shang, you also said that the monarchy is divinely granted, if I promote the Bailing Sect in China and the West with great fanfare, I am afraid that I will attract the jealousy of the imperial court. ”

"There is a lot of truth in what the Overlord said."

Shang Yukun was obviously prepared, and said confidently: "Not only have you taken it into account, but even Governor He has taken it into account. When the Hundred Souls Sect was founded, if he proclaimed himself a holy king, wouldn't it be much easier than his wife becoming a virgin? Bailing Sect is also easier to control. He did this, in fact, because of the jealousy of the imperial court. However, for so many years of promoting Bailing Religion in China and the West, the imperial court not only did not stop it, but praised it greatly, and there is a reason for it. As long as it is not the governor who deifies himself, the court is not a fool, knowing that it is just an expedient measure, and the purpose is to strengthen the control of China and the West, which can be accepted. Furthermore, our promotion of the Hundred Souls Cult has the purpose of resisting the teachings of the Persian Theological Religion. In this way, there is one more reason, and the court will not obstruct it. ”

Wu Ming nodded: "Okay, this matter is settled." However, even with the help of the Bailing Sect, it is not a one-day effort to integrate China and the West. ”

Shang Yukun said: "Learning is like getting on a boat, and you can't slow down." Difficult things such as climbing dangerous peaks cannot be stopped for a moment. It takes time for religion to infiltrate, for example, subordinates read books, starting from the enlightenment at the age of five, four books and five classics, bizarre and miscellaneous conversations, and I don't know how many books I have read, if I look back, I feel incredible. As long as we work hard, the water drops are worn and the rope is sawed and the wood is rotten, and it will be effective after all. ”

※※※ "Winter and March, this so-called closed hidden, water ice and ground, no disturbance to the sun, early and late risen, must wait for the sun, so that the will is hidden, if there is selfishness, if there is gain, go to the cold on the warm, no leakage, so that the qi is urgent, this winter should be, the way to hide is also ......"

Before entering the house, the sound of her daughter Tang worrying and immature reading came from afar, which was catchy in the winter rain, like a pearl falling on a jade plate, although it was crisp and tender, but silky.

That's an excerpt from "Miscellaneous Discussions on Pharmacy", probably talking about health preservation or something. This book has grown up with Tang Wei since she was a child, and her reading materials are not "Thousand Character Text", nor "Three Character Classic", but the jerky and difficult "Pharmaceutical Miscellaneous". It's also thanks to Tang Wei who is smart, in his early five years, although he can't understand all the meanings of the words in it, but he can understand most of the words.

Stepping through the door, Mrs. Tang greeted him, and while untying his overcoat, she nagged: "Busy so late again?" The guests have been waiting for you for a long time. ”

"Guests? Could it be that General Yang and his wife are here? ”

General Yang in Tang Xuan's mouth is Yang Yi, the general of Jingyuan, Yang Yi is the right-hand man of Wu Ming, the governor of China and the West, after he got married, Wu Ming took pity on the newlywed, and couldn't bear to let him run around, and at the same time wanted to leave someone in Nanning to take care of the overall situation, so this young general Jingyuan stayed in Nanning.

Mrs. Tang smiled on her face, nodded and said, "Yes, I'm watching Xiao Wei read." ”

At the mention of his daughter, Tang Xuan also laughed. Tang Wei is diligent and studious, he can read and write in his early five years, and now he is well-known in the court, and most of his colleagues are not jealous of Tang Xuan's literary talent, but he gave birth to a smart and studious daughter.

Mrs. Tang continued: "You go to accompany the guests first, I'll go to prepare dinner, it's embarrassing to hurt people to wait for a long time." ”

Tang Wei nodded, turned around and walked towards the study. As soon as I arrived at the door, I heard Tang Wei asking, "Uncle, what did you mean by that sentence just now?" ”

Yang Yi learned a lot, when he was in Nanning College, he was known as a genius, but at this time he was asked a little around, and thought about it: "Probably, it should be that we should be told to do less activity in winter, rest more, shrink at home to recuperate, and prepare for the coming year." ”

General Yang Xiao, who is known as a genius, also has times when he can't figure it out. Tang Xuan smiled slightly, raised his feet and walked in.

Tang Wei was dressed in a snow-white velvet jacket and a pair of equally snow-white jacket pants, like a light snowball, and his two little feet with embroidered butterfly cotton-soled shoes were hanging in the air, looking at Yang Yi with clear eyes like jewels: "Yes, is this really the case?" ”

Yang Yi looked embarrassed, this was jerky and difficult to understand, to be honest, he was really unsure, and he hadn't even heard it. Fortunately, he has a dual cultivation of civil and military skills, and has always been studious. Martial arts have entered the country for thousands of miles, and literature has never fallen half a point, so it can still be translated according to the literal meaning, otherwise it will be really embarrassing today.

Liu Yun stood aside, looking at Yang Yi with a smile on his face, his husband Xiang is known for his genius and seems to be omnipotent, and it is a blessing to see him eat turtles today.

Marriage is a hurdle in life, although people are still those two people, but after marriage, the two stand together, giving people a sense of maturity out of thin air. Tang Xuan looked at the young couple and sighed secretly in his heart. When he first arrived in Nanning, this Yang Xiaojun was only a student of Nanning Academy, and like other ordinary students, he was begging for people and running around for his livelihood and way out after graduation. And now, he has grown into a five-rank general. It's only been four years, but so much has changed. He said, "Xiao worry, Uncle Yang is right, that's probably what he meant." ”

As soon as he saw Tang Xuan coming, Yang Yi stepped forward and bowed at the same time with his wife, saying, "Teacher Tang is good." ”

When Tang Xuan took over Nanning College, Yang Yi had not yet graduated, so Yang Yi's voice as a teacher was not abrupt. Tang Wei smiled and said, "Don't be polite, I'm sorry to trouble you to wait for a long time." ”

Tang Wei jumped down from the chair, took his father's hand, and said seriously: "Daddy, it is said in the book that you should recuperate in winter, so don't be busy late in the future, rest more, and be good for your health." ”

Tang worried, touched his daughter's head, but his eyes glanced at the desk. There was a thick stack of books on the desk, and there was a wren cage next to it, and a thrush was standing in it, obediently pecking at the feathers, and when he saw Tang Xuan looking at it, he looked back with two black bean-like eyes, but he didn't make a fuss.

Tang Xuan was stunned and wondered, "Where did this thing come from?" ”

Xiaoyun pursed his lips and smiled: "I'm afraid that Miss will be lonely, so I bought it to accompany her, this little guy is very well-behaved, understands human nature but doesn't scream, just right for relieving boredom." Speaking of this, she said softly: "Little black bean, call twice." ”

When the thrush heard her, it opened its small mouth and cried twice. Its sound is as beautiful as flowing water, and it is like a silk thread pulling endlessly, and it is comfortable to listen to. As soon as Tang Wei heard it call, he also "giggled" and clapped his hands: "Little black bean is so good." ”

Looking at his cheerful daughter, Tang Xuan nodded secretly, and was quite satisfied with the gift given by Liu Yun. Although her daughter is smart, she is too quiet, probably reading too many books, and when she is free, she always loves to hold books in a daze. It's not necessarily a good thing to be so old at such a young age. With such a bird with her, it will probably be more childlike.

Somehow, he remembered the parrot he saw in the imperial palace in the afternoon, although that guy was also in the wren cage, but the fur was frizzy, and the quiet thrush in front of him was very different, is it because he stayed in the palace for a long time, and was also contaminated with flashiness?

He shook his head with a wry smile, holding the ridiculous thought to himself. At this time, Mrs. Tang said outside: "My lord, call General Yang and them, and they are ready to eat." ”

Tang Xuan responded, and when he saw that Tang Wei was still looking at the little black bean with big dark eyes, he hurriedly took the "Pharmaceutical Miscellaneous" from her hand, hugged her and said, "Let's go, Daddy will take you to dinner." ”

As he spoke, he casually threw the "Miscellaneous Discussions on Pharmacy" on the table, turned his head to Yang Yi and said, "General Yang, please." ”

The two of them humbled and walked out.

No one noticed that "Miscellaneous Talks on Pharmacy" was thrown by Tang Xuan and smashed on the wren cage, which shook a few times and moved towards the table, but it didn't fall off after all.