Chapter 118: Lu Fang breaks through, tax exemption for three years, it’s the people’s turn to enjoy the benefits!
The 25th day of the first lunar month in the 41st year of the Jiajing reign was sunny.
In the Lingtian courtyard, the aura around Lu Fang continued to rise.
Almost all the spiritual energy in the entire Lingtian courtyard was converging towards him alone.
I don’t know how long it took, but as the vortex of spiritual energy spun faster and faster, it directly engulfed Lu Fang.
"Success!" Judging from Jiajing's experience, he could naturally see at a glance that Lu Fang was about to make a breakthrough.
Sure enough, the next moment, almost as soon as he finished speaking, spiritual energy surged out and swept towards Jiajing.
"Wow!" In response, Jiajing just waved his hand, and the spiritual energy in front of him was dispersed.
Well, it is in the Lingtian courtyard. The space here is not very big, and the spiritual energy is concentrated and rich, fixed in one place.
If it were in the world of cultivating immortals, breaking through a mere level of Qi training wouldn't cause such a big commotion.
"Huh," At this time, after the spiritual energy slowly subsided and dissipated, Lu Fang gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, and then as his eyes slowly opened, an inexplicable light flashed across his eyes.
Then, the expression on his face turned into a look of surprise. Without thinking too much, Lu Fang knelt down in front of Jiajing and said excitedly: "Thank you, master, for giving me a new life!"
"Get up," Jiajing smiled slightly at Lü Fang, whose eyes were filled with tears. He turned around and walked towards Yuxi Palace, saying in a deep voice, "You have done yourself a favor."
"If the master had not bestowed upon me the immortal arts and spiritual resources, no matter how hard I practiced, I would never have become an immortal cultivator and embarked on the path to immortality."
Lu Fang quickly followed in small steps, speaking with tears of gratitude.
He knew too well what was the most important thing for him to become a qualified immortal cultivator. It could be said that Jiajing gave him a future, a future with infinite possibilities!
He could never repay this kindness. The only thing he could do was to serve his master wholeheartedly and do everything his master assigned to him to perfection.
"Now that the north and south are in peace, the rectification of the southeastern region has been completed," Jiajing did not respond to what Lu Fang said, because Lu Fang's gratitude was not important to him. He walked to the table and took out the paper that had written the six crises of the Ming Dynasty. "This time, how much money was collected in total for the rectification of the southeastern region?"
Hearing Jiajing talking about business, Lu Fang immediately suppressed his emotions, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Master, wait a moment. The cabinet did have a summary yesterday, and the book has been submitted."
"It's just that I started to break through yesterday, but my master was protecting me, so I was delayed and didn't watch it..."
Having said that, he turned around and trotted to the main hall, picked up a thick memorial from the long table in the middle which was filled with various official documents and memorials, and trotted back to the side hall.
"My Lord, the proceeds from the confiscation of property and fines in this Southeast government rectification campaign are expected to be very considerable," Lu Fang said, flipping through the memorial and reading it with a smile on his face, "First of all, we will recover the tax silver that was embezzled every year."
"These mainly include salt tax, land tax, customs duties and others."
"Salt tax, haha," Lu Fang chuckled and said, "The standard is based on a tax of two million taels per year, starting from the 21st year of Jiajing to the 41st year of Jiajing."
"Every year, it is estimated that 30% of the tax revenue is embezzled. The average annual embezzlement is 600,000 taels."
"The land tax in the southeast region is calculated at 5 million taels per year, and 20% of the tax is embezzled."
"The average annual embezzlement is one million taels."
"Then there are tariffs. The annual tariff for the southeast region is 3 million taels, of which about 25% is embezzled."
"The average annual embezzlement is about 750,000 taels."
"So, the tax embezzlement every year is..." As Lu Fang spoke, the smile on his face faded, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity. After a quick calculation, he said, "The total amount of embezzlement every year is million taels."
"There are other taxes and the proceeds from the confiscation of property, totaling about million taels."
"If we add up all the details, from the 21st year of Jiajing to the 41st year of Jiajing, the total amount of money collected by the entire southeast officialdom into the national treasury during the 20-year period is million taels."
Lu Fang continued talking and then fell silent.
After finishing reading it, he silently placed the memorial next to Jiajing.
He started to be corrupt in the 21st year of the reign of Emperor Jiajing, and for a full 20 years, the entire southeastern officialdom collected million taels of silver at one time.
This number is too huge. Before this, even if the national treasury was calculated normally, even when the harvest was good, it would only be around million taels, and the expenditure was also million taels.
Yes, this is under normal circumstances, when income and expenditure are balanced. However, in recent years, especially after 1939, the fiscal deficit has almost always occurred, and it has been in deficit almost every year since then.
Based on the previous annual expenditure of million taels, these million taels would be enough to support the country for 20 years.
In other words, this money can be used to support the country for twenty years without taxation throughout the country and without any source of income!
Hiss! Thinking of this, even though Lu Fang, who had already reached the first level of Qi training and became a true immortal cultivator, couldn't help but take a breath, and his heart skipped a beat.
This group of people are so greedy!
It turns out that being rich enough to rival a country is not just talk!
If these people in the southeast were to rebel, wouldn't it be possible to raise an elite army in a matter of minutes?
If the master had no foresight and had used violence to suppress the country when the north and the south were not yet settled, would the gentry and local corrupt officials who were resisted have directly rebelled?
If they support the Jurchen tribes on the border or the grassland tribes, invite wolves into the house, and support them with money, then... Thinking of this, Lu Fang felt a little cold in his heart.
But then, he felt relieved again.
Well, he is not afraid. He is now a cultivator at the Qi training level and knows how powerful cultivators are.
Not to mention that the master also has various methods of immortal cultivators.
For example, in the northern border, when we destroyed Yinshan, no matter how many troops there were, we didn’t have to be afraid!
However, what Lu Fang didn't know was that the Ming Dynasty was Jiajing's destiny and would continue to be his destiny. If he suppressed it violently, he would be the one who got hurt, so he could only repair it step by step.
Repair this broken Ming Dynasty!
In this way, after his destiny and destiny object are bound together, this new Ming Dynasty will be able to give him better returns.
Therefore, Jiajing would never choose to use violence.
Lu Fang didn't know what the people in the cabinet felt when they counted the figures. He didn't know if they felt ashamed, but they were definitely terrified and shocked.
"Good, good! This is an official of my Ming Dynasty." Since he became an immortal, there were few things that could make Jiajing angry. He grabbed the memorial and said with glaring eyes:
"They are all a bunch of bark, damn bark!"
"These are all the country's money, my money!"
"Roar!" It seemed as if an evil dragon was roaring invisibly.
In his rage, Jiajing's aura of the middle stage of Qi training burst out unconsciously, and the surging spiritual energy filled the entire Yuxi Palace with a sense of oppression!
Lu Fang, who had already broken through the first level of Qi training, also felt a sudden increase in pressure at this moment, and cold sweat flowed down his forehead.
At this moment, he deeply felt the gap and gulf between the realms. The momentum of the fifth level of Qi training alone was beyond his ability to withstand, not to mention that he already had awe for Jiajing.
Under the dual pressure from the outside world and from his heart, Lu Fang finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell to his knees with a plop, saying:
"Master, please calm down. Now that the termites have been cleared out, there is no need to be angry about these people. It is not worth it."
Hearing Lu Fang's words, Jiajing's face darkened. He took a deep breath, calmed down his rage, and restrained his agitated spirit, "Get up."
After saying this, he looked at the six major crises he had written down.
1. The finances will collapse. 2. Natural disasters will occur frequently. 3. Corruption and political struggle will be turbulent.
4. The Weisuo system collapsed. 5. Civil unrest occurred frequently. 6. Five years later, a large amount of silver flowed into the Ming Dynasty!
Now the first, third and fourth have been basically eliminated. As for the fifth, with the subsequent rectification of the administration and the sufficient military supplies, the civil uprising will not cause any waves.
We just need to wait until the land is reformed and distribute the grain seeds brought back from the world of immortal cultivation, and then the people will have no problem eating enough.
With an idea in mind, Jiajing picked up the pen beside him.
Of the six major crises originally set, four were simply ticked off: one, three, four, and five.
"From the end of the 39th year of Jiajing to the first month of the 41st year of Jiajing, it's almost a year in total, ha!" Thinking of this, Jiajing couldn't help but chuckled and said, "Only the second and sixth items are left."
"Natural disasters occur frequently..." Thinking of this, Jiajing shook his head slightly. He had no way to solve this problem. The memories of later generations told him that the entire Ming Dynasty was in a small ice age.
Not to mention that his cultivation was only in the middle stage of Qi training, even if he reached the Golden Core or Nascent Soul level, would he want to contend with the natural forces of a world? Well, I'm afraid he would be taught a lesson in a minute.
"Although natural disasters are irresistible, we can start from other aspects, such as ensuring that the people have enough food and clothing, and have enough money and food for disaster relief. When the Ming Dynasty has a spiritual vein..."
"With the growth of spiritual energy, the overall life force of all living things will be greatly improved. At that time, as long as the court handles things properly, it won't be a big problem... Then the sixth point is the inflow of silver."
"Now that the civil service is being rectified and the land system is being reformed, within three to four years, the frontier garrison system will surely be restored, and then it will gradually cover the entire country, which will be enough to bring complete peace to the world."
"Well, the next step is to reform the currency. By the 44th year of the Jiajing reign, it will be enough to complete the transformation."
"By then, even if more silver flows in, the Ming Dynasty will have the confidence to consume it!" Thinking of this, Jiajing's previous rage caused by the shocking embezzlement of silver and money completely calmed down.
Lu Fang, who was standing by, looked at the white paper, where there were only two crises left, especially the second one "five years later". His eyes flashed, and he lowered his head, feeling more and more in awe of his master.
He has now reached the first level of Qi training and has a basic understanding of the realm of immortal cultivation, but he does not think that immortal cultivators only have these few tricks.
Of course, he had no other ideas.
Lu Fang is very clear about his own positioning.
Especially now that I have become an immortal, I have a clear idea of my position in my heart and I remind myself at all times that I dare not forget it.
I am afraid that as my cultivation level improves, I will lose myself.
The higher his position, the more cautious he became. He was careful with his words and actions, and often told himself that everything he had now was hard-earned and he must not get carried away and lose his sense of proportion in front of his master.
Otherwise, not only would everything he had now vanish in an instant and be taken back by his master, but even his life might be lost if he wasn't careful.
Only what the master gave him belonged to him. If the master did not give him something, he could not ask, and would not ask.
He just needs to behave himself and serve his master honestly, and then the benefits will come naturally, and he will be indispensable.
Therefore, regarding the sixth crisis and the words five years later written on the white paper, Lu Fang simply regarded it as his master having other magical means to predict the future.
Besides, the master can practice Taoism, and he himself has also practiced Taoism. What's so strange about it that he has some means of predicting the future?
Don’t those fake Taoists often predict the fate of others and claim to know the past and the future?
It is normal for real "immortals" to have some special immortal methods nowadays.
"Tomorrow, have Prince Yu, Prince Jing, and the cabinet come to Yuxi Palace to discuss government affairs. Next, I have something else to tell them."
After Jiajing finished speaking, he had an idea and took out a white paper the size of an adult's palm. This white paper was the "Birth Talisman" and handed it to Lu Fang.
After reaching the first level of Qi training, injecting spiritual energy into the "natal talisman" will reveal the attributes of the natal talisman.
Well, generally small sects do not have "birth reflection instruments", so they will use "birth talismans" to roughly detect whether a person has a birth. After all, if there are attributes, there is a birth.
For example, some 'rootless destinies' cannot be detected using the "birth talisman".
"Master, this is..." Lu Fang curiously took the white note handed to him by Jiajing, only to feel that the texture of the paper was a little special. It felt different from most papers he had seen.
"This thing is used to test the properties of your spiritual energy..." Jiajing did not tell him about his destiny, but only told him that it is used to test the properties of your spiritual energy, and what he said was not wrong.
After listening to Jiajing's explanation, Lu Fang couldn't help but feel secretly excited and looked forward to his own spiritual attributes.
"Try and see what your attribute is." Jiajing also had some other arrangements for Lu Fang.
Now, some of the spiritual herbs and medicines planted in the Lingtian courtyard can be used to refine some simple pills.
If Lu Fang's spiritual attributes were suitable for alchemy, Jiajing would train him to develop in the direction of alchemy.
If his spiritual attributes are suitable for farming, Jiajing will train him to continue cultivating spiritual fields.
"Yes!" Lu Fang calmed himself down, then spread out the "natal talisman" with one hand and put his fingers together like a sword on the talisman with the other hand.
Spiritual energy surged at the fingertips and then injected into them.
"Swoosh!" With the input of a wisp of spiritual energy, the pattern on the "Birth Talisman" suddenly lit up with streams of light.
Then, the talisman moved without wind, wrapped in spiritual energy, floating in the air, flashing with bright light.
The next moment, there was a "hiss" sound, and a tender green sapling suddenly emerged from the talisman.
"Wood attribute?" When Jiajing was about to speak after seeing this scene, suddenly at this moment, he heard a "bang" and saw a flame burning on the sapling.
Then the words "fire and wood" appeared. Then the "birth talisman" turned into ash and dissipated in the air.
"Master, is there any problem with my spiritual attributes?" Seeing Jiajing standing there with a surprised look on his face, Lu Fang couldn't help but ask with some concern.
"No problem." After putting away his surprise, Jiajing regained his composure and said to Lu Fang, "Your spiritual energy attributes are fire and wood, dual-attribute spiritual energy."
"Of the five elements, wood generates fire, which is pretty good," Jiajing thought to himself, raising his hand and a book of "Alchemy Book" appeared, "With the dual attributes of fire and wood, it can be developed in the direction of alchemy."
"This book, Alchemy Book, describes some spiritual medicines that can be prepared in the Qi Refining Stage, and the refining of two kinds of elixirs."
"One is for healing, and the other is a common elixir for conditioning the body and removing hidden diseases and lesions. After that..." Jiajing paused, then said:
"The alchemy room next to Yuxi Palace is yours."
Well, Jiajing knew how to make elixirs before, but they were all fake techniques taught by those fake Taoist priests. The so-called elixirs were just some ordinary prescriptions, and no one knew whether they were harmful or not after taking them.
But when I think about it, there must be a problem.
These so-called elixirs were not even as effective as some of the health-preserving prescriptions written by Li Shizhen. Since embarking on the true path of cultivating immortals, Jiajing had given up on these.
Although his spiritual energy is of fire attribute and he is capable of making pills, it is ultimately not as good as spiritual energy with dual attributes of fire and wood, which complement each other and give him a talent for making pills.
"Thank you, master!" Lu Fang naturally knew that cultivators in the Qi training stage could actually draw some simple talismans or refine pills, so when he heard that his master gave him an "Alchemy Book" and asked him to refine pills, one can imagine how excited he was.
"I wanted to teach you the basics of talisman drawing," Jiajing said, shaking his head slightly.
"But drawing talismans is too laborious. Every talisman needs to be refined and drawn with a large amount of spiritual energy, and it also needs the assistance of some simple formations."
"You are only at the first level of Qi training now, and you know nothing about formations, so you cannot inject the talisman into it."
"Besides, spiritual energy is limited. If I teach you how to make talismans now, it will harm you and slow down your progress in cultivation. Alchemy will be more suitable and cost-effective for you."
"Thank you for your concern, Master," Lu Fang said respectfully, "I will do whatever you arrange."
"Okay, go to Lingtian Courtyard to consolidate your cultivation and familiarize yourself with the Alchemy Book. After the cabinet affairs are dealt with, I will go into seclusion again. During this time, you should prepare to make the elixir on your own."
It is worth mentioning that in the past three months, Jiajing opened another door next to the Lingtian courtyard, so that when he was in seclusion in Yuxi Palace in the future, Lu Fang and others could enter the courtyard to practice.
After all, when he was in seclusion, Yuxi Palace was sealed with restrictions, and there was only one road leading to Lingtian Courtyard.
Now Lu Fang, Prince Yu, Prince Jing, and Lu Bing, who comes to the palace whenever they have time to practice in Lingtian Courtyard, are about to start drawing Qi into the body as their acupoints are opened.
Naturally, the spiritual energy of the Lingtian Courtyard is not needed to assist in cultivation, but for Lu Fang, Lu Bing and others, this spiritual energy is particularly precious and can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Considering that he might have to stay in the world of immortal cultivation for some time, Jiajing simply opened another door on the right side of the Lingtian courtyard, and also opened up the courtyard next door and sealed it with restrictions.
In this way, even without passing through Yuxi Palace, Lu Fang and others can enter the Lingtian courtyard to practice.
The next day, the weather was gloomy and there was a drizzle.
In the main hall of Yuxi Palace, Jiajing sat alone on the throne, with Prince Yu and Prince Jing on his left and right respectively.
Next to the incense burner below, was Yan Song sitting on a small stool.
Afterwards, the Cabinet and the Imperial Household Department stood in two rows, with a long desk in the middle filled with memorials and official documents, as well as some red notes approved by the Imperial Household Department.
"There are three things I want to say." As Jiajing spoke, everyone bowed slightly, looking as if they were listening attentively.
"First, all the money collected in the southeast this time will go into the national treasury. In the future, we will have enough money to support the land reform."
"Second, how much is this money? I'm sure you all know that my dynasty's annual income and expenditure is only more than two million taels, and in recent years, the fiscal deficit has been running year after year."
"And this money is enough to support our Ming Dynasty for more than 20 years without any income!" As he said this, Jiajing raised two fingers. Well, when he talked about this, he couldn't help but lower his voice.
Prince Yu, Prince Jing and others all bowed their heads silently.
Well, when they were counting the accounts, they were also terrified, but fortunately the emperor did not pursue the matter.
After all, some of them here have very dirty hands and are deeply connected with these corrupt officials.
Fortunately, the emperor was merciful and only cleared out those below the cabinet, while those in the cabinet were not touched.
"The third one is from this year until the beginning of the 44th year of Jiajing." As he spoke, Jiajing raised three fingers with a slightly relaxed expression under the gaze of everyone, and said:
"Tax exemption for three years to demonstrate the benevolence of the court!"
When they heard about the three-year tax exemption, everyone was stunned. But then they thought about the huge amount of money confiscated during the raid, and they were not surprised anymore.
Haven't you heard? Even if there is no income in the next 20 years, this amount of money is enough to support you. What's a mere three years of tax exemption?
"Over the years, natural disasters, man-made disasters, and corrupt officials have made the people suffer. It's time for them to enjoy a better life."
"Of course, I am talking about the land tax of the common people. As for the salt tax, customs duty and other miscellaneous taxes, they should still be collected."
"These, you guys take care of it."
Well, the next step is to reform the land system. In addition to giving more preferential treatment and subsidies to the people and farmers, it will also be free.
After three years of such repeated attacks, which common people would not be confused?
"No one is more wise and virtuous than the Emperor!" Young cabinet minister Yan Shifan spoke immediately and bowed his head.
Well, the voice was so loud and the expression was so pious, as if he was on a pilgrimage.
Gao Gong felt his teeth itching at the sight, and he wanted to kick Yan Shifan, who was kneeling on the ground, hard and kill the bastard!
Even Yan Shifan began to flatter, so the others had no choice but to stand up, kneel on the ground, and start praising the emperor.
"Well," Jiajing smiled and raised his hand and said, "Everyone, get up. Now let's talk about the third thing."
"With the trade with Western countries, a large amount of silver will inevitably flow into our dynasty in the future. This is not a good thing..." Jiajing looked at Prince Yu and Prince Jing and said:
"Therefore, the Cabinet and the six ministries must come up with a method for 'currency reform'. It must be completed and promoted before the 44th year of Jiajing."
Upon hearing this, Yan Dang and Qing Liu felt their hearts tighten and knew at the same time.
Here it comes! This is the second test that the Emperor gives to the Second Prince.
Prince Yu and Prince Jing had grown up a lot during this period, so they naturally heard the hidden meaning, so they stood up, bowed to Jiajing, and said, "Your Highness understands, and will live up to your father's expectations!"
"..."
(End of this chapter)
