I'm the villain in the book

Chapter 397 On pretending to be forced, you still have to be the son of heaven

Owner? ? ?

With a shake of his hand, the teacup shook for a while, and Wei Changtian almost spilled the tea on Ning Yuke's head.

After crossing over, he has many identities. Usually, he is both a son and a grandson, an apprentice and a master, a husband and a brother.
But this is the first time for "Master"!

No, what did I do just now?

Why did Ning Yuke suddenly "let herself go"? ?
Wei Changtian held up the teacup dumbfounded, and didn't recover for a long time.

Fortunately, Ning Yuke kept her head down and didn't see his current appearance, otherwise the majesty of "Master" would be somewhat compromised.

"Cough, you"

Quickly organized the words in his mind, Wei Changtian finally let out a dry cough after being silent for a long time, and was about to wake Ning Yuke up.

However, at this moment, a voice came from outside the house first.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Chen Zhong is asking to see you."

"."

The shout was a bit sharp, and Wei Changtian could tell it was a little eunuch named "Xiao Panzi" who was serving Ning Yuke.

As for Chen Zhong in his mouth, he is the Minister of the Household Department of the "Shu Kingdom".

Wei Changtian is quite familiar with this Mr. Chen.

Previously, he was a typical neutral magistrate who worshiped the Shuzhou state judge. Later, he was terrified by his operation of "referring to a human head as a dog's head", so he boarded the "thief ship" of the Wei family in a daze.

There is one thing to say, although Chen Zhong's political stance is not very firm, but his ability is really good.

Otherwise, he wouldn't "jump six levels in a row" and sit in the current "first-rank official" position in one fell swoop from a small seventh-rank state judge.

"Owner."

Slowly raising her head, Ning Yuke called softly, as if waiting for Wei Changtian's order.

And the latter was eager to come to someone to relieve his embarrassment right now, so he immediately replied:
"Hey, see you."

"Yes."

Ning Yuke nodded obediently when she heard the words, and then asked softly: "Master, can the servant get up?"

"."

Wei Changtian instantly had a black line on his forehead: "Get up."

"Thank you, master."

After getting permission, Ning Yuke slowly got up, and the blush on her face gradually faded.

She gently smoothed the wrinkles on her body due to kneeling for a long time, then turned her head to look at the closed palace door, her voice suddenly became cold and noble.

"Master Chen, please come in!"

"Master Chen, Your Majesty invites you to enter."

Outside the hall, the voice of the little eunuch sounded faintly, and after a few breaths, the door of the hall was slowly pushed open.

"Squeak~"

"I have met Mr. Wei! I have met His Majesty!"

The white-haired Chen Zhong knelt down as soon as he entered the door, and was not surprised by Wei Changtian's presence at all. The little eunuch should have told him already.

"Master Chen."

Ning Yuke, who had already sat back on the chair, looked dignified, and stretched out her hand to help slightly: "Let's get flat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Chen Zhong stood up slowly, glanced secretly at Wei Changtian who was silent, then bowed his head and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the old minister has something to play."

"Speak." Ning Yuke nodded slightly.

"Yes"

Chen Zhong didn't write any ink, and immediately raised his head and started talking.

The Ministry of Households is in charge of household registration and finance, and its functions are roughly equivalent to the combination of the modern Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.

As the Minister of the Household Department, Chen Zhong came to ask for instructions on Tian Fu.

The previous land tax system in Daning was "twenty taxes and one", that is, no matter how much the farmers harvested, they had to pay 5% of the tax and food to the court.

Reasonably speaking, this ratio is actually not high, and it is far from reaching the level of "exorbitant taxes".

However, all self-proclaimed kings will appropriately reduce the tax rate after the rebellion to show that they are more sympathetic to the people.

Ning Yuke was naturally the same, so Chen Zhong was asked to handle the matter on the first day of court.

After a few days of research on the latter, it finally came to a result.

"Your Majesty, this old minister feels that changing the tax system to twenty-five is just right."

"I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

Twenty-five tax one, 4%, a percentage point lower than before, which also means that the national treasury will lose at least hundreds of thousands of taels of silver every year.

For Shuzhou, which is in a good financial situation, a few hundred thousand taels is not harmful, but it can make farmers feel the real benefits, so this is indeed a more appropriate "tax reduction range".

"Well, this matter."

Ning Yuke turned her head to look at Wei Changtian, seeing that the latter didn't respond, so she nodded and said:
"This palace thinks it's acceptable, so Master Lao Chen can arrange it as soon as possible before the autumn harvest."

"Yes, the old minister will order someone to do it."

Chen Zhonggong cupped his hands and flattered: "Your Majesty is so sympathetic to the people, I think the people will be more loyal, and His Majesty's kind deeds will be spread far and wide one day."

"."

I have to say that the flattering of officials is of a high level.

Wei Changtian curled his lips, thinking that he couldn't say such a thing anyway.

However, he suddenly had other ideas about this "tax cut".

"Your Majesty, Lord Chen, I think the tax rate is still too high."

"Ok?"

Chen Zhong, who was about to say goodbye and leave, suddenly turned his head, hesitated for a moment and then asked in a low voice, "I don't know how suitable the young master thinks?"

"Is this"

Wei Changtian rubbed his chin.

Although many countries in the previous life had already completely abolished the agricultural tax, and even gave certain subsidies to farmers who cultivated the land.

But I certainly can't completely copy the system of my previous life at present.

After all, agriculture is still the largest industry these days, while the manufacturing and service industries are still very small, and taxes are far from being able to support a country's finances.

Therefore, the land tax still has to be collected.

It's just that 4% is still too high, far from reaching the goal of attracting the population.

so.
"I think"

After thinking for a while, Wei Changtian slowly gave the answer: "The other way around is just right."

"in turn?"

Chen Zhong was taken aback when he heard the words, he obviously didn't understand Wei Changtian's meaning: "Mr. Wei, what are you referring to?"

"What I mean is, it's not too bad to use this reduction as the standard for land tax collection."

Wei Changtian paused for a moment, and spoke more bluntly.

"That is, one hundred taxes."

"What???"

For a moment, Chen Zhong's eyes widened suddenly, wondering if he had heard it wrong.

One hundred taxes?

Directly reduce the largest item of fiscal revenue by [-]%?
This, this is simply nonsense!
Of course, even though he thought so in his heart, Chen Zhong definitely didn't dare to say that in front of Wei Changtian.

"Wei, Mr. Wei, if you look at the past and present, no one has ever done this!"

"Hahaha, so what if no one else does it? Let's just do it first."

After laughing twice, Wei Changtian stood up and patted Chen Zhong on the shoulder: "Master Chen, I know what you are worried about."

"But I'll do the math for you and you'll understand."

"Think about it, less than [-]% of the farmland in Shu is cultivated by people, and the remaining [-]% are abandoned as forests."

"if we could"

"."

In the next quarter of an hour, Wei Changtian explained the series of benefits of "low tax rate" to Ning Yuke and Chen Zhongzai in detail.

One hundred taxes, once such a shocking land tax standard is introduced, it is bound to attract a large number of people to Shuzhou.

After these people came, they would naturally reclaim wasteland. By then, the total area of ​​cultivated land in Shuzhou would undoubtedly be much larger than it is now.

The tax rate is low, but the total amount of cultivated land is high.

If the two are offset, Shuzhou's fiscal revenue can return to normal levels in a few years.

But those extra population and arable land will be earned in vain.

Hmm. If you put it more simply.

Wei Changtian actually wanted to use the sharp drop in fiscal revenue in recent years in exchange for the explosive development of Shuzhou.

"This"

The reason is not complicated, so Ning Yuke and Chen Zhong quickly understood the key.

The two looked at each other quietly, and both saw a trace of shock and amazement in each other's eyes.

High EQ: This idea is really unconstrained and unconstrained.

Low EQ: This idea of ​​governing the country is almost like playing a house.

From one tax per [-] to one per hundred.

No one knows what the consequences of this decline will be, but it will definitely bring severe shocks to the entire Shuzhou.

Even if there are really so many benefits, it must go through rigorous and repeated research and demonstration.

How come Wei Changtian's mouth is as casual as deciding what to have for dinner today? ?
"Young Master Wei, this matter must not be settled so easily."

Chen Zhong swallowed, and wanted to refute a few words.

But before he could finish his sentence, Ning Yuke's cold voice came over first.

"Master Chen, I think what Mr. Wei said is quite reasonable."

"That's it, you go back and think about the pros and cons of this, and list them one by one. We will discuss it in a few days."

"If it turns out that the harm outweighs the benefit, Mr. Wei will not insist on going his own way."

"."

There seemed to be a gust of cold wind blowing, and Chen Zhong shivered unconsciously.

Ning Yuke's words were not harsh, but the majesty of the superior was clearly revealed in these few words.

"My minister obeys."

He didn't dare to say anything more, and hurriedly bowed his head and cupped his hands.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Wei, if there is nothing else to do, I will leave first."

Your Majesty, Mr. Wei.

Two quarters of an hour ago, when Chen Zhonggang came in to say hello, he put Wei Changtian in front.

But now he subconsciously put Ning Yuke in front.

The change in order does not mean that the status of Wei Changtian and Ning Yuke has reversed. After all, Chen Zhong knows very well how the latter became the "King of Shu".

Therefore, his current behavior can only explain one thing——

That was the first time he really regarded Ning Yuke as an empress, not just Wei Changtian's puppet.

"."

"Well, let's go down."

Waving her hand, Ning Yuke stopped looking at Chen Zhong.

On the contrary, Wei Changtian watched the latter leave the hall with a smile all the time.

He is still very satisfied with the way Ning Yuke handled it just now.

The matter of tax reduction is indeed not a child's play, and it is undoubtedly safer for Chen Zhong to carefully study the pros and cons.

Gee tut.

Unexpectedly, Ning Yuke not only has a suitable appearance, but also has an imperial style in her way of thinking.

Sighing in his heart, Wei Changtian turned his head to praise Ning Yuke and asked her to continue in this state.

However, when he turned around, the expression on his face froze again.

"No, why are you kneeling again???"

"Owner."

The empress demeanor just now had long since disappeared, and Ning Yuke just knelt on the ground, raised her head and replied softly:
"Slaves like to kneel and worship their masters."

"I hope the master will agree."

"."

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and Wei Changtian abruptly looked away, not knowing how to deal with the current situation.

good guy! !

I have never been so panicked when I was fighting against a third-rank master! !

I have never been so at a loss when fighting against Xiao Feng! !
Could it be that this is the disaster of beauty? ? ?

Dali Dynasty, Kuixing School Palace.

Just when Ning Yuke's actions caused Wei Changtian to have two heads and two big heads in an instant, thousands of people knelt down in front of the majestic main hall of Kuixing Academy Palace.

They were all facing due north, with fanaticism and excitement in their eyes.

True north, this is not only the direction of the main hall of Xuegong, but also the direction of Wenquxing.

But these thousands of school disciples are not worshiping Wendao stars now.

They are worshiping the new son of the Kuixing Academy——

Shen Ran.

The magpie bridge comes out in waves, and the dragon car flies out of the sky.

The officers and men were all wearing golden armour, and the colorful group of girls waved and scattered flowers. There were long bells ringing from all directions, and the sixteen academicians of the academy stood around the Huatai in white robes.

And the only person standing on the Huatai is Shen Ran, one of the thirteen Sons of Heaven, who once met Wei Changtian at the Spring Dragon Poetry Conference.

Different from Tianluo Sect's "perfunctory" when Wei Changtian was established as the holy son, Kuixing Academy, as the undisputed largest sect in Dali, its power even faintly overwhelmed the Dali court.

So the scale of this grand ceremony is naturally very large, and even the emperor came to the scene in person, just to give a platform to the "son of hope" of Da Li.

"Senior brother Shen is mighty!"

"Great talent! Great talent!!"

"Brother Shen is born out of nowhere, and my literary career will prosper! The school will prosper!"

"In less than ten years, I, Da Li, will definitely be ashamed, and I don't have to be at the mercy of Daning again!"

"Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooese!"

"."

All kinds of screams came from the bottom of my heart. Although they were chaotic, they clearly expressed the expectations of the entire Kuixing Academy, and even the entire Dali, towards Shen Ran.

Unlike Daning, who followed the path of Taoism, almost all practitioners in Dali follow the line of "Wen Dao".

Under such circumstances, Shen Ran, who received the blessing of "Wen Dao", became the first person of Da Li's younger generation as a matter of course.

And the sentence he said three days ago at the last stage of "The Controversy of the Holy Son" "For the sake of the saints and the masters, even though there are tens of thousands of people, I will go!" Raised an inch.

This means that the entire Dali's literary luck, or the entire Dali's national luck has increased by [-]% because of this sentence.

Such a "sage's act" cannot be overstated. Many people in the market have already referred to Shen Ran as the reincarnation of Wenquxing, and even three-year-old children know the name "Shen Ran".

It's just that although everyone in Dali already knows about all this, it hasn't reached Wei Changtian's ears yet.

But in fact, with Wei Changtian's current state of mind, even if he knew it, he wouldn't be too aggrieved.

After all, he has long since realized. Showing off his holiness in front of others has nothing to do with him!

In terms of pretending to be forceful, I still have you sons of heaven!
Of course, it doesn't matter how you pretend to be on your own territory, as long as you don't come to trouble me!

It's enough for me to deal with a Ning Yongnian and a Bai Youheng, so don't let others meddle in them!

Wei Changtian didn't know about Shen Ran's shocking move, and he didn't bother to care about Da Li's affairs, and almost forgot about him.

It just doesn't mean that Shen Ran will also forget him.

"."

"teacher."

After the ceremony, Shen Ran in a white robe bowed respectfully to an old man with a fairy wind and a crane bone.

"The students will leave for Shuzhou tomorrow. I wonder if the teacher has anything else to tell the students?"

"Don't worry, we'll talk about it on the way"

The old man smiled and twirled his beard, and replied under Shen Ran's slightly puzzled eyes: "I will go with you this time as a teacher."

"Go and meet the Mr. Wei who created the Moonlight Night on the Spring River."

ps: two in one big chapter, and the update is late, sorry sorry
(End of this chapter)