Kido

Chapter 98

The farmland owned by the royal family and the farmland awarded by the emperor to ministers and nobles are called "zilitian" and have always been tax-free.For more than two hundred years since the founding of the country, successive emperors have rewarded and rewarded, and most of the fertile land around Gyeonggi has become "Zi Li Tian".Landowners do not have to pay taxes, and the tenants who rent and plant these fields are responsible for the payment by the government.Regardless of good or bad years, no arrears are allowed.As a result, the imperial court has less tax revenue, tenants have less tolerance, and they get cheap ones, just a bunch of noble relatives and ministers.

After the emperor ascended the throne, he first collected 15% of the tax on Zilitian, and then gradually increased it to [-]%, [-]%, and [-]%.Fifteen years after Taishi, the rent for Zilitian was collected by the landlord himself, and the county magistrates in Daxing and Changping no longer had to worry about collecting rent for Zilitian.

Not only that, the emperor also took back the "Sangongzi Grain Field".Sangong refers to Da Nei Qianqing Palace, Ciqing Palace and Cining Palace. The "Sangong Zitian" spreads all over the counties of Gyeonggi Province, covering as much as [-] hectares. "Since I have gold flowers and silver, Zilitian can be taken back to the national treasury." I already have gold flowers and silver for the emperor to spend money, so what more Zilitian is needed?There is only so much wealth in the world, and the royal family asks for it too frequently, and it is the common people who suffer.

Sangong Zilitian pays about 1 taels of silver into the palace every year, which is the private money of the palace.The emperor, empress, prince and others rewarded the eunuchs and maids around them all from this sum.As soon as Sangongzi Litian was taken back, Empress Xu felt deeply inconvenient, and the prince also secretly complained.

In addition, nobles such as Wei Guogong’s mansion frequently complained to the queen and the prince, “The hundred hectares of fertile land at home was originally given by the first emperor, and all food and drink expenses depended on it. Now I have to pay taxes and collect rent by myself. There is no way to live." In the past, the government was in charge of collecting rent, and the family did not pay taxes, just waiting for money to come to the door every year, what a beautiful thing.

The queen did not dare to interfere in politics, and the crown prince was forced to express his feelings to the emperor: These people are either founding fathers or royal relatives, if they lack Zilitian's income, their family finances will be difficult and it will be disrespectful.

"Government is not difficult, don't offend the rich family", in the eyes of the crown prince, Wei Guogong's mansion and other honorable families have made contributions to the community, so they should not be treated badly anyway.But in the eyes of the emperor, the taxation of the court and the food and clothing of the common people are more important than the enjoyment of nobles.

There are more than one or two such things, the longer the time passes, the more the prince will lose the favor of the emperor.What's more, in addition to the affairs of the court and China, the marriage of Princess Hanshan has always been pending, and she has been secretly tricked many times.The emperor didn't even need to check, and he knew who did it. Who wouldn't want Princess Hanshan to marry Shun Shun.

The Jianghu people who attacked Hanshan princess died suddenly in prison, "taking poison in advance".Yin Zhong Dadong of Shuntian Mansion personally went to Nanning Marquis Mansion to investigate the case. There were already two maids in the mansion committing suicide in fear of crime. It is unknown who they were.

There was a smile on the corner of Liao Wang's mouth.It's so good, the more there is no result, the more suspicious it is.No, my father was finally willing to send the Crown Prince he personally trained to Nanjing. My father was really disappointed in Xiao Jiu.

Master Jingxiao asked with a smile: "Ade, why does your father want to add Enke? Is it because there is a shortage of people in the court?" There are many officials in the Celestial Dynasty, and the capital is full of officials.Didn't I hear that the first emperor felt distressed when he thought about the salaries of the officials, so that some people resigned or Ding You didn't send successors?
The King of Liao patiently explained to Master Jingxiao, "Mother, there is no shortage of people in our celestial dynasty, but there is a shortage of talents. Although there are many Chinese and military officials in the dynasty, the real use is limited." Some people are stupid in reading and can only memorize the Four Books and Five Classics , No understanding of world affairs.Some people are slippery and shy when encountering right and wrong, and refuse to speak a word of truth.There are very few officials who are truly capable and responsible.

Master Jingxiao nodded half-understanding, "In short, Ade needs to recruit more confidants." The more talents you recruit, the smoother your road will be in the future.If most of the officials in the capital are your confidantes, why worry about the big things not being done?
King Liao's heart sank.After a long time, I slowly opened my mouth, "Mother, I have no way out." There are civil servants and military generals who follow her, all of whom are betting on their wealth and lives.For myself, I can win but not lose.

Daoist Jingxiao's eyes were red, "What retreat, let's not retreat! If your father hadn't been confused back then, the world would have been yours in the first place, so why bother?" It turns out, isn't Ade, the eldest son of the emperor, the rightful prince?According to the practice of this dynasty, if there is a heir, there will be a heir, and if there is no heir, the elder will be established.

King Liao smiled and said, "What mother said is true." Looking at the round and ordinary real Jingxiao in front of him, he felt a little pity.She is not a smart and intelligent woman, and she has only a half-knowledge of what happened back then.I'm afraid she would never have imagined in her dreams that there would be women in the world who would disdain the supreme status that made her worry about it.It's fine if she doesn't know, otherwise it will only increase troubles and resentment.When you think about it, she is really a poor person.

The king of Liao thought so in his heart, he was very patient and filial to Daoist Jing Xiao, and made Daoist Xiaojing very happy. "The woman surnamed Xu has a son, and I also have a son." Master Jing Xiao smiled.Although it is not his own, it is more caring and promising than his own.

"The son of the woman surnamed Xu is going to Nanjing, but my son can see each other day and night." Master Jingxiao compared Queen Xu with himself, feeling satisfied.The emperor can allow Ade not to stay in the domain, but to stay in Beijing to accompany him.Now that the prince is sent far away to Nanjing, he still has his original wife in his heart, right?Master Jingxiao has gentle eyebrows.

On the first day of October, the Xie Mansion is decorated with lanterns and festoons, and a bride is married.Xie's and Xi's families are big families with many relatives, and it's unclear what visitors come and go.The eldest wife and the fourth wife were both tired from their busy schedules, and they wondered in their hearts: Can the hostess of Hanshan County arrive at the ceremony?We are family friends, why don't you come to have a wedding wine.

In the evening when the couple entered the bridal chamber, the fourth wife called Liu Nian and asked, "Did you see Princess Hanshan today?" I don't know why, Princess Hanshan and Xiao Qi are the best friends.

Fleeting Nian blinked his eyes wide, "Mrs. Jingning Hou's Mansion is not in good health, Princess Hanshan must be taking care of her illness?" Mrs. Jingning Hou's Mansion is over 80, and she is always in good health. She is a blessed old man.But this year it seems that they often get confused, Yue Pei and others are very worried.

The fourth wife was thinking, is Mrs. Jingning Hou's wife 84 this year?People say "73, 84". At this time, if there is something wrong with the old man, the younger generation should stay close to him.Thinking about it this way, I was relieved.

On the second day, a couple of newlyweds worshiped their ancestors and recognized relatives, and the main hall of Xie's family was full of people.The bride, Xi Shi, wore a bright red auspicious attire, paid homage to her grandparents, parents, and saluted in order with her brothers and sisters.Rui Nian, Jin Nian, and Liu Nian all smiled and called "Five Sisters-in-law". Xi Shi smiled softly, and each gave a purse woven with gold embroidered and folded branches and flowers.

Liu Nianke thanked politely, touched the heavy purse, and guessed in his heart, "What is it? It shouldn't be gold, it's too vulgar. Jade won't be so heavy." In fact, banknotes are the best, and the cost is low and cheap. It is easy to carry, and it is the most affordable to give Zhangzhuang tickets.

Go back to the room at night and take a closer look, it is really gold.Two small gold bricks carved with peony flowers are beautiful in appearance and full of weight. "Isn't she a girl from the scholarly family? How do you give such a vulgar thing?" Although Fleeting Years didn't understand, a few days later, when he went to the study room for class, he still gave the gold brick to Fourth Master Xie, "Save it and get a profit. "Although the interest is never paid, it is still enough to pay for gambling.

Fourth Master Xie glanced at her with a half-smile and said, "Put it in the secret compartment." Whether the money won or confiscated, all of it is stored in the secret compartment.The secret compartment is a place that makes Xiao Qi feel heartbroken.

Fleeting Eyes rolled his eyes, the place is wrong, the money in the secret box is not his own!These two small gold bricks are my reasonable and legal income. You don't want to confiscate them, do you? "Daddy, sister-in-law gave it to me." Liu Nian said with a smile on his face.The intention is to remind: this is mine, no trickery is allowed.

With a happy smile on Tang Nian's face, he took the gold brick from his younger sister and put it in the hidden compartment, "This is Xiao Qi's gift to Dad, right? Xiao Qi is really filial." He is much more generous than his brothers.The fifth brother and the sixth brother just saluted and sent a bunch of auspicious words of congratulations. My little seven is really, sending gold bricks!
What a congratulatory gift, my little gold brick, my lovely little gold brick.Fleeting Nian is so anxious, Xie Yannian will only marry his original partner once in his life, and I can only get this meeting gift in my whole life!How beautiful and gratifying the little gold bricks are.

Little Bo'er came out of nowhere, clapped her hands and laughed, "Sister Seven is so grand!" No wonder Seventh Sister often taught herself to "treat money like dung", that's what she did.

Jin Nian also heard the news, "Daddy's promotion to Tongzheng Envoy Si You Tongzheng is a great joy. Jin'er congratulates Daddy!" Although You Tongzheng is only a fourth rank, he has a great responsibility.Cashier the emperor's orders, understand the situation, guard against the entry and exit of official documents by various departments, report to the subjects of the Quartet for their suggestions, appeal for injustice or lawlessness, etc.

The fleeting year is about to cry.He had just been promoted, and he happened to come to save money... The deposit turned into a gift.Fleeting Years looked at the indifferent Fourth Master Xie, the smiling Tang Nian, the ignorant little Bai Er, and the radiant Jin Nian, and couldn't find anyone to cry about.

Next year's spring will be around the corner, whether it's the newlywed Yannian or the always lazy Tangnian, Fourth Master Xie will force him to work hard day and night.Tang Nian was fine, but Yan Nian was a little sorry for his new wife, "I'm sorry, I can't accompany you." Xi Shi smiled and tidied up his clothes for him, "It's going to be a long time, so it's the same for staying with me in the future."

Mrs. Tai of Jingning Hou's Mansion could not survive this winter. At the end of October, the old man passed away in her sleep.Yue Pei, Yue Ji, Yue Ting and others mourned greatly, and the Jingning Hou Mansion was completely devastated.

"Live a lifetime like Mrs. Qi's. It's worth it." After the funeral, the fourth wife felt sorry for Jinnian, "The two sons-in-law, full of children and grandchildren, live and die." Both Yue Pei and Yue Tan are filial, grandchildren They filled the room, and the great-grandson ran all over the place.Mrs. Tai's old age is really smooth and enviable.

Jin Nian first nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's really worth it." Then he flattered, "Mother, you are the same, the two legitimate sons will be full of children and grandchildren in the future, all of them are filial and promising." Fifth brother and Xiao Bai'er , are all good.

The fourth wife showed her face and smiled, "I, as long as your fifth elder brother can be named on the gold list, and your fifth sister-in-law can give birth to a grandson as soon as possible, I will be satisfied. Also, I, Jin'er, is not young, and I want to find a good one. In-law’s family, a husband-in-law who wishes you well.”

Jin Nian blushed and cast a reproachful glance at the Fourth Wife, "I won't tell you anymore!" Is this something you can say to a girl? You are really rude.A good in-law's family, a husband-in-law who is as good as he wants?Jinnian's ears were blushing, he couldn't sit still, and left.

The fourth wife laughed for a while, and then began to think: Which family's children are worthy of Jin'er?Regardless of Xie's relatives, just looking at my cousins, cousins ​​and their husband's family, Brother Cheng is not bad.There is no choice in family background, good talent, and kind temper. Although he is a few years older than Jin'er, fortunately, his children always get married late.His father, Yue Ting, didn't marry his cousin when he was only 25 or six years old?
The eldest wife is also choosing a match for Rui Nian.The fourth wife often discusses with the eldest wife, which family has promising children and which family has a clean and orderly family, so that they are not afraid of their daughter being wronged when they marry.The eldest wife said with a smile: "Xiao Wu's status is nothing compared to Jin Er's." She was picking a husband's family for the concubine, so just go.Unlike the fourth wife, who was going to marry her own daughter, she wished she could break her heart.

So busy, unknowingly winter has passed and spring has come, and it is the end of the day.Early in the morning, Fourth Master Xie personally sent Yannian and Tangnian off the examination room, and then the whole family waited and looked forward to the return of the pale-faced brothers.

Yannian and Tangnian were similar to Fourth Master Xie back then, they all had haggard faces and still had a demeanor.I forced myself to go to Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Xie to ask An to say hello, then went back to my room to wash up, and fell asleep.

The fourth wife shed tears in distress, "My dear boy, don't serve me here anymore, go back and guard Yan'er." She called Xishi over and ordered her to go back to her room.Xi's heart was also concerned, but he didn't insist on it, so he saluted and said goodbye.

This time it is Tekai Enke, who will take the top [-].When the Ministry of Rites reported the list of the examination to the emperor, the emperor was tired, closed his eyes and ordered, "Read." One name after another, until the hundredth, I heard someone read, "Tai Kang Xie Tang Nian".

It's okay, not too stupid.The emperor opened his eyes, and a smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.It seems that I have heard someone say "Xie Yannian" just now?Xie Xun is very good at having sons and daughters, and the sons and daughters he raised are all excellent, just like Zhang Yu.

(End of this chapter)