Chapter 364 New System
Liu Yan then explained the core of the new system and said:

First, the main household and the clients are all registered in the household register of the prefecture or county where they currently live, and their household registration is determined according to their property and the number of able-bodied men.

Second, money is paid according to household status, and millet is paid according to the acreage of land.

Third, taxes are only collected twice, in summer and autumn, with summer taxes paid in June and autumn taxes paid in November.

Fourth, for merchants who do not have a fixed residence, the prefecture or county where they live will impose a tax of one-thirty on their income.

Fifth, except for the male quota, all other rent, labor service, and all miscellaneous levies and taxes will be abolished.

Sixth, the lonely and poor can be exempted from tax.

Seventh, those who collect more than that will be punished for violating the law. "

After Liu Yan finished speaking, all the officials present were shocked.

Because everyone's first reaction was that Liu Yan was targeting the aristocratic families.

Wei Jiansu stepped forward and said, "No, Your Majesty. Rent, labor service and tax are the foundation of the Tang Dynasty. Liu Yan's move is to shake the foundation of the country!"

Pei Mian, the Imperial Censor in the Palace, followed up and said, "This system is absolutely unworkable. It does not solve the problem of land annexation. Moreover, if no more land is granted in the future, how can the people have land to farm?"

Zhang Hao, the Imperial Counselor, continued, "Your Majesty should put the people first and grant them land, rather than levying taxes on them. If people have no land, they will lose their homes, and if they lose their homes, they will inevitably cause unrest. This is only one reason. Secondly, it is the equal-field system and the rent-labor system that have given officials the spirit of serving the people. Now that taxes are levied based on the amount of land, officials will only know how to collect taxes, and will lose the spirit of serving the people."

With these three people taking the lead, many people also stood up to advise and remonstrate.

Not all of these people who give advice do so for their own benefit. In summary, there are roughly three categories.

The first category is represented by Wei Jiansu. Their starting point is to speak for the aristocratic families and they do not want to levy taxes on the landlords of the large estates.

The second category is represented by Pei Mian. They are completely people-oriented and think that since the equal-field system has been destroyed, all the land should be taken back and redistributed. They are complete idealists.

The third category is represented by Zhang Hao, who pays more attention to official administration and focuses on spiritual cultivation.

This is the case with many things. Those who stand up to oppose are not necessarily all bad-intentioned. Some people can even be described as loyal.

But, does good intentions necessarily lead to good results?

Many times, it is not your enemy who deals you a fatal blow, but your relatives and friends who simply want the best for you.

Li Heng knew that the Two-Tax Law had many problems and would cause unrest, but right now, the Two-Tax Law was the most suitable taxation policy for the Tang Dynasty. If he took a big step, he would easily get into trouble, so he could only take it step by step.

Li Heng pondered for a while, then stood up and said, "The current system of rent and labor service is no longer appropriate, and change is imminent. I know the problem you mentioned, but do you have a better system besides the new system proposed by Shi An? If so, please tell us now."

Everyone looked at each other and were speechless for a moment.

Li Heng continued, "I think Shi'an's system is feasible, and I officially name it the Two-Tax Law. You all go down and draft the details, and report to me in three days. Today's meeting ends here, and you all can go back."

After listening to Li Heng's words, the ministers finally understood why Li Heng had set up the Jinyiwei.

The Censorate will also consider the political stance, the consequences, and weigh the pros and cons, so they will be lenient when taking action.

But the Jinyiwei, a group of former soldiers, did not have so many ideas. They only knew to obey Li Heng's orders and do whatever Li Heng asked them to do.

Therefore, Li Heng had already planned to implement the new policy with tough measures.

The ministers did not dare to say anything more and bowed to Li Heng and left.

Li Ying called Liu Yan and said, "Shi'an, please stay for a moment." "Yes." Liu Yan stopped.

After the others left, Li Heng said to Liu Yan: "This system will cause dissatisfaction among the landlords of the large estates, but I am determined to implement it. However, Shi'an will be criticized more in the future. For your personal safety, I will let you concurrently serve as the General of the Jinwu Guards."

There is no precedent of assassins killing high-ranking officials in the capital of the Tang Dynasty, but this does not mean that no one dares to do it.

During the Yuanhe period, someone assassinated the Tang Dynasty's Prime Minister Wu Yuanheng in the capital.

"I thank your majesty for your kindness!" Liu Yan was deeply moved and said, "I am just worried that the world is not yet settled. If we act too hastily, it will cause unrest."

Li Heng knew very well that it would cause unrest, but if he didn't push it now, it would be more difficult to push it later.

Because his current direct army consists of soldiers from the four towns in Longyou Road. Most of these people are not from powerful families, but in two years, they will become powerful families. If he tries to reform them at that time, the resistance will be even greater.

Therefore, it would be better to vigorously promote it before his direct army becomes a powerful family. If anyone is dissatisfied, they can rebel now so that he can deal with them all at once.

Li Heng said, "You have to take this blow anyway, so the sooner you take it, the better."

"That's right." Liu Yan nodded. "If it weren't for His Highness's extraordinary talent, the others probably wouldn't dare to do this."

Li Heng smiled back and said, "Everything is difficult at the beginning. Thank you for your trouble. After the implementation, I will hold a debate, and then I will rely on you to convince them."

Liu Yan said: "I will definitely do my best!"

Li Heng patted Liu Yan's shoulder and said, "That's good. Go ahead and do your work. If you have any questions, tell me in time."

"Yes." Liu Yan took the order and retreated.

Li Longji had been listening quietly, and only after Liu Yan left did he ask Li Heng, "This new system was your idea, right?"

Li Ying said: "I have mentioned some ideas."

Li Longji said: "You are indeed very courageous, but if you were not strong and powerful, you would not dare to do so, right?"

Li Heng nodded and said, "Maybe I can think of other ways."

Li Longji pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Everything you did was for the country and the people, but you have offended the aristocratic families. I'm afraid your reputation in history books will not be good. The aristocratic families have not only status and land, but also knowledge. They have the right to speak, and they will definitely slander you."

Li Ying said: "I have no shame in the heavens when I look up, and no shame in the earth when I look down. Even though the heavens and the earth cannot tolerate me, peace of mind is my home. Let others say whatever they want."

Li Longji was startled and said, "You are really brave and wise. If this system had been implemented 20 years earlier, An Lushan might not have had the opportunity to rebel."

Li Ying asked, "Father, do you still miss An Lushan? If possible, I will bring him back and let you meet him."

Li Longji smiled back and said, "You have recovered Luoyang and pacified most of Hebei. I intend to give you a royal title. What do you think?"

"The country is not settled yet, and the people are still in dire straits. I dare not take credit for it." Li Heng rejected Li Longji's proposal and said, "Father, you have not made things difficult for me recently. I am very grateful. I should give you a title and respect you as the Supreme Supreme Dao Holy Emperor of Heaven."

Li Longji hesitated and wanted to say something.

But Li Heng did not give Li Longji a chance.

Li Heng bowed to Li Longji and left Hua'e Tower.

(End of this chapter)