Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 33 Filial Piety and Sonly Love (Please continue reading, please vote with monthly tickets)

Those who achieve success should help others.
Wang Shouyi and his wife exchanged a glance.

In terms of scholarship, we must look to Princess Xue.

But Princess Xue seemed not to understand either, and asked in confusion, "Work-study programs should only be about maintaining one's own integrity when poor."

Wang Xi shook his head and said, "I used to think the same way as you, Mother. I thought that work-study was just about learning to be self-reliant when poor. But recently, the teacher told me that it is not so. Work-study contains two profound meanings. The first is to be self-reliant when poor, and the second is to help others when successful."

"is it?"

Princess Xue asked in surprise.

"It's true."

Wang Xi nodded: "Mother knows me. Brewing wine is just a novelty for me. That's why I've been a bit down lately and don't really want to drink. I just couldn't resist Xiaoman and the others' persuasion!"

"Let's not talk about these things," Wang Shouyi said, waving his hand.

I know exactly what kind of person you are, so stop pretending to be innocent.

"Oh."

Wang Xi said, "What I mean is that I haven't been very enthusiastic about brewing wine lately, and the master noticed that, which is why the master explained these two profound meanings to me."

The gentleman said that the core idea of ​​our dynasty's equal-field system is the biggest difference between it and that of the Han dynasty, because our dynasty has the profound meaning of providing property for the people.

The so-called equal-field system involved distributing land to the people and then collecting taxes from them.

Its fundamental idea was to enable the people to own property; only after the people had property could they pay taxes. Such a tax law was naturally welcomed by the people and was also very fair. It was precisely because of this that our great Tang Dynasty achieved its golden age.

These words completely stunned Wang Shouyi.

Is this still my gull-headed vulture?
It instantly looks high-end!

This leap also surprised Princess Xue, who nodded and said, "That makes sense! It seems I really misunderstood Que'er. I didn't expect you to have learned so much."

Wang Xi feigned encouragement and said haughtily, "Mother, praise me later, I haven't finished yet."

Princess Xue chuckled and said, "Then continue, continue."

Wang Xi then asked, "But what does this have to do with the idea that when one is successful, one should help others in need?"

Wang Shouyi immediately said, "Yes! What's the connection between the two?"

Wang Xi smiled smugly and said, "The key lies in the equal-field system, which has a major drawback that is irreversible."

"What's the disadvantage?"

"Even in a prosperous era, the population is increasing, but the land area is not."

Upon hearing this, Princess Xue and Wang Shouyi both became serious.

This is precisely the key reason for Li Longji's current tax reform.

Wang Shouyi asked excitedly, "Then what should we do?"

Wang Xi said, "It was during this work-study program that I was able to make ends meet."

"Hey! Stop keeping me in suspense, just tell me already!" Wang Shouyi was so anxious that he stood up.

Wang Xi deliberately remained silent, feigning surprise as he asked, "Why is Father so agitated?"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll teach you a lesson. Now, talk."

In his desperation, Wang Shouyi resorted to physical intimidation again.

Wang Xi obediently replied, "This is why the master taught us to brew wine. Brewing wine requires hiring people, selling wine also requires hiring people, and at the same time we have to pay the craftsmen wages. The land will not increase, but the business can grow bigger and bigger, and we can hire more and more craftsmen."

Princess Xue immediately said, "You mean, rely on industry and commerce?"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Mother is really smart. This is the second profound meaning: when you are successful, you should help the world, develop industry and commerce, help people make a living, and thus maintain the idea of ​​providing property for the people."

The gentleman said that when we become officials in the future, there will definitely not be enough land. To stand out, we can use this to our advantage and achieve political success.

Wang Shouyi's eyes darted around, "Why wait until you become an official in the future? It's not enough now."

"is it?"

"Would your father lie to you?"

A hint of guilt flashed across Wang Shouyi's eyes. He coughed and said, "Go back and wash your face, rest for a bit, sober up, and then come back for dinner."

"Oh. Father, Mother, I'll go back to my room to rest now."

"Go."

After Wang Xi left, Wang Shouyi asked Princess Xue, "Does Madam think what Que'er said makes sense?"

Princess Xue nodded, then looked at Wang Shouyi and asked, "Does my husband intend to report this matter to His Majesty?"

Wang Shouyi nodded slightly awkwardly. He had been thinking of making a suggestion to the emperor to show off his abilities and consolidate the Wang family's position in the court.

But with his mind, he's good at dealing with people, but he has absolutely no clue how to govern a country.

Princess Xue pondered for a while and then asked, "Does my husband know exactly how to do this?"

Wang Shouyi blinked, then looked bewildered again, muttering, "Oh dear, we didn't even ask him clearly before sending that kid away."

Princess Xue shook her head and said, "Que'er probably doesn't know either. Learning is one thing, and putting it into practice is another."

Wang Shouyi asked, "Doesn't Madam advise me to do this?"

Princess Xue pondered for a moment and said, "That's not it, it's just a matter of how to put it."

Wang Shouyi hurriedly asked, "What are your thoughts, Madam?"

Princess Xue said, "Now that His Majesty has decided to appoint Yuwen Rong to carry out reforms, if my husband were to propose this suggestion now, he would offend Yuwen Rong no matter what. If it is not adopted, it would be a loss. If His Majesty does adopt it, the consequences would be even more unimaginable if it fails."

Wang Shouyi snorted, "Our Wang family isn't afraid of Yuwen Rong."

Princess Xue said, "My husband, please don't think like that. Yuwen Rong is now deeply trusted by His Majesty and should not be underestimated. If this leads to us becoming enemies with Yuwen Rong, it's better not to mention it."

Wang Shouyi asked, "Then what should we do?"

Princess Xue pondered for a moment, then said, "Aren't they attacking the Nameless Academy right now?"

Wang Shou nodded slightly.

Princess Xue asked, "My lord, who in the court do you think would speak up for the Nameless Academy?"

Wang Shouyi shook his head and said, "I doubt anyone would know how."

Princess Xue then asked, "And what about your husband?"

Wang Shouyi sighed, "This is also a headache for me. I estimate that this matter is most likely the work of Wu Xin, but if I speak up for Wuming Academy, I will inevitably offend many ministers, who all support our Wang family."

But if we don't help, and the nameless man is accused of spreading heresy, it could implicate our Wang family. This is truly a vicious tactic.”

"My husband, you have a point."

Princess Xue said, “Therefore, it would be difficult for us to stay out of this matter. Why don’t we play along? Since they will try every means to involve us, then my husband can wait until they come to us before making this suggestion.”

Moreover, since the discussion now revolves around education, my husband can categorize this matter as educational reform, seeking to prepare for the future rather than addressing current political issues. This way, he can avoid conflict with Yuwen Rong.

Wang Shouyi: "Education reform?"

Princess Xue nodded and said, "What Que'er said just now is very good. The biggest difference between our dynasty and previous dynasties is that we provide property for the people. In other words, as long as we grasp this point, we can maintain our national policy."

However, we do not understand how to grasp this point, but it can be achieved through the imperial examination to select those talents who know how to manage property for the people. To achieve this, education must also be reformed in this regard.

The reasoning behind this is undoubtedly sound. Whether His Majesty adopts it or not, my husband's suggestion will certainly be given serious consideration by His Majesty, and at the same time, it will preserve the Nameless Academy.

This at least proves that the anonymous gentleman is not spreading rumors, but rather possesses genuine talent and knowledge.

Wang Shou kept nodding, "Fortunately, my wife gave me guidance, otherwise I would have almost made a big mistake."

Princess Xue said, "This is just my temporary idea. Whether it will work or not depends on careful planning."

Wang Shouyi hurriedly said, "I'll leave everything to you, Madam."

Princess Xue said, "I can only offer advice from the sidelines; it is my husband who should be working hard!"

Wang Shouyi asked in surprise, "How can we try?"

Princess Xue said, "Carefully read through all the official documents recently issued by the court, and be sure to avoid any conflict with the current political situation."

Wang Shouyi exclaimed in alarm, "Madam, I can't read!"

Princess Xue said, "I will help my husband from the side."

"what?"

Wang Xi, who was eavesdropping outside the window, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "You all managed to do what I was supposed to do."

He overheard Wang Shouyi's conversation with Princess Xue and learned that Wang Shouyi was facing a mid-life crisis and didn't know how to cheer himself up. He then began to think about how to help Wang Shouyi make achievements in the court, while avoiding conflicts with Yuwen Rong and not changing the current policies.

The theory of providing property for the people is certainly correct, but it takes time and cannot be accomplished overnight. Li Longji is currently focused on both civil and military achievements and urgently needs money, so he cannot wait that long. Therefore, this will not conflict with Yuwen Rong.

However, the potential danger of the equal-field system was foreseeable, and Li Longji would naturally treat it with caution.

Moreover, this will not conflict with the noble class to which the royal family belongs, which is especially important.

Wang Xi brought this up at this time with the intention of killing two birds with one stone: to protect the Nameless Academy and to give Old Wang some confidence.

Princess Xue fully understood Wang Xi's thoughts and thought of incorporating this into the education reform, because education reform is mainly about the future and will not have too much impact on current policies.

(End of this chapter)