Tang Dynasty: The Holy Prince, the Dragon that Reigns Over the World

At the same time that Yin Zitan entered the Turkic region, Li Chengqian had received a secret report from the Jinyiwei. Li Chengqian looked at the secret report and fell into deep thought, "The 'Dark Assassin' has entered the Turkic region. The rest depends on him."

"Ling'er, why didn't the mission get triggered when we carried out the 'Dark Assassination' operation this time? Logically speaking, for such a large operation, the system should have expressed its opinion." Li Chengqian asked.

"Brother Qian, the system has a clear main mission. The side missions are arbitrary. The system is designed to allow Brother Qian to be more independent and not rely too much on the system." Ling'er said.

"Tsk, you have an excuse to be lazy. You are unreliable, and you are pretending to be so." Li Chengqian mocked. Ling'er was silent and ignored Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian opened the memorial and pondered for a moment. He then wrote down a memorial on reform. The gist of it is as follows:

Please build a central bank and issue treasure notes to replace copper coins. The main currency of the Tang Dynasty is Kaiyuan Tongbao. It is made of copper. If you conduct large-scale transactions, it is very heavy and inconvenient, and long-distance transportation will increase the loss.

Baochao can be used instead. Baochao is issued by the central bank and cannot be issued privately. The denominations can be 1 wen, 5 wen, 10 wen, 50 wen, 100 wen, and 500 wen. People deposit copper coins in the central bank. The bank issues Baochao according to the amount. If copper coins need to be exchanged, they will be exchanged according to the amount of Baochao. The bank recognizes the banknotes but not the people.

Please increase the number of civilian post offices. The current post offices are only for official use. I think we should increase the number of civilian post offices. Civilian and official use should be separated so that the two do not interfere with each other.

Civilian postal service was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue. Civilian postal service was used by the people to send mail, goods, and stay overnight along the way. The court could charge a certain fee according to the weight of the items and the distance of the journey. A certain fee could also be charged for accommodation. This would not only provide convenience to the people, but also increase the income of the court.

Please try to implement the system of allocating taxes according to the number of mu of land. Under the current system of rent, labor and tax, all households with equal land, regardless of the amount of land granted to them, must pay a fixed amount of taxes and perform certain corvée labor according to the number of people they have been granted. However, due to the increase in the number of people hiding in the family and the increase in refugees, it is difficult to accurately check the land and population.

Furthermore, once land annexation becomes serious and the population continues to grow, the fixed rent and labor service will inevitably become a heavy burden on the people.

What I am proposing is to distribute the tax on the land. The first step is to abolish corvée and convert it into tax. The tax will be levied based on the national rent, labor and tax amount in the ninth year of Wude. In the future, when the population increases, no additional tax will be added. This will make the annual tax a fixed amount. However, this only means that the tax on the land will not be increased, not abolished. The second step is to implement the distribution of the tax on the land. The so-called distribution of the tax on the land means that the fixed tax will be distributed to the land, and the tax will no longer be levied based on the population.

The advantages of this method are: first, the land tax is equal to the land tax, which reduces the burden on the landless and land-poor people. As the population grows, the land is not enough to produce food. Naturally, new farmland will be reclaimed, so the tax will increase and the burden on the people will not be so heavy.

Furthermore, since the population is no longer the subject of taxation, the people no longer have to worry about the increased burden caused by population growth, and they no longer have to hide the population, which is conducive to the population growth and unification of our dynasty.

As for corvée labor needed for national construction, we can recruit civilians and give them money. This will motivate the people and benefit them.

Li Chengqian looked at the memorial and put it away.

As for the imperial examination, Li Chengqian didn't need to say anything because the Tang Dynasty had always held the imperial examination.

Moreover, Li Shimin was a wise and powerful emperor. He paid special attention to agricultural production and rewarded land reclamation. He "eliminated extravagance and reduced expenses, lightened taxes and levies", which enabled farmers to stabilize production, cultivate crops in time, have enough food and clothing, live and work in peace and contentment, and promoted economic development. In the early Tang Dynasty, taxes and labor service were reduced compared to the Sui Dynasty, especially the levy of forced labor, which was more restrained and careful not to take away farming time.

The government exempted the disaster-stricken areas from rent and taxes, opened warehouses to provide relief, tightened government institutions to save government expenditures and reduce the burden on the people, and exchanged a large number of livestock for farming through "mutual trade". It also attached great importance to commerce.

With such a wise ruler and a group of capable and wise ministers, Li Chengqian didn't need to intervene too much in government affairs. In novels, it is often ridiculous to use the practices of modern people's political system to reform. Can you play with democratic system in the imperial era? So Li Chengqian only put forward suggestions that he thought were reasonable.

On the second day, Li Chengqian presented the memorial to Li Shimin, who read it and passed it on to the ministers, who discussed it.

"Your Highness, this proposal is inappropriate. Using treasure notes instead of copper coins, what will happen if someone forges them? Since ancient times, post offices have been used by the government. How can ordinary people use official equipment for private purposes? This method of allocating land tax is even more inappropriate. The foundation of our dynasty is aristocratic families. Does Your Highness want to compete with the people for profits?" said Wang Liming, a doctor in the Ministry of War.

"Doctor Wang, Wang family from Taiyuan?" Li Chengqian asked.

"That's right." Wang Liming said proudly.

"I have a method that can ensure that the banknotes cannot be forged. As for the abuse of public resources for personal gain you mentioned? The sage said: People are the most important, the country is second, and the groups are the least important. This is a policy to benefit the people, how can you talk about abuse of public resources for personal gain. If you want to talk about abuse of public resources for personal gain, from the beginning of the first year of Zhenguan to the present, Wang Langzhong has asked the post station to help deliver goods for others countless times. But he didn't pay a penny. Does this count as abuse of public resources for personal gain?" Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Your Highness, why do you slander others out of thin air?" Wang Liming asked anxiously.

"Oh? Really?" Li Chengqian said with a wicked smile, then took out a notebook from his arms.

"On the fifth day of the third month of the first year of Zhenguan, Wang Liming, a doctor of the Ministry of War, used the postal service to transport 500 pieces of silk from Jiangnan to Liu, a merchant in Chang'an, and earned 2000 coins. On the tenth day of the seventh month of the first year of Zhenguan, Wang Liming, a doctor of the Ministry of War, used his position to send 100 kilograms of pig iron to Wang, a merchant in Taiyuan, through the postal service to trade with the Turks. The cattle, sheep and leather obtained by Wang, a merchant in Taiyuan, were worth million coins.

Tsk tsk, what a good brain, this ability to make money, I admire it. But if I remember correctly, smuggling pig iron to the Turks seems to be a serious crime. You, Wang of Taiyuan, are really bold. "Li Chengqian sighed.

"Your Highness, do you have any clear evidence?" Wang Liming said anxiously.

"Hehe, Your Majesty. Wang Liming, a doctor in the Ministry of War, used the post office to deliver goods for others and made a profit from it. The Wang family of Taiyuan privately traded pig iron with the Turks. I have physical and witness evidence. Please make a fair judgment, Your Majesty." Li Chengqian bowed to Li Shimin and said.

"Yes." Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and said. Soon the evidence was brought to the palace, Li Shimin took a look and asked two more questions.

He slammed the table and said, "You bastard, you took the public property of the Tang Dynasty for your own use, and even dared to collude with foreign enemies. Come, confiscate the property of the Wang family in Taiyuan and exterminate their clan." Wang Liming, a doctor in the Ministry of War, begged for mercy, but the warriors outside the hall knocked him unconscious with one punch and dragged him out like a dead dog.

"Everyone, if anyone objects, please continue." Li Chengqian casually took out several more books. All the officials in the palace were silent. Of course, not all of them were corrupt, and a large number of them agreed with Li Chengqian.

"No more words, let me speak. Gentlemen, the foundation of a dynasty is never the aristocratic family. It is the millions of people in this world.

I want to ask you, what is the original intention of a scholar? I have four sentences: "Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, inherit the lost knowledge of the past sages, and create peace for all generations." Let me encourage you all. "Li Chengqian said loudly.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince's words are truly thought-provoking. We feel ashamed of ourselves." The ministers bowed in admiration.

Li Shimin savored these four sentences carefully and sighed, "My son's words are very brilliant. My fellow ministers, the people are water, and the king is a boat. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. I approve of what the prince has proposed. I decree that from now on, the three provinces and six ministries will work together with the prince to implement reforms according to what the prince has proposed. The prince has the advice to make decisions on the spot. Announce it to the world. Dismiss the court." Li Shimin got up and left.

After Li Chengqian left the palace, he ordered the Jinyiwei to increase surveillance on the aristocratic families and report any unusual movements immediately. He also fully cooperated with the Ministry of Revenue to check the land and population.

When Li Shimin's edict was issued to the whole country, the people were all overjoyed and praised His Majesty and His Royal Highness. The noble families were as sad as if they had lost their parents, and they all shut their doors and cursed Li Chengqian.

Hedong Liu attempted to start a rebellion, and the Jinyiwei got the news in advance. Before Hedong Liu had time to rebel, Hedong troops surrounded Hedong Liu. Li Shimin received evidence that Hedong Liu intended to rebel. He ordered the confiscation of property and extermination of the clan. Li Chengqian immediately issued a notice.

The Hedong Liu family intends to rebel and confiscate their property and exterminate their clan. The court reform is a move that benefits the country and the people, and you aristocratic families should set an example for the people. The prince of the Tang Dynasty warns the aristocratic families in the world that if they have the intention of disloyalty, the Hedong Liu family is a lesson for them.

Also, don't think about being sneaky. You guys think that my Jinyiwei are vegetarians.

From then on, the aristocratic families in the world were shaken, and the Jinyiwei officially came into the sight of the people of the world.

In the autumn of the second year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian was reporting on the achievements of the reform over the past year at the morning court.

The Central Bank established branches in various counties and cities across the country. The issued treasure notes were gradually accepted and liked by the world. After all, no one wanted to carry a cart of copper coins back and forth.

The Ministry of Revenue used the copper coins stored by the people to trade with the four barbarians and open mines. At Li Chengqian's request, all the profits were used to build roads. The roads built were wide and smooth, which greatly facilitated the lives of the people. Although only the roads in Chang'an City have been built, the roads between major cities across the country have also started construction. It is expected that the main roads will be paved within 10 years.

The road was built with cement. Li Chengqian spent 1000 strings of cash to recharge 100 million system coins and exchanged them for cement production technology from the system. He also opened several cement manufacturing workshops under the Royal Trade Bureau, but due to the low output, they were not open to the public for the time being.

The opening of civilian post offices greatly facilitated people’s lives. In just one year, civilian post offices increased national treasury revenue by 5%.

The land tax system has been basically completed under the vigorous promotion of the three provinces, six ministries and the Jinyiwei. According to statistics, there were 300 million households in the first year of Zhenguan, and this time there were more than 600 million households. At that time, everyone's eyes almost popped out when they got the results. When Li Shimin knew about it, he was shocked. How many households were hidden? (The Sui Dynasty searched for hidden households on a large scale, but Zhenguan did not.)

Just when the officials were delighted with the reform, a palace maid reported that Tuli had sent an envoy to the capital to ask for help.

Everyone in the hall was shocked, except Li Chengqian and Li Shimin, who were not surprised at all.

"I see that Your Majesty and the Crown Prince are not surprised at all, but they have known about it for a long time," Fang Xuanling asked.

"Uncle Fang, the Jinyiwei under my command sent me news a month ago: Jie Li has forced all tribes to offer property and slaves over the past year. He also imposed heavy taxes on all tribes at the suggestion of his advisers to make money.

All tribes complained. Qibi Heli and Tuli finally could not stand the harsh rule. At the call of Tuli Khan, the two tribes revolted a month ago, accepting Tuli as the Great Khan of Eastern Turks. But I didn't expect it to end so soon. "Li Chengqian smiled. Li Shimin ordered someone to bring the envoy to the emperor.

"Qibi Heli, I pay my respects to His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Central Plains. May the Eternal Heaven bless the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty." Qibi Heli knelt down and bowed.

"Why did Qibi come to the court to ask for help, and what was the purpose?" Li Shimin asked.

"Your Majesty, Duobi (the name of Jie Li Khan) has forced the various tribes of the Eastern Turks to pay tribute and slaves for the past year. He also imposed heavy taxes on the tribes on the advice of his advisers to make money. We are suffering terribly and have no choice but to rebel.

But the evil wolf Dubi sold his soul to the devil in exchange for a group of monsters. He has a thousand-man army under his command, all of whom are the devil's men. They are invulnerable to swords and guns, extremely powerful, and fearless of death. The warriors under my command are no match for them. We can only ask for the protection of His Majesty the Great Emperor. "Qibi Heli said.

"Oh? Jie Li is ambitious and ruthless. But this is an internal affair of the Eastern Turks. It is not convenient for our Tang Dynasty to interfere." Li Shimin frowned.

"Your Majesty, the troops of Tuli Khan and the tribe to which I belong are willing to submit to the Tang Dynasty." Qibi Heli said anxiously.

Li Shimin looked embarrassed. Seeing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile in his heart and said, "Just pretend. The old man must be very happy. It would be strange if the old man doesn't seize this opportunity to weaken the Eastern Turks." Sure enough.

"Since you are sincere in surrendering to me, I cannot turn you away. How about this, you go back and inform Tuli that I allow you to surrender. I will set aside an area near Lingzhou for you to graze. I will appoint Tuli Khan as the General of the Right Guard and confer the title of Prince of Beiping. I will grant you the title of General of the Left Guard. Your two armies will be under the command of Li Daozon, the Prince of Rencheng and the Governor of Lingzhou. What do you think?" Li Shimin said.

"Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. I am willing to die for the Tang Dynasty." Qibi Heli knelt down and kowtowed excitedly.

After Qibi Heli returned, he and Tuli immediately broke camp and entered Tang territory, setting up camp near Lingzhou. At this time, the total number of troops left in the two tribes was less than 5.

After Qibi Heli and Tuli were settled, they immediately went to Lingzhou City to meet Li Daozong. Li Daozong comforted them with kind words and hosted a banquet for them. The two were grateful and burst into tears.

After meeting with Li Daozon, Tuli, together with his daughter Ashina Yun and Qibi Heli, submitted a petition requesting to go to the capital to meet the emperor, and Li Shimin approved their request.

When Jie Li saw Qibi Heli and Tuli entering Tang territory, and then learned that the two tribes had surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, he became angry and wanted to send troops to attack the Tang Dynasty. He gave up after Liang Shidao and Yin Zitan strongly dissuaded him. However, he still sent an envoy to ask for accountability.