Chapter 33: Hiding 200 stone grains, is this a rebellion?
Fall tax situation?
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up. He had not forgotten why he came to the county government office! Taxes! ! Whether Ouyang Lun is a corrupt official or not, we only need to confirm whether there are any problems with taxes.
Zhu Yuanzhang still remembers that the tax revenue of Kaiping County last year was only 7000 taels, which is seriously inconsistent with the current economic development level of Kaiping County! (The tax law of the Ming Dynasty included land tax and commercial tax. In the early Ming Dynasty, land tax was assessed all over the world in accordance with the Two Tax Laws of the Tang Dynasty. Its amount was included in the "Yellow Book", that is, the household registration book, which recorded in detail the household and property status of residents in various places. It was reviewed every year. Once, at the same time, a general inventory of cultivated land was drawn up based on the measurement of the land. The names of the landowners and the location of the land were registered separately and compiled into the "Fish Scale Book" as the basis for taxation. The land tax was divided into summer tax and autumn tax. The tax on wheat in summer and rice in autumn is more than five liters per mu for official land, more than three liters per mu for private land, and more than eight liters per mu for released land.) Taxation - is the foundation of the country! There must be no loss.
When Ouyang Lun heard that the county magistrate was coming, he frowned and said, "Isn't it just collecting taxes? Just let him handle it and don't bother me."
The housekeeper Lao Shui said: "Qiu County Cheng said that there will be a bumper harvest this year. There are some things that he does not dare to make the decision about, so he has to ask you to take charge."
"Aren't you just cowardly? Just let him in with such an excuse!" Ouyang Lun said helplessly.
"Yes!" Butler Lao Shui nodded.
Soon, an old man wearing an eighth-grade green official uniform hurriedly walked in and saluted Ouyang Lun respectfully, "Sir, starting today is the day for the people of Kaiping County to pay the autumn tax and grain. Please inspect the grain fields everywhere." , encourage the people!”
"If the common people can see adults, it can also inspire people."
"Do you have to go?" Ouyang Lun asked.
"I have to go!" The old man from the county prime minister nodded solemnly.
"Okay, okay, I'm really afraid of you, Lao Qiu. If I replace him with someone else, and I don't have 1000 taels, I won't let him even enter the county government gate." Ouyang Lun muttered.
Hearing this, the corners of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth twitched. You might as well just name him.
The housekeeper Lao Shui quickly brought the county magistrate's official uniform to Ouyang Lun and put it on Ouyang Lun. The seventh-grade blue official uniform was put on Ouyang Lun, which directly transformed Ouyang Lun from a decadent salted fish youth into a young, promising, dignified, and majestic young man. Handsome county master!
Even Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this Ouyang Lun really gave birth to a good skin!
No wonder that girl from Anqing was willing to give up the luxurious life in the capital and follow Ouyang Lun to this remote county. With her appearance, that woman was not moved! Ouyang Lun lifted the jade belt around his waist, "I don't wear this official uniform often, so it's a little tight."
"Let's go, finish your inspection quickly and come back early to rest!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little unhappy with Ouyang Lun's undisciplined look. If brothers Zhu Biao and Zhu Di were like this, he would definitely kick him. However, when he thought that there were more important things to do, he suppressed it. , with a smile on his face.
"County Magistrate Ouyang, I'm also very curious about today's harvest in Kaiping County. Anyway, we father and son have nothing else to do for the time being. Why don't we follow you to the fields to have a look!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.
Ouyang Lun looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Uncle Ma has research on grain?"
"I know a little bit. Before I started doing business, I was an out-and-out farmer, and I knew everything about the fields!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a proud look on his face.
In terms of strategies for governing the country, he admitted that he was not as good as civil servants like Liu Bowen and Li Shanchang.
When it comes to marching and fighting, he admits that he is not as good as generals like Chang Yuchun and Xu Da.
But when it comes to being a farmer, Zhu Yuanzhang doesn't obey anyone but himself! "Uncle Ma, I see you handed over the caravan directly to Ma Da and Ma Si to run it. You just follow me to farm in Kaiping County. I won't give you a position. You can choose the errands in the county government!" Lao Qiu is 65 today, and he should have retired from official service a long time ago. There has been no suitable person, so he has been insisting on working in the county seat. If you are willing, I will train you as a county magistrate!"
Ouyang Lun knew very well that talent was the primary productive force. After meeting Uncle Ma twice, he felt that Uncle Ma was extraordinary. If he was trained well, he would be a good helper in the future, so he sincerely invited him.
Zhu Yuanzhang naturally would not agree. We are the emperor, and I have come to become the county magistrate with you. Who will be the bigger one then, you or me?The seniority is all messed up.
"Thank you Magistrate Ouyang for your kindness. The caravan still has a lot of things to do. Now I am a little worried about leaving it to Ma Da and Ma Si. If they can really do it that day, I will come and farm with you!"
There will definitely not be that day, because you will probably be cut off by us! Hearing this, a trace of regret flashed in Ouyang Lun's eyes, "Everyone has his own ambitions, and I can't force him."
"Let's go!"
"Today, this county magistrate will let you see what a good harvest is!"
After saying that, Ouyang Lun walked out of the county government office with his hands behind his back, followed closely by the housekeeper Lao Shui, the county prime minister Lao Qiu, and Zhu Yuanzhang and his son. Finally, the county magistrate's guard of honor was added, and the group moved towards the county seat in a mighty manner. Walking to the farmland outside.
Since Zhu Yuanzhang came to Kaiping County this time, he got drunk as soon as he arrived at the border, and was then carried directly to the Kaiping Hotel, so he did not see the scenery inside the field! out of town.
Driving on the spacious and flat road, as far as the eye can see, there are golden fertile fields.
At this moment, harvesting has begun in many fertile fields. People, old and young, are working together to harvest food. Their faces are covered with sweat, but they are also full of smiles.
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this scene, most of his anger and resentment towards Ouyang Lun disappeared!
No matter what, Ouyang Lun gave the people a good harvest and the court. Zhu Yuanzhang's face stiffened when he thought of this. Information from the Ministry of Household Affairs showed that Kaiping County had had bumper harvests for three consecutive years, but the tax revenue had not changed much. It was only one or two hundred taels more.
Where did all that food go? Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ouyang Lun with a gloomy look. What he didn't say must have something to do with this guy.
Next, Zhu Yuanzhang did not make any announcement, but arranged for Jin Yiwei Mao Xiang to follow the county government official who specializes in collecting taxes to get first-hand and most authentic accounts.
Return to the Emperor Suite of Kaiping Hotel.
When Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Mao Xiang's report, Zhu Yuanzhang's face became more and more gloomy.
"You mean that Kaiping County secretly accumulated all the excess grain?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! I have heard that Kaiping County's grain yield per acre is extremely high, almost twice that of other counties. This means that they have hidden at least half of the grain. According to my estimate, Kaiping County has secretly hidden grain in the past three years. Up to 200 million stones!"
Mao Xiang said in a deep voice.
"What! Two million stones of grain!!" Zhu Yuanzhang stood up in shock.
This much food is enough for rebellion!
(End of this chapter)