12dz Chapter 756 The Method of Transformation
Chapter 756 The Method of Transformation
Ensuring military supplies is of utmost importance, and that's certainly true.
If this were in a previous dynasty, the emperor might have nodded in satisfaction, but this is not the previous dynasty, and the emperor loves his people like his own children.
That's where the silly one comes in.
The hunter, holding his shotgun, was finally about to fire.
“This is tyrannical taxation, plunging the people into misery.” A civil official stepped forward and accused, “The ruler is the boat, and the people are the water. Water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it. You are trying to shake the foundations of the Great Ye Dynasty.”
What a heavy label! This military officer is not entirely unjustly accused.
Since it is an expression of opinion, regardless of whether it is good or bad, the emperor will not blame them, but it will show their talents and the emperor will remember them.
This simple-minded military officer is probably destined to be out of the running for promotion; his very presence in the court is already a great blessing.
"Stop arguing, what are your thoughts, my ministers?" The emperor did not want his court to turn into a marketplace, and was clearly somewhat annoyed.
The emperor was very disappointed that the vast court, with dozens of civil and military officials and their respective advisors, could not even resolve this matter.
"What are your thoughts, Minister Fan?" the Emperor asked.
Fan Li is the head of the civil service and is skilled in governing the country; he should be able to offer constructive suggestions.
He did indeed do that.
"Your Majesty, I believe that soldiers should be allowed to return home to farm during the busy farming season and conduct drills during the off-season, thus becoming self-sufficient!" Fan Li said, making a startling statement.
A simple sentence contains a huge amount of information.
This is called the Fubing system!
The previous dynasty had been implementing this policy, and it had been very effective; at the very least, there was no worry about military provisions.
The Daye Dynasty was a vast and resource-rich land, and a single household could often obtain dozens or even hundreds of acres of land, so even in the face of severe drought, they could still have some harvest.
The reason for the food shortage was that the army had taken up a large amount of labor, and many farmlands had been abandoned.
The introduction of a conscription system would increase the burden on ordinary people.
Therefore, Fan Li suggested reinstating the Fubing system.
For an emperor who loved his people dearly, this was indeed a good idea.
The fact that the Fubing system was eventually phased out proves that it had its shortcomings.
This will inevitably lead to low combat effectiveness among soldiers, and may even result in a situation where soldiers do not know their generals and generals do not know their soldiers.
In other words, it would weaken the military power of the Daye Dynasty and also reduce Bai Tiantian's power.
The emperor did indeed want to benefit the people, but as an ambitious ruler, he wanted to expand the territory and naturally could not bear to see the army weakened.
"Does Lord Fan intend to bring the Daye Dynasty to the same state as the previous dynasty? Does he want to halve the army's strength? Does he want to destroy His Majesty's ambition to unify the world?" Bai Tiantian stepped forward and accused him.
As a military general, how could he let Fan Li succeed?
If the Xingfubing system had been truly implemented, the army of the Daye Dynasty would have been only capable of self-defense and would have had no ability to expand its territory.
"General Bai, do you have a better idea? We can't just watch the Daye Dynasty be dragged down by the army," Fan Li retorted.
He knew Bai Tiantian would vehemently refute him, and he also knew the Emperor would give it careful consideration.
But he was certain that no one else had a better solution, so in the end, he could only implement the Fubing system.
The fact that the emperor did not immediately object proves that there is hope for this matter.
This move not only allowed him to gain credit but also greatly curbed Bai Tiantian's power, achieving two goals at once. Fan Li almost burst out laughing.
Imagine if Bai Tiantian's Black Iron Guards were made to work in the fields; how could they maintain their current fighting strength? They might not even be able to put on that armor again.
Bai Tiantian almost burst out laughing as well, and he thanked Lin Ping's ancestors for eighteen generations.
This guy practically has the ability to predict the future. If he had appeared a few days later, Fan Li would probably have succeeded.
"What are your opinions, General?" the Emperor asked calmly.
He had no doubt about Bai Tiantian's military capabilities, but he lacked governing ability.
He didn't have much hope when he asked him this time, and even said that he had already compromised. As long as Bai Tiantian couldn't come up with a good explanation, he would implement the Fubing system.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the method of adjustment should be implemented," Bai Tiantian said respectfully, a smile appearing on her lips.
"The method of transformation? General Bai, don't think you can fool His Majesty with a strange and bizarre statement." Fan Li said sarcastically, with a clear sense of strife.
This is the imperial court, where people openly argue and tear each other apart, euphemistically called: debate!
"General, please explain," the Emperor said, his interest waning, not believing Bai Tiantian could offer any compelling explanation.
"The so-called method of conversion is to replace taxes with grain. If the common people and merchants all pay with grain, the problem of military food can be solved naturally," Bai Tiantian explained.
This explanation startled everyone.
Not all the civil officials who could enter the imperial court were good-for-nothings; those who could understand the wonder of this method all looked at Bai Tiantian with horrified eyes.
Why such a horrified look? Because of fear.
It would be truly terrifying if the most capable military general of our time also possessed the greatest wisdom.
"This is a disguised form of exploitation of the people. General Bai, aren't you afraid of triggering a rebellion?" Fan Li asked coldly, though he was actually a little flustered.
"Let me ask you, Lord Fan, what is the main basis for the people to pay their autumn taxes?" Bai Tiantian countered.
“Naturally, food is the primary food source,” Fan Li replied.
"What are the main taxes that merchants pay in the autumn?" Bai Tiantian continued to ask.
"Primarily in terms of money," Fan Li replied dismissively, even finding the questions naive.
Bai Tiantian ignored him and bowed to the emperor, saying, "Since the common people rely mainly on grain, the conversion method will naturally not affect them. This method simply changes the tax that merchants originally had to pay in silver into tax in grain, thereby increasing grain income. If we're talking about exploitation, it does make merchants pay more silver, since grain prices are rising."
“Most merchants are well-off, and the taxes they pay are related to their assets, so they won’t go bankrupt,” Bai Tiantian said in a booming voice.
"What a brilliant reform! The court protects the peace and tranquility of merchants, and they should also make some contributions for the court." A civil official raised both hands in approval.
"Hahaha, isn't this just robbing the rich to help the poor? Interesting!" The military officer's description was somewhat vulgar, but it also expressed his inner support.
For a time, all the court officials supported Bai Tiantian's idea.
The Emperor was overjoyed, exclaiming, "As expected of the Great General, so wise and resourceful! This method is brilliant! Issue the order that the entire country adopt the method of conversion!"
It could reduce the number of troops needed for war, solve the problem of military provisions, and even prevent the people from rebelling. How could the emperor refuse?
At worst, those wealthy businessmen will have to spend money; they might grumble a bit, but they're well-off and wouldn't dare to resist.
"What does Lord Fan think of this method?" Bai Tiantian asked sarcastically.
Fan Li's face turned ashen; he never dreamed that Bai Tiantian had this ability.
"Your Majesty, I also think this method is excellent, and I will immediately begin to implement it," Fan Li said, bowing.
As the head of the civil service, he should indeed be in charge of this matter.
It's better to volunteer than to fall into Bai Tiantian's hands.
Bai Tiantian didn't stop her. No matter how well Fan Li did, the credit would be his. Free labor was free, so why not use it?