News that shook the heavens and the earth, resounding across the nation like thunder!
"Your Majesty's grace! May Your Majesty live as long as the East Sea and as blessed as the Southern Mountains!"
The people nationwide were astonished and overjoyed, deeply grateful.
The poll tax, which had exploited the land's populace for millennia, was abolished overnight and merged into the land tax. This was a reform that turned the world upside down!
"The court is shifting the people's burden onto our shoulders??"
Landlords across the realm, however, were both shocked and enraged!
They still held vast numbers of "unregistered" individuals. These individuals, having lost everything due to natural disasters and other calamities, were forced into becoming their tenants and household slaves to escape the unbearable poll tax. They were their cash cows.
Now that the poll tax was abolished by the court and incorporated into the land tax, it meant that the more land they occupied, the more land tax they would have to pay additionally!
These tenants and household slaves, no longer burdened by the poll tax, could safely return to their own homes, or even enlist as farmers, earning more through their labor…
The number of landlords and gentry whose cash cows would be severed by this move was beyond imagination!
"Liang Xiao! The culprit is Marquis An, Liang Xiao!"
Landlords across the country, upon learning that it was Liang Xiao who proposed this national policy to the court, hated him to the bone.
Conversely, the landless and land-poor, out of affection for the policy, flocked to Liang Xiao's shops and workshops, thanking and rewarding his workers, and setting up memorial tablets for Liang Xiao's longevity at home.
The three major clans of the capital, upon hearing the news that day, merely sneered.
Having been exploited by Liang Xiao for so long, they had already sold off all their land and were indifferent to whether this policy was implemented or not…
But they were certain that Liang Xiao's actions would offend landlords nationwide, leading to endless repercussions!
Daliang merchants doing business in the Jiangnan region were also deeply shocked by this policy and immediately sent messengers back home to report.
In the imperial study, Prime Minister Wang Canghai, Minister of Personnel Zhuo Zifang, Minister of Revenue Gu Hong, and Vice Minister of Revenue Gu Shaoyan, their hands holding memorials trembled violently.
Xiao Qing watched, unable to conceal her smile, and looked at the calm Liang Xiao.
"Your Majesty, the abolition of the corvée for thousands of years will bring about changes comparable to the creation of heaven and earth!" Gu Hong's voice trembled.
They had received advance notice from Xiao Qing, but it was not until the day of implementation that they truly understood the implications.
Anxiety, worry, pride… an overwhelmingly complex mix!
They were destined to be recorded in history alongside Xiao Qing!
While this move benefited the common people, it offended landlords across the nation, drastically reducing their income.
"If the sovereign and officials of Da Qian do not consider the people, should they consider the landlords?" Xiao Qing's laughter also carried a tremor.
She was also nervous and excited, but with Liang Xiao and so many trusted officials by her side, she felt reassured.
Everyone looked at Liang Xiao, filled with admiration.
Liang Xiao simply smiled.
The policy of "Tanning Ding Ru Mu" (integrating poll tax into land tax) was officially implemented by Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, a further reform and development of Emperor Kangxi's "unlimited taxation on newly born population."
The burden on the poor was lightened, giving them greater personal freedom and fostering economic development, leading to sustained population growth. The imperial treasury's silver reserves increased from eight million taels during Kangxi's reign to sixty million taels, providing Emperor Qianlong with the foundation for his extravagance.
Yongzheng could be considered a rare good emperor, but he also offended the landlord gentry and scholars, and was often smeared by the literati of that class.
Although this policy had its limitations and primarily strengthened imperial rule, compared to the current historical context, it was the best policy Da Qian could implement for its people.
Xiao Qing, during her pregnancy, also urgently needed the support of the populace.
"Even if powerful local clans harbor intentions of rebellion, they must consider the people's support. Furthermore, Young Master Liang Er, by personally leading by example with nearly ten million mu of land, makes the implementation of Tanning Ding Ru Mu even more convincing. This old minister now understands why he hoarded so much land; it was all for today's consideration," Wang Canghai said, stroking his beard with a smile.
Everyone was even more impressed, and Xiao Qing's smile bloomed like a flower, her heart filled with pride.
Liang Xiao, by accumulating so much land, had positioned himself as the nation's foremost landlord, serving as an excellent role model.
Of course, the new crops also brought considerable profits to Liang Xiao's land. Even with the surge in land tax after Tanning Ding Ru Mu, he could still be profitable.
In the future, once the initial surge in profits from new crops subsided, his earnings would undoubtedly be less than before. However, as long as he did not continuously face natural disasters, he would still be able to make money!
Human greed knows no bounds. These landlords and gentry could have continued to make money, but making less money was tantamount to a loss.
And Liang Xiao's accumulated silver, exceeding thirty million taels, could be used to continuously acquire land being sold off by landlords and gentry…
Zhuo Zifang also could not hide his excitement, praising, "One can imagine that after this blow, more landlords will be eager to sell their land quickly. And the people, freed from the burden of poll tax and with cheap new crops to fill their stomachs, can also farm with peace of mind."
Liang Xiao reminded them, "The immediate priority is to strengthen troop deployment across the country to suppress any potential rebellions. After defeating the barbarians, Da Qian must shift from its policy of favoring civil over military and foster a spirit of martial prowess. The nation must seize this opportune moment."
Everyone agreed, and Xiao Qing immediately signed new decrees to strengthen recruitment nationwide.
Da Qian had over a million troops deployed across its territories, but with border threats and the need for local garrisons, it was still insufficient.
According to Liang Xiao's assessment, Da Qian had sixty million registered citizens, but due to unregistered individuals, the actual population might reach one hundred million.
Without over 1.2 million troops to garrison the realm, Xiao Qing would not be able to sleep soundly.
"Your Majesty, are these new crops truly capable of such high yields?" Gu Hong could not help but ask.
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Gu Hong said anxiously, "Then, may we plant these new crops on the land owned by my family? I also wish to rationally acquire the land being sold off by those landlords, particularly those not registered under the land tax decree…"
"A transaction is between willing parties. Esteemed ministers, you may trade with confidence. As long as you abide by the law, how can I mistreat or inconvenience my loyal officials!" Xiao Qing responded generously.
Gu Hong was overjoyed.
His intuition told him that by investing in land at a lower price during this period, it would surely be profitable…
After becoming familiar with all aspects of the Ministry of Revenue, Gu Hong also understood the potential benefits of abolishing the poll tax and promoting new crops.
In the future, with population growth, the demand for land would increase, and land prices would rise further!
Gu Hong now deeply understood the benefits of supporting imperial power and felt nothing but gratitude.
Having access to firsthand information and always being one step ahead of his opponents allowed his family to prosper continuously. Whether or not to be a powerful clan was no longer important!
In contrast, the former three great clans, having already sold off their land, appeared ready to flee at any moment…
The impact of Tanning Ding Ru Mu was unprecedented.
"Your Majesty, the court must also inform the people of Xichuan and Jiaozhou about this decree!" Zhuo Zifang said with a smile.
"I will have the Hidden Wolf Guard handle this. After all, those warlords will surely block the news to prevent the people from knowing. Otherwise, the people will only despise them more," Liang Xiao replied.
Zhuo Zifang was then relieved and gave Liang Xiao a thumbs-up.
Even he had not anticipated that Liang Xiao had been planning for this since his selection of national talent years ago, and that everything had fallen into place so naturally today!
"As long as we deal with those landlords, gentry, and warlords who dare to rebel, a true era of peace and prosperity will be within reach!"
In the imperial study, the sovereign and officials, meticulously planning, looked toward the future.
With the promotion of Tanning Ding Ru Mu, land prices across the nation suffered an unprecedented blow!
At this moment, Liang Xiao's personnel stationed in various regions were observing the situation, preparing to step in and acquire land…