Chapter 21: Do You Think the Emperor is a Fool?
Li Fan didn’t dare tell these things to Zhu Yuanzhang. That old guy was not a good person. If told, it would definitely provoke his fury. Li Fan wasn’t foolish enough to take such risks. Why not just be a minor official and earn a little money peacefully? Why venture into such dangerous, head-losing business? Zhu Yuanzhang was capable of anything. If provoked, Li Fan might not survive. With a serious expression, he said, “It’s impossible to tell the emperor these things. If I do, it will be the day of my death!”
Empress Ma sighed, believing that Li Fan was telling the truth. Given the emperor’s stubborn nature, he would surely be very angry if told directly. But if these issues aren’t addressed, what if problems arise? Suddenly, a bold idea came to her. Why not let the Crown Prince learn from Li Fan? Currently, the Crown Prince, influenced by the emperor, was also becoming stubborn, always thinking he was right and not listening to ministers’ advice. Learning from Li Fan, even if he could be persuaded, would be beneficial.
Ministers’ advice might not always be correct, but judgment skills are essential. The emperor now lacked even basic judgment skills. The Crown Prince learning from great scholars had made no progress, only turning him into a mediocre person. If such a person inherited the Ming Dynasty, things might get worse. Once the tomb issue is settled, this could be arranged.
Nodding to Li Fan, she said, “Indeed, such words are not suitable for telling the emperor. In his eyes, the common people are the most important, while officials and merchants are dispensable.”
Haha!
Li Fan didn’t agree with Empress Ma’s view. Looking at the vast wheat fields outside, he sighed and said, “The emperor is actually the harshest on the common people, but the kindest to merchants and officials!”
Xu Miaoyun was almost scared to death at this point. Li Fan was really bold with his words. How could he say such things to Empress Ma? Did he still want to live? She tugged at Li Fan’s sleeve and softly reminded him, “It’s so hot today, let’s have some ice cream to cool down!”
She then took out ice cream from the cooler under the seat, handed one to Empress Ma, and said with a smile, “Aunt, have one. This is the most popular ice cream in Fengyang. I’ve got the recipe, and soon Jinling will have it too!”
Empress Ma accepted the ice cream, pondering over Li Fan’s words. If the emperor knew what he said, his reaction would be unpredictable, but surely furious.
After all, in the emperor’s heart, the common people are the first priority. The policies and regulations he sets are fundamentally for the benefit of the people. He is extremely harsh on officials; any slight mistake can lead to dismissal at best or severe punishment at worst. How could such actions be considered lenient toward officials? Was Li Fan not understanding the situation?
Curious, she asked, “When the emperor makes policies, he always considers the people. There are still so many places in Ming that need silver. The Northern Expedition isn’t ready yet. Is a three-tenths land tax high?”
Li Fan sighed and pointed to the hardworking, smiling people outside. “Fengyang enforces a four-tenths tax rate. Do you know why the people are still so happy while working?”
Gasp!
Empress Ma was shocked by Li Fan’s words. She looked at him in disbelief. How could there be such a cruel official, imposing a heavy four-tenths tax on the people? Discontentedly, she said, “Do the people of Fengyang have any chance of survival under you? How can you levy such heavy land taxes?”
Xu Miaoyun saw Empress Ma getting angry and couldn’t help but blame Li Fan. She had already tried to change the subject, but it returned to this issue. Hastily, she explained, “Aunt, you might not know, but Fengyang’s four-tenths tax is actually less than the imperial three-tenths!”
Empress Ma widened her eyes, looking at Li Fan in disbelief. She knew the difference between four-tenths and three-tenths. Was he taking her for a fool?
“I can tell the difference between four-tenths and three-tenths. How can you lie with your eyes open?”
Seeing that the empress didn’t believe her, Xu Miaoyun became anxious and didn’t know what to say. Li Fan understood that anyone hearing the comparison between three-tenths and four-tenths would assume four-tenths was higher. He patiently explained to Empress Ma:
“Previously, the court collected a three-tenths land tax based on the officials’ preferences. In years of good harvest, they collected the actual three-tenths. In years of reduced yield, they still collected as if it were a good harvest. After paying the tax, the people still had to pay a three-tenths rent to the landlords, making it six-tenths in total. Moreover, both the court and landlords demanded the best grains. In a good year, they had four-tenths left. In a bad year, they couldn’t even meet the rent.”
Empress Ma nodded silently, knowing that what Li Fan said was true. Officials, to line their own pockets, would report a bad year to the court to get tax reductions while collecting full taxes from the people, pocketing the surplus grain. She became curious about Fengyang’s situation and asked, “Does Fengyang not follow this standard?”
Li Fan shook his head and continued, “Fengyang collects an actual four-tenths, accepting any type of grain, whether good or bad. So, the people sell their good grain at high prices and buy lower-quality grain cheaply, profiting from the difference. With profits to be made, they work enthusiastically!”
Empress Ma was momentarily speechless and asked, puzzled, “What about the tenant farmers?”
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