hsntnovel Chapter 1817: Inspecting the Imperial Estate
Chapter 1817: Inspecting the Imperial Estate
Thousands of eyes fell on Li Shen, and Li Shen could feel the heat.
"Ahem~" Li Shen cleared his throat, and everyone below fell silent.
"I haven't been here for a long time. It's not that I don't want to visit you, but I'm busy with work.
But I have taken time out of my busy schedule to come and see you today.
Seeing that you are doing well, I am very pleased. "
Having said this, Li Shen paused, but there was still complete silence below.
Li Shen was a little uncomfortable. Shouldn't there be applause at this time?
“Later, I will stay here for a few days and walk around your four villages.
If you encounter anything unfair, tell me and I will take care of it for you."
Still there was silence. This made Li Shen feel that something was wrong with his efforts. Why was there no passion at all?
Thinking of this, he continued:
"First of all, I have good news to share. Before long, Prince Ji's Mansion will once again receive a reward of 50,000 acres of fertile land and 1,000 acres of fiefdom."
"Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Ji."
This time there was finally a response, and the people below bowed and saluted to express their congratulations.
The more powerful the Ji Palace is, the better life will be for these people. Although they are not educated, they still know this.
"Well, on the day of awarding, I will also give you rewards.
Secondly, the Guanzhong area was affected, even though it snowed last year.
But it is just a drop in the bucket for farming.
Someone reported not long ago that the water level of the Hehe River has dropped by ten feet. As a result, our season will definitely be delayed.
But you don't have to worry, even if God doesn't give you food, I will give it to you.
This king has decided to exempt you from rent and transfer this year, and this king will also pay for your purchase."
Li Shen's decision caused an uproar among the people below.
“Your Highness Prince Ji, this is absolutely not allowed. Although it is a disaster year, we still have surplus food at home, and every family is working in the workshop.
We can still afford this rent.
The palace has been reducing our taxes over the years, and all the proceeds are turned over to the national treasury, and the Prince Ji's palace does not take a penny.
This makes us common people feel guilty. The palace is also losing all our money, so how can we ask the prince to help us pay taxes?
The prince has already been very kind to us."
Zhang Da was the first to stand up and oppose.
"Yes, Your Highness, we have surplus food, and we have plenty of silk and linen, enough to pay the rent."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. We can make friends on our own."
After Zhang Da said this, someone below responded immediately.
Normally, Prince Ji's Mansion treated them very well, and the rent and wages were different from those of other manors. This time, as it was a year of disaster, Prince Ji's Mansion even exempted their taxes.
This is not just a matter of not collecting taxes. The prince's fiefdom is divided into three parts.
The rent and wages of a fiefdom, that is, the fiefdom, were divided into three parts: one part went to the government and became the property of the state, and two parts went to the state and became the property of the fiefdom.
This country refers to the principality kingdom of Li Shen, and the Feng family refers to Li Shen.
In other words, Li Shen had to pay 30% of the tax revenue to the imperial court every year.
This tax is not something you decide on. The imperial court has clear regulations. For example, the rent is 40% tax.
This one must be divided into three parts, and one part must be handed over. Even if you don't collect taxes yourself, you must pay this part.
Normally, the Ji Wang Mansion only collects the one that is submitted every year, and the other two are waived.
Now if the Ji Wang Mansion is exempt from tax, then the Ji Wang Mansion will have to pay that share out of its own pocket.
Looking at the noisy people below, Li Shen frowned and yelled:
"That's enough! Whatever the king says is fine!
Remember, I have the final say in Prince Ji's Mansion. You must do whatever I tell you to do!
The imperial court could not sit idly by and watch the severe drought in Guanzhong and would certainly issue an amnesty.
Even if there is a general amnesty, can't my Ji Wang Mansion afford it?"
Li Shen's roar immediately made the crowd quiet. After a moment, everyone bowed to Li Shen:
"Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Ji, for your grace. Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Ji, for your kindness."
"Hmph, you're wasting my breath." Li Shen snorted, then ordered the village chiefs of the four villages to take the people from each village back.
Li Shen spent the rest of the time wandering around the village with his wife and children.
The first is the college. There are more than 2,000 children here, all of whom are children from the village and children of craftsmen working in the workshop.
Li Shen visited the classrooms, cafeteria, and library.
Provide guidance on some unsatisfactory areas.
In the following days, Li Shen traveled from village to village. He was not in a hurry to return to the palace since he was under house arrest anyway.
The village has not changed much, it still has uniform houses, clean streets, new street lights and some shops.
During this period, all four villages raised one issue, which was security.
Because the four villages are wealthy, some idle people from the surrounding areas come here to take advantage of the situation, and many thefts have occurred.
There is no fence around Zhuangzi because it is located in the Chang'an city area and is relatively safe.
After thinking for a long time, Li Shen decided to install a simple fence around Zhuangzi and form a guard team.
The guards are not equipped with swords or guns, but mainly with long sticks, which can be equipped with hunters' bows.
Even if ordinary bandits had weapons, they could have beaten him to death with long sticks.
If we encounter a truly large-scale group of brutal bandits, ordinary people will not be able to resist them even with knives and guns.
Moreover, this is the territory of Chang'an City, so this possibility is almost impossible. Otherwise, who knows how many people would have lost their heads.
The four village chiefs live not far from each other, so it shouldn't be a problem for them to protect each other.
The guard team is composed of one able-bodied man from each family, who take turns on night duty. Without any salary, it is not considered an army.
If a skilled worker is a craftsman, he is allowed to rest for half a day the next day without his wages being deducted.
Li Shen explained his plan in detail to the village chiefs of the four villages and asked them to implement it as soon as possible.
Anyway, they are just protecting themselves, so no one should object.
While Li Shen was wandering around, he didn't know that his father had also gone to great lengths to negotiate for his reward.
Cuiwei Palace Hanfeng Hall
At this time, Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji were sitting face to face drinking tea.
Empress Changsun sat next to Li Shimin with a smile on her face.
"Assistant Ji, is there anything happening in the court recently?" Li Shimin handed over a cup of tea.
Zhang Sun Wuji quickly took it with both hands:
"Your Majesty, there is no major incident in the court, everything is normal."
Li Shimin nodded:
"That's good. You are still a young man in high school and still need guidance on state affairs.
If anything big happens, I hope you can share his worries. Although you and I are the king and the subject, we grew up together and are as close as brothers.
You are also my wise uncle. Among all the civil and military officials in the court, I only trust you as my assistant.
I will hand over Gao Ming to you."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Your Highness the Crown Prince is a man of great stature, wisdom, and intelligence. He is a man of great ability, both civil and military. He cares about the world and treats people with kindness.
Just like your majesty did back then, you will show your kingly demeanor and create a prosperous era in the future, setting an example for future generations."
(Poke, poke, poke)