Chapter 11 Section 3 The law must not be abandoned and the people must not be harmed

Yingzheng and his entourage came out of the migrant workers' camp behind Zhongshan, just in time for Meng Tian's cavalry team who came all the way.Ying Zheng didn't say much, and waved his hand to order to go out of the mountain, and returned to Xianyang overnight.As soon as he entered the corridor of the study, Ying Zheng put down his horsewhip and quickly ordered: "Chang Shi immediately summoned Datian Commander and Taicang Commander to come to discuss matters. Meng Tian doesn't have to leave, stay for consideration. Little Gaozi hurried to the Jingshui River Canal to ask Li Si for an answer." : What should I do with the tax this summer? I'll wash it in cold water and come to the study in a while. Meng Tian will wait for me."

After a series of words, Ying Zheng's figure has turned around the corridor leading to the bathroom. Meng Tian sat alone in the study, watching the maid making tea, his heart was always beating. In the eyes of the Qin government and the public, Wang Jian, Meng Tian, ​​Wang Wan, and Li Si are the four pillars of the young King Qin, among which Meng Tian is regarded as the heart of the Qin King by the government and the public.Wang Jian is the obvious candidate for the general, and he is respected as a teacher by the king of Qin, and he is undoubtedly the backbone of the new dynasty.But Wang Jian has a deep personality and a little calm, and he is often in the military camp, so he seldom hears about some special secrets.From the perspective of the government and the public, Wang Jian looked a little more like a foreign minister.Wang Wan is in charge of royal affairs and is the direct manager of the monarch's government affairs. Naturally, he is also the most secretive key minister.However, Wang Wan is better at being a director, but less knowledgeable and strategic, so she has little actual influence on the King of Qin.What's more, Wang Wan's power is too close to the king, and it is inconvenient to come forward for some special and important events, so her mediation and extension power is naturally a little weaker.Li Si is outstanding, but he has just entered the Qin Kingdom, and he was also a guest of Lu Buwei's family. He is struggling to do his job, and he is responsible for making decisions, so he is not suitable for keeping secrets.Only Meng Tian is good at both fundamentals, knowledge, knowledge, courage, essays and martial arts.Even in terms of credit, the current Meng Tian is also the focus of the government and the public for "anxious to national disasters and quelling civil strife".And these two are just special events at a special time when the country is in danger. There are plots and adventures everywhere, and only those who can be trusted to live and die can work together.For example, for such a special event as dispelling Lu Buwei's power, no one would openly attack Lu Buwei, only Meng Tian can take on this important task.There is another thing that others can't compare to. Meng Tian is the young friend of King Qin Yingzheng. He is a childhood sweetheart. He admires and encourages each other. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is caring.The young King of Qin saw things very quickly, made decisions and acted vigorously, so he naturally had the unavoidable violent temper of a talented person.However, the King of Qin never bowed to scholars, and his respect for talented and insightful scholars is obvious to all.Only with Meng Tian, ​​the King of Qin could show his face when he was not happy, and would even swear a few vulgar words from time to time.Of course, Meng Tian would not change his opinion just because of the young King Qin's complexion, Meng Tian would argue with those who should fight, and Meng Tian would say what should be said.There is only one reason, since the day Meng Tian confessed "determined to be with him forever" in front of his elder father Meng Ao's sickbed, Meng Tian's fate, and even the fate of the entire Meng family, are forever inseparable from Ying Zheng's fate. Connected separately.But when it comes to major events, Meng Tian can't go against his will, and can't make mistakes.

Today, Meng Tian was in trouble. Taxation is the top priority of the state.When Qin Wang Fang came back from Jingshui, he brought up this matter in a dusty suit. It was clear that Qin Wang had always cared about this year's taxes.The King of Qin didn't see Li Si in Jingshui, but immediately sent Zhao Gaofei to seek Li Si's advice after he came back. Apart from not wanting to disturb Li Si who was in an emergency, it was clear that the King of Qin still had no idea how to deal with this year's tax.So, does Meng Tian have an opinion?nor.Meng Tian only understands one thing, if the taxes are not handled properly this year, there may be real turmoil in the Qin State, and it is unknown that the Jingshui Canal Project will collapse midway.

There are three peculiarities of taxation this year. For one thing, there was no harvest in a famine year, and the common people in the hinterland of the Qin State were actually unable to pay their taxes and taxes.Second, the Qin law does not provide disaster relief, so naturally it will not exempt taxation in disaster years; in the past, for minor natural disasters, the common people paid taxes (labor services) and the law allowed it; Dozens of counties in Sichuan, Beidi and Shangjun on the Hexi Plateau have almost no crops, and more than a million common people have already entered the Jingshui River Canal, and it is practically impossible to pay taxes; There is no allowed way to eliminate taxation in famine years, unless the Qin law is broken again.Three, Wei, Zhao and Han in the Central Plains also had a severe drought to celebrate the new year. The three countries had already ordered to exempt this year's tax early in the winter, and then they all looked at Qin State fiercely; and Qin State, after the beginning of spring, there is no announcement about this year's tax Wang Ling was clearly embarrassing to the people of the country and to the world.

The three difficulties converge into one, and the axis lies in the conflict between Qin Fa and the general trend of reality.That is to say, to exempt from taxes, you have to break the Qin law again; not to exempt from taxes, and go against the general trend of the people; and both of these are precisely the key points that cannot be violated.There is another layer, the young King Yingzheng of Qin and a group of cutting-edge cadres are based on the political strategy based on adhering to the Qin law and denying Lu Buwei's leniency and reprieve.To exempt from taxes, wouldn't it just prove the rationality of "Lu Shi Chun Qiu" as a long-term strategy of Qin State?Doesn't it just prove the necessity of Lu Buwei's leniency and probation?If Qin Wang Yingzheng and a group of new cadres proved this point themselves, wouldn't the eloquent remarks of accusing Lu Buwei earlier be extremely absurd?To use the truth of the old Qin people, slap yourself in the ear!However, if you don’t do this and insist on sticking to the Qin law, the common people will be turbulent, and the world will be turbulent. Wouldn’t the Qin King’s New Deal come to naught?If the six countries took advantage of the complaints of the Qin people to set up the banner of slaying the people and attacking Qin again, wouldn't Qin be in great danger?Even though the old Qin people were generous and law-abiding, never complaining or chaotic, King Qin Yingzheng and a group of young men fell hard before leaving Hangu Pass, and the prestige they had just established plummeted in an instant. Isn't it the laughing stock of the world?

... "Meng Tian, ​​are you really engrossed?" Ying Zheng walked into the study wrapped in a long robe with wet long hair. "Difficult! Nothing in the world is so difficult!" Meng Tian sighed. "Everything in the world is easy, what's the use of me waiting?" Ying Zheng picked up a big bowl of warm tea and drank it in one gulp, wiped his mouth with his sleeves and smiled. "Your Majesty, do you have a countermeasure?" "Not yet, but there will be." "It's like I didn't say anything." Meng Tian muttered. There was a sound of hurried footsteps coming from the verandah, and Ying Zheng waved his hand: "Sit down, and listen to what the two elders have to say."

The two sat comfortably, and Wang Wan, Datian Ling and Taicang Ling had already walked in.The two ministers attended the ceremony and took their seats. Wang Wan immediately took his seat in front of the fixed case where the monarch and his ministers discussed matters. Ying Zheng knocked on the case and said, "How are the two elders thinking about taxation?" flushed, and sighed almost at the same time, but they all looked hesitant to speak.Yingzheng's eyes were bright, but he smiled slightly: "It's a dilemma, a dead end, isn't it?" Daejeon Ling is the head of the Minister of Economy, and it's impossible not to speak. After the Taicang Order, he was obviously disappointed when he spoke, and he took a moment to breathe. Finally, he cupped his hands and said: "The old minister told you, it is really difficult to make a tax policy this year. In fact, the millet, millet, millet, and bean that were planted with water trucks last year were less than one year old after the drought, summer, autumn and winter. In all likelihood, they would die from drought. Although the farmland and crops by the old canal in Chipi lasted until the autumn harvest, they were pitifully withered. From a high level, there are more than a dozen counties with a yearly difference of 20%, and the rest are far away from the water. The counties have no years. If it is tax, it is obvious that there is no way to collect it. The veteran has thought over and over again, and the only way is to exempt the tax... Tax policy, the original duty of the veteran and the Taicang order, should have been countermeasures. However, The law of the state is involved here, and although the veterans have repeatedly discussed it, they have not reached a consensus, and they dare not report to the king. Hesitating to this day, the veterans are ashamed!" Yingzheng smiled: "What shame is there to plan and respect things?" Immediately His eyes turned to Taicang Ling.Taicang Ling has always been dull and his speech is simple, but now he is even more sluggish. He cupped his hands and said word by word: "Taxes should be exempted, but they cannot be exempted. It is difficult. The warehouses of the Qin State were originally rich. The Jingshui River Canal started construction, and the Guanzhong Dacang Grain has been transported in a steady stream, and the inventory has been greatly reduced. It is okay to last for a year. If it is not ripe next year, it will be difficult for the military and official rations."

"Old Taicang is saying that all the food in Qin State is only enough for one year?" Meng Tian chased. "1.6 million migrant workers eat warehouses, which has never been heard since ancient times!" "If there is no good harvest next year, how much military rations can be stored?" Meng Tian asked again. "At most one hundred thousand horses will be offered." Taicang Ling's face turned black and red. "How is the storage in the counties and counties, and can the food and grass for the frontier army be guaranteed?" "Qin's grain storage is 80% in Guanzhong. Guanzhong's empty warehouses, county warehouses and county warehouses are just a drop in the bucket."

Meng Tian was silent for a while, obviously, he did not expect the storage situation that Taicang Ling said.Sure enough, next year's military rations will be in a hurry, so Qin will really be a chariot stuck in the quagmire.Meng Tian was not sure whether he should inform King Huan of this matter immediately, so as to prepare for rainy days.At this time, Yingzheng took the case and said: "Let's not talk about military rations and official rations. The Datian order only said that next year will really be a year of drought. Can the royal forbidden garden and all the mountains and forests of Qinchuan keep the Qin people in Guanzhong to pick and hunt through it?" A year of famine?" Da Tian Ling said: "Last year there was a severe drought, and the Qin people in Guanzhong tried their best to fight the drought and rush to plant. In winter, they went to the rivers and canals. The people of Qin did not go to the mountains to beg for food. Only the refugees from Shandong came to Qin to enter the mountains. The mountains and forests in Guanzhong did not suffer much damage. , the wild vegetables and wild fruits are still luxuriant. However, Qin Fa does not provide disaster relief, and the royal forbidden garden is never opened in disaster years..." Ying Zheng seemed a little impatient, and interrupted: "The old order only said, if the forbidden garden is opened, can it be kept in a moderate degree?" Famine?" Da Tianling pondered: "If the royal family's forbidden garden is opened, the years of famine can be overcome." Ying Zheng said: "That is to say, even if there is another year of drought, the old Qin people will not die!"

The huge study room was filled with awe. The taciturn Taicang Order made an exception and said: "The old minister believes that the current financial and material resources of the Qin State still have room to maneuver. Therefore, those who are in a dilemma are due to conflicting laws and regulations. The old minister is bold enough to ask the King of Qin to call the Tingwei, the Guozheng Supervisor and other law enforcement officers. In the meeting of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, we will consider contingency measures based on the decree. But the decree is in order, and the economic departments can relieve disasters and famines before they can let go."

Da Tianling immediately followed up: "The old minister seconded the proposal!" Meng Tian was worried about King Qin's attack, but he didn't want Ying Zheng to knock on the book case and smiled: "That's okay, Chang Shi will inform the old Ting Wei, and teach him to discuss with the Sixth Law Enforcement Department first, but if there is a strategy, we will meet immediately." Wang Wan agreed, and immediately walked out quickly.Seeing that the elder Shi had left his seat, the king of Qin had nothing to say, and knowing that the meeting was over, the two elders also bowed their hands and left. Meng Tian immediately walked to King Qin's case, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty knows that the old Tingwei and others are opposed to changing the law, why did you issue this order?" Ying Zheng smiled lightly: "If the Qin State is in a dead end, peace of mind is better than law." "Your Majesty is saying that the Qin law is not helpful for the national disaster?" Meng Tian was very surprised. Seeing Meng Tian's surprised expression, Ying Zheng couldn't help laughing loudly: "It's not me who said it, but the one who changed the law!" "Then, does your majesty believe me?" "You Meng Tian, ​​is Ying Zheng a believer in evil?" The young King Qin's face was very ugly. "Your Majesty just said that if there is no way out, peace of mind is better than law." Meng Tian only looked at the lamp and spoke. Ying Zheng waved his hand impatiently: "The long-term plan has not been made, can't we think about it first?" "Even if it happens, we can't go on a different path." Ying Zheng was silent for a moment, gasped, and finally nodded calmly: "Meng Tian, ​​good reminder." Meng Tian turned around: "The meeting is over, just waiting for a decision, I'm afraid there is no better plan." "No! There must be." "Your Majesty, Li Si?" "That's right! Before Li Si said what he said, it can't be said that he didn't have a better plan." "Your Majesty is sure that Li Si will have a long-term solution to the problem?" "Meng Tian, ​​do you doubt Li Si's Jingwei talent?" Meng Tian was silent, swallowed a sentence that jumped to his mouth, he was helpless with Meng Tian's talent, Wang He firmly believed in Li Si?Of course, Meng Tian also said that Li Si couldn't come up with an appropriate plan given the speed with which the king of Qin made a decision and was still hesitant to take the case.However, the king is the final decision after all, and it is unknown if he will be suppressed for the time being, so this cannot be said after all.Ying Zheng saw that Meng Tian's expression was a bit weird, so he couldn't help laughing teasingly: "Meng Tian, ​​each person has his own ability, and Li Si has a great talent for strategy and strategy. I have to be convinced." It's just not allowed to talk about it.King Qin laughed, "Okay, okay, I guess Zhao Gao will come back at dawn, you go back and rest for a while, and come back at Maoshi." Meng Tian didn't speak anymore, and walked away with his arms folded. The old servant just pushed the food cart into the hall next to the study.Yingzheng hurriedly ate a leg of lamb and two pot kuihs, drank a pot of Hudi alfalfa soup, and went into the main hall of the study.As twilight fell, the copper lamp was raised, and Ying Zheng sat in front of the desk full of papers full of energy. He picked up the big Langhao brush specially made for him by Meng Tian, ​​and unfolded rolls of bamboo slips to mark.Yingzheng set a law for Wang Wan early on: daily official documents are carried into the study room twice—once at noon during the day and once at midnight at night; At that time, as soon as Chang Shi Wang Wan stepped into the study, he could immediately run state affairs according to the instructions. Since the severe drought last year, almost every official document is an emergency.Yingzheng has changed to review at any time, and there is almost no backlog for a moment. Even if he is on a short-term tour, he still reviews the documents in the king's car.Most of the official documents after the beginning of spring involve the Jingshui River Canal, either major news from various parties, or urgent matters to be decided upon.In order to be quicker, Wang Wan urgently expanded the Yezhe Department, which was specialized in the transmission of documents under his command. In addition to increasing the number of more than ten Yezhe transmission vehicles to thirty, he also set up a team of flying couriers. Official documents are almost never delivered to all parties overnight, without any delay.And the source of the rapid operation lies in Ying Zheng's huge book case.Without instructions, it is useless to think about the pace of state affairs.The young King of Qin has been in charge for more than two years, and this quick and neat style has quickly stirred up the government and the people of the Qin State. Even in the most distant two counties of Bashu, the round trip of documents is never over a month.In the more than 20 counties under the direct jurisdiction of the Guanzhong Internal History Department, documents were issued early and returned late.The officials of Qin State are all vigilant and respectful, and dare not slack off in the slightest. The four o'clock fighting in the Xianyang Archery Tower started, but Ying Zheng hadn't left the study.Wang Wan knew that it wasn't that the documents had not been approved, it was that Zhao Gao hadn't come back yet.According to the daily regulations, Wang Wan can go back to the mansion to rest after lighting the lamp in Wang's study for half an hour.For more than two years, although Wang Wan never left the royal city on time, she seldom stayed there until after the fourth watch.Things were strange today, Wang Wan predicted that King Qin would have to wait for Li Si to reply, and there must be some urgent matters afterwards, so Wang Wan also stayed in the outer hall, sorting out the papers and paying attention to the movement inside and outside the study. At five o'clock, the night became even more vast and dark, and the spring breeze howled across the Wangcheng Canyon, and there was an obvious dusty atmosphere.Ying Zheng coughed faintly from the main hall of the study, and Wang Wan couldn't help sighing.Qinchuan, with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, has been tossed by severe drought and rivers and canals, which is really the first time in history.Wang Wan coughed a few times, and was about to go into the study to persuade King Qin to rest, when she heard the sound of horseshoes approaching like a rainstorm on Wangcheng Avenue, she quickly walked out of the corridor, and Yaoyao hurriedly asked: "But Zhao Gao?" "Chang Shi is me! Zhao Gao!" With a hoarse voice wrapped in horseshoes, he came head-on from the boulevard. Wang Wan strode down the steps: "Give me the horse, you go to the study first, your majesty is waiting." Zhao Gao put down the reins of the horse and flew straight to Wang's study. Wang Wan ordered an official on duty to hand over the horse to CRRC, and hurried into the study herself. "Li Si wrote the letter." Ying Zheng said softly to Wang Wan, but his eyes did not leave the parchment. Zhao Gao was dripping with mud and sweat profusely, he stood upright and looked bright-eyed, as if he was on call at any time.Wang Wan's heart felt hot when she saw it, so she came over and said in a low voice, "Zhao Gao, go to rest and eat first, I'm here." wipe.After a while, Ying Zheng raised his head: "Xiao Gaozi, it's nothing to do with you, go and rest." Zhao Gao said hi like a warrior, and strode out of the hall, his gait and posture did not look tired at all. "It's rare to be as capable as Zhao Gao!" Wang Wan couldn't help admiring. "This is Li Si's opinion, what do you think?" Ying Zheng shook the large parchment and handed it over. Wang Wan browsed quickly, and couldn't help but feel a sudden shock in her heart.Li Si wrote the letter in a hurry, and there was a layer of muddy sweat on the parchment that could not be wiped off, but the handwriting was as steady and vigorous as ever, and the whole article only had a few short lines: "The law must not be discarded, and the people must not be hurt. Minister's plan: Taxes cannot be avoided in times of famine, but they can be postponed; taxes will be moved later according to the number, counties and counties will be recorded in private households, and Xu Fengnian will make up for it; Make up for shortages and make up for it in ordinary years, and make up for taxes in good years.” With hurried steps outside the door, Meng Tian hurried in: "Your Majesty, how about Li Si's reply?" "Look for yourself." Ying Zheng, who was wandering around, said lightly. "The Xianyang order is so fast?" Wang Wan was a little surprised, and immediately handed over the big parchment. "I sent guards to nail the gate of the palace, and Zhao Gao will report to me immediately when he comes back." Meng Tian browsed quickly while speaking. "What's Li Si's plan?" Ying Zheng wandered over. "Wonderful! Absolutely!" Meng Tian slapped his palms loudly. "I was just spinning around the words exempt and minus, why can't I think of the word slow?" Wang Wan also laughed. "That's right! It's so simple, just take a step forward...convince!" Meng Tian laughed loudly. Ying Zheng didn't smile, took the black and dirty parchment, brushed the corner of the paper with his fingers and sighed: "The wind and the dust are wild, the long-term strategy is right, Li Sizhi is talented, and the talent is also the latitude and longitude!" Seeing Meng Tian, ​​Wang Wan just nodded , Yingzheng smiled, "The secret of heaven is clear, it was originally simple. But it is this simple step, how many heroes have been stumped? Let's not talk about it, come on, let's talk about how to write this king's letter first?" The three surrounded Yingzheng The big case was seated, and Wang Wan first said: "Li Si has clearly determined the law. If the emperor has no objection, the king's book is easy to draft." Ying Zheng shook his head slightly: "No. This king's book is extraordinary, and it can't just declare a tax method. Meng Tian, ​​please tell me first." Meng Tian stared at the black and dirty parchment spread out in the center of the large bronze case, cupped his hands and said solemnly: "In my opinion, this king's letter should be divided into three steps. : 1. On the way of governing, the axis is Li Si’s eight characters, the law cannot be abandoned, and the people cannot be hurt. It shows the righteousness of the Qin law to protect the people, calms the hearts of some subjects in the government and the opposition, and makes the six kingdoms of Shandong attack Qin. The rumors of the rule of law are self-defeating! Second, the method of delaying the taxation of this year; third, the method of taxation in the future, divided into three situations: poor years, average years, and good years, and determine the method of delaying and supplementing taxes.” Wang Wan immediately nodded: "If this is the case, then this Wang Shu can make up for the incompleteness of the Qin law in disaster relief, and it can be regarded as a long-term decree." Ying Zheng nodded and said: "Okay! Wang Wan will discuss it at noon according to this cursive script. If there is nothing inappropriate, it will be promulgated immediately." "Your Majesty rest, I will stay and discuss with Chang Shi." "No. I'm not at ease with a great talent like you standing beside me." Wang Wan smiled. Ying Zheng stood up and waved his hands: "There are a lot of things in Xianyang, Meng Tian hastened to go back, and just arrived at noon." Wang Wan also stood up: "Your Majesty is also in time to rest for a while, I will go to my study." Ying Zheng originally wanted to wait for Wang Wan's cursive script in the study, but Wang Wan strode away without waiting for him to speak.The chief love officer Shi felt sorry for himself day and night, Ying Zheng could only shake his head, forcibly held back the words to call back Wang Wan, followed Meng Tian's figure out of the study room, and strode towards the palace courtyard. The sky was getting darker, and the mighty spring breeze filled Xianyang with yellow dust. Ying Zheng spat hard at the sky: "God! If you can hold back the drought for another three years, Ying Zheng will convince you!"