"The old saying goes, "If you are poor, you will change. If you are poor, you have to find a way. If you don't, you will be poor all the time. You are about to starve to death and still have an air. That is not integrity, it is a mortality. A general can bend and stretched, and he is worthy of being a real man, and it is worth learning from everyone. If you work hard to make money, you will not be ashamed of being embarrassed or not when you say it!"

Many of the officials were well-educated. After hearing Li Mu's words, they were all whispering in their hearts. Is this what the saints mean in the classics of others?

If you are poor, you will change; if you change, you will be promising; if you are promising, you will be promising for a long time. From the "Book of Changes", it means that things will change at the end, and it means that things will turn opposite. This "poverty" is not that "poverty", but it is better to be Li Mu. This "poverty" means that "poverty". A good saint's words are suddenly filled with the smell of money, which is simply unbearable.

Li Mu continued, no matter how strange the other people looked at him, "Is this second solution related to the fields I want to talk about next."

When all the officials heard the word "field", they instantly raised their ears. It was related to their property, and it was related to them. Thinking of the recent news that was circulating in Chang'an City, everyone's hearts instantly rose to their throats.

Li Mu took everyone's reaction and said leisurely: "Your Majesty, there was a surge in grain prices a year ago. Your Majesty was furious and was very angry with Shandong grain merchants. Although the matter has been resolved, I cannot forget this matter. It is said that the king is worried about the ministers and the ministers are tired, and the king is humiliated to the ministers. In order to understand Your Majesty's worries, I died of hardship all night, studied the laws of this dynasty and the previous dynasty, and finally found a good solution to the problem."

Li Shimin knew that it was time for him to support him again, so he spoke seriously and said, "It's He Liangfang, come on!"

"Your Majesty, I have learned that the land system of this dynasty is the equal land system, and taxes are subject to the rent-in-law system. The equal land system is that a man over 20 years old and is granted 100 mu of land, of which 20 mu is Yongye land, and 80 mu is the land for the quintuary. After his death, he will return the land. Each resident will pay two stones of millet to the court every year, which is called rent; paying two zhang silk, three thighs or two thighs or three thighs or three thighs and three kilograms of hemp, which is called a thigh; 20 days of labor service, plus two days in a leap year, is the main service. If the court does not need his service, each resident can pay 3 thighs or three thighs or three thighs or five cents of silk every day to replace the service. This is called a thigh. Overall, "taking silk for service is mediocre", also called "losing mediocre". Your Majesty, are you wrong about what I said?"

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "It's clear that you have put in the effort? Why, do you have any new insights on this national strategy?"

"Yes." Li Mu said with great buzz, "The equal-field system and the rent-in-one system are both systems that the dynasty inherited the previous dynasty. In my opinion, this system is a backward system. The demise of the previous dynasty has a certain relationship with this system. If this dynasty still wants to follow the example, there will be a lot of hidden dangers and it is inevitable that the same mistake will be repeated!"

As soon as this statement was made, all officials were in an uproar. The Censorate was already ready to move, and the first one could not hold back was Wang Jingze, the chief censor. He held up the iron tablet, stood out of the queue, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have a word that I don't speak up! The Marquis of Zhulu is too arrogant and too arrogant. The equal land system and the system of renting mediocre are the accumulation of experiences from previous dynasties and the strategy of the foundation of the country. Marquis of Zhulu actually boasted that this system was backward and was still exaggerated, trying to deceive Your Majesty and try to shake the foundation of the country. His heart would be punished!"

After saying that, he glared at Li Mu, as if he wanted to die with him.

Li Mu admired Wang Jingze's performance and secretly gave a thumbs up. This kid's acting skills were getting better and better, and I have to admire him. His words obviously represented the voice of most people. With a leader, several people stood up one after another, including the Censorate, the Civil Affairs Department, the Ministry of Personnel, and all departments. They all accused Li Mu of being arrogant, but his tone was much more eased. After all, Li Mu's notoriety was there, and he was offended deeply, and he was afraid of revenge.

Li Shimin also frowned. When Li Mu told him last time, he only said that he used fields to threaten the family and gentry, but did not explain how to implement it. When he suddenly mentioned the field system, Li Shimin was caught off guard. He looked at Li Mu and received a positive response from Li Mu. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Li Mu, the matter of the country is not allowed to be nonsense. If you can't tell a reason today, I will punish you."

This sounds like a threat, but it invisibly blocked the mouths of all officials. What Li Shimin said is that if you can't tell a truth, the implication is to give Li Mu the opportunity to "speak a truth."

How could Li Mu not hear this? He immediately said, "Your Majesty, if you dare to say it, it will make sense. Please listen quietly with your masters."

"First of all, the equal land system. As far as I know, the emergence of the equal land system originated from the Northern Wei Dynasty and was popular in the former Sui Dynasty. Throughout the dynasties, the equal land system was highly praised. However, no one pointed out its disadvantages. I am very puzzled. No one can see such a system with obvious disadvantages. It is really strange and strange!"

Wang Jingze was like a great supporting actor. When he heard this, he jumped out and said, "Marquis Zhulu, please explain it clearly. What are the disadvantages? Why can't the sages of all dynasties see it? You can only see it. Are you so arrogant, really treating yourself as a saint?"

Li Mu glanced over coldly and said, "Wang Zhongcheng, Your Majesty asked me to say, but I didn't ask you to say it. If you believe it, I punched your mouth full of teeth, and let you talk in your whole life?"

"you!"

Wang Jingze stamped his feet angrily, but he didn't dare to speak out anymore. The hall was quiet. Everyone knew that if Li Mu was stunned, no one could stop him except Li Shimin. If he really angered him, he could do it!

Li Mu continued: "To understand this mystery, I conducted in-depth research and finally helped me solve the answer."

"The background of the birth of the equal-field system was the period when the Southern and Northern Dynasties confronted each other. During this period, whether it was the Southern and Northern Dynasties, dynasties changed frequently, and rarely did not fight for more than a few decades. Please note, what does this mean?"

"This means that after a period of time, the population will decrease rapidly due to war after reaching a certain amount. That is to say, when the population accumulates to a certain level, the arable land will not be divided immediately, and war will begin. In war, most people die, and the fields will be divided again, even more than before, so the disadvantages of this equal-field system have not been noticed."

After pausing, Li Mu continued: "When it comes to this, I believe your Majesty and all the Dukes understand what I mean. That's right, the biggest disadvantage of the equal-field system is that it is related to population. If the world is peaceful, there are no major battles, or there are few major battles, and the population increases to a certain value, the fields will not be divided. One day, the court will have no land to divide, and at that time, it will be the beginning of chaos."

"The rent-in-one modulation also has very big disadvantages."

"Let's talk about rent and transfer first. The court divides the land according to males, and the number is fixed, all of which are 100 acres. However, the fields have fat fields and poor fields, and the output is different. Each household has different populations. Some households are just monogamous, while some households may have old mothers and children, and there is only one male in the family. Is it fair to ask Your Majesty and Your Majesty and Your Majesty have different situations, but they have to pay rent and transfer according to the same standards? Is this fair? Is it reasonable? Or does Your Majesty and Your Majesty and Your Majesty think that only males are considered people, and women are not considered people and don't have to eat?"

"Also, natural disasters and man-made disasters are inevitable. The court's taxes are collected every year. If it catches up with natural disasters, there will be no grains in the ground, and the taxes will be less? If it catches up with poor fields and the grain grown in the ground is only enough to pay taxes, what should the people do? Starve to death? Or become refugees? Have these Your Majesty and the Dukes thought about it?"

"As for 'losing mediocre service', it is even more unfair. This system spoils the merchants and scholars who have surplus wealth, and suffers the poor people. The poor people not only have to bear rent and transfer, but also go to corvee service. If there is only one male in the family, he goes to corvee service and no one does the farm work at home. So that the poorer the poorer and the richer the richer, the people will always be slaves and servants, and there will be no future for them!"

"I just mentioned the previous dynasty, which means that. The previous dynasty unified the north and south, and its national strength was unprecedented. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the former Sui Dynasty, the population exploded and the fields became increasingly stretched. But when Emperor Yang, he did not realize this hidden danger, did not take any measures, and only focused on levying heavy taxes on the people and forcing the people to work in the labor service. Finally, the people were overwhelmed and rose up everywhere. Therefore, I said that the demise of the former Sui Dynasty was in the equal-field system. Is there anything wrong with it?"

Li Mu said loudly: "Your Majesty should be your Majesty of the people of the world, and you should not be your Majesty of the scholars and officials. Today I am taking the risk of offending the powerful and nobles to point out the shortcomings of the equal land system and the rent and mediocre system. I hope Your Majesty can think carefully about it."

After speaking, Li Shimin and all the officials remained silent.

It was not that Li Mu was wrong, but that he was too right. Every word and sentence, they could not think of words to refute. What shocked the king and minister even more was that what Li Mu thought was so advanced that they didn't even think of it at all!

Everyone couldn't help but have the same question in their hearts. Why can Li Mu think of these things? Could it be that he is really an exiled immortal descending to earth?

Changsun Wuji's face was even more gloomy. As the first person to follow the Dragon and the actual prime minister in the Tang Dynasty, these words should have been more appropriate. But he did not expect these words at all. Instead, Li Mu said these words. If he succeeded, wouldn't he be famous in history!

Thinking of this, Changsun Wuji was a little ready to move. He wanted to stand up and stop him, but Yu Guang caught a glimpse of Li Shimin's face and he took his steps back. Before he could figure out Li Shimin's thoughts, he knew that his wisest choice was not to say anything. He even now had a little doubt whether the scene in front of him had been discussed with Li Shimin and Li Mu. He really couldn't believe that Li Mu would have such profound insights. It would not be that Li Shimin had already thought about doing this, but that Li Mu was just instructing him to say it. If this was the case, then the intention behind it would be hard to say.

For the current plan, be cautious first.

Changsun Wuji took a deep breath, withdrew his eyes, and stared at his toes, like an old monk entering into meditation. On the other side, after a brief silence, Li Shimin finally spoke.

He stood up, came to Li Mu, took his hand solemnly, and said to the officials: "Look at me, all my dear friends, this is a real pillar of the world! I have not misunderstood anyone. Although Li Mu usually jokes a little, if he becomes serious, he can really share my worries and do things for me! You have heard what he said just now, but someone has come forward to refute it?"

Li Shimin turned his attention to the people of the Censorate, especially Wang Jingze, and said, "Wang Aiqing, what else do you have to say? After Zhulu Hou's remarks, do you think there is something wrong with it?"

Wang Jingze was sweating profusely and hurriedly said, "Marquis Zhulu was deafening and shocking. I received a lot of teachings and felt ashamed."

Li Shimin laughed, unwilling to accept this, and looked at Wei Zheng again and said, "Wei Aiqing must have had some great arguments. Can you give a rating?"

Wei Zheng looked at Li Mu in surprise and lowered his head and said, "I admire Zhulu Hou for his outstanding arguments and dare not show off."

"Okay!" Li Shimin laughed happily and said, "Duke Wei is Duke Wei. He can admit his own shortcomings and affirm the advantages of others. This one alone is better than countless people. I am very happy today! God is pitiful and I will give me blessings. Li Mu, you have not disappointed my expectations. Since you pointed out the disadvantages, you must have a good solution. Let me and my beloved friends quickly."

Li Mu quickly bowed and said humbly: "I don't dare to take it. I'm just a little immature suggestion. Your Majesty has to discuss with you and decide."

"My solution is to defeat each system one by one, and according to the disadvantages of each system, just like treating diseases, and prescribe the right medicine."

After laying the groundwork, Li Mu also relaxed a lot and talked happily: "Let's talk about this 'lost servitude' first. I think this matter is not impossible, but the method is inappropriate. The rich people paid their property instead of labor. The court collected their money, and it seemed that everyone was happy. But there is a problem here. Who will do the labor that they should have done? What did the court collect their property? "

Li Mu chuckled and said, "According to my investigation, the court has taken their property and done something. But what is certain is that they have not used the property they paid to hire craftsmen to replace their labor service. The labor service is distributed to the people who have no money. Originally, the labor service of one hundred people and fifty people paid their property, only fifty people were left to do it, and in disguise, they doubled their labor service. This is the main reason why the people cannot bear the burden."
Chapter completed!