The essence of the tiered tax rate is actually to rob the rich and give to the poor - to rob the rich of the landlords and gentry class and give to the poor in the national treasury, so that the national treasury has more money that can be used in other aspects, such as education, people's livelihood, military, etc.

In addition, the most important role of the stepped tax rate is to slow down the increase in the gap between rich and poor through administrative means.

That's why the private landowning gentry and future landowning gentry, that is, the students of Taixue, are in a state of chaos.

As Du Deji said, there may be people who betray their own class, but there are absolutely no classes who betray their own class.

To put it simply, even if Chen Dong does not jump out, Chen Xi, Chen Nan and Chen Bei will definitely jump out and represent the landlord gentry class to oppose the stepped tax rate, because the stepped tax rate affects the cake of the entire landlord gentry class.

Zhao Huan naturally knew this very well.

After being silent for a long time, Zhao Huancai suddenly looked at Yang Shi and asked, "What is a scholar? I hope Yang Aiqing can teach me."

Yang Shi was a little confused. After he came to his senses, he hurriedly bowed and said: "Let me tell you: a scholar is a matter of fact. Counting starts from one and ends with ten. From one to ten. When ten are combined into one, a scholar is called a scholar. A scholar, "Shi" means "doing things". Therefore, those who can do things are called scholars."

Zhao Huan nodded but said nothing.

Including many time-travelers, either because they are uneducated or because of their own interests, basically no one has studied what a "shi" is -

In fact, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, you could only become a "shi" by paying taxes. From then on, you became a member of the nobility and had certain privileges. The so-called "millions of armored men" basically means that you have one million people in your family who can control them at any time. Taxpayers who cut people with knives, hence the term warrior.

It should be noted that during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, "shi" were the main force in the war, and it was these people who had to risk their lives on the battlefield. Because they enjoyed the preferential treatment of "shi", they naturally had to bear the obligations of "shi", and Civilians are not qualified to go to the battlefield. At best, they can only do some logistical support work, which cannot even be regarded as military merit.

But after the Han Dynasty, the meaning of "shi" changed out of control to "gentry". Then these "shi" inexplicably had the privilege of not paying taxes, but instead they were those who couldn't even afford a full meal. The common people became the main tax payers and were conscripted into the army. Just like Liu Bang said, "Scholars cannot be recruited without education." The "scholars" here no longer refer to the nobility, but to ordinary people.

From then on, the "shi" class was like a naughty child who had been spoiled by generations. They wanted all the benefits, wanted to get involved in everything, even if they saw others eating shit, they wanted to rob it. I wanted to take a bite, but I didn't want to take on any obligations.

The students who studied at Imperial College in the Song Dynasty naturally had this kind of virtue. Therefore, Zhao Huan asked Yang Shi what a "scholar" was.

In Zhao Huan's view, among the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, the only people with names who could be called "scholars" were Zongze, Li Gang, Zhong Shidao, Yue Fei, and the now unknown Yu Yunwen, and the rest At best, they can only be regarded as "officials", or "officials" who are not very qualified.

Because no matter how bad the "scholars" are, they have to be similar to those scholars in the Han and Tang Dynasties. They must at least have the ability to kill people with a knife, right? All of them only know the poems and clouds of Zi Yue, and they think about drinking the strongest wine all day long. , takes the most powerful drugs, becomes the most dashing official and then plays with the most beautiful women, then how the hell does he deserve to be called a "shi"?

Just a moth!

Especially those like Chen Dong and those who have not yet become "gentry" can't wait to start speaking out for the "gentry". Calling them moths is an insult to moths!

"Taipei student Chen Dong and other students did not want to study and serve, they made arrogant comments about government affairs and leaked forbidden matters privately."

After being silent for a long time, Zhao Huan shook his head and said expressionlessly: "The Imperial College student Chen Dong and the co-signers will be dismissed from office. The Shuntian Prefecture will send people to escort them back to their hometowns. From now on, they will never be used again. They will not be used for three generations." Imperial examinations are prohibited, and Shuntian Prefecture will send people to escort him back to his hometown."

Yang Shideng was stunned in the court hall, and even Li Gang couldn't help but stand up, bowed and said: "I'm going to report to the officials. I think that Chen Dong and others are certainly at fault, but is this punishment too much?" ?”

Li Ruobing also stood up and paid homage: "I am reporting to the officials. I think that Chen Dong and others' behavior is unforgivable and their circumstances are excusable. It is enough to change their status to hometown. Why bother to implicate three generations more?"

Even Shen Hao, the left minister of the Ministry of Punishment, stood up and bowed: "The Ministry of Punishment does not dare to obey the imperial edict."

Zhao Huan tapped the armrest of the dragon chair with his fingers and asked with a smile: "Why don't you dare to accept the call?"

"As for the official report, the trip of Chen Dong and others can be killed or exiled, but they cannot implicate three generations. There is no such clause in "Song Xingtong"."

Shen Hao bowed and said: "If the officials want to implicate Chen Dong and other three clans, they can first amend the "Song Xingtong" and add the laws that implicate the three generations, and then the ministers can follow the edict."

Zhao Huan unexpectedly glanced at Shen Hao, and then he still smiled, but said with murderous intent: "Although "Song Xingtong" does not involve the three generations of laws prohibiting imperial examinations, "Song Xingtong" does have laws that punish the nine tribes. Rules."

"Do officials want to offend people because of their words? Do they want to restart the disaster of party imprisonment?"

But Shen Hao shook his head and said: "Chen Dong and others are not plotting rebellion, nor are they plotting great rebellion. They are not among the ten evils, so why punish the nine clans? If the officials want to kill Chen Dong, they can cut him in half, behead him, or hang him. If The officials do not want to kill Chen Dong, but they can be exiled or apprenticed. The only thing they cannot do is punish the nine clans, and they cannot implicate three generations. If the officials insist on going their own way, ignore the laws and orders, and follow the rules and regulations, they may block the way of speech in the future and make the people of the world dare to be angry. But dare not speak."

Zhao Huan hummed, and his gaze finally softened when he looked at Shen Hao: "Then I'll follow what Shen Aiqing said. But..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the Dengwen drum set up outside the palace gate began to ring loudly. The dull sound of the drum spread far into the hall, making everyone's ears buzz.

Zhao Huan's face suddenly darkened. After casually ordering Wu Xin to send someone to investigate, he tapped the armrest of the dragon chair with his fingers——

At this point in time, the drum that has not been sounded for many years is being beaten. It is really difficult for people not to think of the matter of tiered tax rates.

…

Chen Dong waved the drumstick in his hand vigorously, and after hitting it three times, he threw the drumstick on the ground. He turned around and shouted to the Taixue students behind him: "Deng heard the drum sound, I'll wait for you." There is no way out! If anyone is timid, please retreat quickly to avoid being implicated by me!"
Chapter completed!