Chapter 4745 is going well
Ma Zhou always acted vigorously and resolutely, and received the "pilot" task from His Majesty. He immediately summoned the officials of Jingzhao Mansion to discuss how to implement it. He first counted the assets of Taoist temples and temples in the area, and then checked the number of registered Taoist priests and monks one by one. After summarizing, he ordered his subordinate officials to form a temporary "inventory team". After he negotiated with the Buddhist and Taoist factions, he immediately measured the land and negotiated tax rates.
They even gathered all the patrolmen and government officials in Jingzhao Prefecture, and contacted the left and right leading army guards and the left and right Jinwu guards. If something happened, they would immediately block the entry and exit routes from Chang'an and suppress some riots and unrest.
Then he discussed the formulation of tax rates with Tang Jian, Minister of Civil Affairs.
Tang Jian warned: "The influence of the two sects of Buddhism and Taoism is extraordinary. The attitude of raising taxes cannot be too tough. In fact, the court is more concerned about whether it can open a loophole to increase taxes on these two sects. The actual amount of tax increase does not matter." It’s important. You must control this and not go too far, otherwise you will be the first to be pushed out to take responsibility if there is a strong backlash from both Buddhism and Taoism.”
Things in the court have always been like this. When something is done, countless people will come forward to pick the peaches and grab the credit. But once something goes wrong, they will find ways to shirk responsibility. With the influence and size of the two sects of Buddhism and Taoism, if a violent backlash breaks out, it will definitely be a storm. No matter how much the emperor believes in Ma Zhou, he will not be able to protect him.
Demotion is a minor matter. If not done well, you may have to be demoted three thousand miles away...
Ma Zhou bowed down to learn the lesson: "Don't worry, Duke Ju. Although I am determined to promote this matter at all costs, I will not be greedy for power and rush into it, causing this decree to be aborted. I will definitely pay attention to methods and plan it slowly."
"Boys can be taught! That's how things are done. Don't expect to become a fat man in one go. Instead, be patient and step-by-step, leaving green hills without worrying about having no firewood. As long as you are still in this position or even go one step further, you will eventually be the best." There is a chance to accomplish this, but once you can’t even sit still in your position, everything will be in vain, and there will be no chance.”
"Here."
……
When everything was ready, Ma Zhou burned incense and bathed in the mansion, put on purple official uniforms, neatly wore jade belts and goldfish, and led a group of Jingzhao officials on horseback out of Mingde Gate and headed straight for Yusi County. After arriving at Yusi Empress Without passing through the gate, go straight to Zhongnan Mountain from the south of the city and arrive at Caolou Temple.
At this time, there were only a few days left before the Zhongyuan Festival. People from all Taoist sects in the world came to Caolou Temple to participate in the "Hungry Ghost Festival". Taoist priests from all walks of life came in an endless stream from the mountain to the mountain. When they arrived at the mountain gate, Yin Wenchao and Cheng Xuanying joined hands in front. Come to greet him and welcome Ma Zhou to the Caolou Temple.
The floor inside the temple is elegant and simple. Yin Wenchao boiled water and made tea with his own hands. He said with a smile: "Yin of Mafu is diligent in government and loves the people. He is a poor man like thunder. I am lucky to see the lineup today. Please drink tea."
< br>
In today's officialdom, there is no one with a better reputation than Ma Zhou. This king is diligent, caring for the people, simple, and capable. He can be called a model of officials. His reputation among the people can even be compared with Fang Jun, who is "Buddha in thousands of families".
Everyone should be treated with some courtesy.
Ma Zhou took the tea cup with both hands, took a sip, and smiled brightly: "It's just a humble name, not worth mentioning. On the contrary, these two Taoist immortals have long been famous all over the world. I have been fascinated by them for a long time. I have long wanted to ask for some advice on health preservation." The problem of cultivating Taoism is that I am busy with worldly affairs and have no time to relax. I have taken the liberty to come here today and forgive me for my sins.”
Cheng Xuanying asked with a smile: "Ma Fuyin came here today to discuss the matter of health preservation and Taoism? Then please ask, I know that I will tell you everything."
"Haha, Master Xihua is joking. If you want to ask for advice on spiritual matters, you must come on a day of rest. Since today is not a day of rest, of course you cannot use public affairs for personal gain, so this trip is for official business."
Ma Zhou is so smart that he will naturally not be led by Cheng Xuanying's words.
At this moment, his eyes were burning and his momentum was fierce, showing the courage and majesty of a feudal official. He was determined to have a encounter with Taoism to see whether the Taoism that had been passed down for thousands of years had a profound foundation, or whether the court's laws and the emperor's decrees were more majestic.
Naturally, you need to pay attention to strategy when doing things, and you cannot be blindly reckless, but you must also have the determination to "succeed if you don't succeed". Otherwise, how can you succeed if you are timid at all times?
Since it was business, Cheng Xuanying smiled and stopped talking. This was Yin Wenchao's territory. Although his status in the world was slightly higher than that of the other party, he could not overstep his authority.
Yin Wenchao asked: "I wonder what the official business of Mafu Yin is talking about?"
Ma Zhou looked at him with burning eyes and said slowly: "Is it the king's land in the whole world? Is it the king's ministers who are on the shore of the land? The Tang Dynasty is so powerful that it covers all directions and frightens all the wastelands. Your Majesty shines on China and spreads virtue to China. The prosperous age is glorious and glorious. Unparalleled in the world! The ancestor of Li Tang was the sage of Taoism, so Emperor Gaozu At the beginning of Jian Zuo's reign, Taoism was designated as the "state religion". After all, they have the same root and origin, and they should have the intention to support and support each other. However, your majesty is benevolent and treats all people in the world equally. Although Taoism is exclusive to the immortal world, it is also under the rule of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Beyond imperial authority.”
Yin Wenchao said calmly: "I am an outsider who is not familiar with official speech. Your words are profound and difficult to understand, and they are not explicit. Please forgive me for being ignorant and not knowing the true meaning. Can I ask Yin Ma to speak frankly?"< br>
Ma Zhou originally wanted to speak more tactfully and handle things in a roundabout way, leaving some room for both parties, so that no matter whether they succeed or not, there will be no direct collision, but he did not expect that the other party would go straight to the point...
No matter what, after all, it is just challenging the other party's bottom line, so what's the point of going around?
He coughed lightly and said in a deep voice: "At present, it seems that the empire is prosperous and everything is prosperous. However, due to the turmoil in the late Sui Dynasty, the infrastructure in various parts of the country is dilapidated and in ruins. Your Majesty has been working hard day and night to carry out major construction projects on these infrastructures. This is Rejuvenate the country , enrich the people, and strengthen the army. Therefore, the subjects of the world should pay taxes and pay corvee according to the regulations, and work together to create a prosperous Tang Dynasty. No one should be outside the imperial power, and no one should be above the national policy. "
Yin Wenchao suddenly realized: "What Ma Fuyin meant... is to increase taxes on Taoism?"
Ma Zhou nodded: "The resolution of the Political Affairs Hall and the order of His Majesty are exactly like this."
There are no secrets that can be kept in the court. It is normal for the Buddhist and Taoist families to receive news. He didn't believe Yin Wenchao until he heard what he meant. He was just pretending to be confused.
Yin Wenchao nodded: "Then add it."
Ma Zhou: "..."
A breath was held in his chest, unable to swallow or spit out, which made him slightly stunned.
...then add it? !
Logically speaking, shouldn’t we resist?
Why is it so happy?
After coming back to his senses, Ma Zhou felt that it was probably because people outside the country like Yin Wenchao did not pay enough attention to the "tax increase" and did not know its significance. He should give the other party a clear enough understanding. He mused: "Guanzhu Yin deeply understands it." I deeply admire the great righteousness of the Ming Dynasty. This time the imperial court decided to increase taxes on the two sects of Buddhism and Taoism. Because the previous taxes of the Buddhist and Taoist sects were far below the taxable standards, it would not be a blessing to the country in the long run. Therefore, Jingzhao Prefecture is used as a pilot this time, and all Taoist temples and temples within the jurisdiction are included in the tax increase. Within, and the land of all Taoist temples and temples is used as the basis for tax increase..."
"Why does Ma Fu Yin need to explain so much?" Yin Wenchao waved his hand with an indifferent expression: "I just want to ask, is this tax increase consistent with Buddhism and Taoism?"
Ma Zhou said: "Of course this is the case. How can the government's decrees be as fair and just as possible, and how can it be more favorable to one and less favorable to another?"
"That's enough. Since it is a decree of the imperial court, no matter how the tax is increased or how much the tax is increased, Taoism will firmly support it and fully cooperate with it."
"..."
Ma Zhou was in a daze. Is he so easy to talk to?
Things went too smoothly, far beyond his previous expectations. All the cases were useless, which made him unbelievable for a moment.
I knew that taking advantage of the dispute between Buddhism and Taoism to raise taxes would probably receive minimal resistance, but I didn’t expect that there would be no resistance at all...
I don’t know what to say.
Cheng Xuanying saw Ma Zhou's stunned look and asked with a smile: "Why, Ma Fuyin is so surprised?"
Ma Zhou has a straightforward personality and nodded when he heard this: "In this world, there are only two words, 'chasing profit'. Why are Taoists so indifferent to the tax increase?"
Cheng Xuanying smiled and said: "Taoists admire the supreme immortality, and the ultimate pursuit is 'no desire, no pursuit, harmony between man and nature'. But we are just walking on the path of seeking immortality, and we are still We haven’t reached the end yet, but we still need money and silk to survive and buy the elixir of elixir, heavenly materials and earthly treasures. So how can we be indifferent to the tax increase? But everything has trade-offs, Taoism? To exist attached to the body of the empire, the better the empire, the better Taoism. Otherwise, how can Taoism attach itself to things that are beneficial to the country? Taoism will never harm the interests of the empire for its own benefit. ... I have heard that the Duke of Yue once said that poverty is the most respected thing, that is, 'the interests of the country are above all else', and I feel the same way."
Ma Zhou took a deep breath. Whether Taoism truly believed that "national interests are above all else" or had other agendas, the results were gratifying and the empire should reward them.
"I will confess to your majesty Taoism's support for the country. Your majesty will be deeply pleased to know that the royal family and Taoism have the same origin."
"Although Taoists claim to be outsiders, after all, they are in this secular world and are also a part of the Tang Dynasty. It is natural for them to do what they should do."
When it comes to "political talent", Taoist priests are much better than monks. The seemingly indifferent words have dug a big hole for the monks - the ancestor of our Taoism is related to the ancestor of the Li and Tang royal families. They have the same origin and are extremely precious. Even we agree to increase taxes. If Buddhism resists this, shouldn't the court show its strength and teach Buddhism some lessons?
"If everyone in the world has this kind of awareness, why worry about the failure of the empire and the failure of all industries? Taoism can be a model for the world."
Ma Zhou was not an official idiot, so he naturally understood the meaning of Cheng Xuanying's words, but he did not give a direct reply, but highly affirmed the contribution of Taoism. You can't say enough at this time, otherwise if the Buddhist side really resists, your hands and feet will be tied and you will be passive, unable to adapt flexibly to the situation.