Cao Mao began reading the solutions Zhong Hui had submitted.
Zhong Hui's approach was entirely correct.
He proceeded along three lines: ensuring peasants had land to farm, placing restrictions on the great clans, and changing how taxes were paid.
Cao Mao had discussed this with Zhang Hua before, and Zhang Hua's thinking had been much the same.
But, just as Cao Mao had said, this divine physician of Great Wei still employed rather savage methods.
Zhong Hui believed the imperial court should exercise its initiative to the fullest and forcibly implement certain policies. He proposed the land occupation system, which meant ensuring that all commoners had farmland.
It was a compulsory requirement, with no regard whatsoever for questions such as whether there was enough farmland to go around. In a word, local authorities had to ensure that men of the appropriate age possessed the stipulated amount of farmland. If they failed, the local officials would lose their heads.
Compared with the first, his second idea was somewhat milder: stipulating how much farmland and how many tenant farmers ministers and clans could possess according to their official ranks, noble titles, and impartiality grades.
As for the last, it was an outright copy of Emperor Wu of Han's harsh policies!
Namely, tally up everyone's money and grain, and hand over every damned bit above the limit to the emperor!!
Cao Mao fell silent and pondered for a long while.
Zhong Hui seemed to notice Cao Mao's hesitation and immediately said, "Your Majesty, please do not hesitate. The matters before us must be settled swiftly!"
"Your Majesty first defeated Shu, then destroyed Wu. Your present might is already enough to strike terror into the people of the realm. Issue your orders quickly while riding the force of this great victory, and neither local