The so-called "Spread the Poll Tax into the Fields" was actually quite simple.
It meant fixing the poll tax at the amount collected in a particular year, then distributing that amount across the land tax, so that no separate poll tax would be collected anymore.
This would increase the pressure on the powerful families and great clans, because they would have to pay more grain.
Daring to do this meant risking the wrath of the great clans throughout the realm. After Yongzheng implemented this system, the landlords and powerful families hated him for the rest of his life. Even in later generations, his image among the common people was often that of a brutal villain.
His rather ineffectual son, on the other hand, enjoyed a tremendous reputation.
But Cao Mao did not care about this so-called reputation.
His reputation had long since been ruined.
After implementing so many policies detrimental to the great clans, his reputation had already rotted away.
Just look at how much those literati resented him.
Cao Mao could easily imagine that, in all sorts of literary works, he would probably be a tyrant much like the First Emperor.
There might even be some plot about a swordswoman coming to slay Cao Mao.
His many earlier policies had already thoroughly offended the great clans. Since he had offended them anyway, why fear offending them even more thoroughly?
Originally, Cao Mao had intended to tackle this only after settling the refugees in the various regions and completing the initial construction.
But since Zhong Hui had brought up taxation of his own accord, Cao Mao wanted to talk it over with him.
"Shiji, what would happen if I ordered the poll tax abolished now?"
Zhong Hui pondered for a moment before saying, "If Your Majesty abolished the poll tax,