Emperor Zhengde
Chapter 301: Clan's Sin
Chapter 301: Clan's Sin
Kang Hai and others are indeed a little ashamed. They are all elites who came out of the imperial examination system and have fought their way through the officialdom to reach their current position. The flattery of their colleagues and their own experience make them instinctively feel that they are the pillars of the country, and they govern the country with the belief of worrying about the world before they enjoy themselves.
However, they did not expect that governing the country would also require officials in this regard. They also had to know the empire's coal production, the number of mines opened, and the number of people who died in mining accidents each year, and they also had to deal with the problem of mineral resource loss.
Kang Hai also had to admit that the questions that Emperor Zhu Houzhao was asking were indeed very important, and even his own court officials' neglect today would lead to collapse tomorrow.
"What crime can I punish you for? The law does not stipulate what punishment there will be for court officials who govern poorly. I just want to warn you that as those in power, you should plan ahead. Some things may be difficult but you have to do them. You must dare to be the first in the world. Even if you cannot do it for the time being, you must learn to investigate and be clear about what is going on."
Zhu Houzhao saw that all the court officials lowered their heads, and he did not want to turn a memorial before the emperor into a criticism meeting, so he softened his tone.
Kang Hai and others also breathed a sigh of relief: "We will obey the imperial edict!"
"Okay, let's get back to the point. Let's talk about the issue of land utilization outside the Great Wall. Now I and the ministers have reached an agreement that the only way to develop land with value is to develop minerals to solve the problem of increased demand for ore brought about by the use of steam engines.
However, we are facing a problem right now. If the mining inside the Great Wall is not stopped, it will be difficult to achieve this goal. After all, if the mining inside the Great Wall is not banned, the people inside the Great Wall will not buy the mines outside the Great Wall, and the merchants inside the Great Wall will not be willing to come to the Great Wall to mine. Now, tell me, can we ban the mining?"
After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, he looked at the ministers present.
After the ministers present thought for a long time, Zhang Cong stood up and said, "Your Majesty, as the Prime Minister said, the miners in the interior of China, whether they are gentry or common people, make a living from mining. If the court bans it, it will be like cutting off their livelihood. I think this will only force the people to rebel."
"What about mining taxes? I can allow them to open mines within the Great Wall, but they must pay taxes to compensate for the court's losses. At the same time, I will establish a pension system and provide generous compensation to the miners who died," Zhu Houzhao asked.
"I'm afraid that the gentry and common people will also revolt because of tax resistance," Xia Yan replied at this time. He had to admit that the emperor's idea was right, but he also had to admit that mining within the pass would provoke civil unrest whether it was banned or allowed and only mining taxes were collected.
"Are we just going to watch farmland being destroyed by mining, watch public mineral property being lost, and allow these private officials and gentry to amass wealth through mining and threaten the imperial court? We must come up with a solution to this problem. Either ban mining or collect mining taxes. Choose one!"
Zhu Houzhao said this with some anger.
Kang Hai couldn't help but lower his head. Although he was the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, he really didn't dare to choose any of the methods, because he knew that no matter which one he chose, he would be against the gentry and people of the world. If a major change really happened, he, as the Prime Minister, would be to blame.
Zhang Cong and Xia Yan also fell into deep thought. They naturally understood that no matter which option they chose, they would be challenging the entire interest group.
But they also knew that if they did not do this and let it go, the Ming Dynasty would be destroyed by these gentry and common people who mined privately. Now the Ming Dynasty would have to give up many strategic military locations and territories rich in mineral resources outside the Great Wall, but in the long run, there would be more and more landless refugees in the Ming Dynasty. Once a famine occurred, if the court was unable to provide relief due to the sharp drop in financial income, the resulting civil unrest would be even more terrible.
"The private mining by the gentry and common people in the Great Wall is like a stubborn disease that has grown on our Ming Dynasty. If we don't solve it now, it will be even more difficult to solve it in the long run. By then, it may even make our Ming Dynasty terminally ill!"
The Minister of Revenue Wang Tingxiang added a sentence at this time.
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. We can't decide how to do this all at once. The best way is to let everyone in the world discuss it. After all, the peace and prosperity of the world is not something I need to maintain alone, but also needs to be maintained by the people of the world. But obviously this is not practical. Most people are busy making a living, and most scholars have their own views. Businessmen only care about profit. Discussions will not lead to any results. It still requires us, the rulers, to come up with the most reasonable result, so I decided..."
Zhu Houzhao paused here, and the court officials turned around and asked, "Your Majesty, please give us your instructions!"
Although it is rare to find truly honest civil servants in the world, in the current Ming Dynasty, the quality and ability of civil servants are no longer like those in the late Wanli period in history when they only knew how to make profits for their own small groups. Some have even begun to consider their next employer as in the Chongzhen period. At this time, civil servants still care about the interests of the court and the people.
In fact, in history, after fifty or sixty years, a group of civil servants would emerge from the civil service class and revolt against their own class. No matter how unrealistic the reforms of these civil servants were, they would be great figures if they betrayed their own class and harmed their own interests. Even if they failed, they could still prolong the life of the dynasty for decades.
Zhu Houzhao believed that if there were such civil servants in the early Wanli period in history, there should be such civil servants in the 19th year of Zhengde as well, and perhaps even more. In fact, they already existed, such as Ma Wensheng, Jiao Fang, and Zhang Cong and Xia Yan, who were standing in the court and repeatedly demanding that nobles and gentry be prohibited from accepting tributes.
At this time, Kang Hai, Zhang Cong, Xia Yan and other court officials all admitted that what His Majesty the Emperor said about the private mining by gentry and common people in the interior of the country must be resolved. They also admitted that although they thought about these things, they did not dare to face the difficulties head-on, which was a dereliction of duty. But they really did not know what to do. Now the only thing they can be sure of is to follow Your Majesty's decision unswervingly and always take Your Majesty's instructions as the core. Since Your Majesty the Emperor is going to take the lead in dealing with this stubborn problem, they, as ministers, will naturally follow behind you without hesitation and act as your vanguard.
"I have decided to let you follow the previous example and go out for a walk. First Assistant Kang Hai, I know you are not good at general affairs, you stay in Beijing and continue to preside over the affairs of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Rites. Second Assistant Zhang Cong, you have been outside the Great Wall, but now I want you to tour the interior, go through Tongguan to Guanzhong and then to Sichuan, from Yunnan and Guizhou to Guangxi, from Huguang to southern Jiangxi, northern Fujian and western Zhejiang, and then return to Beijing. These places are mostly barren mountainous areas, and the people mostly make a living by mining. You go to investigate them, ask them what they think, and find the best solution!"
After Zhu Houzhao's words, Zhang Cong had to admit that His Majesty the Emperor was indeed more thoughtful than himself and would decide to investigate first before drawing conclusions.
Before he became an official, he always believed that the East Depot was an institution that should not exist even more than the Embroidered Uniform Guard, because the East Depot had no other purpose than setting up a private court to undermine the court's laws. But now he no longer wants His Majesty the Emperor to abolish the East Depot.
He had to admit that the East Factory was now investigating and compiling various data such as the number of deaths in mining accidents, the number of widows illegally executed by gentry and clans, and the number of baby girls abandoned by the public. These data were of great help to the empire's governance. Before knowing these data, Zhang Cong did not know that handing over grassroots administrative power below the county level to village tyrants and gentry would have such serious consequences, nor did he expect that the idea of favoring boys over girls would lead to such cruel things.
"The minister obeys the order!"
Zhang Cong received the imperial edict, and he also admitted that whether the mining industry within the Great Wall was banned or mining taxes were lifted, the people who needed to be most concerned were not the gentry but the people in the agricultural and industrial underdeveloped areas. Poor mountains and bad waters produce unruly people, and if these people lost their only economic guarantee, they would definitely rebel.
"Sanfu Xia Yan, you have been in the south the closest and are familiar with the maritime trade situation, but now I want you to go on a tour outside the Great Wall to survey the mineral resources outside the Great Wall. If mining is carried out outside the Great Wall and the mining industry inside the Great Wall is prohibited, can it meet the mineral needs of the Ming Dynasty? And see how much it costs for private merchants to open mines outside the Great Wall. Then calculate how much loan the court needs to prepare. In addition, see how many miners can be employed, and by the way, compare whether it is better to let the government run it or let the private sector operate it while the court only collects taxes."
After Zhu Houzhao said this, Xia Yan also accepted the order. When he held the title of Minister of Nanyang, he had his own team of staff who were familiar with various government affairs, including those who were familiar with navigation, money, exploration, and statistics. Therefore, he did not feel embarrassed when Zhu Houzhao gave him such a task.
"Of course, the fact that Prime Minister Kang Qing stayed in the capital does not mean that he did not care about this matter at all. Most of the people in the capital are nobles and gentry. You can also ask for their opinions. I know that these people are all wealthy families. Each of them has made contributions to the Ming Dynasty or is related to the royal family. It will make them feel uncomfortable if we use knives against them, but it will let them know that the people can live without the Ming Dynasty. At most, they can change the dynasty and continue to be ordinary people, but they cannot live without the Ming Dynasty."
After Zhu Houzhao said this, Kang Hai also accepted the order.
Zhu Houzhao then said, "I have another decision. The Ministry of Revenue must set up an Audit Office and add a vice minister to be in charge of the Audit Office, which will be responsible for the audit and control of state-owned assets, not only minerals but also forests, land, sea areas, etc. The Ministry of Revenue Minister Wang Tingxiang will set up a team. The chief official of the Audit Office will hold the title of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and will be recommended by the Cabinet, the ministers of various ministries, and the left and right censors. I hope that by the 20th year of Zhengde next year, I can know the actual annual steel production and coal production of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the known reserves of various minerals, etc."
When Wang Tingxiang heard this, he immediately accepted the order, thinking that he would have to go to various universities to recruit students who were good at arithmetic and geography, and that it would be increasingly difficult for the Confucian scholars to find a place to use their talents.
But at this time, the Left Censor-in-Chief Jin Xianmin couldn't help but stand up and said, "Your Majesty, sending cabinet ministers to tour the local areas can certainly help us understand the sufferings of the common people and learn about the hidden dangers of the country, but I think it is not appropriate for the central government officials to leave the capital. Any high-ranking official passing through the border will cause trouble to the people. When ordinary censors tour the local areas, the people will not suffer from the suffering of conscription. Now that cabinet ministers are touring the local areas, I am afraid that the local officials and people will be in a panic and the people will suffer from the harassment."
Zhu Houzhao could understand what Jin Xianmin meant. He also knew that no matter he was the emperor or the court officials, once they went on tour, it was inevitable that the local officials and people would have to work hard. In Zhu Houzhao's memory, in the future, when leaders came to visit, schools or companies would suspend classes and business in advance for cleaning, and traffic would be blocked to strengthen security, not to mention the current Ming Dynasty. "You are right, but the cabinet officials can't be like Luohan, standing in the temple and not knowing the affairs of the people. Although it is inevitable to disturb the people, as long as the cabinet officials follow the rules of the court tour, it will not cause any harm. And I will once again issue a strict order that no free laborers shall be conscripted, and all expenses shall be paid with public funds. In this way, even if it disturbs the people for a while, it will benefit the people for a while."
After Zhu Houzhao said this, Jin Xianmin had nothing more to say.
The ministers left the Royal West Garden one after another, and Zhu Houzhao also relaxed his fatigue. He lay on the dragon bed and stared at the blue sky in a daze. He was still thinking about the snow-covered land outside the Great Wall. He didn't want the Ming Dynasty to have to give up the northern land because it could not regulate the mining industry.
But Zhu Houzhao also knew that rectifying the mining industry was not something that could be accomplished overnight. He hoped that Zhang Cong and Xia Yan could find the best way to rectify the mining industry. He also hoped that with the establishment of the Audit Office of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ming court would have a more scientific basis in handling state affairs in the future and would know which areas needed reform.
Zhu Houzhao closed his eyes, enjoying the gentle breeze coming from outside the palace gate, which seemed to carry a hint of the palace maid's body fragrance. At this time, Zhu Houzhao felt someone pressing on his shoulder. He could not help but grab the jade hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw that it was Queen Xia. He raised his head and stood up and kissed Xia's plump lips.
Xia turned over skillfully and fell into Zhu Houzhao's arms, and they danced with each other in the warm winter sunshine.
As dusk fell, the first snowflakes of winter fell on the red eaves. Winter days always get dark earlier than summer days. Zhu Houzhao also withdrew from Empress Xia's body, stood up and walked into the wooden barrel that the palace maids had prepared, soaking in the hot water that exuded the fragrance of flowers. While letting Empress Xia, who had just received rain and dew, pour the hot water on him with her soft jade hands, caressing him every time she poured it, he listened to Empress Xia asking: "How many dairy cows are there in Xihua Mountain now?"
"There are already tens of thousands of cows. We have to find new pastures regularly, otherwise there will not be enough space to graze all these cows," replied Queen Xia.
"I intend to give the Hulunbuir grasslands to your Xihuashan Dairy. You can ask the people of the Imperial Horse Administration to go to Hulunbuir to breed dairy cows. We will strive to ensure that all the people of the Ming Dynasty can drink milk in the future. By then, the animal husbandry industry in these grasslands will have new room for development!"
When Zhu Houzhao said this, Empress Xia couldn't help but smile: "So, the milk that I am responsible for producing can also make some contribution to the Ming Dynasty."
"Of course, but your queen's milk can be drunk by others." In the inner court, Zhu Houzhao changed his serious attitude in front of the ministers and started to joke with the queen. The queen, Xia, blushed and pushed Zhu Houzhao away: "You just did that, Your Majesty, can you be more restrained?"
"I came back from Mobei and haven't experienced the flavor of this place for several months, so it's natural that this will happen," Zhu Houzhao said. The queen just glared at Zhu Houzhao with a look of anger, then loosened her phoenix robe and walked into the wooden barrel.
"I plan to go to Jiangnan," Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but say to the queen early the next morning.
The Queen was somewhat surprised: "Why is Your Majesty going to Jiangnan?"
"The towns and cities in Jiangnan are developing very rapidly. The urban population rate is very high, the number of workers is also very high, the proportion of cash crops in the land exceeds that of food crops, and it is also the place with the most gentry. The key to whether the Ming Dynasty can be reborn and transform the existing agricultural civilization of China in the future lies here. I have to take a good look!"
Zhu Houzhao remembered clearly that there must be a special topic on the development of Jiangnan towns in the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties in later generations, and that it was called the embryonic form of capitalism by many people. He now wanted to see what the embryonic form of capitalism in Jiangnan was like in the history books at the time of the Age of Discovery, and whether it was no longer just an embryonic form under his influence.
One of the two cabinet ministers was on a tour inside the Great Wall, while the other was on a tour outside the Great Wall, and both revealed their identities. Zhu Houzhao could guess that this should have attracted the attention of most people in the world, and he could take this opportunity to secretly go to the south of the Yangtze River.
Zhu Houzhao informed the cabinet chief Kang Hai of his departure only after he arrived in Tongzhou, in order to avoid letting Kang Hai know in advance and causing some officials to obstruct his departure.
However, Kang Hai did not feel surprised or nervous after learning that Zhu Houzhao had left Beijing. Having served in the court for many years, he had become accustomed to the fact that Emperor Zhu Houzhao often left the capital. He now had to pay attention to the reactions of the powerful and wealthy to the private opening of mines by the people in the interior.
"From my point of view, whether it is strictly prohibiting mining or collecting mining taxes, it is difficult to do so. After all, no matter what you do, you are competing with the people for profit. As for the safety of the country, let me say something that should not be said. Since ancient times, scholars like you and me will still be reused even if the country changes dynasties. Why should we risk the disapproval of the world?"
Kong Wen, a scholar who moved among the important officials and dignitaries in the capital, said to Kang Tian, a disciple of Xiang Kanghai.
"That's what you say, but according to our master, as a minister of the king, you naturally have to do the king's work. The change of dynasties will inevitably cause suffering to the people. A peaceful and prosperous era is what everyone wants. How can we sit back and watch the world fall into chaos in the future just because we dare not compete with the people for profit? What's more, my master is the prime minister, so he naturally has to work harder for the peace and well-being of all people! This is not just blind loyalty to the Zhu family!" Kang Tian also replied softly.
"The Prime Minister is wise and I admire him, but no matter what is done in the mining industry, it will be detrimental to the country. Instead, doing nothing is the best. I believe that Lord Zhang and Lord Xia who are on tour will understand the difficulties involved," said Kong Wenhe.
Kang Hai learned from Kang Tian that although Kong Wenhe's views on mining seemed calm on the surface, he was actually quite helpless in his heart. He also hoped that the illegal mining by the people inside the Great Wall could be resolved rather than left unchecked. After discussing politics in the court, he was already very clear about the consequences of letting it go, but he had to admit that even Kong Wenhe, the descendant of the sage, had such thoughts. It can be seen that scholars all over the world would rather the court allow the people to illegally mine and then perish than sacrifice their own interests.
However, Duke Dingguo Xu Guangzuo also expressed his opinion at this time, saying to Kang Hai: "I think that mining should not be banned. After all, many people in the world make a living from it. It is better to lift the ban and collect mining taxes directly. However, noble families should be treated favorably by the court, so they should be exempted from taxes."
Kang Hai just smiled awkwardly after hearing this, thinking that Xu Guangzuo had a good plan. He didn't want the Ming Dynasty to become impoverished and destroyed in the future due to the loss of mineral assets, but he also didn't want to pay mining taxes under the pretext that nobles should be treated preferentially.
After Zhu Houzhao received Kang Hai's secret report about Kong Wenhe and Xu Guangzuo's remarks, he could not laugh. He just threw a pebble in his hand into the canal. He could imagine how much resistance there would be whether it was levying mining taxes or strictly prohibiting mining. History has proved that Wanli's policy of sending tax supervisors to collect mining taxes was severely criticized.
Zhu Houzhao has now arrived in Linqing, an important canal town. Although he has not yet reached Jiangnan, he can already hear the incessant roar of steam engines and the white vapor that almost covers the blue sky in this canal town.
However, at this time, Zhu Houzhao discovered that there were ships full of coal moored at the Linqing Town Wharf. Zhu Houzhao asked the Jinyiwei to inquire. After a while, the Jinyiwei came back and reported: "Your Majesty, according to the porters at the wharf, this is the coal from the Yanshenggong Mansion. The Yanshenggong has a coal factory in Dongchang, and it is now ready to be shipped to Baoding for sale."
Zhu Houzhao was in an even worse mood, thinking that he had already stripped Kong Wenshao of his title of Duke of Yansheng, but people still called him Duke of Yansheng. It was really like a centipede dying but still clinging to its roots. However, Zhu Houzhao was more interested in Kong Wenshao's coal mine business. After all, he was currently troubled by the illegal mining by gentry and common people.
"Let's go and take a look at the Kong family coal mine," Zhu Houzhao issued an order.
When Zhu Houzhao arrived at the Kongjia Coal Mine in Dongchang Prefecture in disguise, he saw that the entire mine had been dug up with holes except for the east and west ends which still retained the original forest landscape. The field under his feet was filled with coal slag, with only some ridges slightly exposed. About a thousand miners were picking out coal in baskets under the whip of some supervisors.
Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but shake his head when he saw this situation. He thought that even the Kong family was mining such a large coal mine, so he didn't know how many powerful people in the world were devouring state-owned assets and destroying arable land to mine and burn mountains.
"I'll let you escape. According to the rules of this mansion, all your hands and feet will be cut off and thrown into the coal pit and buried alive!"
But at this time, Zhu Houzhao saw five or six ragged men being escorted by a group of Kong family slaves. One of them was whipping and scolding them. Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but ordered: "Go and find out what's going on."
The next day, a Jinyiwei ran back and reported: "Your Majesty, they are people from Qufu. I heard that they wanted to go to the south to make a living, but they were captured by the Kong family and forced to serve the Kong family. Because the Qufu County Magistrate is a Kong family member, they can use the people of Qufu as labor, but the Kong family only uses the people without paying them, so many people from Qufu have fled, most of them fled to the south of the Yangtze River to work, and the Kong family forbids these people to flee, and stipulates in the clan agreement that people with the surname Kong in Qufu are prohibited from fleeing, otherwise they will be charged with betrayal of the clan! Most people in Qufu are surnamed Kong, so this clan agreement can limit the people of Qufu from fleeing, and it is still difficult to suppress the phenomenon of fleeing, but those who fail to escape will naturally be severely punished by the clan agreement."
(End of this chapter)
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