Ming Dynasty: Traveling through the harem, Zhu Yuanzhang was dumbfounded

Chapter 123 The ugly talk ahead

"Now that we have discussed the first strategy, the next step is the second strategy.

In the past, the corvée labor required by the Ming Dynasty was all arbitrarily requisitioned from the common people, which resulted in the people not being able to farm their own fields during the busy farming season, and there being no young and middle-aged people working on their own fields before the next harvest season, causing the Ming Dynasty to lose an unknown amount of grain and tax revenue.

The hardship and burden of corvee labor had been piled up on the Ming court and local courts in order to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Starting from today, the Ming Dynasty needs to re-register the fish scale book, measure the land, and implement the policy of allocating labor service according to the land.

The local officials collected silver according to the acreage, and the officials collected and released the people, freeing them from the permanent corvée, so that the people did not have to work for nothing, resulting in no one working their own fields and no one harvesting.

In this way, the Ming Dynasty's tax collection could be simpler and more convenient, and the money converted from corvée labor would also be available. No matter what kind of corvée labor it was, this money would have to be distributed.

Every penny was spread across the entire land of the Ming Dynasty. Everyone was equal, whether they were rich farmers, officials, or even royal family members, and taxes were levied according to the amount of land they owned.

From now on, the Ming Dynasty will completely free people from the suffering of corvee labor!

The saying that people all over the world have suffered from corvee labor for a long time will completely disappear in the Ming Dynasty!
Let the word "corvée" no longer become a word that people turn pale at the mention of"

Zhu Biao's frank words brought endless shock to everyone!
The civil officials below were even more frightened by this sudden policy. It is no exaggeration to say that it was unbelievable.

After a long time.

Hu Weiyong sighed and said:
"Your Highness can actually think of something that ordinary people dare not think of. Throughout history, corvée labor has always existed in a legal and compliant manner. The court does not need to pay anything to use it to do things. Now that we have the labor service based on the amount of land we own, the more taxes we will have to pay in the future.

Whether it is carried out from the perspective of people's livelihood or from the public aspect, it is a policy that has only benefits and no harm for the Ming Dynasty.

Is this a method that the prince could come up with alone?"

Wang Guangyang, who was standing next to him, was also filled with emotion after listening to it.

"The people of the world have suffered from corvée labor for a long time, and what His Royal Highness said is absolutely right.

If this measure could be implemented, the Ming Dynasty would be stabilized again, instead of being like the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, which was destroyed by the uprising led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang because of the large-scale conscription of people from the six kingdoms as corvée.

But Prime Minister Hu, have you ever thought that once this land tax is successfully implemented, the land tax will increase on us scholars and officials?"

"That's the concern I was thinking about just now."

After Wang Guangyang explained the hidden meaning behind his words, Hu Weiyong sighed and said this.

“Even though we, as meritorious officials, have the power to reduce or exempt taxes, we still have many fields that did not belong to us. These fields were sold to us at low prices by the common people who could not survive. Your Majesty once said that the common people’s taxes are different from ours.

Now, these people who sold their land have become tenants under our family. If the land is re-measured, then these places need to be re-recorded in the fish scale book, and then taxes will be collected according to the law.

This is a considerable expense.”

"I wonder if the prince will consider that we are both old subjects and pay the tax when we meet?"

Wang Guangyang said this for some unknown reason, and not only him, but many ministers had the same idea.

After all, when the land is surveyed, there will definitely be evidence of their land annexation. By then, some things will be difficult to explain. This incident had already made Zhu Yuanzhang very angry at the beginning, but he did not remind these heroes in person.

"I haven't finished talking about the second strategy yet. Please be quiet."

Zhu Biao's expression suddenly changed, and he looked extremely calm. After everyone fell silent, he said briefly:

"I understand that when land is surveyed, there will definitely be a few people with excess land. As the regent, I also know that many Ming heroes have become the people they once hated the most during the passing of time.

Those are the landlords who oppress the people.

Some people use tricks to force people to sell their daughters and land at low prices. I also understand that some people do not have much land on the surface, but in fact they own more than ten times the amount of land they do now.

My father once bestowed favors on many meritorious officials. As long as they were ministers, their tax payments could be reduced or even exempted.

However, from now on, I, Zhu Biao, as the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, officially announce that one of the provisions of this second policy is that no one has the power to reduce or exempt land taxes.

Even if you are a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty and have made contributions to the founding of the Ming Dynasty, you cannot be pardoned and exempted from the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

Everyone! As long as you are a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, even if you are a member of the royal family, you still need to pay the land tax!"

Suddenly, Zhu Biao changed the subject, his tone full of blood.

“If I find someone relying on his privilege to refuse to pay taxes in front of the tax collectors,

As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, I, Zhu Biao, will be the first one to not let him go!
Even though he is my blood brother and we are born from the same mother, I will never let him off easily!
In a word! Before the laws of the Ming Dynasty, there is no family affection! No friendship! "

Everyone standing below, including those who had many acres of land at home, suddenly felt goose bumps on their backs.

Even the royal family had to pay the land tax. It was obvious that Zhu Biao was not joking with them this time, but was serious.

Yang Chen was watching the officials around him talking below, as if he had already seen the near future when a large number of people, relying on their military merits and privileges, would begin to resist paying taxes.

Zhu Yuanzhang then ordered the arrest of the entire family and the confiscation of their land, and then people were killed one after another.

'Unconsciously, I caused another massacre in the Ming Dynasty. Now it seems that I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
Who cares? I haven't finished my work yet. They have enjoyed their lives for such a long time. If they still don't obey me, they deserve to die!'

Apart from a few people he was familiar with, Yang Chen knew almost no one in the Ming Dynasty. Not to mention blood relations, even the friendship did not exceed five fingers.

These high-ranking officials were not from the same class as him.

A great man once said that if you are a supporter of the revolution, but during the revolutionary process you support those who oppose the revolution, or even pity those who oppose the revolution, then you are not worthy of the revolution, because your bones are soft, and revolution has always been something that people with hard bones should do.

Many times, some people simply cannot tell which camp they are in. They are clearly victims, but they speak for the exploiting class.

To put it politely, such people are stupid; to put it bluntly, such people are cheap!

Since ancient times, everyone has known that bone marrow is difficult to heal.

As someone who stood in the New World and supported the revolution and even started the revolution, how could Yang Chen possibly pity these officials who were encroaching upon the Ming Dynasty and exploiting its people?
This was completely the opposite of what he wanted to do.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang had already seen the transformation of his son.

If before the announcement of this policy, Zhu Biao was just a regent who could command ministers, then now in Zhu's eyes, he has grown into what he was like when he was in his twenties.

A hero in troubled times, decisive in killing.

"Prince Yan Ming! Long live the Ming Dynasty!"

Mu Ying, Xu Da, Lan Yu, Li Wenzhong and other military officers who had been with Zhu Biao for a long time began to stand up and support him. The military officers almost shouted at the top of their lungs, and Tang Shengzong and others saw that their superiors were like this, so they also shouted.

Only the civil servants were a little late.

This second strategy can be considered to be a safe implementation.

Whether they support it or oppose it in their hearts, they have no choice. Of course, there are also many people thinking of various solutions in their hearts. The saying "there are policies from the top and countermeasures from the bottom" has always existed in the Central Plains since ancient times.

Anyway, the emperor can't go there all the time, so as long as they send people, they will find ways to bribe them.

Zhu Biao kept a serious face and said in a strong voice:

"The third strategy! From now on, the Ming Dynasty will reduce the number of times it prints treasure notes. No one in the Ming Dynasty is allowed to use physical silver and gold for transactions privately. They are only allowed to use treasure notes printed by the Ming Dynasty for transactions.

This third strategy is different from the previous two. I am just giving you a reminder because the third strategy is not yet ready.

However, this does not affect the transmission. Within 30 days at the latest, I will tell you all the complete rules and laws of the Third Strategy.

At that time, I hope to see that all of you are willing to carry out the order. If anyone pretends to obey but actually disobeys, I don't mind personally interrogating them!"

In the final analysis, the third strategy is very simple, which is to prohibit ordinary people from using silver and gold for transactions. From now on, there will be only one set of financial system in the Ming Dynasty.

Originally, according to Zhu Yuanzhang's considerations, he wanted to wait until the national treasury was full of silver and gold before starting to rectify the Ming Dynasty's finances.

But Zhu Biao took out the investigation report and, according to Yang Chen's suggestion, first issued a warning of a clear ban.

This is all to prepare for arranging personnel to carry out publicity in the future.

By reducing the printing of silver banknotes, we are telling everyone that the Ming court is in financial difficulty now and we hope that a few individuals will not always use false methods to get reward silver from the court.

It is always good to say the ugly things in advance. Whether they are useful or not is not important. What is important is that the rules have been set and if someone breaks the rules, it will be easy to deal with.

The three reform policies were all publicized, and all the ministers felt somewhat caught off guard.

It felt as if the entire Ming Dynasty had become extremely unfamiliar.

It was completely different from the environment they were in before.

At first everyone thought it was just a simple morning court session that would be over soon, but they didn't expect it to end like this.

Especially Yang Chen, the emergence of this imperial censor in the capital brought about tremendous changes in the officialdom.

Where did this young man come from that could make their always picky emperor make a direct decision? You know, there are almost no people who can make Zhu Yuanzhang agree with just one sentence.

Even Hu Weiyong had to spend a lot of time persuading Zhu Yuanzhang before he would consider it.

However, today, a young man suddenly appeared, who originally wanted to rely on Hu Weiyong to get promoted in his career.

At this moment, some people gradually began to waver.

It is obvious that this young man is the future of Ming Dynasty officialdom!

The next morning, a storm began to stir in the court, but only people with a certain high status knew about these things.

At the Prince of Yan's mansion, Zhu Di changed into a new set of clothes with the help of Xu Miaoyun, and looked very energetic.

Xu Miaoyun was naturally aware of the changes that had taken place in her husband. From her position, she also knew part of what had happened in the morning court from her own family.

Zhu Di, who was just looking at the bronze mirror and smiling from time to time, did not realize that his wife was teasing him.

"My dear husband, you have been grinning like this since yesterday. What on earth can make you so happy?
Could it be that His Majesty gave you permission to go to Beiping to be a vassal in advance, and then immediately set off to the border to suppress the unrest?"

Having been married to Zhu Di for so many years, Xu Miaoyun knew very well what her husband's inner ambition was, which was to achieve great things.

Unfortunately, as a vassal king, he could not leave his fiefdom without permission. His first responsibility in the fiefdom was to protect the security of the border, not to expand the territory.

This was the case before yesterday, but starting today, the situation will change.

Zhu Di remained in a cheerful mood. Seeing that his clothes were neatly dressed, he turned to look at her.

"You're half right, Miaoyun. Let me tell you, my father agreed to my proposal to be granted fiefdom yesterday."

Xu Miaoyun was slightly stunned, and said with a frown:
"You mean to say that Brother Yang mentioned a few days ago that you princes should go out and find your own fiefdom, and Dad has agreed?"

Zhu Di had no way of hiding the affairs of Yang Chen and told Xu Miaoyun everything.

Zhu Di walked up to Xu Miaoyun, opened his arms and held her tightly, making her ears pressed against his chest. He lowered his head and lay on her hair.

"Yesterday, my elder brother, father, and elder brother Yang and I put on a great show in front of all the ministers.

From now on, I, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, will be able to legitimately carve out a unique path for my future!
By that time, I would no longer be just a prince imprisoned in Peking for my entire life, but would have the opportunity to become my own emperor!
Miaoyun, you may not be a princess in the future, but belong to the dynasty we have built with our own hands! You will be my queen!"

These words frightened Xu Miaoyun instantly, and she quickly freed one hand to cover Zhu Di's mouth.

"You are crazy, husband! You can't say such things carelessly. If father and mother find out, you will definitely be punished again!"

"Hahahaha!" Zhu Di laughed loudly, and the sound spread throughout the room.

He was full of confidence, as if he had already seen the soldiers under his command beginning to create a world for him.

"Miaoyun, you don't understand. Not only does my father support this matter, but even my elder brother and mother support me in expanding the territory outside the Ming Dynasty.

In the future, the dynasty I founded will become a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. I will be the emperor of the new country, and you will be the queen of the new country!"

Xu Miaoyun looked at her husband with admiration, put her hand on her chest, and hesitated:

"Is this true? If you go outside the Great Wall to establish a new country, wouldn't you have to go through countless life and death? What would Chi'er and I do then?"

Zhu Di was stunned, and felt a little conflicted when thinking about this question. Then he looked at her with an apologetic expression.

"Miao Yun, my father failed my mother when I was my age. My mother was in the rear taking care of me and my older brother, while my father was at the frontline fighting against many villains.

If I am in such a situation one day, I will arrange enough people to protect you and Chier.

If all else fails, I will shamelessly go to my eldest brother. He takes the best care of me and will definitely help me. If all else fails, I can still use my father-in-law.”

(End of this chapter)