Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 424 A New Wave of Policies Rises, the Nation Forges Ahead

The news that the emperor's brother-in-law had been sentenced to three years in prison shocked the court and the public like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone stunned.

It was completely unexpected that the emperor's brother-in-law would be punished so severely for the offense committed by a mere servant.

Even His Majesty's usual favor towards the Empress was tarnished by this incident.

Thus, the rumor that His Majesty supported the new learning and new policies spread like wildfire throughout the capital and even to the most remote corners of the city.

Suddenly, those who had kept their innermost thoughts buried deep in their hearts and dared not easily express them all stood up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, boldly expressing their opinions.

In stark contrast, the voices that had once vehemently opposed the protests gradually receded like a tide, falling into silence.

What began as a petition from an ordinary scholar to the court requesting the implementation of new policies has now evolved into a frenzy among officials of all ranks to participate.

Everyone secretly pondered this, feeling that it might be a rare opportunity for promotion.

As long as one can win His Majesty's favor in the new learning and new policies, a meteoric rise to power and promotion will be just around the corner.

Despite the fact that the articles published in the Da Ming Daily maintained a seemingly "fair and objective" attitude, there were both opinions supporting the new policy and voices opposing it.

However, according to rumors circulating among the public, public opinion has already overwhelmingly favored the new policy.

As the harsh winter quietly arrives, the new version of the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes is officially issued.

Even before its publication, the imperial court had conducted a long and comprehensive publicity campaign in the Da Ming Daily.

The article repeatedly clarified the purpose of issuing new banknotes: first, to recycle old banknotes that had become worn out due to prolonged use; and second, to improve anti-counterfeiting technology. Apart from these two points, everything else remained unchanged, and the Daming Bank offered free exchange.

Upon hearing this, most ordinary people readily accepted the measure.

Prices in the market remained stable without any fluctuations.

There is another key factor behind this: numerous factories are producing at breakneck speed.

Advanced production equipment and scientific management models have led to a rapid increase in production efficiency and a significant reduction in production costs.

A wide variety of products are constantly flooding the market, greatly satisfying the daily needs of ordinary people and thus effectively keeping prices down.

The establishment of Daming Department Store brought many conveniences to people's lives.

Inside the department store, a dazzling array of goods are on display, making it difficult to choose what to buy.

Apart from expensive luxury goods such as jade jewelry, high-end porcelain, and antiques, most of the goods are very affordable.

Many goods are much cheaper than in other stores.

Whether they are poor or wealthy merchants, they can all enjoy one-stop shopping at Daming Department Store and easily purchase the goods they need.

Even the sale of grain from the official granaries was transferred to the Daming Department Store.

Just a few months ago, people were worried that the drought would lead to reduced grain production, which in turn would cause a sharp rise in grain prices.

However, the actual outcome was contrary to the concerns.

According to reports submitted by officials from various regions, this year, due to the significant expansion of cultivated area, the completion of a large number of water conservancy facilities, the significant role played by steam engines in drought relief, and the timely rain that alleviated the drought in the later stages, grain production not only did not decrease but actually showed an increasing trend.

This situation perfectly matches the information secretly gathered by the intelligence bureau and the secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In addition, the Ming Academy of Sciences and the Imperial University of Peking dispatched professional researchers and statisticians to various regions to conduct rigorous scientific analysis and precise statistical measurement of grain yield.

The final results show that this year's grain output is expected to increase by 20% to 30% compared to last year (with the widespread dissemination of new mathematical knowledge, percentages have long been used by people).

This precise data is undoubtedly more impactful than the vague "bumper harvest" reported by local officials.

Even Zhu Yunwen found it hard to believe when he heard the news.

How could grain production increase so much in just one year?
However, researchers and statisticians from the Ming Academy of Sciences and the Imperial University of Peking firmly stated that their research and statistical processes were rigorous and error-free, and there were no problems whatsoever.

Furthermore, they provided a reasonable explanation.

The most crucial factors included: the "rent reduction" policy previously implemented by the imperial court, which greatly stimulated the farmers' enthusiasm for labor; the large-scale construction of water conservancy facilities, which ensured farmland irrigation; the widespread use of inexpensive iron tools, which improved farming efficiency; and the imperial court's policy of encouraging land reclamation, which led to a further expansion of cultivated land.
But in any case, this growth figure is truly astonishing.

However, while the officials in the court were delighted, they were not entirely surprised by this.

In this era when agricultural technology was still very backward, grain production largely depended on the weather.

It is quite normal for grain yields in bumper years and famine years to differ by a factor of two or more.

This is vastly different from modern society, where grain production is generally stable with minimal fluctuations each year thanks to various high technologies.

However, this year's "bumper harvest" is less a "gift from heaven" than the result of a series of policies and measures implemented by Zhu Yunwen.

But the emperor is the Son of Heaven, and the bountiful harvest he brings is a great gift from Heaven.

The arrival of a bountiful harvest is undoubtedly a blessing for the people and a great fortune for the nation.

Since newly reclaimed land is exempt from taxation as per regulations, the amount of "tax grain" collected by the imperial court has not changed significantly compared to the past.

However, the imperial court had previously built granaries and actively purchased grain from the people, which encouraged them to send their stored grain to the national treasury.

In this year of abundant harvest, all the granaries were filled with grain, and the piles of grain resembled small golden mountains.

Fortunately, the newly built granaries were designed specifically for large-scale grain storage. The warehouses are spacious and have a huge capacity, so even with a massive amount of grain, they can still accommodate it all.

In the past, whenever there was a bumper harvest, grain prices would inevitably plummet, causing immense suffering for farmers.

But this year the situation is very different. The imperial court has implemented a "protective purchase" policy, accepting all grain from farmers without discrimination, buying as much as they can get.

As a result, grain prices have remained stable within a reasonable range without significant fluctuations, allowing farmers to feel at ease.

Moreover, grain from Japan and Southeast Asian countries was being continuously transported to the Ming Dynasty, ship after ship.

These imported grains piled up like mountains at the ports of Shanghai and Nanjing.

Despite the bumper harvest in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yunwen did not stop importing grain.

In his mind, the food problem of the Ming Dynasty was still severe, the grain output was not yet stable, and the ability to resist natural disasters was still very weak.

Only by storing grain on a large scale and continuously building water conservancy facilities to gradually ensure that more fields are protected from drought and flood can he feel at ease and no longer worry about food.

As the year drew to a close, Lan Yu, Zhu Neng, and Zhang Fu finally led their expeditionary army in triumph, returning to Jinling City in a grand procession.

However, not the entire expeditionary force returned; they only brought back two brigades of new troops.

Many soldiers still remain stationed on the vast grasslands and among the three Jurchen tribes, shouldering the heavy responsibility of defending the border.

By this time, the Ming Dynasty had established a completely new military system. The deployment of the new army no longer followed the previous large-scale overall deployment model, but instead adopted the method of individual deployment of generals. At the same time, a system of annual retirement and enlistment was implemented, making the management of the army more scientific and rational.

The reason for specifically sending Lan Yu to lead 6,000 troops back to the capital was largely to hold a grand and solemn triumphant ceremony to demonstrate national power and boost morale.

In fact, along the long journey from Beiping to Jinling, wherever the army passed, the people lined the streets to welcome them, and their cheers resounded through the sky, causing a great sensation.

It is worth mentioning that those who returned to the capital with the Ming Dynasty expeditionary force included not only some nobles from the former Jurchen tribes, but also a large delegation of envoys from the Korean Kingdom.

At this time, South Korea had been largely unified by the Joseon Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty army first conquered Japan, and then wiped out the Northern Yuan and the Jurchen tribes in one fell swoop. Such great achievements directly terrified the Korean court.

Within the Korean court, those who had once vehemently opposed paying tribute to the Ming Dynasty have now changed their stance, believing that "serving the great power" is the only viable way out.

Rather than waiting for the Ming army to invade, it would be better to take the initiative, preemptively submit to the Ming Dynasty, pay tribute, and establish peaceful, friendly, and mutually beneficial diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, the Korean Kingdom dispatched a large delegation of envoys, carefully prepared a large number of precious gifts, and traveled thousands of miles to the Ming Dynasty, all to pay tribute and become a vassal state.

Upon learning the news, Zhu Yunwen instructed them to travel together with Lan Yu's army.

This move was intended to allow these envoys to further appreciate the might and majesty of the Ming Dynasty army, deeply imprinting the idea that the Ming Dynasty army was invincible in their minds, so that they would never again have any thoughts of resistance.

Secondly, the South Korean envoy team was very large. In the past, the reception of such teams was handled by local government officials, who were responsible for providing food and lodging.

After all, while the envoy team carried many "gifts," it was difficult for them to carry a large amount of food.

As the suzerain state, the Ming Dynasty naturally had to fulfill its duties as host and provide hospitality.

However, this was undoubtedly a daunting task for the local government.

Not only is it a waste of manpower and resources, but it also consumes a great deal of energy.

By having them accompany the main army, they could directly eat and sleep alongside the new soldiers.

This saves a lot of unnecessary trouble.

On the day the expeditionary force returned to the capital, Nanjing was in an uproar, with the streets deserted as everyone flocked to the city.

The people, filled with enthusiasm, flooded the streets to welcome the heroic army returning from afar and to witness the dashing spirit of the expeditionary force.

On the same day, Zhu Yunwen held a grand banquet in the palace to entertain his officials and reward meritorious generals and soldiers for their outstanding achievements.

Meanwhile, Fang Xiaoru, who had been summoned by the imperial court, returned to the bustling capital city with his disciples after being away for several years.

The book compilation project, overseen by Xie Jin, has already been launched in full swing.

The highly anticipated debate on the new school and new policies is quietly unfolding.

A grand intellectual feast is about to unfold in the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty.

The tides of the times surge forward, one wave higher than the next, unstoppable.

……

Shortly after the New Year, Zhu Yunwen issued an imperial edict: out of compassion for the people of the land and their hardships, all outstanding land rents and taxes from previous years shall be waived, and all levels of government shall be strictly prohibited from pursuing them.

The imperial court will implement a brand-new land rent and tax policy. As for the specific implementation details, they will be announced separately at a later date.

The decree was issued, and it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves throughout the land.

Those people who were burdened with a large amount of unpaid land rent and taxes were so excited that their eyes turned red, and they shouted "The Emperor's grace is boundless!" They were overjoyed.

After all, these long-overdue land rents and taxes were like the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, constantly keeping them awake at night.

In the past, they were often brutally arrested by government officials and imprisoned in dark and gloomy cells, or subjected to beatings with sticks.

The constables used every means to force them to hand over the land rent and taxes they owed.

However, many families were so poor that they could not repay the debt even if they sold everything they owned.

Now, they are finally relieved and no longer have to worry about this heavy burden.

Not only were the common people overjoyed, but even officials at all levels of local government felt relieved of a heavy burden.

Collecting outstanding land rent and taxes from previous years has always been a major challenge.

Year after year, the debts accumulated, and eventually, many people's homes were destitute. Even when faced with the threat of beheading and confiscation of their property, they simply couldn't afford to pay.

If people are truly arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to severe torture, it will only further exacerbate the conflict between the government and the people, and will be of almost no benefit.

However, since the authorities wouldn't let go, the local government had no choice but to pursue the recovery of the funds.

This approach consumed a great deal of time, energy, and effort, causing chaos and unrest among the people, yet yielded minimal results.

And so it went, year after year, with each year requiring a long period of trouble, causing headaches for local officials.

Now that His Majesty is wise and has decreed the abolition of this thorny problem, it is tantamount to liberation for them.

However, the so-called new land rent and tax system was not announced immediately.

Everyone understood that the court was about to implement new policies.

However, how the new policy will be implemented is still under consideration.

In an instant, the transaction price of privately owned farmland plummeted like a kite with a broken string.

The government affairs office receives numerous memorials from officials every day regarding this matter, with everyone offering suggestions on how the Ming Dynasty should implement the new policies.

The contents of these memorials were incredibly diverse and varied.

Some advocated emulating the ancient system and restoring the well-field system; others proposed copying the policies implemented by the Duke of Liang in the three Jurchen tribes; some were extremely radical, wishing to achieve the desired results in one step; still others believed that a steady and pragmatic approach should be taken, and that haste should be avoided.

In short, opinions vary widely and there is no consensus.

Zhu Yunwen instructed the government affairs office to reply with "further discussion" to all such memorials, and to publish them in the internal gazette, which was exclusively for the reading of court officials, so that more officials could read them and participate in this heated discussion.

In the imperial court, various factions engaged in heated debates and exchanges, exchanging sharp words and engaging in fierce arguments.

At this moment, Zhu Yunwen, who had not yet made a direct statement, led a group of military ministers and generals, including Lan Yu, Zhang Fu, and Zhu Shou, to the Yangtze River port in Nanjing and boarded a new type of ironclad ship that the Ming Academy of Sciences had painstakingly built.

……

(End of this chapter)