Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 326 Zhu Yuanzhang's Full Support! A Shock to the Imperial Court!
"Effective immediately."

"Announce it to the world."

"Eliminating the poll tax into the land tax."

"The Ming Dynasty levies taxes starting from land ownership. The more land one owns, the more taxes one pays. Those who own no land and are registered in the state do not need to pay taxes."

"All taxes are levied on land registration, and no one is allowed to evade taxes."

"As for the tax rate, it was set at three out of ten."

"When the imperial edict is proclaimed in a place, it shall be implemented there."

"Except."

"Six months later, the land registration system was finalized. All land in the country belonged to the state. The people of the Ming Dynasty only had the right to use it and were not allowed to trade it privately. If they did, they would be punished by the government."

Zhu Ying stared at the assembled officials in the court and shouted in a commanding voice.

Three major national policies have been fully implemented.

The poll tax was incorporated into the land tax.

Land is state-owned.

The ministers' expressions varied.

Two-tenths of the tax.

This tax is not low.

It was much higher than the original poll tax, but compared to the general population, this tax levied directly on land was actually lower than the taxes they had to pay before.

Zhu Ying raised this tax in order to force the powerful and wealthy, and the landlords, to bleed money.

The more land they owned, the more taxes they had to pay, which was enough to cause them real financial pain.

in the past.

Countless ordinary people across the country want to farm, but they have to pay exorbitant rents, a considerable price to pay.

But now.

In the words of Emperor Wu of Han, the roles of offense and defense have changed.

The common people who did not own land were no longer subject to taxes, and the pressure on them was not so great. In the past, they asked landlords to rent land to them, but after this national policy was implemented, it was the landlords who begged them to give them land to cultivate.

As for why Zhu Ying gave a half-year period to prohibit land transactions,

The purpose was to get the powerful and wealthy of the Ming Dynasty to sell their land and return it to the common people who had no land to cultivate.

During this process.

This will definitely cause the powerful and wealthy to suffer.

That would definitely make them resist.

But during Zhu Yuanzhang's reign, with complete control over the military and political affairs, would they dare to cause trouble?
If you dare.

Zhu Yuanzhang wouldn't mind killing some people and confiscating their property along the way.

As Zhu Ying finished speaking.

The court was silent.

Obviously.

As Zhu Ying thoroughly explained the fundamentals of the "integration of poll tax into land tax" policy, the ministers in the court were naturally filled with reluctance, but they could also sense the fury of the three generations of the family in their high positions.

Anyone who dares to be the first to stick their neck out will face certain death.

Perhaps their land annexation did not violate the laws of the imperial court, but with just one word from Zhu Yuanzhang, it would shake the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty, and no one who opposed it would survive.

This is not a true era of freedom, but an era of imperial power.

The final interpretation of the law rested with Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Your Majesty."

"Do you understand?"

Seeing the silence in the court, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly began to speak.

As soon as these words fell.

No matter how unwilling the court officials were, there was nothing they could do.

"The Emperor's Holy Might."

All the civil and military officials in the court shouted in unison.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at it, nodded in satisfaction, and then said to Zhu Ying, "Xiong Ying, continue."

"As I just said."

“The salaries in the Ming Dynasty were indeed too low.”

"Therefore, I recently discussed this with the Emperor and the Crown Prince."

"To increase the salaries of all officials of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Ying announced this to all the civil and military officials.

As soon as these words fell.

A wave of emotion also appeared in the eyes of the court officials. If the "equalization of land tax and poll tax" made them feel the pain, then the increase in salary was perhaps the good news they could hear in this court discussion.

"However, the details of the salary increase have not yet been fully agreed upon."

"I will strive to finalize the matter this month, and the new salary details can be implemented next month."

"In addition to the regular salary, I will also provide an extra salary to all officials in the land. This salary can also be called a reward salary. It is not issued by the imperial treasury, but by the royal property under my control," Zhu Ying said.

The words fell.

Naturally, this left the courtiers puzzled.

"May I ask about the eldest grandson of the emperor?"

"What is royal property?" Chen Jing asked respectfully.

"Recently."

"I, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and I will discuss the future of the Ming Dynasty and the fate of the nation."

"It is necessary to distinguish between my royal family and the country."

"The national treasury is the foundation for the development and growth of the Ming Empire. It is taken from the people and used for the people, to strengthen the army, protect the people, and enhance national power. The money in the national treasury is not meant to support my imperial family."

“If we do not distinguish between them, the country will cease to be a country, and the royal family will inevitably become the root of chaos,” Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

Listen to Zhu Ying's words.

Many ministers were immediately impressed.

If such words had been uttered by a former subject, they would have been considered rebellious and would have been met with Zhu Yuanzhang's furious rebuke.

But now.

For Zhu Ying, the eldest grandson of the emperor, to speak personally, it was of great significance.

Since ancient times.

The national treasury became the emperor's private treasury, and all allocations were made with the emperor in mind, indulging in pleasure, extravagance, and supporting the royal family.

It can be said.

This seems to have remained unchanged for thousands of years.

But today.

Zhu Ying mentioned that the distinction should be made between the national treasury and the royal family's support; the national treasury is the national treasury.

This naturally caught the attention of many ministers, and made many censors look at Zhu Ying with admiration.

"so."

"With the permission of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, I hereby establish royal properties."

"The original Shen family businesses have now all been integrated into the royal businesses. The wineries and restaurants that were originally under the Wang family's control have all been incorporated into the royal businesses."

"In the future, these will all serve as the source of support and expenditure for my royal family."

“The royal family provides for the expenses, and the royal family consumes all of them without any connection to the national treasury.”

"In addition, the rewards and stipends I mentioned will be taken from this royal property to benefit all officials and all the people under heaven."

"We will reward officials based on their political achievements and merits," Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

The words fell.

Many ministers in the court already wore expressions of joy.

The Shen family was once hailed as the wealthiest family in the Ming Dynasty, and that was no exaggeration. The Shen family's businesses spanned all prefectures and regions of the Ming Dynasty, covering almost everything from wine and cloth to tea and porcelain.

no doubt.

The Shen family had amassed a considerable fortune, not to mention comparable to the national treasury, it was still substantial enough to bestow favors upon them.

Moreover, with the addition of Zhu Ying's winery, the business might take it to the next level.

"Your Majesty."

"This old minister has something to say."

Zhao Mian stepped forward, his old face bearing a solemn expression.

"Minister Zhao, please speak." Zhu Ying raised his hand and looked at Zhao Mian.

"Perhaps by integrating the Shen family's assets into the royal assets, it would be able to support the royal family and even provide for the officials of Yingtian with their rewards. However, if it were to truly benefit all the officials in the country, the royal assets might earn a lot, but it would ultimately be a drop in the ocean for the officials of the country."

"Again."

"There's also the imperial court's support for clans. In the twenty-third year of Hongwu's reign, it cost two million taels of silver to support clans. In the future, the amount of silver for support will be even greater. Perhaps the entire royal assets won't be enough to support clans," Zhao Mian said with a solemn expression.

Now that Zhu Ying has explained the national policies and even the imperial favors so clearly,

As the Minister of Revenue, Zhao Mian has already been thrust into the spotlight.

At this moment.

Zhao Mian naturally had to give it some thought.

If one does nothing, then one cannot bear the responsibilities of the Minister. Similarly...

This was also Zhao Mian's way of seeking personal gain, and even more so for the benefit of many ministers in the court.

This is an inevitable obstacle for Zhu Yingyao to push forward with reforms.

of course!

This is also because the ministers dared not show too much opposition due to Zhu Yuanzhang's fierce power. If Zhu Biao or Zhu Ying had been in power in the future, and if they had implemented the national policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax, it would definitely not have been as peaceful as it is now.

"Minister Zhao, that's a good question."

But Zhu Ying wasn't angry at all; instead, he praised Zhao Mian.

This praise.

This naturally surprised Zhao Mian.

"The future of royal businesses will not be limited to alcoholic beverages, but will also include their original industries."

"Within a month."

"All ministers can see the true fruits of the royal estate."

"In addition, the support for the imperial family of our Great Ming will also be resolved, and it will no longer affect the foundation of the country." Zhu Ying directly raised one finger, setting a one-month deadline.

"The eldest grandson of the emperor is so confident."

"This old minister believes that the eldest grandson of the emperor will surely have a solution," Zhao Mian replied respectfully.

And this time!
Lan Yu stepped forward and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the eldest grandson of the Emperor have made their decision, for the sake of the eternal prosperity of the Ming Dynasty."

"I second the proposal."

All the generals of Huaixi stood up and echoed in unison.

Seeing all the generals of Huaixi step forward, almost all the military officials supported them.

This caused the expressions of the civil officials in the court to change.

If the national policy were to be changed this time, both civil and military officials in the court would oppose it, and its implementation might not be so smooth in the future. However, the statements made by Lan Yu and other generals from Huaixi indicate that the army fully supports the emperor's reforms.

"This change."

"Perhaps it really is inevitable."

"It's unstoppable."

It is also this moment.

Many ministers were already filled with sorrow.

Reality.

They couldn't understand why Lan Yu and the others had changed their stance so drastically. In the past, if these people touched their interests even slightly, they would fight them to the death, and they were even so angry that they dared to contradict the emperor.

But now... I really can't see through it.

Reality.

This is also one of the reasons why Zhu Ying valued his confidants and outsiders.

After Zhu Ying regained his identity, the generals of Huaixi made their intentions clear and pledged their allegiance.

in this way.

Zhu Ying naturally wanted them to become a weapon in his hand, and even more so, a weapon to conquer the world.

Since they have submitted...

Zhu Ying naturally used it.

Their perspective is no longer what it was a few days ago.

They had already seen the true landscape of the world.

"These civil officials have always touted themselves as loyal and righteous to the country, and have repeatedly mocked us military generals for being reckless. But now that it really concerns the fundamental interests of the Ming Dynasty, they are unwilling to do so."

"That's really ridiculous."

"However, this time the Emperor and his men are determined to push it through with all their might, and no one can stop this inevitable trend."

"Although we have to give up some benefits now, we will gain even greater benefits in the future."

"What U.A. possesses is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Only by remaining loyal to and following U.A. can one see the true world," Lan Yu thought to herself.

of course.

He wasn't the only one.

The generals in Huaixi all thought the same way.

because.

They have already received the basic inheritance of martial arts, know how powerful Zhu Ying is, and are no longer ordinary people.

By following Zhu Ying, they can see another side of the real world.

"These guys have really changed their personalities."

“In the past, they definitely wouldn’t have done it.”

"It seems U.A. said something to these guys."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly surprised by the statements of the generals in Huaixi.

Based on his understanding.

The group of roughnecks in Huaixi should be the most resistant to this national policy, since they have annexed a lot of land, yet they support it all.

That's quite strange.

but.

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly came to his senses.

"it is good."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said loudly, "The eldest grandson of the emperor has already said what we wanted to say in today's court meeting."

"Do any of you gentlemen have any further objections?"

"If so, you can tell us now."

"If not, the court session is adjourned today."

The words fell.

Zhu Yuanzhang swept his cold, stern gaze across the court, exuding an aura of intimidation.

This also demonstrates his determination to change the national policy.

Below that.

The ministers in the imperial court looked at each other.

Especially civil officials.

They all wished someone would speak, but no one dared to open their mouths.

"Since none of you have anything to report, let's adjourn the court."

"The Ministry of Rites shall immediately draft the national policy and announce it to the world."

"Other."

"Preach our will."

"Duke of Liang, Duke of Cao, Duke of Wei, Duke of Ying."

"All generals, stand by in the army, go to the capital and garrison in Yingtian, and await our orders at any time."

"And order all generals in each prefecture to be ready to receive my decrees at any time," Zhu Yuanzhang loudly proclaimed.

The four dukes whose names were called immediately stood up.

"I accept the decree."

The four of them naturally understood the meaning of this decree.

And hear this.

The ministers in the court who were unwilling to reform the national policy finally understood Zhu Yuanzhang's determination, or rather, the determination of the eldest grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying.

The purpose of having the army on standby is to deter others from disobeying national policies. If anyone dares to disobey national policies, the army will take action to suppress them.

After the court officials dispersed.

Only the grandfather, grandfather, and grandson remained in the main hall.

"Biao'er, hero."

"Did you see that?"

"In the future, I must maintain absolute prestige and absolute military power in this position, so that they will respect and fear me. Only in this way can the national policy be implemented."

"This time, the implementation of the Xiong Ying policy has really taken a bite out of them. Almost every one of them is unwilling, but they know our determination and our methods, so they dare not oppose it."

After the ministers left.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately instructed his children and grandchildren.

"I understand, son." Zhu Biao nodded as well.

"At the end of the day."

"Huaixi did not disappoint me this time either."

"They are ultimately a sharp weapon in our hands, and this time they have been used very well," Zhu Ying said with a smile.

“Lan Yu and his ilk are reckless. If their interests had been threatened before, they would have fought hard and even acted recklessly. This time, however, they have behaved themselves and are even supporting us.”

"What did you say to them, kid?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with great curiosity.

Zhu Biao, who was standing to the side, was the same.

"They saw the true nature of the world." Zhu Ying smiled.

……

(End of this chapter)