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

Chapter 329 Zhu Di was shocked; it was Zhu Ying who made the decision! Yao Guangxiao was also shocked; the prince had lost!
Hearing Zhu Neng's words.

Zhu Di's expression changed slightly.

It begins with a deep-seated resistance to going to Yingtian for an audience.

The vassal kings of the realm have already set off for Yingtian to pay homage. This latest imperial edict may not be a good thing for them.

"Stop."

"Ask what the proclamation is," Zhu Di ordered Zhu Neng after a moment's thought.

"Your Majesty."

“This is an imperial edict, and it can only be opened in the designated prefecture. If it is intercepted, this…this seems inappropriate,” Zhu Neng advised with some hesitation.

"I don't want to say it a second time," Zhu Di said coldly.

Hearing Zhu Di's tone, he became angry.

Zhu Neng did not dare to hesitate and immediately ordered: "Stop the procession carrying the imperial edict."

"Yes."

The guards of the Prince of Yan's residence respectfully responded.

"Husband."

Xu Miaoyun watched with great concern.

But Zhu Di had already given the order, and she couldn't stop him.

Not a moment.

"Your Highness, we have intercepted them." Zhu Neng's somewhat serious voice came into the royal carriage.

"Miaoyun, stay in the carriage," Zhu Di instructed Xu Miaoyun.

Then he slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Heading towards the forefront.

into the eye.

It was the Ministry of Rites' envoy, escorted by hundreds of Kyoto soldiers.

"Why is the Prince of Yan obstructing my imperial edict procession?"

Immediately, the official in charge of announcing the imperial edict looked at Zhu Di as he approached with displeasure.

Although Zhu Di was a prince, as a Beijing official living under the emperor's nose, he had nothing to fear from any regional princes.

"This time, I have been impolite."

"May I ask what imperial decree Your Majesty has to issue this time?" Zhu Di stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and asked directly, his attitude extremely respectful.

"This decree is hereby proclaimed to the world."

"The Yangzhou Prefecture has completed its announcement; I must now proceed to the Daning Prefecture to deliver the imperial edict."

"As for the contents of the decree, His Highness Prince Yan will know when he arrives in Yangzhou or Yingtian Prefecture," the official from the Ministry of Rites replied calmly.

"This imperial envoy."

"Since this edict is being proclaimed to the whole world, it is not a secret."

"Could you please tell me first?" Zhu Di's expression turned cold, and he asked with a hint of displeasure.

And this moment.

Wang Wei, who was standing around, also seemed to be eyeing them covetously.

Upon seeing this, the envoy from the Ministry of Rites' expression changed slightly.

But he knew very well that he represented the Emperor, and no matter what Zhu Di did, he wouldn't dare to do anything. He could only obstruct the procession and delay the scheduled announcement. If the delay was too long, it would naturally be a crime.

"Since the Prince of Yan wants to know..."

"Then I will inform the Prince of Yan," the envoy from the Ministry of Rites said slowly.

"Then I'll have to trouble you," Zhu Di said immediately.

"This time, the Emperor has issued two decrees to announce to the world."

"The first edict is an edict of self-reproach," the envoy from the Ministry of Rites announced.

"what?"

"An edict of self-reproach?" Zhu Di's expression changed, filled with shock.

Why did Father Emperor issue an edict of self-reproach?

"Since the founding of the dynasty by my father, you have governed the country and brought peace and stability to the land. How could you possibly need an edict of self-reproach?" Zhu Di's expression changed, clearly showing disbelief.

"Your Majesty's statement that granting tax exemptions will disrupt the Ming Dynasty and bring disaster to all people is a crime that will ruin the fate of the Ming Dynasty."

Therefore, he issued an edict of self-reproach.

Since Zhu Di wanted to hear it, the envoy from the Ministry of Rites no longer concealed anything, after all, this was not a good thing for the princes.

"The right to tax exemption?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di's expression changed drastically.

This right to be exempt from taxes.

The biggest beneficiaries were undoubtedly the vassal kings.

Because the princes were exempt from taxes on land and grain, and even more so from taxes on their properties, it could be said that all the money they earned belonged to them.

Compared to feudal kings.

Other noble titles, and even the Jinshi degree, only grant the right to be exempt from grain tax.

"It seems the Prince of Yan has figured it out."

"The power to exempt taxes is a detriment to the foundation of the nation."

"His Majesty has issued an edict abolishing all tax exemption rights. Whether they are princes, dukes, marquises, or even those who have passed the imperial examinations, from the moment this edict is issued, they will no longer enjoy any tax exemption rights."

"All subjects of our Great Ming Dynasty must pay taxes." The envoy from the Ministry of Rites looked at Zhu Di's expression, smiled faintly, and said with a hint of satisfaction.

Or.

Zhu Di's obstruction of his path had greatly displeased him, and seeing Zhu Di's astonished expression was perhaps a form of revenge.

"Abolish the right to tax exemption."

"Father, he actually..." Zhu Di's heart surged with shock, he was also stunned by Zhu Yuanzhang's move.

The abolition of the right to tax exemption.

The impact on him, a vassal king, was unimaginable.

Especially for Zhu Di.

He secretly kept a lot of assassins in Beiping Prefecture. These people needed money and food every day, and this huge expense came from his properties and land. He lost his tax exemption rights and suffered heavy losses.

“Apart from the abolition of the right to tax exemption.”

"His Majesty also adopted the advice of the eldest grandson of the emperor and changed the original national policy of levying a poll tax on the entire country to levying a land tax instead," the envoy from the Ministry of Rites added.

"What is the land tax?" Zhu Di's expression changed, and he immediately asked.

"Simply put, from now on, the Ming Dynasty will not collect taxes based on the number of people registered in the household register, but rather on the amount of land. All land registered by the Ministry of Revenue and local government offices will be taxed at a rate of two-tenths of the land area," the imperial envoy said solemnly.

"what?"

"Taxed per acre? Two-tenths of the tax?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di became even more agitated.

He owned quite a lot of fertile land in Beiping Prefecture.

The world is vast, and much of the Ming Dynasty's fertile land has already been seized and annexed through cunning and force.

The consolidation of fertile land was a consensus among the privileged class.

However, some with better intentions reduced the rent significantly, thus gaining a reputation for benevolence and righteousness. Zhu Di was precisely such a person.

But if a land tax were levied, the outcome would be entirely different.

"How should taxes be collected from the population?"

"Does it mean that only land tax will be levied?" Zhu Di asked in astonishment.

"Didn't Your Highness, Prince Yan, understand?"

"From now on, there will be no population tax, only land tax."

"According to the eldest grandson of the emperor, the population has been displaced and cannot be fully counted, but the land has not been lost."

"King Yan."

"The national policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax has reached the point where it must be implemented. It is only waiting for the imperial decree to arrive before it is implemented."

"Now all the prefectures that have received the imperial edict and proclamation have begun to implement it."

"Anyway."

"In the future, the grain tax of our Great Ming will only be based on the amount of land owned. The more land one owns, the more taxes one pays. Those who own no land will not need to pay grain tax."

"Your Majesty."

"You nobles and princes are wealthy landowners, so you must pay your taxes to the country properly in the future."

The envoy from the Ministry of Rites spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

Subsequently.

He glanced around and said coldly, "I have said all I need to say. I would be grateful if Your Highness would allow your guards to disperse."

Hear this!

Zhu Di did not speak.

It was just a simple gesture.

The guards who had been blocking the official road dispersed, making way for them.

See this.

The envoy from the Ministry of Rites snorted coldly, waved his hand, and continued walking towards the official road.

The Ming Dynasty now prioritizes the policies of the eldest grandson of the emperor, so there's no need to place too much importance on these vassal kings. As subjects, their loyalty lies with their lord.

Once the procession from the Ministry of Rites had moved far away from the Prince of Yan's guards...

"grown ups."

"The Prince of Yan is truly audacious, daring to intercept us."

The Kyoto military centurion who was escorting them said with great dissatisfaction.

"The feudal lord."

"The future is just a name without substance."

"Make a note of this matter, and report it to the Emperor when you return to report."

"We, as subjects, should simply serve the court faithfully in the future," the envoy from the Ministry of Rites said in a deep voice.

Eyes turned.

Zhu Di returned to the carriage with a gloomy face.

No one could understand how he felt at that moment.

"Husband, what's wrong?"

Xu Miaoyun asked with concern.

"From now on."

"The tax exemption right of princes is gone."

"From now on, all the land and property under my name will be subject to taxation," Zhu Di said with a gloomy face.

"Father actually issued such an edict?" Xu Miaoyun was also surprised.

"Not only that."

"From now on, there will be no more poll tax," Zhu Di said in a deep voice.

"There's no more population tax?"

Xu Miaoyun's expression changed, and she was even more surprised: "The court regards this tax as the foundation of the country, how could Father Emperor abolish this tax?"

"The poll tax is gone, but the land tax has arrived."

"Proposed by Zhu Xiong Ying."

"From now on, the tax will be levied on those who own land. As long as one owns land, the tax will be two-tenths."

"Those who do not own land need not pay taxes."

"This move, coupled with Father Emperor's abolition of the tax exemption for princes and nobles, will drastically reduce the expenses of our royal palace, and all the powers granted by Father Emperor will be lost."

"Moreover, after this tax is implemented, the land under the name of my Prince Yan's Mansion will become a hot potato. In the past, commoners had to pay rent for farming, but from now on, I will be begging them to farm."

"With the land tax of two-tenths, there's no way there will be much of a surplus," Zhu Di sighed, filled with resentment.

Hear this.

Xu Miaoyun also fell silent.

After a moment of silence, she said, "Since Father has decided to implement this national policy, he will have his reasons. The royal family will be provided for, so my husband should not think too much about it."

"Yes."

"Father has his own reasons," Zhu Di said reluctantly.

Subsequently.

He stood up abruptly and walked out of the carriage.

"Husband, what are you going to do?" Xu Miaoyun asked.

"Go find a monk and have a chat," Zhu Di replied without turning his head.

This time, I'm going to Beijing.

To be on the safe side.

Zhu Di also brought Yao Guangxiao along.

After all, Yao Guangxiao had participated in and knew about everything he had done.

If it really came to that, Zhu Di would make Yao Guangxiao disappear first. In order for his family to survive, Zhu Di had to do so.

He knew his father too well, and he was also too afraid of his father.

They arrived at the carriage where Yao Guangxiao was.

"It seems that His Highness has encountered some trouble again."

"That imperial envoy must have brought some bad news."

As Zhu Di boarded the carriage, Yao Guangxiao, who was sitting inside, asked calmly.

Even knowing that the road ahead would be extremely difficult, and that he might be executed by Zhu Di at any time, Yao Guangxiao was not afraid at all.

When Yao Guangxiao performed the Dragon-Slaying Technique, he was already prepared to die.

"The right of princes to be exempt from taxes will no longer be granted."

"Furthermore, the Emperor abolished the poll tax and established a new land tax, which is based on the amount of land owned. The more land owned, the more tax is collected, and those without land do not need to pay taxes."

"This national policy is the policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax," Zhu Di said with a gloomy face.

Hear this.

The previously calm Yao Guangxiao suddenly opened his eyes wide, and an indescribable shock flashed in them.

"Qi Ce."

"A brilliant strategy for all time."

"If taxes are collected in accordance with this system of 'incorporating poll tax into land tax,' the imperial court will receive the full amount of taxes, which will be higher than the original poll tax."

"Moreover, all the people under heaven will be grateful to the court, because this is truly beneficial to the country and the people."

"but……"

Yao Guangxiao paused in his speech.

It carried a sense of seriousness.

"This is the worst thing for the landowners who control the land."

"Originally, there was a poll tax, and all people in the world had to pay taxes. But with the establishment of the land tax, people no longer need to pay taxes, and those landless people will no longer bear the burden of taxes."

"On the contrary, those landowners will bear enormous pressure."

"Your Majesty's move was brilliant."

“Nowadays, many fields in the country may have been seized by powerful and wealthy families. If we force them to return the fields to the people, they will definitely not comply and may even cause some chaos. Even the emperor’s might cannot change this situation. However, after implementing the land tax reform, the land held by landlords will become a hot potato, forcing them to give up their land or hire landless commoners to cultivate it free of charge.”

"Brilliant, truly brilliant."

At this moment.

Yao Guangxiao had no choice but to express his respect.

With his vision, he naturally understood the changes that abolishing the poll tax and implementing the land tax system would bring to the Ming Dynasty.

Even if it's him.

One has to admire the brilliance of this national policy.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have called it a brilliant strategy for all time.

"If the old Edict of Grace was a conspiracy that has been brewing for ages, then there is no way to resolve it."

"This national policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax, combined with the emperor's prestige, can also be called an open strategy."

"Absolutely!"

Yao Guangxiao said with great emotion.

But as he finished speaking, Zhu Di's expression grew increasingly grim.

"This plan was not proposed by Father Emperor, but by Zhu Xiong Ying," Zhu Di said in a deep voice.

"what?"

Yao Guangxiao's eyes widened, filled with shock and disbelief.

Inside the carriage.

It fell silent in an instant.

"Your Majesty."

"We can't win this argument."

"As long as this child lives, the prince will have no chance."

"Huaixi is his absolute supporter, and he controls the military power of the entire country."

"I originally thought he was only good at military affairs and not at political affairs, but now it seems that I was wrong."

"To be able to devise such a brilliant plan, even with the emperor's support, shows that he is certainly not weak in politics either. With him around, the prince would have absolutely no chance." Yao Guangxiao sighed.

him at the moment.

The chance to face Zhu Ying has been completely lost.

There is no guarantee of winning.

Unless Zhu Ying dies!
just.

Zhu Ying is now the eldest grandson of the emperor and has been granted the title of Prince. His residence is heavily guarded, and he is located in Yingtian City. Who can kill him?
"Is this your answer to me?"

"You have ruined me."

Zhu Di stared intently at Yao Guangxiao, his gaze filled with anger.

……

　P.S.: Thank you so much for your support, I am extremely grateful.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)