Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 347: The Tycoon Regrets, Video on How to Become a Corrupt Giant [Subscription Request]

Zhu Yuanzhang was a man with strong execution ability. He issued a relevant decree the next day and sent more than 20,000 imperial troops to the prefectures and cities of Zhili. Their purpose was to assist the Inspectorate and local government offices in arresting and confiscating people's property, and to guard against some big landlords and gentry who might become desperate and incite the people to rebel.

Considering the power comparison between the landlords, gentry and the Ming Dynasty court at that time, their rebellion was like a louse bite, which didn't hurt but was itchy, so it was always better to be on guard.

Seeing the emperor's personal troops leaving one after another, the people of the capital could not help but talk about the issues of land survey and land tax distribution that were causing a stir in Zhili.

"I wonder how many more people will have their homes confiscated and be exiled now."

"According to the court's announcement, those landlords and gentry colluded with corrupt officials to conceal their newly acquired land and even annexed the land of the poor. They deserved to be discovered by the court, have their property confiscated and be exiled!"

"In my opinion, it's only in recent years that Lord Hongwu has shown mercy. Otherwise, those corrupt officials would have been beheaded and wouldn't have had the chance to be exiled to that Luohuang Dusi."

"I heard that among all the prefectures, Yingtian Prefecture concealed the least amount of land, and had the fewest people confiscated or exiled?"

"Yingtian Prefecture is truly the Emperor's home. Who would dare to go against the court? Besides, opening a workshop or doing business would be incredibly profitable these days. Wouldn't it be foolish to risk having your property confiscated and exiled by concealing your land holdings?"

"That's true. How come those arrested gentry and landlords don't understand?"

"I heard that this is the same as the empty seal case, a mess that happened during the time of Hu Yuan. They deceived Emperor Hongwu during the two previous surveys, and thought they could get away with it this time too. Who knew they would be discovered by a group of government students?"

"Will the student council survey the land?"

"My third son, who is studying at the provincial academy, said that as long as you learn mathematics well, land surveying will be a piece of cake."

"So, the reason why so many corrupt officials were uncovered during this land survey is thanks to the court's emphasis on mathematics?"

"You can say that."

"···"

The people of the capital city treated the series of problems raised by this land survey as just idle talk in daily life. However, outside the capital city, especially in other prefectures of Zhili outside Yingtian Prefecture, many landlords and gentry lost their homes and regretted their actions.

Changshu.

It has been snowing lightly since a few days ago.

In the county town, women and children were crying and shouting inside and outside the mansions of several wealthy families, mainly the Lu and Wu families. They were arrested one by one from the mansions by the emperor's personal army, and the men were all shackled.

The women's cries were particularly tragic. If you didn't know the reason, you would think they had suffered a great injustice.

But few people who were watching the excitement around them sympathized with them.

Because they had already learned from official announcements that these gentry had colluded with corrupt officials to conceal at least 100 acres of land during the land survey.

Among the male members of the Lu family, a middle-aged man was put in shackles.

A slightly plump woman was dragged out and when she saw the middle-aged man she went crazy, rushing over to grab and beat him.

"Lu Gao, you useless bastard, didn't you say you could easily conceal those hidden fields?"

"And now you've caused the entire Lu family to be exiled overseas! You deserve to die! You really deserve to die!"

As the woman spoke, she tried to grab Lu Gao's face.

Lu Gao, who had been lowering his head, suddenly became furious and knocked the woman to the ground, yelling, "Blame me? Go ask your Lu Rong, who coerced and bribed me into helping the Lu family hide so many hidden fields? You ignorant shrew!"

Compared with the farce in front of the Lu family mansion, although the Wu family also ended up being exiled overseas with their entire family, they appeared much calmer, with only some women and children sobbing.

The Wu family was not only wealthy but also a family of scholars. An old friend actually came to see off Wu Zhen, the head of the Wu family.

"Jida (Wu Zhen's courtesy name), I've advised you before that this major investigation is unusual and that you should stop hiding your land holdings, but you simply wouldn't listen."

Wu Zhen, who was only in his thirties, shed tears of regret and choked up, saying, "Brother Qian, I regret it, I really regret it."

Qian Yuanwai sighed, "Now that things have come to this, even if you regret it, it's too late to undo it... Fortunately, the imperial court needs people to expand overseas, so your whole family can be exiled overseas."

"Live a good life overseas, put down roots, and perhaps a hundred years from now your descendants will return to the Central Plains."

Wu Zhen was already regretful, and after hearing what Mr. Qian said, he regretted it even more.

The whole family was exiled overseas!
Although it does not refer to a large clan, but a family within the five generations, there are still dozens of people.

They are people who are weak and used to living a life of luxury. How can they survive in the wild lands overseas?

Maybe someone on the ship died of illness.

Qian Yuanwai whispered again, "Don't worry too much, Ji Da. I've asked someone to find out. It's winter now, and you will be sent to the capital for a period of time. After the New Year, you will be sent to the three prison camps in Dengzhou, Fujian, and Guangzhou."

"The prison camp will teach you farming, fishing, laboring, and other skills to make a living overseas. We won't let you die overseas easily—again, the court needs people right now." Hearing this, Wu Zhen finally became less pessimistic. He nodded and bowed with his chained hands, "Thank you very much, Brother Qian."

"Why thank you? Our two families are old friends. But I'm afraid we won't see each other again after you leave. Take care."

After saying this, Mr. Qian left.

Wu Zhen understood that the friendship between the Wu and Qian families in Changshu had come to an end - unless his family could return to the Central Plains within three generations.

···
···
The major case of hidden farmland in Zhili uncovered by the Daqingzhang did not affect the arrival of New Year's Eve.

The sound of firecrackers continued as usual, and the Ming Dynasty had arrived in the 21st year of Hongwu.

After the first day, it was the second day. Zhu Yuanzhang sent a message through Empress Ma, asking him to go to the palace to show the film.

This is also a regular program of the Zhu family during the Spring Festival. Although Liu Kuan has few resources, he still made some preparations.

Around noon, Liu Kuan arrived at the palace with Zhu Huilan, who was already pregnant, along with Su Caiwei, Liu Ruoxue, and Liu Ping'an. As for his second son, Liu Pingding, who was still young, he stayed in the palace, cared for by maids and a wet nurse.

When the family arrived at the Dashan Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma and others were already in their seats.

After paying his respects, Liu Kuan didn't wait for Old Zhu to ask, and said, "Your Majesty, this time I have selected six songs, three videos, and a movie, but the songs are all ones Your Majesty has heard before."

Perhaps it was because he had raided many of the wealthy families in Zhili? This year, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed happier. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "You've heard it, so be it—come and play it for us, and then we can have dinner."

"Yes."

Liu Kuan immediately went up with the tablet.

He pulled out the prepared collection of song videos and went downstairs.

Zhu Yuanzhang operated the playback himself, and then watched it for a while with Empress Ma. After finding that it was indeed a video he had seen before, he didn't pay much attention to it and started eating with everyone.

About an hour later, the meal was over.

The palace servants who were still at work on the second day of the Lunar New Year quickly cleared away the dishes and other items, and set up a "home theater" with tables and chairs as usual. Then, Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, and his family of over a hundred people sat in a row.

Zhu Di and his family were also among them - after the Spring Festival, he would go to sea to be a fief, and he would have few opportunities to watch videos and movies in the future. Naturally, he would not miss this opportunity on the second day of the New Year, so he brought his family back before the New Year.

After the Zhu family sat down, Liu Kuan also called up the first video and put the tablet away.

The title of the video is now displayed on the screen.

"How to become a corrupt official in ancient times? [Trauma]"

When they saw this title, everyone from Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, Zhu Biao to the newly-empowered princes, princesses, and grandchildren were all confused.

Zhu Yu, who was quick-tempered and impulsive, couldn't help but ask, "Son-in-law, did I understand the title of this video correctly? It teaches people how to become a corrupt official."

Liu Kuan smiled, "Indeed."

"Why are you showing us this kind of video?" Zhu Yu was puzzled.

Liu Kuan did not answer directly, but looked at Lao Zhu.

Old Zhu had also frowned at first, but then something clicked in his mind and he said, "Liu Kuan, if I'm not mistaken, you want to use this video to show us the methods of corruption used by corrupt officials, right?"

Liu Kuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise, and this is exactly what I meant. However, there are many methods of corruption, and this video only describes a part of it."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Part of it is fine - the fourth son will be going overseas to serve as a feudal lord next year. Watching this video might help him learn something. We don't want the feudal lords to be filled with corrupt officials in the future without realizing it."

Hearing this, Zhu Di couldn't help but smile bitterly.

He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang felt that it was because he was only concerned with fighting wars after the Jingnan Rebellion and neglected internal governance, or because he failed to retain the harsh laws against corrupt officials during the Hongwu period, that corrupt officials were rampant in the Ming Dynasty.

However, Zhu Di was indeed interested in this video - before that, he had not really thought about how to prevent and control corruption. After all, his vassal state had not yet been established.

Liu Kuan touched the screen to play after seeing that everyone else had no problem.

He edited this video and deleted some irrelevant jokes that people in the Ming Dynasty could not understand, but the video style was set by the old lady and the commentary is still humorous.

"You arrive in the middle of a feudal dynasty, looking at the meager salary the court provides, and angrily exclaim, 'Thirty dollars a month? To what emperor am I loyal, to what country am I loving, to what incorruptible official?' Thus, you become the most corrupt feudal warrior."

　First update.

　　Correct the typo later

　　
　
(End of this chapter)