I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 120 Shen Ziheng's Little Classroom! There are rules beyond rules, and whips beyond whips.
Disciple of Huangji.

Shen Nian strode to the middle, next to Guangmao, the censor of the Ministry of Revenue.

He bowed to the young Wanli Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to explain."

"Approved!" Little Wanli nodded.

Shen Nian paused for a moment and said, "It makes the elders free from the suffering of forced labor, the fear of selling their property, the sorrow of life, and the danger of bribery and embezzlement. It is truly a great benefit to the common people. Indeed, this is what I say. I still believe that this statement is correct and has nothing to do with flattering the ruler, harming the country, or deceiving the emperor!"

Shen Nian's voice was very loud, and she was the first to directly refute Guangmao's words.

Then, Shen Nian turned to look at Guangmao.

“Gongshi, first of all, I must correct one point: His Majesty has carefully read the memorial in your hand that you call ‘the Shandong officials’ report on the drawbacks of the Single Whip Law.’ There is no need for you to summarize their words and submit it a second time.”

"The reason His Majesty's replies are all reprimands is because these officials deserve to be reprimanded, and your words today also deserve a reprimand!"

Upon hearing this, the Huangji Sect fell silent.

All the officials looked at Shen Nian.

For a sixth-rank Hanlin compiler to dare to speak like that in the regular court, there is no one but Shen Nian.

In the eyes of the officials, Shen Nian has always been high-profile, flamboyant, and sharp-edged.

And he dared to do it.

Their biggest advantage is that they are indeed capable.

He was favored by the emperor for his lectures, appreciated by the chief minister for his political advice, and had impeccable personal morality.

Guangmao never expected that Shen Nian would dare to speak in such a domineering tone in the court.

He opened his mouth, but did not refute.

His words in the memorial he just presented.

Indeed, he subconsciously believed that the cabinet had concealed many flaws in the Single Whip Law, preventing the emperor from seeing the truth.

He thought that once the young Wanli Emperor learned the truth, he would agree with his statement that the Single Whip Law was not suitable for Jiangbei for the sake of the people in the north.

Unexpectedly, Shen Nian said: "The young Wanli Emperor has carefully read all these memorials."

As the official in charge of recording the emperor's daily life, Shen Nian was responsible for organizing memorials and attending to the emperor, so she naturally knew about the daily life of the young Wanli Emperor.

It's impossible for him to be talking nonsense.

Shen Nian was already being merciful by not labeling him as "disrespectful" for this.

present.

What puzzled him was that the emperor was well aware of the drawbacks of the Single Whip Law exposed by Shandong officials, so why did he still enforce it?

Shen Nian paused for a moment, then looked at Guangmao again.

"You sir, could you answer two questions for me first, and then I'll explain why you deserve to be reprimanded?"

"You ask!"

What is the Single Whip Method?

Guangmao frowned slightly; the question was somewhat insulting.

This policy has been in effect since the late Jiajing period and is known even to the clerks and servants in the capital's government offices.

"Taxes and corvée labor will be merged, and silver will be levied based on the acreage. The government will collect and disburse the taxes, regardless of whether the people are officials or commoners." Guangmao answered Shen Nian with the simplest five words.

These five words.

This is something Zhang Juzheng frequently mentioned in his documents regarding the Single Whip Law strategy.

The consolidation of taxes and corvée labor services means merging all taxes, including land tax, corvée labor service, and miscellaneous taxes, into a single item, which is then collected in silver.

Taxation based on land area means that taxes are levied according to the land area, regardless of whether the land is fertile or barren, all taxes are levied according to a uniform standard.

The system of "official collection and delivery" meant that the government directly collected taxes and delivered them to the capital, thus reducing various forms of corruption in the process.

The practice of levying taxes on all citizens, regardless of their status, effectively eliminated the privileges of certain privileged individuals.

Shen Nian asked again, "What was the purpose of surveying and measuring the land?"

"Clearly delineate official land from private land, break down the land hoarding by nobles and gentry, clear obstacles for the implementation of the Single Whip Law, and increase land taxes for the imperial court!"

If both of these questions are difficult to answer, Guangmao can be dismissed and sent home.

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian straightened her chest.

"Guangshi, since you know the significance of the land survey and the Single Whip Law, why do you still think that the Southern Law cannot be implemented in the North? The three reasons you just gave are utterly foolish!"

Shen Nian suddenly raised her voice.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Siwei, who was standing at the front, shouted at Shen Nian, "Editor Shen, if you have something to say, say it. Don't insult your colleague!"

"Yes!" Shen Nian bowed slightly.

Shen Nian has never liked to swear.

But since the other side criticized him for flattering the emperor, harming the country, and deceiving the monarch, how could he not fight back!
Shen Nian continued, "Just now, you said there were three reasons why the Single Whip Law should not be implemented in Jiangbei: the harvest in Jiangbei is low, commerce in Jiangbei is not thriving and there is a lack of silver, and the corvée labor in Jiangbei is too heavy and people are fleeing. Is that correct?"

“Yes!” Guangmao nodded.

Shen Nian continued, “Our Great Ming Dynasty possesses two capitals and thirteen provinces. The people under its jurisdiction are of varying wealth and the land is of varying quality. After the implementation of the Single Whip Law, the benefits it brings to everyone will naturally be unequal, but the advantages and disadvantages are quite obvious.”

"When Hai Qianyuan served as the magistrate of Chun'an County, he once said: 'The people do not suffer from the regular taxes levied by the court, but they suffer from the equalization of corvée labor. The rich go bankrupt and the poor flee.' I think this makes a lot of sense. Now, the Single Whip Law simplifies the process, converting all the miscellaneous taxes into silver. The people only need to pay one silver tael to gain their freedom. It also improves tax collection efficiency. It is truly a blessing for the people and a blessing for the court."

"The so-called low yield of land in Jiangbei makes it difficult to achieve fair taxation, but this is only because the Single Whip Law is more beneficial to Jiangnan than to the North. It cannot be said that it is not beneficial to the North. The corvée labor in the North is heavy, and this measure can also reduce the corvée labor of the people in Jiangbei, thus benefiting the people of Jiangbei more than the people of Jiangnan."

"The so-called lack of silver due to the stagnation of commerce in Jiangbei, making it difficult to pay taxes, is due to the North's emphasis on agriculture and the South's emphasis on commerce. This does indeed lead to cheap goods and expensive silver. However, the solution should not be to abolish the Single Whip Law, but rather for the court to find ways to revitalize commerce in the North and eliminate the situation of cheap goods and expensive silver in the North!"

"The so-called excessive corvée labor, the people fleeing, and the people selling their fields and houses or mortgaging their children to raise money for taxes are all due to the improper implementation of the Single Whip Law by some local officials. After collecting taxes, they still wanted to impose additional levies or collect taxes in advance. Even worse, some of them embezzled public funds and abused their power to collect taxes and fees! This is the fault of local officials in implementing the law, not the fault of the Single Whip Law itself."

"The imperial court requires the implementation of the Single Whip Law, but local officials implement it with additional regulations and additional lashes, sometimes even more than ten lashes. Is this the fault of the Single Whip Law?"

……

Shen Nian refuted Guangmao's three main reasons why it was not advisable to travel north from the south.

in short:
The Single Whip Law is not suitable for implementation in Jiangbei because the people there are poor and there is little commerce. This is not a fault of the Single Whip Law itself, but rather a result of the current state of affairs in the north.

When Zhang Juzheng heard the summary, "There are rules beyond rules, whips beyond whips, no less than ten whips," he felt a strong resonance.

The law is a good law, and the policy is a good policy, but it has been distorted by corrupt officials at the lower levels.

That's the root of the problem.

Throughout history, the failure of new laws has mostly been due to this reason.

At that moment, many officials suddenly felt that Shen Nian and Guang Mao's conversation was like a conversation between a teacher and a student.

Shen Nian, in her early twenties, is the teacher, and Guang Mao, in his forties, is the student.

Although Shen Nian is young.

But his words carried a critical, reprimanding, and unquestionable tone.

Her aura completely overwhelmed Guangmao. Guangmao said somewhat unconvinced, "Editor Shen, you are just talking theory. It is true that officials in Shandong are against it, and it is also true that many people among the common people are against it. How do you explain that?"

Guangmao dared to submit such a memorial.

It was because he read the memorials from Shandong officials and learned the truth about the opposition from the people of Shandong.

Shen Nian smiled dismissively.

“You’re just a servant, and that’s exactly why I’m going to tell you what you’re going to do next. That’s why you deserve to be reprimanded.”

"You submitted a memorial today criticizing the Single Whip Law, which clearly shows that you have read many memorials and learned about the local conditions in Shandong where it was being implemented. Have you carefully investigated the identities of those who oppose the Single Whip Law?"

Guangmao was somewhat stunned, then replied, "Naturally, it's the people of the county and township."

"wrong!"

Shen Nian shook his head.

"They are local officials, scholars, students, gentry, wealthy merchants—a whole host of privileged individuals who enjoy tax reductions and exemptions!"

"These people frequently appeal to express their dissatisfaction with the Single Whip Law because its implementation will deprive them of the right to reduce or exempt taxes, prevent them from pursuing personal gain, and make it impossible for them to bully those people who have no land or little land."

"In the eyes of many privileged classes, the biggest problem with the Single Whip Law was that it benefited the imperial court and the common people, but was not beneficial to the gentry and powerful!"

"You listened to these people's words, and your advice today is not for the court, nor for the people of the Ming Dynasty, but only for what is 'detrimental to the gentry and powerful.' You are acting in the interests of a few, and for your own benefit!"

"The purpose of the Single Whip Law is not to make the gentry and nobles richer, but to make the national treasury full and the people well-fed and clothed. Otherwise, one day, the wealth of our Great Ming Dynasty will be in the pockets of the princes, gentry, nobles, and wealthy merchants. What will happen if the people have no money to rebel and the court has no money?"

……

Shen Nian's words stunned everyone.

He really dares to speak his mind.

Many officials opposed the land surveying and the Single Whip Law, not because the law was unworkable, but because it damaged their interests.

Zhang Juzheng would not say these things in court.

As the Grand Secretary, he could not criticize the entire gentry and noble class; he had to save face for them, otherwise their backlash would be very strong.

But Shen Nian didn't care at all.

Shen Nian looked at Guangmao.

"Is your salary from the court or from the gentry and powerful? Your memorials are entirely for the benefit of the gentry and powerful, not for the court or the common people. Shouldn't you be reprimanded? If His Majesty were to write these words into your memorials, you would probably have no choice but to commit suicide to atone for your sins!"

The heavy accusation leveled against Guangmao by Shen Nian directly turned him into a sinner against the court and the people.

Guangmao's forehead was covered in sweat, and his back was completely soaked.

He somewhat regretted provoking Shen Nian.

If Zhang Juzheng were to offer an explanation, even if it were harsh, he would not be driven to the brink of death.

Shen Nianzhi's words have already nailed him to the pillar of shame as a "traitorous minister".

"His Majesty works tirelessly for the country, reviewing hundreds of memorials every day. The drafts of the three Grand Secretaries are also meticulous, all for the sake of the court. If you want to speak frankly, you should reflect on your mistakes and your original intentions, instead of making a scene in court and wasting everyone's time. I believe all my colleagues understand who the Single Whip Law is for!"

Shen Nian didn't forget to praise the young Wanli Emperor and the three Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet at the end, and also brought many officials to his side, so as to make it seem that Guangmao's mistake today was really serious.

Having said that, Shen Nian knew when to stop, so he bowed slightly and retreated into the queue.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard and stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, what Compiler Shen said is also what I think. At present, it is not that the Single Whip Law cannot be implemented, but that the local implementation is inappropriate. The official is also eager for the country and does not have no regard for the court or the people. I do not recommend that he be punished for this remonstrance!”

Little Wanli nodded.

"Guangshi, at the beginning of the new year, I will not punish you because I think you are thinking of the court. It is the duty of officials in the censorate to offer advice. Remember to think thrice before you speak in the future. The officials in our court need are those who can think of the court and the people. All other officials in the censorate should strive to do the same."

"Your Majesty, we will remember this!"

The officials in charge of censorship bowed and thought to themselves: If we don’t have enough evidence in the future, we must never provoke this Shen Ziheng.

In the capital, the censors and officials in charge of remonstrance were practically untouchable.

They could impeach any official, and sometimes even refute the memorials and proposals submitted by the emperor and the cabinet.

But Shen Nian seems to be their nemesis.

None of the censors who impeached or reprimanded Shen Nian ever gained the upper hand against him.

Immediately, the young Wanli Emperor stood up.

"My lords, the Single Whip Law is indeed a national policy. Its advantages and disadvantages are evident in the gradual increase of the annual silver in the Imperial Treasury. Can't you see that?"

"The Single Whip Law is the general policy, which can be adapted to local conditions and slightly adjusted. The court has always agreed to seek common ground while reserving differences, but it will not be halted for the sake of certain privileged individuals!"

"Since commerce in Jiangbei is stagnant and silver is scarce, we should find ways to make Jiangbei prosperous, rather than abandoning the laws and policies. The Grand Secretary has repeatedly submitted memorials stating that only by securing the people can the country be secure. I hope that all ministers will prioritize the interests of the people and the court. Those local officials who implement 'extra regulations and extra punishments' will be severely punished as soon as they are caught!"

"We understand!" The ministers all bowed in unison.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng was in a very good mood.

If today it were merely a matter of reading out the policy, the officials watching in the court would often outnumber those actually implementing it. But the debate between Shen Nian and Guang Mao would make more officials take it seriously and understand the court's determination to implement the Single Whip Law.

In addition, Zhang Juzheng remarked that he no longer had to deliver lengthy speeches in court every time, and that he no longer had to be resented by some officials who sought to find fault with his private conduct.

Over the past year, Shen Nian has shouldered a lot of pressure for him and transferred a lot of grudges to him.

Shen Nian understands him.

At this moment, young Wanli puffed out his chest, in a very good mood.

He liked Shen Nian's destructive power, which completely disregarded offending officials across the country.

……

After a short while, the morning court session ended, and the officials walked outside.

Many officials were somewhat dazed, as if they had just woken up.

Some people felt they had been taught a lesson, while others felt they had been scolded.

Others were looking at Shen Nian.

He seemed to embody Hai Rui's integrity, Zhang Juzheng's domineering nature, and a touch of Yan Song's cunning.

Some officials disliked Shen Nian.

What hurts the most is that Shen Nian is only twenty-seven years old at this moment.

Shen Nian strode towards the Hanlin Academy, full of energy.

It was truly satisfying to be able to unleash such a thorough and cathartic rant on the first morning of the year.

this moment.

The winter sun slowly rose from the east, illuminating the entire capital city, just like Shen Nian's mood at that moment.

(End of this chapter)