I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 300 The People are the Foundation of the Nation! They are not mere farmers, but citizens of the Great Ming Dynasty.

A quiet atmosphere prevailed beneath the Huangji Gate.

Shen Nian's remarks on "people first, then officials, then government officials" made countless officials feel as if they were living a grand dream of a prosperous era.

In a dream.

The Ming Dynasty was ruled by wise and virtuous officials, with everyone working together as one. The country was prosperous and harmonious, creating a golden age.

But after waking up from the dream, everyone began to strip away the illusion and analyze the pros and cons.

Shen Nian's famous saying, "The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important," can only fool those under the age of sixteen who are still studying.

They couldn't fool these officials who no longer believed that "the words of sages could get things done."

Shen Nian advocated that the imperial court should bear the cost of fire tax, that all land tax regulations should be abolished unconditionally, and that the local government should pay double the wages and food allowances of local officials.

The core of its proposition is still to make officials suffer.

Its ultimate goal is to abolish the established practices in officialdom and to encourage integrity through high salaries.

His ideal of "a court full of virtuous ministers and the rule of Yao and Shun" was simply impossible to achieve in the eyes of many officials.

Because the Ming Dynasty is currently too far from achieving this goal.

They were also very clear about their own abilities and drive; they were simply not cut out to be “wise ministers.” In the officialdom, they could only benefit from the system, not take the lead.

Some officials who just wanted to lie down and do nothing grimaced slightly.

They believed that if they followed Shen Nian's words, it was uncertain whether they could become "wise ministers who will be remembered in history," but their future income would definitely decrease sharply, their future assignments would definitely increase, and the relatives and friends who relied on them for food and drink would inevitably have their profits taken by the common people.

Some old-fashioned officials who liked to study the politics of the court stared blankly at Shen Nian's back, feeling that they had finally seen through Shen Nian.

They think deeper and further ahead.

After listening to Shen Nian's words, they felt that Shen Nian wanted to change the governing strategy of the Ming Dynasty, or more accurately, the governing strategy of all dynasties.

Throughout history, rulers of all dynasties have emphasized that the people are the foundation of the state, and when the foundation is firm, the state is secure.

But in the eyes of many scholar-officials.

The term "people" here refers to privileged classes such as members of the imperial family, nobles, officials, gentry, wealthy merchants, and landlords.

As long as the interests of these privileged classes can be maintained, the country can be secure forever and the nation can prosper.

Therefore, the imperial court would grant these people powers such as tax reduction, exemption from corvée labor, exemption from torture, and wearing special clothing.

As for universal prosperity, that's simply impossible.

Where there are privileged individuals, there must also be exploited and oppressed individuals.

The lowest-class people, such as semi-self-sufficient farmers and tenant farmers who only know how to grow crops, are not people in their eyes, but cheap crop stalks.

Crops can be harvested continuously, and they can grow back one crop after another without needing to consider their mood or condition.

A flood can drown you, and a drought can kill you.

However, Shen Nian's proposal clearly leans towards eliminating the privileged class's benefits and supporting the "farmers" at the bottom, thereby fulfilling the ideal of a prosperous world where everyone can have enough to eat.

Some officials felt that this move was unfeasible and dangerous.

Zhang Juzheng's series of new laws had offended members of the imperial family, nobles, officials, gentry, wealthy merchants, and landlords.

If Shen Nianruo becomes the Grand Secretary in the future, his methods will inevitably become more ruthless, and these officials who "seek no merit but no fault" will become lambs to the slaughter.

This made them wary of Shen Nian.

Of course, some officials greatly admired Shen Nian's boldness and decisiveness. Most of these officials were young and their career aspirations were still to make the emperor as virtuous as Yao and Shun and to cleanse the world of corruption.

……

At this moment, Shen Nian stood quietly in the center of the Huangji Gate, expressionless, waiting for the officials to express their opinions.

Shen Nian understood perfectly.

What he just said would absolutely not garner the same level of agreement from the entire court as usual.

Because at least 80% of the officials in the court were self-serving and had selfish motives.

But Shen Nian was certain that her idea would be approved.

Because he understood the young Wanli Emperor, as well as Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue, and the various officials in the imperial court.

Like his grandfather, the Jiajing Emperor, and his father, the Longqing Emperor, the young Wanli Emperor was selfish in character, believing that his own family was more important than the nation's interests, and regarding the common people as mere crops.

However, the young Wanli Emperor loved fame and was eager to make a great contribution to prove himself.

He hoped to surpass Zhang Juzheng's achievements and that after he took power, he could come as close as the rule of Yao and Shun.

This is the best way to clear one's name of the despicable acts committed within the ancestral tomb.

One good deed can cover up a hundred bad ones.

In addition, doing so would sacrifice the usual practices of local government officials rather than the silver from the imperial treasury and the imperial coffers, and would win the hearts of the people. Therefore, the young Wanli Emperor would certainly be inclined to support Shen Nian.

As for the other four cabinet ministers, they all had a very long-term vision.

He understood that the main force for the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty had shifted from the imperial court to the common people, and that the joint efforts of all the people were needed. Therefore, this move to win the hearts of the people and increase cohesion was undoubtedly the right thing to do.

As for Shen Nian's ultimate goal of "high salaries to encourage integrity and abolishing old practices," the four Grand Secretaries were actually happy to see it, because for the Ming Dynasty, it would be a thorough reform and the best embodiment of fairness and justice.

This move is more beneficial than harmful, and it is entirely feasible.

The officials in charge of the censorate were all in important government departments.

They need high salaries the most.

Furthermore, once the imperial court finally abolishes the established practices throughout the country, the supervisory power of the censors will be amplified, and their status in the court will be greatly enhanced.

The young Wanli Emperor, the five Grand Secretaries, and a host of officials from the Censorate and the Imperial Academy—these were the most influential people in the regular court. If they agreed to this move, any opposition from other officials would trigger a collective attack from them.

In the imperial court, no one dared to oppose these people.

Shen Nian understands people's hearts and the pros and cons, which is why she dares to make such an idealistic statement.

And this moment.

Shen Yiguan opened his mouth several times, but couldn't think of a way to refute it.

Shen Nian used a series of intangible political ideals, such as "a court full of virtuous ministers and the rule of Yao and Shun," to elevate his propositions to a level where "not agreeing to them means having no concern for the people."

In addition, there are two pieces of data to support this, so no matter how Shen Yiguan argues, he will fall into a inferior position. He cannot claim that Shen Nian's actions are a way of seizing the ill-gotten gains of officials (i.e., common practice).

……

Just then, a young officer stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Shen's words are truly insightful and enlightening, and are indeed a long-term plan for the development of our dynasty. Since the court can afford this expense and it has won the hearts of the people, we should implement it in this way. After all, there is no better way at present!"

These words caused Shen Yiguan to blush.

Only then did he realize that his "replacing routine with generous rewards" was somewhat short-sighted and that he was treating the officialdom like a marketplace.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

Several officials from the Ministry of Justice stepped forward to express their opinions.

Shen Nian couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This was exactly as he had predicted. Whether the officials in charge of the censorate held the idea that "the people are the most important" or wanted to increase their regulatory power, they would support him.

After the officials of the Imperial Academy expressed their opinions, the Imperial Academy fell silent once again.

The officials below lowered their heads and remained silent.

They did not express their opposition verbally, but their silence spoke volumes.

Suddenly, Cabinet Minister Yin Zhengmao, who was known for his outspokenness, broke the awkward silence.

"Your Majesty, this old minister seconds the motion!" After Yin Zhengmao spoke, Wang Xijue immediately stepped forward and loudly proclaimed, "This minister seconds the motion!"

Immediately, the eyes of many officials were on Zhang Juzheng and Shen Shixing.

Their statements are crucial.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng glanced at Shen Shixing.

Zhang Juzheng was unwilling to make a statement at this time.

As the chief minister, he has the responsibility to balance public opinion with summarizing the situation. If he expresses his opinion too early, he is likely to be accused of being autocratic and ruling dictatorship, which would make it inappropriate for him to discuss political affairs in the court later.

After feeling Zhang Juzheng's gaze, Shen Shixing hesitated for a moment before striding out as well.

"I second the proposal!"

Shen Shixing usually likes to smooth things over, but he saw things very clearly today.

It is something the imperial court should have done long ago: to punish the local prefectures and confiscate their ill-gotten gains.

Otherwise, the mid-level officials in the prefectures would be able to embezzle all the people's wealth, leaving the imperial court with nothing.

He was very aware of the dirtiness in the area.

Just as many dissenting officials were pondering how to refute him, the young Wanli Emperor on the throne coughed twice.

"Cough...cough..."

"Shen Qing once said that the new policies and reforms must be implemented from the bottom up and involve the participation of the whole people. I think this makes a lot of sense. We must first make the common people feel hopeful and the local officials feel motivated. Only then can they support, participate in, and promote the new policies."

"Prime Minister, what is your opinion?"

The young Wanli Emperor asked Zhang Juzheng for his thoughts.

Zhang Juzheng strode out, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I also agree!"

The young Wanli Emperor smiled and looked around.

"If any of you ministers have any objections, you may raise them immediately. If you remain silent, then I will take it as that you have all agreed!"

Some officials, their brows furrowed as if they were constipated, wanted to stand up, but the thought that if they refuted the argument, they would be attacked by the five Grand Secretaries and a group of censors and officials, made them lower their heads again.

Shen Nian and others had the nation and its people in their hearts; the opponents, on the other hand, had only their own selfish interests and petty scheming.

Therefore, they could not find any reason to refute Shen Nian.

at this time.

Shen Yiguan suddenly took a step forward and then bowed deeply.

Many opponents were overjoyed. As long as an opponent stood up to speak, they would dare to second the motion. With many seconders, they could gain momentum.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Grand Secretary Shen's plan is excellent. After hearing it, I felt enlightened. I retract my previous plan and second it!" Shen Yiguan said in a drawn-out voice.

He knows how to choose sides.

This move greatly prevented him from becoming a laughing stock after the court session.

The young Wanli Emperor nodded in satisfaction and continued to look around.

After about ten breaths, when the five men stepped forward to speak, the young Wanli Emperor immediately said, "Shen Qing's plan is approved. Court is adjourned!"

After the young Wanli Emperor left the Huangji Gate, all the officials also withdrew.

Shen Nian let out a long breath.

I am increasingly fond of the current regular court assemblies where "the emperor and his ministers can handle government affairs face-to-face."

If officials continue to conduct their work on paper.

His theory of "people first, then officials, then government officials" is unlikely to pass so easily, or even at all.

Today, he has managed to persuade the court to sacrifice enormous interests entirely through his words.

……

immediately.

Shen Nian walked toward the cabinet office with Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao and other cabinet ministers, chatting and laughing.

Many officials watched Shen Nian's retreating figure, feeling that Shen Nian's words at court today had secured his position as a cabinet minister, but it had taken him further and further away from the position of chief minister.

Because Shen Nian's insistence on the idea that "it's better to make officials suffer than the common people suffer" is leading him further and further away from many officials.

Today's actions will further halve the regular income of many local officials, while their assignments will increase.

Those officials who only care about making money will definitely curse Shen Nian in secret, trip him up, and prevent him from advancing further in his career.

……

It was the fifth day of the sixth lunar month, around noon.

Emperor Wanli issued an edict declaring that the court would bear all the losses from the fire tax on land taxes; prohibiting all regular land tax practices in counties and townships, with severe penalties for violators; and requiring each prefecture to pay double the wages of local officials and clerks, effective from the first day of the seventh month.

This edict, as a supplementary edict to the Single Whip Law, was to be implemented unconditionally and on schedule in both capitals and thirteen provinces.

at the same time.

In his edict, Emperor Wanli solemnly promised that within three years, the court would increase the salaries of all officials.

This move naturally gives hope to those talented officials who are unwilling to collude with corrupt officials.

These edicts immediately became big news in the capital.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the common people and officials at the bottom of society have never been treated so well.

The way the "fire loss silver" was handled, where "the imperial court suffered a loss while the common people benefited," surprised many people.

and.

These edicts also imply that, in the near future, the imperial court is highly likely to abolish all established customs throughout the land.

If this is the case, businessmen with a pragmatic spirit will definitely be able to grow their businesses into large and strong enterprises, instead of being defeated and swallowed up by those unscrupulous merchants who take crooked and unethical means.

Some of the scholars in the capital had been specifically instructed by the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Many Confucian scholars wrote poems and essays praising the court's move, believing that the court cared for the people, valued public opinion, and that a prosperous future was expected.

This article praising the imperial court could not be considered sycophancy, because it was based on the truth. As a result, many scholars expressed their opinions, which greatly increased the people's goodwill towards the imperial court.

at the same time.

The next issue of "Wanli People's Mirror" will also focus on this content, so that the people can understand the court's good intentions and thus win the hearts of the people.

soon.

These edicts were then transmitted to the villages and towns surrounding the capital.

Many ordinary people, upon learning that they would no longer need to pay taxes or bribe any officials, knelt on the ground in gratitude to the imperial court.

For them, this act of kindness from the imperial court would allow their families to survive, help them endure the winter's chill, and give them hope for the future.

The clerks were also very excited when they learned that their wages and food allowances would be doubled.

Most of the local officials were from farming families and owned land. They were naturally pleased to see the court's attention to them.

Those clerks whom the people disliked were all wicked officials who wanted to get rich by extorting money from the people.

They have made too much money through exploitation. If they dare to do so again, the Ming Dynasty law will be the law to deal with them.

……

These days.

Emperor Wanli ordered the imperial guards to collect feedback from numerous poor farmers and clerks in the countryside and villages, and then ordered the Ministry of Justice to copy and distribute the information to various government offices.

He felt that the current court had taken the first step toward the rule of Yao and Shun, and that anything was possible in the future.

(End of this chapter)