There is no such thing as the Kangxi and Qianlong eras

Chapter 19 Let’s change the world first!

Nie Jieren was no longer sleepy. After thinking carefully for a moment, he asked tentatively, "Yu'er, what do you want your father to cooperate with you on?"

Nie Yu said that he wanted to fool his father, but he certainly couldn't really do it. At most, he would use half-truths and half-false words to induce him. It was impossible for someone who could become the richest man in the town to be fooled by his few words.

Nie Yu was not polite and said, "Dad, we are rebelling now after all, so many rules need to be redefined. I also have some rules that need your support."

Hearing that they were going to talk about serious matters, Nie Jieren immediately sat up straight.

Seeing this, Butler Liu, who was standing beside Nie Jieren, quickly bowed and stepped back to avoid suspicion.

Nie Yu said, "Wait, Butler Liu, this matter also requires your advice."

Butler Liu hesitated: "Master..."

Nie Jieren waved his hand, unconcerned. "Old Liu, just stay and listen! We're all family."

"it is good."

Butler Liu didn't act pretentiously and obediently returned to stand beside Nie Jieren.

Nie Yu then continued, "First, we've already taken over Yidu County. Although it hasn't even been a day, this is our first piece of territory. So, I plan to establish a Grand General's Mansion to replace the original county government office and establish new order and laws."

"Well, this makes sense. There is no order without rules. Now that the county government office is gone, we naturally cannot let the entire county lose its governance." Nie Jieren agreed.

Butler Liu asked curiously, "Since it's the Grand General's Mansion, where will it be located? And who will be the Grand General?"

Nie Yu said, "We should choose the county government office as the location for the government office. We don't have much spare money right now, nor do we have the time to actually start a government office. We can just make do with the county government office. As for the general, I will naturally lead the charge myself."

"So what should Dad do?"

Nie Jieren was a little disappointed. He actually wanted to satisfy his desire to be a general, but it was no big deal if his son did it. But what should he do?
"It's very simple. I'll be the general, but I'll only be in charge of military affairs. The rest of the civil affairs will be handled by you, Dad."

Nie Yu thought for a moment and added, "Just like the former county magistrate, you will be the new county magistrate of Yidu County, and I will only be in charge of military and national affairs for now."

This was not considered decentralization, it was purely a matter of specialization. He had no experience at the moment, and secondly, he did not have much free time, so he handed over the management of the county government affairs to his father, while he focused on reorganizing the army and preparing to deal with the Qing army that was about to attack.

"Let me be the county magistrate?"

Nie Jieren's mind suddenly became active again. He had already prepared himself mentally. If he didn't want to be a general, then he wouldn't be a general. After all, this general was his son.

Now, his son asked him to be the county magistrate of Yidu County.

Although Nie Jieren was known as the richest man in the area, his wealth was limited to the township and could not be compared with the powerful people in the county because he had no official title, not even the lowest level of scholar, let alone being an official.

It can be said that if it were him before the rebellion, and someone told him that as long as he gave away all his family wealth, he could get the official position of a county magistrate, he would definitely be 100% happy to do so.

Nie Yu said calmly: "Dad, don't be too happy too soon. I can let you be the county magistrate, but your son also has conditions. We have to make three rules!" "Which three rules?" Nie Jieren asked.

Nie Yu continued, "This is what I'm going to talk about next. In addition to the newly established General's Mansion, which will replace the original county government and serve as the government office, I also plan to establish a brand new government office below the county level and above the village level. I'll call it the Town Government Office. The town government offices will be divided according to the villages they belong to, and the highest official in the town government office will be called the Town Mayor for now."

When these words were spoken, both the new "County Magistrate" Nie Jieren and the steward Liu beside him were shocked.

Because strictly speaking, although there were many towns and villages in the local areas throughout the dynasties and they could often be seen in various articles and records, there was no administrative division at the town level in the unified legal system of the imperial court.

The real town-level administrative division first appeared on the eve of the demise of the Qing Dynasty (only two years later) and was officially recognized and established.

With just a few words, Nie Yu wanted to directly change the country's grassroots administrative divisions. This is no longer just an ordinary traitor!
Because from ancient times to the present, only the founding emperor of a dynasty has the ability and courage to modify the local administrative divisions.

Nie Jieren was shocked, but he didn't object immediately. Instead, he quickly assumed the role of "county magistrate." After careful consideration, he asked, "Then when town mayors are appointed, they are divided according to the villages. Does that mean our Niejia Town also needs a town mayor? Where will all these town mayors come from? Will they be appointed by the General's Mansion, or will the towns choose them themselves? And what's the point of doing that?"

Nie Yu explained, "The mayor should first be divided according to the population of the townships and villages. If they can't decide, Dad can mediate and try to avoid conflicts. As for who will be the mayor, the local government can choose it themselves, but it can't all be done by the landlords. If they can't choose, the General's Office can directly appoint someone. Even if the local government chooses someone, the General's Office still has the power to appoint and dismiss them. We must firmly grasp these points."

"The significance of doing this is that it will make management more convenient. Under the original system, the local towns were too numerous and complex, making it almost impossible for the county government to effectively manage them. Even if I set up a general's office, it wouldn't make much difference. I have to start with the grassroots divisions."

After hearing this, Nie Jieren no longer had any questions.

Nie Yu continued, "After the town mayor is established, he will be under the jurisdiction of the county magistrate in principle. However, since Yidu currently has no county magistrate, the town mayor will temporarily be under the jurisdiction of the general's office."

"The General's Office will rebuild a new taxation system based on 'Yidu County - local towns - villages', striving to restore the original taxation order as much as possible. The tax system will also need to be changed. The original exorbitant taxes and levies need to be sorted out in the next few days, and all the levies and extortions need to be abolished. This should be widely publicized, so that the people know that with the arrival of the General's Office, the corrupt officials are gone, and their good days are coming."

"To put it bluntly, it's about buying people's hearts!"

"Changing the world and reducing taxes, as long as it can be implemented, the hearts of the people in our Yidu County will be devoted to the General's Mansion!" Butler Liu praised sincerely.

Regardless of whether it can be done or not, at least this intention has made him look at his young master with a new respect.

Nie Jieren was also very satisfied. As a father, who doesn’t want his son to become successful?

"What else?" Nie Jieren asked with a smile.

Nie Yu said, "Establish a farmers' association to help the poor and the needy and provide education. At the same time, organize farmers to train in their spare time and establish a militia."

Butler Liu commented: "I'm afraid it will cost a lot of money and food, and ordinary people can hardly afford it!"

Nie Yu smiled and said, "As long as we can achieve the aforementioned elimination of excessive taxes and levies, the people will be able to afford it. Besides, I haven't said anything more..."

　Does the Farmers' Association look familiar to you? If so, go check out the New Articles of Advice (doge)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)