You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Jiang Qingyun personally cut off a piece of roasted rabbit meat, which was golden brown, and handed it to Huang Zongxi.

"Let's talk while we eat."

The two men ate a bite of rabbit meat and a sip of wine, and Huang Zongxi's gaunt face gradually regained its color.

"Old Huang, what's your opinion on Wang Anshi's reforms?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Wang Anshi's reform measures were full of flaws from the very beginning, and failure was inevitable."

What about Zhang Juzheng's reforms?

"Zhang Xiang's starting point was good, but in retrospect, it benefited Wanli but was a sin for all ages. Zhang Xiang's reform was like giving a weak patient a large amount of ginseng suddenly."

Jiang Qingyun glanced at the old man in front of him with satisfaction.

We are not alone~
……

sunset.

Night fell over Jiangning, and the world gradually quieted down.

Sound the retreat.
Jiang Qingyun took a big gulp of wine.

"Old Huang, now that things have come to this, I won't hide it from you. I have no son, so I want to leave my descendants a legacy that they can carry on."

"I am neither Wang Anshi nor Zhang Juzheng. I took a different approach and eliminated the biggest obstacle on my path forward."

"The chief minister is like a weed; a wildfire cannot burn it all, and the spring breeze will bring it back to life."

"So, I'm going to change the soil."

How do I change it?

"Change it here."

Jiang Qingyun pointed to his head.

"Prime Minister, I understand you, but how difficult is it to implement?"

"It's nothing more than using someone else's strength against them."

Jiang Qingyun sighed, unwilling to offer any further explanation.

Huang Zongxi coughed a few times.

"Prime Minister, let's get back to the point. After this battle, there will be vacancies in government offices across the country. Who will handle the taxes and corvée labor for the United Empire? We can't do without money and grain."

"autonomy."

What is autonomy?

“I intend to set up five to ten grain collection halls in each county. These will be temporary offices, open for half a month each in spring and autumn. People will be able to deliver their grain to the nearest collection hall themselves. There will be no pressure to collect or door-to-door visits; we will simply collect the grain.”

Huang Zongxi was stunned.

"Is it possible?"

"Just give it a try."

"What if the people don't pay their grain taxes?"

"Since they are troublemakers, there's no need to be polite. Let's make an example of them to warn others."

What percentage will you take?

"5%."

"How much?"

Huang Zongxi could hardly believe his ears—5%! Compared to the nascent United Empire, the Qing Dynasty seemed remarkably refined.

……

Yes, 5%.

"What does the Grand Secretary intend to do?"

Huang Zongxi's face showed a fierce look.

Jiang Qingyun remained calm and composed.

"Because I plan to abolish corvée labor and only collect grain, and the government will then use the grain to hire local farmers to do the work."

"Forgive my frankness, but your idea is good, but it will be very difficult to implement. In the end, the common people will probably have to pay 5% of their grain and perform corvée labor."

"I will send more censors to ruthlessly kill those who dare to defy the law."

"You can't kill them all."

"How could it not be completely eradicated?"

Seeing that Jiang Qingyun was unmoved by reason, Huang Zongxi simply changed his approach and asked, "Does the Grand Secretary know how much yield one mu of land produces?"

"3 jin for paddy fields, 1 shi for dry fields."

"Does the Grand Secretary know how much food an individual needs for a year?"

"10 shi (a unit of dry measure)".

"So, by taking 5%, are you planning to drive those people with limited land to suicide?"

"Old Huang, do you know how much land the gentry of the land own?"

Huang Zongxi was stunned.

"Taking Jiangnan as an example, do the gentry own more land or the common people own more land?"

"The gentry may account for 6%."

"Therefore, there will definitely be enough land in the world. My goal is to allocate 100 mu of land to each farmer and 50 mu to each farmer in the Liangjiang area, according to this standard."

How should land allocation be handled?

"Confirm property rights!"

How to confirm property rights?

"Proclaim to the world that all farmers with little land may occupy land on their own. After the harvest, they can obtain a land deed from the government by presenting proof of payment for grain. However, the limit cannot be exceeded. There will definitely be chaos, but after a year of chaos, things will return to normal."

Huang Zongxi's eyes widened, and he stood up abruptly.

"Wonderful, wonderful."

suddenly!

Huang Zongxi froze, then slowly fell backward.

"Old Huang!"

Jiang Qingyun quickly helped him up and found that Huang Zongxi had no breath left, but an excited smile was still on his thin face.

"Chief assistant?"

"Exit."

"Yes."

The guards withdrew from the main tent, and Jiang Qingyun gently closed Huang Zongxi's eyes and sighed.

"We are ultimately alone."

……

The wheels of history do not stop turning because of the death of any one person.

1664.
From spring to autumn, the empire was steeped in blood.

Chief Minister Chiang was decisive and unreasonable.

The total number of people executed in various places exceeded 20, and the number of people sentenced to exile exceeded 50. For a time, the elites went to Southeast Asia, the gentry wept for their homeland, and the countries of Southeast Asia were shocked.

The last time something like this happened was when the Southern Song Dynasty fell.

The United Empire's government offices were vacant in some areas, with as many as 8% of them being empty, creating a rare power vacuum.

The last time something like this happened was when the Jurchens invited Emperor Huizong to flee north.

Despite Chiang Kai-shek's madness, there were many who resisted him in various places. However, in the face of more than 7 elite and loyal troops directly under the central government, the resistance forces were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and were shattered into pieces.

In the entire empire, only Zheng Sen and Li Dingguo had the strength to challenge the Grand Secretary.

However, the powerful Zheng army launched a fierce attack on Chihkan City.

Li Dingguo had few troops and no strong desire to rebel. He believed that the United Empire was not the Qing Empire, and no matter who became emperor, it would all be a internal conflict.

The rest of the rebels were all small fry.

Outside Jiangning City.

Banners fluttered, and the army's might was overwhelming.

Presentation of prisoners of war ceremony!

After holding Nanchang for a month, the valiant general Wang Fuchen was assassinated by his confidant in the dead of night while he was sound asleep, and was presented as a pledge of loyalty.

at this time.

He was bound hand and foot and was begging to live.

"Grand Secretary, spare my life! I can fight! I am unparalleled in martial arts! You will need me in the future! I am the Little Lu Bu!"

Everyone laughed.

Jiang Qingyun smiled too.

"How could I dare keep Lü Bu by my side? Take him out and behead him as a warning to others."

……

By the winter of 1664, apart from the southwestern chieftains who still held sway over their own territories, there were no other opposing forces within the empire.

Jiang Qingyun personally wrote: "Peace and tranquility prevail!"
The notice was to be hung outside Yongding Gate to announce it to the world.

Great, needless to say.

Justice will prevail in the end.

This year's Spring Festival was exceptionally joyous.

The capital city was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Yuquan Mountain was bustling with activity, with people coming to persuade people to join the relocation as numerous as carp crossing a river.

"The Governor-General has arrived."

As soon as Jiang Zhongcheng arrived, he was surrounded by a crowd.

"Hello everyone."

"Your Excellency, the empire is now at peace and the people live in prosperity. The Grand Secretary should take another step forward and declare himself emperor."

"Yes, if we don't declare ourselves emperor soon, we risk chilling the hearts of the people." "The Grand Secretary's achievements are comparable to those of the Three Sovereigns, so it is only natural for him to declare himself emperor."

Jiang Zhongcheng was secretly delighted.

"Gentlemen, my son is busy with state affairs. You should pay more attention and do your best to minimize his concerns about becoming emperor. Things like the Umbrella of Ten Thousand People, the arrival of foreign envoys, and auspicious omens from the heavens are all necessary."

Everyone quickly agreed.

Throughout history, there has been no greater merit than saving one's lord, and no easier merit than persuading one to ascend the throne.

Within the United Empire, anti-Chiang Kai-shek individuals were a rarity; you couldn't find someone as remarkable as him even with a lantern.

for example.

Yao Qisheng and Zhou Peigong, two terrified men, actively joined the ranks of those urging him to take the throne, fearing that their true colors would be exposed.

……

Yuquanshan Imperial Palace.

On Jiang Qingyun's desk lay a letter sent from Chihkan City.

With the help of an inside agent, Zheng's 2 elite troops successfully landed on Tai Yuen Island and besieged Chihkan City, but due to their outdated military technology, they were unable to capture it after a long siege.

Zheng Jun began to cultivate land and make long-term plans.

The legendary hero Zheng Sen has passed away.

As was customary, the son, Zheng Jing, inherited the title and sent someone to the capital to request the official appointment.

In fact, requesting the title of Prince of Yanping was a pretense; the real purpose was to seek help and test the waters.

Jiang Qingyun was unsure how to kill three birds with one stone: to make Zheng's fleet work for the central government, to inflict heavy casualties on the Southeast Asian colonists, and to ensure that Zheng did not establish a separatist regime.

I simply decided not to think about it.

Anyway, Zheng's army was huge, so losing tens of thousands of people was no big deal.

The interests of the empire always come first.

"Prime Minister, the Dutchman requests an audience."

"See."

As soon as Van der Lan entered, he knelt down on both knees.

"Your Excellency, innocent Dutch merchants are under siege by pirates and are in grave danger. Please, for God's sake, lend a helping hand."

"The Zheng family, father and son, wield considerable military power and have always been disrespectful to the central government. I also want to deal with them, but I can only sigh in despair."

"What do you mean?"

"As you know, we lack a fleet, so how can we cross the sea?"

"What if we're willing to set sail?"

“Great, if that’s the case, then I can send troops to aid our international friends in Chihkan City.”

……

Van der Lannister gritted his teeth and decided to reveal a bold plan.

"Your Excellency, I have a bold idea."

The tone of voice was all too familiar.

Jiang Qingyun was startled by his own reaction and stared thoughtfully at Van der Lan.

"You said."

“Your country has deployed its army, and our country has deployed its fleet. We have taken Macau, and the wealth belongs to our country, while the land belongs to your country.”

"Weren't you just talking about Stanley Ho? How did it turn into Macau?"

"For the sake of mutual trust! Forgive my bluntness, but I can understand that your ambiguous relationship with the Zheng family is a strategy, but I am also worried that you might change your mind."

Van der Lan's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant.

Jiang Qingyun thought to himself, "You're actually wary of me? You're a real piece of work."

"Does Your Excellency mean that our two armies should first cooperate in fighting a battle before mutual trust can be established?"

"Yes."

"can."

"Can we form an alliance?"

"can."

"Thank you, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. However, I do have a question: Zheng's fleet is enormous. Can your few warships possibly defeat it?"

"Your concerns are valid. The Zheng fleet is vast and consists mostly of small ships. The Dutch fleet is smaller and consists mostly of large ships. To be honest, we may not be able to win."

"God bless the Netherlands."

Jiang Qingyun uttered a nonsensical remark and sent Van der Lan to the Ministry of War to finalize the alliance.

……

Red embedded city.

The city bricks are red, and when the sun shines on them, they gleam red. In addition, it was built by the red-haired Dutchmen, hence the name Stanley City.

Zheng Jing strolled atop the city wall, gazing out over the bay.

Feng Xifan followed respectfully.

"Tell the soldiers to hurry up and attack Fort Zeelandia. In the future, we will make Taiyuan Island a land of plenty."

"King Yanping is wise and sagacious."

"Some time ago, you had me mislead Jiang Qingyun into believing that Chihkan City hadn't been captured. What were you worried about?"

"Your Highness, I have dealt with this Grand Secretary before and am deeply wary of him. I believe he intends to use our fleet to eliminate the Japanese in the South Seas."

"Yes."

"I think this matter is worth making a fuss about."

"You go on."

"As pawns of the imperial court, we can rightfully demand personnel, money, and cannons from the court, bringing the entire Southeast Asia under our sphere of influence as quickly as possible. Decades later, we may well be able to rival the United Empire."

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

"Thank you for the praise, Wang Yanping."

"I have something I'd like to hear your opinion on: should we focus on developing our navy or our land forces?"

"Naval forces."

"why?"

"Our focus is on the ocean. If I may be frank, we are no match for the imperial court in land warfare, and we have no chance of landing within the next 50 years."

Zheng Jing sighed.

"Tell Zhou Quanbin that we must take Fort Zeelandia at all costs, even if it means losing 10,000 men. We must free up our resources as soon as possible to engage the Dutch fleet in a decisive battle at sea."

"As ordered."

……

1665.
Suzhou Examination Hall.

Very few scholars came to participate in the special imperial examination; not even enough to fill two tables for mahjong.

The examiner frowned.

"what happened?"

"Reporting to your master, all the scholars who were supposed to come have arrived. Nowadays, there are so few scholars that there is really no one left."

"Ok."

The examiner sighed.

Wheat has been ripening for three thousand years, but no one has ever taken the imperial examination for the first time!
After the Jiangning Rebellion, nine out of ten gentry households in the empire were deserted, and they were all struggling in the wild lands of Southeast Asia.

What will happen to us if there are no scholars?

Many people share the same concerns as this examiner.

……

After much deliberation, Feng Shuan, who was serving as the Minister of Personnel, personally went to Yuquan Mountain.

"This old minister pays his respects to the Grand Secretary."

"No need for formalities. What's the matter? Is there an urgent matter at the Ministry of Personnel?"

"Reporting to the Grand Secretary, as you instructed, the Ministry of Personnel has frozen all official appointments, only assigning temporary staff. However, there are rumors circulating in the city that no one will dare to study anymore."

"That's right."

Jiang Qingyun smiled.

"What do you think?"

"This old minister will follow the chief minister's lead without question."

“Feng Shuan, I can tell you the truth. A blank sheet of paper is easy to draw on. Regarding Confucianism and the imperial examination, I want to start from scratch. My idea is to first train a group of tutors, and then let them train students.”

"The Grand Secretary's idea is excellent; in this way, there will be no petty people hindering his governance. However, training tutors is not something that can be accomplished overnight."

Jiang Qingyun waved his hand.

"Leave this matter to them."

“Select no fewer than 1000 children aged 12 to 14 from the farmers in each province and gather them at the Imperial Academy in the capital. They will be taught to read and write for a year. After graduation, these children can serve as tutors in various places. If they make no mistakes, they will be promoted to the ninth rank after three years. After that, they can be promoted one rank every three years, up to the eighth rank.”

"Green Pearl, go and fetch the teaching materials I compiled."

"Yes."

……

Holding the book "Jiang Xun," Feng Shuan was too excited to speak. So this was the reason for the suppression of the rebellion in Jiangning. Brilliant, truly brilliant.

Jiang Qingyun said meaningfully:

"Not reading books may result in illiteracy, which may lead to ignorance but not shamelessness."

"To have read the wrong book is both shameless and reactionary."

"The Grand Secretary is wise."

At this moment~
Jiang Qingyun suddenly recalled a familiar piece of history: starting from scratch, beginning anew, and 30 years later, achieving renewed glory. (End of Chapter)