How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 288 "How Much Wealth Does the World Possess? Can the Taxes in the Southeast Be Fair?"

The night in the Forbidden City has deepened.

The West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace was brightly lit.

Emperor Chongzhen was still awake. He sat at his desk, wearing a Taoist robe with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Several secret memorials were spread out on the desk, along with registers from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works. These registers contained figures on land, population, salt tax, and commercial taxes.

He held the pen and wrote stroke by stroke on the manuscript paper. His handwriting was neat and tidy.

At the top of the manuscript, he wrote three words: Zhu Siwen.

This is his pen name, and everyone in the court and among the common people knows who he is. This time, he is going to use pen and paper to denounce Qian Qianyi, who also uses the pen name "Weidaozi," and the gentry and landlords behind him.

He had already decided on the title of the article: "How Much Wealth Is There in the World? Can the Taxes in the Southeast Be Fair? — A Question for Mr. Weidaozi".

He wanted to calculate the accounts and show them to the world. He wanted to use the method of calculation and reason to place himself on the side of truth and become a "great," "glorious," and "correct" wise ruler.

"The predicament of the dynasty lies not in the lack of wealth, but in the uneven distribution of taxes and the ineffective collection of them."

The opening sentence sets the tone: It's not that we don't have money, it's that the collection process is unfair and ineffective. Those who should be collected aren't, while those who don't have money are being charged indiscriminately!

Then, he began to do the accounting.

"During the Wanli era, a land survey was conducted, and the registered land area in eight provinces—Southern Zhili, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Huguang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Sichuan—was approximately 400 million mu."

In fact, these numbers were all from investigations that couldn't be completed—the investigations simply couldn't continue! Even Zhang Juzheng couldn't investigate them! Fortunately, Emperor Chongzhen was a higher-ranking official than Zhang Juzheng, and he still had tens of thousands of loyal followers at his disposal.

"If each mu (unit of land area) is taxed, including the Liaodong military tax, and five fen (a unit of silver) is actually collected, how much would the annual income be? Twenty million taels!"

His pen paused for a moment.

"But how much has actually been collected now? Less than a third! Why is this? Land ownership is concealed, bribery is rampant, officials and gentry are given preferential treatment, and the malpractices are too deep-rooted!"

With a firm press of the pen tip, the ink seeped through the back of the paper.

"What's worse, nowadays the imperial estates and royal lands of the imperial clan are all taxed according to the acreage, without paying a penny less. Why is it that in the fertile lands of the southeast, those gentry with vast tracts of land are reaping the benefits without paying a single cent? Is this fair?"

After calculating the land tax, we'll calculate the commercial tax.

"The wealth of the Southeast is unparalleled in the world. Suzhou and Hangzhou produce tens of millions of bolts of silk every year; Songjiang cotton cloth is worth hundreds of millions. If the imperial court could take a 30% cut of every hundred, the annual revenue would be in the millions."

"But now, less than one-tenth of the commercial taxes are collected. Huge profits go to wealthy merchants, while the national treasury is depleted. Is this fair?"

Finally, the salt tax was calculated.

"During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the population was 60 million, and the annual salt tax revenue was 2.5 million taels. Now the population has more than doubled, but the salt tax revenue is less than 2 million taels! If the salt tax revenue could reach 5 million taels, the burden on each person would only be a few cents of silver, enough to save a million disaster victims and fund the military expenses of the nine border regions. How has the salt administration deteriorated to this extent today?"

After finishing the three accounts, he changed the subject.

"The imperial court is not trying to increase taxes on the common people, but rather to conduct a thorough land survey and equalize the tax burden! It is only right and proper for those who own land to pay taxes!"

He then proposed new policies: "New laws can also be tried in the southeast. The first is 'equalization of land tax and poll tax,' where those with land pay more and those without land pay less or none. The second is 'official recruitment of labor service,' where those with land pay silver to be exempt from labor service, and the government recruits laborers to do the work. The poor get money, and official business can still be done, killing two birds with one stone."

"If we can clear up the land, collect taxes uniformly, and integrate the poll tax into the land tax, the taxes will be fair, the people will not be harassed, the national treasury will be full, and what will we have to fear from natural disasters and enemy cavalry?"

Having explained all the reasons, it was time to ignite the flames. He took a deep breath and wrote the final paragraph, which was also a declaration of war:

"The soldiers and civilians of the North have fought against natural disasters and resisted the powerful invaders, their blood nearly dried up and their strength exhausted! The Southeast is rich and prosperous, is it not the king's land? Are the gentry of the Southeast not the king's subjects? At this critical moment of life and death, how can we sit idly by? If the North does not survive, how can the Southeast protect itself?"

"Now, the data is here, and the truth is clear. Siming believes this is the best way to save the country, and the most just principle for all under heaven!"

His pen suddenly sharpened, continuing to criticize Qian Qianyi—that's why he kept Qian Qianyi around! He had a great reputation, a gentle nature, and real talent. In any case, he couldn't compare to Chongzhen, who had over thirty years of experience in Handong.

"Therefore, Siming uses this article to publicly seek advice from Mr. 'Defender of the Way': You are learned in both ancient and modern times and renowned throughout the world. May I ask, when the nation is in peril, famine is rampant, and soldiers are on high alert, will you still insist on the outdated practice of 'preferential treatment for gentry' and sit idly by while taxes are unbalanced and the nation's strength is hanging by a thread? Or are you willing to discuss the word 'fairness' with Siming and the people of the world?"

"If you, sir, continue to use the fallacy of 'not competing with the people for profit' to oppose the land survey and reject the new policies, then I, Siming, would like to hear your insightful opinion: Without a land survey, without equalizing taxes, and without reforming the salt tax, where will the millions of soldiers stationed on the nine borders come from? What will the tens of millions of disaster victims in the north eat? If the north is destroyed, how can the southeast remain stable? Have you not seen the fall of the Eastern Jin, the Southern Dynasties, and the Southern Song? I wish to hear your insightful opinion, sir! I also ask all discerning people in the world to make a fair judgment!"

After finishing the article, he picked up the envelope, wrote "To Niu Jinxing, Chief Editor of Huangming Baotong," sealed it, and pressed his personal seal on the seal.

"Xu Yingyuan".

Xu Yingyuan entered silently.

“Send this to Niu Jinxing. Not a single word can be changed. It will be on the front page tomorrow.”

"This servant understands." Xu Yingyuan withdrew. Chongzhen walked to the window and pushed it open a crack. A cool night breeze blew in.

He knew that once the article was published, he had the moral high ground, but he had also stirred up a huge hornet's nest. He estimated that the literary circles of Southeast China would be in an uproar.

There was no other way but to take ten or twenty thousand elite troops south to "win people over with virtue".

……

Its daybreak.

The "Huangming Baotong" newspaper, still smelling of ink, was scattered throughout the streets and alleys of Beijing by newsboys.

"Look at the newspaper! Mr. Zhu Siwen has published another powerful article, 'How Much Wealth Does the World Have? Can the Taxes in the Southeast Be Fair? — Also, a Question for Mr. Weidaozi!'"

The cries of newspaper vendors rose and fell. This newspaper, this article, was like a hot coal that had been dropped into the waters of the capital.

The "Sihaichun" teahouse in the east of the city was bustling with activity early in the morning. Several nouveau riche, who had just fled from Henan, huddled around newspapers, their eyes bloodshot.

A stout, dark-skinned country gentleman slammed his fist on the table: "My goodness! Twenty million taels! Mr. Zhu was right! My entire land was flooded. If I hadn't run away quickly, I would have been dead! The north is in such a state, yet those old men in the south, with so much land, don't pay? What kind of logic is that?"

A tall, thin man standing nearby said in a tearful voice, "That's right! The people in the north have almost all died out in the last two years, while they're enjoying themselves! If we want fairness, they have to pay!"

In the private room on the second floor, Zhu Yujian, the newly arrived Prince of Tang, dressed in a silk robe, said to his attendant:
"The imperial estates and royal fields have all been handed over, and my own estate has also been fully paid. Are the gentry of the southeast more valuable than the imperial family? Mr. Zhu is right."

The servant whispered in agreement, "Your Highness is absolutely right."

At the next table, several low-ranking officials from the north were whispering among themselves.

A senior official from the Ministry of Revenue said in a low voice, "Zhu Siwen's data is definitely accurate. The north is in dire straits, and we're all counting on the southeast. If there's another deficit, our salaries will be reduced."

Another censor sighed, "The overall situation is of utmost importance. Equalizing the tax burden is a good thing, but I fear it will be difficult to implement."

In the corner, a merchant from the official faction sat alone, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Three out of every hundred is taken... If everyone pays, it won't be a problem."

Maritime merchants don't really care about 3% in their transactions. After all, the cost is ultimately borne by the consumer!

The price of silk in the Ming Dynasty increased by 3%, so foreigners stopped buying it? Absolutely not. The price of white sugar in the Ming Dynasty increased by 3%, so foreigners stopped eating it? They wouldn't eat brown sugar (at that time, only China could produce white sugar), that was also impossible.
For them, the real profit comes from extending air routes to more distant places!

Compared to the bustling teahouses, some secluded mansions are eerily quiet.

A court official from Suzhou, claiming to be ill, paced back and forth in his study.

"The land tax system... the government's recruitment of labor service workers..." he sighed to his wife, "It's a good policy for the people. But our clan owns thousands of acres of land. If we collect taxes from all of them, how much more silver will we have to pay each year?"

This loyalty to the emperor and love for the country is a bit too expensive!
The atmosphere in Qian Qianyi's study was somber.

Qian Qianyi sat there, looking unwell, his fingers turning white as he gripped the newspaper.

This Chongzhen Emperor is going to "reunite" him again. What kind of emperor is this? If he doesn't like him, why not just dismiss him? Why does he have to promote him (he's now the Minister of Rites) while criticizing him at the same time?
Moreover, everyone now knows that he is a "defender of the Way," while the emperor is "Zhu Siwen," the leader of the Donglin Party and the most courageous writer in the land. Even if he loses to the emperor in writing and debating, he can't just slink back to Jiangnan in disgrace!
What a shame!

Qian Qianyi's student, Huang Zongxi, a principal clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, frowned and said, "Teacher! His Majesty's article is well-reasoned and supported by detailed figures. It doesn't seem like something a twenty-something emperor raised in the deep palace could write."

Wu Weiye, the magistrate of Jingxi County, chimed in: "Teacher, I often go to the Qianqing Palace to listen to the Emperor's teachings. I also feel that the Emperor is extremely talented in government affairs and his suggestions are often very insightful."

Left Censor-in-Chief Li Banghua sighed heavily: "Old Mu, His Majesty is using a calculated strategy. He's using 'fairness' as a pretext to expose the tragic situation in the north. If we oppose him, we'll be seen as villains who harm the country. We'll have lost the argument."

Xu Guangqi nodded slowly: "Your Majesty is very resourceful. In the past two years, my hometown Songjiang has prospered a lot because of the opening of the port. Shanghai County, where the Maritime Trade Office is located, is showing signs of attracting merchants from all over the world. Collecting more taxes does not seem to be a big problem."

All eyes were on Qian Qianyi.

He closed his eyes for a long time, then opened them with difficulty, his voice hoarse: "What you all said... is all reasonable."

He paused for a moment: "His Majesty is indeed a man of extraordinary talent, far surpassing mine... His proposed methods... are truly effective remedies for saving the country and the world."

What did Emperor Chongzhen experience in Handong in his previous life? He served the people for more than 30 years, rising step by step from the grassroots to the deputy director level. How could someone like Qian Qianyi, who passed the imperial examination and remained in the upper echelons without ever actually serving as an official, compare?
The study fell silent.

But Qian Qianyi, unaware of Chongzhen's skill in governance, suddenly changed the subject, expressing deep concern: "But this matter is too great! The southeast is deeply entrenched; if we forcefully push through, it could lead to a major upheaval!"

He looked at Huang Zongxi and Wu Weiye: "You two should carefully study the method and plan a sound strategy. You must not rush things."

(End of this chapter)