eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 703 Nuclear field taxation (third update)

The Northwest was indeed victorious, and the imperial court also decided on various matters after the war.

Everyone from the officials to the harem were very excited, but Zhu Houzhao would not be immersed in this joy and thought that the world would be peaceful from now on.

After returning from Jiangnan, he had something hidden in his heart.

This is the preferential treatment for gentry.

The cabinet is conducting industry discussions, which is their mission, and Zhu Houzhao also has his own mission.

The reason why Zhang Cong was chosen was, firstly, that he was decisive in cleaning up the military settlements, and secondly, because of his bad popularity. Once the privileges of the gentry were stopped, I don’t know how many people would think of using the back door or relying on connections to gain power. Obtain exemption.

If this person is Zhang Cong, then they will have a headache.

However, the only thing Zhu Houzhao was worried about was that Zhang Cong performed well during the cleanup of the military settlements. Although he was promoted at that time and was promoted from county magistrate to high-ranking official in the court in a few years, it is also true that he was treated coldly by him.

And people change. If this time he forgets to eat and fight and starts to become a little selfish, it's not impossible.

This is also the reason for such a conversation today. He wanted to dispel Zhang Cong's concerns as much as possible, so he made it clear that I don't hate you, which is a bit strange.

I just hope he is selfish but not too serious.

Zhu Houzhao is the emperor, and his ministers have some minor problems. He cannot coax or get used to them. Necessary control and education are definitely needed. If he is alienated because of this and chooses to go against each other, he can only blame himself. Didn't think clearly.

It’s hard to say such words, I just keep them in my heart.

But he hoped that Zhang Cong could get along with his monarch and his ministers... so he didn't want him to choose the wrong path...

So I still couldn't help but remind him, "Zhang Cong, the saints say that no one is perfect. My real intention in teaching you today is to love your talents. You must not go to extremes and disappoint my expectations. Do you understand?"

Zhang Cong's heart trembled slightly.

He was suddenly afraid.

What did the emperor mean by these words?
"Yes, Weichen... remember His Majesty's teachings!"

Zhu Houzhao could only reach this point at most. Although he still had some worries in his heart, but... let it go and look forward to it later.

"You Zhi, bring a stool."

Zhang Cong thanked him and sat down.

"You should keep quiet about what I told you today in the capital. Except for discussing it with various governors during the southern tour, I have not told it since I returned to the capital."

"Wei Chen understands."

Zhu Houzhao clasped his hands behind his back and said, "When I went to Jiangnan this time, I saw many bullies who were causing trouble in the countryside. They were either big local clans or powerful people who were parasitic on local bureaucrats. Emperor Taizu wanted to show his favor to scholars, so he ordered The exemption of taxes was originally a good policy, but it has completely changed over the past hundred years, to the extent that it threatens the foundation of the imperial court and the stability of the country. You are a very talented official and you should understand what I am talking about. For example, voting offer."

Zhang Cong was slightly shocked, His Majesty actually wanted to do this!
"The imperial court has known about the donation for a long time. Before me, ministers of Xuanzong and Yingzong reported the matter, but in the end they ignored it. In fact, the harm of the donation is quite huge. First, it The tax base of the imperial court continued to shrink, but under the tax farming system of the dynasty, the total tax revenue did not decrease. As a result, the bureaucracy and powerful forces combined to continue to squeeze fewer and fewer self-cultivated farmers. As a result, the annual income of the court did not increase, but the self-cultivated farmers taxes are increasing.

In this way, more and more people are forced to give up their land, which is why most of the refugees in the past few decades have emerged.And when the world is full of refugees, the world will have changed drastically, and I, the emperor, will have come to an end.So you say, is this fatal harm? "

What the emperor said was too scary.

Zhang Cong said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, you don't need to be so worried. Since the early years of Zhengde, all industries have been prosperous, the four directions are stable, and the border troops have been refreshed. All the barbarians in the four directions have surrendered. In such a prosperous time, there will never be a shocking chaos. "

Zhu Houzhao was still serious, "I have heard of a folk proverb, which says that when the weather is sunny, it is necessary to repair the house, but when it rains, it will be too late. The preferential treatment of the gentry is the policy set by Taizu, and of course I know the ancestral system It cannot be changed. But the reality of the disadvantages is right in front of you. If you know it but don't change it, you will be scolded by your ancestors when you go underground in the future.

On the other hand, what you said is true, but it is precisely such a prosperous age that allows such a big change. Moreover, although I am not as good as Taizu Taizong, but a hundred years later, among the ancient emperors, who can surpass me can How many people are there?If I don't do it, it will be impossible for my descendants to do it, and even if they want to do it, they won't be able to do it.Therefore, I have made up my mind that the privileges of the gentry can no longer continue!Zhang Cong, I will tell you the truth.Reinstructing the gentry to pay money and grain was by no means simple and easy.If you have the intention to quit, I understand. You can talk to me at this time, and I will not punish you in any way.But if you don't tell me, then you will act contrary to your orders and ruin my major affairs, which is unjustifiable... In short, I can tolerate your lack of courage, but I cannot tolerate you destroying the overall situation. You have to think well. "

Zhang Cong clenched his fist.

The same was true in military villages at that time.

I don’t know why, but it’s a rare thing to come to him.

On the other hand, Yang Tinghe and his ilk are now either inspecting ancient texts with others to trace the origin of writing, or gathering in small groups to comment on the heroes of the past and present, and they also make final judgments for others. I really don’t know what they are relying on.

And not only did he do a simple job, but he was also attended by the elder, and his son was the emperor's appointed number one scholar and an attendant in the attendant's room.

The thought of these things certainly made him uncomfortable.

But the emperor asked him personally, and he did not dare not accept this difficult matter.

It sounds nice to say that I can't tolerate your lack of courage, but accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. If he really makes this choice, his career will be over.

In addition, he has been depressed for three years and has to wait for an opportunity...

After struggling in his heart, he knelt down and said formally: "The emperor's order is supreme. I dare not to flatter you. I am willing to use my small body to devote myself to the affairs of the country. Even if I go through fire and water, I will not give up!"

"Have you thought about it?"

"Think about it!"

"Just think about it. This matter will definitely cause shock in the court and the world. It will not happen overnight."

"I think there is a difficulty."

"what?"

"If your majesty wants to collect taxes from the gentry, you must first find out how many fields the gentry has. This requires clearing the land acres."

These four words are simple to say, but few people have been able to do it since ancient times.

Of course, Zhu Houzhao knew that a fierce man had accomplished it, at least partially. This person was Zhang Juzheng, known as Wanli Qingzhang in history.

In fact, the reform in ancient times can be summed up in four words: taxation of nuclear fields.

This is possible in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Land will begin to be annexed 100 years later. If nuclear land taxation can be re-implemented in the middle and late stages, even if it is partially successful, then there is generally no problem in extending the life of the dynasty for half a century.

This is the most essential reform, and the reason is very simple. The entire country is an agricultural country, and everyone relies on farming. Once the land problem is solved, the rest are side effects.

What Zhang Cong said is actually the same truth. The so-called exemption and exemption means re-taxation, and its premise is nuclear fields.Because you want to collect taxes from the Zhang San family, you have to first know how many acres of land they have before you can collect it, right?

The government had no control over this data during the Zhengde period. Any fish scale atlas left over from the Hongwu period had long been inaccurate, and the names of the people written on it might have been dead for decades.

"...Besides, once the matter of clearing the land is started, it cannot be stopped." Zhang Cong lowered his head, but his words showed his personal hard work and experience. "If you give up halfway, you will only destroy the order of the people without taking the responsibility to restore order." The mess left behind can easily lead to further annexation of land.”

Because in times of turmoil, it is easiest for some parties that already have a strength advantage to gain more benefits.

Zhu Houzhao lamented Zhang Cong's ability to grasp the problem, "It seems that I have entrusted the person to tell you just this point, so that you can think about the key points. As for what you said, you can't give up halfway... When have I given up halfway? I can't. Not Song Shenzong!"

(End of this chapter)