eldest son of Ming dynasty

"After the new fish scale atlas is compiled, future taxes will be based on this. Originally, the land of the gentry's family did not need to pay taxes, but the reason why it must be measured this time is to change this rule. From now on. Later, regardless of what happened elsewhere, the imperial court levied taxes in Jiangnan only on a per-field basis.

According to the latest measurement results, the number of paddy fields and dry fields in a county is clear, and how many of them are newly allocated land this year is also clear. In this way, the taxation of a county is a fixed amount. Occasionally, some people will resolutely resist. Pay, that's not a big difference.

If you compare it with the original, taxes are borne by both the common people and the gentry. After the tax base is increased, the tax ratio can be appropriately reduced. Insufficient state taxes fall on the shoulders of the common people. Only in this way can we truly achieve light corvee and light taxes. "

It was Zhang Zilin who was listening to the emperor's teachings.

After this person entered the capital, he was frequently summoned by the emperor. If not because he won the emperor's heart several times, what was the reason?
Besides him, Zhang Cong was also there.

Zhu Houzhao is preparing to put these two people to great use, so he can discuss his 'own thinking' with them in advance.

Zhang Zilin thought for a while and then said: "Then your Majesty also wants to order an end to the exemption of gentry in Jiangnan?"

"Yes. We have killed people to this extent, so it is natural to do it in one step. Because the acres of taxed land have expanded, Jiangnan taxes will definitely increase next year. This can offset the negative impact on sea trade. At the same time, once it stabilizes, it can be gradually reduced As for the tax ratio, if silver trading becomes common in a few years, priority can be given to unifying taxes in places like Jiangnan, that is, merging local taxes and Ding taxes into one.

After the rise of commerce in the south of the Yangtze River, the flow of people accelerated, and the Ding tax was difficult to collect. After unification, on the one hand, it can prevent the loss of national taxes, on the other hand, it can lift the policy shackles on the movement of people. Finally, unifying the tax types can reduce the difficulty of tax collection and simplify tax collection. tax process, improve tax efficiency and the threshold and difficulty of corruption. As for the convenience brought to escorts after the tax is monetized, this is a small detail, let alone mentioned. "

Zhang Cong had heard these words many times, but this was the first time Zhang Zilin heard them. He was greatly shocked and full of imagination, "Your Majesty has his own strategy in mind, which really impresses me."

"So some people say that I act fiercely and even compete with the people for benefits. This is short-sighted. The follow-up reforms are very heavy, so why delay it? There is no such thing as competing with the people for benefits. But it is onerous. , I am not worried. Although the road is long, it is coming soon. Jiangnan is a treasure land of the Ming Dynasty. Many reforms will precede other regions. We, the monarchs and ministers, must sort out this place. Once successful, a prosperous Jiangnan for a hundred years will be indispensable. .”

The matters mentioned by the emperor are interlocking and inseparable, and the logic is very strong, and they are not nonsense.

Zhang Cong suggested: "This time, there are a few knowledgeable officials in Jiangnan. Although they are of low rank, they understand the court's intentions. Your Majesty, why not take advantage of the reward and summon them to the capital? When the time comes, I and Zilin will meet again." They talk about it and if these relationships are straightened out, things will be much easier to do."

Zhu Houzhao thought for a while and then nodded. Those who disobey the court will be punished and killed, and those who obey the court will naturally be rewarded or promoted.

This is called the way of reward and punishment.

Let's look at Zhang Cong again... It's a little early to become the chief assistant. His character has too many edges and corners, which is a shortcoming, but it is still enough to be a reformed cabinet elder.

Leave this matter mainly to him and it should not be a big problem.

……

……

Nanchang.

The riots in Jiangnan have not yet reached Nanchang, but there are many people coming from Jiangnan.

Some came from Suzhou Prefecture, some from Songjiang Prefecture, and some even came from the Capital and Nanjing...

So many people entered Nanchang, and some of them were specially recruited.

King Ning's attempt to re-establish the palace guard was never successful, so he had to make friends with the water bandits of the Poyang Lake generation and the Tujia soldiers in the mountains of Guangxi to make them support him.

The original preparations were all in progress, but it was the Jiangnan Rebellion in the 11th year of Zhengde's reign that gave them a big gift.

There are two main counselors under King Ning, named Li Shishi and Liu Yangzheng.

Li Shishi is over 70 years old, too old to be able to do anything.

However, King Ning has some so-called resourcefulness, and his level is slightly better than that of King Anhua. Therefore, the convinced counselors are not ordinary. Li Shishi was a Jinshi. During the Hongzhi period, he served as a high-ranking official as Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Later, he became an official when he was older, and then joined Prince Ning's palace.

How were you convinced? Physically impressed.

When the old man refused to obey at first, Prince Ning ordered people to clean up their house, but he was very honest later on.

Logically speaking, Li Shizhen could write articles and talk about truths, and was especially famous for his calligraphy. He had also been praised by Li Dongyang. He should be a clean person who dedicated his life to serving the country. How could he be a thief and rebel, but this was not the case.

In fact, it was all his cunning idea that King Ning spent money everywhere to make friends with powerful people.

Because he is good at maneuvering and strategizing, and he is older, he often compares himself with Jiang Ziya and Zhuge Liang.

Another one, Liu Yang, was born in Juren. This guy took the initiative to come to the door and told King Ning, "You have me, which is equivalent to King Yan having Yao Guangxiao back then!"

What it means is self-explanatory.

Both of these people have certain strategizing skills, and they can often think together on some issues, and they are very trusted by King Ning.

As an old man who has studied for many years, Li Shishi can see the reasons behind the Jiangnan Rebellion at a glance.

Especially when he saw that there were people who were willing to run to Nanchang from Suzhou, Songjiang and other places, he gave advice to Prince Ning in the palace and said: "Emperor Zhengde dug his own foundation in the south of the Yangtze River and allowed Liu Jin to kill people, which is the way to die. Now. Now, I heard that there are already aristocratic families and people in Jiangnan who are voluntarily fighting against the imperial court. As long as the prince uses them, it will definitely become a big help!"

Liu Yangzheng also felt that it was a God-given opportunity. "My subordinates have sent people to contact some local gentry. Some of them are wanted by the court, and some have lost their families and have a bloody feud with the court. The prince only needs to summon them and show his kindness. We can win over their hearts. The top priority is to settle the refugees and send people to do some rescue work. There are many wealthy families in Jiangnan. These people often have millions of dollars. As long as they get one or two of them, the money and silver will be enough. It does have a source.”

"Money is secondary, the key is people." Li Shishi stroked his white beard, "These families have many scholarly families, and there are countless talented people among them. Emperor Zhengde abandoned them, so the prince can recruit them." Prince Ning He was really overjoyed when he heard it, "Yes, yes. In addition to people and wealth, there are also soldiers and horses. These people who fight against the imperial court are all brave soldiers. In the past, they fought alone. If they can be used by this king, they may be organized into an army." "

"Your Majesty, you just need to be careful that these affairs must be carried out secretly and not be known to the court. Especially the governor of Jiangxi and others, they will always be against your Majesty."

Prince Ning looked ruthless, "One day I will kill them all to vent the hatred in my heart!"

They were talking here without anyone waiting on them, they just had to discuss things in secret.

But then there was a sudden sound outside the door,

There was a snap, the sound of a teacup falling on the floor.

Prince Ning frowned fiercely, "Who?!"

After that, a beautiful and noble girl appeared under the eaves of the doorway, "Your Majesty, this is my concubine. The road was slippery just now, and I accidentally knocked the brocade askew and broke the soup specially prepared for Your Majesty. Please punish me."

"It's Mr. Lou." Prince Ning spoke softly, then waved his hand, "I don't drink any soup. This is a place for discussion. Don't come here casually in the future."

"Yes!"

"You," Prince Ning pointed to the maid next to Lou, "hurry up and clean up."

"The servant girl obeys."

Mrs. Lou is fine, but this maid... is thin and fair-skinned. She looks like an ordinary little girl.

However, Li Shishi had vague doubts in his eyes. He just had an instinctive intuition that Prince Ning was not very kind to the servants in the palace. He would beat, scold, or even kill them.

This maid seemed to be moving in a hurry, but there was a sense of stability between her dark eyebrows.

Relatively speaking, it's not normal.

But maybe it was from Princess Ning, so the thought passed by in a flash.

Moreover, Prince Ning’s Mansion itself has also screened people.

However, what he never expected was that someone had already predicted that Ning Fan would rebel, so the spies had already made arrangements.

People from Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture shouted good news.

But the next day, bad news came.

After hearing this, King Ning was slightly panicked and hurriedly summoned two counselors to discuss, "Two gentlemen, I just received the news. The hateful Jiangxi governor Zheng Yu reported to the court that I must have listed some What's the matter? According to the current situation, there is no decree from the imperial court."

Li Shishi took a sip of tea and said: "Since there is no decree, it should be okay. The prince has also made friends with many people, and they can talk to each other. Emperor Zhengde never listens to Zheng Yu's words."

"But here comes the Jin Yiwei from Nanchang!"

Prince Ning showed them the little bit of white paper in his hand.

They also have their own spies outside.

Li Shishi and Liu Yangzheng glanced at each other. This matter was not simple. "How did you know?"

"Our people in the capital reported that Mao Yuwen, commander of the Jinyiwei, suddenly left the capital and came to Jiangxi."

"This is a bit strange," Li Shishi immediately felt something was wrong, "How do ordinary people know the whereabouts of the commander of the Jinyiwei? Can the prince's people infiltrate the Jinyiwei?"

"But...can't."

"Then how do you know?"

"Sir, this was released on purpose."

Liu Yangzheng nodded and thought so, "It should be to let us know on purpose."

“Not necessarily for us.”

"Maybe it's just an open action, maybe it's preparation for Qingtian in Jiangxi. But... the commander of the Jinyiwei is coming to Jiangxi, so many of the prince's actions are restricted."

This news was indeed released deliberately by Mao Yuwen. He was following the emperor's order to scare Ning Fan.

The actual news was more than that... He wanted to know what Prince Ning's reaction was when he knew that the court was coming to investigate them...