First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Not surprisingly, the Ma family also mobilized women to steam steamed buns, make buns, carry wooden barrels, and deliver meals to the people working in the fields, just like ordinary rural couples, without feeling the dignity of the master at all.

It seems that Ma Shi's own words are true, the two of them are the lives of animals, and they were not born to enjoy life.

But it happens to be as sweet as sugar, and I enjoy it.

Zhang Ximeng didn't have to work in the fields, but he was busy like a spinning top.

News keeps coming in from one village after another, what is the output, whether it agrees with the estimate, whether it is necessary to send personnel to help... He is going all out to deal with it.

Due to being too busy with official duties, Li Shanchang and others were rescued again, and they took command together with Zhang Ximeng.

Gradually, Lao Li showed a look of horror, and he respected Zhang Ximeng more.

This kid is simply amazing!

Everyone knows that the collection of land taxes is the most difficult. There are cases of resistance to taxes in various places. The common people are unwilling to pay, and the subordinates want to take advantage.

But this year the situation is very different.

Notices have been posted in various places, one for each village, and there are people who explain specifically, telling everyone how the tax standard is formulated and how to pay the land tax.

Everything is explained clearly.

When it was harvest time, the people worked all night, and it took less than half a month to harvest the rice and wheat, and [-]% of the grain was put into the warehouse.

Just when there was still some grain left to be harvested, some old farmers from some villages gathered at the threshing ground and discussed it.

"Second Uncle Zhang, our village has to pay [-] shi and five dou in total, and we'll take care of it. The superior has treated us so well, so we can't let the superior bother us, so let's send it ourselves!"

The old man in the middle nodded, "It's a good thing to be a man who knows how to repay you. Who will send it?"

"Me!" A little old man replied bluntly: "Second uncle, our family Ding Duo, Tian Duo, and the livestock carriage, we will send them!"

Uncle Zhang thought for a while, and said carefully: "You are willing to do things for the big guys, but you can't lose you. I will find another [-] young and strong people in the village to go with you. By the way, bring more food, take One thousand two hundred shi! Don't be short of time, and lose face for our Shangwan Village."

The little old man nodded, he got up to make arrangements, but Uncle Zhang stopped him again.

"Tell me, let every family choose carefully, and select the best grain. No grains are allowed, and no sand, gravel, grass sticks are allowed, understand?"

"understand!"

The little old man turned around and went down, and the other old farmers also dispersed. That night, the whole village was busy with work, and the women took the baskets and carefully selected them.

Put the selected grains into bags, each bag is full, and the weight is far beyond the regulations.

Even so, the big guys need to prepare a little more.

"This is for the superiors. If you mix in bad things, then you have no conscience. You can only have daughters in this life, but you can't have sons!"

In the face of a curse that may be unprecedented, no one dares to be sloppy.

Before dawn, the food delivery team left the village and headed straight for Chuzhou City.

On a small flag in front of the convoy, there were four crooked words written: Repay Gratitude!

The common people took the initiative to pay the land tax in advance, and they still overpaid!

It's something you can't even dream of.

But it happened on the land of Chuzhou.

Wherever the convoy loaded with food passed, it attracted countless eyes. Some people came over with clean water and dry food and asked actively. When they knew their plan, they couldn't help but give their thumbs up!

"Done right, well done! The superior has done us a favor, a great favor! We must repay the favor!"

"How should I repay my kindness? Don't pay too much food, so that the superior soldiers can eat enough, and kill the Tartars with all their strength."

"In the final analysis, it's not about allowing us big guys to live a stable life, eat enough and wear warmth."

Soon, people from various villages, Ding Duo and grain rich people took the initiative to take the lead and flocked to Chuzhou with their land taxes.

Faced with this situation, do you think Li Shanchang can't be scared?

In the past, the taxes and rations that could not be collected by forcing them with knives are now being sent on their own initiative.

People are like this, there is nothing to hesitate.

Being in the top position is destiny!

In order to avoid confusion, Li Shanchang immediately discussed with Zhang Ximeng that they should not be allowed to send food blindly.

Therefore, they temporarily stipulated that several villages were required to negotiate in advance and get an order to ship, or three thousand stones, or five thousand stones, and a maximum of ten thousand stones, to be shipped together and sent to the designated warehouse.

Then they will issue the vouchers for grain and tax payment, and then return to the village.

Zhang Ximeng naturally agreed, and asked Zhu Yuanzhang for instructions.

Lao Zhu also agreed, but he added one more thing, he would personally meet all the people who offered to deliver food, treat everyone to a meal, and ask about the situation in the village.

Furthermore, if someone is really smart and able to handle affairs, he will stay and act as an official.

From a farmer to an official at once, that is what Lao Zhu can do.

Zhang Ximeng also agreed. After all, he was able to organize the transportation of several thousand shi of grain.

As long as it is properly inspected, it can be used boldly.

Coming out of Lao Zhu, Zhang Ximeng suddenly realized something.

My goodness!

Isn't this the grain length system?

Zhang Ximeng vaguely remembered that many people regarded the grain chief system as a backward fiscal and taxation system...feeling that it is common for the grain chief to transport grain to designated areas, with low efficiency, lack of management, and a backlog of arrears.

This also caused the financial distress of the Ming Dynasty's household department.

Even the long-grain system is regarded as evidence of Zhu Yuanzhang's small-scale farmers' consciousness, ignorance of finances, and whimsical ideas.

It is the maladministration that many people gnash their teeth and hope to reform.

These views are also correct, but before thinking this way, can you be a little sure that when Zhu Yuanzhang conquered the world, due to fair land distribution and strict law enforcement.

The people took the initiative to pay the land tax, and some areas were aggregated to the rich households with many fields in Dingduo, and the rich households took the initiative to transport grain to Taicang... How many officials were saved in the process, and how much corruption and ink damage to the people were avoided?

And the food chiefs from all over the country will also be promoted and reused by Lao Zhu, and some people can even become political envoys, six ministers, and there is another channel for promotion besides the imperial examination and Guozijian.

What an honor!

Why did a good government collapse?

The annexation of the land made many people unable to make a living, but the big gentry took the opportunity to avoid the land tax, and passed on the land tax that originally belonged to them to the small people.

In this way, who is willing to take the initiative to pay the food?

At the same time, the court is full of people, who is willing to give a food chief?After all, so many Scholars are not enough points!

All foundations have been destroyed, and the food crop system has naturally become a bad government.

Can Zhu Yuanzhang be blamed for this?Zhang Ximeng grinned helplessly, Zhu Yuanzhang should be blamed, you didn't establish the Ming Dynasty, how could the Ming Dynasty perish!

Zhang Ximeng shook his head, and went straight to Changping warehouse. He didn't have time to think about messy things, and he had to quickly count how much food was collected!

Chapter 89 Precious Banknotes

From the end of May to the beginning of June, Chuzhou was in a state of excitement. Everyone had an uncontrollable smile on their faces, and walked like a gust of wind, for fear of wasting a moment of effort.

I was busy until the tenth day of June, when Zhu Yuanzhang gave the order to call all the big guys, and prepared a table of dishes with great care, especially rare ones, as well as several jars of good wine.

This is to entertain the heroes!

Zhang Ximeng, Li Shanchang, and a lot of civil and military officials all came... Before they were seated, there was an episode where Li Shanchang insisted that Zhang Ximeng sit first.

You have done a lot, and it should be yours!

Zhang Ximeng looked at it, and thought that you are the most suitable because you are old and have a high position.

These two people are trying to act humble and low-key, but some people can't stand it anymore, they are hungry, and they still play such hypocrisy!

Peng Zaozhu sat down in front and blinked at Zhang Ximeng.There's nothing to say this time, so hurry up and take your seat.At this time, Lao Zhu also came. He looked at Peng Zaozhu on the left, and said nothing, after all, there are not so many rules right now.

Old Zhu said with a smile: "We originally wanted to invite Wu Datou to come over and put on a good show to add to the fun, but it's not easy when we think about them also going to work in the fields. Now that the harvest is bumper again, many people have invited them to sing a play , let's not make trouble."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Shanchang and Zhang Ximeng, and said, "Let's come to some affordable ones and talk about how much food we have collected, so that the big guys can have confidence!"

Having said that, Li Shanchang hesitated a little, and he stood up.

Zhang Ximeng's role is more focused on policy formulation, while Li Shanchang's role is more focused on implementation and summary.

"My superiors, and my colleagues, I want to tell you a piece of good news, very good news! Chuzhou currently has more than 21 farming households, more than 320 people, and a total of more than [-] million acres of land."

Listening to Li Shanchang's chanting, Peng Zaozhu couldn't help but joked: "I said, Mr. Li, why is there a surplus? How much is the surplus?"

Li Shanchang said with a calm smile: "I would also like to give an exact number, but more and more people from all over the country have come to seek refuge, and the number of acres of land cultivated is also increasing day by day. I still don't know exactly how many. Please forgive me!"

What do you mean, please forgive me, it is clearly in Versailles!

As the land of Huaihe River and Huaihe River, Chuzhou is a well-deserved paradise!

"These people, these fields, paid a total of 18 shi in taxes and grain!" Li Shanchang's face was full of red, and now Lao Zhu's subordinates have exceeded 5, approaching the [-] mark.

18 shi, that is, each person can share more than three shi. If you save a little, you can eat for ten months. No matter how discounted it is, it will be enough for seven or eight months.

And Lao Zhu's harvest is far more than that.

"Also, Dingyuan and other places divided the fields earlier. Lvpaizhai, Hengjian Mountain, and both sides of the Haoshui River have an average yield per mu this year that is higher than that of Chuzhou. Dingyuan County alone has contributed [-] shi of grain! "

"Not only these, but also the military village! The higher-ups took the lead in setting an example and farming by themselves. This year, the military village has reclaimed a full 20 mu." Li Shanchang sighed deeply, "However, because the military village gave way to the rich and good land, it was left to the common people. The yield per mu in Juntun is lower, but there are still 10,000+ shi, and after deducting the grain stored in the warehouse, the remaining [-]% is reserved for each thousand households.”

Li Shanchang pointed to the thousands of households present, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, each of them is a rich man, and there are several thousand shi of grain. Like Feng Guosheng, his grain is probably over ten thousand!"

Feng Guosheng was so frightened that he blushed and shook his head, "No! Mr. Li, don't talk nonsense! We have worked so hard to grow food, and you can't take it away!"

Lao Zhu couldn't help laughing, "Don't be afraid, we don't want it. Mr. Zhang has arrangements for what to do with the food."

When it was Zhang Ximeng's turn, he said with a smile: "Of course, the food stored in each thousand households can be used as part of the army's rations, but I suggest that we should develop animal husbandry in the army, raise livestock, hoard horses, and raise more chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs." Some. Let the big guy eat this year, and let the brothers have meat in their bowls tomorrow!"

Hearing this, the big guy's eyes lit up, and the days are so promising.

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded, "Leave this matter to brother-in-law, he will definitely handle it well."

After another pause, Lao Zhu silently calculated, "So, we have almost 30 shi of grain on hand now?"

Li Shanchang and Zhang Ximeng nodded together, "Indeed!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but narrowed his eyes slightly, 30 shi, how much should that be?Stacked together, I am afraid it is enough for a mountain!

I think back then, when I went to beg for food with a bowl in my hand, I was very happy if I could get a few meters.Now there are so many!

It's like a dream, you may not believe it even if you say it.

Lao Zhu was intoxicated for a moment, then closed his smile, and said seriously: "Now we have food and soldiers, what should we do next, we need a charter."

As soon as he finished speaking, Peng Zaozhu spoke again. He was outspoken and more or less like a young commander, so he spoke first again.

"My lord, you have a strong army and horses, and you have enough food and grass. What are you waiting for? Send troops, take Hezhou first, and then Luzhou. It's best to cross the Yangtze River and take Suzhou, Hangzhou, these heavenly places! "

When he said that, everyone laughed.

Not to mention that there are still a large number of Yuan troops in these places, and even Tianwan's soldiers and horses, the Yangtze River alone is enough to make them flinch.

Everyone else was lost in thought, but Zhang Ximeng spoke up.

"My lord, we are delighted to have food now, but don't forget that there are wolves around. Not to mention Sun Deya, there is also Zhao Junyong in Sizhou in the north. This thief plunders the land, and the common people have no way of living. If he is not allowed, he will go south to plunder, we must be prepared, if Zhao Junyong dares to come, give him a head-on blow, and we must defeat him!"

When Zhao Junyong was mentioned and war was mentioned, most of the people present straightened up, especially Tang He, Xu Da, and Peng Zaozhu!

That's right, it's time for revenge!

"Actually, these two groups are easy to deal with. After all, they are all from Haozhou. I'm afraid that if you defeat the leader, it will be easy to gather your subordinates. It is Yuan Ting who really needs to worry."

Zhang Ximeng thought it over and said: "Master, Zhang Shicheng captured Gaoyou last year. It has been more than a year now. If the Yuan court does not go south, the canal will be completely abandoned. So no matter how many difficulties there are, before this autumn, The Yuan army will definitely go south! Even the Yuan army in Jiqing and other places will cross the river to support them. When the time comes, the north and the south will attack, so we cannot relax our vigilance."

Zhang Ximeng's words made everyone's expressions gradually dignified, and they woke up from their joy.

In the final analysis, they are just a small force among the heroes of the troubled times.

Although the momentum is very good, the basis is still too shallow. If someone concentrates an army to attack, maybe everything in front of him will be empty!

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, "Sir, sir, is there any way to deal with it?"

"Have!"

Zhang Ximeng said: "In fact, 30 shi of grain is equivalent to a year's consumption. If there is a war, the expenditure will be even greater. We must save more grain, so we must continue to cultivate the land. If autumn grain can also be used We will have the confidence to harvest a good harvest and put it in the warehouse smoothly.”

At this point, everyone nodded, and Yang Yuangao suddenly asked: "In my opinion, the common people are eager to pay for food, and they still have a lot of surplus food in their hands. Can you collect more?"