Chapter 104: The people’s hearts are clear, and that alone is enough!
"Your Majesty, I have already recorded all the land surveyed in Jiangnan, and all the officials and gentry who committed the crime have been imprisoned, awaiting your Majesty's judgment."

The next day, in the Fengtian Hall, Prince of Qin Zhu Chong, who had rushed back to the capital overnight, stood in front of the emperor and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and clasped his fists.

"Where is the Dali Temple Minister?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the heroic Zhu Chong, and a look of satisfaction suddenly flashed in his eyes. He then looked at the ministers and spoke softly.

"Your Majesty, I am here."

The Dali Temple Minister did not dare to delay, so he hurriedly walked out of the queue, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and bowed.

"All officials and gentry involved in this case will be handed over to the Dali Temple for interrogation."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the Dali Temple Minister and continued speaking softly.

"Old minister accepts the order."

The Dali Temple Minister bowed again.

"Hu Xiang."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and looked at Hu Weiyong and said, "Measurement of land, distribution of taxes, and unified taxation for officials and gentry are of great importance to the country. We will leave it to you to promote and implement it throughout the country."

"Mao Xiang from the Imperial Guard is assigned to you. If you encounter any illegal activities, you should follow the law of the country first. Do not disappoint us."

After a pause, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again.

"I accept your order, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

A hint of joy flashed in Hu Weiyong's eyes, and he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and bowed.

"Ah."

A profound thought flashed across his mind, and Zhu Yuanzhang just nodded.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang walked to the side, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and bowed.

In response, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and Wang Jinghong shouted, "Play!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the court has now recovered a large amount of land in Jiangnan, and this move has protected the lifeblood of the court."

"But it also caused countless people to lose the farmland they depend on for survival."

"And the court added a large amount of official land, which also resulted in a situation where no one was cultivating it."

"Therefore, for the sake of the country and the people, I ask for your permission to establish the Tianchou Division."

Zhu Gang took out a memorial from his pocket, presented it, and continued, "The duty of the Tianchousi is to rent the official land to the people for cultivation."

"Isn't that treating the people as tenants of the court?"

As soon as Zhu Gang finished speaking, the Minister of Revenue, Qie Si, took a step forward and looked at Zhu Gang.

"A tenant, but not a sharecropper."

Zhu Gang nodded first, but then shook his head.

"Your Highness Prince Jin, please enlighten me."

Qiesi bowed and said.

"Minister Qie, I would like to ask you, are most of the people in the world farmers or tenants?"

Zhu Gang walked towards Qie Si and looked at him and asked.

"tenant."

Qiesi said without even thinking.

Nearly 60% of the land in the world is in the hands of the gentry and powerful.

This is because when the Ming Dynasty was founded, Zhu Yuanzhang promulgated a national policy of light taxation and low levies and recuperation, which was why the Ming Dynasty was able to have more than 40% of farmers.

But even so, the court nobles occupied the people's land in the early years of Hongwu, and the gentry and powerful people forced the people to buy and sell, illegally occupying the people's land.

As a result, many farmers became tenants of the gentry and powerful families.

Isn't it just to find a way to survive?
So there can never be more farmers than tenants, and that is the fact.

"Then Minister Qie should understand what caused this, right?"

Hearing this, Zhu Gang said again.

"In years of great disaster, farmers would sell their land at a low price in order to survive, or the gentry, nobles and officials would force people to buy or sell their land illegally."

Qies nodded slightly.

In response to this, all the ministers in the Fengtian Hall looked at each other in bewilderment.

This Qiesi is as upright as ever!
Do you really dare to say anything?
After all, although only one out of ten civil officials from Jiangnan survived, are civil and military officials not human? Are the Huaixi nobles not human?
And what Qie Si did undoubtedly offended them all!
"What if we don't set up the Land and Farming Department, but the court distributes the land to the people? After ten, twenty, or thirty years, these people will come back again?"

"The court can measure the land again and kill a bunch of officials, but how much suffering will the people of the world have to endure?"

"Minister Qie, have you ever thought about this?"

Zhu Gang is still the Tao.

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"

A trace of contemplation flashed across Qie Si's eyes, and he looked at Zhu Gang and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, please teach me."

“Since it is impossible to curb land annexation, we should solve the problem at its source once and for all.”

"What do you mean?"

"Minister Qie, who has the guts to take the imperial court's land for himself?"

The corners of Zhu Gang's mouth slightly raised.

"Corrupt officials."

Qiesi thought about it and said.

"Land is the foundation of a country, and we must not allow it to be lost!"

"For this reason, the imperial court can conduct investigations at any time to eliminate corrupt officials."

"Moreover, Minister Qie must understand that in this world, paper can never stop fire."

"Even if you can hide it for a while, can you hide it for a lifetime?"

Zhu Gang still smiled.

"Your Highness is right."

Qiesi bowed slightly.

"The fact that the land is not distributed to the people does not mean that the court does not care about the people. This move is to protect the interests of the people!"

"At this point, the land belongs to the court and is leased to the people for cultivation. This can not only prevent serious land annexation, but also allow the people to no longer worry about food and clothing."

"What do you mean? The court will only take 10% of the land leased in a year of great abundance, and can reduce it at its discretion in a year of great disaster."

"Moreover, the land leased by the court can be exempted from taxes."

"As for the cultivated land, taxes are still required."

"In this case, with the rules set by the court, can the gentry, the powerful, and the noble ministers still oppress the people?"

Zhu Gang glanced at the civil and military officials, and although his voice was soft, it was like thunder!

In an instant, all the ministers took a deep breath!
One percent rent!
Zhu Gang is really courageous!

But if it were really implemented as Zhu Gang had imagined, wouldn't that be digging out the roots of the gentry and the powerful?
After all, as a tenant of the imperial court, only 10% of the rent was collected, but as a tenant of the gentry and powerful, the food they got was just enough to keep them fed and clothed.

What is good and what is bad? The people are not really stupid, so how could they not figure it out?

After that, who will cultivate the land owned by the gentry and powerful?

Unless we follow the court's rules and only collect 10% of the rent?

Stop making trouble, how is it possible!

But this is a naked conspiracy!

Moreover, it occupies a righteous position and has won the hearts of the people. There is absolutely no point at which one can refute it!
Even the Huaixi nobles looked slightly embarrassed.

After all, most of the land is under their names. If this were implemented, how could there be tenants to farm for them?

Then don't these marquises and dukes also have to go to the fields to farm?

"Your Highness, if the nobles rent their land to the people and collect 10% rent, how should the tax be collected?"

After thinking for a moment, Wei Si looked at Zhu Gang and spoke again.

"Collect taxes according to the acreage of the land." Zhu Gang said without even thinking.

"I understand, old minister."

Qie Si also understood Zhu Gang’s meaning, which was to dig up the roots!

And it’s totally unreasonable root digging!

"Of course, if you don't want to farm or pay taxes, the Land and Farming Division can not only lease the land, but also take it back at a high price."

"But if anyone dares to abandon his farmland and evade taxes, don't blame me for being unreasonable."

Zhu Gang looked at the ministers again and smiled meaningfully.

"Your Highness, aren't you afraid of losing the support of the people?"

Shen Liben, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, could not help but look at Zhu Gang and speak.

"The people have their own land to cultivate, and the court only takes 10% of it. How could it lose the people's support?"

Hearing this, Zhu Gang's eyes turned cold and he looked at Shen Liben.

"I am sorry for my words, Your Highness, please forgive me."

Shen Liben shuddered at the coldness shown by Zhu Gang and quickly apologized.

This move has indeed won the hearts of the people.

The target is only the gentry and powerful people.

Will the Ming Dynasty care about losing the hearts of the gentry and powerful people?

Not at all.

Because the people's hearts are clear, and this alone is enough.

After all, if you have enough food to eat and warm clothes to wear, who would risk their life in rebellion?

Even if the gentry and powerful people wanted to incite the people, it would be nothing more than clownish behavior, and it would be impossible to shake the mighty Ming Dynasty before them.

Of course, it was simply impossible to ask the gentry and powerful people to hand over their land easily, because even if they had no tenants, they still had servants to guard their homes, so there would be absolutely no problem with farming.

But because of this, they can also see the Ming Dynasty's determination to rectify the world.

Even the old Duke Li Shanchang, who was sitting in the side hall and did not attend the court, had a dark flash in the depths of his turbid eyes.

After experiencing the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the Central Plains was severely damaged, especially the gentry and powerful people, who completely lost their voice.

Therefore, it is easier to attack the gentry and powerful people at this time than in the Sui, Tang and Song dynasties.

After all, the country was stable now because Zhu Yuanzhang drove out the Tartars and recovered the lost territory. It would be easy for him to start over again.

Moreover, Zhu Gang's plan was a game within a game, with rings within rings, which was impossible to guard against.

Put the people first, and every word you say is righteous!
It's hard to refute!

This caused the gentry and powerful people to step into a vortex from which there was no escape step by step.

As for the wealth and glory that the nobles were worried about, Li Shanchang was not worried at all.

As a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, it is my duty to do anything that is beneficial to the country.

Furthermore, Zhu Yuanzhang is not the kind of person who would kill the donkey after it has done its work, so he will still give these old brothers wealth and glory!

Of course, there is a prerequisite that this group of Huaixi nobles abide by the law, and Zhu Yuanzhang can become Emperor Taizong of Tang.

But if he still dares to break the law knowingly, based on Li Shanchang's understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Yuanzhang's background, he might be even more ruthless than Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang.

"In that case, let's open the Tianchou Division."

Seeing that there was no more objection from the ministers, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was in charge, said softly, "Prince Jin, do you have anyone to take charge of the Tianchou Division?"

"I recommend Shen Liben, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to take charge of the affairs of the Tianchou Division."

Zhu Gang glanced at Shen Liben, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue who had just jumped out, then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I am a humble official with limited knowledge and I am afraid I am not qualified for such an important task!"

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could speak, Shen Liben's face changed with shock. He then walked out of the queue, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and kowtowed.

Shen Liben has to take this hot potato unless he wants to die!

After all, although Shen Liben was not from a Jiangnan gentry family, he had close ties with Jiangnan.

Moreover, this would offend all the civil and military officials in the court, including the gentry and nobles, so Shen Liben did not dare to take it.

"You are a third-rank official in the imperial court, and you are telling me that you are not very knowledgeable?"

Zhu Yuanzhang half-closed his eyes and spoke meaningfully, looking directly at Shen Liben.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid that I will fail your Majesty's wishes!"

Hearing this, Shen Liben lowered his head and replied in fear: "After all, Tian Chou is an important official of the country and cannot afford to fail. Therefore, for the sake of national affairs, I dare not take charge of it. I hope Your Majesty will punish me."

To put it bluntly, what Shen Liben meant was that he was prone to messing up.

But punishing and executing someone is a minor matter, but if it delays national plans, it will be a mistake for the country and the people.

So he was still asking Zhu Yuanzhang to revoke his decision.

"Then who do you think can take charge of the Tianchou Division?"

In response, Zhu Yuanzhang flexed his wrists twice before looking at Shen Liben.

"Your Majesty will make the final decision."

Shen Liben still replied respectfully.

At this time, who could Shen Liben point out?
After all, Zhu Gang's first choice was a minister of the third rank.

But Shen Liben felt that he was not qualified for the job. If he recommended another third-rank official, wouldn't he offend people?

From now on, Shen Liben will become a laughing stock in the court.

As for the court officials above the third rank, they are all important ministers of the country with heavy responsibilities. How can they be moved lightly?
And whoever he points at will be the one to offend, so let Zhu Yuanzhang make the final decision.

At the same time, Shen Liben's heart was filled with bitterness. In fact, he also understood clearly why Zhu Gang recommended him. It was just because he jumped out just now.

This was equivalent to offending King Jin Zhu Gang, so Zhu Gang pushed him out and roasted him over the fire.

It seems that he must be cautious in his future actions, otherwise if Zhu Gang catches him, Shen Liben’s life will be over!

Little did people know that the only reason Shen Liben was able to keep his life was because he still had some value.

Otherwise, based on what Shen Liben just said, Zhu Gang would have been able to kill him on the spot.

"Minister Shen, we are asking you."

Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his eyes and spoke in the same normal voice.

But how could all the civil and military officials in the hall not know that the calmer Zhu Yuanzhang was, the more terrifying the next explosion would be.

"Your Majesty, I recommend Prime Minister Hu!"

Facing Zhu Yuanzhang's increasingly calm tone, Shen Liben became more and more panicked, so he quickly spoke.

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers' eyes turned to Hu Weiyong again.

In response, Hu Weiyong's expression remained calm, and he didn't even cause a ripple.

"Why?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said again.

"Prime Minister Hu is responsible for the distribution of taxes and the tax collection by officials and gentry, so it is most appropriate to set up the Land and Fields Department and let Prime Minister Hu take charge of the overall situation."

Shen Liben gritted his teeth and said.

Hu Weiyong had offended too many court officials, so in Shen Liben's view, Hu Weiyong was just a solitary minister at this time.

Even if he is the right prime minister of the Secretariat, what can he do?

A lone minister is a lone minister and cannot cause any big waves!
Therefore, in order not to offend other ministers and become a lone minister, Shen Liben had no choice but to offend Hu Weiyong.

After all, Shen Liben was also an important official of the third rank. Even if Hu Weiyong wanted to control him, he had to ask the Minister of Revenue, Qie Si, whether he would agree!
After all, Shen Liben’s first superior was not Hu Weiyong, but the upright Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Qie Si.

"Prime Minister Hu, what do you think?"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and looked at Hu Weiyong and asked.

"As a minister, I should share the country's worries. If there is no suitable candidate, I, an old minister, will have no choice but to take on the responsibility."

Hu Weiyong bowed slightly.

(End of this chapter)