Chapter 45: The people get what they deserve, and the dynasty gets what it deserves (Please read, vote for the monthly ticket, and recommend!)
"So, Hu Weiyong must use it."

In response to Zhu Yuanzhang's sigh, Zhu Gang's eyes still flashed with sharp and profound light.

"Don't keep me in suspense, little brat."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Gang who was pretending to be mysterious, and immediately scolded with some dissatisfaction.

"Old man, what Hu Weiyong can't let go of the most is nothing but power."

"And the fact that he was able to ascend to the position of Right Prime Minister step by step is enough to show his ability."

“But this is also precisely his weakness.”

"Because you are too obsessed with power, sooner or later you will be burdened by it and die without a burial place."

"So my son wanted to offer him a favor, a favor that Hu Weiyong simply couldn't refuse."

Zhu Gang raised the corner of his mouth again.

"What do you mean?"

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could speak, Zhu Biao, who was sitting next to Zhu Gang, was the first to frown.

"What do you think Hu Weiyong is still lacking?"

Zhu Gang chuckled, with a sly look in his eyes.

"He is the prime minister of a country, and he has great power. What else can Hu Weiyong ask for?"

Zhu Chong, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, with a hint of doubt in his tone.

"Title."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then uttered these two words briefly and forcefully.

"Title?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a trace of deep thought flashed across Zhu Biao and Zhu Chong's faces at the same time, and their eyes flashed with a gleam of enlightenment.

After a moment's silence, the two seemed to be in sync and nodded in unison, confirming their guess.

What Hu Weiyong lacked was the title that could be inherited from generation to generation and highlight the glory of his family.

Although Hu Weiyong was already the prime minister, he held a high position of power and authority, second only to the emperor and above everyone else, and he enjoyed the respect of the court and the admiration of his subjects.

But in this feudal dynasty with a strict hierarchy, not having a title is like the last indispensable jade button under the gorgeous court robes. Without it, it seems inadequate, and there is a sense of insecurity in the prominence.

Moreover, although the position of prime minister is honorable, it is like morning dew and evening glow, which may disappear at any time with the change of imperial power or the emperor's mood.

On the contrary, the title is like a mark engraved on the national pulse, sharing the honor and disgrace of the country. It is the rock that can ensure the prosperity of the family no matter how dynasties change, and it is also a promise of double insurance of fame and wealth.

Therefore, for the power-hungry Hu Weiyong, this lack undoubtedly became an itch in his heart that was difficult to ignore.

"Yes, it is a title."

Zhu Gang clapped his hands, his smile showing a hint of certainty and playfulness.

"First of all, there is irrefutable evidence that Hu Weiyong formed a clique and engaged in private business. We have made up our minds to eradicate him and leave no future troubles!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was firm, revealing his unshakable determination.

"Secondly, you all know that the idea of ​​abolishing the prime minister system is not something we came up with on a whim, but something we have been planning for a long time, so Hu Weiyong must also die."

"Then why should we go to the trouble of giving him unnecessary grace and conferring him a title?"

After a pause, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Gang unhappily again.

"If you want to destroy a person, you must first make him crazy."

"And the title is a strong medicine. After all, killing Hu Weiyong is easy, but it is only to abolish the prime minister system."

"Isn't that a waste of talent?"

Facing Old Zhu's dissatisfaction, Zhu Gang still spoke calmly.

"But what use is Hu Weiyong other than causing losses to both sides and the Jiangnan gentry?" Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly stunned and asked.

"Old man, let me ask you, when the Ming Dynasty was first established, you issued a national policy to recuperate, reduce taxes and levies, and exempt the people from taxes, right?"

Zhu Gang shook his head slightly, then looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked back.

"Ah."

The corners of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth twitched inadvertently, as if some subtle memories were touched upon.

But then, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded reluctantly with an indescribable look on his face.

"As I said before, there is nothing wrong with reducing taxes and levies and resting to recuperate."

"But the truly poor people don't even have land, so who are you giving the light taxes and levies to?"

Zhu Gang naturally noticed the embarrassment on Old Zhu's face, but he still spoke very seriously.

If Zhu Yuanzhang had not noticed the serious look on his son's face, he would probably have slapped him in the face.

He is really talking about things that are not related to the topic. He doesn't even know how to give his father some face.

"If we really want to implement the policy of reducing taxes and levies, there are only eight words to do it."

But Zhu Gang was too lazy to guess what Old Zhu meant. He pondered for a moment, then chose his words carefully with a deep look in his eyes.

As soon as the words fell, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's pupils shrank at the same time.

Can just eight words really solve the problem that is giving Mr. Zhu the most headache right now?
After all, ever since Zhu Gang talked about it that day, Old Zhu had already seen the drawbacks of this.

Taxes and levies are light, but how can most people in the world afford good farmland?
Even if they have good land, they still have to sell it at a low price for a living in order to survive.

But the head tax still had to be paid, and that would mean that one could only become a tenant in the homes of wealthy gentry and businessmen.

So every time he thought of it, Lao Zhu got a headache.

"Which eight characters?"

Suddenly, Old Zhu no longer cared about being angry, and he and Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Gang and said.

"Measure the land and distribute the tax according to the land area."

In response to Old Zhu's urgency, Zhu Gang pondered for a moment before choosing his words carefully and speaking with a deep gaze.

"Measure the land and distribute the tax according to the land area?"

Zhu Yuanzhang repeated these eight words, his brows full of confusion.

"Third brother, explain it clearly."

Zhu Biao vaguely grasped the key, but found it difficult to explain, so he asked Zhu Gang again anxiously.

"The land survey means to comprehensively check and verify the land to ensure the true situation of each piece of land and to prevent any underreporting or omission of information."

"The system of dividing the population tax into the land area is to include the population tax in the calculation of the land area, and to levy taxes based on the actual number of fields, rather than on the number of people."

Zhu Gang thought for a while before saying, "In this way, those who own land will be taxed more, while those who don't will be taxed less. This is much more fair and just."

After he finished speaking, the air in the entire room seemed to stagnate. There was silence and even breathing seemed to be suppressed.

Even Empress Ma and Concubine Guo Hui, who rarely paid attention to state affairs on weekdays, couldn't help but turn their gazes to Zhu Gang at this moment, with surprise and shock in their eyes.

As for Chang Qingyun and Xie Yuer, there was also disbelief in their eyes at this moment, as if they heard thunder in their ears.

"Measure the land and distribute the tax according to the acreage!" These eight words are as loud as a bell, resonating in people's hearts.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was still muttering to himself, the trembling sound was enough to show how shaken he was.

Zhu Biao even stood up, took Zhu Gang's hand and said excitedly: "Third brother, this is not just about reducing taxes, this is also about fundamentally solving the problem of land annexation, making taxes fair, allowing the people to get what they deserve, and allowing the dynasty to benefit!"

　I got home too late last night, which delayed the update. Sorry, brothers!
　　I still ask for your continued reading, monthly votes, and recommendation votes. By the way, please join the group. Thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)