Chapter 92: Digging for the people of the world, digging for the roots of the nobles
In the Prince's Eastern Palace, the three brothers hadn't seen each other for a long time. After reminiscing about the past, they started talking about business.

"After the implementation of the land-based tax system, the pressure on the people has indeed been reduced a lot, but there has been no substantial progress in promoting people's livelihood."

"After all, the common people don't have any land, so even if the tax is distributed among the land, they don't have to pay taxes, but they still can't afford to eat."

"The other thing is the cleanup of Jiangnan. Under the strong rectification of the imperial court, the farmland was taken over by the government, but many people also lost their livelihoods."

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Gang and sighed repeatedly.

It is naturally a good thing that the imperial court pays attention to people's livelihood, but the people do not have much land, and most of the people still have no land.

If they wanted to survive, they had to become tenants and become vassals of the Jiangnan gentry in order to obtain enough food to survive.

But now, most of the gentry were destroyed by the imperial court, and their fields were confiscated as government land, leaving the people without food for their livelihood.

In this regard, not to mention Zhu Biao, even Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely troubled, but he had to come up with a solution.

Then why can’t we recruit the common people as tenants?
In fact, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao had thought about it, but what is the difference between this and the aristocratic families and gentry?
The imperial court began to oppress the people? If this were to get out, where would the dignity of the Ming Dynasty be?
Since being a tenant is not an option, is it not possible to distribute the reclaimed land to the people?

It is indeed not possible, because it can only solve the urgent problem temporarily, and if a major disaster occurs, the people will still have to sell their land to survive.

The tax rate was divided according to the amount of land used and officials and gentry all paid the tax. Although this placed some restrictions on these aristocratic families and gentry, they were not completely wiped out.

If you think about it carefully, you will understand that even if the more land you own, the higher the taxes, it is still a business that is sure to make money.

After all, the fields are there, and they produce grain every year, so in a year of disaster, they can buy up the fields at low prices.

If the imperial court distributes land to the people, it will eventually fall into the hands of the nobles and gentry. What's the point?

Furthermore, Old Zhu had been poor for half his life, and when he saw so many acres of land, his eyes widened. He was really reluctant to give them up.

Therefore, a compromise must be found that can allow the common people to have a way to survive, prevent the gentry from becoming too powerful, and prevent the court from suffering huge losses.

"It's actually not that difficult. We can rent the government land to the people and let them cultivate it. In name, the government land still belongs to the court, so naturally they don't have to pay taxes."

"As for the rent, in a good year, 10% of the land is taken, and in a bad year, 50% of the land is taken, or nothing is taken."

"This is like taking a drop of water from a vast ocean. It can not only enrich the country, but also strengthen the people. It can also demonstrate the broad-mindedness of our Ming Dynasty."

In response, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao and smiled.

"That's true, but aren't the people still tenants?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded at first, but then shook his head and said, "After all, the people still have no land."

"Why are you so rigid?"

"Why can't you just think about it?"

"The reason why tenants are called tenants is that they have no land and can only rely on other families to make a living."

"Since we can rely on other families, why can't we rely on the dynasty?"

"What's more, the court only needs to take 10% of the rent."

“Isn’t this a great favor to the people?”

"Let's put it this way. If the court grants farmland, it can greatly improve the status of tenants. Even if the nobles want to recruit tenants, they have to recruit according to the court's standards."

"After all, the people are not stupid, and it is obvious which one gives more."

"Furthermore, if there is a disaster, the court can collect rent at its discretion, which can further protect the people's livelihood."

Zhu Gang rolled his eyes at Zhu Biao again before continuing.

"Of course, I understand what you are worried about."

"If the fields are not cultivated, they will go to waste. If the nobles and gentry have no tenants, their fields will go to waste and they will not be able to pay taxes. This is also a loss for the court."

"But what does this have to do with the court? Whether they live or die, it's none of our business."

"I said the same thing. If you can't pay the taxes, the court has the right to take back the land. Of course, it won't be taken back for nothing. We will give you a sum of money to put your mind at ease."

"Furthermore, according to this plan, the imperial court can become bigger and bigger, but it only targets the nobles and gentry. For the common people, it will be beneficial and not harmful."

After a pause, Zhu Gang sneered again.

His move was to dig out the roots of the aristocracy and gentry, so that they could no longer exploit the people and could not even complain.

After all, as the old saying goes, a new emperor appoints new ministers. Why should the Ming Dynasty, which has won the hearts of the people, be afraid of these aristocratic families and wealthy people?

If the nobles and wealthy families want to rebel, then let them rebel. Let’s not talk about the Ming Dynasty, just look at the people of this world, will they agree?
"In this way, the imperial court will be able to control all the land in the world."

A gleam of brilliance also flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes.

"Well, after all, the existing land and the land in the hands of the nobles can all be taken back."

"Moreover, farmland is the foundation of survival for the people, so apart from the time spent on farming, the people will also reclaim wasteland."

"In this way, the land area of ​​Ming Dynasty will only increase, and the land tax will still be useful."

Zhu Gang smiled and nodded again.

The obsession of the Chinese people since ancient times has been the land under their feet and the food on which they depend for survival, so if they don’t hold it in their hands, it doesn’t belong to them.

The people who now have a way to make a living will work harder to reclaim wasteland, and even if the court takes back the official land in the future, they will still have land to farm, and that will be enough.

"But what if more land is reclaimed and no one is left to farm the government land?"

Zhu Biao thought about it and asked again.

"When food is abundant, it will lead to a population explosion, so you don't have to worry about no one being able to cultivate the government farmland."

"And even if that day really comes, then the grain of our Ming Dynasty will be abundant, and the people will pursue more than just food."

In response, Zhu Gang waved his hand and smiled.

"What do you mean?"

Zhu Biao didn't understand.

"Let me ask you, if you were a commoner, and your family had plenty of food, and there was surplus every year, and you had enough to eat and warm clothes, what else would you want to do?"

Zhu Gang thought about it and asked back.

"Eat meat?"

Zhu Biao asked tentatively.

"That's right. After all, who doesn't want to have a plate of meat on their dining table? But how can we exchange for this plate of meat?"

Zhu Gang nodded and asked.

"trade."

Zhu Biao didn't even think about it.

"How to trade?"

A smile appeared on Zhu Gang's lips.

"Exchange the surplus food for silver."

Zhu Biao still didn't even think about it.

"Well, it can guarantee a family's food supply for a year, or two years. As for the remaining food, it can be sold to improve the family's life."

"And by that time, the people will not only pursue meat, but more, which will also promote the prosperity of our Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gang patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder.

"But have you ever thought that if there is too much grain, will it cause the price of grain to drop and hurt farmers?"

Zhu Biao certainly understood what Zhu Gang meant, but he still shook his head.

This is indeed true. Too much grain on the market will definitely cause the price to plummet, which will be very harmful to the farmers.

"First, by setting a unified grain price, we can avoid the situation where low grain prices hurt farmers."

"Second, the imperial court opened up an official trading market for foreign trade."

"Third, the imperial court can also recycle the grain and use it as a reserve granary."

"In this way, we can not only protect the interests of the people, but also accelerate economic development and stabilize and strengthen our Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gang raised three fingers again and then looked at Zhu Biao and said.

"Large trade market, foreign trade?"

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then fell into deep thought.

"To put it simply, it means mutual benefit." "But now private transactions are not allowed. They can only be traded through the court, and the export quantity must be specified."

"And you can't trade directly with silver. You have to exchange it for Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes and trade with Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes."

"As for those who oppose or engage in private transactions, they will be directly charged with felonies."

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao who was thinking and began to explain.

"Then the commercial tax cannot be one in thirty."

Zhu Biao nodded thoughtfully.

"Of course we can't tax 10% of the tax. We must plan for business tax."

"After all, we are not doing charity."

Zhu Gang rolled his eyes.

"There's no rush for these. As for the official farmland, we can do as you wish. But what should the Ming Dynasty do about the seeds, farm tools, and food for the people before the grain is produced? It's impossible for the court to pay for everything, right?"

After thinking for a long time, Zhu Biao shook his head. After all, it was too far away. The top priority now was to solve the needs of the people.

After all, although the Ming Dynasty had become much richer at that time, it still could not afford the needs of its people.

"I say this only to tell you the general direction of enriching the people and strengthening the country."

"As for the problem you mentioned, it's not difficult."

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao and spoke with a smile on his face.

"Don't be pretentious."

Zhu Biao immediately rolled his eyes at Zhu Gang.

"The court can lend it to the people in the name of debt."

“I call it an interest-free loan.”

"As the name suggests, it means that only the principal of the loan will be recovered from the court, and as long as you are a commoner and meet the qualifications, you can apply for an interest-free loan."

“And the imperial court distributed grain seeds, farm tools, and food to the people in the form of loans.”

“Then set a time for the people to return the principal.”

"Of course, in order to reduce the pressure on the people, we can borrow money without interest, and we can also pay off the debt in installments. As for the time, it can be one year at most and three years at least."

Zhu Gang then turned to Zhu Biao and slowly told him about the interest-free loans of the future.

"As for whether the imperial court can produce it?"

"Just rest assured about this."

"If the court can't provide it, I will send a message to Taiyuan to arrange for the court. Anyway, it is enough to support the overall situation in the north."

After a pause, Zhu Gang spoke again.

"good idea."

When Zhu Biao heard this, his eyes lit up.

Interest-free loans can not only help the court avoid losses, but also provide the people with something to rely on.

In addition, the court's current reserves are sufficient to cope with the overall situation in the south. As for the north, it will be handed over to Zhu Gang's Taiyuan, and it will indeed enter a smooth transition period.

As long as they can enter this transition period and do not encounter a year of major disaster, the people of the Ming Dynasty can indeed turn things around.

"Let's go to Kunning Palace."

After saying this, Zhu Biao grabbed Zhu Gang's hand, and Zhu Di followed closely behind.

Zhu Fan: "."

However, as soon as Zhu Gang, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Di stepped into Kunning Palace, they saw Zhu Yuanzhang with an angry face and Mu Ying standing beside him. They smiled and said, "Brother!"

Muying!

As the adopted son of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, Mu Ying is the eldest brother of the three Zhu Gang brothers no matter from which level.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Prince of Jin, Your Highness the Prince of Yan."

Mu Ying did not dare to hesitate and bowed quickly.

"Brother, we are all family in Kunning Palace, so don't be so polite."

Zhu Biao hurriedly stepped forward to support Mu Ying who was about to salute, and then shook his head.

"That's right, there is no His Highness here, only brothers."

Zhu Gang also walked forward, put his arm around Mu Ying's shoulders and smiled.

"Dad, you are not angry because your son went to see the third and eldest brothers first, right?"

As for Zhu Di, he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang who had an angry face and asked cautiously.

After all, as soon as Zhu Di returned to Beijing, he went directly to the Prince of Jin's Mansion, and then went to the Prince's Eastern Palace with Zhu Gang before coming to Kunning Palace.

That's why Zhu Di thought that Zhu Yuanzhang was angry about this matter.

"Stinky boy, stop flattering yourself."

Empress Ma rolled her eyes at Zhu Di, then said meaningfully, "Someone has provoked your father."

Hearing this, Zhu Di scratched his head in embarrassment.

"If it's a serious crime, then just kill him. Why would you be angry?"

As for Zhu Gang, he pulled Mu Ying to sit at the table and then waved his hand.

"That's easy to say, but you're going to kill me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Gang and said unhappily.

"I kill if I want to kill."

Zhu Gang still waved his hand nonchalantly.

The only thing that could make Zhu Yuanzhang so angry was that those uncles from Huaixi had caused trouble.

"Ying'er, tell your brother how to kill this man?"

In response, a sneer flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes before he spoke.

"Ejin. The third brother is Ma Nanshan, the director of the Construction Department of the Ministry of Works, nicknamed Ma Sandao, who is in charge of building the Confucian Academy."

"But he allowed his subordinates to cut corners, pass off inferior materials as superior ones, and embezzle money for his own benefit."

“About one-fifth of the wood and stone materials were resold by Mananshan.”

A hint of helplessness flashed across Mu Ying's eyes, and he looked at Zhu Gang and sighed.

Ma Nanshan, nicknamed Ma Sandao.

In his early years, he followed Zhu Yuanzhang and fought in many battles. Although his achievements were not enough to earn him a title, he was still a veteran general of Huaixi.

Especially in the battle against Chen Youliang, Ma Sandao's two sons both died on the battlefield.

In the 27th year of Zhizheng, Mu Ying led his troops to war, and this Ma Sandao was used under Mu Ying's command.

Therefore, Ma Sandao was also among the founding heroes, and he was responsible for preventing the Ming Dynasty from having any descendants. How could you ask Zhu Yuanzhang to kill him?

"Uh-huh."

When these words were spoken, not only Zhu Gang, but also Zhu Biao and Zhu Di widened their eyes.

Of course they knew this Mananshan.

"How do you kill?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Gang again, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Did he admit it?"

But facing Zhu Yuanzhang's playful look, Zhu Gang ignored him, but continued to look at Mu Ying and asked.

"The person hasn't arrived yet, but Dad has already sent someone to pass on the order."

Mu Ying shook his head.

(End of this chapter)