The people of this era are having a hard time, mainly because the Ming Dynasty has too many harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes.

The taxes of the Ming Dynasty do not seem to be high, and the total amount is less than 30 million taels of silver a year, and the average amount is on each person, and a person only has five coins of silver, less than one or two pieces of silver.

However, removing the privileged class, the literati are exempt from taxation, the officials are exempt from taxation, and the clans and nobles are exempt from taxation, and one person has to pay at least two more dollars of silver.

Moreover, the accounts cannot be calculated in this way, because the inefficient tax collection system, coupled with layers of exploitation, each person bears almost one or two pieces of silver.

One tael of silver seems to be very little, and many people don't care, but according to the production efficiency of the Ming Dynasty today, this tael of silver is enough to be regarded as a heavy tax for the people.

Because these two pieces of silver are nearly 500 catties of grain, and a family of three will get 1,500 catties of grain, which is the harvest of five acres of land.

In the southeast of Daming, many families of three do not even have five acres of land.

Even if they grow two crops of grain a year, they still need women to do some manual work at home, raise chickens and pigs in exchange for some money to subsidize, so that they don't have to sell rations to pay taxes.

In the era of completely manual agriculture, these taxes were like a mountain that weighed on everyone.

And the strict hukou system makes everyone unable to change their situation.

You are a farmer, and you can't leave your land to work except for farming and selling some of your own products in the city.

In addition to this, there is also one of the most deadly obligations, and that is to perform hard labor.

According to the law of the Ming Dynasty, each household must send a laborer to serve the Ming Dynasty for free for one to two months every year.

And during the service, Da Ming didn't care about anything, even your own rations, you brought them from home.

Because of such regulations, Zhu Yuanzhang vigorously cracked down on the big family, because a family of three sent a laborer, and a family of ten also sent a laborer.

These exorbitant taxes, as well as military service, have brought a heavy burden to the lives of ordinary people.

In every household, almost half of the income has to pay taxes, and then they have to serve......

In the era of Zhu Yuanzhang, he vigorously cracked down on big families, banned widowhood, and encouraged childbirth.

Population represents taxes and national strength.

But for ordinary people, having more children means not being able to raise ...... I can't afford to live, I can't afford to raise, I can't afford to live, I can't afford to die.

It was not until the Zhu Di era that benefiting from social stability and the increase in commercial taxes made the peasants' harsh taxes less, and the people's lives were better.

And because there is not so much infrastructure construction now, the common people who serve are allowed to use money to buy themselves without service, and to work in silver.

The amount of exempt money paid is not much, and it is only about two dollars of silver per person, which can be borne by most ordinary people.

However, the preparations for this expedition to the west have caused a heavy burden on countless ordinary people.

Especially for the ordinary people in the north of the Ming Dynasty, the task of transporting grain to the northwest has become a harsh government that is fiercer than a tiger.

The main grain producing area of the Ming Dynasty is south of the Yellow River, and the grain transported to Jiayuguan alone is more than 5,000 miles.

In later generations, it was only a day's distance by a car, but in this era, it was a road that took almost three months to complete by a three-person grain transport team.

Fortunately, the Ming Dynasty has now built a cement road directly to Jiayuguan, if it was before, it would not be possible to arrive in three months.

Every time the Ming Dynasty transported one stone of grain to the northwest, it consumed two stone of grain.

This is also because the Ming Dynasty now has a large amount of grain from the South Seas, so he dares to do this. In the original era, why did the Ming Dynasty implement the military household system and the guard system, the key was that there was no ability to transport grain.

However, the transportation of grain from Nanyang increased the national strength of the Ming Dynasty, and for the common people, it did not improve their own situation.

In this day and age, it is impossible to expect the emperor and officials to be good to the common people.

In the eyes of these big people, it is a great kindness to be able to protect the people from the disaster of blood and light and to live well.

As a member of the privileged class, even if he has mercy for the people, Zhu Zhanji will not rashly shake the stability of society.

Because not only the emperor and officials, but also the common people themselves, also think that they can survive well. Having food to eat, clothes to wear, and the occasional snack for the children to eat is already very satisfying.

If Zhu Zhanji is now propagating that everyone is equal and that men and women are equal, this is not helping them, but harming them.

Ordinary people who have lost their faith and who have lost the restrictions of rules are the most dangerous.

Because of their ignorance, they have no scruples and cause even more damage.

Therefore, he can only take advantage of the current subordination between the Ming Dynasty and the countries of Nanyang to transport grain from Nanyang, and then use this grain to subsidize the people affected by the disaster, so that they can survive well.

Only by surviving can there be hope.

But now, someone actually did something to these grains, which he absolutely could not tolerate.

Zhu Di stared at Zhu Zhanji's face for a long time, as if to confirm the authenticity of the news, but he quickly sobered up and knew that Zhu Zhanji would definitely not talk nonsense in this matter.

He immediately issued an order to summon hundreds of officials to discuss countermeasures.

However, Zhu Zhanji stopped him and persuaded: "Grandpa Huang, now that the imperial court has just implemented a new deliberative system, the military and government are separated from the civil affairs, and now this matter involves internal supervision and the navy, and it should be handled directly by the royal family. ”

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said, "Your Highness, the minister thinks it's inappropriate." Because it is the corruption of the internal supervision and the military, it should be reviewed by the civilian authorities. ”

Zhu Zhanji retorted: "How can you guarantee that the civilian officials will not use this to weaken the power of the internal prison and the navy? The separation of civil affairs, military and government is my century-old plan for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty, and now it has only made a start, how can it return to the original point because of this case? ”

Zhao Qian asked: "Why does Your Highness take such strict precautions against Wenchen, the minister thinks that most Wenchen can uphold justice." ”

Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhao Qian's serious face, but couldn't help laughing, and sighed: "It's not that I don't believe in Wenchen's justice, but I don't believe in human nature.

A newborn child will only be waiting to be fed, and when they are sensible, they will have self-awareness, learn to protect food, and learn to make their own food. When they grow up and have a full stomach, they will want to have clothes to wear, and when they have clothes, they will want to have a horse to ride, a big house to live in, and a good wife and a beautiful concubine.

This comes from everyone's inner dissatisfaction, regardless of right and wrong and justice, Zhao Fuyin can agree with my words? ”

Zhao Qian nodded and said, "The minister agrees." But because of this, we need to learn the righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period, and restrain ourselves with courtesy, righteousness, honesty, and morality. ”

Most of the civil officials in the early Ming Dynasty actually had strong moral sentiments, which was very different from the late Ming Dynasty. Because of this, Zhu Zhanji is not afraid that there are no civil servants available, nor is he afraid that the civil servants are full of benevolence, righteousness and morality, and the water is too cold in the end.

If it is really that kind of faceless and skinless civil minister, Zhu Zhanji has the means to deal with them, but in the face of people like Zhao Xuan and Yang Rong, he must first affirm their thoughts and morals, so as to convince them.

He smiled and said: "Put aside benevolence and morality for the time being, and only talk about human nature." Human nature is insatiable, so it needs to be restrained, and this kind of restraint not only requires you to learn the righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period to restrain yourself, but also needs the imperial court to establish a strict system to restrain it, which is why there are various laws.

Confucianism and law, in the history of our thousands of years of civilization, are the northernmost admired and interdependent two major studies, and their complementary relationship cannot be denied by anyone. ”

Yang Rong and Zhao Yan also nodded, agreeing with Zhu Zhanji's words.

Zhu Zhanji also said: "The implementation of the rules of deliberation is a restriction on the chaotic quarrels in the imperial court today, and it also briefly delineates the responsibilities that all departments of the imperial court should bear. The reason why the ministers were not allowed to join was not only because they did not believe in the justice of the ministers, but also because they wanted to establish a clearer system of power and responsibility for the imperial court.

This is far more important than this case. Because this case is only temporary, it can cure the disease, but a fair system will affect the next few hundred years. ”

Only then did Zhao Qian bow down and say, "Your Highness is wise." ”

Having said that, his expression was inevitably a little depressed, and Zhu Zhanji's precaution made him clearly feel his distrust of Wenchen.

Zhu Zhanji said: "Of course, with the gradual improvement of the system, there will be a special agency to supervise the affairs of the imperial court in an all-round way in the future, but it must not be the ministers of the imperial court today. ”

Only then did Zhao Qian understand and asked, "Your Highness, will the autonomy of each ministry be greater in the future?" And the role of parliament will also grow? ”

Zhu Zhanji smiled, but didn't answer, but said: "What will happen in the future, no one can say for sure now!" ”

Zhao Meng looked at Zhu Zhanji's still young face, and there were huge waves in his heart. Who the hell said that this highness doesn't learn and has no skills!

With such a broad mind and broad vision, even I, an old minister, dare not be careless in the slightest.

And the crown prince who was praised to the sky by a group of Wenchen is just a talent of Jinshi, not much different from ordinary Guozi Jian scholars.

Can he compare to this old grandson who doesn't look like a young man at all? No!

It's no wonder that His Majesty has a lot of faith in this grandson and lets him do whatever he wants, this is the real generation of Ming Jun!

Although Zhu Zhanji did not directly answer his words, he had already drawn a general framework for the future in his heart, letting him know what direction the future should develop.

At this time, he bowed down sincerely and said, "The minister has been taught!" ”

Yang Rong was not surprised at all, in the two years that he had called the grandson, he had already seen the firm character and endless out-of-the-way opinions of this grandson.

Although many of his views are crooked and heretical, it cannot be denied that although these views deviate from the general righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period, they cannot be said to be wrong.

If it weren't for the fact that this grandson's theoretical knowledge was still a little weak, he had no doubt that he would be able to create a new discipline.

For this reason, he resigned automatically after serving as a teacher for only two years.

Because I can't teach each other.

There is another reason, that is, he has taught his grandson since he was a child if he did not win in this competition, and Xie Jin, who is more famous and more knowledgeable than him.

Although there can be many emperors, only one is recognized as an emperor.

Xie Jin has already occupied this position, so he can only retreat to the second best thing and develop well here in the cabinet.

Zhu Di smiled at this time: "Zhao Aiqing doesn't need to hold him, this kid is lawless, and he will need you and ministers like Yang Aiqing to assist him in the future." Take your seats! ”

Zhu Di was concerned about it just now, and seeing that Zhu Zhanji still had the heart to debate with Zhao Yi, he understood that Zhu Zhanji must have made arrangements, so he was not in a hurry at this time.

After everyone was seated, the waiters quickly brought out all kinds of delicacies, and everyone had nine dishes and one soup in front of them.

On the occasion when the monarch and the ministers got along, they paid attention to food and silence, and several people quickly finished eating and rinsing their mouths, and Zhu Di asked Zhu Zhanji about his countermeasures.

Zhu Zhanji had already asked the celebrant to detain Ma Qi, and asked the navy to escort Jinyiwei and the Criminal Department to investigate the case, and prepared to investigate the navy, which made Zhu Di nod.

The only thing he added was to convey a decree to the internal supervision and supervision army at all levels in Shandong, so that the supervision army at all levels could control the army, and the generals of the province would be involved in this case.

And through him to give orders to the Criminal Department, it also made it more natural for the Criminal Department to send people.

After handling these things well, Zhu Zhanji and Zhao Meng also deepened their understanding through the discussion of various links.

This is also the purpose of Zhu Di calling Zhu Zhanji today, he wants to stay in charge of the country, and the person in the position of Tianfu Yin must establish enough understanding and contact with Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Zhanji can think of this, of course Zhu Di will not think of it.

Only Zhao Yi was a little surprised, and some didn't understand why Zhu Di let himself get close to Zhu Zhanji without any worries.

Yang Rong, as a close minister, had actually guessed Zhu Di's plan.

The western expedition to Timur is no better than the northern expedition to Mengyuan, and the northern expedition to Mengyuan, except for things, the army can return to the country in two or three months at most.

This is a few years, so Zhu Di is definitely not worried about Zhu Gaochi in prison, and insists on waiting for the grandson to return to China before going to the west.

Otherwise, when the Taisun people are in the Western Regions, the emperor will let the prince supervise the country and lead the army to join the Taisun himself, wouldn't it be more powerful and strong!

However, even if he guessed that Zhu Di would do this, Yang Rong would never say anything.

He is destined to go west with Zhu Di, and no matter who is in charge of the country, it will have no effect on him.

In the afternoon of the same day, Xie Kuang carried the holy decree and boarded the cargo ship bound for Ningbo by the internal supervisor. At the same time, a herald ship of the First Fleet, also carrying more than 100 people from the Jinyi Guard, the Internal Prison, the Criminal Department, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, went to Jiaozhou by water.

Xie Kuang not only has the order to pass on the decree, but also will take over the post of Ma Qi's transfer envoy, responsible for the transfer of grain from the south to the north.

The investigation of the case cannot be stopped, the people of Shandong have not seen grain for more than half a year, and now that the Spring Festival has passed, they will soon enter the season of green and yellow crops, and if there is no more food, there will be a big mess.

On the afternoon of that day, Zhu Zhanji postponed his trip to various research institutes for inspection, and arranged for the investigation team to leave the capital, and he arranged for Jin Kuo to start investigating Ma Qi's industry in the capital.

And in the cabin of the ship heading to Shandong, Lin San held a map of Zhongzhou and carefully looked at the rivers and mountains everywhere by taking advantage of the sky that had not yet darkened.

Although there were two routes marked on it, they both passed through the Warats' controlled area, and he didn't know if the Warats would allow them to pass through their controlled area, so he had to make all kinds of preparations.

And beside him, Tang Sai'er was holding a manuscript of the Northland, looking at it with relish.

Bin Hong and Dong Yangao sat on the floor, holding twenty-five neat rolls of cylindrical silver coins, obsessively looking at the silver light reflected from the silver coins.

This is a "huge amount of money" that they have never seen before, and it is still a good year to save two silver coins in the field for food.

In the event of natural and man-made disasters, it would be good to be able to fill your stomach.

The four of them lived in the capital for a month, and they only spent three silver coins, but now they had a full five hundred silver coins in front of them.

"Xianggong, you said that there is no one in this northern land, where can we not settle down, why does Your Highness want us to go so far to establish Tanglin City?"

Lin San sighed, turned his eyes to the neat silver coin that was stacked by Binhong, and said, "This is the money that His Highness gave us for his life. The closer you are to the Ming Dynasty, everything can only be done according to the rules of the Ming Dynasty. But when we went to the extreme west, the sky was high and the emperor was far away, and His Royal Highness wanted to count on us to work hard, so he was willing to give us so many benefits. ”

Bin Hong said indifferently: "Whoever you give your life to is not a life, it is also our glory to be able to give your life to Your Highness." When we build Tanglin City, brother-in-law, you will be the lord of the city, an earl, and a general for one of the brothers. ”

Lin San shook his head and smiled, "How can it be so easy!" It is not so easy to make a contribution, and it will kill people. What's more, the city lord is not something I can do, and when His Royal Highness sends his father-in-law back, his father-in-law is still highly respected and can be qualified for this dragon head. ”

Lin San knew very well that his advantage was that he had read books for a few years, and in addition, he did not have any advantage over others.

Even his own daughter-in-law is more able to serve the public than himself. Qingzhou territory, that Xiangmaying, the major cottages will give the master a little face, give their daughter-in-law some face, if he hadn't married this good daughter-in-law, who would know who he Lin San was.

When Dong Yangao heard Lin San say this, he also nodded and said: "When I go back to Shandong, I will contact Ding Gugang, Liu Xin, Liu Jun, Wang Xuan, Hao Yunzhong, Bai Baier, Gao Yang'er, Wang Zhu'er, Yang San and others. ”

Dong Yangao said that several of these people used to be Tang's father's apprentices, but most of them were friends of friends, and they had some contact with each other, which was not close.

Lin San used to be a little respectful of these people, but now that the Ming Dynasty is peaceful, the power of the imperial court is getting bigger and bigger, and it is becoming more and more stable, how can there be a future as a bandit.

But I didn't expect Jinyiwei to be so powerful, and he actually knew that they were connected with each other, and let His Highness know about it.

It is still relying on this relationship that His Highness will appreciate them, let them liaise in the middle, and pull these people to the north and the far west to expand their territory.

With shoes to wear, who wants to be barefoot?

Even the heroes of Liangshan in the Water Margin are so powerful, didn't they want to recruit in the end?

Now that His Royal Highness personally recruited An, and promised to give them weapons, give them food, and help them settle their families, so that they could break in without any worries, Lin San was naturally unwilling to give up this opportunity.

No matter how difficult it is, Your Highness has also given a bright avenue to walk!

Tang Sai'er said calmly: "It's okay to contact, but don't talk too much." I'm going to wait for my dad to come back, so I'll go to Beimingshan first, and see that Yishiha, if the things His Highness promised can be obtained, we will do a good job. ”

Although Tang Sai'er has a nickname, because she married Lin San, her brothers who were originally older than her called her third sister.

Dong Yangao and Bin Hong have watched her grow up from childhood to adulthood, Tang Sai'er is strong in martial arts, and they have won more and lost less against them over the years, so Bin Hong and Dong Yangao admire her very much.

Dong Yangao said: "Third sister, in Shandong, your reputation is better than mine, if you want to go to Beimingshan, I should go, you are responsible for eating and drinking at home, and it is good to visit relatives and friends everywhere." ”

Lin San was also reluctant to let his wife go so far, and said: "The old and young women and children in the family are settled, it is better for you to come forward, I, a useless scholar, should go to Beimingshan." ”

Tang Sai'er sighed: "It's too early to say this, I just hope that His Highness can do what he says." As long as the imperial court gives us weapons and military horses, even if we fight to the edge of the sky and die to the last person, we will have no regrets in this life. ”

At this time, a strong man in his forties appeared at the door of the cabin and said, "Your Highness has the world in mind, why bother to deceive a few of you who have no knowledge."

If you haven't been to the sea, you don't know how big this world is! Outside of the Ming Dynasty, there are countless fertile fields and countless mines, and His Royal Highness's wish is to let all the common people live a good life, so that my Han people in the Ming Dynasty can go to every corner of the world.

As long as you can settle down in the extreme west, Your Highness will only support you, how can you be held back! ”

Several people recognized this as Feng Xiaonian, the leader of Jinyiwei this time, and it is said that this person has traveled with His Royal Highness to the East and the Western Regions, and is very valued by His Royal Highness.

The four of them didn't dare to slack off, so they hurriedly saluted and invited Feng Xiaonian to sit down on the only chair at the entrance of the cabin, and the four of them were squeezed into the bed and the two sat on the floor.

After Feng Xiaonian sat down, he spoke again: "Your Highness is also afraid of your concerns, so I specially asked me to go to Beiming Mountain this time to help you communicate in the center." This time, the more people you pull, the more horses Your Highness will give.

In addition to broadswords and spears, short bows and longbows, His Highness also specially ordered to provide you with ten barrels of gunpowder and ten barrels of buckshot. Although it is only an arquebus eliminated in the army, compared to the Mengyuan people and the Xiyi people, your weapons are already advanced.

The north is extremely cold, and the yield of wheat is low, but there are many animals in the mountains and forests, and you will not be hungry if you are hungry. After this year, you have fallen on your heels, and after next year, you will eat fragrant and spicy food, and enjoy happiness. ”

Tang Sai'er asked: "Lord of the Pacification Envoy, it's easy to say, if you want to settle down, I'm afraid you have to fill it with human lives!" ”

Feng Xiaonian asked rhetorically: "In this world, you are afraid of the dead, enjoy the blessings of the Qing Dynasty, most of you don't even know the words, can you get ahead?" ”