The Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, the land of Shenzhou sank, and the war was tragic, and it was unbearable to witness.

But such a costly national war, if it were only a simple military victory, would lose its fundamental significance. If we fail to learn lessons from this war and correct our mistakes, then the price of a sea of corpses and blood can only be exchanged for decades, or hundreds of years of peace, and we will once again embark on the old road of reincarnation of chaos.

And as far as the trend of reincarnation is concerned, it seems inevitable. The longer the history of the empire, the more distinct this trend becomes. At the end of this process is the cyclical collapse of the empire and the ensuing anarchy, as well as the warlords fighting for the Central Plains and the misery of the common people.

And in the scramble for the world, the system that finally gains a competitive advantage is bound to belong to the imperial system that is easy to master and does not need to risk experiments. This is the most efficient system of warfare and the most widely recognized in society. Thus, the imperial system once again appeared at the beginning of a new dynastic cycle.

Of course, in the history of more than 2,000 years, the imperial system has not stopped tinkering with its own weaknesses. The Han Dynasty had a cutting of feudal domains and exclusive Confucianism; The Sui and Tang dynasties invented the imperial examination system for selecting talents; The Song Dynasty perfected the system of acting officers to suppress warlord feudal towns; The Ming Dynasty invented the cabinet system that replaced the power of the prime minister and the factory guard system that improved the emperor's personal monitoring ability; The Qing Dynasty's principle of passing on the throne also established a new mechanism to motivate princes to compete in suzhì.

In addition, there are eunuch control zhì system, descendant control zhì system, and so on, which are constantly improving but not working well. Although the imperial system has been perfected and developed in all aspects, there has been no effective checks and balances on the most fundamental relationship, the relationship between agricultural producers and violent atrocities. Because the victims of the most balanced desire are always the ordinary people who have no power.

Therefore, in the empire has been peaceful for a long time. After the population increased significantly, the land resources on which agriculture depended became increasingly strained, and the competition for land resources among the various strata of the empire became increasingly fierce. The competition for resources led to a strict polarization, with bureaucratic landlords and commoner landlords who won the competition gaining large amounts of land on the one hand, and large numbers of people who lost the competition becoming tenants, hired farmers, servants, vagrants, beggars, bandits, or thieves. The opportunity cost of their rebellion is low, and the risk of the empire's collapse is increased as a result.

In the fierce competition for the means of production, the destruction of the small peasant economic system on which the empire depended was added, and more displaced people and rebels were created until the rebellious violence provoked exceeded the capacity of the newly gathered empire to suppress it.

As a result, order collapsed, the world was in turmoil, productive activities were stopped on a large scale, and people died in large numbers in war and famine. The land is barren, the population has plummeted, and natural resources are relatively abundant. Small-scale divisions of the violent groups formed, attacking and annexing each other, and finally establishing new empires. At this time, the benefits of plunder are lower than the interests of maintaining order and engaging in production, production begins to recover, and the years of peace have come again.

In the final analysis, the empire was unable to absorb the surplus population of its own creation. In this way, the problem of overpopulation is solved, that is, a self-correcting mechanism based on the cycle of dynastic change and chaos.

Therefore. In order to break out of the cyclical law of the cycle of chaos, it is necessary not only to solve the long-term problem of the relationship between population and resources, but also to form a social force to construct a new type of political balance, so as to solve the cyclical problem of the degeneration of the ruling clique. However, if the basis of the small-scale peasant economy remains unchanged, the pattern of interests that induces or coerces fundamental changes in the imperial system cannot be formed, and the dynastic cycle will not end.

Apparently. Even if the current Ming Empire has a far-reaching leader like Zhu Yongxing, there is no possibility of forming a force to break out of agricultural civilization in the short term. But that doesn't mean standing still, it's about moving forward bravely, faltering, albeit faltering.

"The government should gradually withdraw from industry and commerce. Let's start with the area of people's livelihood. Zhu Yongxing's will was quite resolute, although the profits of government-run industry and commerce were great, and the help of the war was also great.

For, however developed the government-run industry and commerce were, it was after all a vassal of the empire, a vassal of the political and military organizations supported by the surplus products of the small peasant economy. It has no life and development momentum of its own.

Moreover, the power of the empire is too great, and the profitable areas will certainly be occupied and monopolized by it, and the evil consequences of poor management will be passed on to the private industrial and commercial groups, and to the craftsmen, merchants, and business owners of all sizes in the form of cost apportionment and gratuitous requisition. As a result, through the two methods of monopoly and apportionment, the government-run industry and commerce not only encroached on the development space of the private industry and commerce, but also weakened their development capacity.

On the other hand, in order to develop and defend themselves, private industrial and commercial groups would buy off and collude with imperial officials and even the emperor himself, and they would be forced to invest huge amounts of money and energy in the political field, and strive for social status and political protection for themselves and their descendants by giving bribes and gifts, donating money to buy officials, and training their children to participate in the imperial examinations. As a result, the source of corruption arises.

"Long live, the war has not ended, and it is too hasty to abolish the official office at this time." Cai Ming, the secretary of the Ministry of Works, bowed down and admonished.

"That's why we have to phase out." Zhu Yongxing insisted on his own point of view, he could not wait for the interest group to become strong before weakening it, there is no doubt that the disadvantages of the government office outweigh the benefits, "There must be a time plan, which ones to withdraw first, and then which ones to withdraw, the Ministry of Industry will draw up a plan!" ”

"Yes, Wechen obeys."

Zhu Yongxing turned to Na Song, the secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Posts and Communications, who had just joined the cabinet, and asked: "Naqing, your article Chen I have read, it's very good, but there are still a few points to improve, I have Zhu Criticism, you can gather your subordinates to discuss and study it." ”

As part of the administrative reform, Zhu Yongxing abolished the post of governor, and the largest administrative division was the province, and the highest chief executive was the governor. However, a high-ranking official like Na Song, who has made great contributions to the country and is also a representative figure of ethnic minorities, naturally has to make appropriate arrangements, and it is a good choice to join the cabinet and be a prime minister. The construction and development of transportation and postal communication are the main means to promote the circulation of population and information and change social isolation.

"Long live Qizuo, the postal system needs to be re-established, which costs a lot, and Wechen thinks that we can combine the post stations dedicated to the government with similar institutions run by the people, so that the progress can be accelerated." Na Song replied respectfully.

Zhu Yongxing thought for a while and said: "It seems that the letter classification should be implemented, and urgent items related to military newspapers and government affairs cannot be delayed. Well, that's a good idea, but be specific. ”

"Wechen understands." Na Song paused for a moment, and then said: "Long live the raising of funds to repair roads and repay the fees, Weichen thinks that he should be cautious. ”

Zhu Yongxing thought about it, smiled bitterly, and sighed: "It's a bit like a robber blocking the road!" ”

"Long live forgiveness, Weichen also knows that the imperial court's finances are tight, and Long live is really helpless." Na Song hurriedly explained.

Is a toll road feasible or not? Zhu Yongxing naturally knows that this is not a problem at the policy level, but people's psychological thinking is not easy to accept. It is a good thing to build bridges and pave roads, the government will repair it if it has money, and it will not repair it if it has no money. But why is there a sudden charge, isn't this similar to a roadblock robbery?

"You must know that the object of this charge is not ordinary people, but should be the business of the brigade, or the size and load of the vehicle exceeding a certain standard." Zhu Yongxing tried to make an effort, "This, the road is wider and smoother, the travel speed is faster, the transportation and circulation of goods are also convenient, and the people have actually benefited." ”

"Long live the kick-starter." Yicheng, the head of the household, said: "Wechen thought that he could change the way, such as commending and rewarding the good people who paved bridges and built roads; or by the merchants, the imperial court will give preferential treatment in tax reduction; Or the local government pays for the people, and the imperial court gives some exemptions in the payment of money and grain......"

Still no, Zhu Yongxing knew that Yi Cheng was euphemistic, but in fact he was against his highway tolls. Although it seems that the results are quick, in the long run, it may not be so. If you want to charge fees, you must have a management organization, and you have to support a large group of people, and after the charging period has passed, how to settle it is a trouble.

"These are approved, in addition, let's issue highway construction bonds!" Zhu Yongxing pondered for a moment and said: "Banks must develop and grow, they must spread outlets across the country, and deposits, loans and other projects must also be stepped up. When it comes to fundraising and financing, banks are the most powerful tools, and the role they play now is far from commensurate. ”

"Yes, Wechen obeys." Yi Cheng felt a secret in his heart, and felt that he should concentrate on the work of the bank, otherwise, the emperor would probably separate it, just like the departments of transportation, postal communication, and water conservancy, all of which were independent from the original ministries, which seemed to be a trend, and the distinction was more detailed and professional.

"Although the war is still being fought, the internal construction and development cannot be stagnant." Zhu Yongxing glanced at the ministers and said earnestly: "Just like a person, this muscle and bone are strong, how can external evil invade, and how can disasters get close?" Just like the construction of this infrastructure, such as water conservancy, transportation, postal communication, etc., are all major issues related to people's livelihood. And what support does the army rely on, it is not the common people who are farming, working, and doing business. Only when they live well and produce more can the backing of the army be considered solid, and the combat strength can be continuously improved. ”

After a pause, Zhu Yongxing continued: "Don't say anything, I also know that for now, the people have been suffering from war for a long time, and people are determined, even if they still continue the previous policy, as long as they are stable and peaceful, they will not starve to death, and most of the people will praise what a Ming Jun and what a prosperous era, this is not my credit, and I have never been complacent because of this." ”

"Long live the wisdom and martial arts, pull out the chaos and put things right, and the merits are obvious to all." Chen Shaoyu, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, complimented him.

"Is it the merit of one man? Zhu Qing Puzuo is also indispensable. Zhu Yongxing nodded with a smile, and said with a straight face: "However, I thought that at this time, I must not listen to the words of praise and be satisfied with pleasure." I am here today to express my determination that I will devote my mind and energy to seeking a way to end the cycle of chaos and change of dynasties for thousands of years. ”

Zhu Yongxing stood up, his eyes swept over the faces of the courtiers, and said sincerely and earnestly: "It is difficult for me to complete this extremely difficult task alone, and the Qing and others are all my ministers. ”

…………… (To be continued......)