Yujiazhuang, a village not far from the capital.

Some people burn charcoal to sell in the capital, some people honestly farm to live, and some people use primitive ways to fish to survive, and what the villagers pursue is nothing more than to live.

It's just that this seemingly simple pursuit may not be able to achieve its wish.

The beams of the first house in the east of the village were much taller than the rest of the village, and although the house has become dilapidated, it proves that it was a solid family many years ago.

Chirping......

The two sections of the shaft of the front yard door are already uneven, and when the courtyard door is pushed out, it will make a very harsh noise.

A small old man with a graced figure came out of it, his face was thin and haggard, and his left eye appeared swollen, which seemed to affect normal vision.

It's just that simplicity has nothing to do with appearance, and a kind of kindness seems to have already melted into the blood.

"Your family is not rich, why did you give me these beans?"

"Okay, don't worry about going to see your daughter, I'll help you take care of this chicken!"

"If you give me the hoe, what will you do to cultivate it for that Zhao Peel?"

……

Yu Ming had already decided to leave here, and because he felt guilty about his neighbors, he gave all his valuable or practical items to his neighbors.

After doing all this, he first closed the courtyard gate, then silently left the village with his baggage, and then headed in the direction of the capital.

Some elderly villagers saw Yu Ming disappear into the spring light from afar, and couldn't help but sigh silently, as if they had seen Yu Ming's destination.

If there is no social phenomenon hidden in the dust and smoke in later generations, then this era is a norm. If there is no accident, an obscure corpse will appear in some mountain stream.

Even if it is a prosperous age, it is always a prosperous era for scholars and doctors.

Yu Ming came to the old house of Qianfu in the northern suburbs to worship his eldest daughter, but he happened to meet a black-faced young man, and this black-faced young man became a patient listener: "I never steal or rob, I have always lived my duty, and I have never been lazy in my work!" I don't know why life has become like this, the twenty acres of land handed down by my ancestors have been sold, and the eldest daughter who sold it to Qianfu has encountered an accident, what do you say I did wrong after all? ”

In this brilliant spring in March, a question about life and right and wrong finally caused this black-faced young man to think deeply.

Yu Ming's kindness came from the bone marrow, looking at the sky and muttering: "I don't want your sympathy from telling you this, I just hope that the world can get better, don't let people like me end up cornered!" ”

"You're not wrong, it's the way of the world that's wrong, I'll take you to a place!" The black-faced young man felt the kindness of this old man, so he made a decision.

Yu Ming could see that the black-faced young man was a good person, so he nodded lightly.

It's just that what he never expected was that the black-faced young man in front of him turned out to be the famous Song Qingtian, and the place where he was going to be taken was more like a dream.

Yu Ming took the first step into the West Garden, his legs were already trembling, and the whole person seemed to have drunk wine, staggering and following the little yellow door to the imperial study.

Not to mention the Hongzhi Dynasty, even if it goes back to the Taizong period, I am afraid that this is the first peasant to be summoned into the palace.

When Yu Ming entered the imperial study, he only saw that there was only an empty dragon chair in front of him, but he still knelt on the ground respectfully: "Yu Ming, grass people, knock on Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live!" ”

He Shengxin, the secretary of the Criminal Department, originally opposed the summoning of an ordinary person, but now when he saw that it was a little old man with a thin body and obvious lack of nutrition, he immediately snorted contemptuously.

Zhu Youzhu saw the ordinary people under his rule for the first time, so he asked lightly: "Gui Geng this year?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, the grass people are exactly two out of forty this year!" Yu Ming heard the voice of the Son of Heaven coming from above, and immediately replied with awe.

Yes?

When the officials present heard this age, they couldn't help but look at each other, and then looked at the thin and embarrassed little old man in front of them suspiciously.

Even if he said that he was sixty, no one present would doubt it.

Wan An also thought that a little old man who was not too much different from his age came in, but when he heard that the other party was only forty, he couldn't help but look at it a few more times.

Because he has been in power for many years and has been in officialdom early, even if he is over seventy years old and occasionally makes small mistakes, he maintains a very good appearance.

Hey?

Song Cheng always thought that Yu Ming was an old man, but when he heard that the other party was only forty-two years old, there was a look of surprise on his Gu Jing Bubo face.

Zhu Youzhu was accustomed to this age contrast, and asked quietly: "Just now Song Fuyin said that you are a person who can't live, what is going on?" ”

When Song Cheng heard the emperor's question, he gave Yu Ming an encouraging look.

The reason why he wanted to eliminate the resistance and bring Yu Ming to the front of the palace was not only to let Yu Ming let these important ministers in brocade clothes and meat see the real situation of the people at the bottom, but also to save Yu Ming himself.

Whether it is He Qiaoxin, the secretary of the Criminal Department, or Wu Yu, the right attendant of the Household Department, they don't know the living conditions of the people at the bottom at all.

"Back to Your Majesty, this matter is a long story! When the Tartars invaded the imperial capital, the grass people's parents died at the hands of the Tartars, so the grass people were raised by their grandmothers alone since they were children. Because the grass farmer's family has 20 acres of land, and the grandmother is very hardworking, life is okay. It's just that grandma has been busy for the grass people all year round, and when the grass gave birth to her first daughter, she died of overwork. Since the family had no savings at that time, the grass people borrowed two taels of silver from Changsheng Qianzhuang through Yu Buren, a household in the village, and bought a thin coffin to bury their grandmother, with a monthly interest of four cents. Unfortunately, there was a drought that year, and the second daughter was born the following year, so the grass people have been owing this silver! It's just that after a long time, the grass people gritted their teeth and sold their fields to pay off their debts, and it was already four taels at that time! The grass people entrusted it to non-people, Yu Buren got the two silver books as a write-off, but Yu Buren got back a fake IOU to the grass people to fool the grass people. By the time the creditor came to the door, the amount of silver owed was as high as eight taels. That year, the imperial court had just levy new river silver, so the work that year could only fill the stomach, and the family had no savings. The grass farmers were forced to sign a new contract, and after selling all the remaining land, they were able to pay off their debts. Yu Ming told his experience, but his eyes slowly became wet.

If time had passed, he would have borrowed money to bury his grandmother, but he was eventually crushed by the loan shark. Even though he was good all his life, his own life became a mess.

Liu Jian, the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites, agreed with Yu Ming's filial piety, so he nodded lightly: "Since it has been paid off, although there is no land, if you honestly give people a tenant farmer, you can also live!" ”

Song Cheng glanced at the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites lightly, but he didn't speak.

Chen Zheng, the left waiter of the Ministry of Industry, shook his head gently, knowing that Liu Jian's clear stream was too far away from the people, and it was typical that he didn't have a backache when he stood and talked.

If the peasants with land live like this, their lives as tenants must be even worse.

He Qiaoxin, the secretary of the Criminal Department, was silent, but he didn't expect Song Cheng to find an ordinary person who was persecuted by loans, and his brows couldn't help frowning.

After the grass people had no land, they became tenant farmers for Zhao Guan in the neighboring village. At the beginning, I was indeed able to barely make a living, but my wife died of a sudden illness, so the grass people had to borrow two taels of silver from Qianzhuang. It was only in the following year that the tenants did not have much share, and in the end they barely filled their stomachs and were unable to repay their debts as they fell due. The three of them forced the grass farmers to borrow new debts to pay off their old debts, and the grass farmers agreed to their demands in order to survive. It's just that they have already set their sights on my two daughters, and they have taken two daughters and sold them as maidservants to pay off their debts. The grass people have never done anything against their will, and they don't have a good life, but when it affects their two daughters, they still owe a debt to the family, and the grass people don't want to live anymore! Yu Ming's eyes lost light, and he said his situation very sincerely.

He Qiaoxin, the secretary of the Criminal Department, has a solid family background, and even said: "Don't move, you have to die or live!" How many taels of silver do you owe? The official paid it back for you! ”

Wan An and other officials couldn't help glaring at He Qiaoxin, where is it still Yu Ming's matter now, it is clear that these usury banks have forced an honest man to ruin his family.

Although he knew that the people were forced to sell their children and daughters because of debts, he saw this middle-aged man being tortured by life with his own eyes, and heard Yu Ming's experience with his own ears, and his heart was also shaken.

They may have some selfish desires in their hearts, but after all, they are important ministers of the Ming Dynasty, and they can firmly stand on the side of justice in the face of major rights and wrongs.

"Although the grass people only owe the debt of Changsheng Qianzhuang, they have now accumulated a debt of one hundred taels!" Yu Ming didn't have the slightest joy, and replied bitterly.

He Qiaoxin's eyes suddenly flickered, and he said in disbelief: "How much do you say?" ”

"He Shangshu, he just said a hundred taels!" Xu Qiong, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, hated He Qiaoxin, so he joked.

He Qiaoxin, the secretary of the Criminal Department, didn't expect so much at all, and couldn't help but say suspiciously: "If you really only borrowed two taels of silver!" Even if it doubles in a year, it can't be so much! ”

"Lord He, you should go back and flip through our new "Elementary Geometry" by Daming. If calculated according to compound interest, the second year is four taels, the third year is eight taels, the fourth year is sixteen taels, the fifth year is thirty-two taels, and the sixth year is already sixty-four taels...... How can he say that he is a grass man, even if the treasury silver in the big warehouse is not enough to pay it back! "Hebu Shangshu Li Si has a strong mathematical foundation, and even when he explains.

At this time, he also knew why the emperor suddenly wanted to borrow money from the private sector.

According to Taizu's "one book and one profit", ordinary people may still have a way to live, but if they encounter this kind of usury with no upper limit, ordinary people will simply be a dead end.

It's just that the country is buried in the dynasty, and ordinary people have to borrow money for funerals. Once you borrow money from Qian Zhuang for filial piety, it is easy to fall into Yu Ming.

"He Shangshu, when will you give this hundred taels?" Xu Qiong, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, had already set his eyes on He Qiaoxin, and even if he deliberately disgusted the other party.

He Qiaoxin couldn't help but snort coldly, but said lightly: "One hundred taels is too much, the old man is honest and honest, and the old man can't take out this money!" ”

Naturally, it's not that he can't take out this money, but that he can't take it out at all.

If the emperor knew that he was rich, and even suspected that he was Li Min's second, then it would be useless for him to hide the stolen money tightly, and he might end up asking for the crime and stealing the family.

Liu Ji and other officials did not pay attention to this one hundred taels, but began to seriously reflect on the harmfulness of private lending.

Zhu Youzhu knew that it was time to come forward, so he stood in front of the guardrail and talked eloquently: "Private lending has lasted for two thousand years, and He Shangshu was right just now, it can indeed solve some people's urgent needs!" In fact, I have never looked down on the rich emperors of the courtiers below, and I have no intention of cracking down on merchants running money houses, but the sage has a cloud: a gentleman loves money and takes it in a good way. If you follow the law of your ancestors, the monthly interest is only three points, and one book is profitable, and I think it is a good business. It's just that now that Qianzhuang is forcing my people to die, two taels of silver can bankrupt the Yin Shi family, and the profit is more than a hundred times. I summoned all the secretaries here today to discuss how to solve this stubborn disease, and I will never allow Qian Zhuang to oppress the people like this! ”

"Such an act is indignant to people and gods!"

"It's time for private lending to be rectified!"

"We, the monarchs and ministers, will not let these profiteers poison the people!"

……

Li Yu and others have deeply realized the seriousness of the problem, although people like Yu Ming may still account for a small proportion, but they also know that when it is time to cure, they have echoed it.

This......

Liu Jian and other officials silently swallowed and spitted, but they did not dare to respond. After all, if this stick is swung down, it will hurt the profiteers, but in fact, the powerful people, including them, are the real moneylenders.

Zhu Youzhu was condescending, and continued lightly: "I know that this matter is actually quite tricky, and there are too many people who have offended by doing this!" To tell you all about Aiqing, several of my aunts, the Queen Mother, and the Empress Dowager's foreign families have opened money banks or pawnshops, and I really closed their shops, and I am afraid that they will soon find me. As for you, you don't see Beijing debts in the past, why are Beijing debts prevalent in this dynasty, are ordinary businessmen really daring to ask for several times the profits? It's just that I have made up my mind, and the reason why I ordered the closure of the 100 largest shops in the capital today is that no matter who is involved, it is bound to be vigorously rectified! ”

"Your Majesty, I don't know what good plan you have, the old minister will definitely cooperate fully!" Wan An was moved by Zhu Youji's true feelings, and even made a statement.

Officials such as Li Yu, the secretary of the ministry, had also given up all distractions and immediately expressed their support.

Zhu Youzhi was very satisfied with the reaction of Wan An and other officials, and said politely: "I didn't think about tea and dinner for many days, but I thought of a ......."

"Your Majesty, you have to take care of the dragon's body!" Xu Qiong, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, heard the first half of the sentence, and knelt down to express his loyalty.

Zhu Youzhu glared at this sycophant, and then continued lightly: "Although these hundred financial stores are sealed, I will not touch the money in the stores, but will audit the accounts. Next, led by the Ministry of Households, 601 new science and technology scholars temporarily entered the Ministry of Households, requiring the interest of all stores to be changed to less than three interest, and where the repayment amount has exceeded one interest, it will be written off! Choose the three families with the worst circumstances, and I will use the Ming canonical law to announce it to the world! After a pause, he continued: "As for the future, the Ministry of Officials will review the shops and personnel, and only those who have obtained a financial license can operate, and all stores must be subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Households. Once the monthly interest rate exceeds three cents, and the executor does not follow the one book and one interest, the license will be revoked, and you can no longer engage in lending or mortgage business! ”

This......

After hearing Zhu Youji's plan, the officials such as Li Si, the head of the household department, opened their mouths slightly, looking at the emperor who was talking in disbelief.

But no matter how tricky the problem is, once it comes to this emperor, it will inevitably be solved.

If the financial license is implemented, it will not only ensure the vigorous development of the private lending industry, but also control the interest rate of private lending within a reasonable range, which is simply a genius idea.

(End of chapter)