Great Ming: I, Zhu Di, Declare My Intentions to Seize the Throne from the Start!

Yilan. ♦✎

Northeast of Dongfan and southwest of Jilong Island.

The northwest is bounded by the foothills of the Snow Mountain Range, and the southwest is bounded by the foothills of the northern section of the Central Mountains, covering an area of ​​approximately 330 square kilometers.

The Yilan Plain is formed by the impact of Yilan Creek.

The Yilan Plain is the second area that Dongfan and the Yan Fan forces, besides Jilong Island, focus on developing.

The powerful shipyards of Fujian merchants were established in Yilan.

Afternoon.

Yilan Port.

Maritime merchants who had already received the news were waiting at the port and looking forward to it.

When a dozen naval warships approached.

"Here he comes! The prince is here."

The powerful merchants were talking among themselves and walking towards the dock.

The first warship arrived at the dock first.

Groups of army soldiers, carrying rifles on their backs, were the first to disembark from the warship.

"Old Sun, your little boy!"

"Old Sun, I heard that the prince is expanding his army. I'm afraid your boy will have to move his position this time."

…

Sun Yuanchu led his brothers, solemnly passed by the merchants, and took control of the dock.

This attracted the powerful merchants around to look at Sun Yuanchu's father, Sun Zhidong, with envy.

in the midst of public discussion.

Subsequent warships arrived one after another.

Zhu Di disembarked from the warship with the navy, army and civil servants of Jilong Island.

Sun Zhidong and others suddenly became energetic and hurriedly walked up to meet him. They all paid homage: "Greetings to the prince! The prince is a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

Zhu Di came to the crowd with a smile and helped the leader Sun Zhidong up.

He smiled at a group of merchants and handed over his hands, "Previously, I would like to thank you all for bringing your own ships to the north of Hebei to accompany me and the brothers from Army No. 1 Town..."

This group of merchants were powerful and treated him very well.

He was also willing to give his opponent enough face, as well as the status and treatment that merchants deserved under the rule of Yan Fan.

Of course, the premise is that they must unswervingly implement the employment share system.

Businessmen and politicians collaborate.

Either provide benefits to politicians.

Or do things according to the political ideas of politicians.

He doesn't need their money.

But they have to do things according to his philosophy.

If he couldn't do it, as a qualified superior, no matter who he was, he would show no mercy if he turned against him.

Everyone exchanged a few words.

Sun Zhidong made an invitation gesture, "Your Majesty, the common people will take your Majesty to visit our Yilan Shipyard..."

Zhu Di looked at Sun Zhidong.

Let’s look at other powerful businessmen.

The Shen family has the largest investment in Yilan Shipyard.

However, during this time, Shen Zhi returned to his hometown.

Before he left, he proposed to his father that he should visit the Shen family when he passed by the Shen family on his southern tour.

My father agreed without even thinking about it.

Shen Zhi brought the news back to the Shen family and helped the first and second bedrooms of the Shen family prepare for their father's southern tour.

Formalism.

The people below are doing it for peace of mind.

As long as it's not too much.

As long as the form is not greater than the actual work, he has no objection or disgust.

Nothing else.

Human nature dictates it.

It cannot be banned no matter what.

Instead of doing this, it is better to draw some rules and scope for the people below, what can be done formally and what cannot be done.

Zhu Di stepped back and waved to Li Qi.

Li Qi came over hurriedly.

Zhu Di patted Li Qi on the shoulder and introduced him to a group of businessmen: "His name is Li Qi. You must have found out his identity clearly. Next, Yilan will be an independent county..."

After the initial resettlement and reclamation.

Yilan already has more than 10,000 residents, and as Beiyuan prisoners are being transferred here at an accelerated pace, the Yilan Shipyard is put into use.

It is imperative to establish a county government in Yilan.

Li Qi's qualifications are average.

He didn't dare let Li Qi do something groundbreaking.

The early foundation for Yilan has been laid. Li Qi only needs to be in Yilan and execute the plan step by step.

As long as he is willing to work hard and train hard for three or four years.

Even if your qualifications are average, your abilities will definitely increase.

A person's acquired efforts are actually more important than nature.

Jinzhong's qualifications are that of a middle-aged man.

But look at these years, I have become so tired that I have lost weight. While my body is lean and lean, my abilities have also grown steadily.

"Meet Magistrate Li!" Sun Zhidong and others hurriedly saluted Li Qi.

This is the eldest son of the Korean prince.

The princess's consort.

The prince’s brother-in-law!

Li Qi hurriedly responded, "You don't have to do this. In the future, I hope you can cooperate with the Yilan County Government and we can build Yilan well together."

When I left, my father gave me a lot of advice.

When I arrived in Yilan, I put away the honorable status of the eldest son of the Korean Duke, the prince's consort, and the brother-in-law of the King of Yan, which were not earned at all.

Be down-to-earth and do whatever the fourth brother asks you to do.

Do your best to do what the fourth brother told you to do well.

In fact, my father's advice was completely redundant.

How dare he be dishonest in front of his fourth brother!

To be honest, he is not even afraid of the prince. Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, he is only afraid of these two people.

One is the emperor, and the other is the fourth brother, King Yan.

Seeing that the two parties got to know each other, Zhu Di smiled and said: "Let's talk as we walk..."

Then, he walked forward on his own.

Sun Zhidong and others hurriedly followed.

Zhu Di looked at the reserved Sun Zhidong, then at the merchant, and said with a smile: "What is the purpose of pushing Sun Dong's family out? I know, in fact, it is not necessary. In our Dongfan, you don't need to build relationships with officials, as long as you You act according to the rules of Dongfan, and no one will make it difficult for you. There will be a lot of preferential treatment that should be given to you, but no holes will be opened for you, not even an inch. You must not use the Zhongyuan method. The collusion between government and businessmen brought me to Dongfan..."

A group of powerful merchants suddenly laughed awkwardly and nodded repeatedly.

Of course everyone knows the rules of Dongfan.

When the prince came to Dongfan, he told them that doing business in Dongfan and bribing officials would not only be unlucky for the officials, but also the businessmen like them, and it would be an easy matter to confiscate their homes and exterminate their families.

Also tell them.

Allowing them to establish the employment share system means that they can face the coercion, inducement and extortion of officials and have the confidence to say no!

Because of officials’ bribery behavior.

It is not only the interests of their family that are harmed.

In addition, within the business firm, there are many employees who have the benefits of being employed.

If Dongfan officials try to plunder, they can unite hundreds or even thousands of people to fight!

…

Not to mention, this is actually true.

Why do you now support rural village cooperatives and the employee-employed shareholding system?

It is clear that farmers in rural villages and communes have become common interest groups, and joint-stock merchants and employees have become interest groups.

It can effectively curb the unbridled official power.

A single family owned a huge amount of wealth, and they were terrified. They were worried that they would suddenly be accused and have their wealth taken away by power, and at the same time, the family would be destroyed.

Can be associated with hired workers.

Hundreds of people, thousands of people, it's completely different.

We must also be wary of official power!

Originally, only official power was restricted from above, but it was also restricted by business houses and local village communities.

It is certainly inevitable for officials to take advantage of the situation.

At least, officials don't dare to take direct shares, let alone take advantage of them.

…

Zhu Di just didn't want this group of people to continue to bring the bad customs that had been perpetuated in the Central Plains for thousands of years to survive, and then bring them under his rule through relocation.

After a brief beat, he changed the subject and asked: "Tell me about your difficulties. I am here once in a while. If you tell Li Qi and others about your difficulties, they may not be able to solve them for you for a while. Doesn't it mean that they must be lazy and negligent? It’s because they don’t have as much authority and available resources as I do. The difficulties I can help you solve with just one sentence may have to be reported to multiple levels and multiple agencies cooperate with each other before they can help you solve them..."

Zhu Di said it very frankly.

Sun Zhidong and others also felt very comfortable listening.

After Zhu Di finished speaking, Sun Zhidong, under the constant glances of a group of colleagues, spoke cautiously: "Your Majesty, we are really in a bit of trouble, mainly because of manpower..."

Jilongyu Shipyard helped them train a group of craftsmen with shipbuilding skills.

But shipbuilding requires more than just skilled craftsmen.

There are also many small workers who do manual labor.

"How big is the gap?" Zhu Di asked.

"More than three thousand people!"

Zhu Di smiled when he saw a group of powerful merchants looking embarrassed.

They were able to dig out a group of craftsmen with experience in shipbuilding and craftsmanship from the Central Plains.

But they did not dare to hide the fact from the court and migrate thousands of people on a large scale.

Zhu Di pondered for a moment and said: "Let's do this. You send sea ships and the navy to work together to transfer Beiyuan prisoners to Hebei. I will give you one thousand young men for every ten thousand people. Of course, you can directly invest the three thousand young men in the early stage. Shipyard, but you have to promise me that we will continue to transport 30,000 prisoners..."

Sun Zhidong and others nodded excitedly.

What a deal.

Nowadays, everyone often goes to Jinling to sell spices, and the Jinling business company specially approved by His Majesty has opened, and sea ships travel to Jinling frequently.

It's just a matter of going further north, to Hebei, to bring people along.

"Remember, don't treat these young men differently. Since they followed me, Zhu Di, to come under the rule of Yan Fan, they are the people of Yan Fan. You must treat them the same as you treat other hired workers, and you must all be treated with dignity..."

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Businessmen and powerful merchants responded one after another.

Zhu Di was still uneasy and turned to look at Nahachu, "Nahachu, when these young men arrive, choose a person from your upper-level Mongolia who is proficient in the Central Plains to lead this group of young men who join the shipyard. What are you waiting for?" When the time comes to adapt, the leaders you sent will withdraw from the shipyard..."

Some transitional moves are necessary.

Shipyard is a typical labor-intensive industry.

This level of intensity, discipline, and cooperation are more rigorous and organized than rural village communities.

The requirements for personal quality are higher.

There will undoubtedly be more stumbling conflicts.

The captured Mongol upper class sent an influential person to lead these young men.

Let this leader communicate with Sun Zhidong and others.

It is easier to nip some uncontrolled risks in the bud.

It helps to quickly get to know each other and integrate.

"As you command!"

Naha came out to accept the order respectfully.

Dongfan is a bit uncomfortable except for the climate.

In other respects, after everyone arrived and silently observed and inspected, they all felt that it was ten thousand times better than the grassland.

Especially the attitude of King Yan towards their Mongols.

It didn't change just because they no longer needed to cooperate.

As always, treat everyone equally.

Zhu Di talked to everyone and walked all the way to the shipyard.

The scale is indeed not inferior to that of Jilongyu Shipyard.

Fifteen shipbuilding platforms have been built.

As long as there are enough manpower, construction of fifteen ships can be started at the same time.

And the reserved area is also very large, obviously preparing for expansion.

Zhu Di nodded, turned around, looked at the merchant Haoqiang, and said with a smile: "Here, I see your ambition to sell goods to the world on the sea. This is very good. I can tell you with certainty that in the future, your The shipyard needs to be expanded several times!”

…

"Your Majesty is on tour to the south. As long as Fujian's direct jurisdiction is confirmed, it is only a matter of time before the imperial court completely liberalizes maritime trade. Give me four or five years and I promise to defeat the Chen Dynasty in Malacca, completely open up the sea channel to the west, and lift the maritime ban. , opening up the passage to the west, and the rural communities in the Central Plains will be more developed, which will make maritime trade more prosperous. By then, we will be in this sea area, and there will be a continuous flow of ships passing by everywhere at every moment..."

"At that time, it will not only be the exchange of goods, but also the exchange of people. There will not only be cargo ships, but also special ships that are specially designed to provide personnel exchanges and are extremely comfortable."

"In the future, the demand for ships will definitely be tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands!"

A comfortable special boat for people to travel far away?

Tens of thousands...hundreds of thousands...

If that were the case, would there be sails everywhere in the South China Sea?

Everyone was breathing heavily as they listened to Zhu Di's description of the future.

Zhu Di looked at it and couldn't help but smile, "In short, as long as we continue to work hard like this, the future on this sea will be a magnificent scene with hundreds of rivalries vying for success, and the industrial development of Zhongyuan Shipyard is already some distance behind us. Already..."

The environment of the court.

If we do not implement the employment share system.

To be honest, it is not conducive to the development of business.

In the competition, they will definitely fall behind Dongfan.

"When the production capacity of your Yilan Shipyard is truly formed, the Jilongyu Shipyard will also gradually divest itself of commercial shipbuilding..."

He also hopes that the Jilongyu Shipyard will undertake the construction of naval warships at the same time.

Can devote more energy to technology research and development.

Such as a steam engine.

Although he did not want to interfere with the power of the ship.

But he hopes that the Jilongyu Shipyard can shoulder this important task.

Once emerging military technologies are mature and implemented, military technologies can be licensed for commercial use to earn huge profits from technology.

Feed back and promote technology.

The military's thirst for new technologies is even stronger.

Businessmen mainly want to make money.

If the existing technology can meet their needs to make money without delay, they will have absolutely no motivation to promote technological change.

Even if Yilan Shipyard is asked to engage in research and development, the results will not be great.

on the contrary.

However, the navy always complains that the artillery is not powerful enough, the warships are not strong enough, and the speed is not fast enough.

The Army always complains that the rifle's accuracy is not high enough and its range is not far enough...

At least at this stage, the desire for technology from the navy and army makes it easier to promote technological change.

…

"In short, my expectation for Yilan Shipyard is that in the future, you can develop into the largest shipyard in the world!"

…

Zhu Di's trip to Yilan was a success.

When the businessman Hao Qiang heard Zhu Di's vision for the future, he felt like he was getting a shot of blood.

At the same time, some orders for logistics ships from the Navy were also received.

…

The next day. Wingdings: ♦︎♦︎⬧︎♦︎◆︎⌧︎♦︎♦︎□︎❍︎

Zhu Di took Yong Ming and Shang Bing on a naval warship to Fujian.

…

Two days later.

Min'an Town Pier.

Crowds of people.

Academic scholar.

All Fujian local military and political officials arrived.

Waiting eagerly.

Ye Mao and Shen Ren stood at the front.

Shen Ren looked at Ye Mao out of the corner of his eye, feeling a little envious.

Damn it.

Ye Mao got a big advantage.

Soon, it was possible to follow King Yan in good faith.

And he...

Sad!

"Master Ye, have you heard about the prince's expansion into four mixed associations?"

Hearing the sound, Ye Mao came back to his senses and looked at Shen Ren with a smile, "Brother Shen is heartbroken?"

The news that the prince has expanded the second, third, fourth, and fifth mixed associations has long come back.

Jin Yiwei's office in Mingmian, Fuzhou, had a great meal two days ago.

He could imagine the shock that this news brought back to Jinling!

In this northern expedition, the first town of the Yanfan Army has already made a great name for the Yanfan New Army.

Army No. 1 Town has only 13,000 people.

King Yan expanded the number of four mixed queens.

The size of the army reached 50,000!

If they all have the combat effectiveness of the Army's No. 1 town...

Those in the court who are hostile to the prince may have trouble sleeping and eating.

The prince’s move is clearly showing his fangs!

Shen Ren obviously didn't want to work in Ming Dynasty anymore.

That's right. In the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, how could the princes be so prosperous?

The prince's martial arts skills have not yet been revealed.

But the construction of military strategy is obviously more advanced than that of the Ming Dynasty.

Shen Ren heard that the prince was going to expand the number of four mixed associations, so it was strange that he could sit still!

Shen Ren is not the only one in the Fujian military who wants to join the prince!

"Brother Shen, the prince is here this time. You can express your feelings to the prince, but I don't recommend that Brother Shen go to seek refuge with the prince now..."

Shen Ren was slightly stunned, suppressing the heat and eagerness in his heart, and patiently listened to Ye Mao's analysis.

"Brother Shen, you are the highest military commander of a province. In our Ming Dynasty, how many Communists like you have? Moreover, the military is an extremely sensitive matter. A chief minister like me should still make mistakes and atone for them." The difference is that if you leave, Brother Shen, it will definitely stir up a thousand waves and cause the imperial court to be even more wary of the prince..."

"Brother Shen, you received His Majesty's favor, and His Majesty is still here. By leaving, you have betrayed His Majesty's trust in you."

"Your Majesty is definitely in need of military generals now. Brother Shen, why don't you be like others and recommend a few good young men from Fujian for your Majesty who want to follow your Majesty and have low influence."

…

Shen Ren understood.

His status is too high.

And has always been deeply favored by the emperor.

Leaving now will not only bring bad influence to the prince, but also make some people in the court more wary of the prince.

At the same time, I also failed His Majesty.

Talk to the prince about your feelings and recommend a few good ideas to the prince.

Just to help the prince.

Even if it is later, I will wait until His Majesty a hundred years later to follow the prince.

The prince will definitely not forget his merits and sincere loyalty, and will arrange for him a suitable position with the same status.

Don’t worry about going late and falling behind too much in the future.

"Thank you, Brother Ye, for your advice!"

"I'm coming!"

As soon as Shen Ren finished speaking, excited shouts came.

The two ended their conversation and immediately looked toward the lower reaches of the Min River.

A dozen warships cut through the waves and sailed upstream at a slow speed.

new

…

"Your Majesty, a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

"Your Majesty, a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

…

When Zhu Di got off the boat, the scholars in the academy and the people who came to greet him knelt down to pay homage.

hiss!

The local civil and military officials in Fujian behind Ye Mao and Shen Ren turned around and saw this scene and couldn't help but gasp.

His eyes widened instantly.

Shen Ren looked back, his mind was shaken, and he thought to himself: 'If the prince wants to take Fujian and break away from the court, it may not be impossible! ’

He knew that the prince had a high reputation in Fujian.

But I didn’t expect it to be so high!

You know, according to the court rules.

The feudal king is not qualified to make scholars kneel down.

But look at the scene before you.

This just proves that most people in Fujian have been impressed by the prince.

Those who hated the prince now only dared to hide at home and curse a few words under their breath.

…

As Shen Ren thought about it, he and Ye Mao led the civil and military squads to rush forward quickly.

Zhu Di exchanged a few words with everyone, and after asking the scholars and common people who were kneeling in the distance to stand up, he stepped on the gravel road under his feet, pointed and asked with a smile: "Was this gravel road paved this year?"

When he returned to court, there was not yet.

Ye Mao nodded with a smile, "This year, I sent people to Jilong Island to invite craftsmen to come to Fujian and help build several water hammer mills in Fujian. I mobilized the people to build this road from Min'an Town Pier through Min County, Fuzhou...the gravel road that leads directly to Jian'an..."

Zhu Di raised his eyebrows slightly.

The amount of this project is not small!

In order to speed up the production of artillery and muskets, the Jilongyu Arsenal invented the water hammer forging method.

According to local conditions, the water power of Jilong River was utilized.

It can also be considered a new technology.

But even Shen Ren was building a water hammer mill in Fujian.

Build such a gravel road.

The stones, manpower and material resources required are also very large.

"The people are not complaining about what you have done, are they? Don't put money on my face because of His Majesty's southern tour, and the people are complaining."

Hearing this, Ye Mao and others laughed instantly.

Shen Ren said for Ye Mao: "My lord, do you think these people have any complaints?"

"Not only did the people along the way support this road, but powerful merchants also provided money and food to support it. The road from Min County to Jian'an is now called the Golden Road by Fujian people. This road carries almost the entire Fujian. Nearly 70% of sea trade goods are transshipped..."

Zhu Di listened patiently and gradually understood.

The traffic volume on this road is huge.

Frequent rains and muddy conditions, as well as gullies washed out, seriously affect the transfer of goods to the Fujian County Terminal.

The common people and merchants all suffered losses as a result.

So, when Ye Mao proposed to build a gravel road that would not be washed away by rain.

Both the common people and merchants responded positively.

The people contribute.

The powerful merchants provided money and food.

…

Zhu Di was relieved and said with a smile: "Let's go to Min County first and talk as we go."

Along the way, Zhu Di observed on horseback.

Min County has undergone great changes.

Min'an Town has changed even more.

Ye Mao introduced that there are now 200,000 people in Min'an Town alone!

Make a living by relying on the wharf in Min'an Town.

It's approaching noon.

Arrive in Min County.

Ye Mao brought Zhu Di to Min County to study.

Zhu Di even felt how wealthy Min County was!

The newly built county school has a red brick roof and covers an area larger than that of Jinling Prefecture School!

Seeing Zhu Di's surprise, Ye Mao smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this was a plan designed by Magistrate Xu when he left. At that time, Magistrate Xu had foreseen that the population of our Fujian County would definitely expand in the future. As the people get richer, More and more ordinary people are studying..."

"Magistrate Xu's prediction is completely correct. Today, the population of Min County has exceeded 500,000, making it the largest county in Fujian. It has a larger population than Fuzhou, where the Chief Envoy is located. Min County relies on the Min'an Town Pier and is even more prosperous. As a result, the new county magistrate of Min County, who was also the original county magistrate, decided to use part of the fiscal and tax savings belonging to the county government to support the Min County County School, and the Min County County School completely gave up its profit-making purpose..."

Zhu Di nodded.

In fact, the county schools in the county government are, in many places, the small treasury of the government.

Min County is now rich.

It’s good that the successor county magistrate is willing to do this.

Don’t spend it on reading for the kids.

This money will also be wasted by local officials.

What's more, he came back this time mainly to receive this year's finance and taxes.

As for the future development of the Ming Dynasty, and even Fujian, he did not want to get involved.

I won't make any comments.

"What is the tax revenue this year?"

Ye Mao smiled, 'The prince finally asked about this matter! ’

Suppressing his excitement, he reported: "Your Majesty, this year we have carried out refined development in breeding, corn straw wine making, and economic trees, and achieved great results, such as wine brewed from Fujian corn straw, pastries made from red dates, etc. Wait, it has been introduced to neighboring Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi and other places, and the sales are very good. Rich people like our Fujian jujube cakes, and ordinary people like to drink our low-priced wine brewed from Fujian corn straw..."

"This year's Fujian tax revenue totals 2.8 million taels!"

He has sent the right chief envoy back to the DPRK to report.

Can you predict that this number will shock the court!

Two million taels last year.

This year it will be 2.8 million taels.

On the basis of last year, it increased by 40%!

Looking at today's world, only Fujian, which is built under the guidance of the prince, can maintain such high growth!

He has confidence.

This year Fujian will be among the top three provinces in the country!

It can stabilize the pressure in Fujian.

I'm afraid only Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which ranks first every year, and Zhili, the second largest city in ten thousand years, are the only ones.

The elite of the Ming Dynasty were hostile to and rejected the prince.

He just used numbers to slap these people in the face!

Zhu Di slowly came back to his senses, was silent for a moment, and turned to look at everyone, "This success is hard-won. I took away two and a half million taels, and the remaining three hundred thousand taels will be used to support those in Fujian who live in harsh environments." The villages and chieftain tribes should at least build roads so that the goods they produce can be transported out more easily. It will also be easier for the chieftain tribes to communicate with us and promote the rapid integration of each other..."

He originally planned to serve it in one pot.

But this is too much money.

This is also the wealth created by the people of Fujian.

His father gave him this money, so he wanted to use it. Those in the court were no longer qualified to tell him how to use it.

He helped the people of Fujian.

The people of Fujian also made him successful.

Before leaving, do one last thing for them.

Seeing that Shen Ren and the Fujian officials wanted to thank him, Zhu Di waved his hand to stop them, "You don't need to publicize this matter. Just keep it low-key and get it done."

Everyone looked at Zhu Di.

Understand Zhu Di's thoughts and concerns.

The look of regret for Zhu Di disappeared in his eyes.

They Fujian officials, no matter how much they resisted this prince at first.

No matter whether I am honest or incorruptible these years, I still have to take advantage of others.

Everyone actually admires this guy.

They were there and saw with their own eyes that Fujian was becoming more prosperous and wealthy day by day!

Throughout the thousands of years of history in the Central Plains.

Only this prince could create such a miracle!

But now, this prince was forced to leave Daming.

Seeing that everyone was in a low mood, Zhu Di smiled and said: "Everyone, we have been working together for three or four years. After His Majesty's southern tour, I will not set foot in Fujian again. There are some words that I wanted to talk to when I first came to Fujian a few years ago. Everyone knows that it is not convenient for His Majesty to tour the south, so I will take advantage of today’s opportunity to tell you..."

Everyone was shocked.

They are willing to listen to what this person has to say!

"You have participated in and witnessed all the changes in Fujian. When promoting the changes in Fujian, I do not trust you. Therefore, many things are done in a one-size-fits-all manner, or in a macro-guidance way to avoid your intervention, so as to use power to control... "

…

"The salaries of our Ming officials are indeed not high. That's because our Ming Dynasty's overall foundation is too weak. Many of you have never seen my father. You think he is the emperor and must have enjoyed it very much. I can tell you that my father Your Majesty, if you eat a braised lion’s head, it tastes so good..."

The old man may have shortcomings of one kind or another.

Not the best emperor in history.

But the old man is by no means a person who wastes people's money and money and is greedy for pleasure.

He has seen it all these years.

"In the future, as the people get richer and the imperial treasury is full, the imperial court will definitely gradually increase the salaries of officials at all levels."

…

"Some of you come from gentry families from various places, and you are not short of money. Some of you must have made a lot of money before I came here. I mention this not because I want to hold you accountable..."

If we really kill corrupt officials.

There must be someone unjust if they are all killed.

But let the officials of the Ming Dynasty line up and shoot one person at a time.

There must be some who slip through the net.

"You are witnesses, experiencers, and participants of Fujian's achievements. With the establishment of Fujian's rural village communities and the employee-employed stock system, do you feel that the space for getting involved is getting smaller and smaller?"

All the officials laughed.

Some people bowed their heads with a guilty conscience.

"In the construction of Fujian, you have made meritorious contributions. In the future, you will leave Fujian due to your merits and go to serve as officials elsewhere. I hope from the bottom of my heart that you will stop. You are no longer short of money. Moreover, if you don't stop, Sooner or later, I will ruin the future and destiny of myself, my family, and my family because of this, and go to other places, bring the integrity and Fujian model out, and make amends for my past wrongdoings. It is not too late to change now."

After saying this, Zhu Di left a group of contemplative officials behind, turned around and continued walking into the county school.

This is better than nothing for him.

If there are one or two changes.

It is a blessing for the people.

Just like Ye Mao.

If Ye Mao does not change, there will be no happiness for the people of Fujian these years.

As for how to eliminate corruption within Ming Dynasty.

That is a matter between eldest brother and father.

If you don’t have feelings for Fujian.

He wouldn't even say that.

All the officials stopped where they were, thinking in a daze.

…

Zhu Di broke up with Ming Dynasty in order to express his feelings.

When I came back this time, I didn't even go to the Min County government office.

After having lunch at the county school, he went to the temporary study room prepared by Ye Mao for him to take a short rest.

Afternoon.

Dong dong dong...

Ye Mao knocked on the study door, "Your Majesty, the outside is ready..."

Squeak!

The door opens.

Zhu Di walked out and said with a smile: "Then let's go and talk to these scholars. I will go back tomorrow."

When he came here, he was very interested in some of the issues raised by academic societies across Fujian.

For example, what limits population growth?

He hopes that Ming’s population will achieve explosive growth.

In this way, Ming Dynasty cannot bear it.

Only then can he take the extra population and rush towards the deep blue!

Seize those unclaimed lands!

"Your Majesty, General Shen has something that he would like to discuss with you alone."

Zhu Di came back to his senses, glanced at Ye Mao, and nodded with a smile.

When Zhu Di came to the square built specifically for concentrated lectures at the county school, the square was already full of scholars.

It was densely packed and crowded, at least thousands of people!

"Your Majesty, a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

The moment Zhu Di appeared, the sound of the mountains roared.

Scholars wearing Confucian robes saluted Zhu Di with the courtesy of disciples.

Zhu Di smiled and pressed his hands. After all the scholars sat down again, Zhu Di followed Ye Mao to the lecture platform.

The officials were already sitting on both sides of the podium waiting.

After Zhu Di took his seat, he looked around at the scholars below with a smile, "I already know the content of the debate you have discussed during this period. If you want to ask, you can feel free to speak."

"Your Majesty!"

A scholar couldn't wait to get up and said, "The students want to know whether it is food production that restricts population growth, or the unreasonable tax system of past dynasties that restricts population growth, or it is both factors, which factor is more important."

"Your Majesty, the student wants to know if the court can change the subject of taxation. The people are suffering. The tax law with agriculture as the main body is too unfair to the people..."

…

One by one, the scholars stood up and talked about their respective problems.

Zhu Di listened patiently.

After everyone finished speaking, he smiled and said: "Actually, you are mainly focused on two issues. One is the issue of population growth and tax law or food production. The other is the subject of tax law. Is agricultural tax or commercial tax the main body? .”

Ye Mao stood next to Zhu Di and personally wrote the two questions Zhu Di summarized on a blackboard standing on a wooden shelf.

All the officials looked at Zhu Di eagerly.

Zhu Di stood up and pointed to the first question, "I think both factors are related to the problem of population growth. However, I think that the capitation tax implemented in the past dynasties has a greater restriction on population growth..."

Thousands of years of dynasty history.

The population achieved a leap forward breakthrough only in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

One of Zhang Juzheng's whipping methods was to cancel the capitation tax.

The population of Ming Dynasty has achieved rapid growth, exceeding the order of 90 million.

Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty implemented a more thorough whipping method than Zhang Juzheng. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, the population of the Central Plains reached 40 million!

The capitation tax makes people afraid to give birth.

In these two dynasties, especially the Qing Dynasty Yongzheng's thorough whipping method was to abolish the capitation tax.

People dare to have more children.

After many lives, the people worked hard to reclaim wasteland.

The area of ​​cultivated land also achieved an order of magnitude jump in these two dynasties.

"Our grain output in Fujian has doubled, but the population growth is very slow. This proves that the main factor restricting population growth is not food. It is the various onerous tax laws based on population that prevent people from having too many children. child."

"Your Majesty, how can we change it?" A scholar raised his hand and asked loudly.

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, and after thinking about it, he decided to say, "Cancel the capitation tax. From now on, taxes will be levied on the assets owned by the people of the world, whether common people or gentry, such as shops and fields..."

Everyone was in an uproar.

Tax on assets!

This means that taxes are also collected on the land owned by gentry families!

"Under the rule of Prince Yan Fan, will this be done in the future?"

"right!"

in his vision.

In the future, there will be no so-called agriculture-based taxes.

Rural village communities are all small economies.

Establishing tax types based on assets, supplemented by commercial taxes, can fully meet the financial expenditures of the Yan Fan regime.

…

On this day, Zhu Di had a lot of discussions with the scholars of the Fujian Society.

On the same day, the Jinyiwei secret agent hidden among the scholars in the academy rushed to Jinling with the contents discussed by Zhu Di.

Zhu Di was not surprised by this.

After a short stay in Fujian for one day.

Then he took 2.5 million taels of silver and set off back to Dongfan.

…

Ten days later.

Jinling.

"Have you heard that the right chief envoy of Fujian is back?"

"Fujian's total tax this year is as high as 2.8 million taels! It ranks third among all provinces!"

"In a few years, will it surpass our Zhili government?"

"It's possible. Our Zhili tax revenue this year is 3.7 million taels!"

…

The total amount of taxes in Fujian has been spread.

The people were shocked and talking.

The employment-share system, rural village communities, and Zhu Di were once again noisy in the city of Jinling.

royal palace.

Noon is about to begin.

All the officials were waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang in the palace, discussing in low voices.

"Two million eight hundred thousand taels! All given to Zhu Silang!"

"If Fujian continues to grow at this rate next year, it is very likely to surpass Zhili!"

"How rich is Fujian? Your Majesty should take a look during his southern tour!"

"Just think about what great things Zhu Silang can do with 2.8 million taels!"

…

"Your Majesty is here!"

The moment the singing and shouting started, all the officials stopped.

Zhu Yuanzhang appeared.

Long live the mountains. After the simple ceremony of the emperor and his ministers, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the officials with a smile, "You have all heard the news about the total tax amount in Fujian. In a few years, I am afraid Fujian will surpass Zhili. Fujian was at the bottom before. The province…”

All the officials felt as if they had eaten flies.

The emperor never mentioned Zhu Silang.

But it seems that every sentence is mentioned!

"Your Majesty, I have urgent news and I would like to see your Majesty!"

While Zhu Yuanzhang was still irritating the officials, Jiang 𤩽's urgent sound came from outside the palace.

All the ministers turned their heads.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, "Come in!"

Jiang Hui hurriedly entered, saluted, held up the letter and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, news came back from Dongfan. Under the rule of King Yan, a giant coastal defense gun that is one foot long and weighs two thousand catties has been developed..."

…

"The King of Yan has launched a large-scale military expansion. The army will expand the second, third, fourth, fifth, and four mixed alliances..."

When Zhu Biao heard the news, he couldn't help but turned to look at Jiang in surprise.

All the officials were in an uproar.

"There are four mixed associations, and one mixed association of Yan Fan has more than 6,000 people, right?"

"Five mixed associations, plus the Army's First Town, the number of troops is nearly 50,000!"

"What does King Yan want to do!"

…

"Quiet!" The eunuch yelled at Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, causing all the officials to fall silent instantly.

Seeing the uneasy expressions of the officials, Zhu Yuanzhang snorted secretly and asked, "Do you know what Lao Si is going to do to expand the army?"

"Your Majesty, Jin Yiwei reports that King Yan is going to visit your Majesty in the south. Please invite all the adults in the court to observe the Yan vassal's destruction of Lu Song..."

Tomorrow the Southern Tour plot begins, this is the final chapter transition.

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