The eldest grandson of Emperor Ming Dynasty!

Chapter 320 Follow the Undercover Overseas
On the day when the Overseas Recruitment Hall was set, the vassal kings had already started to actively operate it.

Industry? There are many ready-made ones.

Several vassal kings thought about it in private, and they simply didn't wait.

See which industry is the busiest place in the capital, and directly change it into a recruiting hall.

Several vassal kings checked and found that there were quite a few shops under their names that met this requirement, so they directly gave the one with the largest area to the inner money.

Then the plaque was built overnight, and it was estimated that the door would be opened the next day.

The sooner this recruiting hall starts, the sooner it will absorb talents.

For vassal kings who want to go overseas to establish a country, it is of course a dream.

After the morning court, Qi Tai also came to Zhu Ying to report on his duties.

"It's been more than a month, but I still understand the situation."

In the main hall of Kunning Palace, Zhu Ying spoke first.

Qi Tai must be a capable minister. On this point, Zhu Ying is absolutely sure that such a courtier is very firm in loyalty, high in talent and learning, and even has the ability similar to a photographic memory, which is quite easy to use.

When Qi Tai heard this, his face turned bitter.

"Reporting to Your Highness, this trip to Henan is really in line with what His Highness said. The minister disguised himself and visited secretly. Sure enough, many private lands of the common people have been sold to the local gentry."

"Some squires are blatant and have no scruples, while others are more shrewd and do not let outsiders know about them. If the ministers did not go deep into them and work, they might not be able to know about them."

Qi Tai's tone was a bit embarrassing, in order to get real information, Qi Tai was going all out.

Directly disguised as a refugee, went undercover to work as a short-term laborer in the squire.

Qi Tai is not from a wealthy family, and he is not unfamiliar with these things. After some investigation, he found that the situation was almost the same as His Royal Highness Taisun's guess.

These country gentry, for fear of taxation, or the problem of attracting wind, after collecting the people's land deeds, they did not report to the government, and just hid it like this.

If someone from the government came to investigate, it would be these ordinary people who came forward.

At that time, Qi Tai was actually a little puzzled, why the people didn't reveal this matter, but would do their best to help the squire conceal the truth.

After some inquiries, I found out that in the eyes of the common people, the squire's rescue is a kindness.

The squires and the common people were originally from the same village, and they were all given relief food. After the most difficult time, they would work as long-term workers for the squires without worrying too much about the harvest. Even if there were any famines, there would be landlords blocking them , at least not starving to death.

In this way, it seems to be a matter of course to help the squire conceal it.

From a moral point of view, there seems to be no problem, because these land deeds were not bought and sold by the gentry, but were accepted by the people themselves after begging hard.

Qi Tai has investigated many places, and it is rare to see such things as taking property by force, and most of them are good people.

This made Qi Tai feel very uncomfortable in his heart.

These thoughts, Qi Tai also slowly told His Royal Highness the Grandson.

"Your Highness, I'm a little confused. As a censor, I found that I couldn't punish those squires at all. Instead, I felt that what they did under such circumstances was very reasonable."

Hearing Qi Tai's statement and the look on his face, Zhu Ying nodded lightly and said: "You are right. In this matter, if you punish the gentry too much, it will cause complaints from the common people."

"And your feeling is right, these squires are indeed good people, not bad people."

Qi Tai replied: "But they have violated the laws of Ming Dynasty by buying and selling land in such a private way."

In the law of the Ming Dynasty, land deeds can be traded, but they must be registered with the government, and at the same time, they must bear the corresponding taxes.

Those who own more land naturally have higher taxes. Although it is said that Juren has privileges, it is only a certain amount of land that does not need to pay taxes.

It does not mean that all properties under the name do not pay taxes.

It's just the status of the candidate, and the general magistrates will compare him with respect, so they won't easily investigate thoroughly.

Maybe a certain candidate was appointed to the official position as an alternate.

Zhu Ying sighed softly: "It's similar to what I think. In fact, things like this are very common in all dynasties, but no one really cares."

"When the accumulation reaches a certain level, random fluctuations will be very uncomfortable for the entire country."

"Sometimes the choice made is not what it was at the beginning. Land mergers like this, the current country gentry, are good, but as more and more mergers are made, that will happen slowly. Variety."

"Furthermore, even if he doesn't have it now, then in the future, he won't, what about his descendants."

"When the surrounding hundreds of miles of land are in the hands of one person, what do you think will happen if he has any bad thoughts at this time."

"At least, even if it is the county magistrate, you should give some face."

"Have you ever heard of a saying, it was before the Yuan Dynasty, a family made of iron, the emperor of flowing water."

"What you see now is the rumored thousand-year-old family. They didn't look bad at first, but as time passed, they became completely different."

"Our Ming Dynasty is different. Before the founding of the country, almost all the aristocratic families in the Central Plains were cleaned up by the Mongols. It was really clean."

"So, do you think such a family should continue to exist like the family that existed hundreds or even thousands of years ago?"

Zhu Ying briefly introduced the formation of the family, and then asked Qi Tai.

Hearing this, Qi Tai said firmly: "The aristocratic family must be resolutely clear that this will do all harm to the country but not any benefit. It seems like a petty benefit for the people, but it keeps everyone in its own hands. .”

"It's just that I can't figure out how to punish them under the current situation."

Qi Tai finally said with a bit of distress, in fact, as a censor to investigate Henan, he also has a lot of power, but even if he came back, he did not submit the memorial in the end, but chose to dismiss his post from the grandson.

"Why should they be punished? Now they are not only innocent, but there are countless living people, which can be regarded as meritorious service."

Zhu Ying asked back.

"This..." Qi Tai was a little puzzled.

Zhu Ying replied: "This is not the fundamental problem. What you see now is only in Henan, and it happened after the plague. That's why it happened."

"The entire Ming Dynasty, such a large territory, do you think you can manage it? Even if you kill dozens or hundreds of people, it will not solve the problem at all, and will cause public resentment instead."

"The most fundamental reason for this is the private transaction of land and the problem of food and clothing for the people."

"It's just the right time for you to come back. Recently, Ben Gong will talk to Grandpa and ask you to take charge of the promotion of sweet potatoes."

"These high-yielding crops are very important to Daming. The Palace needs someone who can actually do things and put the seeds of these sweet potato crops into the hands of the people."

"Only in this way can they quickly break away from the relationship with the squires. If the common people in the world depend on the squires for their lives, would you say our Great Ming is still a Great Ming?"

Hearing this, Qi Tai immediately realized that His Royal Highness Taisun wanted to reuse him.

Regarding the sweet potato, it is not a secret in the court, but it is still in the expansion stage.

He didn't expect that His Royal Highness would entrust him with such an important matter.

This also makes it clear why His Royal Highness Taisun asked himself to spy on Henan and other places about the situation of land annexation.

Only by understanding these situations can we better understand how these sweet potato crops can be truly implemented in the hands of the people.

And just like what His Highness Taisun said, if the people are controlled by the gentry, the orders of the court will not reach the people at all.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely do my best and go all out, and I will not disappoint Your Highness."

Qi Tai said in a deep voice.

To be favored by His Highness the Grandson, in Qi Tai's view, this is a rare opportunity.

It is also the first step to realize your ambition.

Zhu Ying nodded slightly in approval.

For scholars like Qi Tai, Zhu Ying still approves very much.

In the nine years of being an official, there has never been any mistake, which is more than just rigorous.

This represents the principle of a high degree of self-discipline.

From Qi Tai's own words, in order to find out the true fragrance of the facts, he was able to put down his figure and disguise himself to work in the squire's house.

Such behavior, even in the previous life, was rare.

For such officials, it is natural to use more and reuse them.

Not long after Qi Tai left, Ye Yueqing came over.

Ye Yueqing is not resident in the palace, because of the information of the chamber of commerce, he often needs to run back and forth.

"Your Highness." Ye Yueqing said with a bow.

It's just that this time he looked at Zhu Ying with slightly dodged eyes.

On the way to Kunning Palace just now, I happened to meet Concubine Ning today.

When Concubine Ning saw Ye Yueqing, she chatted for a while.

Obviously, the content of the chat was a little shy for Ye Yueqing.

So much so that when she saw Zhu Ying now, her complexion was still slightly rosy.

Zhu Ying didn't think much about it, it's still hot now, Ye Yueqing was already fair, so it's normal for her cheeks to be red.

"Guo Zhong, bring the frozen watermelon from the ice cellar."

"The minister obeys the order."

Guo Zhong, who got the order, went down quickly, only Ye Yueqing and Zhu Ying were in the room.

There is a self-made ice cellar in the palace, and saltpeter ice making has been spread for a long time, and now families with slightly better conditions will make an ice cellar.

In order to cool off in this hot summer.

If the weather is too cold at night, eunuchs will drag large pieces of ice from the ice cellar and put them in the room to dissipate the heat.

At the same time there is an artificial fan.

That feeling is similar to that of an air conditioner, but most people can't afford it.

Zhu Ying, who was the first to come into contact with it, was also a little surprised.

However, such enjoyment, at least in the Song Dynasty, was already very popular.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Ye Yueqing replied hastily upon hearing this.

Zhu Ying waved her hand and said, "There's no need to be so polite."

Ye Yueqing lowered her head slightly to hide the shyness in her eyes, and at the same time gave a soft 'hmm'.

Zhu Ying didn't pay much attention, and asked directly: "I heard that my uncles are very concerned about the overseas recruiting center."

"What happened this morning, now it's not even time for dinner, it seems that it's almost ready."

Hearing the talk of business, Ye Yueqing's mind also turned back, and replied: "His Highness, it is currently on the bank of the Qinhuai River, which is diagonally opposite to our teahouse, and the relatively large shop has now hung up the signboard of Recruiting Talents Hall." .”

"It is the property under the name of His Royal Highness King Qin, but it is said that someone has sent someone to send the deed to the internal funds."

Zhu Ying nodded.

He knew that shop. It used to be a pawn shop, and the grade was not bad.

Most importantly, the backyard is huge.

It was the second uncle's property. When she first arrived in the capital and didn't know her identity, Zhu Ying thought about selling the shop.

When I found out later, I didn't pay too much attention to the development of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce in the capital.

Of course, this is not to say that it doesn't matter to the Chamber of Commerce, but that in his own capacity, he can give the Chamber of Commerce too much convenience.

If the chamber of commerce still can't make money with such a big advantage, then consider changing a group of people.

"How many of our people have prepared so far can be transferred to the capital within the next month."

Zhu Ying suddenly asked, seemingly inexplicable.

Ye Yueqing understood the meaning, and replied: "Currently, 32 people are tentatively appointed, and some of them are not sure about their loyalty. After all, they are overseas. If there is any accident, it will also be a problem for others."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying nodded lightly, and then said: "32 people are too few, let's lower the requirements a bit, leave Daming to go overseas, some things are very sure, but in terms of benefits, we have a lot to gain. Take control."

"Furthermore, even those who seem loyal now, when they get there, they may make mistakes after a long time. No one can guarantee these."

"What we have to do is to arrange our people to go in as much as possible, and that's enough."

Hearing Zhu Ying's words, Ye Yueqing nodded slightly.

"Your Highness means roughly how many people need to be arranged to enter."

Zhu Ying thought for a while and said, "At least 1000 people, both civil and military. Regarding the military officer, I will make other arrangements at that time, don't worry."

Ye Yueqing replied: "Yes, Your Highness."

For the overseas recruiting hall, with Zhu Ying's temperament, it is natural to arrange more of his own people.

As early as when preparing this plan, Zhu Ying had already ordered Ye Yueqing to prepare all those who could be used and those who were willing to go.

Anyway, Zhu Ying must be responsible for the recruiting hall. For his own people, of course, it must be waterproof.

This is not to say that the feudal lord can decide on his own with the officials who go overseas in the recruitment hall.

(End of this chapter)