Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 281

Yujiazhuang, a village not far from the capital.

Some people burn charcoal to sell in the capital, some earnestly farm the land for a living, and some live by fishing in primitive ways. What the villagers pursue is nothing more than life.

It's just that this seemingly simple pursuit may not be able to come true.

The beams and pillars of the first family in the east of the village are much higher than other houses in the village. Although the house has become dilapidated, it proves that it was a wealthy family many years ago.

squeak……

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

A little old man with a stooped figure came out of it. His face was thin and haggard due to the vicissitudes of life. His left eye seemed swollen, which seemed to affect his normal vision.

It's just that simplicity has nothing to do with appearance, 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, you can rest assured to see your daughter, I will help you take care of this chicken!"

"If you gave me the hoe, what did you use to farm that Zhao Papier?"

……

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

After doing all this, he first closed the courtyard door, then quietly left the village with his burden, and then headed towards the capital.

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

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

Even in the prosperous age, it is always the prosperous age of the scholar-bureaucrats.

Yu Ming came to pay homage to his eldest daughter in the old house of the Qian Mansion in the northern suburbs, but just 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 done my duty." I have never been lazy in my work! I don’t know why my life has become like this. The [-] mu of land passed down from my ancestors was sold, and the eldest daughter who sold it to Qian’s mansion also encountered an accident. What do you think is my fault? "

In the bright spring of March, a question about life and right and wrong finally caused this dark-faced youth to think deeply.

Yu Ming's kindness comes from the bone marrow, and he looked at the sky and murmured: "I'm not asking for your sympathy when I tell you this, I just hope that this world can become better, and don't let people like me be cornered in the end !"

"You're not wrong, it's the world that's wrong, let me take you to a place!" The black-faced young man felt the old man's kindness, and made a decision.

Yu Ming could see that the black-faced youth was a good person, so he nodded slightly.

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 he was going to take him was more like a dream.

Yu Ming took the first step into Xiyuan, his legs were already trembling, his whole body seemed to be drunk, he staggered and followed the little yellow gate 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 farmer to be called into the palace.

When Yu Ming entered the imperial study room, he only saw an empty dragon chair in front of him, but he still knelt on the ground respectfully: "Yu Ming, a grass-roots man, bow to Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live long live!"

He Shengxin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, originally objected to summoning an ordinary citizen, but now seeing a thin old man who was obviously undernourished, he snorted contemptuously.

It was the first time Zhu Youtang saw the ordinary people under his rule, so he asked lightly, "Guigeng this year?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Caomin happens to be forty-two this year!" Yu Ming replied in awe when he heard the voice of the Son of Heaven coming from above.

what?
Hearing this age, the officials present couldn't help but look at each other, and then looked suspiciously at the skinny and embarrassed little old man in front of him.

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

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

Since I have been in power for many years and entered the officialdom early, even though I am over seventy years old and occasionally have minor problems, I still look good.

Huh?
Song Cheng always thought that Yu Ming was an old man, but when he heard that the other party was only 42 years old, a look of surprise appeared on that calm face.

Zhu Youtang was not surprised by this kind of age difference, so he asked calmly: "Just now the Governor of the Song Dynasty said that you are a person who cannot survive, what is going on?"

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

The reason why he wanted to overcome resistance and bring Yu Ming to the front of the imperial court was not only to allow Yu Ming to let the group of wealthy officials see the real situation of the people at the bottom, but it was also Yu Ming's own self-help.

No matter He Qiaoxin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, or Wu Yu, the right servant of the Ministry of Household Affairs, they don't know the living conditions of the people at the bottom.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this matter is a long story! When the Tartars invaded the imperial capital, Caomin's parents died at the hands of the Tartars, so Caomin was raised by his grandmother since he was a child. Because Caomin's family has [-] acres of land, and grandma is very Hardworking, life is not bad. It’s just that grandma has been busy for Caomin all year round. When Caomin gave birth to her first daughter, she died due to overwork. Since the family had no savings at that time, Caomin used the village mediation to leave the household Yu Buren borrowed two taels of silver from Changsheng Bank to buy a thin coffin to bury his grandma, and the monthly interest was four cents. Unfortunately, there was a drought that year, and the second daughter was born the following year, so Caomin owed this money all the time! As time goes by, there will be interest rates, and the grass-roots sell their land to repay their debts. At that time, it was four taels! The grass-roots entrusted them to no one, and Yu Buren got the silver. Fooling the grassroots. Until the time when the creditor came to the door, the silver owed was as high as [-] taels. That year, the imperial court had just levied the new Heyin, so the labor that year was only enough to fill the stomach, and the family had no savings. The grassroots were forced to sign a new contract. Only after selling all the remaining land property can I finally pay off the debt." Yu Ming told his experience, but his eyes slowly became wet.

If the time comes again, he will borrow money to bury his grandma again, but he is still overwhelmed by the usury in the end.Even though he was good all his life, his own life has become a mess.

Liu Jian, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, quite agreed with Yu Ming's filial piety, so he nodded lightly: "Since it has been paid off, even though there is no land, you can still live as a tenant farmer honestly!"

Song Cheng glanced at the left servant of the Ministry of Rites indifferently, but didn't speak.

Chen Zheng, the left servant of the Ministry of Industry, shook his head slightly, knowing that Liu Jian's clear stream was too far away from the common people, and it was typical for him to stand and talk without back pain.

Farmers in Arita live like this, and life as a tenant must be even worse.

He Qiaoxin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, did not say a word, but he did not expect Song Cheng to find an ordinary person who was persecuted by the loan, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"After Caomin ran out of land, he became a tenant farmer for Zhao Guan in the neighboring village. At first, he was able to make ends meet, but my wife died of a sudden illness, so Caomin had no choice but to borrow two taels of silver from the bank. Originally, the tenants did not have much share, but in the end they could barely fill their stomachs and were unable to repay the due debts at all. The three of them forced the grassroots to borrow new debts to repay the old debts. In order to survive, the grassroots agreed to their request. But they have already set their sights on I took two of my daughters, and took two daughters and sold them as maidservants to repay the debts. Caomin never did anything against his will, and let it go if he didn’t live well. Live on!" Yu Ming's eyes dimmed, and he expressed his situation very sincerely.

He Qiaoxin, Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, was from a wealthy family, so he immediately said: "Don't move and you will die! How much money do you owe? I will pay it for you!"

Wan An and other officials couldn't help but glared at He Qiaoxin. It's not Yu Ming's business now, it's clear that these usury banks forced an honest man to ruin his family.

Although he knew before that the common people were forced to sell their sons and daughters because of their debts, but seeing this middle-aged man tortured by life and hearing Yu Ming's experience with his own eyes, his heart was also shaken.

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

"Although Caomin only owes Changsheng Bank, but now he owes a total of one hundred taels!" Yu Ming replied bitterly without the slightest joy.

The eyes of He Qiaoxin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, seemed to be unbelievable for a moment, and said: "How much did you say?"

"He Shangshu, he just said 100 taels!" Xu Qiong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, hated He Qiaoxin, so he joked.

He Qiaoxin, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, did not think of so much at all, and could not help but doubt: "If you really only borrowed two taels of silver! Even if it is doubled every year, it is impossible for so much!"

"Master He, you'd better go back and read our newly compiled "Elementary Geometry" by Daming. If you calculate it according to compound interest, the second year is four taels, the third year is eight taels, the fourth year is 16 taels, and the fourth year is 32 taels. In five years, it was 64 taels, and in the sixth year it was already [-] taels...how can he be said to be a grassroots person, even if Dacang’s treasury silver is not enough to pay back!” explained.

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

According to Taizu's "one profit per share", ordinary people may still have a way to survive, but if they encounter this kind of usury with no upper limit, ordinary people will simply die.

It's just that, in the country's dynasties, burials are popular, and ordinary people have to borrow money for funerals.Once he borrows money from the bank for the sake of filial piety, he will easily become like Yu Ming.

"He Shangshu, when did you give the 100 taels?" Xu Qiong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, had already set his eyes on He Qiaoxin, and Dang even deliberately disgusted him.

He Qiaoxin couldn't help but snorted coldly, but expressed his opinion lightly: "100 taels is too much, I'm a clean official, I can't afford this money!"

Naturally, it wasn't that he couldn't get the money out, but that he couldn't get it out at all.

If the emperor knew that he was rich, and even suspected that he was the second Li Min, then no matter how carefully he hid the stolen money, it would be useless, and he might end up being accused and ransacking his home.

Liu Ji and other officials did not pay attention to the 100 taels, but began to seriously reflect on the dangers of private lending.

Zhu Youtang knew it was time to come forward, so he stood in front of the guardrail and talked eloquently: "Private lending has lasted for 2000 years. What Shangshu He just said is right, and it can indeed solve some people's urgent needs! The emperor did not intend to crack down on businessmen running money houses, but the sages have said: A gentleman loves money, and he gets it in a proper way. If we follow the law of our ancestors, the monthly interest will not be more than three cents, and one profit will be made. I think it is a good business. But now The Qianzhuang forces my people to die, and two taels of silver can bankrupt a wealthy family, and the profit is even more than a hundred times. I have summoned all the ministers here today to discuss how to solve this stubborn disease. Never allow the bank to oppress the people like this!"

"Such an act, the gods and men are all angry!"

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

"Our monarchs and ministers are united, and we must not let these profiteers abuse the people!"

……

Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and others have already deeply realized the seriousness of the problem. Although people like Yu Ming may account for a small proportion, they also know that when it is time to rule, they all join in.

This……

Liu Jian, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, and other officials swallowed silently, but dared not respond.After all, if this stick is swung down, no profiteers will be hurt. In fact, the rich and powerful including them are the real moneylenders.

Zhu Youtang was condescending, so he continued calmly: "I know that this matter is actually quite difficult, and I have offended too many people by doing this! To tell you the truth, my aunts, the queen mother and the empress dowager's natal families They all open money houses or pawnshops. If I really closed their shops, I am afraid they will come to me soon. As for you, you have not seen Beijing debts in the past. Why are Beijing debts prevalent in this dynasty? It is really ordinary businessmen who dare to ask for several times Is it beneficial? It’s just that I have made up my mind, the reason why I ordered the closure of the [-] largest shops in the capital today, no matter who is involved, it is bound to be vigorously rectified!”

"Your Majesty, I don't know what good strategy you have, and the old minister will definitely cooperate with all his strength!" Wan An was moved by Zhu Youtang's true feelings, and immediately expressed his opinion.

Officials such as Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, had also given up all distracting thoughts and immediately expressed their support.

Zhu Youtang was very satisfied with the reaction of Wan An and other officials, and said politely: "I haven't thought about food and drink for many days, but I thought of one..."

"Your Majesty, you must take care of the dragon body!" Xu Qiong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, knelt down to express his loyalty when he heard the first half sentence.

Zhu Youtang glared at this sycophant, and then continued lightly: "Although these one hundred financial stores have been sealed up, I will not move the money in the stores, but will conduct an audit. Next, the Ministry of Accounts will take the lead. One hundred and one Xinke Scholars temporarily entered the Ministry of Household Affairs to observe the government, and asked all stores to change the interest rate to less than three interest rates. If the repayment amount exceeds one interest rate, it will be canceled! Select the three worst cases, and I will use the canon law , Announce to the world!" After a pause, he continued to add: "As for the future, the Ministry of Officials will review the shops and personnel, and only with financial licenses can they operate, and all shops must be supervised by the Ministry of Households. Once the monthly interest Anyone who exceeds three points and does not follow the principle of one profit will have their licenses revoked, and they will no longer be able to engage in lending or mortgage business!"

This……

After hearing Zhu Youtang's plan, Li Si and other officials, Minister of the Household Department, opened their mouths slightly, and looked at the emperor who was talking about it in disbelief.

But no matter how difficult the problem was, once it came to the emperor, it would inevitably be solved easily.

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

(End of this chapter)