My life skills in Daming Liver.

Chapter 331 Returning the Power to the People
Pan Jixun looked at Tan Lun inexplicably.

This is why Su Ze made the mistake of historical empiricism.

Pan Jixun was a famous water conservancy expert in the Ming Dynasty, but before he was assigned to manage the river, he was not involved in the water conservancy system at all!

The current Pan Jixun is an inspector who focuses on the judiciary, and at the same time his greater ideal is in civil affairs.

Now Pan Jixun is promoting the Jingpinglijia method in Guangdong.

The so-called Jingpinglijia method later became part of Zhang Juzheng’s whipping method. The main methods of this law are:
First, calculate the needs of the prefecture and county, estimate how much they will use, and let the people pay the government money according to their own labor force. Once there are passers-by or public expenditures, the government will issue silver coins and send them to purchase.

The head of the village only handles official duties in the government, and the head of the armor is all sent home to work in agriculture.

This set of methods actually has the embryonic form of the budgeting of modern governments in later generations.

The government calculates a year's budget, converts it into silver and distributes it to the people for collection.

The government will pay for the excess labor.

And since the village chiefs and Jia chiefs were not in the imperial establishment, but had the most contact with the common people and were most likely to dominate the countryside, Pan Jixun's method was tantamount to canceling the rentier privileges of the Jia chiefs and letting them farm at home.

As for the village chiefs who are in need of grassroots organizations, their right to make decisions in the township will be revoked, and they will be allowed to serve as part-time officials and regularly complete official duties in the government offices.

Pan Jixun's method can be said to be a method he proposed to reduce the burden on the people based on the actual work of grassroots officials.

Faced with the endless apportionment of labor and forced expropriation, the Junpingli Law did have a good effect when it was implemented in Guangzhou Prefecture.

However, such an insightful official in civil affairs was sent to control the Yellow River in the historical timeline before Su Ze crossed.

Thanks to Pan Jixun's talent for water conservancy, he proposed the method of "confining water to attack sand" when regulating the Yellow River, which solved the problem of sedimentation in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and partially dredged the waterways of the Yellow River, Huaihe River and canal. The lower reaches of the Yellow River were safe for several years.

But such a technocrat spoke a few words of injustice for the Zhang family on the issue of confiscating Zhang Juzheng's house after his death.

Li Zhi impeached Zhang Juzheng with the party as protection, "friends and traitors, false accusations to deceive the emperor", and his words were harsh.Shenzong ordered Pan Jixun to defend himself, Pan Jixun pleaded guilty, and was stripped of his citizenship.

Later, although he was restored to his post and was appointed governor of Hedao, he soon died in office due to illness.

At this moment, Pan Jixun has not yet had anything to do with the Yellow River. He looked at Tan Lun doubtfully and said:

"Brother Zili, do you mean that the governor wants me to control the Yellow River?"

Tan Lun was also confused, but after passing Su Ze's words, he said:
"Brother Shi Liang, the Governor wants you to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side!"

Pan Jixun looked at Tan Lun, feeling a little confused.

After Tan Lun's accident, Pan Jixun, as a good friend who was studying in the same year, also wrote a letter to Tan Lun complaining.

But now that Tan Lun appeared in front of him and asked him to defect to Su Ze, Pan Jixun hesitated again.

Tan Lun saw Pan Jixun's hesitation, and he immediately said: "Brother Shi Liang, I know that you implemented the Jingpinglijia Law in Guangdong in order to reduce the burden on the people, but you have read the Governor's "Three Principles to the People" ? Even if the equalization method is used, how does the burden on the people of Guangdong compare with that of Fujian and Yue?"

Pan Jixun shook his head and said: "The Equalization Law can only reduce government levies, but cannot reduce existing taxes."

Tan Lun then said: "There are many good laws in our Ming Dynasty that ended up with the demise of the people and the government. You are now implementing this law in Guangdong, and it will be abolished after you leave office."

"I know Brother Shi Liang's ambition to reduce the burden on the people. If the governor-general succeeds, the people all over the world will be able to take corvee and receive as little tax as the people in Fujian and Zhejiang. Isn't this what you want?"

Pan Jixun hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm just patrolling the case in Guangdong. Brother Zili, let's persuade Bai Zhifu first."

Tan Lun knew there was something going on, and he said to Pan Jixun: "In that case, if Prefect Bai agrees, can all the fifteen counties of Guangfu be under the control of the governor?"

Pan Jixun was stunned for a moment and said, "As long as Guangzhou is under the city, I can help persuade the rest of the counties."

Tan Lun immediately said: "Then I'll go and persuade the prefect Bai anyway!"

Naturally, Tan Lun did not come alone this time.

ten days ago.
-
After Tan Lun went south from Fuzhou, he immediately took a boat to Chaozhou City, which had just been captured by the New Army.

Tan Lun met Yu Zigao, who led the third brigade to repair, and Qi Jiajun could be regarded as Tan Lun's old subordinates.

When he and Qi Jiguang were transferred to Fujian, he recruited and trained the backbone of the Qi Army.

Yu Zigao also respected Tan Lun very much, but Tan Lun was not here to reminisce with him.

Tan Lun came up and asked Yu Zigao: "How many troops can Chaozhou Prefecture bring on board the ship to go south now?"

Yu Zigao said honestly: "The Qi Army's headquarters has 5000 people, and 2000 people were recruited during the pacification of the Feilong Army."

"Although the losses in the capture of Chaozhou Prefecture are not large, ammunition and equipment need to be replenished, and up to 2000 people can still fight."

Tan Lun unfolded the map of Guangzhou and said, "2000 people are enough!"

He asked again: "Can your gunboat sail into the Pearl River Estuary?"

Yu Zigao said: "This is okay. The Guangdong Haidao Yamen has submitted a letter to the court to temporarily lift the sea ban last year. Now many merchant ships can sail into the Pearl River Estuary and trade on the edge of Guangzhou City."

"We can disguise ourselves as merchant ships from Chaozhou Prefecture and sail into the Pearl River Estuary, but the big ships can't get in, and the firepower of the small ships can't blast through the Guangzhou city wall."

Tan Lun said: "That's enough. We only need to fire artillery outside the city to create chaos. Controlling Guangzhou City naturally depends on the army."

"Please order 2000 people and come with me to Guangzhou!"

"Mr. Tan, I will go with you too."

Tan Lun looked at Yu Zigao and said, "After I enter Guangzhou City, you will lead the troops on the boat and wait for my signal."
-
Back in Guangzhou, Tan Lun disguised himself as a businessman and sneaked into Guangzhou with more than 20 elites.

After meeting Pan Jixun, the next step was Magistrate Bai.

The difficulty of persuading Magistrate Bai to surrender was much lower than that of Pan Jixun.

Since coming to Guangzhou, Magistrate Bai has made great efforts to clean up the officialdom, and has indeed achieved some results.

In addition, Bai Zhifu also rectified coastal defense and actively suppressed Japanese pirates.

Prefect Bai even donated all his family assets and hired Portuguese to defeat the Japanese pirates besieging Guangzhou City.

With such achievements, Magistrate Bai was not promoted for three years in the post of Magistrate because there was no one in the court.

Because of Su Ze's rebellion, Magistrate Bai was immediately impeached by the governor and placed under house arrest. Now the affairs of the Guangzhou Prefecture are handled by the magistrate.Magistrate Bai was naturally very angry when the court treated him like this.

After Tan Lun inquired about this situation, he directly said to the elite escorting him:
"Everyone, are you sure you can break through the magistrate's office and rescue Magistrate Bai?"

Those who followed Tan Lun were all the elites of the Qi family's army. After the leader, Xiao Qi, inspected the defenses of the Guangzhou prefecture's Yamen, he made some further deductions and said:
"no problem!"

"In that case, act tonight and follow me to rescue Bai Zhifu!"

Tan Lun himself had served in the military, and he was also decisive in his actions.

In fact, the security of Bai Zhifu under house arrest is not very tight. Now Bai Zhifu is only suspected of collaborating with the enemy and is imprisoned. He has not yet waited for the imperial decree to escort him to Beijing.

As a result, Tan Lun personally led more than 20 people, and instantly controlled the guarding soldiers and entered the prefect's Yamen.

After hearing Tan Lun's intention, Magistrate Bai read Su Ze's handwritten letter to him.

Thinking of his recent treatment, Magistrate Bai was heartbroken and said, "Mr. Tan, I am willing to join the Grand Governor!"

Tan Lun looked at Magistrate Bai, but did not take him out of the city directly, but asked:

"Baifu Terrace, with your prestige, can you settle down the soldiers of Guangzhou Guard outside the city?"

Bai Zhifu was stunned for a moment. He looked at Tan Lun, and he quickly understood that the other party was not here to rescue him at all, but to seize the city of Guangzhou.

Now it's time to submit your certificate of nomination.

Magistrate Bai gritted his teeth and said, "I can mobilize the troops and horses to protect the city. Please ask Mr. Tan to escort me to the military camp outside the city!"

Magistrate Bai personally came forward and tricked the officers guarding the city gate into opening the city gate. Tan Lun immediately led his men to control the city gate.

Magistrate Bai immediately entered the Guangzhou Guard's barracks.

Tan Lun sent a signal.

After receiving the signal, Yu Zigao immediately ordered the ship to fire, and then led his men into Guangzhou.

They were originally resentful because they did not receive enough military pay for their anti-Japanese war. After meeting Bai Zhifu, the Guangzhou Guards quickly reached an agreement and stayed outside Guangzhou City to wait and see what would happen.

It has to be said that Ming Dynasty is still not exhausted at this time.

Guangzhou City is the capital city of Guangdong Province. The three government offices of Guangdong Province are all located in the city. In addition, there are many other government offices such as the Guangdong Governor’s Office and the Haidao Office.

Tan Lun commanded properly and led the elite to quickly control these yamen, but no one was willing to surrender.

Tan Lun just asked soldiers to surround these yamen, then fetched Bai Zhifu from the military camp outside the city, and immediately took control of Guangzhou City with the orders of the prefect's yamen.

When Pan Jixun saw that the city of Guangzhou fell into Tan Lun's hands so quickly, he immediately fulfilled his promise and led the Qi family army to knock on the gates of the counties around Guangzhou's capital.

Among the fifteen counties in Guangzhou, ten along the coast all fell into Su Ze's hands.

Tan Lun issued an announcement in the city of Guangzhou in response to the "Complaint against Rebellion" from Fujian and Zhejiang, asking the court to expel traitors and rectify the government's policy, and announced that Guangdong would also join the Fujian and Zhejiang coalition forces to participate in mutual protection.

Then Tan Lun reiterated the "Three Principles to the People", and the people of Guangzhou City responded immediately. The remaining five counties were also tied up by the people, and the county magistrates were kidnapped and Kaicheng surrendered.

Almost all the important officials of Guangdong Province gather in Guangzhou City, and Guangzhou Prefecture is the largest prefecture in Guangdong and the most developed along the coast.

Tan Lun was not in a hurry to capture other mansions in Guangdong, but reorganized the soldiers of Guangzhou Guard to control the entire Guangzhou mansion first.

In the southeast region, there are already two provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang, the second Susong Prefecture under the southern Zhili, the fourth prefecture in Jiangxi and the second prefectures of Guangzhou and Chaozhou in Guangdong fell into the hands of Su Ze.

Su Ze in Fuzhou received news that in order to unify the current government and military orders, the Southeast New Army Metropolitan Governor's Office was established under the name "Southeast New Army".

The Southeast New Army once again published the "Returning the Power to the People", reaffirming the requirements of the "Call for Rebellion" to support the court and punish evil, and put forward several new demands:
The court was required to reflect on its sins, the emperor had to issue an edict, Xu Jie's cabinet had to resign, the court had to reform laws and reduce taxes, cut vassal expenses and cancel clan privileges.

At the same time, Su Ze officially shouted the slogan of "returning power to the people" and proposed the legitimacy of his "crimination against the people"!
Naturally, the Ming court of the capital still did not respond, but the official documents of the Ming court increased a lot, and various urgent military information was passed on in the post station, and the elite from the Nine Borders also began to mobilize.

In November, Zhao Zhenji, the minister of Hubu in Nanzhili, was promoted to the position of Shangshu of Hubu in the capital because of his diligence in royal affairs and his meritorious service in collecting grain from the Jiangbei area. He was ordered to join the cabinet in Beijing.

The imperial court secretly ordered Li Chengliang, the deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang, to be the commander-in-chief of Liaoyang, and ordered him to recruit three thousand Jurchen cavalry and wait until the beginning of spring to immediately go south to King Qin.

Zhang Juzheng's request for reform was rejected by the court, but he was promoted to governor of Southern Zhili, in charge of military and civilian affairs of Southern Zhili, and allowed Southern Zhili to forge cannons and guns on its own, and Zhang Juzheng was allowed to recruit troops in northern Jiangsu.

But Zhang Juzheng who received this order was not happy at all.

Liu Shiyan rushed into Zhang Juzheng's official office excitedly with the official documents from the imperial court, but seeing Zhang Juzheng's weakened will, he couldn't help asking:

"Bu Tang, the imperial court has handed over all of Southern Zhili to you, why don't you look happy at all?"

Zhang Juzheng sighed and said: "The imperial court is giving up on Southern Zhili."

"what!"

Liu Shiyan said in horror: "Did Xu Shoufu write to you?"

Zhang Juzheng said calmly: "I didn't believe it from Enxiang, I inferred it from the imperial decree."

"Ministry?"

Zhang Juzheng stood up and said: "The imperial court issued an order to recruit horses and supply the border army. It seems that the imperial court is preparing to use cavalry to fight against the cannons."

"Actually, it makes sense if you think about it. The Su pirates have strong guns and are good at firearms. They can't be defeated by infantry. The cavalry is the inevitable choice."

"And South Zhili is not a good place for cavalry to fight."

"Although Northern Jiangsu is a plain, it is full of mud, swamps, and water, making it unsuitable for large-scale cavalry operations."

"Zhao Zhenji was drawing blood and sucking marrow in northern Jiangsu, just to drain the last blood of the entire southern Zhili."

Zhang Juzheng looked at the map and said: "The place where the imperial court wants to fight decisively is Shandong."

Liu Shiyan was silent. Zhang Juzheng's analysis was absolutely correct. The Qilu Plain was indeed a good place for cavalry to fight.

Thinking of the various measures taken by the imperial court, it is natural to give up the idea of ​​​​South Zhili.

Zhang Juzheng looked at the map and said: "But before the spring of next year, there should be no war in South Zhili."

(End of this volume, next volume tomorrow, "All Quiet in Nanjing")
(End of this chapter)