Gentlemen, listen to the sword chant

Chapter 103 "Thirteen household servants"

The more Jiang Ziqi spoke, the more excited he became, and his tone was emotional, as if he was the one who was oppressed by the world. At the end, he sighed with regret: "This world shouldn't be like this, at least it can't be like this."

Chen Ci sneered, pretending, and continuing to pretend, no matter how grand and dignified Jiang Ziqi's words were, he only thought it was Jiang Ziqi's disguise.

Human nature is inherently selfish.

"Sorry, I don't understand what you mean."

Jiang Ziqi looked stunned, his words were very clear, his eyes widened and his pupils shrank, "Chen Ci, did I misread you?"

"No, I don't understand you, and I don't know what you want to express."

Jiang Ziqi chewed on Chen Ci's words in his heart, and suddenly smiled. He realized that Chen Ci was biased against him, because behind the scenes, he was also leading the war, so he chuckled: "Chen Ci, maybe you misread me yesterday, You still misunderstood me today."

As he spoke, he continued to speak, but his tone gradually softened.

"What I want to express is that the world is not fair! Do you understand? The resources in this world are completely sufficient and plentiful, not to mention equal distribution, as long as a part of the resources are released, everyone in the world can live a better life. In the days when there is no need to worry about food and clothing, even if you put the Tartars on the grasslands, the barbarians in the desert, and the Japanese pirates in Japan, the world will be unified, and the resources of this world will still be inexhaustible. Do you know what I mean? ?However, ever since Ji Wuya fought against the Fourteen States and established the Great Liang Empire, the superiors have taken a series of measures. They gathered resources, took away the resources belonging to the bottom, and gave [-]% of the resources to the superiors. Those at the bottom enjoy it, but those at the bottom have no food to eat and no clothes to cover their bodies. They take various measures and promulgate various laws to paralyze the bottom people... Great Liang is a blood-sucking moth. Seeing injustice, we should overthrow the tyranny and establish a brand new country, a new era of no oppression, no exploitation, everyone is equal, and the princess of the world. At that time, everyone will have enough to eat, and there will be no more plundering of resources. There will be no more wars, the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and the times will be completely new."

After Jiang Ziqi finished speaking, his eyes were hopeful.

Chen Ci sneered endlessly, thinking that Jiang Ziqi's ideas are beautiful, but the reality is skinny. Chen Ci from the 21st century knows clearly that as long as it is a human society, there will never be such an era.There is no reason, just because human beings are also animals, not only animals, but also emotions, greed, ignorance and hatred. Human nature is complicated and it is absolutely impossible to coexist peacefully.

"However, people are inherently classy." Chen Ci said bitterly.

Jiang Ziqi was taken aback, with a look of astonishment on his face.

It was like a bolt from the blue in his heart.

but.

Are people inherently classy?

He couldn't believe that this sentence would come out of Chen Ci's mouth. In this world, anyone could say this sentence, but he couldn't make a speech because he was Xin Wuji's child.

Regardless of his surprised eyes, Chen Ci also stood up, walked to the riverside, came to Jiang Ziqi's side, and said: "People are inherently inferior, there is no doubt about it, because there are always people who are lazy by nature, always Some people strive to be strong, but if resources are equal, how unfair is it? Human beings live in groups, which means that human society must have a leader, and this leader must be a strong person.”

Jiang Ziqi was silenced.

"Why should hardworking people enjoy the same resources as lazy people? Is it fair?"

"Okay, let's count what you said, overthrow the empire, who will be the leader?"

Jiang Ziqi immediately replied: "There is no leader, everyone is equal, and the world is the master of the world."

"Hehe, then let me ask you, how to allocate resources? Isn't it up to the more powerful to decide? Let me ask you again, if two poor people conflict because of resources, who will mediate? Is it you? Or me? To put it bluntly, I don’t want a stronger person to come.”

Jiang Ziqi was silent again.

The statement was good, but he also fell into self-doubt.

"People should be divided into three, six, and nine classes. Because of the inferiority of human nature, the stability of a group society lies in the need for a leader and a management class. Survival of the fittest and natural selection are the only rules of survival in the world." Chen The words are firm and unquestionable.

"I beg to differ."

Jiang Ziqi suppressed his anger, and waved his sleeves angrily: "It's nonsense."

Chen Ci looked at him quietly.

"In today's world, the country of Daliang has lasted for more than 400 years. The state government is weak, and there are quarrels. Above the temples, rotten trees are officials, eunuchs are in power, and animals eat their salary. They started wars, planned wars, and made a lot of money just to consolidate politics and earn political achievements. They just patch up such a devastated country, and the people are ignorant, have lost hope, and cut off their future. Is this what the world should be like?"

The statement said plainly: "It's still the same sentence, survival of the fittest, natural selection."

Jiang Ziqi said: "You have heard of "Thirteen Households", do you know why I only mention this?"

The statement pretended to be listening attentively.

Jiang Ziqi took a deep breath and began to explain.

The so-called "Thirteen Household Service" is a corvee law officially promulgated by the Great Liang court more than 200 years ago, the most classic of which is "33 taels of silver". What is 33 taels of silver?There is an intriguing fact in this, that is, the Daliang economy has continued to develop for 200 years, and has been prosperous until now, but the value of food crops and market commodities in general has not changed much. The fundamental reason lies in this " 33 taels of silver.” At that time, the court of Great Liang discovered that the annual expenditure of food, clothing, housing and transportation for a household was about 33 taels of silver. Later, “Thirteen Household Service” was born.With this "Thirteen Households", the government controls prices from various aspects, making it impossible for a household to earn 33 taels of silver. According to the economy of different regions, taxes are different, and market commodities are also different. Whether it is a poor area or a poor area, the living standards of the people are not much different, all within 33 taels of silver.In this way, the only thing the common people have to do is to work hard to earn 33 taels of silver, otherwise they will suffer from hunger.Later, the common people discovered that no matter how hard they worked, they could not earn 33 taels of silver. If the harvest is good this year, the tax will be high and the goods will be expensive; otherwise, the tax will be lower and the goods will be cheaper.But there is a point in this, that is, if you don't work hard to make money, you will starve to death, and if you can't pay the high taxes, the land will be nationalized.This leads to a vicious circle. After more than 200 years of development and precipitation, the clan finally formed the land control. Many ordinary people can only work for the clan in order to eat a bite. It is a headache to pay taxes, but the clan is not a good person. When the harvest is not good, they will exploit the common people in different ways, extracting oil to squeeze taxes. Now, the common people can only barely feed themselves by farming all year round, and even a little meat is a luxury. .

In short, the core of "33 taels of silver" is to better manage the bottom line, making them worry about their livelihoods all their lives. Daliang is very prosperous and the Great Wall is majestic, but it has nothing to do with the common people.

The essence of "Thirteen Households" is to strengthen the management of the ruling class and consolidate the political power.

This is the most successful law promulgated by the Great Liang court, and it continues to this day.

Moreover, "33 taels of silver" is only one of the clauses in "Thirteen Household Service", and there are more than 100 other clauses, densely packed.

Another example is the imperial examination system stipulated in "Thirteen Household Services". Anyone who wants to participate in the imperial examination must be a person of family status. What is family status?To put it simply, it is necessary to have a house and land, which leads to the complete ruin of the real bottom who want to change their destiny by reading.

When Jiang Ziqi said this, he looked disgusted: "In order to consolidate the unshakable position of the imperial power, the ruling class of Daliang promulgated the "Thirteen Household Service", which made the common people worry about food, drink, and work for a living. Do you know? They listed the four books and five classics, let the scholars study the scriptures and sentences, they can't come out for a lifetime, obliterate the thoughts of the scholars, give them a small official position, use their selfish desires, and use the poor power in their hands to exploit and Poor people like him, to put it bluntly, they are all poor people, but those scholars are still complacent, thinking that they have changed their destiny and are willing to become eagles and dogs of the imperial court. In fact, they are all cattle and horses, but relatively better controlled cattle and horses. Scholars are settled, common people are numb, even if there are still people who want to rebel, they are just a bunch of common people, nothing to worry about.”

The world is neither black nor white.

The statement was silent. Of course he knew that this was the only system in feudal society that could effectively control the locality. No, not only feudal society, but any society. unchanging truth.

"So?" Chen Ci asked back.

"So, those of us with lofty ideals gathered together, we put forward advanced ideas, we want to enlighten the numbness of the people, we want to overthrow tyranny, and we want to establish a new era of equality for everyone. At that time, there will be no injustice in the world , there is no oppression, no exploitation, everyone can eat with their own hands, and everyone can live a happy life.”

The statement mercilessly ridiculed: "Then your ideals are quite full."

What the statement wanted to say was that Jiang Ziqi was dreaming.

Arabian Nights.

"Report, you won't understand now. There will always be some eras, and some different people will emerge. They are like the call of destiny. They regard ideals and beliefs as everything in their lives, and they would rather fight for it all their lives."

"I really don't understand. If you really have such lofty ideals, why would you instigate a war between the Dongying people and the Great Liang court? Why do you want to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight? Oh, yes, I guess..." Chen Ci pretended to sneer, Said sarcastically: "It's nothing more than fear. You were afraid of the Jingzhou battle ten years ago, so you wanted to see the imperial court fall apart and wait for the opportunity, right? But have you ever thought about it? The world is being pulled into a catastrophe, and the people will live even more poorly, so what is the difference between you and the treacherous court sycophants?"

"Lives in the present age, merits in the future." Jiang Ziqi just replied lightly.

"Oh, you're speaking lightly, but let me ask you, the Great Liang court has collapsed, and the princes of the fourteen prefectures are still here. Without the restraint of the emperor, the Tartars in the north, the barbarians in the west, and the Japanese pirates in the east, who will organize the imperial court? Enemy? Those princes are all greedy and selfish people. They long for chaos in the world. As long as the fire doesn't burn their ass, they will never be in a hurry. Who will end the war? Moreover, if the princes of the fourteen states want to fight for territory , start a war again, what should I do? Who will end the war? Is it you? Do you have that ability?"

Chen Ci's tone was aggressive, and he didn't give in half a step.

Jiang Ziqi hesitated, and said: "I admit that after the collapse of the Great Liang, the world will be plunged into blood and fire for a short time, but it is only for a short time, and with the unremitting efforts of my family and I, we will definitely change the situation and revitalize the world." A boost to the hearts of the people. As the saying goes, history will remember those poor people who fought for the world, and history will evaluate your and my achievements. At that time, whether I am a good person or a bad person will be judged by future generations."

The statement was still the same, no matter how eloquently Jiang Ziqi said, how extravagantly gaudy he was, he was always on guard against Jiang Ziqi.

"You took a lot of trouble to save me, not only because of my father, right?"

"No."

"Come on, purpose."

Jiang Ziqi pondered for a while, and cut straight to the point: "I need to rely on you and use your father's influence to gather hundreds of missionaries from all over the world."

Chen Ci was startled, thinking that Xin Wuji's influence is so great?

Seeming to see the doubts in the statement, Jiang Ziqi smiled and said meaningfully: "You underestimate your father too much, oh yes, I have a reason you can't refuse."

"Come and listen."

"First, you want to save the princess. Although the princess will not be in any danger in the hands of Uesugi in a short period of time, but after a long time, Uesugi will not be able to control the pressure of the right-wing elements in the cabinet and the military mansion. Right now, the Great Liang court is slow. If there is no action, if there is no interference from other forces, the princess will be imprisoned sooner or later. Between you and me, we will win and benefit each other. In your name, I will gather a hundred families to strengthen my momentum, and you can also use our hundred families to be here. Standing out in the troubled times, you will have a certain status enough to negotiate with the Japanese people and redeem the princess.

"Secondly, do you have a choice now? The Dongying people are looking for you, and the court doesn't like you. Do you have money and food to recruit soldiers?"

The statement fell silent.

Jiang Ziqi was right.

"Hehe, you've said so much in a roundabout way, you just want to support me as a puppet, right?"

Jiang Ziqi looked at the statement and said nothing, which was a tacit agreement.

"What do you need me to do?"

"I don't need anything, just wait. I have announced to the world that missionaries from all over the fourteen states will come one after another. I will honor you as the leader."

……

On June 24th in the [-]th year of Tai'an, Haizhou fell and was occupied by the Second and Third Allied Forces of Dongying.

On the [-]th of the same month, Xiaxiang fell.

On the [-]th, the southern heroes abandoned Piaocheng and retreated to the northern border of Wuzhou to the territory of Qingzhou.

On the [-]th, Xi Shen rushed to Guangling, and with the support of Honma Qianhezi, he was crowned king and became a puppet supported by the Dongying people in the Wuzhou area.

(End of this chapter)