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Chapter 737: Really Ruthless

This was not only understood by the court officials in Beijing, but also by many knowledgeable people who had read the newspapers. Some cursed the dictator, some praised his wisdom, and the opposition and supporters were clearly divided. Generally speaking, those who had obtained more privileges cursed, while those who did not would clap.

The content of the "Re-Enfeoffment Order" was only one thing, which was to forcibly conscript the descendants of officials above the fifth rank and royal family members into the army.

Except for the disabled or seriously ill, if there were three sons in a family and they were under 25 years old, one of them had to go to the capital to participate in the training presided over by the emperor himself. The legitimate son was given priority, the term was five years, and the treatment was the same as that of the new army, which was called military service.

Can they not go? This time the emperor did not make a one-size-fits-all decision, but gave them a choice. If a family meets the military service requirements but does not want their son to serve in the army, the court will not force them. But they will take back their privileges, such as tax exemption for officials' land and exemption from labor service.

Later generations said that the Ming Dynasty officials were paid low wages, and now it is clear whether it is really low. The salaries of Ming Dynasty officials were really low, but their hidden income was not low. The quota of land tax exemption and labor exemption alone could support a large family, so no one was willing to give it up.

Is there a way to avoid military service if you are reluctant to give up your son and privilege? In theory, there must be a way. The laws of all dynasties were originally enacted with backdoors, so that those who have the power to make laws can disobey the law and become lawless.

But this time, Emperor Jingyang set a precedent. As the emperor who was most qualified to be an outlaw, he was the first to sacrifice his half brother. At the same time, he also stated in front of the court officials many times that if anyone dared to deceive the superiors and subordinates on the issue of military service, he would be exterminated.

The emperor was not satisfied with just the attitude, he also took practical actions. He called for people to expose and report, and for this purpose he moved the drum for reporting to the door of the criminal department. As long as the suspected military service fraud was reported, it must be accepted, and there was no need to be beaten with a stick. After the facts were verified, there would be a generous reward.

It is because it is difficult to exploit loopholes and commit fraud that so many people criticize it. What is the purpose of being an official? Two words, to be in power. What is the purpose of being in power? Two words, to make money. What is the purpose of making money? Again two words, to have descendants.

As for the country and the nation, go to hell, I don't know who you are. Before filling your cellar with silver and giving your servants a feast, who would think of the country? Loyalty to the emperor, loyalty is also to the power in the hands of the emperor. If you don't believe it, let the emperor lose power and try it, he will be beaten into a pig's head in a minute.

But now it is no longer possible. Regardless of whether it is true love or false love, the country must be kept in mind and it must be cared for every now and then. There is no other way. The eldest son and grandson, the heir of the family, is serving in the army and may already be standing on the side wall. It is unknown whether he can survive for five years.

Not only should we care, but we should also pray, praying that the Ming Dynasty can win the war. Now if the emperor says that someone is invading the border, the government and the people will definitely shout and kill, and they must strike first. What saintly teachings, get out of here, if we win the war, our children and grandchildren will have a greater chance of being alive, and winning is the only way!
Gao Panlong was also one of the officials who was forced to be patriotic. To be honest, his attitude towards the country had really changed a lot after his eldest grandson went to Beijing to serve in the military.

Before, I worried about the country and the people more for my own reputation as an official, but now I have to consider more practical issues. Even for the sake of my grandson's life, I have to try my best to make the country stronger.

"Your Majesty has good intentions, but the world may not necessarily appreciate them." But in the end, he was forced. Every time he saw the culprit, he couldn't help but get angry, and even if he couldn't fight back, he would still ridicule him.

"Brother Cunzhi, people tend to follow blindly. As long as you don't change your mind every day, it will become a routine after a few years." Yang Lian, the Minister of Justice, who was sitting opposite, was quite open-minded. He didn't think that being accepted by the world was a big problem. Instead, he was more worried about whether the emperor could withstand the pressure. "Is Yuan Zhong's matter settled?" If someone else said this, Gao Panlong would definitely retort, but in front of Yang Lian, he had to admit defeat.

The Minister of Justice was 10 years younger than himself, and his eldest son Yang Zhiyi was only three months away from turning . According to regulations, he could have delayed his military service until next year. However, Yang Lian wrote a letter back to his hometown asking his eldest son to drop his studies and come to Beijing immediately.

Moreover, he made a promise that once the eldest son had completed his military service, the second and third sons would also have to serve. The emperor only said that every family with three sons must send one, but he did not say that all three could not send. As a high-ranking official of the Ming Dynasty and a supporter of the new policy, he naturally had to take the lead and respond. It was his duty!

"My son has already traveled halfway through the journey and should arrive before the end of the month. Your Majesty, my son has been able to swim since he was young. Can you arrange for him to serve in the navy?" Since he mentioned his son in front of the emperor, Yang Lian did not shy away from it and was going to openly use the back door.

"Tell me your reasons?" Hong Tao was reviewing two drafts, and raised his eyelids when he heard this.

The Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Supreme Court were not here to chat in the Yangxin Palace. They had a lot of work to do during this period. They had been busy revising the Ming Dynasty Law for more than a month, and today was just the first draft.

"I want my son to go to more places, see the vastness of the ocean, and learn some new things, so that the five years will not be in vain."

"Well, the navy does go to more places and learn more than the army. But the navy is also much more dangerous than the army. Not to mention combat, there is a possibility of capsizing during daily training. Once you encounter trouble on the sea, human power can only control 30%, and the rest depends entirely on luck and fate."

Hong Tao agreed with Yang Lian's reason. If he were to help his son choose, he would be willing to join the navy. Even if he didn't get a position based on his military exploits when he retired five years later, he would still be able to learn a lot of useful knowledge.

But the ugly truth must be said in advance, the navy is not as glorious as it seems on the surface, and the casualty rate is much higher than that of the army. Especially after the increase of patrol missions in the Luzon Sea, last year alone, a warship, an armed cargo ship and two communication ships were swallowed by storms, and more than 200 officers and soldiers were killed.

"Your Majesty once said that for some people, death is as light as a feather, while for others, death is as heavy as Mount Tai. I don't want my child to live his whole life in a muddle under the shadow of a lord. Whether it is a blessing or a curse depends on his luck."

Yang Lian had obviously heard the emperor's advice in advance and had figured it out. He did not think he should retreat in the face of difficulties. From this point of view, he was even more ruthless than Gao Panlong, who was known for his ruthlessness.

Gao Panlong was ruthless and strict in enforcing the law, mainly because he had high standards for himself and others, but he was soft-hearted when it came to his descendants. Yang Lian not only had high standards for others and himself, but also did not let his descendants go. This was truly ruthless and truly understood life.

(End of this chapter)