The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 147 Lao Zhu: Are we committing bad governance again?

Everyone laughed when they heard Princess Fuqing's question.

Zhu Yuanzhang explained: "Silly girl, who said these plans will be completed in a short time? It would be great if they can be completed within ten years."

Only then did Princess Fuqing react, her pretty face turned even redder, and she turned away shyly, not daring to look at everyone.

Everyone laughed even more happily.

After a while, Chen Jingke said: "Your Majesty, I actually have a way to complete these plans within five years without causing public resentment."

Zhu Yuanzhang said in surprise: "Oh, tell me what it is."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiongying were also very happy.

Princess Fuqing couldn't care less about being shy and turned around to look at him in surprise.

Chen Jingke said two words: "Military household."

Zhu Biao immediately understood what he meant, shook his head and said:
"It's a no-brainer. It's already very hard for military households to support the army. How can we increase their labor force?"

Conscripting military households to do corvee service will indeed not cause public resentment, but it can lead to mutiny in the army, with more serious consequences.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought deeper than his son, and said tentatively:

"Could it be that our military household system is also a bad policy?"

Only then did Zhu Biao realize that Chen Jingke was so smart, how could he not know the consequences of recruiting military households to do corvee labor?

But he still said this, which only shows that he has opinions on the military household system.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. His reaction was still a little slow.

Zhu Xiongying's ears immediately stood up. Come on, the familiar opening remarks came again.

Teacher Chen’s small class is about to start.

Princess Fuqing was surprised again, what happened?
Chen Jingke just said the word "junhu", and his father actually started to examine himself?

And what does the word 'also' mean?
Why does it sound like this is not the first time?

What has this Chen Jingke done to make his headstrong father look like this?
Looking at the somewhat unconfident Zhu Yuanzhang, Chen Jingke almost laughed out loud and pretended to be serious:
"For the newly established Ming Dynasty, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. But within a few years, only the disadvantages remained."

Zhu Xiongying was extremely excited. Jing Ke was so fierce that he didn't give any face to Grandpa Huang.

Princess Fuqing couldn't help but worry. She was so outspoken and didn't save any face. Her father might be furious.

However, the next moment, Zhu Yuanzhang's performance shocked him.

I saw Lao Zhu let out a long and relieved breath and said happily:
"It's okay, it's okay... Our military household system has some merits, right?"

Zhu Biao simply couldn't see it. Is this still the confident and headstrong old man of his family?

You old man used to think that the military household system was a system that was left to future generations.

Now it's just 'somewhat redeemable', are you so happy?

It was a joke, but Chen Jingke knew he couldn't pass it.

When Lao Zhu wants to be cute, everyone will accompany him to make a little fuss. If anyone really thinks he is cute, he is not far from death.

After the simple jokes, the business started: "I thought that after the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the people in the world were displaced, and large areas of land were deserted and uncultivated."

"Set up military households and let them reclaim wasteland, which can not only feed themselves but also support military supplies."

"Raising a million soldiers without costing the common people a grain of rice is truly an unprecedented initiative."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled so hard that he couldn't close his mouth: "Hey, don't just flatter us and talk about shortcomings."

Zhu Biao has ignored his old man.

Zhu Xiongying watched with great interest. Grandpa Huang's expression was more interesting than Jing Ke's lecture.

Princess Fuqing opened her mouth slightly. This was the first time she had seen such a father.

Chen Jingke said seriously: "Well, let me just make a few nonsense remarks."

"Nothing in this world remains constant."

"Everything is changing all the time."

"Especially people's hearts are changing faster."

"Any attempt to restrain people's hearts will ultimately be in vain."

Princess Fuqing was very confused. What remained unchanged was the military household system, wasn't it?

Why are you talking about changes in people's hearts?

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Xiongying were very calm.

They're used to this kind of opening.

It seems to have nothing to do with the content, but it actually explains an idea and a great principle.

Chen Jingke's next entry point must be related to this kind of thinking.

With the wisdom of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, they had already guessed what he was going to say next.

What is the biggest feature of military households?
A military household for one day will be a military household for generations.

Unless the emperor grants a pardon, he can never leave his country.

Chen Jingke's entry point must be related to this.

"People are changing, and so is the world made up of people."

"In order to adapt to this change, the country's system must also change accordingly."

“What is good governance today may very well become bad governance tomorrow.”

“Throughout history, it’s always been like this.”

"Take the Northern Song Dynasty as an example. At the beginning of the founding of the country, they relied on kindness to win over the scholar-bureaucrats."

"Relying on recruiting young and strong people among the refugees as Xiang troops, we curbed the rebellion of the people."

"By the time of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, these basic national policies had led to the problem of three redundancies."

"Almost brought down the Northern Song Dynasty's finances."

"Everyone knows what the problem is, but no one is willing to change it."

"Because too many people's interests are involved, anyone who changes it will be an enemy of everyone."

"Song Shenzong was a relatively ambitious emperor, and Wang Anshi was also a man of great talent."

"Their monarchs and ministers joined forces to reform, but ultimately failed due to the counterattack of vested interest groups."

"I'm afraid Song Taizu and Song Taizong never imagined that the foundation they believed to be the foundation of their country would eventually bring down the country they built."

Hearing this, Princess Fuqing's expression changed again. Chen Jingke's words could be described as treasonous.

All we have to do is shout, "There is no fear of changes in the sky, no law for the ancestors, and no sympathy for the words of people."

If Confucian scholars outside heard it, they would be criticized to pieces.

Moreover, my father wrote the "Huangming Ancestral Instructions" and required future generations to abide by it.

Isn't this a slap in the face of his old man?

I quietly looked at my father's expression and saw that he looked solemn and seemed very unhappy.

I couldn't help but worry about Chen Jingke.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was indeed solemn, and he knew very well why Chen Jingke said this to him.

It was clearly telling him that there is no immutable ancestral law.

If he sets up such a thing, it will definitely be a drag on future generations.

But he also has his own difficulties.

If you don't do this, what if there are descendants who don't care and make random changes?
All I can say is that some things are easier said than done.

But he didn't tell Chen Jingke this, there was no need.

At least for now, they have a chance to rebuild the world.

He is courageous and has a suitable successor. Chen Jingke has enough vision and ability.

Then let us work together to make this world different from before.

Thinking of this, he said solemnly:
"We know that you are capable, and you are even the person with the most unique ideas and the longest view in the world."

"If you have any ideas, tell me. If we don't understand, tell the prince. If the prince doesn't understand, tell the grandson in a few years."

"As long as you are doing the best for Ming Dynasty, we will keep you safe..."

"Hey...you won't believe what we say, but you should believe the queen, prince and grandson."

"Even if we want to break our promise one day, they will protect you, so you can speak freely."

Chen Jingke really didn't believe his guarantee, but he believed in Queen Ma and Zhu Biao.

As for Zhu Xiongying, if you can't believe this guy, then you are a failure.

Therefore, when he heard the second half of Lao Zhu's words, he immediately felt relieved and said:
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best to make the Ming Dynasty and Chinese civilization the most dazzling existence in the world." Zhu Biao was overjoyed. His old man finally learned to trust people.

Zhu Xiongying didn't realize it at all. In his opinion, wasn't this a matter of course?

Princess Fuqing was once again shocked to the point of numbness.

She even wondered if her father was possessed by something dirty.

Is this what he can say?

Lao Zhu then said solemnly: "But you must also agree to a condition."

Chen Jingke thought to himself, indeed, Lao Zhu must have conditions.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "If we, the queen, the prince, and the grandson can't understand your intention."

"No matter how long-term or good your plans are, put them on hold for now."

"You are not allowed to mention it again in a short period of time, and you are not allowed to give up your choice."

Chen Jingke was really moved now. He thought Zhu Yuanzhang would put forward some harsh conditions, but he didn't expect it to be so simple.

So he solemnly said: "Okay, I promise your majesty."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became more harmonious.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiongying were very happy.

Princess Fuqing finally accepted the reality that Chen Jingke was special.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Haha, isn't that enough? Let's continue the topic just now."

Some words seem pretentious if they are spoken too much. Once a tacit understanding is achieved, no more words are needed.

Chen Jingke also decisively continued the topic just now:
"At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the people had just emerged from the turmoil and had nothing."

"For them, being a military household at this time means they have gained the capital to settle down and live."

"They are naturally very happy and grateful to His Majesty."

"They will farm actively and fight hard."

"It is not only to repay His Majesty, but also to protect everything I have now."

Everyone couldn't help but nod. This analysis was indeed very good.

For a beggar, whoever gives them a steamed bun is their savior.

This was the case with military households at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"It is said that if you have enough food and clothing, you will know honor and disgrace; if you have enough food and clothing, you will know etiquette. There is also a saying that people are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality."

"When the world is peaceful and they have enough food and clothing, their pursuits will become higher."

"Especially when I see others who can do business, work, study and take the imperial examination."

"But they can only be military households and can't do anything."

"Slowly, their mentality will change."

"From the original gratitude, I turned into dissatisfaction."

"But if the imperial court can strictly implement the military household system, they won't have much objection."

"After all, although military households have a low status and no freedom, they are still better than many ordinary people."

"Just be afraid, the system will collapse... and the military household system will inevitably collapse."

Everyone was refreshed and finally started talking about how the system was broken.

Chen Jingke paused, organized his words slightly, and said:
"The first is land annexation, which is irreversible."

"When the local gentry becomes powerful enough, they will inevitably reach out to military households."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded helplessly. He was familiar with history books and knew very well that the annexation could not be stopped.

You can solve the problem by killing yourself, but you cannot expect that all future generations will be like you.

He only hoped that the situation of complete collapse would occur a few years later.

"The most terrifying thing is internal corruption..."

"Military households are hereditary. Guard posts, from the commander to the thousands of households, to the small flags below, most of them are also hereditary."

"Your Majesty also knows how strict the rules of the army are."

"Faced with their superiors, military households don't even have a chance to resist."

"Now the Ming Dynasty has strict military discipline, and officers don't dare to go too far."

"But over time, officers will inevitably treat the generals as slaves."

"And you will be a slave for generations, and you will never be able to escape."

"By that time, the guardhouse will become a hell for military households."

Everyone couldn't help but gasp.

Just thinking about this situation makes people shudder.

This is not just one or two people, but millions of people.

The key is this is the army that Ming Dynasty depends on for survival.

Such an army would be fine if it didn't rebel, but how could it have combat effectiveness?

"Military households either lost their families or fled and became black households."

"After escaping, you will either sell yourself as a slave to a wealthy family, or you will have no choice but to take risks."

"This is not the most terrifying thing. The most dangerous thing is that when the enemy comes, the court will find that there are no soldiers available."

"It would be fine if it was discovered early, but if it was discovered late, the consequences would be disastrous."

"So what if we find out?"

"Change? This is the law of our ancestors. Vested interest groups are powerful and will obstruct it in every way."

"If you don't change it, it will just be a sore on your body, which will cause continuous bleeding until the day the sky falls and the earth falls."

Zhu Yuanzhang was completely convinced and said categorically:
"Change, we will change it immediately."

"This government started with us and will end with us. We must not leave the problem to future generations."

"You can tell me how to change it."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but nod. It was indeed time for the military household system to end.

Zhu Xiongying was still very calm, and I knew that as soon as Jing Ke opened his mouth, it would definitely change.

Princess Fuqing has a pair of beautiful eyes. No wonder her father and eldest brother have such a special attitude towards her. She is indeed amazing.

Chen Jingke felt her gaze and felt a little weird, but he didn't think much about it and continued:

"The military household system can last at least another ten years without deterioration. We can solve it step by step."

"In general, let them go and give them their freedom with conditions."

"Take the construction of a new capital and the diversion of the Yellow River as an example."

"Deploy one hundred thousand military households to build the new capital, and promise them that when the capital is completed, they will be allocated land to settle on the spot."

"These military households will definitely work hard."

"And they are very loyal to His Majesty, and have received certain military training, so they can better stabilize the new capital."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but nodded repeatedly and said: "Okay, this method is good, we think it is feasible."

He also drew inferences from one instance and said: "The Yellow River can be diverted in the same way, and land will be allocated to them for local resettlement along the Yellow River."

"In this way, it can not only help the court complete these major projects, but also properly resettle military households. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone."

The military household mentioned by Chen Jingke was not an active soldier.

Refers to family members of active military personnel.

Under the military system of the Ming Dynasty, young men and women from military households were recruited to join the army, and their families worked in the fields.

Therefore, the transfer of military households to farming will not affect the number of active troops.

Because his family could gain freedom and land.

Active duty soldiers will be inspired to fight more bravely.

But this was not a long-term solution. The military household system was abolished, and the Ming Dynasty had to establish a new military system as soon as possible.

Otherwise, the entire military system will soon fall into chaos.

Zhu Biao obviously thought of this and asked: "After the military household system is abolished, what kind of military system should I use in Ming Dynasty?"

Everyone looked at Chen Jingke.

(End of this chapter)