The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 169 Heavy Taxes in Jiangnan
  Many times, the development of things is always so unexpected.

Just like Mao Xiang, he never imagined that his actions in order to survive would actually accelerate his death.

That afternoon, Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a secret order to transfer the elite Jin Yiwei to Beijing.

Prepare to arrest Li Shanchang and his party members.

In order to prevent the news from leaking out, the operation must be carried out secretly.

Mao Xiang didn't have any doubts, but was very excited.

Finding out about Li Shanchang's rebellion will always reflect his own value, right?

This way the emperor will not give up on himself.

And taking down Li Shanchang, the number one civil servant, with his own hands would definitely deter those ignorant ministers.

When he thought of this, he felt a little excited and impatient.

However, what he didn't expect was that just before they were about to arrest Li Shanchang, the imperial army raided the Jinyiwei Yamen.

Mao Xiang was shot to death by random arrows on the spot, dozens of others were killed, and more than [-] others were arrested.

Mao Xiang didn't understand until his death why he was the one who was abandoned.

Shouldn't it be Li Shanchang?

But he'll never know the answer.

The court's actions were so sudden and the methods so fierce that even the civil servants who hated Mao Xiang the most were speechless for a while.

What happened in the end?

After so many impeachments by officials before, to no avail, why did the emperor suddenly take action against Mao Xiang's party?

There was no warning beforehand.

If they don't understand the reason, they won't be able to feel at ease.

Soon they learned the 'truth'.

In the morning, Zhu Yuanzhang took out a stack of papers four feet high, all of which were Mao Xiang's crimes.

"Mao Xiang jumped over the wall when he learned that we were investigating his criminal evidence."

"Without our permission, the elite members of the Jin Yiwei were secretly transferred to the capital to prepare for harm to us."

"...There are many loyal and brave people in the Jinyi Guards, and they will tell us this matter secretly."

"So we pretended not to know and gave him a beating."

……

"After seeing these criminal evidences, we realized that he actually used our name to do so many things that outraged everyone and God."

"It really deserves to be killed..."

Zhu Yuanzhang made an angry speech and revealed the reason why Mao Xiang was killed.

Naturally, everyone doesn’t believe in the theory of a dog jumping over the wall in a hurry.

But there are also speculations that Mao Xiang must be used as a scapegoat.

But so what?

Mao Xiang died and most of his followers were arrested.

that's enough.

No, this is simply a great joyous event that is celebrated by everyone.

So, all the ministers praised together: "Your Majesty is wise."

When this news came out, everyone in the world applauded and cheered.

There are many people setting off fireworks and firecrackers in the streets.

The number of people going to worship their elders suddenly increased, and those who didn't know thought the Qingming Festival was here.

Afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang cleaned up the Jinyiwei, and more than [-] people were arrested.

The confiscated property totaled more than [-] cars.

Among them, there are hundreds of carts of copper coins alone, as well as countless gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings.

Thousands of hectares of land were confiscated.

So much so that there was a jingle among the people: Mao Xiang fell, and the court was full.

Zhu Xiongying ran out specially to see the confiscated property, and his eyes turned green.

"This Mao Xiang is really disgusting. He is richer than me."

Chen Jingke was speechless. He didn't realize that you are still a money addict.

But this is a good thing, presumably he is very interested in overseas wealth.

Speaking of which, I wonder where the people who went to investigate the gold and silver mines in the island country are. It has been more than two years and no news has come back.

No wonder they say that a maritime power cannot be achieved by building a few ships and recruiting some navy.

Not to mention other things, just this chart, ocean currents, monsoons, etc., even a few generations of people would never be able to figure it out.

How far is Ming from the island country, and the location map he provided, but it has been two years and I still don’t believe it.

For countries further away, we don’t know how long it will take.

Zhu Xiongying looked at the officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs who came to receive the property, his eyes full of reluctance:

"Hey, it's such a pity to have so many treasures in the Ministry of Household Warehouse. They should be kept in the internal coffers."

Chen Jingke laughed and said: "Who says it's a pity? If you sell it, you can exchange it for money and food, and you can also give it to your officials..."

"It's useless if you put it in your own money. You can only watch it."

Seeing that Zhu Xiongying still looked distressed, he smiled and said:
  "Really want it? With your identity, if you keep a part of it and put it into your internal funds, no one will say anything."

Zhu Xiongying was a little moved, but he still shook his head and said: "Forget it, the country has its own laws."

"Besides, you are right. Putting it in internal funds has no use other than looking good. It is better to put it in the national treasury."

Chen Jingke was very satisfied. Although he was a little obsessed with money, he still knew the importance.

"Let's go. Boss Xu is probably arriving soon. If we are late, he will complain again."

The two came to a ten-mile pavilion in the south of the city. After waiting for about two quarters of an hour, Xu Yungong appeared with his troops.

Seeing Zhu Xiongying and Chen Jingke coming to greet them in person, he was very excited and his eyes were moist.

Zhu Xiongying laughed and said: "Haha, I didn't realize that Old Xu was so sentimental."

Chen Jingke shook his head helplessly. Zhu Xiongying was too young to feel the feeling of parting.

Du Tongli, who had been waiting beside him, stepped forward to salute and said:

"Chen Bandu."

Chen Jingke looked at him and said with a smile: "Brother Du, long time no see. I'm very happy to see you so proud."

Du Tongli said gratefully: "Thanks to Chen Bandu's care, we are here today."

He was indeed grateful to Chen Jingke, especially this time when Mao Xiang's party was arrested and the Jinyiwei were cleaned up from top to bottom.

It made him even more trembling.

This rectification is systematic, and whether they are members of Mao Xiang’s party or not, they are all on the list of being liquidated.

It's hard to keep your hands and feet clean in an institution like Jinyiwei.

If he had not left his identity as a Jinyiwei, there was a high probability that he would not be able to escape death this time.

Unlike now, it can be said that there is unlimited glory in the Audit Department.

The power in my hands is not small at all. Wherever I go, others smile at me.

Comparing the two made him even more grateful to Chen Jingke.

I feel deeply that this thigh is in the right position.

Moreover, he, who was relatively well-informed, had already heard some rumors that His Majesty had betrothed the Eighth Princess to Chen Jingke.

If this is the case, then he is a perfect prince-in-law.

The future is limitless.

Therefore, this thigh must be held firmly.

Although Chen Jingke didn't know his true thoughts, he could guess some of them.

I could only silently mourn for Du Tongli for three seconds in my heart.

I hope you can still think this way when the Baochao Audit Department becomes the Tax Audit Department.

Zhu Xiongying was always in trouble. He had known that Du Tongli was Chen Jingke's man, so he came over to give him some words of encouragement.

Lao Du's excited bones were lightened by several kilograms.     This is my grandson, and he actually knows about our Lao Du.

Smoke is rising from the ancestral graves.

Everyone was carrying the sedan chair, and Xu Yungong also said: "Du Yuanwailang is the inspector general Hu."

"Proficient in exploration techniques and general calculations. Without him, I might not be able to come back for half a year."

Du Tongli quickly said humbly: "Mr. Xu won the prize, it's all because of your leadership."

Chen Jingke heard clues from these words and asked, "Is it difficult to check?"

Xu Yungong nodded and said: "Few people are willing to expose their wealth, let alone under the eyes of the imperial court."

"Fortunately, the purpose of our investigation of the local economy was to estimate the circulation of treasure banknotes, so it didn't cause much resistance."

"If it's to collect taxes, it's hard to say whether we can come back alive."

"Even so, those big companies are hiding more and more tightly than the others. It is too difficult to obtain accurate figures."

Zhu Xiongying sighed: "Thank you for your hard work. I will ask Grandpa Huang to take credit for you."

Xu Yungong said gratefully: "I would like to thank my grandson on behalf of my brothers."

Xu Yungong left Beijing this time to inspect the place.

The first is to check the issuance of new banknotes, the second is to improve the construction of the audit department, and the third is to cooperate with the local audit department to investigate the local economic situation.

He traveled almost from house to house. Except for remote places like Yunnan and Guizhou, he traveled to most of the Ming Dynasty.

"The most difficult thing to investigate is Jiangnan. The clan concept here is too strong. We are always under their surveillance."

“That’s why we put this place last.”

"Originally, I thought I would spend a few months here."

"Who would have thought that after the salary increase, officials became more and more active."

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Money can make people go around. It seems that the salary increase is still very useful."

Xu Yungong shook his head and said: "It's a little different from what you thought. They are so active, not to repay the imperial court for the salary increase."

"But they are afraid that the imperial court will not understand the local situation and issue treasure banknotes indiscriminately, causing the value of the treasure banknotes in their hands to depreciate."

Chen Jingke suddenly couldn't laugh or cry. He didn't expect that he could still be like this.

Think about it, the salary that used to be just a few dollars a month can be easily earned back.

Now it is more than a dozen or dozens of guans, and in a year it will be hundreds of guan.

The meaning is different.

In order not to devalue their salaries, they must cooperate with the court.

Even if it is inconvenient to offend those big players, at most they will just ignore it and not create any difficulties.

With the cooperation of local officials, things will naturally become much simpler.

Xu Yungong continued: "In the past, I only knew that the north was in poverty and that the south was the tax center of the imperial court, but my understanding of this aspect was not very clear."

"Only after I personally investigated this time did I understand how big the gap between the north and the south is."

Chen Jingke nodded and sighed: "That's why the imperial court took huge risks to let the Yellow River return to its old course."

“With the water source provided by the Yellow River and the Huaihe River system sorted out, the north can be self-sufficient.”

"By then, the taxes in the eight Jiangnan prefectures will also be reduced."

Hearing him mention the taxes of the Eight Prefectures in Jiangnan, everyone's expressions were a little unnatural.

The imperial court stipulated that the tax per mu of private land in the Ming Dynasty was four liters, but the tax in the eight Jiangnan prefectures was eight liters.

As for the reason, Zhu Yuanzhang said that people here supported Zhang Shicheng, so they should be punished.

At first, Chen Jingke thought this was the case, but after more contact with Zhu Yuanzhang, he realized that it was not the case.

The so-called punishment is just an excuse made by Zhu Yuanzhang.

The real reason is that the North is too poor and can only increase its oppression of the South.

But you can't say it explicitly, otherwise the people will definitely not be willing.

The only excuse is that you supported Zhang Shicheng back then, and this was your punishment.

Although this reason is still nonsense, it can still be justified.

If the diversion of the Yellow River can really restore vitality to the north, the next step is to find an opportunity to reduce the taxes of the eight prefectures.

Of course, these are just plans, only three or two people know about them.

Back in the city, the three of them agreed to meet again tomorrow and parted ways for the time being.

Xu Yungong has to take people to report on the work, while Chen Jingke and Zhu Xiongying have to continue to learn to handle government affairs.

When I arrived at Li Shanchang's office, I found him looking restless.

Seeing Zhu Xiongying arrive, he seemed to be relieved.

Chen Jingke and Zhu Xiongying naturally knew why. They laughed secretly in their hearts but remained calm on their faces.

The liquidation of Mao Xiang's party had nothing to do with Li Shanchang, and he didn't feel too deeply about it.

With his current status today, he seems to be sitting back and watching the changes.

However, he soon lost his composure.

His nephew Ding Bin disappeared, and a domestic slave also disappeared.

At first, he didn't think much about it. He just thought something had happened to Ding Bin and quickly sent people to look for him.

It wasn't until Li Cunyi came to the door anxiously and said that the slave was from Hu Weiyong's family that he realized the seriousness of the matter.

Li Cunyi was scolded until his head was bleeding.

Such a dangerous person, even if he doesn't silence his mouth, he still shields him?
  Are you out of your mind?

However, cursing people can no longer solve the problem, the person must be found.

Where did the two of them go?
  In other words, who captured them?
  They guessed that it might be the emperor, but they didn't have the courage to ask.

Li Shanchang fell ill due to worry.

But at this time, four pieces of news came, two good and two bad.

The good news is that Ding Bin’s whereabouts have been found out.

The bad news is that he was captured by Jin Yiwei.

The second good news is that he was tortured to death by Mao Xiang.

The bad news is, I don’t know if there was a confession.

This information was voluntarily confessed by one of Mao Xiang's subordinates in order to avenge his crime.

Many crimes were confessed at the same time, and the news about Ding Bin and the domestic slave was just one of them.

They were secretly kidnapped by Mao Xiang and tortured to death.

The body was also sunk in the river.

As for the rest, the subordinate didn't know about it because his level was too low.

For Li Shanchang, it has been a roller coaster ride.

He knew the methods of imprisonment quite well, and he knew his nephew even better.

I simply don’t believe that Ding Bin can survive the torture in prison.

So, he must have done it.

But what specifically were recruited, and how many were recruited?
  Did Mao Xiang report his confession to the emperor?
  Li Shanchang judged for himself that nine times out of ten it was too late.

Otherwise, with the emperor's character, there would be no movement.

At this time, he remembered what the emperor said in the court:
  Without permission, Mao Xiang sent elite Jinyiwei troops to Beijing for evil purposes.

At that time, everyone believed that this was an excuse made by the emperor.

At this time, Li Shanchang suddenly had an idea. Is there a possibility that Mao Xiang had indeed secretly transferred elites to Beijing.

The purpose is to arrest himself and make a big case.

For fear of leaking the news, or because he wanted to surprise the emperor, he did not report the matter.

Then the emperor misunderstood him and thought he had evil intentions, so he surrounded and killed him?
  The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Thinking of this, he wished he could burst into laughter.

Good kill.

Then another question ensues, how many people know about this?
  Will the confession fall into the hands of the emperor?
  (End of this chapter)