The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 255 My lifelong pursuit
The origin of the topic is still related to the imperial system.

Chen Jingke advocates protecting the rights and interests of employees and setting a minimum wage standard so that people can have a surplus.

“If business wants to develop, it must put money in the hands of the people.”

“When people have money, they can consume and buy things, and only those who make goods can make money.”

“With money in hand, people who make goods can expand production and hire more people to work.”

"Generally those who accept employment are landless people."

"If they have a stable job and can support their families, they will not take risks, which is conducive to social stability."

"There is also the productivity that I have always emphasized. Taking the initiative to conduct research requires investing a lot of financial and material resources."

"Ordinary people don't have the ability to study it. Only big businessmen have the ability."

"They have money in their hands. In order to make more money, they must research more advanced production technologies and produce more goods."

If the treasury has no money, it means there is no money. No matter how much money the people have, it is useless if the court cannot use it.

Could it be that everyone before us was wrong?
"We somewhat understand what you are saying, but where are the interests of the court?"

"This is not a good thing for the court."

"Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea, these commodities are the bulk of the economy."

But in ancient times, the court lacked such means.

This is the fundamental problem.

"Furthermore, there is a possibility of injury or even death during work. Who will compensate?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked in confusion: "Then what does this have to do with you setting a minimum wage for employees and ensuring their rights and interests?"

Zhu Biao nodded slowly and spoke very concisely and straightforwardly, and he could understand the reasoning.

"When the hired workers work for a day and can't even fill their stomachs, what will they use for consumption?"

Chen Jingke believes that the bigger reason is that the ancient court lacked sufficient means to use the wealth in the hands of the people.

However, capital will not always be in a positive cycle, and there will also be periods of decline.

Hiding wealth among the people often breeds a group of wealthy businessmen who are too big to lose, which in turn constrains the court.

"When industry and commerce develop, more goods can be produced and wages can be paid to employees."

Zhu Xiongying explained patiently: "But businessmen want to make money. If they want to make money, they must reduce costs?"

"If the court does not use laws to ensure the rights and interests of employees, I am afraid that most businessmen will directly choose this method."

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more puzzled: "Yes, isn't this good? Why bother?"

"If employers are not responsible, they will intensify their exploitation and abuse of their employees..."

But in the eyes of the ancients, the two were opposites, at least most of the time.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little confused. He felt that he understood it, but this was contrary to the knowledge he had learned in the past.

Zhu Biao couldn't help but nod, that's the truth.

If the imperial system can be completed, Ming Dynasty will have many ways to survive the period of decline.

Some people attribute this to differences in thinking.

Zhu Xiongying answered: "Who is the main force of consumption? The common people."

Chen Jingke naturally understands this truth. Enriching the people and strengthening the country are complementary to each other in the eyes of modern people.

"If people have no money and no way to consume, all industries will wither and our business alliance will collapse directly."

"But people can only consume when they have money. Where does the money come from?"

"The rich wear gold and silver all day long, and their effect on the economy is minimal."

"There are two ways to reduce costs. One is to improve production technology and reduce the production cost of goods; the other is to reduce the wages of employees."

With the development of modern science and technology, when the country needs it, there are countless ways to use the wealth in the hands of the people.

"Improving production technology requires investing a lot of manpower and material resources, and it may not necessarily yield results."

Chen Jingke was very pleased that this boy had learned well.

The simplest and most commonly used method is national debt.

But this is all for the future, and talking too much now will only increase their anxiety.

"No matter how much money the people have, it will not enter the national treasury."

Therefore, the concept that when the people are prosperous, the country will be strong can be realized.

"And reducing employee wages is the simplest, most direct and easiest to achieve."

"And the people can't keep their money, and eventually all the money will flow into the hands of businessmen."

So there’s no need to say too much just yet.

"Those who have land get their money from the land, and those who don't have land work for others."

“Only when employees receive their wages for consumption can we further stimulate the development of industry and commerce.”

And tax increases are often used by bureaucratic landlords as a means for them to further squeeze the people.

It will make it even more difficult for the truly poor people to survive, and they will eventually have no choice but to rebel.

And what Zhu Yuanzhang said does indeed exist. Wealth is concentrated in a few people.

There is no way to prevent the merger of wealth.

Until Chen Jingke traveled through time, this problem remained unresolved.

The only thing countries can do is to try every means to slow down this process.

Then use taxes to redistribute wealth so that the people at the bottom have a bite to eat.

That's all.

There are so many things that the big guys haven't solved, so naturally Chen Jingke can't solve them either.

So he did not answer the question directly, but said:

“Even if we don’t do this, land and wealth annexation will not stop.”

"Develop industry and commerce to put money in the hands of the people. Then let the money flow, and the court can collect enough taxes from this process."

"With taxes, the court can do many things."

"Such as feeding a powerful army that is only loyal to the imperial court."

At this point, Chen Jingke did not continue.

But everyone understood what he meant.

Once you grasp the handle of the knife, all problems will no longer be a problem.

Zhu Xiongying licked his lips and said: "They are just leeks. They can only be harvested when they grow vigorously."

The topic is almost over here.

But Chen Jingke was not prepared to end it like this. What he really wanted to express had not yet been said, so how could it end.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, do you think my reasoning just now is correct?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment and then became angry. What do you mean?
"I already believe it. Don't tell us that what you did just now was wrong."

Zhu Biao also looked puzzled. There was no problem with the reasoning just now.

Zhu Xiongying was confused at first, then seemed to think of something and suddenly realized:

“The answer is right, but the reasoning is wrong.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more confused, what do you mean?
Zhu Biao was also confused. The reasoning process is that only when you have money can you consume better, promote the development of business, and help improve productivity.

The answer is to loosen restrictions on the people so that they can afford to spend money.

This process isn’t wrong… it’s wrong.

Thinking of this, he suddenly realized and said: "This is the thinking of businessmen, everything is for profit." "As the ruler of the country, the imperial court cannot only consider interests, but must bear greater responsibilities, is that true?"

Chen Jingke praised: "Your Highness is wise, that's exactly what he is."

Zhu Yuanzhang finally understood what it meant and said, "You are really good at deceiving people. We have all been deceived by you."

"Just tell me directly, what do you mean?"

Chen Jingke said seriously: "As His Highness just said, the imperial court needs to shoulder greater responsibilities."

"So why should the imperial court bear greater responsibility, and what is this responsibility?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, thinking that this was nonsense.

The imperial court is the imperial court, and it governs the common people. Shouldn't it bear greater responsibilities?

Zhu Biao fell into deep thought, yes, why should the court bear greater responsibilities?
Who gave this responsibility?
Now the official statement is that it is the innate imperial power, and everyone takes it for granted that this is a mission given by God.

But Zhu Biao himself doesn't believe in this, so if there is no "Heaven", who gives this responsibility?

In his mind, the story of Dayu's flood control that Chen Jingke once told appeared in his mind.

"Contract theory, the people pay taxes to the country in exchange for the protection of the court."

Zhu Xiongying shook his head repeatedly and said, "No, at least not entirely right."

"Although the contract theory is more advanced than the natural imperial power, it is also a one-sided view."

"For example, no one wants to die, and people will not give the state the power to kill themselves."

"But the death penalty does exist in the country, which is inconsistent with the basic logic of human nature."

"But it's already good that you have this understanding."

Zhu Biao hated this kid's arrogance the most, and would definitely scold him on a normal day.

Today, he was not angry. Instead, he humbly asked for advice:
"Do you have a better explanation?"

Zhu Xiongying said simply: "No, but I know that no matter who gives the country such a responsibility, we must do it well, otherwise it will be a change of dynasty."

Zhu Biao nodded and looked at Chen Jingke again, hoping that he could give an answer.

Chen Jingke still did not answer directly, but said:

"I have been thinking about a question before, a prosperous age, what is a prosperous age, and what are the standards."

Zhu Yuanzhang said as a matter of course: "There are no strong enemies outside, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the officials govern the country in a clear and bright manner, it will be a prosperous age."

Zhu Biao's answer was concise and to the point: "The country is peaceful and the people are safe."

Zhu Xiongying's answer was much more domineering: "When all nations come to court, the products are sufficient and the people are rich, it will be a prosperous age."

Chen Jingke replied: "Your Highness's answer is concise and concise. The country and the people can be prosperous."

"Then the question is, who comes first and who comes last, Cathay or Minan?"

Without waiting for their answer, he said to himself: "From the imperial court's point of view, Cathay comes first, and people's security is only the way to achieve Cathay."

"Everyone is saying that Cathay Pacific is peaceful and the people are safe, but in fact the real purpose is Cathay Pacific."

"It is only because the people are at peace that the country can be prosperous, so we pursue the people's peace and elevate the people's peace to a very high status."

"Then, if Cathay Pacific can be achieved if the people are uneasy, how many courts will still care about the people's peace?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked gloomy and didn't say a word.

Zhu Biao opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't say a word.

Zhu Xiongying showed a thoughtful expression.

After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "The people value the people's peace more. Only Cathay Pacific can bring peace to the people, so they pray for Cathay Pacific."

"If they can live without a country, then there is no need to be loyal, right?"

Chen Jingke nodded and said, "In times of trouble, people will spontaneously migrate to safer places."

"Even if this place is a country established by a foreign race, it doesn't matter to them."

"They will even use their own power to arm that country and use it to attack the Central Plains Dynasty."

"The reason for this situation is exactly what His Majesty just said."

"That's why I keep emphasizing the concept of 'Chinese', just to tell the world that we are descendants of the Chinese."

"When everyone accepts this concept, a sense of ethnic identity will emerge."

"They will only take up arms to protect their own ethnic group if they encounter an invasion from another tribe in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked thoughtful. In the past, he thought that Chen Jingke emphasized the Chinese concept for the sake of the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty.

Now it seems that there is a deeper meaning.

Sure enough, this person always takes one step at a time and sees ten steps ahead.

When you think you have seen through his plan, he will often surprise you inadvertently.

Zhu Biao was thinking about something else: "So, the pursuits of the court and the people are different, right?"

Chen Jingke nodded and said, "To be precise, the pursuits of emperors and generals are different from those of ordinary people."

"The common people's only requirement for a prosperous life is to have enough food and clothing, but the prosperous life in the eyes of emperors, generals and ministers has always been personal civil and military achievements."

This is a bit of a slap in the face.

However, the three grandsons and grandsons present were not angry, but listened carefully.

"In order to achieve their own goals, they can ignore civilian safety to a certain extent."

"For example, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, did he fight against the Xiongnu because he couldn't bear the humiliation, or was it to protect the people?"

"Of course, it's possible that it's both."

"But judging from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's operations, it is definitely the former."

The three of them, grandfather and grandson, all nodded. Just look at the description of the late Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in the history books.

It is a complete picture of a subjugated country with a ruined country and people struggling to survive.

It's true to defeat the Xiongnu. The emperor and generals gained civil and military skills, and the people gained peace. It was a win-win situation.

But in the later period, the arrogance and militarism caused big problems.

"Those who can pursue civil and military skills while taking into account the safety of the people are the wise kings praised by everyone, such as Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty."

"He launches a major campaign once every five years on average, just to give the soldiers a rest and give the people enough time to resume production."

"Did he really do this out of love for the people? I don't know."

"But from his saying, 'Water can carry a boat, water can overturn it,' we can see some clues."

What clue?
Coming out of troubled times, he knew that people would rebel if they were not doing well.

That’s why we cultivate ourselves with the people.

"But it doesn't matter what he thinks. As the saying goes, actions don't matter. We just need to see how he does it."

"He has indeed managed to take into account both Cathay Pacific and people's safety, so he is praised by the world."

"So, in my opinion, prosperous times are when Cathay Pacific and people's peace are balanced."

The three grandsons and grandsons couldn't help but nod. The king realized his pursuit of civil and martial arts, and the people gained peace. It can indeed be called a prosperous age.

Chen Jingke paused and continued: "I have been thinking of ways to suppress Confucianism, but it is not because I oppose it."

"On the contrary, I strongly support Confucianism becoming a prominent school."

"The reason is actually very simple. They proposed a unified world."

"Little children."

"Let the tiller have a field, and the dweller have a house..."

"And this is also my lifelong pursuit."

(End of this chapter)