King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Chapter 132 Shocking! Top five suggestions! Lao Zhu exclaimed that the world is a genius!

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and looked at Zhu Tan and said: "Since you said that the root of the emergence of powerful powers is private ownership of land, then how can we suppress land annexation without changing private ownership of land?"

Originally, for a dynasty in the early days of its founding.

Land annexation is not a very difficult issue.

After all, the old dynasty and the original ruling class will be shattered by peasant uprisings and wars, and even many powerful people will be wiped out by such huge changes.

In addition, every time a new dynasty is established, the population will be greatly reduced, so the problem of land annexation will not become a particularly serious problem in the early days of a dynasty.

But for Ming Dynasty.

The situation is different.

Compared with other dynasties, after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang adopted a very smart approach and quickly gained the support of the landlord class.

For example, in the twelfth year of the Dragon and Phoenix years, Zhu Yuanzhang appeased the old landowners in the "Ping Zhou Bang": "The old land and houses are mainly owned by the former, and the grain is paid according to the amount, and the rest is unavailable, so that you can protect your hometown forever and take care of your whole family." World."

The general meaning is that Lao Zhu will not make any changes to the property and land of the landlords during the Yuan Dynasty.

At the same time, in the early years of Hongwu, Lao Zhu reiterated that "the rich can keep their wealth."

The advantage of doing this is to quickly gain the support of feudal landlords and quickly establish a peaceful and stable rear base.

The disadvantage is that there was no complete redistribution of land across the country, allowing some powerful powers that existed in the Yuan Dynasty to continue to exist in the Ming Dynasty.

Even at the beginning, Zhu Yuanzhang adopted a recommendation system in order to win over the wealthy and powerful families, thus promoting a considerable number of powerful children to become officials of the Ming Dynasty.

And at the local level, most of the grain chiefs who hold huge power come from powerful backgrounds.

The most important job of these grain chiefs is to collect grain taxes from the local area and transport them safely to Yingtian.

Although the job of grain director seems thankless, the huge power involved will also allow many desperate people to pass on the grain taxes that should have been paid by local powerful people to the masses of ordinary people.

When the time came to the eighteenth year of Hongwu, the rate of development of multiple households in the local area was extremely alarming, which can be seen from Jin Yiwei's report.

This also made Zhu Yuanzhang wary of the powerful in these places.

After all, from a certain perspective, the relationship between powerful people and the imperial court is fundamentally antagonistic.

The stronger the local tyrants are, the more benefits they extract from the people, and these benefits may originally belong to the imperial court.

There is a trade-off between their strength and the imperial court.

Therefore, all dynasties will restrict the development of powerful people.

For Zhu Yuanzhang, both the Kongyin case and the Hu Ni case had dealt a blow to powerful forces to some extent.

Zhu Yuanzhang even used large-scale migration to move powerful people from various places from their hometowns to other places, such as Yingtian and Fengyang, thus cutting off their foundation.

But as long as private ownership of land still exists, the development speed of local powerful people will not slow down. Even as peace goes by, these local powerful people collude with local governments and win over officials, and the development speed will become even more alarming.

This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang is troubled.

He also restricted local wealthy households from annexing land before, but it seems that the effect is not that obvious now.

Since he can't do it from the institutional perspective, it seems that Lao Zhu only has the option of using force.

This is also one of the reasons behind the outbreak of the Guo Huan case.

On the one hand, we attack those bureaucratic groups who come from local powerful powers and serve them.

On the other hand, it is to attack the local powerful themselves and weaken their strength on a large scale.

Zhu Tan hadn't figured it all out at first.

But now, with Lao Zhu's confession about the Guo Huan case.

Everything became clear.

Zhu Tan did not directly answer Lao Zhu's question, but smiled and said: "Actually, all dynasties have been restraining powerful people. I thought that we can refer to the measures of previous generations to form the current system of our Ming Dynasty!

For example, in the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty implemented the Maoling Relocation Order, which stipulated that local powerful people must move to Chang'an to live, thus effectively inhibiting their development. "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

He is also doing this.

And the scale is only larger than that of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

As many as 14 wealthy households from Jiangnan moved to Fengyang alone.

Zhu Tan said: "In the Tang Dynasty, in order to maintain stability, the land equalization law and the land renting system were implemented. On the one hand, the land at that time was basically state-owned, thus realizing land to the tiller.

The rent-yong modulation cooperated with it, allowing the people to pay land taxes and perform corvee labor.

Under such a system design, it is difficult for local powerful powers to develop.

After all, the land belongs to the country, and it is difficult for the people to be exploited by the powerful because of the loss of land, which will lead to the rich getting richer.

Of course, the equal land system was ultimately unsustainable!
  On the one hand, the Tang Dynasty also had private ownership of land, and a large number of powerful people used their privileges to continuously occupy land. At the same time, with the growth of the population, it was difficult for the official land owned by the court to ensure that the tillers had their own land. In the end, the equal land system still remained bankrupted.

Land was inevitably concentrated in the hands of some powerful people. With the rapid deterioration of land annexation, it eventually led to the outbreak of conflicts and the demise of the Tang Dynasty. "

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said: "We have also done this! In the first year of Hongwu, we issued an edict that the cultivators should test their ability and give them per acre, so that the poor have capital, and the rich are not allowed to annex. If they annex, It is a crime for a disciple to occupy a large amount of land as his own property and then transfer it to the common people as tenant farmers!

Not only that, we also made nine iron orders in the fifth year of Hongwu to warn the princes, strictly prohibiting the meritorious officials and the prince's family from taking advantage of the situation to seize the land of the officials and the people! "

Zhu Tan nodded and said with a smile: "Father is indeed wise! However, in the Tang and Song dynasties, there were restrictions on land annexation, stipulating that land could not be bought, sold or annexed, but in the end they did not last long.

Again, as long as private ownership of land exists, land annexation will be inevitable! "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and frowned: "If this is the case, how should we prevent land annexation?"

Zhu Tan chuckled and said: "It's easy to say! My father only needs to establish this rule prohibiting land sales and annexation, and stipulate that future generations must not violate it, then the land annexation problem will be solved."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Tan.

"Stop making fun of your father! Don't we still know what the death of a person means? We have set so many rules, but we don't expect all future generations to abide by them!

In so many previous dynasties, their descendants did not abide by it. If they had abided by it, the country would not eventually be destroyed! We don’t expect our children and grandchildren to be any better than others! "

Zhu Yunwen silently gave a thumbs up.

Zhu Tan couldn't help but complain.

the other side.

When Zhu Biao heard this, his expression changed.

Couldn't help but look at Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Biao, who had just been beaten by Zhu Yuanzhang, now became extremely sensitive and fragile. When he heard Lao Zhu's words, he thought he was hurting himself.

However, maybe I am overthinking it?

Zhu Biao couldn't help but smile bitterly.

I was really stimulated today.

the other side.

Lao Zhu saw Zhu Biao looking at him with a wry smile on his face.

My heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that the prince was misunderstood by what he just said?

Lao Zhu is still very concerned about the relationship between himself and Zhu Biao.

He immediately said to Zhu Biao: "Prince, we are not talking about you! Don't take it seriously!"

Zhu Biao was stunned.

Yes!

Father must be talking about himself!

This is clearly telling the truth!
  Zhu Biao immediately said: "Father, please rest assured! I will strictly abide by the ancestral precepts of Emperor Ming and I will never dare to change at all!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

Forget it, no more explanation.

The prince was hit a bit hard by himself, and now he is getting darker and darker.

Think of this.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but look at the instigator Zhu Tan.

Until now, Zhu Tan still hadn't made any suggestions that made him shine.

Although he explained the matter of land annexation in a clear and logical manner, his summary of the previous dynasty was also adequate.

But the court has always taken these measures.

Zhu Tan's summary has no practical significance.

Zhu Yuanzhang hummed: "If this is your only idea, remember to ship the 100 million taels of silver from Changlu Salt Farm to us by the end of this year!"

Zhu Tan smiled bitterly and said, "Father, can we not keep asking for money from my son?"

"What's the point of asking if you don't mention money?"

"Mention the relationship between father and son or something like that"

"no!"

Zhu Tan:.
  Zhu Tan sighed and said: "Actually, the answer is obvious now.

The methods adopted by the previous dynasty only treated the symptoms but could not cure the root cause.

If you want to cure the root cause, here are a few ways! "

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "Speak!"

the other side.

The prince also looked at Zhu Tan with curiosity.

He wanted to know too.

Zhu Tan, the great talent in the world, will have some shocking suggestions next.

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "First of all, private ownership of land has existed for a long time and has been recognized by all dynasties. Of course, our Ming Dynasty will not be an exception!

At present, the son has thought of several ways, and the father can refer to them! "

talking.

Zhu Tan said: "First of all, through the destruction and re-establishment of successive dynasties, we can see that the essence of most dynasty changes is actually the redistribution of land ownership!"

The words fell. Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were both shocked!
  As soon as these words were spoken, both of them felt a sense of clarity!
  Yes!

Historically, whenever a dynasty changes, it must be accompanied by the redistribution of a large amount of land!
  After all, that's how most dynasties end.

It is all because the people at the bottom cannot eat, leading to social unrest, which will eventually overthrow the old dynasty and create a new dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Tan, his eyes full of shock!
  Over the years, he has met countless amazing and talented scholars!

From Zhu Sheng, Liu Ji to Li Shanchang.

They will all tell themselves why the previous dynasty perished and what they need to pay attention to after they establish the Ming Dynasty.

He also spoke clearly and logically!

But no matter who it was, no one told him about the laws and nature of dynasty changes in the past dynasties!

And here in Zhu Tan.

He finally knows!

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "Since the harm of land annexation is so great, then we can just make a fuss about land annexation!
  As the saying goes, it is better to block than to sparse. People's greed is endless. No matter what severe punishments and laws are set to restrict them from annexing land, after a certain period of time, land annexation will inevitably happen!
  Since local powerful people like to annex land, the imperial court can just do the opposite!
  If they annex land, the imperial court will purchase the land from them at a fair price and then distribute it to the people!
  This will greatly slow down the speed of land annexation. "

In fact.

This advice.

Zhu Tan refers to the plan for equalizing land rights during the Republic of China.

However, I guess Lao Zhu will not adopt it.
  really.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his eyes widened.

"What? Buying land from the powerful? Those guys took the land directly from the people!

Or they use usury and power to force people to transfer their land to them!

These bastards are doing business without capital. How can we pay to buy back these unjust places from them!

They are stronger than the people, so they can take land from the people.

We are stronger than these tycoons!

So there’s nothing wrong with us grabbing the land directly from them!

Anyone who dares not to give it will be killed. How can we return the money to them?

Needless to say, we will never adopt this! "

Zhu Biao, on the other hand, looked at Zhu Tan with a satisfied smile in his eyes.

This is a good suggestion from the tenth brother!

This approach is much softer.

Presumably there will be much less opposition, it will be less difficult to implement, and it will be suitable for passing on to future generations!

Um.
  After I succeed to the throne, I will add this line to the ancestral precepts of the Emperor Ming Dynasty so that future generations can implement it in the long term!

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned when he saw Zhu Biao smiling.

The prince has always been lenient, and this approach is quite typical of him!

However, in this case, wouldn’t our Ming Dynasty be taken advantage of!
  No, we have to add this to the ancestral precepts of the Emperor Ming Dynasty. Later generations will not be able to restrain land annexation by buying land!

Zhu Tan didn't know what the two men were thinking, so he nodded after hearing Lao Zhu's objection and said with a smile: "I have a second measure!

That is to implement a progressive tax system!
  The tax for ordinary people is now one in twenty, so landowners who own large amounts of land have to pay higher taxes.

For example, if you own a hundred acres of land, you will pay a tax of one for every ten acres, if you own a thousand acres of land, you will pay a tax of one for every five acres, and if you own ten thousand acres of land, you will pay a tax of one for every two acres!

As a result, the more land they occupy, the less cost-effective it is, and the privately occupied land may even become a burden to them. This will greatly reduce the speed of land annexation! "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said with a smile: "This is a good idea! You can justifiably snatch it from them! Tax it!"

At the same time, this also benefits the country and the people! We must use this method in the future! "

When Zhu Tan heard Lao Zhu's words, he couldn't help but glance at him.

My own father.
  As expected of a rebel!
  Even if you become an emperor, your true nature will still be exposed if you use a mouthful of scoops!
  I like it when I hear suggestions that can be grabbed.

In fact.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang really liked this suggestion.

Even happier, he confirmed it!

Zhu Tan has great talent, and he has no intention of becoming emperor!
  He was indeed chosen by himself, the most suitable candidate to be the auxiliary prince of the Ming Dynasty!
  Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Tan at this time, his eyes softened a lot.

He smiled and asked: "Old Shi, is there any other way to restrain the powerful from annexing land?"

Zhu Tan nodded.

"Of course there is. That is to cancel the preferential treatment for gentry and scholars!
  Comprehensively implement the integrated corvee service between officials and gentry! "

Many people think that it was Lao Zhu's rule that scholars and wealthy nobles were exempted from paying taxes and doing corvee.

But in fact.

The actual implementation of this rule had already reached the mid-Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, the court has never mentioned in any literal terms that officials and gentry can refuse to pay food!
  For officials, gentry and scholars, the only preferential treatment was not to do corvee service.

However, as the imperial court became corrupt in the middle and later periods, a large number of officials, gentry, and wealthy households began to use their privileges to collude with local officials and subordinate staff to evade paying taxes, and this created a de facto tax exemption.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Isn't that so bad?"

There were three types of corvées in the Ming Dynasty.

The first type is Lijia service, which allows some common people who are supposed to serve in corvee to have the ability to assist the government in managing the local area and ensure the government's control of the local area.

The second type is equalization. Mainly assisting local officials in doing many chores, such as feeding horses, guarding gates, etc.

The third type is miscellaneous. For example, transporting grain and grass, building water conservancy projects, etc., required the deployment of people to do the work, and this was also the most arduous form of corvee work.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said: "After all, scholars and gentry are different from ordinary people. We can't really let them transport grain and carry sand, right?"

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "They can be asked to pay money and food and hire others to do corvee service! But they cannot be exempted or exempted!

Otherwise, once these people have the idea of ​​​​privilege, not only will they not think about being grateful to the court, but they will get worse!

Exempting them from corvee today may mean exempting them from land tax tomorrow!
  Even if they can't do it in the end, they will try their best to escape.

No matter scholars, gentry, or even wealthy families, they all share weal and woe with the fate of the Ming Dynasty!
  They were the people who lived the best life in the Ming Dynasty. They benefited greatly from the benefits brought to them by the imperial court. Even if they didn't pay more taxes, how could they still get tax exemptions? "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded when he heard this.

"What you said makes sense! We also accept this one!"

talking.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked again: "Is there any more?"

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "Of course there is!

Erchen summed up this suggestion into four words, that is, sharing the same family with the same family! "

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly startled when he heard this.

"Dividing a person into an acre? Do you mean to incorporate the capitation tax into the fields?"

Zhu Tan was also stunned when he heard Lao Zhu's words.

The old man’s ability to comprehend
  How terrible!

Zhu Tan couldn't help but admire him: "My father is wise! He can think of what my son is thinking from just four words!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled proudly.

In short, in this world, there are thousands of things to wear, but nothing to wear.

His son's flattery made him feel particularly good.

Zhu Tan smiled and said: "In fact, the Ding tax is not reasonable.

My father also knows that sooner or later the situation will arise where the rich have no land and the poor have no place to stand!

When the time comes, rich households own thousands of acres of land, but only need to pay a small tax, while poor people have to pay taxes even if they have no land. This is really unfair!
  Therefore, changing the tax originally based on capitation to tax based on land area will not only reduce the burden on ordinary people, but also allow landlords who own large amounts of land to shoulder more responsibilities. "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "We are sure about this! Let's spread it out! Okay!"

Zhu Yuanzhang repeated these four words over and over again.

While chewing on the meaning.

The more I think about it, the more shocked I am!
  These four words, "Dividing a small amount into an acre", are simple, but they seem to open a door to the future.

In fact.

Dividing people into acres is not just a simple tax reform, but it is more likely to bring earth-shaking changes to the Ming Dynasty!
  Because it redefines the relationship between land and people!
  This will affect the entire country!

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Tan, the shock on his face was beyond words!
  From the beginning of collecting and allocating land, to the progressive tax law, and now to the sharing of land from every acre!
  Zhu Tan's suggestions are each more brilliant and more shocking than the last!
  Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Isn't this the natural prime minister?

the other side.

Zhu Biao almost doubted his life!

How did this tenth brother's brain grow?

Where did he get such great insights!

Zhu Biao just didn't see the effect of these measures.

But just listening to it makes me excited!

Everything seems so reasonable, and all of this points directly to the lifeline of restraining the powerful from annexing land!

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but look at Zhu Tan and asked, "Is there any more?"

Zhu Tan smiled.

"Yes! If this measure is really implemented successfully, it will be the real solution to the root cause! It can solve the land annexation problem once and for all!"

The words fell.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both looked at Zhu Tan!

　Thank you everyone for voting! I wish you all good luck and prosperity in the New Year!

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)