Can you live forever

Chapter 419 Noble title reform, clan relocation

Wang Yuanzhi and Zhang Zhixiang also talked about the issue of the clan when they were in Nanjing.

Wang Yuanzhi naturally knew that the essence of the clan was the emperor's means of rescuing the weakening of the imperial power, but he also understood the consequences of this method of drinking poison to quench thirst.

In the eighth year of Jiajing, the population of the clan was 8203.

Now in the 17th year of Jiajing, although it is not as necessary as in history to drink poison to quench thirst, but the system has not changed, and the clan population has also maintained a steady growth.

Earlier, before the reform, Jiajing did not need to abandon the power of the clan.

Notice.

Daming's taxation is a mess. Before Zhang Zhixiang entered Beijing, the finances during the Jiajing period were only 200 million taels of cash and 500 million shi of grain every year.

The clan's annual expenditure is 400 million shi rice grains. Judging from these two figures alone, the clan can be said to be the vampires of the empire.

Actually not so.

Because a considerable part of the 500 million shi grain tax was paid by the clan itself.

In the title system of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial clan belonged to hereditary non-replacement, while the branches were descended and inherited, and then hereditary non-replacement.

The lowest is Feng Guo Lieutenant of the fifth rank.

A large amount of land was given to the clan. In addition to the normal payment of land taxes, the clan also collected a very high proportion of royal tax, which was directly handed over to the emperor.

Because the clan's land belongs to Huangzhuang.

This also caused the scholar-bureaucrats to restrict the imperial power through finances, while the emperor emptied the sufficient internal funds to implement the imperial power. In order to prevent the emperor from having power, the scholar-bureaucrats began to bleed the emperor's blood.

For example, the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty often caught fire.

Are you Jiajing rich?Still want to repair the outer city wall of the capital?Then set a fire for you and burn down all the three halls. Well, you go to build the palace, and see if you still have the ability to bypass the financial situation of the Ministry of Accounts.

What?The household department has no money?
That's okay, what needs to be spent on money, your Majesty, will you use your internal funds?There is no money in domestic funds, so let's increase taxes.For example, Liao payment, such as Liao payment, such as Liao payment.

The people are in dire straits?

Then it's hard for the common people, anyway, we are all in full glory, with a breeze in our sleeves.As for the garden built by the head of the Ministry of Industry after retirement can become one of the four great gardens of later generations, that is not something you need to worry about, Your Majesty.

In short.

The emperor worked hard to save some internal money and wanted to do practical things. Although in the end, it was thrown into state affairs, such as disaster relief and military pay, but after layers of exploitation, none of them were actually used for practical things.

And in order to do this.

Including the 20 clans that drank poison to quench their thirst so that the number soared to the end of the Ming Dynasty, or the mine supervisor and tax supervisor in the Wanli period.

For example, Emperor Wanli had accumulated a small treasury all his life, waiting for his death.

Zhu Changluo, the emperor who was supposed to be an emperor for only one month, might actually be sent away by the Hongwan case as soon as he ascended the throne. In just one month, he "promulgated" countless benevolent policies, so that Wanli's treasury was directly emptied.

Wanli saved about 600 million taels, and after one month, there were 400 million taels left.

All I can say is, gratifying.

These are all things that happened in the late Ming Dynasty and the end of Ming Dynasty, but the context has a long history, and Jiajing is even more sober in the world, so from the sixth year of Jiajing to the 16th year of Jiajing, he not only did not weaken the clan, but still reused the clan.

But this does not mean that Jiajing can only rely on the clan.

Because of the appearance of Zhang Zhixiang, Zhang Zhixiang not only sent Dengwen Drum to Jiajing in the sixth year of Jiajing, but more importantly, he overthrew Yang Tinghe and forced Yang Tinghe to surrender, thus allowing Jiajing to gain a firm foothold in the court.

And because Zhang Zhixiang told all the details about the future.

Jiajing was able to solve the court with ease, and gradually truly grasp the imperial power, so as to do various practical things.

And the real emperor.

When it comes to reforming the clan, the clan doesn't have much ability to resist. At least, when Zhu Yunqi wanted to cut down the vassals, the vassal kings normally have no ability to resist, but whoever makes the civil official group improper, does not give the military general group any leeway If you stay, the generals group can only help Yan Wangjing.

Zhu Yunqi had this ability back then, let alone Jiajing today.

So when the fields were equalized.

From the private side, the Wang family was the first to respond and donate their own land property. On the official side, Jiajing directly ordered the clan to donate all the land property. Although there were some disturbances during the period, Jiajing easily calmed them down.

Just like, when the Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms, the old Ying family had been suffering from the clan.

The clan supports the imperial power, because they are only good if the emperor is good.

Therefore, the vast majority of clans are willing to endure, and a few who are not willing to endure, then send them to see Taizu. Jiajing has never been a lenient emperor, and the evaluation of him by scholar-bureaucrats is mostly cold.

So don't even think about teasing the dragon's beard.

However, the reform of titles involves the foundation of the clan. Once they are downgraded to the ranks, the clan's children will be no different from ordinary people within a few generations...

Even though Gu Lin was aware of Jiajing's ability, he felt that this matter was too much.

It is impossible for the clan to agree.

Although in this day and age, it is not up to the clans to subvert anything, but at least there must be a storm, no matter whose blood is shed, there must be blood.

If you aim the butcher knife at your own family, your Majesty will not consider how to explain to your ancestors?
"His Majesty has talked with me in letters these days about the reform of titles."

"Not only is he going to be demoted to the rank of knight, but His Majesty also said... that he wants to move out."

Zhang Zhixiang's calm words fell into Gu Lin's ears like thunder. He was stunned for a while before he was sure he had heard correctly, and asked himself, "Move out? Is it... to move overseas?"

"Yes."

Zhang Zhixiang nodded and said: "Now the clan's population is just over [-]. There are men, women, and children. In the past, women also had titles in the country. The highest was the eldest princess, and the lowest was the township lord."

"But after the reform, there is no salary for the title of title, and these titles will be downgraded to the rank of nobility, and women cannot be listed separately."

"Based on each household, there are about two thousand households."

"Not only now, but from now on, the clan will not stay in Daming, but will move out to educate foreign countries, and settle in various countries in the name of cultural envoys, and help countries improve knowledge, technology, and morality, with the contribution of education."

"From the prince to the lieutenant of Fengguo, you can recruit craftsmen and literati to accompany you."

"There is a fixed upper limit, and the imperial court will also provide a lower limit."

"For example, Lieutenant Fengguo has a quota of two craftsmen, and the number of craftsmen will be doubled for each rank of head of household. There are 64 generals, 128 county kings, and 256 princes. The upper limit is four times the quota."

"The total number of accompanying persons cannot exceed ten times the quota."

"The imperial court is already sorting out overseas maps and the national conditions of various countries, and will make detailed regional divisions, and even help to the tribal level. After they go out, they won't just ignore it."

"Every cultural envoy is a bridge for communication between the local area and Daming. If they want to learn something from Daming, they must go through cultural envoys."

"And to ensure the safety of the Cultural Envoy."

"The imperial court will take the lead in letting the retired old-style soldiers contact the cultural envoys, and let the cultural envoys recruit guards. They can also recruit people from the rivers and lakes among the people. After reporting to the imperial court, the imperial court will issue corresponding weapons and equipment."

After Gu Lin finished listening, what he thought of was not whether the clan would agree.

But...

"Sounds like the colonization the Ciro like to do?"

"It's not colonization, there is an essential difference. Cultural envoys bring knowledge and technology. They are responsible for enlightenment. They do not rule the local area by force, nor do they directly exploit the local area. If cultural envoys can gain a firm foothold in the local area and have a family business , that’s another matter. Two thousand cultural envoys are not many for the whole world.”

"Well, although the prince is only allowed to bring more than 2000 people on the surface, they can also recruit people through private channels. Your Majesty is not afraid of a vassal king who will stand on his own overseas? Even have the idea of ​​​​taking over the Central Plains?"

"The times are developing, and there is no place that is unreachable. The fleet is created based on the industrial power and financial resources of a whole country. When Ming solves internal problems, no force in Ming's fleet will be able to resist."

"Then... what if, I mean what if, some emperor dies in the future?"

The issue of extinction must be discussed.

Because His Majesty today, it was because of Wu Zong Zhu Houzhao's extinction that he entered the center from the vassal king.

"Among the clan, the one with the closest bloodline should go back to the capital to enthron."

"in addition."

"The royal heirs are thin. The reason is that you and I both understand. In the future, the government will be returned to the people. The emperor will only leave the right of supervision to patrol the sky on behalf of the people. He has withdrawn from the stage of power and will be full of descendants."

"Your Majesty even considered the issue of too many princes and too many princes."

"There is another aspect of the title reform system, which is for princes to be knighted. Each emperor is only allowed to be named a prince, and the rest are all county kings, and they can only be reduced to a knighthood."

"Although the prince is hereditary, the rest of the sons can only be granted the title of lieutenant of the country, and they will become white men in three generations."

"in addition."

"There is a quota of 36 princes, and if there are more than 36 people, there will be an assessment every ten years. The last one will be eliminated. The eliminated princes will be demoted to the county kings, and they will enter the lower ranks."

It can be said that Jiajing tightly locked the clan's population, and the restriction on the number of princes restrained the expansion of princes.

Not only to move the princes overseas, but also to assess their achievements...

Gu Lin sighed, this majesty is worthy of the name of "Boliang", he is really cruel to his clan.

"So strict, can the clan really agree?"

Gu Lin sighed, even if he was an outsider, just a courtier, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the clan, never before in all dynasties.

"Why don't you agree?"

"Da Ming, they are the only ones who are born with titles, how can they not be satisfied?"

Zhang Zhixiang took it for granted.

Gu Lin said: "But this title is only a title..."

Zhang Zhixiang: "Then try hard to be worthy of this name and win the respect of the world."

Gu Lin was stunned for a moment, Zhang Zhixiang's firm cognition made him understand the difference, one was born with fame and wealth, and could live well while lying down, but without the connotation of matching, the world would only say Just a good birth.

The other one, although it has almost no substantive benefits, and even has to work hard to be recognized, seems to be...

This kind of life is more meaningful.

"Parents love their children, and they have far-reaching plans..." Gu Lin muttered these words, and he gradually understood the core of Zhang Zhixiang's thoughts. Responsibility is not a burden, but a real wealth.

Even if they are downgraded to the title, many descendants of the clan are still born with the title, and they have to work hard and maintain it all their lives in order to be worthy of the title and gain people's respect.

Is this uncomfortable?

You have become stronger, more knowledgeable, more moral, wiser, and your life has become more valuable and transparent. Is this harming you?

"It seems that Mr. Gu wants to understand."

Zhang Zhixiang took the teacup with a smile and drank it slowly.

Gu Lin suddenly thought of something, and asked: "Military achievements can be knighted, merchants can be redeemed, and clan children should be able to be promoted to nobles and protect nobles for meritorious service, and even those from all walks of life who have contributed to national civilization should be able to be knighted." .”

"whether?"

Gu Lin got in touch with what Zhang Zhixiang had discussed with Juzi about the Qin Dynasty system when he was in Yizhou, and guessed the magical effect of names. After the Changsheng Revolution, titles will be a very important part.

Different from the Qin Dynasty's military merit title system, there are [-] titles.

In addition to the princes belonging to the clan and the princes of the county kings, ordinary people can reach the three princes of the Duke, which is hereditary, and the sixth prince from the general of the town to the lieutenant of Fengguo. of.

Trade fame for profit.

The real cycle is completed when the intangible assets belonging to the people can be exchanged for tangible assets.

The content of the Longevity Revolution is not simply to make people chase after fame.

You can also chase profits.

The world is full of goodwill, and the world is all good.

In the life of most people, daily necessities are the most important, so the [-]-level salary system gives people space to obtain material things, but after you are busy with your life, you might as well look up... the starry sky.

There is a limit to the enjoyment of personal interests, endless material enjoyment is nothing but loss and emptiness, and real pleasure is a contribution to the public.

We must give geniuses and elites room to display and give them the opportunity to walk on the right path.

Only in this way can they maximize their value.

A society should not only support the bottom line, so that the people at the bottom can be healthy, but also let the top-level talents feel at ease, which is to distribute according to work. Objectively speaking, the value produced by labor is different, and this cannot be denied.

It does not mean that a talented person must be morally noble.

You have to use his talents to satisfy his vulgarity to a certain extent, and then teach his virtue. If you are greedy, at least show the "beginning with etiquette and then soldiers", and screen out the part that can be taught.

One country, one civilization.

There must always be more people who build and develop, and fewer people who destroy and interfere.

under this policy.

The Longevity Revolution seems to be cooking with fire and oil, but in fact it moisturizes things silently. Whether it is a shackle or a spider web, the ambitious people who fall into it can only be domesticated in the end.

The whole country has found a way forward.

(End of this chapter)