prosperous age

Chapter 1101 1192 Surveying the Land

However, history has also proven that Zhang Juzheng's vision of people was actually not that good.

Just like Zhang Siwei, who was favored by Zhang Juzheng and placed into the cabinet, was obviously not a qualified successor.

After Zhang Juzheng's death, he actually overturned all of Zhang Juzheng's political reforms under the pretext of stabilizing the people's hearts.

Zhang Siwei not only stopped the correct reform measures, but also completely denied Zhang Juzheng's policies, which made the Ming Dynasty lose the opportunity to revive.

When Zhang Siwei became the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty cabinet, he immediately overturned all of Zhang Juzheng's reform measures, leading to the tragic fate of Zhang Juzheng and his family.

The reason why Zhang Siwei turned against Zhang Juzheng was partly because some of Zhang Juzheng's policies and actions during his lifetime caused him dissatisfaction, although Zhang Siwei was promoted to the cabinet by Zhang Juzheng.

In fact, what Zhang Siwei cares most about is the development of business.

Since Zhang Siwei was born into a merchant landlord family and lived in the Jiajing, Longqing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty when the commodity economy was relatively developed, he had a relatively progressive understanding of the important position and role of commerce in the national economy.

In Chinese feudal society, the idea of ​​emphasizing agriculture over commerce was very stubborn.

However, Zhang Siwei swept away previous traditional ideas and believed that merchants were equal to scholars, farmers, and workers. Commerce played an indispensable and important role in the national economic life, and rulers should attach equal importance to commerce and agriculture.

Therefore, throughout his life, Zhang Siwei not only did not despise business or look down on the words and deeds of businessmen, but he also wrote epitaphs for many businessmen, praising their noble character of getting rich through business and benefiting the country and the people. He enthusiastically praised the deeds of many businessmen who worked tirelessly, operated in difficult circumstances, and started their own businesses with difficulty.

In particular, his collection of essays "Tiao Lu Tang Ji" preserves a large number of stories about how Shanxi merchants became rich and their business methods, providing detailed information for future generations to study the development of the commodity economy in the Ming Dynasty.

In the meantime, he may have provided many reference opinions for Zhang Juzheng's economic reforms, but Zhang Siwei clearly held opposing opinions on the key points of Zhang Juzheng's reforms, namely the Performance Evaluation System and the Single Whip System.

In particular, the nationwide land survey carried out during the implementation of the Single Whip System had a huge impact and caused damage to the interests of the gentry class.

As Zhang Siwei's family came from a large landowner family, they naturally suffered heavy losses in this incident.

Although the Zhang family was a business family, the budding of capitalism in the Ming Dynasty was only in its early stages. At that time, people were most receptive to the idea that "where there is land, there is wealth", believing that business can make money but also lose money, and only land can generate continuous income.

Therefore, after becoming successful, many businessmen did not expand their business territories, but instead bought a lot of land to become big businessmen and landlords.

Therefore, after Zhang Siwei came to power, in order to quickly gain the support of the scholar class and consolidate his position, he chose to abolish Zhang Juzheng's reforms and launched a counterattack against the new policies of the reformists.

Due to his selfishness, he caused the Ming Dynasty to lose an opportunity for revival and its politics became completely corrupt.

Although there were rumors that Zhang Siwei was disliked by Zhang Juzheng after entering the cabinet because of his differences in opinions with Zhang Juzheng, he finally chose to give in.

As for the cabinet ministers, although it became difficult for the top three to enter the cabinet starting from the middle of the Ming Dynasty, for some unknown reason, most of them would encounter accidents while performing their duties and then miss the opportunity for promotion, but it definitely does not mean that everyone is so unlucky.

It is no wonder that some novels or unofficial historical records say that high-ranking officials in the court deliberately suppressed the top three out of jealousy, especially their top scholar.

However, Shen Shixing was indeed an exception. Perhaps when he came to prominence, Zhang Juzheng was already in power and there was no need to be on guard against him, so Shen Shixing successfully entered the cabinet by relying on his seniority.

After outlasting Zhang Juzheng, he took advantage of Zhang Siwei's mourning period to become the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty.

Obviously, this is inseparable from his usual low-key style and ability to get along with everyone.

He did not offend anyone in the court, and eventually stood out in the competition for the prime minister, surpassing Yu Youding and Pan Sheng and sitting on the throne of prime minister.

After him, during the turbulent Chongzhen period, former top scholar Zhou Yanru and Wei Zaode also successively served as chief ministers of the Ming Dynasty cabinet.

However, their reputation naturally became not very good with the collapse of the Ming Dynasty.

Perhaps, Zhang Juzheng knew more and was aware of some unspoken rules in the court. In any case, he was not optimistic about Shen Shixing.

Because Shen Shixing acted in a conventional way and was not outstanding, he had no intention of supporting him.

Zhang Juzheng's words were considered to be in agreement with Wei Guangde's proposal. He agreed to let Shen Shixing enter the Ministry of Rites, which was considered to be the beginning of his journey from Hanlin to the Cabinet.

Of course, it is still hard to say whether he will be able to join the cabinet in the end.

It was as difficult as the imperial examination for thousands of troops to cross a single-plank bridge.

"There's one more thing."

At this time, Zhang Juzheng suddenly spoke again: "Shandai, Shuntian Prefecture previously reported to the emperor that Ningjin Bo Liu Tianxi and Wujing Hou Zhao Guobin were illegal, wantonly occupied the people's land, and even forced several lives to death.

How do you think we should deal with this matter?"

Zhang Juzheng suddenly threw a hot potato in his hand to Wei Guangde. The reason was self-evident. He had more connections with nobles, and these were noble families. If the matter was handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, it would become a big deal.

In the end, no matter how the matter was handled, it was still the court that lost face.

In fact, it is the same in every dynasty. When encountering such things, most people choose to cover it up and solve it as soon as possible by cutting the Gordian knot, so as not to let the situation escalate and spread everywhere to affect the reputation of the court.

"I've heard about this before. If they offer the right price, it's understandable to buy other people's land, but it's really excessive to offer an extremely low price and force the sale.

The imperial court has never treated these families of military honors unfairly.

But if you want to deal with it,

Wei Guangde hesitated a little. Although the two families mentioned by Zhang Juzheng were not big figures among the nobles, there were many similar to them.

The publicizing of crimes by the imperial court would easily make other nobles feel grief-stricken and they would run to the palace to cry and complain.

The harem hopes that the political situation will be stable and nothing serious will happen.

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde have always adhered to the approach of turning big things into small things and small things into nothing, as long as the problem is solved.

When they encounter difficult problems, they will vote to determine the solution. The harem only needs to approve or deny them without having to think hard about the solution.

If we don't deal with the two nobles, we will have trouble explaining to the people and the upright officials in the court. If we deal with them, we are afraid that someone will come to the harem to beg for mercy, which will also be troublesome.

"I'll talk to someone later. If you really want to buy it, raise the price to a suitable price. As for the deaths, let them pay compensation and settle this matter as soon as possible."

Of course, Wei Guangde couldn't say that he would be punished according to the law, as this would ruin his reputation among the nobles.

"It would be best if they handed over a few of their servants to the government for prosecution.

I will say hello to Shuntian Prefecture and ask them to go easy on the matter when handling it. Just let it go and try not to embarrass the two prefectures."

Zhang Juzheng said again. Hearing that Zhang Juzheng still wanted to deal with a few servants, Wei Guangde nodded and said, "I can't say too much about this matter now. I will meet them in the next two days and talk to them before we can decide."

Although Marquis Wujing and Earl Ningjin did not have a high status among the military heroes, they were part of that group after all, and Wei Guangde certainly could not make decisions for them.

Moreover, Wei Guangde's in-laws did not have close ties with these two people, so it would be even more difficult for him to interfere.

The Ming Dynasty's military achievements can be roughly divided into three periods. One of them is the group of people who helped Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang conquer the world.

When the Ming Dynasty was first established, Zhu Yuanzhang conferred titles on meritorious officials such as dukes, marquises, generals and ministers. The title of Duke of Wei was given at that time.

However, due to the turmoil in the court in the early Ming Dynasty, not many of these people survived. Although most of their titles were restored, many of them were demoted and inherited the title.

The second period was naturally the "Jingnan" campaign of Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty. This time, many meritorious officials were conferred titles such as dukes, marquises, and earls.

Most of the meritorious officials at this time had a good end, and only some of those who were involved in the Han Wang Rebellion were dismissed.

Later, after the Coup of 1894, many of the ministers who helped Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen of the Ming Dynasty to restore the throne were also granted titles.

The families of Wujing Hou and Ningjin Bo, who were involved in the incident, caught the emperor's attention at this time because they stood on the side of Emperor Yingzong and participated in the Battle of Seizing the Gate. Afterwards, they were soon granted titles because of some military achievements.

These three types of people are actually three distinct groups among the nobles, and they do not have close relationships with each other.

The nobles who founded the country naturally looked down on those who rebelled, and the rebels looked down on those who traitored, and they just disliked each other.

Although these can only be thought in the mind and cannot be said out loud.

However, by now, the conflicts and contempts of the past have long since disappeared, so there may still be some contradictions among the nobles now, but the general direction is still the same, after all, there is the great enemy, the civil servants.

The honor your ancestors received can protect them from inheriting the title and continuing to enjoy wealth and splendor, but they have lost their power in the court. With the civil servants becoming increasingly powerful, they are also walking on thin ice and are very uncomfortable.

It is not difficult to understand why they support each other, otherwise they might really be eaten up by the civil servants without leaving anything behind.

Of course, the nobles were able to survive because the royal family needed to check and balance the civil officials. Although the role that the nobles could play was limited, they were still more confident in handing over the military power of the capital and its surrounding areas to these nobles who shared the same fate with the country.

By the time they had discussed the nobles' affairs, it was almost time to adjourn the court.

Lu Diaoyang was the first to get up and say goodbye, citing illness as the reason. But when Wei Guangde was about to leave, he was stopped by Zhang Juzheng.

"Shan Dai, I have something else I want to discuss with you. If you have time today, you can spend a while with me."

Zhang Juzheng said so, Wei Guangde nodded and smiled, "Of course, there is nothing to worry about. If you have anything to say, please feel free to speak."

"The One Whip Law has been in effect in Jiangxi and Nanzhili for many years. These days I have reviewed their memorials and the summary of the One Whip Law. I feel that it is relatively mature and can be promoted in the two capitals and thirteen provinces."

When Wei Guangde heard Zhang Juzheng talk about this, he immediately perked up.

The Single Whip System had been used repeatedly in the Ming Dynasty, and it was Zhang Juzheng who finally implemented it on a large scale. Even though Zhang Juzheng's reforms were hit hard later, it was mostly the restrictive clauses on officials such as the Performance Evaluation System that were rejected, while the Single Whip System was still retained in some places.

Of course, the main reason for its retention is that some local officials felt that this method was indeed convenient for the government and the people.

This continued into the Qing Dynasty, when Emperor Yongzheng, based on this, carried out reforms such as equalizing the land tax, requiring gentry to serve and pay taxes together, and returning the fire consumption tax to the public, thus extending the life of the feudal dynasty.

However, to Wei Guangde's surprise, although the conversation started with the Single Whip Law, Zhang Juzheng's topic gradually changed.

"Today, the tax collection and payment are still based on the yellow book. Shandai knew at the time that most local officials followed the white book in the hands of the clerks. The rules set by Taizu have long been broken by those useless people below."

When it comes to the key point, Zhang Juzheng can't help but say hatefully.

In fact, if the Ming Dynasty had followed the policies set by Zhu Yuanzhang completely, it might not have been so bad, and it might have lasted another one or two hundred years.

But since when, the Yellow Book, which is related to the continuation of the Ming Dynasty, has been falsified on a large scale, and the census every ten years has become meaningless.

Almost two hundred years have passed, and the imperial court is still using the Yellow Book from the Hongwu period to calculate taxes and labor service. Isn't it ridiculous?

"Brother Uncle, what exactly do you want to do? Conduct a new investigation?"

Wei Guangde asked curiously.

“I definitely have to check, but what I want to do more is to check the fish scale book.

How much land was there in the world during the Hongwu reign, and how much land is there today? The court needs to know the number and cannot let them do whatever they want. "

Zhang Juzheng only said this and then shut up. He knew the seriousness of the matter, so he had no intention of discussing it with Lu Diaoyang. After all, he had already decided to leave the court, so he knew that there was no point in knowing this.

As for the Second Assistant Wei Guangde, Zhang Juzheng must get his full support, otherwise it would be even more difficult to implement this matter than the performance evaluation system.

In fact, the purpose of Zhang Juzheng's reform was to enrich the national treasury.

As long as the court has money, any problem can be turned into a small matter that is easy to solve.

But as long as the court has no money, small problems will become big troubles that cannot be solved.

Making money was actually the fundamental purpose of Zhang Juzheng's reform. Although the abolition of the performance evaluation system had the effect of rectifying the administration of officials, clearing up arrears of taxes, and recovering unpaid taxes, Zhang Juzheng's original intention was to serve the subsequent administration.

Without an efficient government, his ideas would not be implemented at all.

Given the current procrastination in government offices at all levels in the Ming Dynasty, it may take even ten years for the policy to be put on track and implemented.

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng did not carry out economic reforms right away, but instead first pushed for the performance evaluation system to improve the efficiency of government work.

Of course, bringing down some opponents is also a way to kill two birds with one stone.

"Brother Uncle, what do you mean?"

Wei Guangde hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not say anything.

"Measure the land of the world."

Wei Guangde didn't say anything, so Zhang Juzheng took over on his own.