In the late Ming Dynasty, rising from the grassland

Chapter 248 The second Wang Mang is coming

Lin Rui actually didn't care much about the attitudes of Hong Chengchou and the generals.

Because these people are not true loyal ministers, and now they are blocked in the city, unable to escape. There is no other way out except surrender.

What he was really concerned about was the reaction of the large number of military attaches and landowners and gentry in the Xuanfu of Datong.

Although he knew that as long as he promised to keep things as usual, the entire Datong Xuanfu would be able to spread the word in an instant, and even get their support.

But it is impossible for everything to continue as usual. In the future, China must not be a world dominated by gentry and landlords.

However, there is a lack of manpower now, and there are only so many ladies. It is impossible to send too many people to Datong Xuanfu to reform. After all, the farms and large number of workshops on the grassland cannot do without those ladies.

So in the past few days, Lin Rui has been considering whether to make gradual reforms or to launch a vigorous revolution with a stick to the end. This is why Namuzhong was asked to surrender first and test the reactions of various places.

"Rui Lang, should we first promise to ensure everyone's property and personal safety, and then take control of the entire Datong and Xuanfu?"

Regarding the change of dynasties among the Han people, Namuzhong also knew something from the history books, that is, it was necessary to first issue a notice to calm the people and ensure that everyone's interests were not violated, so that they could gain the support and support of powerful families everywhere.

It has never been the case that China has not expressed its attitude towards powerful people like this.

This is also the reason why the military attachés and landowners and gentry in various places have not come forward to submit.

Because of the various attitudes of the Chinese army towards ordinary civilian military households in the past, the landlords, gentry, and civil and military officials everywhere were very frightened.

"This is not a promise that can be made casually. Now, every word I say must be true to the law. It also represents the national policy of our country. In the future, we must treat other places equally. There must be no favoritism between one and another.”

Lin Rui naturally understood what she meant, waved his hand and explained that his current attitude towards the gentry in the two places is not just towards Datong and Xuanfu, but represents the attitude towards all the big gentry in the world.

"Then how are we going to treat those wealthy gentry and civil and military officials?" Na Muzhong also had a headache, feeling that it would be too troublesome for the Han people to conquer the world.

If it were the Mongols, why would they need such trouble?
"Let's do this. All guard posts will be abolished. All military and craftsmen households will be classified as civilian households. All land must be leased and handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture of China for unified management. From now on, the gentry, landlords and military attachés everywhere will There is no need to interfere with farming anymore. Except for the land, other property and personal safety can be guaranteed, and everything will continue as usual!
Of course, if the slaves at home no longer want to be slaves and want to go back to farming, they will not be stopped and must be released. "

In the end, Lin Rui chose to proceed step by step. He first nationalized the land in the form of lease. He could pay a fixed rent to the landlords, gentry and military attachés every year according to the grade and number of acres of the land, and then the Ministry of Agriculture would set up a unified production team. , renting crops to civilians and military households in various places for farming.

The gentry and landlords were directly separated from the production relations, and the government directly managed the farmers for production.

From now on, the people will only have the right to use the land, the government will have the right to manage it, and the landlords and gentry will retain the property rights.

From now on, the rent paid to the landlords and gentry will be reduced year by year, and they will be guided towards business.

In this way, their resistance and resistance can be minimized, and not too many manpower is needed.

This is the agricultural aspect. In terms of commerce, except for salt and staple grains, which are directly operated by the Ministry of Commerce, other items are not restricted and can be bought and sold freely. As for commercial taxes, there is no urgency for the time being and can be formulated in the future.

"Rui Lang, those landowners value their land more than their lives. If you want them to rent all their land to us, they must go crazy."

Namu Zhong also changed his expression and said.

It's like taking back all the pastures of each tribe, and the leaders must work hard.

"No, those gentry and landlords cherish their lives the most. As long as they are not forced to a dead end, they will compromise without any lower limit. I believe that compared to confiscating their homes and exterminating their clans, they will definitely accept such conditions.

After all, their families have accumulated a lot of wealth, and some of them own many restaurants and shops. Even if they are sitting on nothing, they will probably have food and drink for the rest of their lives. How can they have the courage to fight me with eggs and stones? "

Lin Rui waved his hand with a smile. Not to mention that he paid back the rent, but even if he refused to pay the rent, he would directly nationalize all the land. Those landlords and gentry would never dare to confront him openly, at most they would not do it secretly. Cooperation is just a stumbling block.

"Then are we going to move the capital to Datong? And is Mrs. Lu also going to be transferred here?"

"We won't use it for the time being. We'll just use the scholars who came here to see if they can be used and if they can do things."

Immediately, Lin Rui gathered together hundreds of scholars who had defected. Half of these people were scholars, almost all of them were children of wealthy gentry and military attachés from various places. It was obvious that the defection was true, and the fact that they were seeking information was also true.

Lin Rui didn't hesitate and directly stated his land and business policies. The expressions of hundreds of scholars suddenly changed, and their hearts sank to the bottom.

Although they had long expected that China's policies would definitely not be like those of the Ming Dynasty, especially in terms of land, no one expected that Lin Rui would be so radical and even more ruthless than Lao Zhu back then.

In fact, everyone has already done this. Lin Rui will re-measure the land, collect taxes based on acres, and even deprive some iron ore, gold and copper mines, collect commercial taxes, etc.

But he never expected that Lin Rui would nationalize all the land. Although he said it was a lease and would pay some rent every year, no one would believe it.Since ancient times, only the imperial court has distributed donations to the gentry and landlords. There has never been a precedent for the imperial court to give money to the gentry and landlords.

"Why don't you all support China's agricultural policy? Or do you still have opinions on my king's land policy?"

"Students and others dare not question the king's policy!"

"It's just your Majesty, our country's great cause has not yet been accomplished, and the world is uncertain. It is the time when we need to win over the people and recruit talents. With such a policy, students are worried that the gentry in the world will become alienated!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, those ordinary people and warriors can help Your Majesty conquer the world, but they cannot help Your Majesty guard and govern the world. Only gentry and scholars can help Your Majesty govern the world and ensure that our country will last forever!"

"Please think again, Your Majesty. Why don't you measure the land again, collect land taxes, and return the land to the country? After the world is calmed down, we can slowly plan for it!"

As one of the candidates spoke, the others began to give advice, and what they said was thorough and direct.

Lin Rui was indifferent and said coldly: "The land policy is the basic national policy of our country and must not be changed. I am not an illiterate person. Don't fool me with those big principles. In the end, I know better than you who is the foundation of our country. I also know better than you who can guarantee that our country will last forever. Those who obey me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish. You choose for yourselves!"

Everyone was shocked and broke out in cold sweat. Looking at Lin Rui's unquestionable expression and murderous tone, they all said in secret that it was over.

Maybe there will be the second Wang Mang and Emperor Sui Yang. The former just does whatever he wants without considering the actual situation at all.

The latter would rather be broken into pieces than complete, regardless of the consequences.

This kind of emperor and tyrant is what scholar-bureaucrats are most afraid of. Although Ming Taizu was ruthless, he at least knew how to compromise.

"Your Majesty, I wonder if the previous policy on the imperial examinations will continue, where those who excel in their studies will lead to official positions?"

After everyone knew that Lin Rui might be the second Emperor Wang Mang and Sui Yang, they gave up on persuading and threatening them, and instead became concerned about the imperial examination.

As long as they don't mess around in the imperial examination, Lin Rui can do whatever he wants in other aspects. It depends on how long he can do it. They won't be the first to do it anyway.

They are now small in number and weak in strength. After the world is calmed down, Lin Rui may change his mind after seeing the power of the gentry. By then, he may also be addicted to the Three Palaces and Sixth Courtyard, and his ambitions have been wiped out, so there is no need to do it now. Go against him.

"There will definitely be some changes in this, but the essence is the same. Excellent learning will lead to officialdom. This will never change. Everyone's achievements will be recognized by the country. Don't worry, after all, I am the king. After all, he is a scholar, and respect for scholars is a must."

Lin Rui's tone softened a lot when he saw that they didn't mention land and business anymore.

"Your Majesty Yingming!"

Everyone was relieved when they heard this. Fortunately, there was no chaos in the imperial examination, so there would be no problem for Hua to conquer the world by force.

As for other things, let’s talk about it in the future.

After all, they couldn't defeat Lin Rui. Could it be that they couldn't defeat Lin Rui's descendants?

As long as the imperial examination remains unchanged, nothing will be a problem.

Ming Taizu was such an awesome figure. After his death, wouldn’t the Ming Dynasty be left to the scholar-bureaucrats and scholar-officials to have the final say?
Therefore, when you encounter a strong monarch, you must not compete with them for a while and throw an egg against a stone.

"Then you all should quickly draft a memorandum. After I have read it, I will send it to all states and counties in the name of the State of China, so as to stabilize the people's hearts and minds as soon as possible and bring peace of mind to all places."

Lin Rui nodded with satisfaction. As long as these people were willing to cooperate and surrender, it was enough. From now on, he would have many means to slowly control them.

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison, and it took just two hours to draft the message. After Lin Rui read it, he posted it directly without any questions.

Sure enough, when the content of the memorandum was transmitted from the state and county health offices of Datong Xuanfu, it exploded like a ladle of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan.

Countless gentlemen, landowners, and military attachés at the guard were as if their parents were dead, but intimidated by the might of the Chinese army and the information sent back by their children at home, no one dared to be the first to stand up and object.

As for some scholars from Beizhili, Shanxi and other places who came to seek refuge, many of them chose to return home after learning the content of the appeal.

However, Lin Rui ignored the reactions of the civil and military officials of the gentry and gentry in Datong and Xuanfu. He led [-] infantry and [-] garrison troops to Zhangjiakou, preparing to personally deal with the eight traitors.

Anyway, he has given a time limit. Before the fifth day of April, all the prefecture and county guards and castles in Datong and Xuanfu who have not surrendered will have their families confiscated and exterminated.

(End of this chapter)