I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

But despite this, Zhu Youxiao's reform of the vassal regulations has not yet ended.

After attacking the clan's crimes and the succession system, Zhu Youxiao's next move was to attack the clan's welfare privileges.In his opinion, this is the harm of the current vassal system to the Ming Dynasty.

Although the royal family's annual salary is fixed, many members of the family would have starved to death if they relied on the salary.What they really relied on was the land tenure and tea, salt and other exclusive privileges they enjoyed as a clan.

"Third, we need to count the land, tea, salt, iron, minerals and other assets owned by our vassal kings, and re-register them. Those who have invaded, usurped, and plundered private fields and shops will be returned one by one, and the previously licensed tea , salt and other operating privileges will be taken back as appropriate. In addition, we will reduce the number of people in the feudal prince's palace, streamline personnel, eunuchs, etc., and we cannot let them run wild."

As mentioned just now, Ye Xianggao and Zhang Weixian were already a little numb to the emperor's words.

Especially Zhang Weixian, he is sweating profusely now.He secretly thought that if this news came out, he would definitely ask all the vassal kings in the world to attack him, and they would all curse him as a treacherous minister for bewitching the emperor like this.Thinking of this, he could only bite the bullet and said:
"Your Majesty, although the clan issue has been around for a long time, there have been so many disadvantages from the founding of our dynasty to the present that it has reached the point where it is impossible without reform. But such a drastic change in the clan regulations will definitely cause dissatisfaction among the clan. Then they will cause trouble. , I’m afraid of disturbing the place, I’m afraid of damaging His Majesty’s majesty.”

Seeing that Zhang Weixian couldn't help but persuade him, Ye Xianggao on the side also agreed repeatedly.

Although he also agreed with the vassal reform, he was still a little stunned when he heard what the emperor said. He felt that the emperor's reform was really too powerful, and even he couldn't stand it.When the time comes, just as Zhang Weixian said, if the clan members start trouble, it will be troublesome, so he also answered:

"What the British Lord said is true. Your Majesty, the vassal reform is being planned slowly. Don't be too hasty. Your Majesty, please think twice."

Zhu Youxiao listened to the two men's persuasion and shook his head with a smile.He secretly thought that these two people would have misunderstood him, and quickly comforted him.

"Don't worry, dear friends. This is why I called you here today. I want to discuss it with you in advance and determine the general content and principles of the reform.

As for which one to implement first, it is something we will discuss slowly later. Anyway, I have plenty of time. One year is not enough for three years, three years is not enough for five years, even ten years is enough. I don’t believe that I can’t rectify the sect. good. "

"This will make me feel relieved."

When the two of them saw the emperor saying this, they breathed a sigh of relief.With these words, the two of them were relieved.

"These three points are my thoughts on the reform of the vassalage. In fact, the most important point is to control their number. In the tenth year of Wanli, the number of clan members in the Ming Dynasty was still more than 40. Now, in the past [-] years, it has increased six times. There are so many. If this continues, why doesn’t it worry me?

But I also know that once the idea of ​​such a reform is spread, it will definitely arouse opposition from the clan, but I am willing to bear this responsibility, otherwise the Ming Dynasty and even the people will be dragged down by it! "

The two people who came back to their senses were very moved when they heard the words. As foreign ministers and having nothing to do with the clan, they all felt that it was difficult to implement this matter.The clan members were all of royal blood and could be considered relatives of the emperor. The emperor actually did not shy away from relatives and was determined to reform, turning his sword inward.Thinking of this, they admired the emperor even more.

At the same time, they were slowly thinking about the feasibility of the emperor's reforms just now.To put it bluntly, the emperor did this to strengthen supervision and investigation of the clan and control the number of clan members.

Ye Xianggao actually has some ideas of his own when it comes to controlling the number of people in the clan. "Your Majesty, as you just said, the most important point in the vassal reform is to control the number of clans. But now the number of clans has reached 18. Even if the imperial examination is implemented, even if the clan's illegal activities are thoroughly investigated, the relevant personnel will be demoted. As a common people, it is difficult to control the population, so I suggest that it is better to block it than to open it up."

Is it better to block?

When Zhu Youxiao heard this, he immediately became interested and looked at Ye Xianggao with interest, wanting to hear his explanation.Ye Xianggao thought for a moment and then said slowly:

"Your Majesty, as the British Lord just said, most of the clan members are at the bottom. Even if I have a salary of more than 150 million taels in the Ming Dynasty, there are very few that can be distributed to them. Therefore, as far as I know, there are few vassal kings in the clan. But there is luxury, and there are many people in the lower-level clan, but most of them are in poverty.

However, due to the clan system of our dynasty, the lower-level clan members were not allowed to leave their fiefdoms, and were not allowed to engage in merchants, workers, and farmers. In order to make a living, they had to remain anonymous, work as slaves, and do anything, anonymously serving, and willing to beat Chu.There are countless people who have white heads and cannot finish their families, and whose bones are rotten but have not yet been named.

Therefore, I suggest that your Majesty should not only rectify the clan's illegal activities, but also provide a way for the lower-level clan members to survive. Only in this way will it appear that your Majesty is friendly. "

"What Mr. Ye Ge said is true!"

Seeing what Ye Xianggao said, Zhang Weixian couldn't help but agree.In his opinion, many clan members break the law because there is no way out. Sometimes for them, sometimes the clan status is more of a shackles than an honor for them.

Therefore, if we want to rectify the clan, we must solve the problem of the clan's way out.

"Then what kind of life do you think Aiqing should give you?"

Listening to Ye Xianggao's analysis, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but nod.What Ye Xianggao said made sense, and he had also considered this matter.

"Your Majesty, I think we can start from two aspects: One is to allow the lower-level clans, that is, those below the title of lieutenant of Zhenguo, who voluntarily leave the clan genealogy, and be rewarded with silver according to their clan titles. For example, the reward for lieutenant of Zhenguo is 100 taels of silver, 50 taels for Lieutenant Fuguo, and 20 taels for Lieutenant Fengguo. This can not only solve the livelihood problem of the lower-level clans, but also reduce the number of clans through buyouts.

Secondly, in addition to the existing clan system, there can be a category of idle clans.The children of the Ming Dynasty clan can choose to join, and those who fail the exam all year round will also be entered into the idle clan category.

As long as they are included, their names will be included in the family genealogy, but they will not be ennobled or paid any money.However, they could leave the fiefdom, take the imperial examinations, and engage in scholar, agriculture, industry, and commerce, which could be regarded as a way to survive. "

Zhu Youxiao savored Ye Xianggao's words carefully, and finally couldn't help clapping his hands in praise.

"Okay, okay. Ye Aiqing, after hearing what you said, I suddenly understood. This will not only give the lower-level clans multiple choices, but also give them a way to survive. It is really a conspiracy." (End of this chapter)