My Ming Dynasty, I have the final say

Chapter 172 The abolition of household registration and the upcoming wedding

During this restructuring of Shuntian Prefecture, Dong Yingju was in charge, with Zhou Yingqiu, Yuan Shizhen, and Bi Ziyan assisting behind the scenes.

But the real person in charge is the emperor.

He was appointed in a hurry. Although he was guided by Zhou Yingqiu and others, Dong Yingju still didn't know what to do.

In desperation, within two days, four people went to Xiyuan to seek an audience with the emperor with a pile of official documents from Shuntian Mansion.

"Your Majesty, the population of Shuntian Prefecture now exceeds one million, and it is only managed by officials from Daxing and Wancheng counties. I am afraid that I will not be able to handle it."

"So I want to add a new county to manage the outer city."

In front of a map, Dong Yingju pointed to the map and said to the emperor.

There are two counties under the jurisdiction of Beijing City, the east side is under the jurisdiction of Daxing County, and the west side is under the jurisdiction of Wancheng County.

In the 1553nd year of Jiajing ([-]), the outer city (the lower block on the map) was built, bounded by Zhengyangmen Street, with Wancheng in the west and Daxing in the east.

Dong Yingju couldn't help but feel a headache after simply flipping through the old Shuntian Mansion official documents.

Two counties with a population of one million, this rough management style makes people want to jump off the building.

"If a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools. Let's add two more counties."

Zhu Youxiao clicked on the location of Chongwenmen and Xuanwumen on the map, and said.

"Let's call them Chongwen County and Xuanwu County after Chongwenmen and Xuanwumen."

"The minister leads the order."

Hearing this, Dong Ying raised his hands.

"After I return, I will select some officials from Wanping County and Daxing County to build two new counties."

"His Majesty."

After the emperor agreed to expand the two counties, Zhou Yingqiu spoke up at the right time.

"Townships are set up outside the county and officials are added to manage it. After repeated discussions, ministers and others still have some doubts about the management within the county."

"How was it managed before?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao frowned.

City management is a laborious job. If one person is not good at it, it will easily lead to riots.

"Go back to Your Majesty."

Last time, we only talked about the division outside the city. The purpose of coming today is to "ask" the emperor for advice. The four of them have already prepared for the planning and management of the city.

"After Taizu first established the country, he used the city as the square, the city near the city as the compartment, and the countryside as the li to manage the people."

"However, it has been more than [-] years since the Ming Dynasty. After many years, and the population flow between the north and the south has been huge, the wing-house system has long been out of use. There are often situations where people cannot be found based on their household registration."

"How do you manage it on weekdays?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao looked at Dong Yingju who was speaking strangely, not understanding what he wanted to express.

"I used the calligraphy shop of the Wucheng Army and Horses Division."

Before Dong Yingju could answer the question, Zhou Yingqiu answered first.

However, when he said this, Zhou Yingqiu had a strange expression on his face.

If he remembered correctly, the commander of the Nancheng Army and Horses Division seemed to be drinking tea in the Beizhen Fu Division?

"Zi Shop?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was a little confused. What is this term?

Seeing that the emperor didn't know, Zhou Yingqiu explained to the emperor.

Starting from the Hongzhi period, due to the uneven tax and labor system, Lijia's flight became more and more serious, the Xiangfang system was destroyed, and the ability to manage household registration and collect taxes and labor was gradually lost.

Zhang Juzheng's whipping method during his political reform broke the restriction of Lijia.

Under this circumstance, the Baojia system, which was designed to educate the people, maintain public order, and stabilize the local area, was once again dug out of the dust of history.

Ten families are called Jia, and Ten Jia is the protector. The general Jia is responsible for management and assists the military and horse departments of the five cities in responsible for public security.

After listening to Zhou Yingqiu's words, Zhu Youxiao pondered for a while before speaking out.

"The Five Cities Military and Horse Division was abolished, and the functions and powers under its jurisdiction were handed over to the county inspection bureaus. The personnel of the former Five Cities Military and Horse Division were jointly inspected by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the able and talented ones were assigned to each county. Corruption Those who accept bribes will be punished in accordance with Ming law after being found out."

With that said, Zhu Youxiao turned to Ding Xiu who was standing in Nuan Pavilion.

"You bring the royal guards to assist you, and be careful of corruption, bribery, and private giving and receiving."

"The minister obeys the order."

Hearing this, Ding Xiu quickly raised his hands and said excitedly, very happy to receive the task again.

I don't know if he was from the Qi family army. For the sake of the late Qi Shaobao, the emperor didn't blame him even though he messed up his errand last time.

"After completing the new household registration system, the Fangxiang system will be abolished."

"When doing things, you should pay attention to summary. After the Shuntian Mansion's restructuring has achieved results, it will be included in the new law and implemented together throughout the world."

"The minister obeys the order."

After hearing the emperor's statement on the Xiangfang system, Dong Yingju raised his hands and said.

"Your Majesty, our Ming Dynasty implements a system of household registration classification. Do we need to count all the household registrations this time?"

At this time, Yuan Shizhen spoke again.

"Residence."

After hearing Yuan Shizhen's words, Zhu Youxiao fell into silence for a while, cursing secretly in his heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang is a man of evildoing, and he should not imitate good things but imitate bad things.

The household registration classification thing was learned from Meng Yuan. The household registration is divided into categories. At first glance, this is indeed a good way to govern the world. It allows you to concentrate your efforts on big things.

For example, the imperial court wanted to build palaces and cities, the Ministry of War wanted to make weapons, etc. These all required craftsmen, so craftsmen were born.

In addition, there are military statuses responsible for fighting wars, civilian statuses responsible for paying taxes, and the most unworthy status.

The method sounds like a good one, but it doesn't take into account that people change.

Of course, Ming Dynasty has not remained unchanged for so many years.

During Zhang Juzheng's reform, the Qi Army's recruitment system was a change to the military status; allowing craftsmen to use silver in lieu of service was a change to the craftsman status.

Over the past three hundred years, household registration classification management has long lost its original role, and has instead become a breeding ground for corruption.

Maybe the only one who manages well is Jiji.

"I remember that the military status is controlled by the Guard, the craftsman status is from the Ministry of Works, and the lowly status is from the Jiaofang Division."

"Return to Your Majesty, it is true."

Hearing this, Yuan Shizhen nodded.

"The old Taizu's method of dividing household registrations is no longer applicable. Starting from this restructuring of Shuntian Prefecture, all kinds of household registrations have been abolished and should be unified into national registrations."

After waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao said helplessly.

"What if the imperial court employs workers or the Ministry of Rites uses music?"

After hearing the emperor's words, Bi Ziyan stood up and asked.

"Following the system of Xishan Mine, let each department calculate wages and pay according to work."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao said nonchalantly.

"The cheap one?"

Suddenly, Zhou Yingqiu suddenly asked again.

"Bad status? What are they?"

"There are many classifications of untouchables in existence, mainly Leji in Shuntian Prefecture, lazy people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Lehu in Shanshan and Shaanxi, Dan (dan four tones) households in Guangdong, fishing boats with nine surnames in Zhejiang, and bandang in Anhui. , Shi Pu, Jiangsu Beggar Household, etc.”

"And some of the beggars who were caught mining in Xishan."

Responsible for managing the household department, this question is still answered by Yuan Shizhen, the minister of the household department.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Zhu Youxiao twisted his neck.

"If I remember correctly, Le Ji is probably a descendant of criminal officials."

"Return to Your Majesty, it is true."

"Except for the lowly status, all other statuses are abolished."

Reaching out and scratching his head, Zhu Youxiao fell into deep thought.

The function of the humble status is to punish officials. Not only can this not be abolished, but it must also be adapted into a labor camp and a labor camp. After being silent for a while, Zhu Youxiao continued.

"Gentlemen's Ze, beheaded for the fifth generation."

"Those who have passed down the family lineage for five generations with low-level registration will all lose their low-level registration and change their official registration."

"Those who are dissatisfied with the fifth life will change after the fifth life."

"..."

Hearing the emperor's selective reservation of lowly status, the four of them fell silent.

The emperor is very malicious towards the prisoners.

"I thank His Majesty for His grace on behalf of all the people."

In the end, Zhou Yingqiu reacted quickly and immediately knelt down and said.

Following his actions, the other three people thanked him together.

After another round of compliments, Zhou Yingqiu raised another question.

"Your Majesty, there are many officials inside and outside the city now, but there is a shortage of officials in the court. I don't know how to deal with it?"

"It's still missing."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but shook his head.

"The imperial edict is issued to Beizhili. After my wedding, I will issue another enke and be appointed as an official in Shuntian Prefecture."

"The minister obeys the order."

Hearing this, Zhou Yingqiu bowed and said no more.

The matter for the emperor to decide today was over, and Zhou Yingqiu and the others left Xiyuan with the new imperial edict.

After Dong Yingju announced the establishment of two new counties and the abolition of household registration classification, the entire Shuntian Prefecture became excited.

Most people support the establishment of two new counties and the expansion of official staff.

After all, there is a carrot and a hole in the officialdom. The emperor has dug two new holes in the county seat, which is of course a good thing.

The only ones who are unhappy may be those from the Five Cities Military and Horse Division.

Officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Metropolitan Procuratorate have already come to visit him and started inspecting his political performance.

However, the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division could not make any waves after all. Most of the chief officers were nobles, and they were all training in Nanhaizi at the moment.

And those petty officials simply did not dare to resist the officials of the Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

However, the memorial was still delivered to the emperor's desk.

The specifications of the memorials are very consistent with the emperor's new system. At a glance, you can understand what they are talking about.

"Abolition of craftsman status will increase the court's labor costs?"

Looking at the contents of the memorial, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but sneer.

Increase the court's labor costs?

It will increase your family’s labor costs.

On that memorial, Zhu Youxiao approved "how much it can be increased" and then read the next memorial.

As the sun rises again in the capital, among the brothels in southern Beijing.

A group of more than a dozen people, ranging from [-]-year-old girls to [-]-[-]-year-old beauties, gathered together, discussing in low voices, and even sobbing quietly and excitedly.

Reincarnation is a technical job.

Some people were born in Rome.

And some people are born as mules and horses.

These brothel girls are no better than mules and horses.

The donkeys in the production team can rest every now and then.

And some authors, even if they have a cold and their brains are bursting, have too many debts to dare to ask for leave.

The subordinates of various yamen in the inner court of the previous dynasty had at least ten thousand sons and eight thousand people just for music. Most of these were wives and daughters who entered the so-called religious houses and worked as prostitutes, singers and dancers.

Once one becomes a member of the music family, the end will be quite miserable, with human rights lost for generations.

As the saying goes: A pair of jade arms can be used as pillows for thousands of people, and a pair of jade lips can be tasted by thousands of people. A double-minded person will betray his heart and his heart will be broken.

Once you enter a happy household, you will never be able to get out of it for the rest of your life. You will have to force yourself to smile and live an ignoble existence.

"Sisters, I was upstairs yesterday and heard the Jin Yiwei passing by outside beating gongs and drums and saying that the emperor is canceling the status of abjects and we are going to return to civilian status. Is it true?"

"Really? Will the imperial court really cancel the humble status?"

"I have a sweetheart whose family is an official. I heard what he said. He said that he would marry me if I got rid of my lowly status."

"He is a liar. Don't we hear enough nonsense like this?"

"I heard about it too, but I heard that merchant registration, beggar registration, and craftsman registration will all be cancelled. Only those of us Lehu who have been born for more than five generations can be cancelled."

"Really, really? Can we really get rid of our humble status?"

"real!"

A group of people talked about the emotional point, hugging each other and crying.

As for the hundreds of brothels in the capital, I don't know how many people were crying with excitement, how many people were secretly weeping, and how many people were dejected.

This wave of grace from the emperor is a great grace to [-]% of people.

But for the family members of the prisoners, grace was given, but only a little.

The craftsmen and military households in Shuntian Mansion are the groups that benefit the most.

Unfortunately, I finally resigned from the country.

After these people were incorporated into their native places, they have been serving the court and the army. It is inherited from generation to generation and cannot be separated or divided into households.

Military households are better off, but at least if the descendants can live up to their expectations, like Sun Chuanting's family, three generations, one step at a time, will be a scholar, a scholar, and a Jinshi, and finally get rid of the "iron rice bowl" of "Zhenwuwei hereditary hundred households".

The craftsman's household was even more miserable, as the ascending passage was immediately locked.

Now that the household registration is about to be reorganized, the craftsmen are not happy.

Although I am still working for the court, future generations no longer need to inherit their father's legacy. If they want to live up to their expectations, it is okay to become a scholar.

The ones who are unhappy are the rich, gentry and right-wingers.

The little emperor is cutting off their wealth!

Military households have been abolished. Where can they find people who can work for free?

The elimination of the craftsmen's households meant that they had to increase their expenses.

Many skilled craftsmen in the Ming Dynasty became private slaves of these people.

But no matter how loud these people's voices were, they couldn't shout.

One is the powerful Jin Yiwei, who arrests people who slander the government all over the city.

Another thing is that the dividends of this wave of government orders are basically aimed at the people at the lowest level.

Even if these people want to cause trouble, they can't.

The noise outside the palace will not affect the palace at this stage.

The entire palace revolves around the emperor. The most important thing in the palace now is the emperor's wedding. Kunning Palace will have a master, and the harem will have a master.

Although the emperor lived in Xiyuan and it was not yet the tenth day of March, there were still preparations to be made in the Forbidden City.

First, there was a general cleaning in the palace, and each palace was decorated with lights and colorful decorations. It was a great time to be busy.

Duke Ding's Xu Mansion was also busy with Xu Waner's marriage.

Starting from Nacai, Dingguo Gongfu first carried out small-scale renovations.

Then, and then the whole family, including the servants, bought new outfits inside and outside.

Immediately afterwards, there were lanterns and festoons, a wedding banquet, and hero posts.

No, it's a wedding invitation.

The two sisters, Xu Waner and Xu Huier, also started preparations and learned palace etiquette.

Although the emperor didn't say it clearly, since Zhang Shize, a brat, had brought it up, Xu Hui'er could only buy one and get one free and marry into the palace.

(End of this chapter)