Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

Lin Xiaofeng's mouth curled up into a sneer, and that smile contained a profound strategy and unspeakable majesty. He said lightly: "Get rid of all those bannermen. If the rest still want to live, you can do it yourself." His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone, with unquestionable determination.

Speaking of the Jiannu army, its composition is like an intricate picture scroll, which can be roughly divided into four parts: the Eight Banners of the Manchus, who are brave and good at fighting, and are the core force of the Jiannu; the Eight Banners of the Mongols, although they are foreigners, they are tied to the Jiannu because of conflicts of interest; the Eight Banners of the Han people, who became part of the Jiannu either because of coercion or ambition; and the tribes of the Outer Mongols, who are nominally submissive but actually have ulterior motives. Among these people, their loyalty to the Jiannu is not that firm. If we can find a way to persuade one or two of them to rebel, it will undoubtedly be a great thing.

In this world, everyone is busy seeking profit, and the Mongols are no exception. Lin Xiaofeng secretly thought that in the future, when the Northern Expedition was launched, he might be able to lure more Mongols to join the Ming Dynasty and become a force that could not be ignored.

Upon hearing this, Li Banghua quickly nodded and responded, "We will certainly obey your majesty's order!" His tone was full of determination and awe, as if every word of Lin Xiaofeng was an unshakable destiny.

"Your Majesty, that kid Duoduo is still making trouble outside Juyongguan. The cabinet means to let General Huang Degong stay in the capital. This way, he can attack Duoduo or guard the capital to prevent any accidents." As soon as the words fell, Li Banghua's slightly hurried voice was heard in the Qianqing Palace again, as if he was full of worries about the current situation.

Lin Xiaofeng turned to look at other ministers in the cabinet. Their faces were either solemn or thoughtful. He asked, "Do you all mean the same thing?" His voice was calm, but it carried a majesty that could not be ignored.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Everyone answered in unison. Although the voices were uniform, they also revealed a hint of hesitation that was hard to detect.

Lin Xiaofeng pondered for a while, then sat back on the chair with dragons and phoenixes carved on it, looking out the window with deep eyes. Outside the window, the red walls and golden tiles of the Forbidden City looked particularly solemn in the sunset, but also with a hint of loneliness that was not easily detected.

Li Banghua's suggestion does make sense. The troops in the capital may not be enough for attack, but they are more than enough for defense. However, Lin Xiaofeng had a hidden worry in his heart. If the news of Dorgon's defeat reached Duoduo's ears, he might give up Xuanfu and enter the pass from where Dorgon entered the pass, or from Qingshan Pass or Xifengkou further east, then the capital would be in danger again. And now, Huang Degong is confronting Li Zicheng in Damingfu, and the capital can only rely on the troops of Jiang Taiwei and Wu Sangui.

It's difficult! But if Huang Degong is left in the capital, wouldn't Daming Prefecture be handed over to others? If Li Zicheng gets Daming Prefecture, his power will definitely grow stronger, which is undoubtedly a huge threat to the Ming Dynasty. And in the south, there is also the trouble of Zhang Xianzhong, who is like a cunning fox, always ready to give the Ming Dynasty a fatal blow.

It has been three months since Lin Xiaofeng traveled to the Ming Dynasty. Sometimes he really feels that life is meaningless. In the past three months, he has witnessed too many life and death separations, too many power struggles, which made him a little tired. However, he knows that he cannot fall down, because he is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty and the hope of hundreds of millions of people in the Ming Dynasty.

After thinking for a while, Lin Xiaofeng slowly shook his head, temporarily suppressed the fatigue and worry in his heart, and said: "Give Huang Degong two days to rest, and then let him rush to Daming Prefecture to rescue King Zhao, King Zhou and the people there." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was cheering up Huang Degong as well as himself.

"At the same time, let the baggage soldiers and the caravan carrying grain set off first. Huang Degong and his men should travel light and advance quickly." Lin Xiaofeng continued to give orders. Every decision he made seemed so decisive and wise.

"In order to boost morale, rewards must be given out in a timely manner. I order the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to complete the distribution of rewards and pensions within half a month." Lin Xiaofeng knew that morale is the soul of the army. Only when the soldiers feel the care and rewards of the court will they fight more bravely.

"The list of names of fallen soldiers must be submitted to the Ministry of Works as soon as possible. The Martyrs' Shrine has been built, and all that's left is to engrave the inscription." There was a barely perceptible sadness in Lin Xiaofeng's words. He knew that countless lives would be lost in every war, and those soldiers who died heroically deserved to be remembered forever.

"As for Duoduo..." Lin Xiaofeng paused for a moment, a cunning look flashing in his eyes, "Dispatch a thousand elite soldiers from the capital to Juyongguan to conduct siege drills. The momentum must be great, so that Duoduo will mistakenly believe that Dorgon has not been defeated yet!" His plan was bold and ingenious, and people could not help but admire his wisdom.

When Li Banghua heard this, he was stunned for a moment, then asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, will Duoduo really believe it?" His tone was full of doubt and worry.

Lin Xiaofeng said confidently: "Well, no matter whether Duoduo believes it or not, I believe it anyway!" There was an inexplicable confidence and determination in his smile, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Does Duoduo believe it? Lin Xiaofeng was unsure. But he was not afraid of Duoduo attacking the capital. Since the last recruitment, the people in the capital have become very capable of defending the city. Some people even hoped that Duoduo would come soon so that they would have the opportunity to receive the reward from the court for defending the city. They knew that as long as they defended the city, they would get a generous reward, which was undoubtedly a huge temptation for them.

Want to break through the strong walls of the capital? That is simply as difficult as ascending to heaven! Lin Xiaofeng thought to himself that the walls of the capital were tall and strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and even the Jiannu army would find it difficult to break through easily.

However, what Lin Xiaofeng was most worried about was that the Jiannu would not attack the city but would use guerrilla tactics. This was the most fatal harm to the Ming Dynasty. The Jiannu repeatedly entered the pass, burned, killed and looted, and the loss of people's property was relatively small. More importantly, the order of the court was messed up. Every time they came, the local governance would be destroyed! This put the local governance of the Ming Dynasty into a vicious circle.

The king and his ministers discussed for a while, and then Shao Shihan, Cheng Qinghua, Miao Yikui and others bowed and left. Only Li Banghua remained, and he seemed to have something else to say.

"Is there anything else, Lord Li?" Lin Xiaofeng asked, his eyes revealing a sense of inquiry and expectation.

"Your Majesty, in early April, you asked the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot to distribute property declaration forms to all officials, asking them to report their own assets for verification. Do you still remember?" There was a subtle hint of nervousness and hesitation in Li Banghua's voice.

Lin Xiaofeng nodded. This was a system he had promoted to disclose the assets of officials in order to prevent corruption. However, at that time, only the list was issued and there was no time to verify it.

"I have inquired privately, and found that among the more than a thousand officials in the capital, less than one-tenth have reported their assets. Those who have not even threatened that if the East Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard dared to search their homes, they would resign and return home." There was a hint of helplessness and indignation in Li Banghua's voice, and he seemed very dissatisfied with the behavior of those officials.

"What else did they say?" Lin Xiaofeng asked with a frown. An ominous premonition was already rising in his heart.

"They said... they are subjects of the Ming Dynasty and enjoy the dignity they deserve." There was a hint of bitterness and sarcasm in Li Banghua's voice, and he seemed to feel very ironic about the remarks of those officials.

Lin Xiaofeng was silent, he lowered his head and fell into deep thought. Ever since he traveled to the Ming Dynasty, he knew that the real enemy was not the Jiannu in Liaodong, nor the Mongols in Mobei, nor the bandits like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong. It was the gentry and landlord class. Their power was large enough to compete with the imperial power, which made the political situation in the Ming Dynasty extremely complicated and subtle.

In the pre-Qin period, there were princes fighting for hegemony, in the Han and Tang dynasties, there were aristocratic families, and after the Song Dynasty, gentry landlords gradually became an important force in local governance. The court also acquiesced to their existence to maintain order at the grassroots level. However, as time went on, their power gradually expanded and became a force that could not be ignored in the politics of the Ming Dynasty.

Officials will eventually retire one day, how could they not plan for their descendants? How many people can be like Zhang Juzheng, who is devoted to the country and ignores himself? Lin Xiaofeng thought to himself, he knew that the problems of the gentry and landlord class have gradually emerged, which is a major hidden danger in the politics of the Ming Dynasty.

Although Li Zicheng and the Jian Nu were temporarily driven away, the problem of the gentry and landlord class still existed. Lin Xiaofeng felt a splitting headache. He had to improve the court system, eradicate corruption, curb land annexation, and at the same time take into account the interests of all parties. This was simply too difficult! He seemed to be bound by an invisible net, and every step he took was extremely difficult.

The reform must reconcile the contradictions between these three in order to last. Otherwise, even if an iron-fisted approach is adopted, it will be difficult to escape the fate of failure. Lin Xiaofeng knows this very well. He understands that in order to successfully implement the reform, a method must be found to balance the interests of all parties.

However, how easy is this? Lin Xiaofeng pondered over it again and again, and his headache became worse. He seemed to be trapped in an unsolvable dilemma, and every step was full of thorns and bumps. Finally, he shook his head and walked out of the Qianqing Palace. The sky outside was gloomy, as if foreshadowing the coming wind and rain. Lin Xiaofeng knew that he still had a long way to go and many challenges to face. But he also understood that only by persisting can he find the road to light.

Outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the sun shines brightly, and the golden light fills the bluestone-paved ground, making the busy figures of a group of eunuchs in bright official uniforms more vivid. The brooms and rags in their hands draw graceful arcs in the air, as if they are performing a silent dance, cleaning the yard spotlessly. These eunuchs, all of whom belong to the Zhidianjian, are sanitation workers in charge of cleaning the major halls and corridors in the palace. Their presence keeps this huge palace always clean and solemn.

At this time, Lin Xiaofeng walked out slowly, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, with sleeves fluttering in the wind, and his steps revealed an extraordinary demeanor. As soon as he appeared, the busy eunuchs immediately stopped their work, like a wheat field blown by the wind, they all knelt on the ground, with their heads lowered, not even daring to breathe, for fear that any mistake would anger the supreme monarch.

Lin Xiaofeng walked up to the eunuch in front. His eyes were gentle and deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. "What's your name?" His voice was soft, but it carried a majesty that could not be ignored. When the eunuch heard it, his body trembled involuntarily, like a fallen leaf in autumn, and he quickly replied: "Your Majesty, my name is Tian Yu, and I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Lin Xiaofeng's face remained calm. He continued to ask, "How did you get into the palace?" Tian Yu lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly, as if every word carried the weight of his life: "My family is poor, and I couldn't survive, so I came to the palace to serve the emperor."

Lin Xiaofeng's eyes flashed with a trace of imperceptible sympathy, and he asked again: "Who are your family members?" Tian Yu swallowed her saliva, and her voice was a little bitter: "I am from Binzhou, Shandong. I have a father, a mother and a younger brother. In the summer of twelve years ago, I was selected to serve in the Zhidianjian, and I have been here until now."

Lin Xiaofeng was slightly surprised when he heard this, and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Your family originally had 15 acres of land?" Tian Yu hurriedly explained when she heard this, her voice full of panic: "Yes, Your Majesty, what I said is true."

Lin Xiaofeng smiled, with a complex expression hidden in that smile: "It's not that I don't believe you, I'm just confused. Fifteen acres of land should be enough for your family of four to eat, so how come you are so poor that you have to come to the palace? Is it because the court collected too much tax?"

When it comes to taxes, Tian Yu's face becomes even uglier. He hesitates as if every word weighs a thousand pounds: "Actually...actually, the extra taxes collected by the court are not that much, just one and a half times more than before. But the government often increases taxes, and also sells grain at a very low price in exchange for silver. My family can't make up for this hole, so I have to come to the palace."

Guo Tianyang, who was standing next to them, had a stern face. Upon seeing this, he immediately frowned and shouted, "How dare you! The emperor asked you a question and you dare to hide it! Come, drag him out and beat him with a stick!" His voice was like the cold wind in winter, which made people feel afraid.

When Tian Yu heard this, he was so frightened that his soul left his body. He kowtowed rapidly, with sweat and tears mixing together on his forehead: "I speak, I speak! I beg the emperor to have mercy on me!" While kowtowing, he told her everything about the situation of his family and the exorbitant taxes of the court. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

After listening to this, Lin Xiaofeng frowned, and his heart was filled with anxiety. Isn't this just eating up the food of the next year? No wonder the people want to rebel, it's all because of the imperial court! On the surface, only three taxes (Liao tax, suppression tax, and training tax) were increased, but in reality, the burden on the people was so much heavier! This kind of heavy taxes is simply pervasive!
Thinking of this, Lin Xiaofeng glared at Guo Tianyang fiercely, with a look of reproach and helplessness in his eyes, and turned away, leaving behind the sunlight and the kneeling eunuch. Tian Yu was still in a state of anxiety when he saw Lin Xiaofeng leave. He tugged at the corner of Guo Tianyang's clothes, and begged in his voice: "Eunuch Guo, did I say something wrong?"

Guo Tianyang glanced at him coldly, with a meaningful sneer on his lips: "I don't know either. But your words may cost many people their lives." When Tian Yu heard this, he was so frightened that his face turned pale as paper, as if all the blood had been drained away in an instant. Guo Tianyang sneered, waved his hand and left, leaving behind a cold word: "You are already blessed to have received the emperor's inquiry. You should stay in your place and don't talk too much." After that, he hurriedly followed Lin Xiaofeng away, leaving Tian Yu alone with mixed feelings in his heart.

The next morning, the Huangji Hall was quiet, with only the occasional sound of footsteps breaking the silence. Lin Xiaofeng did not directly mention the tax issue, but followed Li Banghua's suggestion and began to discuss those who were loyal to the court but did not receive the rewards they deserved. Among them, Sun Chuanting, the former governor of the three borders of Shaanxi, was mentioned. He defended Tongguan, but was defeated and died in the end. Even his body could not be found, leaving only the legend of his disappearance, which made people sigh.

After a thorough investigation, it was learned that when Tongguan was breached, Sun Chuanting rushed into the enemy group with a sword in hand in order to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy, and died heroically. His body was also burned by the enemy. After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng was deeply saddened. He decided to posthumously confer the title of Sun Chuanting to commend his achievements and let the heroic name of this loyal minister be passed down to future generations.

All the civil and military officials in the court echoed and expressed their approval. Lin Xiaofeng looked at the officials, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He slowly said: "Although Sun Chuanting is a civil official, he has the talent and courage of a military general. He is loyal and brave, outstanding, and a true loyal official. I am proud of him, but also saddened by his sacrifice."

However, some people hold different opinions. They believe that Sun Chuanting did not have to die to show his determination. He could choose to retreat to other cities, exchange time for space, and perhaps rewrite history. But unfortunately, Lin Xiaofeng's character and decision-making eventually forced Sun Chuanting to a dead end, which became Lin Xiaofeng's eternal pain.

On the issue of posthumously conferring the title of "Zhongwu" on Sun Chuanting, the ministers had another heated discussion. Finally, after discussion, they decided to posthumously confer the title of "Zhongwu" on Sun Chuanting, which is one of the highest honors for military commanders. Although Lin Xiaofeng did not express his opinion directly, he acquiesced and supported the opinions of Li Banghua and others. Every decision he made was related to the fate and future of the country, and he was fully aware of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

This discussion about the posthumous title of Sun Chuanting not only shows the complex political situation in the late Ming Dynasty, but also reflects the respect and remembrance of loyal officials and righteous men in the society at that time. Although Lin Xiaofeng, as an emperor, has supreme power, he also faces many challenges and difficulties. He must be cautious in every decision he makes, because every decision may affect the fate of the entire country. In the Huangji Hall, the flickering candlelight reflects the solemn and thoughtful faces of the ministers. They sat together and expressed their opinions one after another. Discussions came one after another, but this time was different from the past. There were no fierce quarrels and accusations. Only a heavy and solemn atmosphere permeated the air. The beams and pillars of the hall were carved with complicated totems, and they seemed to be quietly listening to this discussion about the fate of the country.

After a while, Lord Lin Xiaofeng stood up. He was wearing a dark purple official uniform with golden lines embroidered on the lapels, which shone brightly under the candlelight. His eyes were deep and firm, as if he had been thinking about it for a long time. He said solemnly: "We have decided to posthumously confer the title of Prince Taibao on Sun Chuanting, and posthumously confer the title of Pingyuan Earl on him, and give him the posthumous title of 'Zhongwu', so that his name will be forever enshrined in the Jingzhong Temple." His voice echoed in the hall, and every word seemed to strike the hearts of the ministers.

Lord Guo Tianyang then read out the decree, his voice clear and powerful, every syllable revealing unquestionable majesty. Sun Chuanting's honor was officially established, and a low voice of approval rang out in the hall, which was the highest respect for a loyal minister.

Then, Zhou Yuji, former Shanxi General, Lu Xiangsheng, former Xuanda Governor, Sun Chengzong, former Ji Liao Commander, and other loyal officials and generals were also given due rewards and honors. Their names echoed in the hall, and each of them carried a glorious history and endless glory.

However, as for Sun Yuanhua, the governor of Denglai, and Zheng Chongjian, the former governor of Shaanxi, their crimes were personally judged by Lord Lin Xiaofeng, so they were not rehabilitated this time. The emperor's face is as valuable as a thousand gold coins, how can he easily go against the previous decision? But Lord Lin Xiaofeng has already made up his mind, and he intends to leave this wish of rehabilitation to the future emperor Zhu Cilang to complete. He knows very well that this can not only win the hearts of the people, but also stabilize the throne. It is really a good strategy to kill two birds with one stone. A glimmer of wisdom flashed in his eyes, as if he had seen the future.

After more than an hour of court meeting, the atmosphere in the hall gradually became heavy. The ministers who had a close relationship with the recipients had mixed feelings in their hearts. Some of them bowed their heads in thought, while others shed tears silently, feeling happy that the court had not forgotten the meritorious officials, but also sad that the old friends had passed away and their ambitions had not been fulfilled. They couldn't help but imagine that if these heroes were still alive, the Ming Dynasty would surely show another prosperous scene. The wind outside the hall blew gently, as if it was also lamenting the passing of these loyal officials.

When the court regained its calm, Lord Li Banghua stepped forward and presented the memorial to Emperor Lin Xiaofeng. His steps were steady and firm, as if every step was on the hearts of the ministers. After he saluted respectfully, he said, "Your Majesty, I have something important to report."

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng sat upright on the dragon throne and responded calmly, "Approved." His eyes were deep and majestic, as if he could see through everything.

Lord Li Banghua bowed respectfully, then said, "Now the country is facing internal and external troubles, and natural and man-made disasters are coming one after another. Although we have exempted some land taxes, famine is still widespread. After consulting with the cabinet, I have decided to take disaster relief measures to appease the refugees." Although his voice was low, it revealed a firm determination.

When the word "disaster relief" was heard, the court suddenly became even quieter. Disaster relief is a major matter concerning the safety of the country, but in troubled times, it is extremely difficult to implement successfully. If it succeeds, you may not get any credit, but if it fails, you may be blamed. What's more, rebellion is often easy to breed among disaster victims, which makes the ministers feel headache. Therefore, when Lord Li Banghua proposed the disaster relief plan, everyone chose to remain silent.

However, Lord Li Banghua was not discouraged. He carefully observed the changes in everyone's expressions, secretly thinking about how to persuade these stubborn ministers. He continued: "Let's not talk about external and internal troubles for now. The reason why we have repeatedly failed to eliminate the bandits is that they attract a large number of disaster victims wherever they go; and the reason why the Jian Nu is difficult to pacify is also due to our lack of military force. Therefore, the cabinet decided to abolish the old disaster relief method and adopt a new strategy: one is to use soldiers instead of relief, and the other is to use work instead of relief."

He then elaborated on the specific implementation methods of these two strategies. His words were clear and powerful, and every word seemed to hit the hearts of the ministers. He said: "For the lightly affected areas, we can recruit disaster victims to make arrows, spears and other weapons. This will not only solve the court's demand for weapons, but also save the lives of the disaster victims. For the severely affected areas, we can organize the disaster victims to participate in the construction of the army, using work instead of relief, which will not only solve the livelihood problems of the disaster victims, but also enhance the country's defense capabilities."

The Ministry of Revenue questioned the cost of using work for relief. But Lord Li Banghua smiled and responded: "The 'work' I'm talking about does not refer to the construction of official roads, but to work related to the army. We can use the labor of the victims to enhance the country's military strength. This is a good deal." His smile revealed a light of confidence and wisdom, as if he had already seen the future victory.

The Engineering Secretary retorted that making weapons was not an easy task, but Lord Li Banghua countered: "Arrow shafts, spears and other weapons are not complicated to make, as long as there are craftsmen to guide them. We can select experienced craftsmen from the army to guide the victims in making them. This will not only ensure the quality of the weapons, but also solve the livelihood problems of the victims." His words revealed an unquestionable firmness and determination.

Seeing that no one raised any more objections, Lord Li Banghua then introduced the work-for-relief measures taken for the less affected areas. This measure once again triggered heated discussions in the court. The officials of the Ministry of Revenue were worried that they would be assigned to take charge of disaster relief work, but Lord Shao Shihan stepped forward in time to comfort everyone and said that the candidate had not yet been determined and there was no need to worry too much. His words were like a warm current, warming the hearts of the ministers.

Finally, seeing that the time was right, Emperor Lin Xiaofeng asked the ministers for their opinions on the disaster relief plan proposed by the cabinet. The ministers knew that the emperor was asking for their opinions and was also secretly exerting pressure. So they all tacitly agreed: "We think it is feasible." Although their voices were low, they revealed a firm determination and belief.

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng nodded with satisfaction after hearing this: "In that case, the cabinet should implement it as soon as possible." His voice revealed an unquestionable majesty and power. When Lord Li Banghua was about to leave after receiving the order, he remembered something and said again: "Your Majesty, there is still one issue about taxes that has not been resolved. There may be some arrears or over-taxation in the provinces and prefectures. We should take this opportunity of disaster relief to clean up and rectify it." His words revealed a kind of wisdom and foresight, as if he had seen the prosperity of the future.

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng nodded in agreement. His eyes flashed with a determined light, as if he had decided to fight to the end for the future of the country and the safety of the people. So, the affairs in the court came to an end for the time being, but the ministers were still concerned about the future of the country and the safety of the people. They knew that this discussion about the fate of the country had just begun, and the road ahead was still very long.

In the tenth year of Emperor Jiajing's reign, the court was in turmoil. A censor named Fu Hanchen, with his extraordinary wisdom and profound insight, proposed a reform proposal that shocked the court and the public - to combine the population and grain taxes of the entire province, and then fairly distribute corvée labor according to the land area. This method was concise and clear, and was named "One Bian Law", and later generations more commonly called it "One Whip Law", which was easy to remember and extremely practical.

At that time, China had magnificent mountains and rivers, but it also carried a heavy burden on countless people. Before the implementation of the whip law, people's lives were miserable. Not only did they have to pay land taxes, but they also had to deal with various heavy corvée and miscellaneous fees, and the collection of these burdens fell on the shoulders of grassroots officials such as the head of the village and the head of the grain. These officials often took this opportunity to enrich themselves, making the burden on the people even heavier. The people under the baojia system were even more miserable. They needed to hand over these money and grain to the capital.

However, with the implementation of the Single Whip Law, all this has changed dramatically. The land tax and corvée were combined into one, and the tax was collected directly according to the acreage. This was simple and clear, greatly reducing corruption and exploitation in the middle. The roles of village head and grain head gradually faded out of the historical stage, and were replaced by a more efficient and direct local government management system. Taxes were directly deposited into the treasury, which not only improved efficiency but also reduced the burden on the people.

It is worth mentioning that in the past, many places used to collect grain as the main form of taxation, especially in rich places such as Suzhou and Hangzhou, where grain was directly transported to the imperial palace. But now, this tradition has also been broken, and most taxes have been levied in silver, which not only facilitates government management, but also promotes the development of the commodity economy and makes society more prosperous.

However, the good times did not last long. With the death of Zhang Juzheng, many reform measures gradually disappeared, and only the Whip Law remained like a rock. But since the reign of Emperor Tianqi, local officials began to pretend to obey the law but actually violated it. Although the spirit of the Whip Law still existed, it was actually dead in name only, and the people continued to live in dire straits.

At this time, the young Emperor Lin Xiaofeng ascended the throne. He witnessed the silence and avoidance in the court and was extremely anxious. When Li Banghua's words fell through and no one took over, he stood up resolutely, his eyes were like torches, and his voice was firm: "I heard that some places have already collected taxes in advance for 24 years. Is this true?" The ministers looked at each other, and no one dared to speak. This matter was so thorny that anyone who touched it would have a headache.

Zuodu Yushi Shi Bangyao, an official with a stern face and sharp eyes, stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this incident is true and not an isolated case. The specific cause needs to be investigated in detail by the Ministry of Revenue." The Ministry of Revenue, the department in charge of the country's financial lifeline, was pushed to the forefront at this moment.

Shao Shihan, the Minister of Revenue, a seemingly gentle but actually scheming official, could no longer hide and had to step forward to explain in detail. He explained that the treasury was empty and the court had to increase taxes to make up for the deficit. The people suffered from the disaster, but the taxes were not reduced, so naturally some people could not afford it. In the past, the village head and grain head could fill the gap, but now there is no such buffer. In order to complete the task, the officials can only increase the burden on the people.

After hearing this, Shi Bangyao continued, "Those who owe taxes are either truly poor or pretending to be rich. The rich rely on their power to evade taxes and avoid public service, and some even bribe officials, which makes the tax gap even bigger. Officials have no choice but to increase the burden on the people." His words were like needles, piercing the hearts of every minister. In the Qianqing Palace, there was silence. Everyone knew the truth, but no one dared to speak out. Taxes are the foundation of a country. Without taxes, how can a country be supported?

Emperor Lin Xiaofeng sighed lightly, his brows full of worry: "The people first suffered from natural disasters, and then suffered from heavy taxes. This is not a long-term solution." Upon hearing this, Shi Bangyao nodded in agreement.

Now that the problem had been exposed, the ministers' nervousness eased somewhat and they began to discuss the issue privately. Emperor Lin Xiaofeng was also not idle. He stared at the Minister of Rites Miao Yikui with a sharp gaze. Miao Yikui was frightened by the sudden gaze and had to bite the bullet and stand up and propose: "Why not take this opportunity of disaster relief to collect the arrears and return the excess taxes to the people?" As soon as this suggestion came out, everyone responded immediately.

Shao Shihan didn't want Shi Bangyao to take all the limelight, so he immediately retorted: "It's easy to return the money, but it's hard to collect it!" Miao Yikui was not to be outdone: "Whoever has money but doesn't pay it will be arrested and punished!" Shao Shihan sneered: "What if they don't have money?" Miao Yikui replied: "If they don't have money, they don't have to pay." Shao Shihan mocked: "In that case, having money is a crime?" Miao Yikui was furious when he heard this: "Whether they have money or not, they should all be punished!" Shao Shihan changed the subject and praised: "Minister Miao is really a genius!"

Before Miao Yikui could react, Shao Shihan continued to talk: "Poor people can still work to earn money and pay taxes. If you put them in jail, won't that cut off their livelihood? Minister Miao, you are really a pillar of the country!" After saying that, he even exaggeratedly raised his thumb (. When these words came out, everyone in the room was shocked. Everyone looked at each other and was speechless for a while.

Shao Shihan was really an old fox. His tricks of confusing people were like the mist in spring, which easily enveloped the young Miao Yikui and made him step into the trap step by step. Miao Yikui's face turned green and red at Shao Shihan's sarcastic words. The anger in his heart was like dry firewood burned by the scorching sun in summer, but his mouth seemed to be frozen by the cold of winter, and he couldn't squeeze out a word of rebuttal for a long time.

This is not really Miao Yikui's fault. He is young and inexperienced, just like the rising sun, which has light but has not yet experienced the baptism of wind and rain. Miao Yikui was a real Jinshi, and he became a Shujishi as soon as he entered the officialdom. He was a close minister to the emperor. Drafting imperial edicts and explaining scriptures were all his duties. He might even be a seedling for a cabinet minister in the future. Who knew that the twists and turns at the grassroots level were like the winding paths in the mountains, which were hard to figure out.

At this time, the cabinet chief Li Banghua, like a steady helmsman, seized the opportunity and said: "What you two said makes sense, but also has its shortcomings." His voice was like the breeze in autumn, bringing both coolness and taking away some impetuousness. Then, he proposed a seemingly simple solution: "When it comes to tax arrears, we must treat them equally and collect as much as they owe. For the poor, let them sell their land to pay off their debts; for the rich, naturally, there is nothing to say."

When Shao Shihan heard this, his eyes were full of doubts, like a lake in winter, whose tranquility was broken by a sudden stone. His opinion of Li Banghua also changed quietly. Forcing the common people to sell their land? This is even more cruel than those corrupt officials! How did Li Banghua come up with such a trick?

Before Shao Shihan could open his mouth to refute, Miao Yikui suddenly seemed to have a sudden realization. His eyes became bright, like the sky after the dark clouds dispersed. He said to Shao Shihan arrogantly: "The Land Bureau! Yes, it is the Land Bureau!" Shao Shihan was confused, like an old tree blown by the sudden spring breeze, at a loss. "What does that mean?" he asked in confusion. Miao Yikui explained: "What Li Gelao meant is that the people should sell their land to the Land Bureau, and then rent the land from the bureau or buy the land in installments." Shao Shihan suddenly realized it, like a ship in the fog found a lighthouse, "In this way, the problem in front of us is solved!"

Shao Shihan first looked at Li Banghua embarrassedly, with the look of a child who had done something wrong apologizing to his father, and then looked at Lin Xiaofeng sitting on the dragon throne with admiration - the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was really smart, he could actually come up with such a strange idea of ​​the Land Secretary.

After a discussion, the matter was settled. In fact, all of this was within Lin Xiaofeng's expectations. Taxation is the lifeblood of the court, and all the civil and military officials in the court understand this. If this rule is broken, no one can expect peace. Therefore, even if someone is unhappy, they can't find any faults to criticize.

Lin Xiaofeng proposed in the court that disaster relief and tax collection can go hand in hand, which can not only improve efficiency but also save expenses. His voice was like a clear spring in the mountains, both clear and firm. He also instructed the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, the Censorate and the Five Military Governors' Office to think carefully about how to cooperate. This matter must be handled quickly, especially the taxation, which must be verified in each prefecture, state and county, and those who should be collected should be collected, and those who should be refunded should be refunded. He also asked the Jinyiwei and the Dongchang to get involved, but they were only responsible for supervision and did not interfere in specific affairs. When the ministers heard this, they all expressed their obedience, and responded in unison like ministers submitting to the imperial power.

After the court session, Lin Xiaofeng returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, but he couldn't calm down. The Ming Dynasty was now under attack from three sides, and the situation was not optimistic. Duoduo had not yet captured Xuanfu and Juyongguan, and Zhu Fenghui could only defend Xuanfu but not attack. Fortunately, there was enough food to last for a while. Dorgon and Li Zicheng were also two hard bones to chew, like two mountains pressing on his heart. Huang Degong was even more exhausted, and the battle with Li Zicheng was inextricable. As for the rescue of the two kings of Zhao and Zhou, it was even more of a headache, like the fallen leaves in autumn, disturbing and difficult to deal with.

Lin Xiaofeng was most worried about the situation in the bottom lane. Jian Mingxiao's victory or defeat was directly related to the future of the Ming Dynasty. He couldn't help but ask Guo Tianyang beside him: "Can General Qin defeat Zhang Xianzhong? When Zhang Xianzhong attacked Kuizhou, General Qin led 30,000 elite soldiers from Shizhu to rescue him, but they were wiped out because of Shao Jiechun's command error. It's only been more than three years, how many elite soldiers can Jian Mingxiao, who is short of money and food, train?"

After hearing this, Guo Tianyang did not dare to answer casually. He could only comfort Lin Xiaofeng and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. General Qin is extremely talented and is your Majesty's confidant. He has been appointed as the governor of four provinces. He will definitely be able to stop the attack of the bandits." His voice was like a spring breeze, trying to blow away the haze in Lin Xiaofeng's heart.

Lin Xiaofeng sighed. In this battle in the bottom lane, he couldn't rely on the mid laner and the jungler, so he could only rely on Jian Mingxiao himself. But what Lin Xiaofeng didn't know was that although Jian Mingxiao was appointed as the governor of four provinces, Zhang Xianzhong's military strength far exceeded his, and with the assistance of Li Dingguo, Sun Kewang and other fierce generals, Zhang Xianzhong won every battle...

In Fuling City, Sichuan, the atmosphere was even more tense. The sky was covered with dark clouds, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. "Report!" A messenger rushed in, "Zhang Xianzhong's main force set out from Zhongzhou, advancing by land and sea, attacking Fuling and Changshou respectively!" Fuling and Changshou are both gateways to Chongqing. If they are lost, Chongqing will be in danger.

Jian Mingxiao listened to the report and just responded calmly, asking the messenger to leave. The room was calm again, but before long, someone couldn't help but speak up: "Governor, since the flood was settled, our army has been defeated in battles with Zhang Xianzhong, and Liangshan and Zhongzhou have been lost. If this continues, Fuling and Changshou will not be able to be saved. If these two places are lost, Chongqing will have no defenses!"

The speaker was Lieutenant General Zeng Ying, who had been known for his bravery since he was appointed by Lin Xiaofeng as the garrison commander of Sichuan Governor Chen Shiqi. He was later promoted by Jian Mingxiao. He went on to say, "Most importantly, why can't we concentrate our forces to fight Zhang Xianzhong? Instead, we dispersed our forces, which put us at a disadvantage?" His eyes were full of anxiety and confusion.

Sichuan General Liu Jiayin also echoed: "General Zeng Ying can still deal with Zhang Xianzhong for a while, but we can only passively defend, suffer heavy casualties, and have low morale. Why is this? Please explain clearly, Governor!" There was a bit of helplessness and resentment in his voice.

Facing the accusations, Jian Mingxiao's nephew Qin Yiming was so angry that he wanted to refute, but Jian Mingxiao stopped him with his eyes. He looked around at everyone with red eyes and said slowly: "I want to ask everyone, how should we understand the meaning of people and land in the sentence 'If you keep the land but lose the people, both the people and the land will be lost; if you keep the people but lose the land, both the people and the land will be kept'?" His voice was like the cold wind in winter, cold and deep.

Qin Yiming murmured to himself, "People...land?" Liu Jiayin and Zeng Ying looked at each other and replied, "People refer to the hearts of the people, and land refers to the territory. Our army has been defeated in repeated battles. We have not only lost the land, but also the hearts of the people!" There was a hint of grief and helplessness in their voices.

"Governor, is what I said correct?" the two asked cautiously, their eyes full of expectation and anxiety. (End of this chapter)