Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Set a goal for the Datong Academy: to prevent the Ming Dynasty from being infiltrated by parasitic civilizations.

Zhu Youjian, mindful of the need to be wary of reactionaries, added:
"Commercial civilization is inherently a parasitic civilization."

"Among those engaged in commerce, there are also many parasites who do not engage in production but only know how to profit."

"We also need to be wary of these people."

“They are driven by self-interest and have no sense of propriety, morality, or filial piety.”

"Datong Academy can collect more examples of this kind, define the practices of these merchants as depraved, guide them to learn benevolence and morality, and move towards becoming Confucian merchants who recognize public ownership."

"Only merchants who practice public ownership and move towards the ideal of harmony are true Confucian merchants, which is also the purpose of my establishment of the Great Harmony Academy."

The definition of Confucian merchants is redefined, with the view that merchants who practice public ownership and distribute their property in accordance with the principles of public ownership are the true Confucian merchants, possessing a heart of benevolence and righteousness.

Otherwise, no matter how well one speaks the Confucian classics, if one is stingy when it comes to distributing profits, then one cannot be called a Confucian merchant; at most, one can be called a merchant who can recite the Confucian classics.

Qian Qianyi had some objections to this definition. He argued that it narrowed the scope of Confucian merchants, as many people did not meet the standard.

But what could he do when the emperor allowed him to build the Datong Academy?
If the Datong Academy does not aim for the Great Harmony, what is the point of its existence?

He could only follow the emperor's instructions, cultivating Confucian merchants who embraced public ownership, and said to the emperor:
"According to the three benefits Your Majesty mentioned, the world of Great Harmony needs merchants who are conducive to the development of production and to the advancement of Great Harmony."

"Public ownership must be followed, and Confucian merchants should have the concept of 'the world belongs to all'."

"If a merchant evades taxes, cheats, shortchanges customers, or sells inferior goods as superior ones... then he is disloyal and dishonest. He should be despised and called a degenerate merchant."

“If someone has committed too many depraved acts, they should be banned from doing business, or even exiled.”

This was approved by Zhu Youjian, who added:

"Not only do they lack integrity, but they also lack benevolence and righteousness."

“If a merchant’s employees work diligently for him, but the merchant withholds their wages or abandons them after they are injured or killed, then he has no sense of justice.”

“To disobey the imperial decree, smuggle controlled goods to barbarians, or even defect to barbarians, is to lack loyalty and to disregard the principles of Chinese culture.”

“These behaviors should also be classified as depraved and punished by law.”

"A negative list should also be developed for businesses, clearly defining the punishment standards for various corrupt behaviors."

"If anyone exploits loopholes to invent new depraved behaviors, the Datong Academy can make a judgment."

Having witnessed Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, and other business innovations, Zhu Youjian was very wary of them.

He would rather restrict the commercial vitality of the Ming Dynasty than allow anyone to profit by exploiting loopholes.

Developing industry was what he valued most; the commerce of the Ming Dynasty had to serve industry.

Therefore, he further stipulated:

"Among industrial and commercial owners, those whose industrial fixed assets, such as machinery, factories, and mines, account for more than half of their total assets can be regarded as workers, not as businessmen."

“When a merchant family is converted to the status of a scholar, in addition to donating money and passing the imperial examinations, they should also not engage in any corrupt behavior.”

“The Datong Academy can organize training for those merchants who donate to become public servants, and require them to correct their mistakes within a specified period and never repeat them.”

"Otherwise, you will be stripped of your scholar status and revert to merchant status."

"The same requirement applies to scholars who engage in commerce."

This has an even greater impact, because in the present Ming Dynasty, many gentry are engaged in commerce. There is even a merging of gentry and merchants, with merchants investing in gentry and gentry protecting merchants.

If these merchants commit crimes and corrupt officials, implicating scholars in the matter, it would be an earthquake for the officialdom.

Not to mention that some families' assets mainly come from commerce; should they be classified as business owners?
Qian Qianyi felt uneasy just thinking about it. He was about to advise the emperor when he saw the emperor's cold gaze and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine:
Oh no! Why are you backing out again?
Isn't this cutting off oneself from the emperor?
Thinking of the consequences of backing down again, he could only grit his teeth and say:
"Your Majesty, I believe that all scholars should be required to declare their assets and pay taxes voluntarily."

"Then, based on the source of their assets, we determine the agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors they engage in."

"According to the existing allocation of seats for members of parliament, the 40% of seats held by scholars are designated by the imperial court or higher authorities."

"The three major industries of agriculture, industry, commerce and commerce are elected by drawing lots."

"But the members of parliament also require that one have the status of a scholar, or at least be a prospective scholar."

"Most of these people are of military status, and all military personnel should be allowed to participate in the election of representatives in their respective industries based on the source of their assets."

This is a further modification to the household registration system, giving scholars more rights to participate in elections and reducing obstacles to asset declaration and tax declaration.

Qian Qianyi believed this would be accepted by most people, since power was more important than assets in the Ming Dynasty.

Compared to gaining power and securing family succession, losing some assets is not out of the question.

Moreover, the emperor did not forbid them from seeking profit, but he wanted to clarify the source of their assets and restrict their corrupt behavior.

Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment and recalled that during the Shuntian Prefecture election some time ago, scholars from the three major industries of agriculture, industry, commerce and trade were allowed to return to their original industries to participate in the election.

That was to prevent a shortage of scholars, so that some industries could not elect enough representatives.

Qian Qianyi's current proposal focuses entirely on the literati. As long as the literati's assets mainly come from that industry, they can become the representatives of that industry.

From a standpoint of perspective, this is feasible, Zhu Youjian said after consideration:
“This could result in too high a proportion of members of parliament from the civil service, which would not be in line with the principle of shared governance between the monarch, his subjects, and the people.”

“We could model this after the imperial examination system and stipulate that more than half of the members of parliament must have ancestors who were commoners for three generations.”

“They come from humble backgrounds, understand the hardships of ordinary people, and are better able to represent them.”

This is a requirement regarding the proportion of birth background, in addition to the proportion of property.

The combination of these two factors broadens the pool of legislators and complicates the election process.

Qian Qianyi felt a headache just thinking about it and suggested:

"This election is too complicated; it should be simpler."

"It would be better to abolish the proportions for property owners and the poor, and only stipulate that those with permanent property should account for more than half."

“In parliamentary elections, the most troublesome are the members from poor families, who often have to be granted reserve scholar status.”

Zhu Youjian shook his head in disapproval, saying:
"Let it be complicated, let the Academy of Sciences do the calculations."

“The poor must have representatives in Congress to prevent them from being misled by Zhang Jiao and Huang Chao.”

"This is a matter of national stability, and we can't avoid doing it just because it's troublesome."

"According to the current election law, apart from the 40% of members appointed by the imperial court, the remaining 60% of members are either directly elected or drawn by lot."

“The directly elected members will be judged based on the voters’ approval rating. The remaining 30% of the members will be drawn by lottery, and the Academy of Sciences will send people to calculate the proportions and draw lots from the qualified candidates.”

"The Lottery Probability Research Office specializes in this; I will instruct them to resolve it."

"Sir, you can propose to Congress that the Probability Research Laboratory be overseen."

This made Qian Qianyi feel uneasy, because the emperor was once again valuing the Academy of Sciences.

However, mathematical calculation is a strength of science, and he couldn't take it away even if he wanted to.

We have to temporarily abandon this idea and first ensure that the candidates for the agricultural, industrial and commercial councilors are approved.
-
In an effort to win over the scholars, Zhu Youjian accepted Qian Qianyi's suggestion.

At the same time, he also granted corresponding rights to commoners: "Scholars can freely change their professions and run for councilors in the three major industries of agriculture, industry, commerce and commerce."

"Ordinary people should also be able to do so, as long as they voluntarily declare their assets and pay taxes, they can become free citizens of the city. They can freely choose to run for office according to their source of income."

“Apart from the required military and civilian registration, the agricultural, industrial, commercial and occupational registrations of the Ming Dynasty should be allowed to change.”

"This is the requirement of a utopian world, where everyone should have the right to make their own choices and achieve free and comprehensive development."

The right to choose was Zhang Pu's theory, and Qian Qianyi frowned again when he heard it.

At this moment, he realized more deeply that while he had hesitated for the past few years, others had caught up.

If Zhang Pu's theory of choice can be integrated into the requirements of the Great Harmony world, wouldn't he be able to seize control of the Great Harmony Academy when he returns to the capital in the future?

This was something Qian Qianyi would never allow. While actively supporting the emperor, he demonstrated that:

"The purpose of dividing household registration is to facilitate military service."

“Nowadays, military service can be waived by paying an exemption fee. The main use of the three types of household registration—agriculture, industry, and commerce—has become the election of representatives for the corresponding industries.”

"His Majesty allows them to become free citizens, determine their professions based on income, and elect more qualified representatives."

"I believe that all citizens should be allowed to become free citizens and freely choose their household registration and occupation."

Zhu Youjian, however, did not agree to this, saying:
"The household registration system for farmers, industrialists, and farmers still has its uses and cannot be completely replaced now."

"Firstly, the Ming Dynasty originally had multiple types of household registration, which needed to be matched with the three categories of agricultural, industrial, and commercial household registration to facilitate the people's transition."

"Secondly, free citizens should be restricted to cities, while rural residents should mainly be registered farmers who own land as permanent property."

"Sir, could you consider why free citizens are only permitted in cities?"

Qian Qianyi pondered for a moment, recalling the emperor's earlier mention of Zhang Jiao and Huang Chao, and suddenly realized:
"Rural people are unwilling to choose agricultural registration, mostly because they are not content with farming."

"They became free people in the countryside, but there were not enough industries or businesses for them to engage in."

“These people are definitely not content with their jobs and will try to cause trouble.”

“City free citizens are much easier to manage, and it’s also more convenient for them to declare their assets.”

"If they fall below the migrant threshold, they will be forcibly relocated overseas to prevent them from causing trouble."

"I believe that surplus men in the countryside and those who lack land should be moved to the city to become free citizens, allowing them to choose their own occupations and forcibly relocate those who fall into the migrant category."

This was Qian Qianyi's idea, and Zhu Youjian was horrified when he heard it.

Unexpectedly, his policy of free citizens was seen by Qian Qianyi as making it easier for migrants to move.

He wanted to explain, but then realized he had nothing to say.

With the continuous natural disasters, the number of poor people in the Ming Dynasty will continue to increase.

Their initiative to go to the city made it easier for the imperial court to organize the migration.

He has no chance of changing this trend, and developing industry and commerce also requires manpower.

Considering that England had historically accumulated initial capital through the Enclosure Movement and provided sufficient labor, Zhu Youjian ultimately chose to acquiesce.

After a long sigh, he gave these instructions:

"Technical personnel, scholars, and those willing to join the army should all be retained."

"Especially technical personnel, even if they were to move overseas, could only work as military craftsmen and were under the control of the imperial court."

"We cannot allow barbarians to learn the technology of the Ming Dynasty and then invade the Ming Dynasty in return."

"Sir, you must pay attention to this point when drafting relevant laws."

“Production-oriented talents are those that the Ming Dynasty needs to protect, but also those that need to be controlled.”

"We must ensure that the entire society respects soldiers and technical personnel."

Qian Qianyi nodded repeatedly, and then noted down the phrase "productive talent," feeling that it could be linked to productive civilization and used to refine his "On Production."

This time, he vowed to delve deeply into the theory to prevent the right to interpret production from being taken away by others.
-
Then he thought of the parasitic civilization the emperor had just mentioned, and tried to say:
“There are parasitic civilizations in the West that may have come to settle in the Ming Dynasty through trade.”

"Should we restrict their contact to prevent them from quietly taking over?"

That is indeed a possibility.

At present, the Ming Dynasty's understanding of the West is limited to the Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch.

They don't distinguish between Jews, Gypsies, and others inside.

Even if Jews came to the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty would not know about them.

Recalling that the Opium Wars in history were started by Jewish merchants who sold opium, Zhu Youjian said:
“Restricting travel is unnecessary, but we can restrict their settlement and be more cautious about naturalization.”

“In cases where the distinction is unclear, all Westerners must convert to Orthodox Christianity in order to have the opportunity to be assimilated.”

"The same applies to settlement; they are required to believe in churches recognized by the Ming Dynasty, such as Nestorianism, and to be judged by the Nestorian Inquisition."

"I will issue decrees to all free trade zones to prevent heretical merchants from taking advantage of the situation."

This partially achieved Qian Qianyi's goal, but his aim to restrict exchanges with the West and limit the absorption of Western learning to strengthen science was thwarted.

Unwilling to give up, he pretended to ask for advice:

"The West has parasitic civilizations, and countries like the Netherlands also rely on trade."

"Could they also become a parasitic civilization, and we need to guard against them as well?"

Zhu Youjian was speechless upon hearing this, and found it difficult to explain. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"It is true that there are parasitic civilizations in the West, but it is impossible for them to be all of them."

"They are an indigenous civilization, and they are bound to produce."

"It's just that the production methods are different from those of the Ming Dynasty. Some rely on farming, while others rely on herding."

"It's mostly a mix of agriculture and animal husbandry, which is why there are so many knights."

"This is the kind of structure I created in the Northeast and Northwest."

“Use farming and animal husbandry to support hereditary soldiers, enabling them to afford horses and become the source of the court’s cavalry.”

"Only in this way can they effectively counter the Rus' people and prevent them from occupying the north and becoming the new Huns and Xianbei."

This made Qian Qianyi realize the policies the emperor was implementing in the Northeast and Northwest.

The emperor wanted to learn the production methods of the West in order to deal with the Rus' people who came from the West.

The connection between the Ming Dynasty and the West will certainly not be severed.

Following the strategy of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones, the Ming Dynasty will even support Russia's enemies in the West to jointly attack Russia from both sides.

He had no choice but to abandon the idea of ​​prohibiting contact with Taisi and look for other loopholes. (End of Chapter)