Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

"Zhang Ximing is a difficult person to talk to!"

Wang Shimin thought about Zhang Pu's current attitude and sighed.

He really hated Zhang Pu. He had never seen anyone who gave him so little face.

Chen Jiru shook his head and said:

"You guys, you went too far before."

"I heard that Zhang Ximing almost became disabled? This is something that will ruin his future!"

"He is now favored by the emperor. As long as he passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, he will have great hope of becoming a prime minister in the future."

"You want to cut off his career in the government, how can he not be angry?"

Whether it is the imperial examination or being an official, there are certain requirements for appearance. If Zhang Pu was really beaten to disability, he would have no chance of becoming an official.

So Chen Jiru understood why Zhang Pu was so angry. He suddenly changed his style and became aggressive.

When Wang Shimin thought about this matter, he shook his head and sighed.

He didn't want to argue that he was not the one who ordered this matter. The one who was in conflict with Zhang Pu now was his nephew, and he was his nephew's backer. Even if some things were not done by him, he could not be separated from them.

Besides, the incident has already happened, and even the people who beat him have been captured by the Jinyiwei. There is no point in making excuses now, and people will naturally know his innocence in the future.

Putting this topic aside, Wang Shimin continued to ask:

"Mei Gong, what do you think we should do now?"

"We all listen to Zhang Pu and let him ride on everyone's head?"

"Observe the order of rites and laws he established?"

Chen Jiru smiled mysteriously and said:

"How to do it, don't you understand yet, little friend?"

"With the Shen family's precedent, why are you still hesitating, Mr. Yanke?"

"The Shen family has already explained the matter to Guo Ben, and the emperor has forgiven them and conferred them a title."

"As long as the Wang family gives the same explanation, they can safely survive this disaster, obtain the title, and prosper for hundreds of years."

"Even if ordinary people want to ask for it, they won't have such an opportunity!"

Wang Shimin fell silent upon hearing this, and then he remembered that there was such a thing happening in the Wang family.

His grandfather Wang Xijue, like Shen Yongmao's father Shen Shixing, was not very glorious in the dispute over the national foundation.

The current emperor has already dealt with the Shen family, how could his Wang family escape?
The best way is to obey the emperor's instructions in everything and cooperate with Zhang Pu to restore the ritual and legal order in Suzhou.

Otherwise, once someone figures out what’s going on, the Wang family will inevitably be targeted by officials in the future.

This made him sigh deeply, and he bowed respectfully to Chen Jiru and thanked this hermit master.

Then when he returned to see his nephew, he told Wu Shirui:

"Let's have a good talk with Zhang Ximing tomorrow and see what his conditions are."

"It's just some unimportant things, just agree to it first."

Wu Shirui had long since given up wanting to hold on, especially after the arrival of the Imperial Guards and the emperor's clear attitude. He knew that the more he resisted, the worse his fate would be.

Thinking of the people who were killed by the Jinyiwei like chickens in the daytime, he immediately said:

"Uncle is right. I will definitely satisfy Mr. Ximing and come to a conclusion as soon as possible."

Wang Shimin knocked on the table and said angrily:
"As soon as possible? Why as soon as possible?"

"The provincial examination is coming up soon, why don't you delay it with some unimportant things?"

"After the autumn harvest, who knows what will happen!"

Wu Shirui exclaimed "Ah", then he understood what his uncle was planning.

If Zhang Pu, Wu Weiye and others went to take part in the provincial examination, the slaves and servants in Suzhou would obviously have no leader and would not be able to make any noise.

After the autumn harvest, the governor of Jiangnan, the prefect of Suzhou and other officials would no longer be spectators in order to collect the autumn grain. They would force Zhang Pu to negotiate terms.

Otherwise, the collection of grain taxes would be delayed, and no one could bear the responsibility.

Even the emperor in the capital would weigh the pros and cons and would not push the Suzhou gentry too hard.
-
This idea was not wrong, but Wang Shimin underestimated the emperor's determination.

As early as when Zhang Pu caused trouble, Zhu Youjian keenly realized that this was a good opportunity to clean up the accumulated malpractices in Jiangnan.

Normally, these people were united and controlled Jiangnan from top to bottom. But now, after the Suzhou slaves and servants caused trouble, their control suddenly became flawed.

Without the cooperation of slaves, the power of these gentry was greatly limited.

Perhaps there are still some slaves who are loyal to their masters and do their best for their masters' plans.

However, more slaves and servants did not work hard, and some even joined Zhang Pu's side, hoping to take the opportunity to escape.

Now is the time to support our servants and give meat to the rich. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity to deal with the rich in Suzhou, there will be no such opportunity again in the future.

So Zhu Youjian allowed Zhang Pu to make trouble and provided him with support as much as possible.

The next day, before the negotiations even started, a piece of news was leaked:

Liu Lishun, the top scholar in the first year of Chongzhen, editor of the Hanlin Academy, and mayor of Zhuolu District, was awarded many awards of seniority by the emperor for his outstanding political achievements in Zhuolu District. He has now been promoted to the position of imperial lecturer and appointed as the chief examiner of the Jiangnan Provincial Examination, presiding over the Jiangnan Provincial Examination.

Before Liu Lishun and his men headed south, a piece of news had spread:
The Jiangnan County Examination will be postponed and will be held in September or even October.

In addition to the original provincial examination for Jinshi, two more subjects, namely Mingfa and Mingsuan, will be added, allowing local scholars who have completed the tax-sharing reform and paid full taxes to take the examination.

This was the promise made by the emperor last year when he implemented the tax-sharing system. However, as there were not many places in the world that had implemented the tax-sharing system, it had only been held in Beijing before, allowing scholars from those places and college students in the capital to participate in the Shuntian Prefecture's Mingfa Mingsuan provincial examination together.

Now the emperor, considering that it was a long distance for southern scholars to go to the capital, set up a new examination center in Nanjing, allowing scholars from southern provinces to take the examination in Nanjing after participating in the local provincial examination.

Therefore, the time of the Jiangnan provincial examination will be delayed compared to other places, and will be held after the scholars who have participated in the provincial examinations in various places arrive.

Jiang Yueguang, who was originally appointed to preside over the provincial examination, also became the chief examiner of the Jinshi examination. Liu Lishun, as the chief examiner, was responsible for the three examinations.

Wang Shimin, who heard the news, felt very mixed emotions:

I thought that in order to participate in the provincial examination, Zhang Pu would definitely seek a quick victory and force them to agree to the conditions. Maybe this would arouse the resentment of the wealthy families in Suzhou and make them unite against the enemy.

Unexpectedly, the emperor postponed the date of the provincial examination for Zhang Pu and did not even set a specific time.

Perhaps it can be said that only after the negotiations in Suzhou are completed, the provincial examination in Nanjing will begin.

This made Wang Shimin jealous of the emperor's favor for Zhang Pu, and he also knew the situation of himself and others:

The pressure of the provincial examination was no longer borne by Zhang Pu, but by the wealthy families like them, who were forced by scholars from all over the country to negotiate terms and set a date for the provincial examination as soon as possible.

Zhang Pu would not be blamed for this incident, but would be thanked instead, because it was because of his mishap that the emperor decided to postpone the Nanjing provincial examination.

As a result, the southern scholars also got the opportunity to take part in the provincial examinations in Nanjing for the Mingfa and Mingsuan subjects, which had 200 places, and would increase the number of successful candidates by 200.

Therefore, Zhang Pu's side became very motivated after hearing the news.

Wu Shirui on Wang Shimin's side was trembling with fear when he learned that the emperor was willing to increase the number of juren by 200 in order to support Zhang Pu.

At this moment, he wanted to slap himself a few times and ask himself why he had made things difficult for Zhang Pu in the first place?

How could I afford to offend such a favorite of the emperor?

No wonder my uncle has been treating me badly these days and is even unwilling to help me face Zhang Pu.

His uncle, who had returned from the capital, obviously understood Zhang Pu better than he did.

At this moment, they could only watch Zhang Pu waving his fan and saying arrogantly:

"I have already explained the conditions that should be mentioned these days."

"The first is to free the slaves and servants. Unconditionally release those who have not signed a contract but are being used as slaves."

"Especially the so-called family children, whether they have a bond or not, they must be released. The court has pardoned all the criminals and made them good people. There is no reason to make people slaves for generations." "If you are willing, agree to it. If not, end today's negotiation."

This was the biggest demand of Zhang Pu's side, and many of his slaves and servants who supported him wanted the same thing.

The reason why Wang Shimin and other wealthy families in Suzhou refused to agree was that they were worried that it would be difficult to discipline their slaves once they had a job.

But given the current situation, even if they don't agree, they can't just refuse outright.

Wang Shimin was furious when he saw Wu Shirui cowering and not even daring to speak. However, because of the in-law relationship between the two families, he could only stand up and say:
"I agree to this on behalf of the Wu family."

"But whether other families agree or not, my Wang family has no choice."

"Why don't you go talk to them, Mr. Ximing, and then we can discuss the next one."

Zhang Pu closed his folding fan, tapped his palms and said:

"Need not!"

"As long as the prince agrees, they will agree."

"Let's talk about the second point. This is not my request, but the court's rule."

"The new etiquette and law clauses say: No one may prevent Ming citizens from taking civil service examinations or joining the army, no one may enslave Ming officials and soldiers, and no one may enslave people who have passed the imperial examinations.

Descendants of the Ming people who have not obtained citizenship can obtain citizenship by serving in the military for more than three years and being willing to become a military-civilian household. Citizens can forcibly remove their indentures to redeem themselves and their families, and their families will automatically obtain citizenship.

"Prince, do you think the etiquette and laws set by the court can be applied to Suzhou?"

"Is the Wang family willing to abide by the rules of etiquette?"

What could Wang Shimin say? Of course he couldn't say that the court's etiquette and laws were just empty words.

He bowed to Zhang Pu and said:
"I naturally dare not violate the etiquette and laws set by the court."

"When I get back, I'll ask who's willing to join the army and serve."

"When the time comes, we will beat drums and gongs to send them off to serve the country."

Zhang Pu laughed, waved his folding fan and said:

"My Lord, you are straightforward this time. I will tell you the third one."

"After being released, slaves will also need a living."

"Please ask the prince to return the government land that exceeds the limit to the government and distribute it to these people for cultivation."

This is what Wang Shimin hated the most, and it is also the reason why many wealthy families in Suzhou united.

The number of government-owned fields in Suzhou is as high as 60%. Which family dares to say that there is no government-owned field on their land?

As long as there is official land, it must comply with the 100-mu limit. After each family began to separate and comply with the 1,000-mu limit last year, who would have thought that the limit would be lowered to 100 mu in less than a year.

Even the 300 acres proposed by Suzhou prefect Kou Shen was not approved by the court. They planned to force the wealthy families in Suzhou to give up their land and give it to the slaves.

Wang Shimin was furious when he thought that his tenants might still be able to cultivate the government land donated by the Wang family, but would no longer pay rent to him. He felt that there was no such thing in the world.

He said to Zhang Pu:

"Mr. Ximing is also from Suzhou, so he must understand that the official fields and private fields in Suzhou are basically the same now."

"These official fields were also purchased with money. You can't ask us to hand them over for free just because of your words."

Zhang Pu laughed and said:

"Then you have to tell the person who sold you the official land, or even report it to the government and have them arrested."

"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, if the official land is more than 50 mu, the seller and the buyer will be sent to the frontier as soldiers if they are military households. If they are civilians, they will be sent to the border as civilians."

"You don't have to be afraid of your official position, but you can exile the person who sold you the official land to the border."

Wang Shimin was so angry when he heard this, knowing that if Zhang Pu really said this, no one would do business with his Wang family in the future.

However, he was unwilling to hand over the government-owned land for free. Who knew whether the court would take further measures in the future to force each family to hand over their wealth.
-
Seeing that the situation was at a stalemate, Jiangnan Governor Cao Wenheng came in with a group of people. He introduced to everyone:
"This is Mr. Sun, the envoy of the Kingdom of Jingjiang. This is Mr. Zhang, the great uncle of Lord Jiangling. This is Mr. Hai, the descendant of Lord Hai."

"They are all here to help everyone solve their problems. They are willing to give some of their own land as compensation to the people who voluntarily handed over the government land."

Mr. Sun, the envoy of Jingjiang Kingdom, was the first to speak:
"My prince is establishing a fiefdom in Champa."

"I sincerely invite you all to go to Nanyang and create a new Jiangnan."

He talked to everyone about the concept of the Lancang River Delta and quoted the emperor's words, saying that that was the Yangtze River Delta a thousand years ago, and it was suitable for people in the south of the Yangtze River to cultivate.

As long as you are willing to hand over the official land, they will compensate you with three to ten acres of land per acre. If you have made contributions, you will be conferred a title, and you will never be treated unfairly.

Many people have heard of Champa, because the introduction of Champa rice was an important reason for the development of Jiangnan.

A big customer at the meeting asked:

"I heard that in Champa, there are three harvests a year."

"Is this true? Why haven't I heard about how much rice was shipped from Champa?"

Mr. Sun smiled and said:

"In Champa and the Lancang River Delta, there are indeed three harvests a year."

"But the topography of the delta estuary is, as you can guess, full of forests and wetlands."

"The natives there are relatively lazy. If one crop is enough to feed them, they don't want to plant two or three crops, let alone open up new fields."

“So not much rice was shipped from there, and most of the food from Southeast Asia came from Siam and Annan.”

Everyone shook their heads when they heard this. They really didn't expect that there were such people in the world who would leave the land uncultivated because of laziness. If it were them, they would definitely keep slaves to cultivate the land.

Thinking of this, some people became excited and wanted to ask whether the Jingjiang Kingdom had any restrictions on slavery.

If slaves are allowed and the envoy is telling the truth, the Lancang River Delta can indeed be called an undeveloped Jiangnan area.

They could send people with slaves over there to cultivate the land.

It is not impossible to recreate a new Jiangnan.

Many families who thought they were powerless to fight against the imperial court began to think about compromise, just wanting to get better conditions and exchange more land.

For example, when releasing slaves, it is best to provide land compensation. You cannot release them for free and let those people benefit for nothing.

While they were discussing, Wang Shimin asked with concern:

"I heard there was a war going on in Fujian, and a grain ship was hijacked."

"Can the grain from Nanyang still be transported here now?"

The envoy of Jingjiang Kingdom laughed and did not say that this was a trick played by Zheng Zhilong and others. Otherwise, how would the Dutch know how to rob the grain ship and find the route.

Hai Shuzu next to him explained:
"General Zheng defeated the Dutch at Liaoluo Bay a few days ago, and the Nanyang shipping lanes are now fully open to navigation."

"General Zheng and Lord Yu are currently negotiating with the Dutch to divide up the sphere of influence in Southeast Asia."

"I came here this time to recruit people to develop fiefdoms in Southeast Asia. If Borneo were to be assigned to the Ming Dynasty, many people would go there to open fiefdoms."

This happened a few days ago. After Liu Xiang and others surrendered, the Dutch could not wait for the opportunity to eliminate Zheng Zhilong and were led to Liaoluo Bay.

Then Zheng Zhilong and Liu Xiang worked together from inside and outside to capture almost all of the Dutch warships.

The Dutch now no longer have the ability to completely control the South China Sea shipping routes, let alone force the Ming Dynasty to trade.

Faced with the Ming Dynasty’s trade blockade, if they wanted to make money they could only sit down and negotiate with Zheng Zhilong, Yu Risheng and others to divide their sphere of influence in Southeast Asia with the Ming Dynasty.

Hai Shuzu had already made preparations. He would go to Borneo as soon as the negotiation results came out, in order to seize the opportunity and choose a good fiefdom.

Wang Shimin heard an "Ah" and knew that he had lost another bargaining chip:
Now that the emperor had the grain from Southeast Asia, his dependence on the grain from Suzhou naturally decreased.

Not to mention that the Ming Dynasty won the war and expanded its power. Soon, more food will be shipped from Nanyang. (End of this chapter)