Wanli Ming Emperor

Chapter 191: Don’t take back what you have left, and don’t stop doing what you have done

Zhu Yijun looked at the two sets of numbers reported by Wang Zhiyuan and was silent for a moment.

The household registration and adult population that Wang Zhiyuan mentioned were of course referring to the number of households. After all, the imperial court collected taxes based on households.

The court's regular taxes now include three categories: land tax, household tax and miscellaneous taxes.

Just looking at the household tax in Shuntian Prefecture, we can see that the tax base has basically been eroded.

It has come to this, how can it not be on the decline?

Zhu Yijun sighed: "Where are the fields?"

Wang Zhiyuan understood everything and blurted out, "Your Majesty, in the fifteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, the land in Shuntian Prefecture totaled 68,720 hectares, 13 acres and 50 centimeters."

"The yellow book of Shuntian Prefecture last year showed 99,582 hectares, 99 acres and 9.00."

Zhu Yijun was stunned when he heard this.

He looked puzzled: "Only 20% of the population is left, how can the farmland be so 'normal'?"

To say it is normal does not mean that there is no concealment at all.

But relative to the reduction of 80% of the population, this steady increase in land area is a bit too gentle.

After all, Wang Zhiyuan was an official sent to the local prefecture in the first year of the Wanli reign. He seemed to have anticipated the emperor's questions.

"Your Majesty, each prefecture has its own situation. When I was in Dengzhou, the yellow book showed that there were many people and little land. When I arrived in Jinan Prefecture, there were few people and little land."

Wang Zhiyuan had an official-like appearance and spoke in a loud and eloquent voice.

After just a few words, Zhu Yijun began to feel favorable towards him.

Zhu Yijun asked Wang Zhiyuan earnestly, "Sir Wang, why is this?"

He could understand the decrease in population; it was simply an upgraded version of Xu Jie's surrender.

Without a household registration, there was naturally no need to pay head tax or perform corvee labor. In order to avoid taxation, the people offered to do so, and the wealthy families naturally accepted the offer with pleasure.

In addition to losing the tax base center, it is also a two-way rush.

The same principle applies to farmland. The fewer acres registered, the more wealth will be shared among the people.

But as the emperor in the deep palace, he naturally did not know as well as the local officials in the prefectures as to what the actual situations in these prefectures were different.

After hearing this, Wang Zhiyuan thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has issued eight items for land measurement this time, and one of them is this."

"It is said that the number of assigned positions is the same as the number of official and civilian lands, and the number of grains is different. We should check them one by one to prevent any confusion."

"There are official fields, civilian fields, and military farms, and there are upper grain, middle grain, and lower grain. And the household registration is divided into official registration, prison registration, military registration, civilian registration, and so on."

"The weight of the land tax and household tax collected cannot be generalized among the various provinces."

"There is another law that strictly prohibits deception and concealment."

"It's the same thing. We need to see whether the government is the main deception or the rich and powerful are hiding it."

"The former only focuses on hiding the land, while the latter also focuses on hiding one's mouth, so there is a difference."

"As for Shuntian Prefecture..."

Wang Zhiyuan suddenly paused.

He glanced at Shen Shixing behind the emperor, and then bowed respectfully to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I beg for your forgiveness first."

It looked like he was about to say something inappropriate.

Zhu Yijun glanced at Wang Zhiyuan in surprise, and then nodded generously: "Just answer truthfully."

Wang Zhiyuan stood up and pondered for a long while before finally speaking: "Most of the land in Shuntian Prefecture is owned by the emperor and officials. There is no tax on it, so there are naturally fewer hidden fields."

"The population of Shuntian Prefecture is due to the capture of the people in Gengxu."

"Secondly, there are too many high-ranking officials, nobles, eunuchs, relatives, and famous temples in the capital that I can rely on."

Wang Zhiyuan sighed, "Where do all the adopted sons, daughters, slaves, and tenants of the wealthy families come from?"

Shen Shixing couldn't help but turn his head away.

Although he did not do so, many of his relatives, friends and students in Nanzhili bought properties in the capital - just like the Confucian scholars of the Song Dynasty who "lived in residences in the capital, as luxurious as nobles, and had more than ten concubines."

As the leader of the Nanzhili township party, Lord Shen was somewhat ashamed.

Wang Zhiyuan didn't care if his words offended anyone and continued, "Your Majesty, this is also the most difficult part of this land survey and household clearance."

After saying this, he bowed again and apologized for his previous words.

Zhu Yijun naturally understood what Wang Zhiyuan meant.

The most difficult part of measuring land and clearing households is not finding the people and the land and registering them.

But it is all those who oppose the court in this process.

This includes not only the wealthy and powerful gentry, but also the common people who are slaves and tenants!

Once hundreds of thousands of people are cleared out, what to do with them will be a huge problem - they can barely make ends meet, and then there will be a household tax on them. I don't know how many people will starve to death.

When Xu Jie of Songjiang Prefecture returned his land to farming, there was real land to settle the common people, which is why there was no trouble.

What about Shuntian Prefecture?
Are we going to distribute the lands of high-ranking officials, nobles, eunuchs, relatives of the rich and famous, and temples to the common people?
Why? They are tax-exempt legally?
That's why Wang Zhiyuan apologized - the people who hid the largest population in Shuntian Prefecture were these pillars of the court.

At this moment, Shen Shixing, who was standing nearby, could no longer hold back and said, "After Wang Jingzhao took office yesterday, he didn't have time to look at the six land measurement items of the cabinet, right?"

Wang Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, then said calmly: "Not yet."

It was impossible for him to cover everything as he had only been in office for less than a day. He had not even finished reading the files of his office.

Shen Shixing saw that the emperor had no intention of speaking, so he organized his words to explain: "Your Majesty and the cabinet have thought about Wang Jingzhao's concerns before."

"After the land is measured, the current tax system will also be implemented in a new way. During this period... the household tax will be temporarily exempted."

Land measurement is not the end, it is just the beginning of tax reform.

After the tax base is improved, the way of collecting taxes must naturally follow suit.

Not only would the Single Whip Law follow closely, but the land tax, household tax, miscellaneous taxes, and corvee labor would also undergo a huge change.

The exemption of household tax was a preferential treatment given to the people during this turbulent period. From the cabinet's point of view, in this new policy of land measurement and household registration, it was of the utmost importance to prevent the people from being burdened and rebelling.

However, Wang Zhiyuan was stunned just by hearing Shen Shixing's first words.

Tax-free for now! ?
This is no small amount!
As one of the three major taxes, even if it is only for three to five years, the Taicang warehouse will be emptied!
He looked at Shen Shixing in surprise, then glanced at the emperor.

Seeing that both of them acted as if it was a matter of course, Wang Zhiyuan could not help but ask in surprise: "Exempt the household tax for the time being? What about the annual revenue of the court?!"

Of course, tax exemption is not a bad thing.

The emperor who is tax-free will always be praised by the people.

Especially at this critical juncture of land measurement, the hundreds of thousands of people who were cleared out could continue their previous work and would not die in poverty due to an additional tax.

But the question is, is the court so well-off?

At first, Emperor Taizu reduced the tax rate to one percent of thirty, which sounded good, but in the end, all the heavy taxes and levies were still imposed.

Don't just say nice things and end up with a mess.

Shen Shixing coughed lightly and said, "In the next few years, the household tax will be added to the land. The specific changes to the tax reform will depend on how much land and population can be cleared this time."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhiyuan fell into deep thought.

The household tax is spread among the fields...

He could clearly feel that this was adding the common people's household tax to the landlords.

But I always feel like there's a veil between us and I can't figure it out.

I couldn't figure it out for a long time.

Wang Zhiyuan finally nodded hesitantly: "This will leave a way out for the people who lost their land, but the landlords will probably react more violently."

Measuring land is a tax increase, and paying an additional head tax is also a tax increase.

It depends on how fierce the resistance is.

However, at least it is consistent with his ambition to suppress the powerful and bring prosperity to the people of the country.

Shen Shixing and the emperor exchanged a glance, and the former replied sternly: "Let's suppress it for a few years first, and then we can collect the household tax again, and then reduce the land tax that was temporarily apportioned this time."

Zhu Yijun couldn't help but touch his nose when he saw Shen Shixing fooling Wang Zhiyuan.

It is impossible to collect household registration tax again, and household registration tax will be exempted in the future.

Don’t even think about reducing the land tax any further.

This is the desensitization test, the purpose of which is to distribute the tax according to the land area!

Historical products must have their historical mission.

This was the case with the feudal system, the selection of filial and honest officials, and the poll tax.

In Chinese history, the poll tax has played a positive role for a long time.

But things change with time.

In this period of time, the head tax has become a tax system that completely affects the development of productivity.

Together with the Ming Dynasty's backward household registration system, it treated the common people like fuel, locking them firmly into one village or one county.

The heavy burden makes people work in the fields forever. The powerful government makes people unable to move.

Under this tax system and household registration system, the Ming Dynasty would never be able to give birth to industry.

Atomization is the result of industry, but it is also an accelerant.

At the same time, the handicraft industry in the south of the Yangtze River was crying out for food. Zhu Yunhua in Huguang built iron smelting plants one after another. Local prefectures were eagerly waiting for the people's commercial taxes. The dignitaries in the two capitals who were involved in sea transportation could not wait to transport shiploads of goods back and forth.

Light industry needs landless refugees; heavy industry needs craftsmen with free movement of household registration; merchants who are wealthy but can only wear coarse linen clothes also need the abolition of the household registration status that restricts their status.

Exempting the household registration tax is the first step in tax and household registration reform - the central government secretly added warm water to the frog in the pot under the pretext of land measurement.

Due to the inertia of collecting poll taxes for thousands of years, most landlords and local tyrants will take a chance and think that it is just a "temporary" thing.

Just like Wang Zhiyuan’s reaction - the landlords will definitely have opinions, and they can only be suppressed temporarily in the next few years.

But in fact.

Once land measurement is completed and the tax base is complete, why should the poll tax be restored?

The burden on landlords has increased? So what?

The Yellow Book is the greatest symbol of actual rule. As long as the Yellow Book is in hand, there is no security war that can destroy the empire.

People who can be killed with wild boar skin can also be killed in the Ming Dynasty if they are killed more carefully.

Of course, it is best to have a smooth transition.

Therefore, it is not advisable to explain the matter too thoroughly. Lord Shen would try to fool even the young Nine Ministers in front of him.

Wang Zhiyuan had never been to the central government, so he naturally couldn't see this level.

He nodded thoughtfully.

Seeing Wang Zhiyuan nod in agreement, Shen Shixing continued, "Then Wang Jingzhao said that Shuntian Prefecture is full of tax-free official farmland."

"Jingzhao, your majesty and the cabinet have just agreed that starting from next year's Jinshi and Jujian, after retirement, only three and a half acres of land tax will be exempted."

Wang Zhiyuan was not too surprised when he heard this.

This matter has been rumored since the second year of the Wanli period, with people saying that new people have new methods and old people have old methods.

It's just that it hasn't started yet, which has made these two sessions so nervous.

It looks like the wind has blown enough and next year is finally about to begin.

The tax amount of three and a half acres is just enough to feed a family and not starve to death.

The emperor and his cabinet have to bear a reputation for being mean and ungrateful.

Otherwise, it would be a shame for the scholars to study hard all these years.

Of course, they are the Jinshi who passed the imperial examinations after the eighth year of Wanli, and they belong to the future opposition, who are still in their infancy - anyway, it is none of the business of these old people.

Thinking of this, Wang Zhiyuan curiously asked, "When was the edict issued? I haven't heard about it yet?"

If there was a clear decree from the central government, the scholars would definitely make some comments, so it would not be that he had not heard of it.

Shen Shixing stroked his beard and said vaguely, "I'll let you know when you sign up for the imperial examination in December."

This is an open conspiracy. If you don’t want to be an official, there are plenty of people who do!

Retirement benefits? Today, they are not even satisfied with the tax exemption of three and a half acres. I dare not even think about what I will do after becoming an official!
Wang Zhiyuan couldn't help but glance at Shen Shixing.

This favored child of heaven, who entered the cabinet at the age of only 43, has gradually become treacherous and cunning over the past two years.

The environment in the cabinet doesn't seem to be very good.

Wang Zhiyuan shook his head, threw away the unnecessary thoughts, and got back to the point: "If that's the case, then the most difficult part of land allocation right now is probably the temple property."

"Nowadays, there are hundreds of new temples in Northern Zhili, and Shuntian Prefecture has nearly a hundred of them!"

The difficulty lies not in the power but also in the trouble.

Anything that involves a large number of people will inevitably cause trouble - especially when the people are treated as human beings.

The Taoists are still better, but the people in the Buddhist sect are really difficult to deal with. Even if their mountains are cut down and their temples are destroyed, they will not stop.

Shen Shixing was about to speak when he heard the emperor clear his throat.

Lord Shen knew better and shut up.

Zhu Yijun took over the conversation, looked at Wang Zhiyuan, and said solemnly: "In addition to my concern for you, I am here to inform you that I am going to inspect the 24 counties under Shuntian Prefecture."

"I have just seen all the high-ranking officials, nobles, eunuchs and relatives you mentioned, and I have seen how wealthy their families are."

"As for Buddhism and Taoism, I will also pay you a visit."

Wang Zhiyuan suddenly coughed.

It took him a long while to calm down, stroking his chest.

He and Chang Chunqiao looked at each other and both showed an embarrassed look.

The former said helplessly: "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yijun interrupted him directly and continued, "This is a matter that has been decided by the regular court. You should prepare quickly. No need to say more."

He understood the outer court's fear of trouble.

But the emperor with real power did not stay in the palace all his life.

It would be bad if you don't go out to investigate and become completely in the dark like Zhang Juzheng in history.

Wang Zhiyuan was about to say something else, but Zhu Yijun suddenly turned his head and looked at him: "If you feel it is too hasty, I will stay in Shuntian Mansion tonight and let a group of eunuchs and secretaries help us. We can also set off earlier. What do you think?"

Wang Fuyin was shocked when he heard this, and almost jumped up: "Your Majesty is a great emperor, how can you stay overnight in Shuntian Mansion!"

Zhu Yijun stared at Wang Zhiyuan and smiled without saying a word.

The latter finally reacted when he saw the emperor's expression.

I've heard that the emperor often uses such rogue tactics, and today I finally saw it for myself.

Wang Zhiyuan bowed helplessly and said: "Can you allow me a few days to prepare the files, so that when Your Majesty is confused, I will not be ignorant."

Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction: "Then it will be October 28th, the patrol will start early and the return will be early."

After saying that, he ignored Wang Zhiyuan's bitter face, nodded to Shen Shixing, turned around and left.

Shen Shixing hurriedly followed.

Wang Zhiyuan and Chang Chunqiao bowed at the same time and saw him off with great ceremony.

At this moment, Zhu Yijun suddenly remembered something, turned around and asked curiously: "I don't think I saw the chancellor?"

There are not many officials in Shuntian Prefecture who are qualified to appear before the emperor, but in addition to the two in front of him, there should be a chancellor above the fifth rank.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhiyuan was a little confused and didn't know how to respond.

Seeing this, Chang Chunqiao, who was standing next to him, suddenly said, "Your Majesty, after the prefect took office yesterday, the prefect Guo Tingwu used his connections to transfer to the Taichang Temple."

Zhu Yijun was stunned when he heard this, and immediately understood what was going on.

He immediately nodded calmly and said with a smile: "I have met Chang Qing twice and heard him complain. If he gets excellent results again this time, I am afraid the position in the Censorate will be vacant."

Chang Chunqiao didn't know whether the emperor was teasing or mocking him, so he just bowed and pleaded guilty.

When he looked up again, he saw only the emperor's back surrounded by his close ministers.

After the group left the Shuntian government office, Zhu Yijun suddenly looked sullen.

He looked at Jiang Keqian and said in a stiff tone, "Go, search the house of the prefectural chancellor Guo Tingwu and see how many of his clan are guilty of crimes that warrant execution."

Jiang Keqian immediately responded and left.

Shen Shixing had been following the emperor calmly, but he was shocked when he heard this.

He hurriedly grabbed Jiang Keqian and admonished the emperor: "Your Majesty! It is human nature to retreat when in trouble. Why do you have to do this?"

Zhu Yijun shook his head expressionlessly: "He is a fourth-rank official. On that day, Nanjiao also expressed his support for the new policy to me. Now he has retreated in the face of difficulties. How can this be possible?"

Shen Shixing had no choice but to beg for mercy: "Your Majesty, you cannot execute someone without guilt."

Zhu Yijun looked at Shen Shixing and asked seriously, "How many officials who do not support the new policy and refuse to retire can stand up to investigation?"

Shen Shixing was speechless.

Zhu Yijun nodded to Jiang Keqian, who led the guards away.

The emperor kept walking and preached to Shen Shixing: "I will never disappoint people like Wang Zhiyuan and Chang Chunqiao; I can part ways with people like Lu Guangzu and Shi Yaochen; but for people like Guo Tingwu who pretend to obey but actually disobey, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Party struggles must be conducted in a party-like manner, and identifying like-minded people is an essential thing."

Shen Shixing sighed.

Reluctantly, he replied, "I'm afraid the outside court will say that Your Majesty is cruel again."

Zhu Yijun shook his head and stopped talking about it.

"Go tell the Buddhist Records Office not to send out the Buddhist discs for now."

Shen Shixing had not yet recovered from the emperor's look of wanting to confiscate property and exterminate the whole clan, so he asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, do you want to...?"

Zhu Yijun walked in front and said in a low voice: "Since those who cut down mountains and destroyed temples are not honest, I will go on this tour to reason with them."

(Seeking monthly tickets, I fell down to eighth place, so sad.)
(End of this chapter)