The head of the Red Mansion

The emperor had a pleasant year.

The second batch of copper and iron shipped from Japan has been stored in warehouses.

The quality is exceptionally good, comparable to his father's stingy decades-long stockpile.

The third and fourth batches were even taken from other countries' national treasuries, and I heard that the quantity was larger and the quality was better.

Haha, from now on he can do whatever he wants without restraint.

However, his good mood only lasted until the seventh day of the new year's court session.

News of Wang Ziteng's rampage in Japan reached China. As the commander-in-chief, even though Jin Muchuan's vanguard had made great contributions, he was still forced to raise his sword against the Japanese gentry under Wang Ziteng's orders.

"This matter... can be a big deal or a small deal."

After court, Jia Zhen returned home and said to Shen Ning, "For example, Annam was wiped out by him, and now it is peaceful and stable. Our Great Zhao's taxes are lower than before. This place was repeatedly affected during the previous dynasty. In my opinion, it's mainly because not enough people were killed."

As a scion of a military family, although he had never been on the battlefield, he had heard his grandfather and father talk about it a lot when he was young.

Sometimes killing is done for the sake of a longer period of peace.

That land originally belonged to them. The reason it later became an independent country was simply because some treacherous officials took advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains.

If they are not wiped out, the Great Zhao Dynasty will inevitably have to retreat after expending a large amount of manpower and resources, just like the previous dynasty.

"His Majesty also supported Prince Teng's killing; otherwise, he wouldn't have appointed him as the Grand General for the Expedition against the Japanese Pirates."

Jia Zhen said, "If Annam can be killed, why can't the Japanese be killed? The Japanese have a blood feud with us. Even now, people in Jiangnan still sing the praises of Qi Jiguang's army."

It can be said that their family has both national and personal grudges against Japan.

"Moreover, Japan's wolfish ambitions towards our Great Zhao have never died. The officials in the court have long seen through this. Tomorrow, the Censorate will at most issue a symbolic impeachment."

"...This matter..."

Shen Ning thought for a moment and said, "Considering the fact that our family has been targeted by the Japanese several times, no matter who impeaches Wang Ziteng, you must protect him."

what?
Jia Zhen really didn't want to protect him.

"Just like you said, the emperor won't actually punish him."

Shen Ning was actually very pleased that Wang Ziteng was able to understand the emperor's meaning and carry out the execution again.

"As long as you remember your father's hatred and your mother's resentment, then stand up and protect him, and no one can say anything about you."

The emperor would have limited trust in Jia Zhen because he was too clever.

But the simple Jia Zhen is different.

The emperor spends his days scheming against his ministers, and what he needs is a simple and loyal close advisor.

"Zhen'er," Shen Ning rubbed her temples, "Annam is stable now, and Japan will be stable soon too. Next is Dzungar, and I heard the war there is going very smoothly. All the wars that needed to be fought are about to be finished. So, where do you think the Emperor will target next?"

This?
Jia Zhen hesitated for a moment, "Taxes?"

Recently, several people have been vaguely discussing this matter.

He even discussed it with Rong-ge.

Lin's uncle also revealed a little bit to him.

"Nine times out of ten it's taxes."

Shen Ning was unaware that he had outside help. Hearing his answer, she was quite pleased. "If the imperial court were to impose the full amount of taxes on you, would you object?"

Jia Zhen: "..."

Of course he wanted to object.

Now he has another son.

This son will not have a title.

He wanted a larger share of the family property.

But look at his mother like this...

"My son dared not object."

The emperor is also a shrewd person.

"Moreover, Uncle Lin is also in the Ministry of Revenue. In terms of taxation, no matter what reforms are made, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue will definitely discuss them with the Emperor first."

Jia Zhen said, "When the time comes, whatever everyone else is like, that's what our son will be like!"

Shen Ning raised an eyebrow. "Following the crowd?"

"Yes!"

slap~
Shen Ning threw the official gazette in her hand at him, "Nowadays, people are following the crowd and going bankrupt to pay off the national treasury's debts. What do you think the Emperor thinks of them?"

This?
Jia Zhen, who hurriedly caught the official report, was stunned.

"If you're not very bright, then be obedient. Do whatever the Emperor says."

Shen Ning wanted to scorn him, "Ordinary people can make a living after paying their taxes, but you, Jia Zhen, can't?"

"My son is wrong."

Jia Zhen hurriedly stood up and said, "If the Emperor and Uncle Lin want to collect taxes from your son, I will pay them immediately, along with the entire Jia family. I will be the first to pay."

Their family's current prosperity is inseparable from his mother being the first to repay the national treasury's debts.

Jia Zhen felt that he understood his mother's meaning.

"...It's good that you've thought it through."

Shen Ning waved him away, saying, "Have Xing'er prepare some things to send to Tai Xuan Temple tomorrow. Your father died there, and now there are so many Japanese with him. We should at least tell him."

"Yes!"

Jia Zhen readily agreed.

At that moment, he truly felt his mother's hatred for the Japanese.

Because of her father, no matter how many Japanese died, it seemed impossible to quell the hatred in her heart.

When Jia Zhen returned to his own courtyard, he felt quite sad.

Nowadays, apart from attending court and being on duty, he spends most of his time at home holding his youngest son.

She almost never thought of her deceased father again.

He's unfilial!

Jia Zhen's rare moment of self-reflection.

The following day, as expected, only a handful of censors made a token impeachment of Prince Teng.

But Jia Zhen still stood up and tried his best to refute it.

Seeing his expression, the crowd fell silent, yet couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

After this incident, the Jia and Wang families...

While they were still considering whether to reconcile, the soon-to-retire Minister of Personnel made an exception and spoke at length about the tax issue.

Those with high political sensitivity had known about this calamity for a while, based on the official gazettes of the past month. Now that it had finally arrived, they couldn't think about anything else and were all focused on it.

Those who hadn't thought much of it yet, seeing the increasingly strange expressions on the adults' faces, finally realized there was a problem.

The land tax was converted into a poll tax, the fire surcharge was returned to the public treasury, and gentry were expected to perform corvée labor and pay taxes as a whole?
This won't do!
"What Lord Su said has been heard by all my ministers. Please feel free to speak your opinions."

The emperor's eyes swept across the faces of all the civil and military officials.

He didn't expect to achieve success overnight—governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; the timing and intensity are crucial.

"If we cannot reach a conclusion today, we will discuss it again tomorrow. If we still cannot reach a conclusion tomorrow, we will continue the day after tomorrow. Within three days, all of you may speak freely."

"Your Majesty, the tax reform proposed by Minister Su is a strategy to consolidate the foundation of the nation and ensure its stability."

Jia Zhen didn't expect this to happen so soon. When he stepped forward, he was full of sincerity. "Although I am foolish and dull, I am willing to serve Your Majesty like a dog or a horse."

Ok?
The emperor couldn't help but laugh.

The tax reform was proposed by Madam Shen.

But throughout history, reforms have always involved a struggle between the old and new forces.

He didn't want to drag Madam Shen into this, lest she be criticized by the world again, or even assassinated. That's why he specifically sought out Minister Su of the Ministry of Personnel, and talked with him for several days before the old man finally took the lead.

But now...

The Jia family now wields influence not only in the military but also among scholars, thanks to the actions of Madam Shen.

With Jia Zhen stepping forward like this, he has already won a third of the battle.

The emperor dared not stop working for a moment, for fear that after a few more years, he would be worn down by the peaceful days and, like his father, would only remember the past glories.

Before Mr. Liu went to Japan, they had several late-night talks, concluding that the best time for reform would be after a major victory, whether in Japan or the Dzungar Khanate. The emperor understood his meaning; wouldn't that be the time when he would appear even more wise and powerful?

Those who don't want to give up their hard-earned benefits will instinctively bow their heads when facing him at this moment.

Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they had to consider whether they could withstand the emperor's wrath.

Even if I can bear it, can my family, three clans, seven clans, and nine clans bear it?

The emperor was someone who would listen to advice, so he did it without hesitation.

"Your loyalty is truly gratifying to me!"

The emperor gave Jia Zhen an encouraging smile, "However, tax reform concerns the fate of the nation, not just the affairs of one family or clan. My beloved ministers, as I said before, speak freely within three days."

That's what they say, but speaking freely? That's difficult.

Unless you're a soldier like Jia Zhen.

Why do other people, especially scholars, strive to climb the social ladder?

Isn't it because books hold the promise of beauty and wealth?
Studying was difficult, but as long as one graduated, even if one only became a scholar, one would receive the benefit of having dozens of acres of land exempt from taxes.

Many poor scholars relied on this to make a living.

If they really agree, won't they be criticized behind their backs?
The Great Zhao Dynasty was never as kind to scholars as the previous dynasty, and now it has simply abolished this benefit...

"Your Majesty, I believe this action is inappropriate."

Someone stood up on the spot.

However, he didn't dare mention anything like "successful candidate in the imperial examination" or "successful candidate in the me

He only referred to the 'poor' scholar.

The text emphasizes the difficulty of supporting a scholar in an ordinary farming family and the challenges of pursuing further studies in the imperial examinations.

If we don't even give them this small benefit, how will they be able to study in the future?

If this continues, will those who ultimately stand in the imperial court be scions of powerful and influential families?
Is there no hope for those from poor families to rise above their circumstances?
The emperor listened attentively and discussed with him on the spot the feasibility of maintaining the basic welfare of scholars…

Suddenly, the imperial court seemed to have turned into a marketplace.

Jia Zhen obediently stepped aside, listening intently to the loudest voices.

In the imperial court, one often needs a loud voice and sustained physical strength.

If you can't win an argument, you'll most likely lose.

Jia Zhen found their argument quite interesting and, unintentionally, gleaned a great deal of experience from it.

However, this discussion about tax reform is far from being resolved in three days.

It wasn't until after the first month of the lunar calendar, on the seventh day of the second month, that Nanjing was chosen as the pilot city.

Jinling is the ancestral home of the Jia family. Since Jia Zhen is the first to jump out, let's start from Jinling.

Many people wanted to see the Jia family make a fool of themselves.

What you, Jia Zhen, are willing to do, are your clansmen willing to do?
Who wouldn't feel heartbroken to hand over money they've already earned?

Even if your clan is willing, is the Shi family willing? Is the Wang family willing? Is the Xue family willing?

Many people were waiting for these families to cause trouble, but day after day, Nanjing remained quiet.

There was really no way for anyone to object. Those in the Wang family who had some ability, such as Wang Ziqi, had all had their property confiscated and were exiled.

The two marquises of the Shi family, Shi Nai and Shi Ding, were both cautious men who never sent a single word to their families. So how could the rest of the Shi family dare to make a move?
Who was Jia Zhen's mother?

He was the kind of person who almost caused a bloodbath in the entire Jiangnan region when he went home.

As for the Xue family...

The sons and daughters of the main branch of the family are all studying at the Jia family home.

They wrote back to their hometown, expressing their full support.

Even if other gentry had complaints, they dared not refuse to cooperate.

On the day the autumn tax was collected, the people of Nanjing spread the news with joy, as their taxes had indeed been reduced.

The newly appointed prefect of Jinling was the second-place scholar in the previous imperial examination and was specially transferred by the emperor to oversee the pilot program.

He was pleased with the report that after the autumn tax, the city prospered considerably because the wealthy and powerful families paid more taxes, so he exempted them from the city gate tax of one coin per person.

With more people entering the city, even if each person only spends two coins, the merchants still make a great profit.

When businesses thrive, commercial taxes naturally increase as well.

In short, for this pilot program, he relied on data from Nanjing, and after reviewing it from all levels of the court, he ultimately decided to expand the pilot program to include the entire Jiangnan region.

In Jiangnan, the Xue family had the most businesses.

That year, with the help of Wang Xifeng, Baochai vigorously reorganized the family's various businesses.

She was also confiscating property.

And it was copied very well.

In the years since her father's death, all the shopkeepers have become as fat as pigs.

Those who voluntarily surrendered their documents were given some leeway and allowed to leave unscathed. Those who didn't take the initiative and even tried to hide their identities were all sent to jail.

With the Jia family involved, at least most of their property, if not all of it, was recovered.

After all, those people are all incredibly shrewd and dedicated to making money for themselves.

In light of this, Baochai simply distributed profits to the newly appointed shop manager.

The better you do, the more you earn.

"Auntie, did you call me?"

That year, Min Jianbai grew a lot taller.

"I heard you're going to the grasslands with the Xue family's caravan?"

Shen Ning had long discovered that Baochai, through Wang Xifeng, was intentionally or unintentionally taking control of the entire Xue family.

"Yes!"

Min Jianbai chuckled, “Miss Bao has arranged for two new caravans, one heading to the grasslands and the other to the northeast. She has also invited her second aunt’s cousins ​​to accompany her to both destinations. With them around, there should be no danger. I just want to go along to earn more money and also get to see the vast grasslands.”

"Regardless of whether there is danger or not, this gun..."

"Don't worry, Auntie, I got one from the missionaries."

Although it cannot compare to the firearms of the Zhao army, a single gun is still quite intimidating.

"Does the Xue family's caravan have any?"

Shen Ning asked one more question.

"Yes, I have!"

Min Jianbai nodded as a matter of course, "Miss Bao asked her second uncle to get several guns in Guangdong. Those guns have all been registered with the government."

This precious girl is a hundred times better than her brother.

"That's good!"

Shen Ning smiled and nodded, "I'll get two more guards to accompany you. When we get to a new place, write a letter, otherwise your mother will worry."

"Yes!"

Min Jianbai bowed and said happily, "Thank you, Aunt. I'll bring you a gift later."

"Okay, I'll wait for your gift."

Shen Ning smiled and agreed, "However, you're not allowed to mess around outside, especially with those girls. If you really bring them home, your mother probably won't allow it."

Mei Jie'er got married, and she took over the household on the third day after arriving at her husband's family.

Because of the Jia family's reputation, she was able to stand up for her mother-in-law.

Jia Wen's biggest worry right now is her youngest son.

This kid is good-looking, has a good personality, and knows how to get things done. A few days ago, a businessman from Sichuan was chasing after him, begging him to take him home as his son-in-law.

Girls from the grasslands are more passionate and decisive in their love and hate.

It would be terrible if I accidentally brought one back.

"Aunt, why are you making fun of me too?"

Min Jianbai blushed, "It was a misunderstanding, really a misunderstanding." (End of Chapter)