In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 869 Production Law and Revenue Law: A Tumultuous Time
The next morning, while it was still dark,

Outside the window, the wind howled, whipping up snowflakes that pelted against the windowpane with a crackling sound.

Inside the inn, a group of students struggled to get up from their simple yet warm beds.

They all looked haggard, their eyes filled with dejection.

Although we were able to temporarily escape the wind and snow at the post station last night,
But the hardships along the way and the sudden assignment,

This made them feel very troubled and unable to fall asleep.

The group, dragging their heavy steps, arrived one after another at a lobby of the post station.

Several worn-out tables and chairs were placed inside the hall.
Several charcoal fires burned around the area, their flames flickering and dispelling some of the chill.

Xie Jin was already seated on one side of the hall.
He was dressed in a black cotton robe and wore a black felt hat, covering himself up completely.

His face was serious, and his eyes conveyed a sense of authority.

Students entered the lobby one after another.
Upon seeing Xie Jin, they all bowed respectfully, then found seats to sit down.
They all lowered their heads, not daring to look Xie Jin in the eye.

Xie Jin glanced around, taking in the dejected appearance of everyone.
He frowned slightly, coughed lightly, and said:
"Gentlemen, I'm sure you're all filled with doubts as I've summoned you here today."
However, before we officially begin, let me first tell you about the situation in Da Ning.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked up, a hint of curiosity in their eyes.

Xie Jin said:

"Daning today is very different from the harsh and cold border region you imagine."

Since the imperial court began to attach importance to the northern frontier, Daming has experienced rapid development.

Less than twenty li further east, you'll see the road construction site in Dusi.
That was a road built using the latest technology, costing over 300,000 taels of silver.
One year later, Daning and Shanhaiguan will be connected.
This facilitated frequent caravan exchanges and enabled the rapid flow of goods.

Moreover, the bumper sweet potato harvest provided the commandery with ample food.

Since the beginning of winter, the entire area within a hundred li of Daning City has been affected.

No one has yet starved or frozen to death.

Most of them have stable jobs and are able to earn money to support their families.

"Da Ning will be far more prosperous than you can imagine. You will see it in the future!"

"Here, I would like to say that it is precisely because the prosperity of the Commandery far exceeds that of the past that..."

Therefore, the military command and prefectural offices should be aware of the rapid changes within the military command.
This is what I told you yesterday: Gross Domestic Product!
Just like the fish-scale yellow register, it enabled the imperial court to better understand the local areas.
To know how much land the imperial court possesses and how much tax revenue it generates.

"And the gross domestic product is such an account, recording the wealth and money that Daning has created in the past year!"
Since this is the first time this data has been collected, it is not yet possible to compare it with previous years.

But next year, we can compare the performance of this year with that of last year through two separate measurements.

This left the students present somewhat bewildered.

Xie Jin continued to explain:

"I'm sure none of you have seen what Yingtian was like at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, and neither have I."

But it must be because the people are impoverished and living in misery.

By now, Yingtian had reached its zenith of prosperity.
Therefore, comparing the two, it must be that each year is better than the last.

How much better? In what way is it better?
Is it that more things are being sold, or more things are being manufactured, and by how much?

The imperial court did not keep statistics because the workload was too tedious.

However, the commandery is located outside the pass, and the area is not large, so it's worth a try!
That's why you've all traveled a long way to Daming.

Once that was said, everyone understood.

At the same time, he secretly resented the Ministry of Rites.
All that talk about promoting imperial rule is a lie!

Xie Jin smiled slightly and said:

"Your coming here is not without its benefits."
If this GDP figure truly reflects the changes in Dusi over two years, or even longer, then...
The officials of the Beiping Military Command will report to the imperial court and strongly advocate for this matter.

"By then, as pioneers, it won't be difficult for you to obtain official positions in the court."

Ok?
Swish swish!
Pairs of eyes lit up eagerly.
I must say, that's incredibly tempting!
What was the purpose of the imperial examination system?
The first reason is to be exempt from taxes, and the second is to become an official!

Becoming an official now is also a great thing!
Seeing their expressions, Xie Jin smiled slightly and gestured for them to stop.

"Please sit down, everyone. Introduce yourselves; we'll be colleagues from now on."

He smiled and pointed to himself:
"I don't need to introduce myself, do I?"

Everyone laughed, and the somber atmosphere began to ease.

He smiled and pointed to a student on his left, then said:

"It starts with you."

The students stood up at the sound of their voices, their postures as straight as pine trees.
He wore a dark blue cotton robe, simple in style, clean and tidy, which made his face appear even more composed.

He bowed slightly, cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and spoke in a loud and clear voice:
"My name is Xia Yuanji, and my ancestral home is Dexing, Jiangxi. I have been well-versed in the classics, history, philosophy, and literature since childhood, and I am also quite knowledgeable in mathematics."

Previously, I had audited classes at the Imperial College and assisted the Ministry of Revenue in handling some financial and accounting matters, so I had some experience.

I am here in Daning hoping to share some of the burden with you all.
I also hope to contribute my modest efforts to this matter.

After speaking, he looked at everyone with a frank and sincere gaze.

Xie Jin nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, then looked at a student on his right:
"Please introduce yourself."

The student quickly stood up, looking slightly nervous, his hands unconsciously clenching the hem of his clothes, his voice trembling slightly:

"Your Excellency, my name is Li Ming, and I come from Qufu, Shandong."

Influenced by Confucianism and Mencius from a young age, he devoted himself to studying the classics, hoping that one day he could serve the court.

This trip to Daning was a long journey and a challenging mission.
However, the student wishes to use this opportunity to broaden their horizons and improve themselves, and hopes that the adults and colleagues will provide them with guidance and instruction.

After speaking, he bowed deeply, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Hmm," Xie Jin nodded.

The group quickly finished introducing themselves, and Xie Jin had already memorized their backgrounds and names.

Then his smile faded, and he said in a deep voice:
"Gross Domestic Product, simply put..."
It refers to the total value of all final products and services produced by all units within a certain period.

One could also roughly assume that the silver price of the items produced by the commandery in the past year...
And the money earned by those who ran brothels, restaurants, teahouses and other small shops.

Of course, the specific calculation method involves many details, which will not be elaborated on here.
Documents will be issued shortly; please try to understand them.

Here, I will give a simple and easy-to-understand example.
Take agriculture and animal husbandry in Daning as an example.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a statistical measure of how many bushels of grain were harvested from the fields that year.
How many cattle, sheep, and horses are raised on the ranch? What is the value of the grain and livestock?

Upon hearing this example, some of the bright students began to nod in agreement, and some seemed to understand.

A student frowned and asked cautiously:

"My lord, such statistics are extremely tedious; how should we calculate them?"

Xie Jin nodded and said:
There are two main methods for calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The first is the production method, and the second is the income method.

First, let's talk about the production law, which starts with the value of goods and services created during the production process.
A method of obtaining added value by removing the value of intermediate goods and services input in the production process.

For example, a farmer wants to grow sweet potatoes.
He purchased sweet potato seeds, fertilizer, and other intermediate products, spending a considerable amount of money.
After the wheat is harvested, the selling price minus these costs...
It refers to the added value he brings to the wheat production process.

We summed up the added value of all production units in Daning, including farmers, ranches, workshops, trading companies, and wards.
This yields the gross domestic product calculated from the perspective of the production method.

The students listened with a mixture of understanding and confusion, and all lowered their heads in deep thought.

Xie Jin was not in a hurry and waited patiently.

After a while, Xia Yuanji raised his head and asked:

"Lord Xie, how is the income method calculated?"

A hint of approval appeared in Xie Jin's eyes as he said:

"Good question. The income approach calculates the income generated during the production process from the production activities of resident units."

The gross domestic product (GDP) of a company is equal to the sum of four items: compensation of employees, net production taxes, depreciation of fixed assets, and operating surplus of each production unit.

Let's take that farmer as an example again.
He used part of the income he earned from growing wheat to pay the wages of the laborers who worked for him; this was the workers' compensation.
A portion of this tax had to be paid to the imperial court; this was the net production tax.
The farm tools he uses will wear and tear; the value of this wear and tear is fixed asset depreciation.
The profit he makes after selling the wheat is his operating surplus.

Adding these four items together gives you the farmer's contribution to the GDP of Dusi through wheat cultivation.

We calculate all production units in this way.

In summary, this is the gross domestic product calculated from the income approach.

In theory, the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated using the production approach and the income approach should be equal.
However, there will inevitably be discrepancies in reality, so both methods must be used in combination.

Specific industries use specific calculation methods to obtain more accurate statistics.
Through such statistics, one can discern the rise and fall of the military command.
Even more precisely, one can see which industries the company was strong in and which were weak in the two years prior, allowing for effective support.

The students listened and then suddenly understood.

Then I felt a surge of excitement, my thoughts racing.

If we expand this scope to the entire Ming Dynasty!
Then it becomes easy to compare the rise and fall of dynasties.

In the past, such rise and fall were often only reflected in taxes and local disasters.

A year with good tax revenue and few disasters is a year of peace and prosperity.
If taxes cannot be collected year after year, and there are frequent disasters...
That would be the time when Heaven and the people would be angered, and dynasties would change.

This method often only shows the result, but not the process.

If there were a specific account that could reflect this rise and fall...
They will surely be given important positions by the imperial court!
Just as the students were getting excited, Xia Yuanji, who had some knowledge of the accounts, frowned.

This is almost identical to the statistics he compiled while working at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

The merchant houses keep track of the remaining silver and calculate the total accounts at the end of the year to see how the business performed that year.

Just getting this done will take up most of your energy.

The accountants will be busy for a long time.
Now, this kind of calculation needs to be done within a single military command.
This made Xia Yuanji feel that it might be somewhat difficult.
The mere calculations related to mathematics could cost everyone present their lives.

Thinking of this, Xia Yuanji took a deep breath and spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Sir, I have worked as a tutor in the accounting department."
Knowing how difficult accounting and bookkeeping are, are we really going to rely solely on this group of people?

seem"

He didn't say anything more, but everyone understood what he meant.

Xie Jin nodded:

"The shortage of talent in the military command has been a long-standing problem."
But things can't be left undone just because there aren't enough people.

Now that we're here, we must overcome the difficulties.

In addition, the military command will subsequently transfer young people from various locations to implement a mentorship system.

"There's one more thing. Although you are all students from the capital,
But people need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves to stay alive, and leisure activities are also essential.
Therefore, from today onwards, the Commander will begin paying you salaries.

Like other calculation personnel in the experience department,
Monthly salary is 80 cents, including meals and accommodation; overtime pay is calculated separately.

The students looked at each other in bewilderment, finally hearing some good news.

To their surprise, a job with a monthly salary of eight qian was a good job even in the capital, enough to support a family of three.

I never expected to find one outside the Great Wall.

"Alright, next I will teach you some basic bookkeeping methods and statistical techniques."
Once the snowstorm subsides a bit, we'll set off immediately.
Statistics begin at the most advanced construction sites.
This will also give you a better understanding of the industrial structure of Dusi!

The students looked troubled upon hearing this.

But seeing Xie Jin's serious expression, they dared not raise any further objections and could only bury themselves in their work.
Xie Jin stood up, walked to the literacy board, and said with a firm gaze:
"It is now the end of the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty."

The imperial court attaches great importance to the development of the northern frontier, with Daming being of paramount importance.

It is an opportunity for you to participate in this work.

I hope you will all cheer up, give it your all, and not waste this hard-won opportunity.

The students, though still harboring doubts,
But since they were already there, they decided to give it a try, so they all stood up and bowed.

"We will follow Master Jie's teachings and do our utmost."

Xie Jin nodded in satisfaction, picked up his pen,
They began explaining the accounting format and statistical points in detail on the literacy board.

The students gathered around and listened attentively.

Outside the window, the wind and snow continued, but inside the house it was unusually warm, and a peculiar feeling began to permeate the air.

Three days later, at the Military Commandery's office...

Lu Yunyi received the clerk's job at the forefront of the construction site.
The document contained information about the project's progress and urgent dispatches that had been delayed by snowstorms.

The two messengers looked disheveled.
Standing in the government office, he appeared uneasy.

According to the schedule, they should have arrived in Dusi three days ago.

Unexpectedly, a heavy snowfall occurred, and the roads outside Shanhaiguan were covered in snow up to waist height.
Warhorses could walk slower than people inside.

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, if an urgent dispatch sent by courier over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers) was not delivered on time, it would delay military intelligence.

At best, they would be punished; at worst, they would be beheaded or exiled.

The official before them was Lord Lu, who was known for his ruthlessness.

The fear they felt was unimaginable.

Lu Yunyi opened the letter, glanced at them,
Seeing them standing there anxiously, he smiled and spoke:
"You don't need to be afraid, the heavy snow is a natural disaster."
"I will send someone to explain to the post station. Stay here peacefully and leave after the snow stops."

Upon hearing this, the two people present were overjoyed and wept, immediately kneeling down and kowtowing in gratitude.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, sir!"

"Alright, go and rest. There's plenty of food and drink at the headquarters."
If you feel uncomfortable staying here, go for a stroll in the city. Daning City is not what it used to be.

"Yes!"

The two bowed and took their leave. After leaving the room, they looked at each other and both breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside the yamen, Lu Yunyi leaned back in his chair.

Open the letter and quickly read it.
There are letters from Mu Jinghe, Li Jinglong, Xu Zengshou, and his father-in-law Liu Sili.
It records some major events that happened in the capital, as well as some words of concern.

Then there was the document from the Left Army Commandery, the contents of which made his expression grave.

When he finished reading the letter, a gloomy look was about to appear in his eyes!
The matter of building roads between Liaodong and Daning caused a great uproar in the imperial court.

The change in attitude from initial opposition to later agreement is astonishing.

Similarly, this also indirectly confirms that...

The situation in Beijing is truly dire!
Looking at the imperial court, there was surprisingly a complete opposition to moving the capital!

No one dared to voice their agreement.

This situation never occurred even during the purge of traitors.

As if they had planned it in advance, they silently resisted, with each department expressing its stance.

"What a troubled time."

Lu Yunyi shook his head, picked up the paper and pen,

He quickly wrote a document and summoned Gong Xianzhi, who was standing quietly at the door:
"Go, send someone to Liaodong and deliver the letter to Commander-in-Chief Pan."

In addition, send another trusted person to accompany them and inquire about how much money and provisions have been raised.

The imperial court has now agreed; when can construction begin?

Gong Xianzhi took the letter, his face serious:

"Yes, my lord!"

"By the way, some students have come from the capital."
"Right now, at the forefront of the construction site, instruct Wu Su'an to prepare decent housing for these students."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)