The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 641 Newborn Calf
"Millions of canal workers depend on their livelihoods. If their livelihoods are taken away, there will naturally be bloodshed and lives lost! I deliberately downplayed the matter in front of the foreign ministers to reduce the resistance to abolishing the canal. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Kan'er, have you really thought it through?"

"When Lord Qiao passed away, he had a long conversation with me, recounting the bloody battle at Hunhe. I remember how difficult it was for the Kaiyuan Army to be established back then! No matter how difficult it may be for me, it's not as difficult as it was back then. I'm willing to share your worries!"

The first day of the first lunar month in the third year of Guangde, Cining Palace.

According to the customs of his hometown Junzhou, Liu Zhaosun took his whole family to eat dumplings early in the morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The eldest princess Liu Yufei returned to Nanjing before the New Year, and the family finally got together.

The children grew up and had their own thoughts. Liu Yufei didn't want to listen to her mother's urging to get married. After eating dumplings, she went to the Imperial Garden with Bumbutai, Daphne, Tokugawa Chihime and others to listen to Kunqu Opera.

Jin Yuji and Yang Qing'er were not interested in Kunqu Opera, so they asked Chen Yuanyuan and Liu Rushi to join them, and the four of them got together to play mahjong.

Only the retired Emperor Guangde and a few attendants were left in the huge main hall of the Cining Palace.

Upon hearing that Liu Kan intended to abolish the grain transport system, Liu Zhaosun decided to persuade the young emperor.

Although the land measurement campaign presided over by Liu Kan in the second year of Guangde was carried out smoothly, it encountered considerable setbacks in the process.

The Suzhou riot resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, and Wang Heng took a group of gentry with him to flee to Japan. In short, the result was not satisfactory.

Liu Zhaosun had no doubts about his son's ability to govern, but abolishing the grain transport system was a serious matter, no easier than measuring the land of a state or prefecture.

If we are not careful, it will not just be the casualties of thousands.

"I'm very pleased that you have such filial piety, but the matter of abolishing the canal is of great importance, so you should think twice."

Liu Zhaosun looked up at Dongfang Zhu who was standing beside him:
"The Grand Steward has been in Linqing for many years and is well-versed in canal affairs. The differences between the North and South Canals are similar. You might as well listen to what he has to say."

After hearing what his father said, Liu Kan looked at Eunuch Dongfang, stood up and bowed.

Dongfang Zhu quickly returned the greeting, "Your Majesty, I am sorry to trouble you."

The Emperor waved his hand and said to the two of them:

"Since Emperor Guangde is interested in the grain transport affairs, the Grand Steward will explain them to him in detail. The Great Qi is vast, with millions of people. As a king, it is essential to be well-informed and knowledgeable. However, each profession has its own specialties. If you encounter something you don't understand, you should consult with experienced officials."

"My son, please remember this."

Liu Kan bowed and accepted the order.

Dongfang Zhu saluted the little emperor again, glanced at the retired emperor, and finally began to narrate:
"When the Grand Canal was first opened during the previous dynasty, it was originally intended to facilitate the transportation of grain and supplies for Zhu Yuanzhang's northern expedition, and later for Zhu Di's suppression of the rebellion. Therefore, the initial personnel responsible for the transport of grain were military personnel. The imperial court established a separate position of Grand Canal Transport Commander. In the fourth year of the Zhengtong reign, with Jining as the dividing line, a vice minister was appointed to manage the transport of grain in the north and south. Later, a civil official was appointed as the Grand Canal Transport Governor. This dual system of civil and military officials was implemented. During the Wanli reign, the position of Grand Canal Transport Commander was abolished, and all matters were handled by civil officials." (Note 1)

Dongfang Zhu paused for a moment and concluded:
"Just like in the officialdom of the former Ming Dynasty, in the grain transport, the civil officials were respected and the military officials were despised..."

Liu Zhaosun urged:

"Just pick out the important things, no matter how big or small. You want to be tested on policy?"

Dongfang Zhu smiled awkwardly and quickly said:

"Your Majesty is very perceptive. To be honest, I asked the Grand Secretary about the history of the grain transport in the early Ming Dynasty the other day. He wrote it down for me, and I memorized it."

"Qian Qianyi?"

Dongfang Zhu nodded repeatedly.

"Qian Qianyi knows quite a lot."

Liu Kan listened attentively and didn't even notice when Amber came up to serve him tea.

Liu Zhaosun knocked on the coffee table and urged:
"Okay, let's continue. Let's talk about the important things, the Cao Army."

Dongfang Zhu agreed and continued:
"The grain collection was the responsibility of the grain transport troops, who were soldiers from the 124 garrisons along the Grand Canal. As garrison soldiers, although they were on board ships, they were under the jurisdiction of the local garrisons, and officials at all levels withheld their pay. The Ming Dynasty Code also stipulated that if the grain and pay of the grain transport ships were reduced, the grain transport troops would bear half the responsibility." (Note 2)

When Liu Kan heard this, he said thoughtfully:

"No wonder smuggling is rampant in the canal. These people have no choice but to do this to survive."

Dongfang Zhu added: "The Cao army has been exploited so much that it has become a beggar army, existing in name only."

Liu Kan opened his eyes wide and asked, "If that's the case, why not disband the Cao army and recruit new ones?"

"Your Majesty, you may not know that during the Ming Dynasty, each grain ship had one grain soldier, and the remaining nine were recruited sailors. In other words, of the ten sailors on a grain ship, except for the one in charge who was a grain soldier, the remaining nine were temporary recruits. Laying off one would cut off the livelihoods of the other nine. During the heyday of the grain transport, the grain ship sailors, the river boatmen, and the townspeople who worked with the grain soldiers numbered more than several million!"

The emperor waved his hand and asked the high priest to bring a map. Slowly unfolding it, the dense and prosperous South Grand Canal appeared before them.

"There are many gangs on the South Canal, including the Xingwu Three Gangs, the Fengzhong Two Gangs, the Ganzhou Gang, the Luo Sect, and the White Lotus Sect. It's a mixed bag. The livelihoods of millions of people are at stake. If they are disturbed, the sky will collapse and the earth will crack. If they are not disturbed, the blood-sucking worms will continue to grow and eventually suck away half of Qi Guoxiao's life."

Dongfang Zhu nodded repeatedly. "The Emperor is right. I've been in Linqing for many years and have seen these idle people. The canal troops, gangs, and dealers are colluding with each other, and they all suffer when one suffers, and they all prosper when one prospers. Most of these people are strong and scoundrels. If they abandon their profitable business on the canal and return to farming, I'm afraid the court will be powerless to restrain them. Those who have savings will sell their property and squander it all. Those who don't will incite riots."

Liu Kan was still dissatisfied and thought it was alarmist talk.

"Since it's so difficult, how did Father abolish the Northern Grand Canal?"

Dongfang Zhu looked at the emperor quietly.

Liu Zhaosun was silent for a long time, his thoughts flying to the distant past.

He survived the Wanggongchang explosion and led Zhang Dong to flee to Shandong. In the third year of Tianqi, the year Zhang Yan died, natural disasters and man-made disasters followed one after another.

In January, Zhang Chun rebelled, in April, the plague broke out, and in July and August, the north suffered successive floods, droughts, and locust plagues. Finally, the bandit Li Xianzhong led 100,000 bandits to besiege the capital.

In May of the following year, a huge explosion occurred in Wanggongchang.

Everything goes to zero.

"Due to war and plague, nine out of ten houses in the provinces of Northern Zhili and Shandong were wiped out... I forcefully implemented the Qi Dynasty's Land System, with unbridled force. I killed every god and every Buddha I encountered, slaughtering tens of thousands of gentry in Linqing, Jining, and other places. Not to mention the Luojiao Canal Gang, even the canal transport troops were wiped out. Several cities that rebelled against the Great Qi were also massacred. Everyone in the world felt threatened, so naturally no one opposed abolishing the canal."

After listening to his father's words, Liu Kan was already dumbfounded. In his impression (at least since he could remember), his father had always been a benevolent monarch. He didn't expect that he had killed so many people back then.

He held his head high, looking like a newborn calf that is not afraid of a tiger.

"Even if I go to Yangzhou, I will kill them all there until they submit! Let's see who dares to oppose me!"

Liu Zhaosun laughed loudly.

Liu Kan asked in surprise, "Father? Did I say something wrong?"

"Things are different now." The Emperor explained patiently:
"Back then, we were conquering the world, so a few tens of thousands of people dying was nothing. But now we have to defend the world, how can we just kill people?"

"After saying so much, do you still dare to go to Yangzhou?"

"Why not!"

Liu Kan took out a list he had prepared long ago and handed it respectfully to his father with both hands.

"Father, I was not fully prepared for the last land survey. This time, I am fully prepared. Here is the list of people who will go to Yangzhou to assist me. I have also spent some time researching the former Ming Dynasty canal and pond reports and documents for this matter. I must go."

Liu Zhaosun nodded without comment.

"Oh? Let me see who's here."

Unfold the folded page and whisper the names listed:
"Pu Gang, Xing Zhongyi, Shen Mo, Mao Chengdou, Yuan Zhaoji, Dongfang Zhu..."

When Dongfang Zhu heard his name being called out, he subconsciously took a step back.

Liu Zhaosun stroked his beard and smiled:
"Okay, regardless of whether it will work or not, the people you picked are quite reliable."

Pu Gang and his Fifth Corps were stationed in Linqing for a long time and were familiar with canal affairs.

There is no need to mention Dongfang Zhu.

Shen Mo, the leader of the Suoyi Guard, is a vigilant man. Like his uncle Shen Lian, he is a natural at gathering intelligence.

As for Mao Wenlong's son Mao Chengdou and Yuan Chonghuan's nephew Yuan Zhaoji, both of them are descendants of loyal and righteous people. Like Zhang Yunxiu, they are willing to risk their lives for their work.

"Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs, and I am willing to share this matter with you! Please trust me!"

Liu Zhaosun was moved by Liu Kan's courage to cleanse the world and change the sun and the moon to create a new sky. In a trance, he seemed to see himself more than 20 years ago.

After this year, Liu Kan grew one year older and turned seventeen this year.

The envoy sent to the Kingdom of Sweden for matchmaking has not returned yet, and the little emperor is about to get married.

Let him go and hone his skills.

"Alright, I agree. The Fifth Corps will dispatch 3,000 soldiers, led by Pu Gang and Xing Zhongyi, to accompany you to Yangzhou and be at your disposal."

Liu Kan was overjoyed: "I obey your command!"

~~~~
During the first month of the lunar year, the emperor was busy all day long. From the first to the fifth day, he accepted New Year greetings and congratulations from civil and military officials. This was a custom that had been preserved since the Kaiyuan era.

The ministers of Qi State were also proud to be able to pay New Year's greetings to the emperor. According to convention, only close and important ministers could enjoy this treatment.

On the sixth day of the first lunar month, all the welcoming and seeing off ceremonies finally came to an end.

Emperor Guangde led Pu Gang, Dongfang Zhu and others, as well as 3,000 soldiers, to Yangzhou and began to abolish the grain transport system.

The new policy was still being implemented, and the reform of the grain transport system had just begun, but the emperor had already turned his attention to the southwest.

He hoped to achieve "reform of the land system and return it to the hands of the people" in Sichuan, Chongqing and other places.

The lands held by the chieftains were nationalized and settled in prefectures and counties, which were directly ruled by the Great Qi.

The conditions that the retired emperor offered to the chieftains would be buyout and replacement.

Specifically, the imperial court paid the chieftains silver and grain and relocated them to the Chengdu Plain or nearby areas...
This idea sounds a bit unreliable, of course this is just the emperor's preliminary plan.

In any case, the busy and fulfilling three years in Guangde have begun.

Note:
1. See "Preliminary Remarks on River Transport" in "Continuation of Imperial Essays on State Affairs"

2. Liu Jiejun. Study on the spatial morphology of cities along the Shandong section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal during the Ming and Qing Dynasties[D]. Shandong Jianzhu University
(End of this chapter)