The first assistant of the poor family

Chapter 555 Strange Strategy [4000 words two in one chapter]

However, compared with the gentry and landlords looking for someone to replace the corvee, the problem of hidden households is more difficult to solve.

Because the number of hidden households is too large.Even if all the yamen officials and guard troops are used to enter the farms of local landlords for inspection, it will take a long time.

But Xie Shen still decided to do it, because if he didn't do it, no one would do it.

In the final analysis, the land issue was a problem that plagued all feudal dynasties, and Ming Dynasty was no exception.

If this problem can be solved, the national fortune of the Ming Dynasty will flourish.

Fortunately, only Zhili and Shandong were investigated this time, not nationwide.Rao is such that the local government and the army of the guards have spent a lot of energy to track down 300 million hidden households.

This is a shocking number.

With 300 million people, how much tax will the imperial court reduce in a year?How much corvee will be reduced?

Those hermits who escaped from nationality were exempted from corvee, and the gentry and landlords who accepted hermits had cheap labor, and they could hide their population and escape food taxes. Both had their own advantages.

But what about the imperial court?Who will bear the losses of the court?

Once the treasury is empty, the Ming court will struggle.Not only is the huge military expenditure of the frontier army hard to spend, but even basic expenditures such as repairing the palace and even the salaries of hundreds of officials cannot be paid.

This is an important issue related to the face of the emperor, and the emperor will naturally be furious if he has no face.

Xie Shen is not an unreasonable person, but he does not intend to compromise on the issue of hidden households.

The fleeing people really have nothing to do, but if everyone is like this, the household registration system of Ming Dynasty will exist in name only.

What's more, it was not the hermits themselves but the gentry and landlords who really benefited a lot.

Hermit households are cheaper than commoners who donate their land. After all, investing in land nominally means a change in land ownership.But in fact the land titles are still those of the original owners.They only need to pay a symbolic small part of the rent to the landlord.

The Hidden House is completely different.They don't even have a household registration in the local area, and the reason they can survive is because of the protection of the landlords and gentry.

Landlords and gentry are not Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, so the reason why they protect them is naturally because they value cheap labor.

It can be said that this is a deformed symbiotic relationship, which seems very unreasonable at first glance, but in fact it is the most ideal result under the interests of others.

Xie Shen didn't think the officials couldn't see this, the reason why they didn't speak up was because of the word interest.

The families of these officials are mostly prominent families in the local area.The tribe itself is the beneficiary, and of course these officials chose to keep silent and pretend to be confused.

The more this is the case, the more a trend is formed.By the time of the Zhengde Dynasty, this trend had reached the point where it had to be rectified.

Zhu Houzhao's face turned blue when he saw the report submitted by Xie Shen.

After holding back for a long time, the emperor let out a long sigh and shook his head again and again: "I never imagined that my people would live such a hard life. I am really ashamed."

Xie Shen was slightly surprised.Zhu Houzhao's first reaction was not to be angry, but to lament that the lives of the people are not easy, it is really rare.

As the saying goes, a good butt decides a head, Zhu Houzhaogui sits north and faces south as the emperor, and naturally safeguards the interests of the ruling class.There is nothing wrong with this, and any person would do it.But it is really not easy for him to still think about the common people when safeguarding the interests of the ruling class.

"Your Majesty, this is not your Majesty's fault."

Xie Shen's comfort did not make Zhu Houzhao feel better.

"Sir, do you think the corvee system is too strict?"

Xie Shen's heart sank.

This question is really difficult to answer.

The corvee system itself is for the completion of huge projects, and there is nothing wrong with that.

It's just that some dynasties have more projects and some dynasties have fewer projects. If there are too many corvees, there will be public grievances. This is also a normal thing.

But if corvee is abolished, that would be a terrible thing.

Take the dredging of the canal as an example, who would do it without corvees?Is it a military household?
They are both soldiers and farmers, and now they want to dredge the canal, isn't it too much?
Officials of the local government?How many people are there in total?
By employment?How much is the total revenue of the imperial court?Putting them all in is not enough to clear the canal, right?
It is true that there are things like building palaces and mausoleums for emperors during corvee service, but more often they are large projects that are beneficial to people's livelihood.For example, the dredging of canals, such as the repair of the Great Wall.

Who's to say not benefited from those two things?
Once the corvee becomes paid, not to mention the heavy burden on the country, the centripetal force will also be lost at a rapid rate.

Therefore, the compulsory corvee system is a national policy that must not be changed.

"Sir, do you really think so?"

Zhu Houzhao was obviously a little confused.Why did Daming have so many problems, one after another popped up after one was dealt with, as if deliberately against him.

"Your Majesty might as well look at it this way. If there were no corvees, there would be no Great Wall and no canals. Not only would the common people have to suffer from the Tatars' looting, but they would also lose many opportunities to make a living by relying on the canals."

There are some things that Xie Shen can only say so far.

"Well, the truth is this. But I always feel that there seems to be something wrong with this system."

Zhu Houzhao tapped his fingers repeatedly, his eyes full of confusion.

Sometimes being confused is not a bad thing, this at least proves that people who are confused are still thinking.

But now is not the time to be indecisive. Zhu Houzhao needs to show the majesty that a king should have. Only in this way will the number of fleeing civilians decrease.

"Your Majesty, these 300 million hermits"

Fleeing from nationality is a serious crime in Daming, and you must be punished for exile.However, there are 300 million hidden households all at once, and if they are strictly enforced according to the law, it may cause public resentment or even riots.

As a cabinet scholar, Xie Shen had to consider this issue.

Zhu Houzhao was obviously also hesitant.

As the Son of Heaven, he naturally does not want to see his subjects suffer, but it is another matter if the subjects threaten the Zhu family dynasty.

"Let them apply for this corvée first, and then send them back to their place of origin, and ask the local government to strictly supervise them, so that there will be no more large-scale escapes."

Zhu Houzhao looked a little tired and waved his hand.

call home
This treatment is already very light.

It seems that the emperor can't bear to see the people suffer.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Xie Shen cupped his hands and said, "However, if we want to eradicate this disease, I'm afraid we must come up with a perfect strategy."

"Sir, can you do something?"

"According to my humble opinion, it is better to set up a system of corvee rotation. Every year, each chief secretary sends out a mansion to be responsible for corvee projects. Rotate in turn."

Xie Shen's idea originated from the military system of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.The government soldiers take turns to guard the capital according to the year, so that most of the time the government soldiers can farm and rest, which is very reasonable.

If the corvee system can also be carried out in accordance with the rotation method, the pressure on the people will be much less, and it is estimated that escapes will not happen.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes brightened and he said: "This method is good. One chief secretary has jurisdiction over more than a dozen prefectures, so the pressure on the people of a prefecture to be in corvee for more than ten years is indeed much less."

In fact, the amount of work will not be reduced in this way, but the happiness and satisfaction of the people will be greatly improved. Why not do it?

"I knew that sir must have a way!"

Right now, Zhu Houzhao is so dependent on Xie Shen that he is simply obedient.

"Your Majesty's absurd praise, I'm terrified."

Xie Shen said modestly: "Actually, public opinion can sometimes be resolved, and there is no need to block it. Your Majesty's move will only make the people remember your kindness."

Zhu Houzhao was very satisfied, quite satisfied.

The seemingly intractable problem was easily solved under Xie Shen's handling, and he could sit back and relax.

Of course, the dredging of the canal is still very important at the moment, and Zhu Houzhao does not dare to be too slack, at least he has to hold on to the face, and he has to look like a king.

"By the way, the envoy from Turpan is coming to make a pilgrimage, and I am going to announce his audience. Sir, let's take a look."

Xie Shen's heart sank.

Turpan envoy?
In Xie Shen's impression, Turpan was tougher than the Tatars.

Yili split the Li Khanate into pieces, and the Yarkand Khanate is about to rise. What does it mean for Turpan to take the initiative to show favor to Daming at this time?
"The minister obeys the order."

Xie Shen really wanted to see what the Turpan people were up to.

Seeing the envoys from Turpan kneeling at his feet, Zhu Houzhao had mixed feelings in his heart.

Turpan and Daming fought over Hamiwei several times, and their attitudes towards Daming were repeated again and again, which made people tireless.

Although Daming supported King Zhongshun as a puppet to rule Hami, the new King Zhongshun was an idiot who could not be supported. In the early years of Zhengde, he surrendered to the enemy and Hami fell into the hands of the Turpan people again.

At that time, Zhu Houzhao was furious and ordered Yang Yiqing to regain Hami at all costs.

Governor Yang did not disappoint His Majesty the Emperor either. Not only did he regain Hami, but he also captured Heifengchuan, which gave him a stronghold to advance westward.

The Turpan people still resisted stubbornly for a while, but their calves were still weak in the face of the large number of Ming troops stationed there, and finally sent envoys to pay homage to the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, both to plead guilty and to ask for peace.

Zhu Houzhao didn't think that the people in Turpan really repented from the bottom of their hearts.This is just a political trick, or a tactic to delay the attack.

But even so, Zhu Houzhao had to meet the envoys.There is no way, if the Heavenly Dynasty Shangguo cares about Fanbang, it will not be self-imposed.

The Turpan envoy bowed down and said respectfully: "His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, I was ordered by the Khan to come here to discuss peace with Your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao opened his lips slightly, and his lazy voice was full of unquestionable majesty: "Negotiate peace? Haven't you always been the main battle?"

The envoy was sweating coldly.

The one in front of him is a big bright son, who will lose his head if he says something inappropriate.

"These are all misunderstandings. Khan has dealt with the villain who sowed discord, and sincerely wishes to negotiate peace with Daming."

After speaking, the Turpan envoy took a step forward holding a brocade box and said, "This is a tribute sent by Khan to present to His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Houzhao winked at Zhang Yong, then eunuch Zhang took a step forward, took the brocade box from the envoy, and respectfully put it on the imperial case.

Xie Shen thought to himself, what kind of tribute can Turpan offer?It can't be raisins.
When Zhang Yong opened the brocade box, Xie Shen knew that he was overthinking.

A small transparent cup came into view.

"To His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, this is a luminous cup, which can shine in the dark. It is a gift from Khan to His Majesty the Emperor. May Turpan and Daming settle their suspicions."

Zhu Houzhao liked this kind of novelty the most, and when he was still the prince, he ordered to search around, and whoever donated more would be more highly valued by Zhu Houzhao.

Therefore, the eight tigers competed to collect rare and rare treasures, fighting fiercely for favor.

"Yeah..." Zhu Houzhao pursed his lips, subconsciously wanting to reward the person who offered the treasure.

But he suddenly thought that this person was an envoy sent by Turpan Khan, which had a strong political meaning.

"Since you want to negotiate a peace, you must show sincerity. You Khan don't think that a cup can satisfy me?"

The Turpan envoy secretly groaned in his heart, thinking what else do you want, this luminous cup is priceless.

Zhu Houzhao tapped his fingers repeatedly, but kept silent.

The envoy's heart was beating so fast that he almost collapsed.

Where have the envoys of Fanbang seen such a big scene, it is normal to show timidity in front of the majesty of the emperor.

"I want to send a governor to Turpan, I wonder if you Khan is willing."

Not only the envoys from Turpan, but also Xie Shen were very surprised.

His Majesty the Emperor suddenly became enlightened.

"Your Majesty, Emperor Ming. I can't decide on this."

The envoy said in a difficult way.

"It doesn't matter, you can bring a message to Khan, if he agrees, I will naturally accept your plea. If not"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes suddenly turned cold: "I will send troops to suppress Turpan."

Three years ago, Zhu Houzhao would not have believed that the Ming Frontier Army could have such combat effectiveness.

But as the flintlock gun shined in actual combat, he firmly believed that the Ming army must be invincible.

"Your Majesty, I will definitely take your words to Khan."

"Okay, let's go."

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, and the Turpan envoy immediately backed away trembling.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Oh? Why do you like it?"

Zhu Houzhao said in surprise.

Xie Shen paused and said, "Your Majesty, the envoys from Turpan's pilgrimage show that they are already afraid. No matter whether Your Majesty sends troops or not, they will definitely obey."

The Ming Dynasty really had little influence in the Western Regions, and there was basically no Ming Dynasty to the west of Jiayuguan.If Turpan can be seized by this opportunity, it is equivalent to occupying a place in the Western Regions, and it would not be whimsical to think about managing the Western Regions.

"Well, that's what I mean too."

The reason why Zhu Houzhao was so strong just now is because he was sure that the Turpan people would be subdued.As long as the people of Turpan are subdued, the Ming Dynasty can basically take over the control of Turpan and control Hami in the same way as the control of Hami in the past.

"I have a suggestion. We can lead Gansu and other guards to go to the Western Regions to reclaim the land. All the land will be owned by the military households. In this way, Ming's influence on the Western Regions will increase greatly in the next few decades."

In the final analysis, influence is a matter of strength.

Power can be divided into hard power and soft power.Hard power refers to the combat effectiveness of the army, while soft power refers to the culture.

In Xie Shen's view, assimilating these foreign countries with culture is much more reliable than conquering them by force.

If we want to export culture, we must first increase the proportion of the population of Han people in the Western Regions, and reclamation is the best strategy.

(End of this chapter)