Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

(Sorry to keep you waiting, it's family reunion dinner today.)

On December 20th of the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong reign, Beijing was blanketed in snow, turning the entire capital into a silver-white wonderland.

Despite the cold weather, there were still quite a few pedestrians on Qianmen Street.

There were ordinary people buying New Year's goods, vendors hawking their wares, pedestrians hurrying along the way, and wealthy young men leisurely strolling the streets.

Two months ago, this street was deserted, with seven or eight out of ten shops closed.

Most of those closed shops have now reopened.

Some have changed their signs, while others have been repainted.

Shopkeeper Wang stood at the entrance of his silk shop, gazing at the scene on the street, his face full of smiles.

His shop reopened more than a month ago.

On the opening day, he set off firecrackers as usual and hired a few employees to shout at the door.

I thought business would be slow for a while.

Unexpectedly, several customers came that day and bought more than a dozen bolts of silk.

Business has been getting better and better over the past month or so.

Although it's not as good as before the war, it's managed to stay afloat.

Old Li from the tea shop next door came over with a big smile: "Manager Wang, business is good."

Shopkeeper Wang smiled and said, "Thank you, thank you. Old Li, how about you over there?"

Old Li sighed, "It's alright, but tea is expensive this year, so it's not easy to get supplies. But it's much better than a few months ago."

Shopkeeper Wang nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Old Li, I heard the Ministry of Revenue has issued a new notice saying that commercial taxes will be reduced again next year?"

Old Li's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great!"

We were exempted from business taxes for three months this year, and if they are reduced again next year, we can earn a lot more.

Shopkeeper Wang smiled and said nothing more.

He looked at the pedestrians on the street and suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

Two months ago, he was anxiously inquiring about news from Beijing while he was in Nanjing.

At that time, he thought he might never come back in this lifetime.

Unexpectedly, he came back, and his business returned as well.

The city seems more lively than before.

On the same day, in the southwest suburbs of Beijing.

Zhao Daniu stood in front of his shack, gazing at the heavy snowfall, his face full of smiles.

Although the shack was simple, it provided shelter from the wind and snow.

Inside, thick layers of dry straw provided warmth, and the women and children huddled together.

The ten acres of wasteland he had cultivated next to the shack were now covered in snow.

We can start sowing next spring when the snow melts.

He carefully kept the seeds and farming tools that the government lent him.

The woman poked her head out of the shack: "Husband, come in, it's cold outside."

Zhao Daniu responded and crawled into the shack.

The children gathered around, asking all at once, "Dad, what are we eating for Chinese New Year?"

"Dad, can we have noodles next year?"

"Father, when will this snow stop?"

Zhao Daniu patted each of their heads and said with a smile, "We'll eat meat during the New Year."

Next year, we can eat whatever we want!

The children cheered.

His wife watched him from the side, her eyes slightly red.

Zhao Daniu held her hand and said softly, "Now that we have land, things will only get better."

The woman nodded and nestled against his shoulder.

Outside the shack, snow was falling heavily.

Inside the shack, it was warm as spring.

In the Qianqing Palace, a copy of the "Annual Records of the First Year of the Jingtai Reign" was spread out on Zhu Qiyu's desk.

That was the budget for next year's revenue and expenditure personally drafted by Jin Lian, the Minister of Revenue.

Estimated annual revenue: 2.8 million taels of silver for land tax, 1.2 million taels for salt and tea tax, and 300,000 taels for commercial tax.

Other miscellaneous items amounted to 200,000 taels, totaling 4.5 million taels.

The estimated expenditures for the year are: 2.4 million taels for military pay in the nine border regions, 800,000 taels for military pay in the capital garrison, 600,000 taels for official salaries, and 400,000 taels for stipends for members of the imperial family.

Three hundred thousand taels were allocated for river works, canal transport, and disaster relief.

The total is 4.5 million taels.

break even.

Zhu Qiyu let out a soft breath after reading it.

Jin Lian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is just a budget."

In practice, discrepancies are inevitable.

Your subject will do his utmost to control the situation and strive to avoid any deficit.

Jin Lian has said almost everything.

However, the Ministry of Revenue has not yet been informed of the plan to recruit soldiers for the Beijing Garrison.

There are some discrepancies in this budget.

According to Zhu Qiyu's idea, the Beijing garrison must be fully replenished.

However, the Ming Dynasty now has a problem: very few people are willing to join the army.

Everyone is terrified of being owed wages.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Minister Jin, you've worked hard."

Jin Lian said, "Your Majesty, I dare not complain of hardship. There is one more matter that requires Your Majesty's wise decision."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "What is it?"

Jin Lian said, "I propose that the price of salt and tea permits be increased by two coins per permit starting next year."

This could increase the annual income by 300,000 taels…

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him: "What are you afraid of? Let them retaliate."

Specializing in salt and tea is highly profitable.

Adding two coins would only mean they earn a little less; it wouldn't be a financial blow.

Those who cause trouble will be handed over to the relevant authorities for handling.

Jin Lian bowed deeply: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhu Qiyu then looked at Yu Qian beside him: "Junior Guardian Yu, how is the reconstruction of the Beijing Garrison progressing?"

Yu Qian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, in accordance with the new regimental system, three battalions have been formed."

A total of over 60,000 people.

Armor and weapons have been basically completed.

Large-scale training can begin next spring.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Very well, I will inspect the results next autumn."

Yu Qian: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhu Qiyu then looked at Chen Xun: "Grand Secretary Chen, what is the reaction in various regions regarding the reform of the imperial clan?"

Chen Xun stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, according to reports from various places, most of the imperial clan members have accepted the reality."

A few princes and generals submitted memorials requesting that their titles and stipends be retained, but their wording was still relatively mild.

Zhu Qiyu nodded; he had already given the instructions.

The prince's memorial regarding the reform of the imperial clan system was directly submitted to the cabinet for drafting.

He didn't even want to look at it.

However, Chen Xun was very helpful, and Zhu Qiyu has not seen a single memorial to this day.

All of them were rejected by the cabinet.

Zhu Qiyu got up and walked to the window.

Snowflakes were falling heavily outside the window.

He gazed at the pristine white world and suddenly said, "The New Year is almost here."

Yu Qian, Jin Lian, and Chen Xun replied in unison, "Yes."

Zhu Qiyu turned around and looked at them: "This year has not been easy."

The Tumu Crisis, the siege by the Oirat Mongols, the resettlement of displaced people, the reform of the imperial clan...

I want to thank you all.

The three men immediately knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, we are filled with trepidation."

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "Get up, there's still a lot to do next year."

I hope we can continue our efforts.

Let's create another legendary tale of harmonious relations between ruler and subject!

The three men said in unison, "We are willing to die for Your Majesty."

Zhu Qiyu smiled and said, "Go ahead, take a good rest during the New Year. You'll be busy afterward."

The three took their leave.

Only Zhu Qiyu remained in the hall.

Looking out at the heavy snow, he suddenly thought of Zhu Qizhen.

Historically, Esen was able to treat Zhu Qizhen well.

Bayan Temur's role probably accounted for more than half of the equation.

But now Bayan Temur has been killed by himself.

I wonder how that "royal brother" is doing in the Oirat camp right now?

Zhu Qiyu sighed; Esen could not possibly be as he had imagined.

He was an excellent politician and understood that Zhu Qizhen was more useful alive than dead.

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier.

Looking at the snow outside the window, Zhu Qiyu suddenly had a phrase pop into his mind: "A timely snow promises a bumper harvest."

The first year of the Jingtai reign should be a good year!