The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

After Lin Yue finished his grand speech about abolishing land tax, the hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhu Di suddenly leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Lin Yue.

His breathing was heavy and labored, his eyes wide open, as if he wanted to devour the "exemption of land taxes for the whole country" alive.

Throughout history, emperors have been praised for their diligence, love for the people, and expansion of territory, or for being like Emperor Taizong of Tang, the Heavenly Khan, or Emperor Wu of Han, who defeated the Xiongnu. But no one has ever dared to imagine exempting the people from land taxes.

Land tax has been the foundation of every dynasty, the basis of the nation, an unprecedented aspiration, and the most effective way to win the hearts and minds of the people.

Emperor Yongle's throat bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. He only felt a surge of heat rush from his heart to the top of his head.

He discovered that, based on the fiscal and tax data of the Song Dynasty provided by Lin Yue, it was actually possible to exempt the land tax from all taxes.

This isn't entirely untrue. During the Song Dynasty, the burden of land tax was shifted to other monopolies, and the amount of grain collected was indeed not much, with frequent reductions and exemptions.

Yao Guangxiao slightly opened his eyes, his withered fingers resting on his knees. He looked up at Zhu Di, then at Lin Yue, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Yao Guangxiao considered himself an extraordinary person, but he had never even considered what Lin Yue said.

The idea of ​​exempting the land tax from all taxes sounds wonderful, but could the Ming Dynasty really do it?

The people inside the hall had different expressions; some stared wide-eyed, some frowned, and some clapped their hands, all showing great shock.

Xie Jin stood frozen in place, nearly dropping the jade tablet, his face flushing red and then turning pale.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something empty talk, something impossible, but was interrupted by a long sigh from Zhu Di.

Zhu Di sighed deeply, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Yue, his tone tinged with urgency.

"Lin Yue, do you know what a magnificent feat it is to exempt the land tax from all taxes in the world? There has never been such an precedent in history!"

Since you dare to speak, you must have evidence. Can my Great Ming Dynasty truly deliver on your promise?

The same words can have drastically different effects and credibility depending on the person speaking them.

To Zhu Di, Lin Yue was a stubborn, reckless, and madman.

Such a person would not lie recklessly. Since he dared to say that he could exempt land taxes, even if he could not fully realize it, he must have a certain degree of confidence.

But he was wrong; Lin Yue really did dare to talk nonsense.

Realizing that angering Zhu Di and committing suicide for remonstrance would be difficult, Lin Yue quickly changed course.

He wanted to quickly join the Yongle reform camp, launch a vigorous reform, offend all interest groups, and finally die a heroic death in the course of national affairs.

Lin Yue bowed deeply, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and began to boast loudly.

If you're going to make grand promises, then go all the way!

Lin Yue: "Your Majesty, I guarantee with my life that twenty years of recuperation will be enough!"

This year, the Ming Dynasty's annual revenue totaled over 30 million shi of grain and 20 million shi of silk and other items. Of these, land tax accounted for nine-tenths, while salt and iron taxes accounted for one or two-tenths.

However, if we follow my plan, with each plan completed in five years and all four phases successful, proceeding step by step, we will surely be able to abolish land taxes in twenty years—this is no exaggeration!

Lin Yue's boast once again shocked everyone in the hall.

Zhu Gaochi's usually calm eyes were now filled with turbulent emotions.

Someone actually dared to guarantee with his own head before the emperor that he could be exempted from land tax for twenty years. How many heads does he have to chop off?

This was Zhu Gaochi's first reaction.

Zhu Di was equally shocked. He suddenly sat up and questioned, "Twenty years?"

"So fast! Tell me in detail how to do it!"

Lin Yue raised his eyes and swept them over the crowd in the hall, then spoke loudly.

"With a five-year period, expand the Bao Shipyard, build 100 giant ships and 300 grain transport ships, and establish three Maritime Trade Offices in Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Ningbo. Following the tax system of the Song Dynasty, levy one-fifteenth tax on coarse goods and one-tenth tax on fine goods."

Improve the treatment of craftsmen, establish state-run mining, metallurgy and weaving industries, implement new laws for craftsmen in the Treasure Shipyard, exempt them from corvée labor, establish schools for all crafts, reward those who improve their skills with silver and grant them official positions, and establish three major state-run factories: the General Iron and Steel Factory in Beiping, the Jiangnan Weaving Factory in Suzhou, and the Ceramics Factory in Raozhou.

If this plan succeeds, commercial taxes and government factory revenues will increase significantly, potentially adding five million taels to annual income!

The people inside the hall were discussing amongst themselves and exchanging ideas.

Lin Yue ignored everyone, spoke faster, and became even more imposing.

"If the five-year plan is feasible, then we can expand our territory for another five years!"

Zheng He was dispatched to lead a fleet to the Western Ocean, opening up shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. Trading posts were established in Sumatra and Ceylon, and the spice trade was monopolized.

He dispatched a fleet of ships to Luzon to establish the vassal state of Luzon, bringing with them 30,000 people and 5,000 artisans to reclaim wasteland, build iron ore workshops, and transport spices and iron ore back for profit.

They dispatched their vassal states to the southern seas to establish vassal states, mine open-pit iron mines, and cast firearms and agricultural tools, which were then transported back to the Central Plains.

The opening up of private maritime trade allowed anyone holding official government credentials to sail on government ships. Thirty percent of the tax revenue went to the national treasury, while seventy percent went to the merchants, thus stimulating the people's desire for profit.

"With all these measures in place for five years, I am confident that the proportion of revenue from commercial taxes and government factories will increase significantly, reaching over thirty million taels annually, while overseas vassal states will contribute ten million taels of silver annually!"

"Nonsense!" Xie Jin couldn't hold back any longer and pointed at Lin Yue, angrily rebuking him.

"Lin, you're spouting nonsense, trying to gain attention, and you don't know anything!"

Annual revenue of over 30 million taels? And vassal states' annual tribute of 10 million taels?

Such illusory numbers are nothing more than the wildest dreams of a madman!

"In these remote and untamed lands overseas, relocating people and establishing vassal states would cost a fortune. Moreover, the sea routes are treacherous and rife with miasma; a slight misstep could result in the loss of both people and wealth. Yet you treat matters of state as a game!"

He turned to Zhu Di, bowed deeply, and said resolutely: "Your Majesty! This scoundrel spreads heretical rumors, disregards the national economy and people's livelihood, and only advocates empty profits. He is truly a scourge to the country and the people!"

If this scoundrel is not severely punished today, he will surely shake the foundations of the nation in the future. I implore Your Majesty to execute this vile man to set an example and bring peace to the court!

After Xie Jin finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Zhu Gaochi's heart tightened; he knew that Xie Jin's words had been too harsh.

His father was not known for his good temper; any harsh words would result in either imprisonment or execution.

Zhu Gaochi immediately stepped forward, bowed, and spoke to smooth things over.

"Why do it this way? Why do it this way?"

Although Lin's words were radical, they were also suggestions for the prosperity and strength of the Ming Dynasty, relieving the Hanlin scholars' worries about national affairs. His urgent words also reflected his loyalty to the emperor.

Since the reign of Emperor Taizu Gao, the Ming Dynasty has not punished people for their speech. There is no need to call for violence for expressing different opinions.

His Majesty is well aware of all matters discussed in the palace; everyone should calmly deliberate and express their opinions.

Zhu Di was already furious, but his anger subsided somewhat after hearing his eldest son's explanation.

But Xie Jin suddenly looked up, glared at Zhu Gaochi, and then turned to Zhu Di, arguing sharply: "Your Highness is mistaken!"

This is not a debate over words, but a distinction between loyalty and treachery!

Lin Yue's proposed policies, which abandoned agriculture in favor of commerce and recklessly expanded overseas, completely violated ancestral rules and pushed the Ming Dynasty to the brink of destruction!

If Your Majesty listens to such fallacies, you will be unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, good and evil, and will only be greedy for grand achievements, potentially repeating the mistakes of Emperor Yang of Sui!

"Insolence!" Zhu Di roared in fury. "Xie Jin, what do you mean by this? Are you accusing me of being unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery? Do you really think I dare not punish you?!"

His gaze was sharp as a knife as he swept over Xie Jin before him and gave the order in a stern voice.

"Guards! Seize Xie Jin and throw him into the imperial prison. Place him under strict guard and await further orders!"