The soldiers guarding the gate recognized Xu Shixing and let him directly into the city. They also sent him to the Suzhou magistrate's office to reunite with his family.
Xu Shixing was greeting people along the way. Several officers were personally recruited by Xu Shixing into the Shanghai Anti-Japanese Corps.
Everyone was polite to Xu Shixing, and Xu Shixing walked all the way back to the Suzhou government office.
Xu Shangzhen, the prefect of Suzhou, was the father of Xu Shixing. The Anti-Japanese War Corps also knew that Mr. Xu had a good official reputation and that he was the father of their "Xu joined the army" in the past. They just surrounded the prefect's Yamen and did not embarrass the prefect Xu.
Xu Shixing was followed by many enthusiastic soldiers, and the officers guarding the prefect's Yamen also greeted Xu Shixing warmly. Those who didn't know better thought Xu Shixing was a rebel leader.
After entering the house, he talked with his father for a long time, and Xu Shixing became even more numb.
If we talk about the four great joys in the world, Xu Shixing experienced one of them when he was named on the gold list.
The most tragic thing in the world, let Xu Shixing, the new top scholar, sum up it is that "his biological father turns into an adopted father" and "his best friend rebels".
Xu Shangzhen told Xu Shixing that he was not Xu Shixing's biological father. His biological father's surname was Shen. He was a big businessman in Suzhou and a good friend of Xu Shangzhen. He was entrusted to the Xu family.
After receiving the news that Xu Shixing (now Shen Shixing) was named on the gold medal list, Xu Shangzhen decided to tell him the truth and encouraged him to go to the Shen family to recognize his ancestors.
This incident can no longer shock Shen Shixing, and even Shen Shixing now highly suspects that Xu Shangzhen asked herself to go to the Shen family to recognize her ancestors and return to the clan in order to avoid being listed on the list of nine tribes that would be exterminated in the future.
Will the Shen family accept their return to their ancestors at this time?
However, Xu Shangzhen has always regarded Shen Shixing as his own son, so this is definitely not his intention.
But bringing up the matter of life experience at this time made Shen Shixing feel even more confused.
The father and son looked at each other and sighed.
Shen Shixing participated in the preparation of the Shanghai Anti-Japanese General Corps and helped Su Ze run newspapers and academies. Their relationship was known throughout South Zhili.
Now that Suzhou Prefecture has been controlled by the Anti-Japanese General Corps, Shen Shixing now says that he is not an accomplice of the rebel Su Ze. I am afraid that no one in the entire Suzhou City will believe it.
Xu Shangzhen looked at Shen Shixing, and Shen Shixing said helplessly: "Dad! I'm really not a rebel!"
Although Shen Shixing knew that Xu Shangzhen was not his biological father, the two had a deep relationship and were still like father and son.
Xu Shangzhen laughed dryly and said, "Father believes in you!"
Shen Shixing was speechless. He asked, "Dad, I came in a hurry. How is the situation now?"
"My son, you really don't know?"
Shen Shixing said helplessly again: "Su Rulin rebelled and really didn't notify his son."
"Then why did you suddenly go south from the capital?"
"What a coincidence!"
Xu Shangzhen picked up a newspaper from the desk, handed it to Shen Shixing and said:
"The soldiers outside the door bring meals and newspapers every day. This is today's newspaper. If you have been the editor-in-chief, read it yourself."
Shen Shixing took over the "Warning Newspaper", and the front page headline was Su Ze's message to the Ming Dynasty court.
There are also signatures of a group of officials under the petition, all of whom are important officials in Zhejiang and Fujian. Hu Zongxian's name is right after Su Ze.
Well, "The Alert" has become an anti-thief newspaper, and there is one more piece of ironclad evidence that I am an anti-thief.
Shen Shixing even had the idea of breaking the pot. If he hadn't happened to be appointed by the emperor to go south, Dongchang and Jinyiwei would have come by now, right?
The next page of the statement is about the current trends of the Fujian and Zhejiang armies.
Su Ze has basically captured all eight Fujian prefectures, except for Zhangzhou Prefecture, which was occupied by the Feilong Army.
The 11th Zhejiang Prefecture, in the name of Hu Zongxian, was also announced by the Zhejiang New Army.
Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River were also under the control of the Shanghai Anti-Japanese General Corps.
As expected of Su Rulin, he is decisive when he takes action, and he is thunderous when he takes action!
Turning over again, it was Su Ze's letter of peace to the people under his rule.
After reading this "Announcement on Peace of the People", Shen Shixing looked at his adoptive father Xu Shangzhen and said:
"As soon as this article comes out, I am afraid that the hearts of the people in Fujian and Zhejiang will be lost to Su Rulin!"
As the prefect of Suzhou, Xu Shangzhen is more knowledgeable about civil affairs than Shen Shixing. He nodded helplessly and said:
"If it can be implemented to the letter, the people of the two provinces will definitely support Su Ze. It will be difficult for the court!"
Su Ze only mentioned three points in his "Announcement of Anmin".
First, only collect taxes according to the current land tax and Ding tax standards established by the Ming Dynasty court, and abolish various miscellaneous donations in the two provinces. The land tax and grain tax remained unchanged, but the Dante tax was changed to silver.
Second, reaffirm the strict exemption system and strictly follow the number of exempted officials and scholars at all levels set in the Hongwu Year. Wealthy households also have to bear the burden of labor, but they can contribute money to offset the labor, and all the money collected by the government for exemption will be used to distribute To ordinary people who participated in labor service as compensation for their participation in labor service.
Third, the banknote tariff laws were re-strictly implemented in Zhejiang, Fujian, and southern Jiangsu. At the same time, maritime trade was opened in Quanzhou Port and Fuzhou Port, and customs were set up to tax imported and exported goods. Fang Wanghai served as the customs banknote envoy.
Xu Shangzhen said helplessly: "Su Rulin's three points can be said to be in line with the current situation. It's a pity that he rebelled. If he can become the chief minister of the cabinet, he will definitely be able to help the Ming Dynasty."
Shen Shixing thought of what he had seen in the capital before and after he won the first prize, and immediately shook his head and said: "Su Rulin's policy will definitely not be implemented in the Ming Dynasty. He can succeed precisely because he rebelled."
Xu Shangzhen was also in the officialdom, and he quickly understood what his adopted son meant, and he reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"Father, I want to go to Fuzhou."
"Do you really want to be a thief?"
"I'm not a thief. I have a few things I want to ask Su Rulin face to face."
Shen Shixing stood up and said, "I will wait until I go to Fuzhou to discuss the matter of going to the Shen family to recognize my ancestors. Based on my understanding of Su Rulin, as long as my father lives in peace in the house, he will not do anything to you."
Xu Shangzhen could only nod helplessly and said: "Go ahead, dad is old. No matter what the future of the Ming Dynasty is, it will ultimately belong to you young people."
Shen Shixing set out to go south to Fuzhou, but Su Ze had already left Fuzhou.
Standing on the pier of Quanzhou Prefecture, Fang Wanghai behind Su Ze had a complicated expression, and Xu Wei, who was following Fang Wanghai, had a look of pain on his face.
His son-in-law turned traitor, and Fang Wanghai had only one option left: becoming a thief.
Whether it is the Yi Tribe or the Miejiu Tribe, the Wife Clan is definitely on the list.
Fang Wanghai quickly adjusted his mentality and accepted the position of customs officer.
Fuzhou Shipping Department already has a group of experienced officials, so all it takes is changing the name of the Shipping Department to Customs.
But when Quanzhou opens to the sea, a new team will need to be formed.
However, Su Ze had already made arrangements, and both Fang Wanghai and Xu Wei saw a few familiar faces.
These are all old faces from the Zhejiang and Nanzhili Customs Department, and they can be regarded as Fang Wanghai's old subordinates.
Xu Wei helped Hu Zongxian manage the Zhejiang Chaoguan Department. Several familiar faces among them were all shrewd and capable old officials in the Zhejiang Chaoguan Department.
Later, the banknote tax law was corrupted, and all these people disappeared. Unexpectedly, they were all caught in Su Ze's net.
From this point of view, Su Ze's rebellion was really planned for a long time!
"Master Fang! Master Xu!"
The official who saluted the two was named Lu Yingkui. He was once one of the capable officials under Fang Wanghai, but was later squeezed out of Chaoguan Hall by Zhao Zhenji.
Lu Yingkui turned to Su Zehui and reported:
"Grand Governor, Quanzhou originally had the Yamen of the Shipping Department of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It was repaired by my subordinates, and now it is the Quanzhou Customs Yamen."
"The Quanzhou port is already under repair. I heard that Quanzhou is going to open sea. The people are very enthusiastic. Merchant ships will be able to dock soon."
Quanzhou has been an ocean-going port since the Tang Dynasty. During the Southern Song Dynasty, it was an East Asian super port where thousands of sails were raced. Both the port conditions and the regional location are excellent. The dock roads only need to be straightened out before it can be opened to navigation.
In Su Ze's opinion, the abandonment of Quanzhou Port was really a waste of resources from the Ming Dynasty.
"My subordinates have mobilized twenty anti-smuggling ships from the guard station near Quanzhou to combat smuggling activities in the ports near Quanzhou."
"The training school for customs officers has also opened. It is recruited from the accounting clerks of various commercial banks in Quanzhou City. Anyone who can write and calculate can sign up."
Su Ze nodded with satisfaction. Lu Yingkui had outstanding ability in doing things. Su Ze personally trained him when he was planning to build Jiangnan Chaoguan.
However, Lu Yingkui was a civil servant and had no room for advancement in the Ming Dynasty system. After Fang Wanghai lost control of the Customs Department, Lu Yingkui was quickly squeezed out by Zhao Zhenji.
Su Ze said: "Have you all read the newly issued staff management regulations? From now on, staff will also be paid salaries according to officials. It is tentatively divided into six grades. The first grade is based on the salary of officials of the fourth grade, and the sixth grade is based on the salary of officials of the ninth grade. Promotions are based on seniority and performance.”
"The Governor's Office is still studying. In the future, there will be a unified examination for civil servants to become officials. Those who pass the examination can be transferred to officials."
Lu Yingkui's face was full of smiles. He was assigned to the third grade, which was the statutory salary for a sixth-grade official. The salary of officials in the Ming Dynasty was not high, but it was enough to support a family.
Moreover, with the salary, it is considered as legal income, and there is no need to try every means to make money as before.
The most important thing is to have an upward step.
Xu Wei's expression was complicated. He himself failed in the imperial examination and could not become an official. He originally followed Hu Zongxian to pacify the Japanese. Hu Zongxian expressed his merit to the court and recommended Xu Wei to become an official.
Unexpectedly, Hu Zongxian himself fell first.
After learning the news, Xu Wei, who was in Fuzhou, simply voted for Su Ze.
Xu Wei is a madman with a somewhat extreme personality. He went to Su Ze not because he was optimistic about Su Ze's rebellion, but because he wanted to express his resentment against the Ming Dynasty!
Xu Wei helped Hu Zongxian plan to fight against the Japanese. I don’t know how much effort he spent and how much infamy he suffered. Unexpectedly, as soon as the Japanese rebellion was over, the court would kill the donkey. It is really hateful!
Immediately afterwards, Su Ze rescued Hu Zongxian and published a proclamation to denounce the imperial court, which Xu Wei saw.
When Xu Wei followed Su Ze to Quanzhou to organize customs this time, Xu Wei actually thought that Su Ze's rebellion could succeed?
How ridiculous!
But seeing the brilliance in Lu Yingkui's eyes and the busy scene of the entire Quanzhou Customs, Xu Wei began to think deeply.
Maybe it can actually be done?
But the most important thing in a war is money and food. Xu Wei used to help Hu Zongxian in charge of logistics and taxation. Is it really possible for Su Ze to waive so many miscellaneous donations from the people at once?
Before Xu Wei could ask, Fang Wanghai asked first:
"Rulin, should we discuss the exemption of miscellaneous contributions and the exemption of military service? There are currently many places where troops are used. Can it be maintained?"
Su Ze said with a smile: "Don't worry, my father-in-law, my son-in-law has already calculated it. The current land tax and tax in Fujian and Zhejiang are enough to support government expenses and military expenditures, and there are also banknote duties and customs taxes."
Fang Wanghai had never calculated such an account before, and he said in disbelief: "Ru Lin, didn't you include the officials in the salary, is this enough?"
Su Ze said: "Of course, in the future, not only the customs and banknotes, but also the officials employed within the quota range in all prefectures and counties will also be paid according to the six levels of salary. The land tax and ding tax of the two provinces and two governments will be enough." Supported.”
Seeing that Fang Wanghai and Xu Wei still didn't believe it, Su Ze said:
"Master Yue Zhang, you used to be the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. How much of the taxes and taxes of Nanjing are retained by Nanzhili, and how much is sent to the capital? And how much is sent to the princes' palaces in various places?"
Fang Wanghai was stunned, but Xu Wei naturally didn't know the specific amount, so he turned to look at Su Ze.
Su Ze said coldly: "The world's wealth provides four million dan for the capital's food every year, and the royal palaces in various places have as much as 8.53 million dan, which is more than double the amount of food for the capital."
Xu Wei also took a breath and said, "There are so many?"
Su Ze added: "For example, in Kaifeng, Henan, there was only one Zhou palace in Hongwu. By the beginning of Jiajing, there had been thirty-nine prefectures, more than five hundred generals, and countless lieutenants and honorable guests."
"As for the province of Henan, the amount of grain levied in a year is only 843,000 dan, and the rice for the palace is 1.92 million dan. Considering this province, even if all the land and grain are levied, it will not be enough for the rice for the palace. Half, not to mention the official salary and military pay are all out of it."
"Although there is no vassal palace in Fujian and Zhejiang, the money and grain collected every year have to be invested in other provinces to make up for the holes in the palace. Naturally, military pay is insufficient."
Fang Wanghai sighed. He knew that what Su Ze said was true. Jiangnan collected so many taxes every year, but the court's expenses were still not enough. In fact, it didn't cost much to support officials and staff.
If taxes from Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangnan do not have to go to the capital, then Su Ze can really exempt the people from all miscellaneous donations.
Not to mention banknotes and customs, which can also provide a lot of tax revenue.
Xu Wei had never been exposed to these data. He was stunned for a long time and said: "Your salary is your salary, and the people care about you. The people are easy to abuse, but God is hard to bully!"
Su Ze said, "God? The Ming Dynasty has been in power for one hundred and sixty years, and the people are easy to bully. How can it be said that God is hard to bully?"
"It's better to stand up on your own than to hope that God will open your eyes."
After talking about finance, Su Zeping stepped back and said to Xu Wei:
"Sir, are you willing to be my counselor to the Governor's Mansion and help me plan military affairs?"
"The Counselor of the Governor's Office is a newly established official position of mine. It ranks in the sixth rank. In addition to the statutory salary of the Ming Dynasty, I can also receive another salary from the Governor's Office."
The statutory salary of the Ming Dynasty was too low, but Su Ze could not raise the salary of all officials now, so he first used this dual-salary system to increase the salary of important positions.
Xu Wei thought for a while and thought of Hu Zongxian's experience. He was already desperate for the Ming court.
After listening to Su Ze's settlement today, he was even more heartbroken. Why did he sacrifice his life for such a court? He might as well have turned against him.
"Grand Governor! Xu is willing to do something for the people!"
(End of chapter)
