"Guizhuang, why do you think this is not feasible?"
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Gu Jikun and then said to Guizhuang.
Guizhuang's previous objection was mainly due to his dissatisfaction when he heard that Ye Fangheng was allowed to participate in overseas trade.
Hearing the words at this moment, he was stunned, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan seems to be rich, but in fact it is also hidden in danger. If you are not careful, war will immediately break out..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang. Seeing that his expression was as normal, he continued: "Everyone only knows that agriculture and commerce in Jiangnan are prosperous, but they don't know that these things are in the hands of the clan, bureaucrats and wealthy businessmen like Ye Fangheng."
"The life of the people in the south of the Yangtze River is very difficult. Many people have become slaves and tenants. Except for some poor scholars, there are only a few craftsmen who rely on silk, porcelain and other items to live with some dignity."
"In the past, wealthy merchants also secretly went to sea, but due to rampant banditry at sea, there was always the risk of shipwrecks and casualties. Therefore, although overseas trade was profitable, the scale was not large."
"If Your Majesty opens the sea ban, and with the support of the imperial court, and the risks at sea are reduced, bureaucrats and wealthy businessmen will flock to them. In order to seek huge profits, they will persecute those family workshops. By then, there will be thousands of people in Jiangnan. Lost livelihood."
"Previously, many serfs violently resisted the law because they could not bear the exploitation. If even the craftsmen cannot make a living, the common people will take risks because they see no hope, and the situation may be out of control... "
As Gui Zhuang narrated, Zhu Yuanzhang's face gradually darkened.
But he didn't care, and instead elaborated more and more intensely.
Xia Wanchun and Zhang Mingzhen on the side heard this. While they sympathized with the people, they also secretly felt a cold sweat for Guizhuang.
On the contrary, Gu Jikun and Wu Qihang looked at Guizhuang with calm expressions.
"If you follow your words, as long as the sea ban is not lifted, there will be no chaos in Jiangnan and the people can survive?"
After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking at the village, he asked coldly.
Guizhuang shook his head and said: "No, if we don't lift the sea ban, we can only postpone the conflicts. If we want Jiangnan to have long-term peace and stability and the people to live and work in peace and contentment, we must abolish the feudal system, rectify the officialdom, and allow the tillers to have their own land..."
Although there was anger in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, Guizhuang still turned a blind eye and talked to himself.
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this, he became even more angry.
He not only hated the bureaucrats and wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan, but also annoyed Guizhuang's outspokenness.
It was just that he was angry with Guizhuang, but he also knew that what Guizhuang said was reasonable. After the other party finished speaking, he said in a deep voice: "Guizhuang, we all appreciate your courage and insight. If we let you go to Jiangnan to rectify the officialdom, How sure are you?"
Guizhuang was stunned when he heard this, and then said loudly: "The confidence of the common people depends on your Majesty's determination!"
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered and said, "We have ordered the King of Qin to escort the vassal prince of Huai'an to the Fengyang Emperor's Mausoleum. How determined do you think we are?"
As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang said this, everyone present was shocked.
After returning to the village, he was surprised and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, please forgive the common people for their arrogance!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly: "Why, you don't dare?"
Guizhuang raised his head and said, "How could ordinary people dare not..."
"Your Majesty, the common people feel that now is not a good opportunity to rectify the political system in Jiangnan, so it is better to impose a sea ban first!"
At this time, Gu Jikun interrupted Guizhuang's words and said respectfully.
Zhu Yuanzhang had pressed forward step by step because he wanted to be convinced by Gui Zhuang. Now when he heard this, he glanced at Gu Jikun and deliberately made things difficult for him: "Just now Gui Zhuang said that if the sea ban was opened, it would only cause chaos in Jiangnan. Why do you persist?"
Gu Jikun said: "Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with what Brother Xuan Gong said just now, because in every case, there are advantages and disadvantages."
"If Your Majesty suddenly opens the sea, things may go as Brother Xuan Gong said, but Your Majesty will make a decision before taking action, eliminating the disadvantages and taking advantage, which will be the blessing of the people of Jiangnan!"
Seeing that he was more respectful than before, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he had begun to win his heart, so he calmly said: "Tell me, what are the disadvantages and how to get rid of them?"
Gu Jikun looked at Zhu Yuanzhang
He glanced at it and said in a deep voice: "The big disadvantages today are rough tax management, rigid taxation, and uneven distribution between merchants and farmers."
"You must know that it has been more than two hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. People's livelihood has undergone great changes, but the standards for tax collection still follow the regulations of Taizu's dynasty."
"In addition, land annexation has become serious, and bureaucrats and wealthy businessmen have cleverly created excuses to force taxes and taxes on the people, resulting in more and more tax-free people."
"Although the imperial court often exempted and exempted land taxes, they were all used by officials and merchants. The people did not enjoy any benefits at all. They worked all day long and still had no food to eat. They even sold their sons and daughters in order to gain a night of peace."
"Businessmen make huge profits, but their taxes are low..."
.......z.
"If your Majesty can adjust the taxes on agriculture and commerce in a timely manner according to the current conditions, and implement different tax systems in good and bad years, then the sea ban will have all the benefits and no harm."
After Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Gu Jikun's story, he looked at Xia Wanchun and said, "Xia Qing, do you think what Gu Jikun said is reasonable?"
Xia Wanchun heard this and said: "What Mr. Tinglin (Gu Jikun's nickname) said is indeed a disadvantage of Jiangnan, but this disease has existed for a long time. If we don't reform the official system, it may be difficult to succeed!"
Gu Jikun shook his head and said: "What the common people just said is a fundamental solution. Now the world is in panic, it is not appropriate to add more variables, so this method can only be implemented slowly."
"If we want to establish a maritime ban now, we need to put an end to this problem. We can create a new bureau to manage overseas transactions. This can train talents and prepare for future reforms in government administration."
"Furthermore, we can also suppress business and increase taxes, and use it to raise troops and stabilize the people, so as to prevent wars from happening again in other places."
"Three things can be done...the tail will be cured and the tail will not fall off..."
After Gu Jikun vaguely passed the third point, he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang again.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he knew that he was alluding to the Zheng family, so he couldn't help but think more highly of him.
At this time, Xia Wanchun spoke again: "Nowadays, there are constant wars, farmland is desolate, and food is insufficient. Most of the overseas exchanges are silver. Once this silver comes in, it may push up food prices and make people's lives more difficult. Is there something that is not worth the gain?" ?」
When Gu Jikun heard this, he smiled and said, "Master Xia, you just said the opposite!"
"You must know that the reason why people are in poverty is because silver is too expensive, and most of it is in the hands of wealthy merchants, who set the price. Therefore, no matter whether it is a good or bad year, the people's income is limited."
"If there is a continuous influx of silver, wealthy merchants will lose the power to set prices. In addition, the silver in their hands is no longer as valuable as before. In order to reduce losses, they will definitely reduce their collections."
"With more money circulating, the people's food will be more valuable, and they will be richer than before."
When everyone heard this, they all looked thoughtful.
At this time, Wu Qihan, who had been silent all the time, suddenly said: "Brother Zhongqing (Gu Jikun's nickname), you are basing this on wealthy businessmen selling silver. What if they don't sell silver, but instead purchase it vigorously?"
Zhu Yuanzhang just sorted out his thoughts, and when he heard Wu Qikang's words, he couldn't help but frowned again.
