Zhu Biao knew that his father was not worried about a few rebels, but was angry with himself. Comrade Zhu also came from a poor background. How could he not know that as long as the common people could survive, they would not think of rebellion.
Although it is the confusion and instigation of some careerists, the root problem is still that the people can no longer survive. Even after the Ming Dynasty was established, the people's lives still have not improved as they expected, especially in remote areas. This is the grievances of the people. .
Zhu Biao comforted and said: "Father, our Ming Dynasty has just been established, and the people's lives will get better and better. The ancients said that governing a big country is like cooking a small delicacy. Now, as long as it is cooked slowly, the world will prosper."
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "After we became the emperor, we became the king and father of the people in the world. I dare not say that I treat them the same as I treat you, but we also hope that they can be well fed, clothed, warm and have land to farm. Don't do this anymore. Those head-on-the-waist business.”
Zhu Biao nodded and said: "People are ignorant and just want to find a way to survive, but those who use evil cults to deceive people's hearts should be punished!
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Of course it is. We have ordered Lan Yu to destroy the rebels."
Zhu Biao thought for a while but couldn't help but said: "Father, the culprit must be punished, but can those people leave a way to survive?"
At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, it was decided that rebels should be grandfathers, fathers, sons, grandsons, brothers and people living together, regardless of surname, and sons of uncles, brothers, regardless of the same or different nationality, regardless of the age of sixteen or above. All serious illnesses and debilitating illnesses will be cut off."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and looked at Zhu Biao and said: "Biao'er, as a king, you must not be merciful! You are not unaware of the current local situation. The big families are ready to make moves, and all parties are watching how we deal with the rebels.
Zhu Biao also knew that now was indeed not the time to implement benevolent government. Too many people were not living well, and those who wanted to rebel were eager to try. If the Zhu family could conquer the world through rebellion, they might also have a chance.
Both Zhu Yuanzhang and his son fell silent. It was impossible for their words and deeds to really follow their own wishes. Zhu Ming's imperial power had not yet reached that level, which could be seen from the constant rebellions in various places.
The establishment of the Ming Dynasty was a success in terms of nationality. It turned the oppressed Han people into the ruling nation again. However, in terms of economic and political aspects, although it overturned the oppression of foreign nations, in terms of society, the landlord class had no influence on the bottom class. The peasants' privileges of blood replenishment and oppression did not change with the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.
At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the common people at the bottom had no choice but to rebel. However, the landlord class did not rebel. If they wanted to protect their lives and property, they had to maintain order.
During the large-scale peasant uprising, the landlords used all their strength to organize private armies to build forts to resist external invasion. This class consisted of officials, local squires, poets and writers, wealthy generals and other upper-class figures. Abundant food and clothing, abundant wealth and wealth.
These people have received the best education, have knowledge and organizational skills, and have absolute appeal and prestige in the local area. Even though they work independently and do not have unified command, and their combat effectiveness varies, it is undeniable Yes, if they are forced into a desperate situation, they can unleash a force that is far stronger and more tenacious than the Yuan Dynasty army.
Moreover, this class became more powerful with the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, and the emerging dignitaries and bureaucrats had a large amount of capital and became the new landlords. They rose from being peasants at the bottom to become the landlords they looked up to before, and they became the staunchest supporters of the landlord class.
Of course, with the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, the greatest landowner was also born, that is, the Zhu Ming royal family. This family, supported and maintained by the entire landlord class, became the leader and guardian of the large landowner class.
Because of this, the people's problems have been put aside. The Zhu family must first feed the landlord class, otherwise this behemoth will counterattack and the world can return to troubled times at any time.
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, father and son, sat in silence on their chairs. Zhu Biao finally understood why Zhu Yuanzhang set off major crimes several times in history, each time implicating tens of thousands of people. This was to use harsh punishment to eliminate those who were not responsible during the founding years of the People's Republic of China. The old landowners who are willing to cooperate, such as those families who are unwilling to let their children join the officialdom.
But even now, the Ming Dynasty cannot do without the support of this class. After the chaos of war, the suspension of the imperial examination, and the lack of talents, the generals are good at fighting. They can't even solve a case when they govern the local area, let alone collect taxes and calm the people.
As for running schools, there are only so many literati in the entire imperial court. It would be good if they could run the yamen in the capital. How can there be spare time to spare literati to run schools?
Ancient knowledge is so obscure that it is so easy to learn there, and Zhu Yuanzhang has also established institutions such as the Imperial College, but the people don't even have enough to eat. Who would let their children go to school? They might as well just go to the fields to dig for food. At least Won't starve to death.
The poor scholars trained by the imperial court have no foundation. If they are sent to local places, they will be restricted by the officials below and cannot do anything. It will be easier for them to harm you. At worst, dozens of people will be thrown away to calm the imperial court.
Moreover, when a poor scholar gains fame and land, doesn’t that mean he becomes a new landlord?
There is nothing we can do. The local government cannot even collect agricultural taxes. We can't let the generals lead their troops to the countryside to collect them by force. Those generals are all good at enriching their own pockets. In the end, the officials will force the people to rebel.
In the first year of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhu Yuanzhang selected a group of suitable talents from aristocratic families and appointed them as local magistrates, prefects, envoys and even nine ministers of the imperial court. He had no choice but to collect taxes. How could the country support the army? The army was scattered. What about suppressing local rebellions and foreign invasions?
The landowners are familiar with the local situation and will give each other face. With the support of the local wealthy families, it is easy and fast to collect taxes and transport grain. Of course, they will also have to scrape off a layer of oil and water.
Finally, these oils and water were transported to the hands of nobles, and a new interest network was formed. The original landlords became local officials and grain chiefs, and the new landlords became capital officials. The two combined with each other to form a new ruling class. Then It is a network of interests that even the imperial power cannot interrupt.
This is why, no matter the Yuan Dynasty or the Qing Dynasty, after invading and occupying the Central Plains, you can massacre the city, but in the end you still have to appease the gentry.
Without them, you can't do anything. They don't even need to raise an army to resist you. As long as they control the people below them, the officials you send won't be able to collect even one grain tax. If you impose it by force, everyone will be fine. Okay, how many of you are there?
This is why the emperor and the scholar-bureaucrats have shared the world in all dynasties. Of course, as long as the emperor does not betray this class and has the power to safeguard the entire class, then as the largest landowner, he has the right to live and kill other small landowners.
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