"Sichuan was originally a land of abundance. When Fei Aiqing came to Sichuan last year, I did have some expectations. Although our Ming Dynasty covers thousands of miles, there are not many places as precious as Shu. It's a pity that there were floods first and then droughts."
When it comes to this aspect, Zhu Houzhao is somewhat sad, "During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Sichuan was even more famous for its benefits. But in the Ming Dynasty, Sichuan's annual tax burden was only about 1 million shi."
This level is basically the same order of magnitude as Fujian, which is a province full of hills and mountains.
At that time, Yizhou was the land of Shu, one of the most prosperous places in the world. By the Song Dynasty, rice fields and mulberry fields were everywhere, and the population exceeded 13 million.
"Fei Aiqing thinks, how can Sichuan prosper?"
Fei Hong reported, "At the end of the Song Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, Sichuan was devastated by the war. Ten houses were empty, and the population dropped sharply. Emperor Taizu also immigrated to Sichuan back then, but today, the number of people in Sichuan is only three million. Compared to Fiscal and taxation areas are particularly rare.”
In the mid-Ming Dynasty, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Nanzhili had a population of tens of millions. Three million people in a land of abundance are really too few.
Zhu Houzhao held his hands behind his hands, thinking that it might be related to the fact that Ming Dynasty's center of gravity was in the north. For more than two hundred years, the greatest threat was the ethnic minorities in the north.
Moreover, immigration is not acceptable to Chinese people who have settled down and relocated. Even if I really accept it psychologically, how can I get there when Sichuan is so far away?
The people who have fields don't want to go there, and the people who don't have fields probably won't be able to go there.
But the natural endowments in Sichuan are indeed excellent.
Zhu Houzhao had an idea in his mind that he would definitely change the face of Sichuan in his lifetime.
In fact, without human intervention, this situation would have continued until the end of the Ming Dynasty. However, it finally regained a little vitality, and when Zhang Xianzhong entered Sichuan, the population dropped sharply again.
So basically during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Sichuan did not catch its breath.
But even so, in terms of tax data per mu, Sichuan has always been higher than the average level of Ming Dynasty. To put it bluntly, the conditions here are good.
Having too many people can sometimes cause tension between people and the land, but having too few people can also lead to depression. Especially in the era before large-scale machine production, the shortage of people means the shortage of labor force.
"The imperial court must have a superior plan." Such thoughts arose in Zhu Houzhao's mind. "On the one hand, there are refugees everywhere, and on the other hand, there is insufficient population. The isolation of regions and inconvenient transportation make it difficult to communicate with each other. If allowed to develop, only I’m afraid it will be difficult to achieve results by just letting things take their own course.”
At this time, the refugees who were relatively close to Sichuan were in the Jingxiang generation. Because there are too many "Princes" in Huguang.
"Your Majesty is wise. However, immigration to Sichuan consumes a lot of money. The refugees are provided with food rations, cattle seeds, and farm tools after entering Sichuan. In addition, it is difficult to collect taxes at the beginning of land reclamation. After all of these are calculated, the extravagant expenses are another Recovered."
Zhu Houzhao is not afraid of this.
The complex is accompanied by millions of acres of cultivated land and grassland in the Hetao Plain. With land as the 'profit' of the war, the money spent is meaningful and can also improve the security situation.
The same goes for Sichuan.
In fact, he was guessing that perhaps it was because this work was costly and the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty had never been better, so he could not continue it. We all live together, and if we can survive, it's already good. How can we have more money to worry about other things.
"Fei Aiqing, when we made the complex system a national policy, I said, if it doesn't work in one year, we will do it in three years. If it doesn't work in three years, we will do it in five years. If it really doesn't work in five years, we will do it in ten years! Don't be afraid of difficulties. I am afraid that others will do it. The same is true for this matter. If it is completed at once and the national treasury cannot bear it, it will be carried out over several years."
Zhu Houzhao had an idea, as if he had found a target, "But this matter needs to be coordinated by the cabinet. Wherever there are many refugees, we will persuade the people. There are three waves a year, one hundred thousand, and in five years there will be more than one hundred With a population of ten thousand. When you travel far, you will always be proud of yourself, and when you climb high, you will feel inferior. We, the monarchs and ministers, should not be that anxious, right?"
"Your Majesty has this patience, and I naturally also have this patience. Read the books of sages and plan world affairs. Even if you only do this one big thing for the rest of your life, I will die without regrets!"
"Well, by the way, you are not going to bring a magistrate to the capital, but where are the others?"
Fei Hong thought to himself, "Go back to Your Majesty, this person is already waiting outside the palace."
"Then let him in."
Gu Renyi entered the territory of Beizhili in early February and entered the capital at the end of February. This month was extremely hard and he lost a lot of weight.
Zhu Houzhao took a quick look and thought he was already sick.
"The humble minister Gu Renyi, the county magistrate of Yibin, comes to see your majesty!"
"Get back on your feet." Zhu Houzhao sat back on the throne and waved his sleeves, "This year I will receive reports from officials in the border areas. Some of them will not meet alone, but will recommend one or two good ministers to me. Fei Aiqing is the number one scholar in the Hanlin Academy. , Donggong are all experienced, and even participated in the compilation of "Records of Xianzong". When they came to my country, they also trusted each other with the importance of the southwest. In a word, even if I don't believe you, I will believe him. So you have to be sincere in your actions. What I have done is not only to repay the kindness of the country, but also to live up to the respect of your boss."
After what the emperor said, Fei Hong enjoyed it very much. Gu Renyi also felt that there was enthusiasm in his heart. Two people and four pairs of eyes were looking at him. After thinking about the beliefs in his heart and the principles he had learned from reading, his determination became more determined.
"I will obey the holy precepts. If I dare, please stand alone!"
Fei Hong's eyelids were closed and nothing happened, but in fact the idea was his.
Zhu Houzhao was a little surprised. He tried to find the answer from Fei Hong's face but failed.
But thinking about the character of Gu Renyi mentioned in the memorial, and the atmosphere at this time...
He still gave the order, "Liu Jin, tell the people outside to stay a hundred steps away from Qianqing Palace. During this period, no one is allowed to come near. Oh, you and Jin Gui stay. Gu Renyi, these two are my confidants, you If you have anything to say, just say it. In the end, only these few people will hear it. If the news leaks out, it will be easy to investigate."
Liu Jin's mouth trembled slightly when he smiled, and the emperor's words were really sharp. At the same time, this small county magistrate is also a little resentful. If you accidentally leak the news, won't our family be in trouble?
But this was just what I was thinking, and I didn't dare to say a word.
After a while, the environment was right.
Gu Renyi took out a memorial from his sleeve and raised it to the heads of the whole country, "What I am writing today is for Huangzhuang and Guanzhuang!"
Zhu Houzhao frowned, "Gu Renyi, you have to think carefully. You are the first county magistrate in Sichuan."
"I am the magistrate of Sichuan, but I am also your Majesty's minister. Since I am your Majesty's minister, if I hear about the shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty and do not report it, it is disloyal! I should be punished!"
Zhu Houzhao was slightly shocked. This guy was really upright. Although he is thin, he seems to have a certain strength.
He glanced at Liu Jin, who went to get the memorial.
After that, Gu Renyi continued: "I followed the team into Beizhili more than a month ago. I saw hundreds of hungry people with my own eyes. However, the imperial court has been promoting pastoralism for several years. Why are people's livelihood still so difficult? I came to my hometown. Only then did I realize that the harm was in the village land. In the last years of Emperor Xianzong's reign, Li Min, the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, once reported: The land of Jinjifu Huangzhuang is more than 12,800 hectares, and the land of Xunqi and Zhongguan Village is 33,100 hectares. Thirty percent of the land in Gyeonggi Province has been invaded. This was the case twenty years ago. How can it not become more intense today twenty years later?"
"Moreover, the imperial village is not only huge in scale, but the people who control it can also be called fierce. Those who cultivate the emperor's village are tenant farmers, and they are not allowed to leave their nationality for generations. I also checked that the tax on the village land is eight cents per acre, which is three times that of civilian land. . To cultivate farmland, you have to pay both state taxes and farm taxes. Two taxes on one field is no longer enough."
"Moreover, the official school in Zhuangtian gathered a group of young people. They were either called Zhuangtou or their companions. They occupied the land, collected property, and abused women. Those who resisted a little were often falsely accused! The official school held them captive, and the whole family was in panic! "
"In the past, it was said that there were many people living in poverty and suffering, but from what I saw, it was far inferior to Zhuang Tian. No one in the world was as good for the people as Huang Zhuang, Xunqi, and Zhongguan Zhuang Tian! Your Majesty is the emperor, and the emperor regards the world as his home. , How can I use the Imperial Villa?"
After saying the above words, Gu Renyi took off his official hat and put it in front of him, touched his head with his head, and burst into tears: "I braved the power of heaven and died in response, but your majesty has kept your holy will deeply, and will not lose today's mission." If you don't forget the ambition to change the Yuan Dynasty, the people will be very happy and the clan will be very happy!!"
Liu Jin started to sweat when he was halfway through his words. Jin Gui's hand couldn't help but strain.
There are critics in the world!
After finishing speaking, the entire Qianqing Palace was silent.
Gu Renyi lowered his head, Liu Jin, Jin Gui lowered his head, and even Fei Hong lowered his head.
They didn't dare to think about the emperor's reaction.
Huangzhuang, this is directly the fault of Tianjia and the fault of the imperial court!
In fact, Zhu Houzhao was reading the memorial carefully. Gu Renyi gave a simple summary, but the details were still on the paper.
More than half a month ago, he summoned Governor Shuntian. The situation he learned then was completely different from what he knows now. He was not sure whether the government was imposing excessive taxes or expropriations, because pastoralism would indeed release some social conflicts. But he also knew that what Gu Renyi said was not false at all.
The common people are forced to rebel, and it will never be because of a single reason.
Zhuang Tian......
This is the second mountain to weigh on the people in the Gyeonggi region.
But this matter involves land annexation, and relatives, middle officials, and local magistrates are all involved.
Expressed in modern terms, this is the entire exploiting class putting pressure on the common people. And at the top is him, the emperor!
That’s why I have this request...
Zhu Houzhao glanced at Fei Hong, this should be his credit.
Snap.
The emperor put down the memorial, and then the sound of footsteps sounded. He walked step by step to the door of the palace, looking into the distance.
"This matter is not allowed outside this palace. Otherwise, don't blame me for not remembering our old friendship!"
Fei Hong, Liu Jin, and Jin Gui all knelt down at once, "I (servant) obey your order!"
Then the emperor turned around and laughed suddenly, "Fei Aiqing, your recommendation is quite meaningful. That's it for today. Let's take it back first."
"Your Majesty!" Gu Renyi turned around and knelt down,
He didn't get the answer he wanted, and of course he wasn't satisfied.
But Zhu Houzhao interrupted him and said seriously: "I have written down everything you said. Listen to me and go back first."
Gu Renyi wanted to say more, but Fei Hong stepped forward and stopped him, "You want to resist the order?!"
You can't be stupid at this time. With such a memorial, if the emperor doesn't want your life and lets you go back, there is an answer in itself!
"My lord, my lord, please retire."
"kindness."
Looking at their leaving figures, Zhu Houzhao remained silent for a long time. He already had a plan in mind. However, this matter is very involved and requires some planning.
"Is there anyone else behind?"
Jin Gui replied: "Your Majesty, Uncle Wei Ning also handed over a note earlier."
"Just in time. Xuan!"
(End of chapter)
