I am a citizen of Ming Dynasty!
Zhu Yuanzhang felt his blood heat up as he looked at the words on the document. Gu Zhengchen's suggestion hit his heart.
Putting aside regionality and putting more emphasis on the Ming Dynasty's identity will help give the people a greater sense of identity and belonging to the court. It will also help officials reduce internal fighting, reduce regional cliques, and prevent powerful officials from relying on hometown associations to manipulate government affairs.
The most important thing is that this kind of idea is more suitable for the current situation, especially when some civil servants and scholars are still thinking about Yuan Ting's good deeds, and they look down on themselves who started out as commoners, and are unwilling to go out to work for the Ming Dynasty.
This document focuses on the present and has far-reaching considerations!
Zhu Yuanzhang praised: "Although Gu Xiaozi is in Jurong, he still thinks about the eternal foundation. He is a malleable talent."
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was happy, Zhu Biao quickly added: "My son believes that in order for the people to recognize the imperial court and regard the people of the Ming Dynasty as a kind of glory, it is necessary to show kindness to the people and let the people know how good the imperial court is."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly: "This is natural. The people have a strong balance in their hearts. Knowing that our Ming Dynasty is better than the Yuan Ting's, they will naturally recognize the imperial court."
Zhu Biao felt that the time was ripe, so he turned to say: "Father, I think, since we are all subjects of the Ming Dynasty, we should treat them equally. Clothes and etiquette are one, criminal laws are one, taxes, taxes, corvees are one, and they can be divided into suitable places. It is not appropriate to be biased, placing too much emphasis on one place or placing too little emphasis on one place. For example, a place with barren fields should not be taxed heavily, and a place with fertile fields should not be taxed harshly..."
"We are all people of the Ming Dynasty, and we should enjoy the same treatment as the people of the Ming Dynasty. The ancients said that we don't worry about the scarcity but the inequality. Although it is difficult to determine the equal taxation, we can implement relatively fair taxes, leaving the people to breathe and let them Know that God's grace is vast. Influence people's hearts and pray for the prosperity of Ming Dynasty..."
Mu Ying looked at Zhu Biao who was speaking earnestly. At this moment, he was begging for the lives of all the people. He was begging for the lives of those humble people who could not survive.
Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed his smile.
Fairness, perhaps, does not exist.
But the unfairness is very obvious. It can be heard from Zhu Biao's words that he is talking about places with heavy taxes such as Suzhou Prefecture and Songjiang Prefecture! He hoped that he could give the people there a relatively fair treatment and treat them as the people of the Ming Dynasty instead of the sinners of the Ming Dynasty!
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Gu Zhengchen's document and was silent for a long time. Finally he asked, "Is this your advice or Gu Zhengchen's?"
Zhu Biao knelt down and took everything in his arms: "Father, this is my remonstrance. After seeing Mr. Gu's document, I thought of the famine in Suzhou Prefecture and the Suzhou refugee documents reported in the local government, so I sincerely plead Father, forgive these people, they are also the subjects of Father, and they are the people who work hard in the Ming Dynasty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang put Gu Zhengchen's documents on the desk, looked at the pleading Zhu Biao, and said solemnly: "Since the prince is asking for orders for the people and has a kind heart, it would be inappropriate for me not to allow it. But you also know that the imperial court relies on taxes and taxes. If Suzhou Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture, Jiaxing Prefecture, Huzhou Prefecture and other places implement light taxes, the court will lose millions of shi in tax revenue. Let's compromise and let the taxes in these places be reduced by half to save people's resources. "
Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and hesitated for a moment. Just when he was about to speak, Mu Ying shouted loudly from the side: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking pity on the suffering of the people, and congratulations to the Ming Dynasty!"
Helpless, Zhu Biao had no choice but to thank him.
After leaving the Huagai Hall, Zhu Biao looked at Mu Ying in confusion: "Why did you interrupt me? My father did not completely exempt the heavy taxes in these places, but only reduced them by half."
Mu Ying was filled with bitterness: "Prince, what your Majesty has confirmed should not be changed easily. Your Majesty is in a good mood right now, and it is lenient to agree to reduce it by half. If it is reduced to the same level as Jurong, it is absolutely impossible for your Majesty to agree. In a land with heavy taxes, things are difficult to do." How can millions of stone grains be reduced in one breath?"
Zhu Biao frowned: "We can't let the people in Susong Mansion and other places continue to pay heavy taxes, right?"
Mu Ying shook her head slightly: "Right now, the military garrison of the garrison is expanding in size. By next year, the number of garrison fields will increase sharply. After the harvest is harvested, except for remote and dangerous places, the sergeants of the garrison can basically be self-sufficient in food. , the Ministry of Revenue can save millions of grains, and by then, wouldn’t it be easier for His Majesty to accept the reduction of taxes in Susong and other places?”
Zhu Biao understood.
Mu Ying breathed a sigh of relief, but she couldn't offend His Majesty because of this matter. If he got angry, this half of the tax might not be reduced.
Zhu Biao looked at Qin Song: "I don't need you for the firearms test. You go back and tell Mr. Gu about this. There is another thing. You need to ask Mr. Gu about countermeasures..."
Qin Song made a note of it and left Jinling before the city gate closed and walked at night.
Qianqing Palace.
After Zhu Yuanzhang sat down at the table, he looked at the two overlapping books on the table. He picked them up and pulled them hard. They were still motionless. He couldn't help but smile bitterly: "People of the Ming Dynasty? Haha, this is one of the solutions to many problems. Although this method may not be beneficial to Hongwu, it will definitely be beneficial to the future. This is the strategy of people's hearts and the strategy of one family in the world. I am the head of this family. However, some children are destined to suffer more..."
After the court meeting the next day, Zhu Yuanzhang went to the training ground in person to watch the test of the Far Fire Bureau's fire cannon. Three shots at eighty paces broke the armor three times, and two shots at a hundred paces broke the armor once.
This killing distance has been significantly improved compared to traditional fire guns. Zhu Yuanzhang was quite satisfied with this result. He was not stingy. With a stroke of his pen, he issued a decree to reward the Yuanhuo Bureau with 500 platinum (silver) and 300 pieces of silk. To Gu Zhengchen The named Liu Ju, Tao Chengdao, Chen Youcai, Hua Xiaoshun and others were given extra rewards, and Liu Ju and Tao Chengdao were promoted to Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Industry and granted official salaries.
The success of firearms is related to the ability to defeat cavalry with foot, and is related to the offensive and defensive posture of Ming Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty. Since Zhu Yuanzhang saw hope, he naturally wanted to strongly support it.
Jurong, county government.
Gu Zhengchen, who was taking a lunch break, was suddenly awakened. Yao Zhen said outside the door: "Master, Qin Song is back."
Zhang Xiwan felt a little distressed. She hadn't slept well for several days and finally took a break at noon, only to be called away again.
Gu Zhengchen put on his shoes, looked at Zhang Xiwan who was worried about him, and said with a smile: "Qin Song went to Jinling early yesterday morning and returned at noon today. It means that he traveled all night and there must be an emergency. For a sergeant who is running back and forth, As a magistrate who lives in the county government office, why should I be so tired?"
Zhang Xiwan had no choice but to arrange for Xiao He to prepare some soup at night.
Second hall.
When Qin Song saw Gu Zhengchen, he saluted and said eagerly: "Gu is directing the affairs..."
Gu Zhengchen waved his hand and looked at the exhausted Qin Song: "Serve tea, sit down and speak slowly."
Qin Song thanked him, took a sip of tea, and calmed down his breath: "The prince understood the whole story after reading the document of Gu commanding Qianshi, and made a speech in Huagai Palace. After consideration, his majesty decided to reduce the burden of Suzhou Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture and other places by half. Taxes.”
"Half?"
Gu Zhengchen breathed a sigh of relief.
Being able to reduce it by half would already relieve a lot of pressure for the people there.
The local people, who have been burdened with heavy taxes all year round, will be relieved to have half of the burden lifted, and the people here will eventually get out of the predicament little by little. After all, the fields are fertile, and as long as there are no natural disasters, life will be better after two years.
Qin Song continued: "The prince originally wanted to remonstrate, but he was blocked by Mu Ying, the commander of the governor's office."
Gu Zhengchen smiled and said: "Brother Mu can be considered a sober person. The prince pays too much attention to the people and is prone to paranoia. It is a blessing to have Mu Ying by his side. The documents from the Far Fire Bureau have been delivered. Didn't your Majesty say anything?"
Qin Song explained: "Your Majesty is very satisfied with the progress of the Far Fire Bureau, but because it is getting late, it is inconvenient to test, and I am eager to return to Jurong..."
Gu Zhengchen understood and arranged: "You and your brothers should go back and have a good rest. You have worked hard."
Qin Song grinned: "How hard it is to be able to see the Crown Prince and His Majesty."
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show his face. Although it is inconspicuous at the moment, it is likely to be remembered at a critical moment in the future, and it will become the key to his promotion.
Qin Song understood Gu Zhengchen's promotion and intention, and understood how much he valued him.
Gu Zhengchen looked at Qin Song who was saluting and watched him leave with a smile on his lips.
That's right, Qin Song is good at water fighting, brave and resourceful, and very motivated. Gu Zhengchen hopes to train this person out.
The prison door opened.
Wang Chui and Wang Zhuo were released, and the jailers retreated.
When Gu Zhengchen saw that there was no one else around, he said to Wang Chui and Wang Jue: "Susong and other places are related to the imperial tax. Although I have tried some methods, I still can't make the imperial court exempt you from taxes."
Wang Chui's face was ashen.
According to Gao Qi's speculation, Gu Zhengchen was able to hold both civil and military official positions and titles in a short period of time, so he must have a close relationship with the royal family. In addition, he loves the people and intends to solve the people's food problem. He has the courage to fight against drought or not. Under the clear situation, the water conservancy project was carried out, but when the civil and military officials of the whole court did not dare to speak, if he could not help the people of Suzhou Prefecture to intercede, then the people of Suzhou Prefecture would really be desperate.
Gu Zhengchen paused for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty knows that the people in Susong and other places are suffering, so he is particularly merciful and has decided to reduce your taxes by half. Go back and tell Gao Qi that I am not a person who can be taken advantage of. If there is another time, , he will be killed in the city by the imperial court. It is better to do this kind of trick of manipulating people's hearts as little as possible."
"half?"
Wang Zhui was pleasantly surprised and regained hope from the bottom of his fall.
With less than half of the tax, life will definitely be a lot easier in the future. There is still hope for living.
thump!
Wang Chui and Wang Yao knelt down and kowtowed three times solemnly.
Gu Zhengchen listened to the dull sound, saw the red foreheads of the two people, and stepped aside: "If you want to thank, just thank the emperor and the prince."
Although Wang Chui didn't know what happened, Gu Zhengchen must have been involved behind the scenes when the emperor was able to reduce half of the taxes in Suzhou Prefecture and other places.
This is a life-saving grace, a life-saving grace.
Wang Chui said solemnly: "Although Wang is a vulgar man, if one day the magistrate of Gu County comes to Suzhou and is invited by anyone, I, Wang Chui, will go through fire and water and will never refuse!"
Gu Zhengchen didn't say anything, he just turned around and left, turning his back to the two of them and said, "Live well."
