Field is the foundation of life. Field is a symbol of a wealthy family. In all the dynasties, the Jianwen Dynasty had never taken such strict measures to control land.
A seventh-grade official and three hundred acres of land simply leaves no way for people to survive. Although the imperial court took away the extra acres of land at the market price, the problem was that it was above the market price. The imperial court took back part of the land and resold it without charging a penny.
"Lease" to the people, the people can cultivate it for their children and grandchildren, and only need to pay two taxes, but the people do not own the ownership of this part of the land and cannot resell it.
But even so, every time Fuzhou County sells a batch of fields, the market price of the fields falls accordingly. In the beginning, one acre of farmland in Jiande could be sold for more than 20 guan. Now, one acre of farmland can only be sold for about 15 guan. Just like this, not many people are willing to buy it, and the market price is falling every day.
The existence of this trend has made many wealthy gentry households anxious and hurriedly approached the county government to buy their excess fields. However, the county government had limited manpower and had to arrange special verification and investigation to clarify who owned all the fields. Whoever owns the land deed also needs to arrange for someone to check the quality of the land, then give a price, and then submit it to the government for approval. The government will give money before the delivery can be completed.
The slower the government office's work, the more painful it was for the wealthy gentry, and they even sold it at a discount. But at this time, no one dared to buy more acres. The court strictly inspected the land and stipulated the number of acres. It was always a troublesome thing if it exceeded the limit.
Privately purchased acres are not recognized by the court. Once discovered, they will be directly confiscated and owned by the court. The most chilling thing is that the imperial court has temporarily suspended the land transaction. If you want to sell the land, you can only wait for the government office to investigate the land before disposing of it.
A series of operations caused heavy losses to the gentry class, especially local officials, who can be called mourners. Some former officials who became rich at home and became rich saw their wealth shrink by nearly half overnight.
Zhang Bao's heart was full of anger and he stood up suddenly: "That person is really hateful. I have worked hard all my life just for this little bit of land, but he still wants to take it back from us, causing us heavy losses. This can't be done." Let's get over it!" Zhang Daheng agreed and shouted to the others who were still watching: "If the court is allowed to control the number of acres again and again, there will be no big families in the world and the fields will become nothing more than dirt. Then what else do we have? ? The emperor is unkind and treats us like dogs. Now he wants to slaughter dogs, but he can't allow us to bite people?" Li Qing took out a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Everyone, if the emperor is like this, what can we do? ?We have no choice but to admit our losses, right? Nowadays, the imperial court is too majestic to tolerate provocation, and most of the officials in the prefectures and counties are from the Imperial College. They support Emperor Jianwen's policies very much and implement them very thoroughly. We complain, but there is nothing else. There's a way." After saying this, the room became quiet.
Zhang Daheng lowered his head. Seeing that no one dared to answer, he stood up and said seriously: "We may not be helpless!"
"What method?" Zhang Bao asked quickly. Zhang Daheng chuckled, looked in the direction of the window and door, and when he saw no one else, he whispered: "It's simple, change the emperor." Zhang Bao's face changed drastically.
Wang Ren and Li Qing panicked and stood up to escape. Wang Su sat and looked at everyone with cold eyes. He picked up the tea bowl and took a sip quietly. The corners of his mouth moved slightly: "What Zhang Daheng said is right. Emperor Jianwen has given all the benefits to Niluzi in his administration over the years. Today. You have also read the notice. The imperial court has begun to adjust the two taxes, but from the beginning to the end, has it said anything about adjusting the commercial tax?"
"No! The imperial court is harsh on businessmen. You should know very well how powerful and cruel the floating tax rate is. During the Hongwu period, the commercial tax for antiquities worth a thousand guan was only more than 30 guan. But after Emperor Jianwen introduced the floating tax rate, For the same antiquities, the commercial tax is four hundred guan at a time! Compared to the Hongwu Dynasty, it is more than ten times higher!"
"It is difficult for businessmen to live. The gentry has a little land and can live a good life on this land. But now, the court even limits the number of fields! How much grain can a seventh-rank official produce in a year with 300 acres of land? How much money do we need? The emperor has left us with no way to survive. In this case, we can only change the emperor, and change him to an emperor who can let us live a good life!" Wang Ren's hands were trembling, and he looked at Wang Su and Zhang Daheng. His eyes were a little frightened.
Damn it, why did we agree to have a meal together and turn into a conspiracy, a party, and a rebellion like beheading?
Change the emperor? Wang Su, you are the onion and the garlic. You don’t even know what Emperor Jianwen is like, and you still dare to say such things. You really have a long life.
Zhang Bao looked at Wang Su, calmed down his shock, and said slowly: "Haha, Brother Wang, why are you still talking nonsense today when I haven't had any wine?" Wang Su shook his head slightly and said with a cold look: "You still don't know what's going on right now. Let me talk about the situation. After hearing this, it is not too late to make a decision. Now the Ming Dynasty is in danger, and the time has come for the whole world to attack the Ming Dynasty and oppose Emperor Jianwen. In order to deal with the war, the Beijing army has mobilized more than twenty When Wan went on an expedition, the imperial court adjusted the agricultural tax at this time. It was just Emperor Jianwen's move to win over people's hearts and minds, hoping that the people would provide logistics and perform corvee duties honestly."
"Now there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While the Beijing army is out and the capital is empty, we can accomplish a great thing, change the world and establish a new ruler! Let the Ming Dynasty return to the period of Emperor Hongwu, and the commercial tax will be unified into thirty taxes per There is no limit to the acres of land. We can buy as much land as we want, as much wealth as we want! Who knows, after this move, we can become new princes!" Li Qing and Wang Ren looked at Wang Su who was speaking, and felt like they were in a hurry. fly by.
Is there something wrong with this person's brain? If the imperial court is at war, you can change the emperor? When you were stuffing walnuts, did you put your head in?
You are just a rich man, a local rich man, with a little money and more than thirty servants, that's all. He still wants to interfere with the imperial court and talks about changing the world, which is ridiculous!
Zhang Bao knocked on the table and stared at Wang Suwen: "If we can really get the court to change its policy, we can't take risks. But Brother Wang, this matter is hopeless. You let everyone bet the whole family's head. , to do something that is impossible to succeed, and no one will follow." Wang Su burst out laughing and said confidently: "Everyone, I am also a family man, how can I not know the risks? But this time is different, very different ! We are 70% sure that we can bring down Emperor Jianwen!"
"Seventy percent?" Zhang Bao stared. Wang Su said seriously: "That's right!" Li Qing and Wang Ren looked at each other, feeling extremely incredible.
Wang Ren looked ugly and asked in a low voice: "Who gave you 70% certainty?" Wang Su shook his head slightly: "Don't ask who it is, I can only tell you that Emperor Jianwen is about to die, and if you want to catch This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can only follow me and go outside Jinling City together. When the time is right..."
"Into the capital?" Li Qing asked uneasily. Wang Su rolled her eyes at Li Qing and said: "There are only a few of us, how can we defeat the Beijing army? Wouldn't we be seeking death if we entered the capital? All we have to do is follow the command, set fire outside the city, cause trouble, disrupt the periphery of the capital, and spread the news , attracting the attention of the city’s security bureau and providing opportunities for great causes.”
"That's it?" Wang Ren breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Su was speechless. He just wanted to get some benefits, but he didn't want to lose his life because of it.
Li Qing still didn't want to agree: "We alone are not enough to cause chaos in the capital. I can't believe what you said. Although Emperor Jianwen was unfair to us, he did not intend to take our lives. If we cause chaos, what will happen to us?" Aren't you helping foreign enemies? With the whole world conquering the world, the court needs stability just when it is needed. Emperor Jianwen can't let anything happen." Zhang Daheng smiled contemptuously: "You do value the court and the overall situation, but who values us and cares about us? Emperor Jianwen Cutting off our flesh, why can't we let him suffer? Besides, changing the emperor does not mean that foreign enemies can invade. The Beijing army has already set off, and they will bring back news of victory." Li Qing felt a little angry: " Aren't you afraid that the army will return to avenge Emperor Jianwen? With ambition growing, the Ming Dynasty will definitely fall into civil war! How can we benefit from the devastation of life?" Wang Su stared at Li Qing and said slowly: "It seems You don't agree with my plan. If that's the case, then don't force it." Li Qing moved his chair, cupped his fists and said, "Goodbye!" The door opened.
Two steel knives blocked Li Qing's path. Li Qing turned around angrily and looked at Wang Su: "Is it possible that you still dare to kill me?" Wang Su shook his head and said sternly: "Unless you agree and write down the document, you can't leave here. It affects the whole clan. As for your life and death, I can only force you to stay for a while. Don’t worry, I will make good arrangements with your family.”
"Don't even think about asking me to write a counter-revolutionary document!" Li Qing flatly refused. Wang Su sighed and raised his hand: "Lock him up and keep him under strict supervision." The people at the door took orders and took Li Qing away.
Wang Ren struggled a little when he saw this. Zhang Bao laughed and stood up and said: "It seems that we can't agree today. Let's use pen and ink. Wealth can be found in danger. I also want to see who can succeed Emperor Jianwen." Wang Su and Zhang The tycoon is very happy, it seems that this trick is working.
Once the paperwork is written, they will be completely tied to themselves and will no longer dare to play any tricks. Zhang Bao finished writing quickly, handed the pen to Wang Ren, and advised: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so what if you take a gamble. The worst thing is to settle your family first, and let's take people to Jinling." Wang Ren looked at the three of them and knew With no way out, he sighed and took the pen and paper.
Zhang Bao returned home with his hands behind his back, humming a tune, his eyes gradually turned cold, with a hint of murderous intent, and he said slowly: "It's just that these people have no brains in doing things. Why don't they investigate me clearly?" You have the courage to invite me to rebel because of your identity. Come here, the lion at the gate is too dirty. Please give me a good clean..."
