The Ming Dynasty is about to die.
Zhu Yijun naturally knew about this. Not only did he know, but he also knew the year he died. This was not news to him.
However, when it comes from Zhang Juzheng's mouth, the meaning is completely different.
Is this taboo? Of course not.
In fact, after experiencing the torment of his grandfather, Emperor Jiajing, there were many voices like this both inside and outside the court.
In fact, this is the soil for the reformists!
Why did Xu Jie and Li Chunfang fall one after another? Why are the first and second ministers of the cabinet now all reformists?
It is because of the urgent internal and external pressure of the Ming Dynasty that cannot be ignored - the paper makers can no longer follow the trend of knowledgeable people.
In this context, the reformists always threatened to overthrow the Ming Dynasty.
In the first year of Longqing's reign, Zhao Zhenji, the assistant minister of the cabinet, said when he came to Shu to make a speech, "Although there is a name of public security today, it has no reality; there is no danger and chaos, but it has its reasons."
There are also words in the high-gong memorial: "The world is in danger."
Zhang Juzheng even had a criminal record long ago. He said in "Chen Liu Shi Shu" that "there are many things in the world that are difficult to counterattack".
It has been a long time since Ming Dynasty had finished speaking like this, and it would be more pleasant to hear than Hai Rui directly scolding the world because His Majesty has been unhappy for a long time.
However, this is true. The question is, why are you, Zhang Juzheng, talking to a ten-year-old kid like you who has no power?
Can I give you Zhang Juzheng a platform, or can I let you take over the position of Gao Gong's chief assistant?
Zhu Yijun couldn't figure out what Zhang Juzheng was causing trouble, so he could only cover it up carefully.
He looked suitably surprised: "Why did Mr. Ge say this!?"
Zhang Juzheng punished him with a courtesy.
He neatly took out three volumes of manuscripts from his sleeves and held them in both hands: "This is what I wrote after sorting it out all night. Your Highness will know it after reading it."
Zhu Yijun took it gently with confusion: "This is it?"
Zhang Juzheng did not show off, and bowed down and replied: "Your Highness, from the Hongwu period to the present, the Dingkou, acres, and taxes over the years are all roughly listed on the scroll. Please read it."
Zhu Yijun unfolded it and took a rough look.
It is indeed the population, the number of acres of land and fiscal revenue at various periods since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
He didn't take a closer look, but simply closed it and said shyly: "Mr. Ge, I, Deliang Youchong, don't quite understand."
Zhang Juzheng paused for a moment, then slowly said: "Your Highness, let's see, how many acres of land did we have when our country was founded?"
Zhu Yijun opened it again and followed Zhang Juzheng's guidance to read it.
When I found Hongwu in his early years, he said, "Mr. Ge, it's more than 370 million acres."
Zhang Juzheng continued to ask: "What about now?"
Zhu Yijun asked doubtfully: "More than 460 million acres, Mr. Ge, is there anything wrong?"
He didn't know if Zhang Juzheng was testing him, so he could only ask knowingly.
Zhang Juzheng sighed: "Your Highness, at the beginning of the founding of the country, the mountains and rivers were in ruins. Now that peace has prevailed for a long time, the two have not changed much. Your Highness, this is the problem."
Zhu Yijun asked curiously: "Isn't this an extra 90 million acres? Why does Mr. Ge say there is not much change?"
He stared at Zhang Juzheng with clear eyes, full of curiosity.
Zhang Juzheng was silent for a moment and then said: "Your Highness, during the Hongzhi period, the number of acres of land was 800 million acres."
The Hongzhi period, from 1488 to 1505, marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country.
Zhu Yijun realized later and looked at the corresponding time on the scroll, and then exclaimed: "Since Hongzhi, in the seventy-two years of Taiping, there are not more acres but less!?"
Zhang Juzheng nodded.
Zhu Yijun asked: "Mr. Ge, what's the truth? Is the land all deserted?"
He pretended to be confused while pretending to understand.
Zhang Juzheng shook his head and replied: "Your Highness, it's not that the land is deserted, it's annexation! It's that the acres are hidden!"
He almost gritted his teeth and spit it out heavily.
"When people are unable to pay taxes in a disaster year, they will pawn their land to wealthy families. Once they are unable to pay back the money, the land will be annexed by the wealthy families and they will become tenants."
"When large households annex acres of land, they will hide the acres and evade taxes."
Zhu Yijun was horrified: "Merging acres of land and evading taxes? Why didn't you arrest me?"
When he asked this question, he almost couldn't help but laugh.
He had a clear mind on this matter.
Of course he knew about the annexation of land.
There are two things you cannot escape in life: death and paying taxes.
But for these large asset entities, there are two other things, called mergers and tax evasion.
Is there an arrest warrant in the place? It makes me laugh out loud.
These things are covered up by local officials and have always been divided into 30% and 70%.
Not to mention arrests, people from the central government dare to go to the fields, milder ones, the files are accidentally lost, more serious ones, the imperial envoy's residence is leaked.
Can Emperor Guangwu recreate Yan Han and conquer the fields? Conquering the fields is even more difficult than conquering the world!
Otherwise, why did the center turn a deaf ear?
This is not just one town or one government, it’s happening all over the world!
This is where everything in the world becomes difficult. I am among you, and you are among me. A single move affects the whole body. Who dares to take care of it? Anyone who takes care of anyone is an enemy of the people of the world!
As for who are the people of the world? The right to interpret lies in the hands of the people of the world.
Zhang Juzheng did not directly explain why Yousi was not arrested.
Instead, he sighed and pointed to another volume: "Your Highness, this volume contains the number of people in the past dynasties."
Zhu Yijun skipped the topic just now and opened another volume.
Zhang Juzheng said: "Your Highness, you might as well take a look at the number of households and people during the Hongwu period."
Zhu Yijun found the place and read: "During the Hongwu period, the number of households was 10 million, and the number of people was 58 million."
He really doesn't know this.
On the contrary, during the Manchu and Qing Dynasties, the line about forty million compatriots was more familiar.
But the difference between more than 50 million and 400 million is probably too big.
Thinking in his mind, Zhu Yijun didn't wait for Zhang Juzheng to speak, and found out the current situation: "In the sixth year of Longqing, the number of households was 10 million, and the population was 62 million."
He raised his head in astonishment: "Compared to the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Dingkou has grown so little!?"
He demonstrated his intelligence in a timely manner and drew inferences from one instance to another.
"Your Highness is extremely intelligent." Zhang Juzheng praised him and added: "In the second year of the Western Han Dynasty, there were 59 million Dingkou."
It was the second year of Yuanshi, which was the end of the Western Han Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago.
Zhu Yijun was not ashamed to ask: "Mr. Ge, is it because after the common people become tenants, the big families will hide Dingkou?"
The Ming Dynasty now collects a poll tax.
Ordinary people do not have the ability to evade taxes, but the same is not true for large households.
If you collude with locals and have 100% of the population, reporting to the police for 30% will be enough to be conscientious.
Zhang Juzheng bowed down and said, "Your Highness, the Holy Ming Wu Guo."
Zhu Yijun quickly helped him up and sighed: "I understand what Mr. Ge means."
He deliberately pretended to be stupid and asked why the local government didn't catch the big tax evaders. Zhang Juzheng answered him with Dingkou.
Because large local households not only have land! They also have people!
Will the government dare to pursue it?
Okay, even if you are a tough guy and dare to destroy your family, what about the other big families who hide their land?
Will the rabbit die and the fox be sad? Is there any stupid young man shouting about the government forcing the people to rebel?
Even if you don't dare to go out and raise the flag yourself, if you secretly collude with each other to support some mountain bandits and water bandits, and provide people and money, it will immediately shock one party.
Are all the Southeast Japanese pirates from Fusang? Of course not.
The principles are the same.
If the big gentry households in the two capitals and thirteen provinces all contradict the central government's decree, the world will be corrupted by more than words.
Zhang Juzheng bowed and replied: "Yesterday in the palace, there were unspeakable secrets about Huguang tax affairs and public affairs. I dare to use this to clear up your highness's doubts."
Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng steadily.
How many heroes are there in the world?
This is a famous momentary figure in the history of the Qing Dynasty. He has a clear understanding of the national conditions and world affairs.
From Jiajing to the present, I am afraid that I have pondered over these files for countless days and nights. Perhaps no one knows the long-standing shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty better than him.
It’s not that Zhang Juzheng didn’t know the difficulty of innovation, he just faced it head on.
Zhu Yijun gently held Zhang Juzheng's hand and said comfortingly: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Zhang Ge, you can endure it for the sake of the country."
Zhang Juzheng's figure stagnated, his back subconsciously arched, and he slowly relaxed after a while.
"Your Highness is serious."
"There is also a tax roll, please take a look at it, Your Highness."
Zhu Yijun nodded, took back his palm, and started reading the last volume.
There is actually no need to read this volume.
With the number of acres and acres of land declining year by year, there is no need to worry about the tax situation.
What's more, the tax system of the Ming Dynasty was inherently inadequate.
Zhang Juzheng said at the right time: "Your Highness, last year, the land tax collected by the Ministry of Household Affairs amounted to 14.75 million taels of silver."
"Seventy-two years ago, during the Hongzhi period, the land tax amounted to 16.14 million taels of silver."
"Last year's grain harvest was 24 million dan, which was not even as good as the 31 million dan when the country was founded."
"Your Highness, the military pay for the border troops has not been paid for several years, and the salary for hundreds of officials has been owed for several years."
"If we can no longer collect taxes...the central government is really at the end of its rope!"
Zhu Yijun listened to him quietly and glanced at the thin volume.
He sighed: "No wonder Mr. Ge said that the Ming Dynasty was going to fall."
A center without money and a place where government orders cannot be issued.
The Japanese pirates and Tatars were watching eagerly, and the border troops were unable to pay their troops.
The civil servants who formed cliques for personal gain, and the gentry and wealthy families who had money and land.
The Ming Dynasty...
Zhang Juzheng stood up and replied: "Your Highness, if this continues, how can the Ming Dynasty be safe for a long time? This is the time when the world is in danger of survival!"
Zhu Yijun was silent and suddenly raised his head.
He looked at Zhang Juzheng steadily and said expressionlessly: "What can I do?"
Yes, what should I do?
The world is going to perish, what can we do?
You, Zhang Juzheng, a cabinet minister, are just a ten-year-old child.
Even if I am smart and can understand, what else should I do?
The power is not in my hands, so why are you telling me to listen to it? If you have suggestions, why don't you go and report them to the two palaces?
Zhu Yijun never let down his guard.
He still vividly remembered an article "Taijia" that Zhang Juzheng instructed Gao Yi to lecture.
Now tell him these things, what are your thoughts?
Zhang Juzheng suddenly raised his head and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, there is only one person who can save the Ming Dynasty!"
When these words came out, Zhu Yijun felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured on him, and he immediately came back to his senses.
He suddenly realized something was wrong in the atmosphere.
He raised his head and looked around, but there was no one around him. Even the eunuch on duty was nowhere to be seen!
Zhu Yijun's heart trembled. Is this going to be a showdown?
There is only one person? It’s you Zhang Juzheng, right?
Advise yourself to stop taking power and delegate it to him so that he can be a Yiyin Bingzheng and return to power after implementing the new law?
Zhu Yijun felt a little angry for no reason.
You, Zhang Juzheng, were a great man for a while, so am I not?
Who is not a romantic figure who has fought all the way from the white body to the center!?
You Zhang Juzheng can only extend the life of the Ming Dynasty, but I can save the world!
Zhu Yijun felt depressed and somewhat unable to be polite.
He couldn't help but speak harshly, and said: "Oh? Who is it? You might as well tell me so that I can ask for advice."
Even if Zhang Juzheng wanted to overpower him, he would not give in.
There are many people who want to save the world, but there is only one person who can control the great government!
This is a battle of routes! A battle of orthodoxy!
Zhang Juzheng responded with a loud voice: "The only one who can save the Ming Dynasty is His Highness!"
Zhu Yijun's body froze for a moment, and then he was horrified!
broken!
Got hit!
This guy is testing himself!
Zhang Juzheng may have suspected that yesterday he suppressed Feng Bao and promoted Zhang Hong intentionally.
He even suspected that he was another Yingzong who was dormant and waiting to seize power, so he decided to test himself.
But his reaction just now was completely confirmed by him.
He used the Japanese lecture "Taijia" as a guide, and also analyzed political affairs, stated the major shortcomings of the world, and followed the instructions.
In the end, he pretended to show off his cards just to test his own emotional changes.
Zhang Juzheng must have noticed his reaction just now. Looking at his appearance, it was obvious that he had come to a conclusion about his actions in the past two days.
But I only realized it later!
Okay, okay! What a wily guy!
I traveled back in time not long ago, and brought with me my previous behavior and habits, so that I couldn't control my leadership mentality in my previous life. I accidentally got some insights from Zhang Juzheng.
Now this scheming and precocious persona, hiding the city's secrets, is probably about to be confirmed.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun secretly took a deep breath and calmed down.
Now that it has happened, there is no point in thinking about it.
He took the words in a nonchalant manner: "How can you persuade me to come in when you are playing a duel in private? It's not etiquette."
There was no emotion on Zhang Juzheng's face, and he replied: "The world depends on one person, Your Highness. I boldly hope for Your Highness."
"Cultivation of one's moral character, courtesy to scholars and scholars, and consultation on political affairs."
"Preserve the foundation of our ancestors and save the world from danger."
Zhu Yijun nodded: "I have recorded what Mr. Pavilion said today."
After some playing, it’s over.
The two exchanged some serious words again, and Zhang Juzheng bowed and left.
Zhu Yijun quietly watched Zhang Juzheng's leaving figure.
Expressionless.
As soon as Zhang Juzheng left, I was afraid that he would immediately be on guard against himself.
In this game, he and Zhang Juzheng almost showed their cards, while Gao Gong held the high position of first assistant, but did not take the two of them seriously.
And Feng Bao was interfering in it.
In addition, the situation in Jindang, Qingliu, and border towns is chaotic, and it is really difficult for you to seize power by yourself.
but……
When Zhang Juzheng was about to turn the corner, Zhu Yijun suddenly said: "Mr. Zhang Ge!"
Zhang Juzheng stopped immediately, turned around with doubts, and was about to bow down.
Zhu Yijun stretched out his hand to stop him from bowing down. He just smiled and said, "The world will rise and fall. Please look at what I do, Mr. Ge!"
Struggle with heaven, the joy is endless, struggle with people, the joy is even more endless!
After saying that, without looking back, he turned around and entered the inner room with the eunuch waiting on him.
Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhu Yijun's back with a trace of surprise in his eyes.
He bowed and retreated.
…
He is indeed a good saint.
Zhang Juzheng walked calmly and walked out of the East Side Hall, but his heart was not at peace.
As he expected, the crown prince had the intention to participate in politics and seize power. What happened yesterday was also intentional.
He is only ten years old, but he has such a mind, can control authority, and is hidden deep in the city. It is amazing!
Compared with this crown prince, Zhang Juzheng was still there when he was ten years old... Oh, he seemed to be able to write policies and criticize the world, and even the governor appreciated him after reading it, so it seemed that he was still a little worse.
However, it is even more remarkable that he can be compared with Zhang. This crown prince is probably only later than the precocious prince Yingzong in the two hundred years of the dynasty.
If this new king pays even half of his attention to the serious path, that would be a great blessing to the world.
As for now...
He looked at the young eunuch beside him and said, "Go tell Feng Dajue and ask him to be careful about Zhang Hong."
The words are obscure, but Feng Bao can definitely understand.
That's right, Feng Bao's ally is Zhang Juzheng!
Otherwise, how could he dare to test the crown prince in a place like Wenhua Palace where there are many eyes and ears.
Otherwise, how could Feng Bao get the news about Gao Gong's impeachment?
Friendship with eunuchs is a taboo for cabinet ministers and a shame for civil servants.
But he doesn't care!
If you want to do great things, how can you cherish your own life?
Gao Gong knew that to implement the New Deal, he must have great power, and he did not hesitate to suppress cabinet officials and exclude dissidents. How could he, Zhang Juzheng, know this?
What kind of good people and bad people, pure and turbid flow, the opinions of fools!
He, Zhang Juzheng, is not just a clean poster who only talks empty words, he is a Xunli!
A Xunli who can do things and save the world!
For this reason, he did not hesitate to make friends with vertical eunuchs and backstab his friends with gold and stone. He knew that Gao Gong could not save the Ming Dynasty!
For this reason, he did not hesitate to spy on the Sacred Heart and regard the Emperor as a child. He was afraid. He was afraid that at this last chance, he would meet another holy king who had no regard for the world!
He is no longer young, and his gray hair tells him that this is his last chance.
What happened after his death, his name after his death? The Ming Dynasty was in danger, and he didn't expect it to be so far away.
In order for the Ming Dynasty to be reborn in the sacrifice of the new law, the power of the emperor, the ambition of the ministers, the greed of the gentry, and even his own life can all be used as sacrifices on the table!
The Ming Dynasty must be brought back to life in his hands!
Zhang Juzheng turned his back to Zhu Yijun and walked out of the Wenhua Hall step by step firmly and back to the cabinet.
——
Note 1: "Recently, laws and regulations have gradually relaxed, and customs have become more and more obsolete. This is a danger to long-term security. Although it has the name of public security, it has no real reason. There is no danger and disorder, but it has its reason. The so-called legacy is to throw yourself into trouble."——
"Huangming Jingshi Wenbian·Volume 254·Three Jis, Nine Disadvantages and Three Potentials"
Note 2: Lai Jiancheng. Border town food and wages: border defense funds and national financial crisis in the middle and late Ming Dynasty [M]. Zhejiang University Press, 2010.
Note 3: Zhou Bodi. Chinese Fiscal History[M]. Shanghai People's Publishing House, 1981.
Note 4: Liu Xiaocheng. History of China’s Finance and Taxation[M]. China Finance and Economics Press, 2007.
Note 5: Yang Hui. Comparative study on the fiscal revenue and expenditure structure of China and the UK from the 17th to the 19th century [D]. Northeast Normal University, 2013(02).
Note 6: It should be noted that the population number mentioned by Zhang Juzheng is the official statistics of the Ming Dynasty. According to the modern demography model, the population in the sixth year of Longqing should be about 150.91 million.
Chapter completed!