Zhu Gaochi shook his head repeatedly. Zhu Di's move was a big step further than Xu Jingchang's. Not only did the court want to take back the land, but without compensation, it also wanted to impose fines on large households.
This combination of punches hit the lifeblood of the wealthy gentry, all the way to the flesh.
If it is implemented smoothly, there will naturally be nothing to say.
But how could those big players just give up?
"Some people have already abandoned the land, and I'm afraid it will become more serious in the future. The people below are not aware of the situation, and are deceived by the gentry and wealthy families. There are also cases where they jump out to oppose the court. There are so many things, I don't think Chen Ying can handle it.
If something happens in Jiangxi, Yingtian will also be in trouble."
Zhu Gaochi complained repeatedly.
Xu Jingchang listened silently, and then said: "Your Highness, your words are true and reasonable, but I would like to ask Your Highness, should you just stop moving?"
Zhu Gaochi was stunned for a while and was speechless.
He has seen this matter very clearly. Spokespersons like Princess Zhang who are well-established in industry and commerce all advocate that through the food matter, the power of the gentry group should be completely eliminated, thereby opening the way for their development.
Moreover, from the perspective of the imperial court, the gentry group’s occupation of land and evasion of taxes is a serious problem for the country!
If you give the land to people like the King of Han and the Crown Princess, they will plant mulberry trees and cotton, and if they produce anything, they will definitely have to pay taxes.
As fiscal revenue increases, even if there is not enough food, we can still purchase it from overseas.
But once it got into the hands of the gentry, they hoarded it, used grain to make money, squeezed the people downwards, and stole the government's finances and taxes. After getting the money, they used it for enjoyment, which was extravagant and useless.
To sum up, the gentry and landlord groups are almost the biggest rentiers. They are parasitic on the body of the country and suck blood crazily, but they have not created any wealth.
You can say that the workshop of King Zhu Gaoxu of Han Dynasty had 10,000 problems, but at least they contributed finance and taxes, and the silk cloth they produced also helped the Ming Dynasty earn gold and silver from outside.
Of course they can get better, but fundamentally speaking, industrial and commercial groups are much more advanced than the gentry and landlords.
"The general trend is the general trend. I know what is better for the future of Ming Dynasty. But at this moment, if we act rashly and with such fierceness, I am really afraid that trouble will occur. Even ordinary people may not understand the painstaking efforts of the court by talking about the wealthy gentry."
Xu Jingchang nodded, "Your Highness is right, but if we give up this opportunity, the gentry group will only become more rampant and will not take the court into consideration. Moreover, Your Highness has never thought about what might happen if they collude with those engaged in industry and commerce."
What should we do if we are together?"
"They, are they really going to collude?" Zhu Gaochi was shocked, "From my perspective, they are tit for tat in terms of land, raw materials, and labor!"
Xu Jingchang smiled faintly, "The civil servants and military generals were tit-for-tat at first, but it has only been a few years? Which general has not occupied some land? Collecting rent and lending money is the easiest way to make money. Why stand up and suffer when you can lie down? And if the imperial court is also shaken
Instead of the gentry, wouldn't it be better for those who are engaged in industry and commerce to make peace with the gentry and get together to exploit the common people and steal the wealth of the court?"
Zhu Gaochi was speechless for a long time, but Xu Jingchang put it very bluntly. In fact, the industry and commerce of the Ming Dynasty was far inferior to that of the gentry. The reason why they were able to deal with it was because of the support of Zhu Gaoxu, King of Han, Zhu Gaosui, King of Zhao, and many vassal kings.
This group of people had strong financial resources and the confidence to defeat the gentry and landlords and steal meat from them.
But once they fail, they will turn around and cooperate with the landlords to cut off the flesh of the people, which is not a matter of minutes.
If it really got to that point, if the Ming Dynasty wanted to develop industry and commerce, it would be full of difficulties and dangers.
Zhu Gaochi thought for a long time. To be honest, he thought Zhu Di was reckless, but without Zhu Di and it was his turn to be the master, it was not certain whether he could do this well!
To put it bluntly, he doesn’t have the courage!
"Brother Xian, what do you think I need to do?" Zhu Gaochi asked seriously.
Xu Jingchang took a deep breath and said: "Your Highness, I hope to be safe and prepared, and then things will fall into place. But in reality, it is difficult to get to this point, let alone waiting. As long as we look at the general direction, we can
If you make no mistake, just move forward bravely and try your best. Only in this way can you have a chance of winning, right?"
Zhu Gaochi thought about it again and again, then suddenly laughed, "I understand, you are scolding me for standing on the dry shore, just watching the fun, but not making progress, unwilling to really do things!"
Xu Jingchang laughed dumbly, "If His Highness thinks so, I will not refute it."
Zhu Gaochi nodded vigorously, "Okay, I know what to do."
After finishing speaking, Zhu Gaochi stood up directly and went to find Zhu Di.
The two men didn't know what to say. Anyway, as soon as Zhu Gaochi left Qianqing Palace, news came out that Zhu Di asked Zhu Gaochi to inspect Jiangxi.
Now people are shocked. The emperor has just returned from Peiping, and the prince is going to Jiangxi. Why don't you and I meet each other?
Moreover, if the prince personally takes action, things in Jiangxi may not be rectified!
"Okay, great!" Zhu Gaoxu said loudly, not knowing whether he was happy or sighing: "He is so skillful, he really has the attitude of forcing me to give up my reserve position! If he can go to Jiangxi, things will be easier to handle!"
Xu Jingchang nodded, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is able to handle it personally, which is beyond expectation. Your Highness the King of Han, what are you going to do?"
Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: "Actually, I think ordinary people can make more money. Do you believe it?"
"Believe it!" Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "If the people are all poor, who will buy your silk cloth! Right?"
Zhu Gaoxu snorted: "No one is as smart as you! I hate the wealthy gentry. It's not just how much money they make, I just look at it. The key is the way they make money. No one benefits except themselves."
For example, if I have grain, I will lend it to the people at an interest rate of 10% per year to help them survive the disaster years. Only when the people are alive can I make a profit. But when I go to the landlords, they have grain in their hands, and they must
If you want to find a way to bankrupt the people, it is possible to double their wealth in a year. What they want is land, and it doesn't matter what the people are like."
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Your Highness said so, it seems you want to eat Jiangxi's food?"
Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said, "Cousin, can you please be accommodating? I am planning to set up a grain bank to be responsible for buying and selling grain. I can sign a contract with the Ministry of Household Affairs to specify how much grain will be delivered to Yingtian every year, what the price will be, and how much tax will be levied.
I try my best to satisfy the court, what do you think?"
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Of course it's good, just go and talk to Xia Yuanji."
Zhu Gaoxu's expression immediately changed, "Cousin, is it possible that you don't want to help?"
Xu Jingchang shook his head, "I'm always willing to help others...but some people are dishonest, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Zhu Gaoxu's expression changed again and again, and he suddenly said angrily: "What on earth do you mean? I've said so, what else are you dissatisfied with?"
Xu Jingchang also smiled and said: "Then why don't you tell us how to use the land in Jiangxi? How many cotton and mulberry trees do you plan to grow in addition to growing food?"
With this question, Zhu Gaoxu was immediately dumbfounded.
It's over, his plan was seen through again.
"You, why do you always want to be in front of me?"
Xu Jingchang laughed, "It's not that I want to be ahead of you, it's Pingzhangyuan who wants to be ahead of you... I can tell you this, we have made a plan for the country's land, how to use the land of Ming Dynasty, in our hearts
Countless."
Zhu Gaoxu's eyes suddenly widened and he asked curiously: "What are you going to do?"
Xu Jingchang smiled and shook his head, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. This matter is confidential. Only after the discussion is passed, it will be made public by the Secretary of General Affairs."
Zhu Gaoxu snorted, "Doesn't that mean everyone knows?"
"Yes, you want to make a fortune by knowing the news in advance, but it's no longer possible... Your Highness, King of Han, show some real skills! Your eldest brother has already gone to Jiangxi."
Xu Jingchang's light words directly poked Zhu Gaoxu's weakness.
You can say anything else, but saying he is not as good as the boss is bullying!
Zhu Gaoxu came out from Xu Jingchang's place and went directly to Zhu Laosan.
After listening to the second brother's narration, Zhu Gaosui thought carefully for a while and then said slowly: "Second brother, the key to this matter lies with Xu Jingchang. How did he arrange it."
Zhu Gaoxu snorted: "Isn't this nonsense! I asked him, but he didn't say anything!"
Zhu Gaosui said: "Then the money you gave is not enough?"
Zhu Gaoxu snorted: "This is not a matter of money. He is now the general envoy, and he will definitely not give or take it easily in private."
Zhu Gaosui smiled and said: "That's it. He is the general envoy. This is the key!"
"What do you mean, I don't understand."
Zhu Gaosui smiled and said: "This is not simple. He cannot act haphazardly. He must conform to the conditions of the Ming Dynasty. The land must be arranged clearly and properly. Where is suitable for what. It must be clear and reasonable, don't you think?"
Zhu Gaoxu thought for a moment and nodded quickly, "That makes sense, so what do you think we should do?"
Zhu Gaosui said with a smile: "This is not easy. His Pingzhangyuan can do it, and I can do the same here!"
"You too?"
"Yes, my Di newspaper office also has a bunch of literati from all over the country. Let's do some research to see what each place is suitable for, and it will be fine!"
Zhu Gaoxu was overjoyed and said, "Okay, Third Brother, I didn't expect you to be of some use. You are not a waste of time."
Zhu Gaosui immediately gave Zhu Gaoxu a big eye roll, "Second brother, if you want to handle this matter well and provide some convenience, give me 50,000 taels of upfront funding first, and I will calculate the details with you later."
Zhu Gaoxu was immediately furious, "Fifty thousand? You are such a big deal!"
Zhu Gaosui chuckled and said, "It's okay if you give me less, but I'm afraid that the people below will fool me. When you spend money, just treat it as buying peace of mind and not suffering any losses."
Zhu Gaoxu gritted his teeth, pinched his nose and admitted, "Okay, I promise you!"
The three brothers of the Zhu family all started to move.
Zhu Gaochi's team arrived in Jiangxi. Before they could see Chen Ying, they received a bunch of reports. People from all over the country gathered to expel the court officials. Officials who wanted to check the property of the gentry and landlords were beaten to death and fled in embarrassment...
Chen Ying is mobilizing troops and generals, preparing to arrest people...
