As soon as the announcement of the policy of sharing one's share of land into one's own land was released, it caused an uproar in Datong.
Especially when the government spared no effort to publicize and popularize it, many people have learned about the court's new policy.
Those who were originally landlords and gentry, as well as officials and tenant farmers of the prince's palace, couldn't help but cry loudly when they learned about it.
They have been oppressed and suffered all their lives, including their ancestors. They never expected to meet such a holy master and wise king, and they can be considered successful.
"The officials in the government have said that this is the decree of His Majesty the Emperor himself, and we will no longer have to pay the poll tax in the future."
"Those landlords are not allowed to collect rent from us anymore, and they are not allowed to increase taxes on them under random pretexts."
"From now on, we will only pay land tax. We will pay as much tax as our family owns."
Outside Datong City, a young man said to his relatives and friends.
"Xiao Liuzi, don't you dare say this nonsense. Did Master Tianqi really issue this edict?"
Hearing this, a middle-aged rough man with a slightly hunched back in the crowd hurriedly asked:
"Don't worry, uncle, how dare you talk nonsense about such a big thing?"
"My nephew was really inquisitive in the city yesterday, and he even asked the chief of the police in the prefecture's Yamen."
"The people in the city knew about this earlier than we did, and there had been a lot of fuss. Government notices were plastered all over the city."
"It's just that my nephew is illiterate, so I don't know what the notice says, but I guess it must be about the New Deal."
After receiving a confirmed reply from his nephew, the hunchbacked man said excitedly:
"Okay, okay, life will be easier now, and we don't have to work as cattle and horses for those landlords."
The tenant farmers who were watching also heard clearly, and soon they became commotion. Some shed tears, some were excited, and everyone started discussing.
But not long after, another old woman asked:
"It's good to waive the capita tax and only collect the land tax, but where do we have land in our family?"
This fatal question immediately silenced the noisy scene again.
Yes, they all have a poor life. As long as their families have land and land, how can they end up like this?
Without fields, there is no food. Even if the land tax is exempted, they will still have no food to eat and still cannot survive.
Wouldn't the result be that we will continue to work as cattle and horses for these landlords?
In the end, isn't this joy all in vain?
Just as the young man who was called Liuzi was about to answer, he heard the sound of horse hoofbeats behind him.
Seeing these mighty and solemn armored soldiers, these tenant farmers unconsciously took a few steps back.
There was a look of horror on their faces, and some of the timid ones were so frightened that their legs went weak and they could no longer stand still.
A leading soldier glanced around with a riding crop and asked the first few people:
"Are you from Yujiazhuang?"
But he didn't expect that no one answered him. He didn't know whether it was because of fear or something.
After a long while, Liu Zi mustered up the courage and replied tremblingly:
"Come back to Master Jun, you guys are the people of Yujiazhuang. What do you think you are doing here, Master Jun?"
The leader did not answer him, but shouted back at the top of his lungs.
"We're at the place, let them prepare quickly."
Then he turned around and said:
"We are His Majesty's personal troops. We are here under orders to assist the government officials in surveying and measuring the land in Yujiazhuang."
Seeing the fearful and nervous expressions on their faces, the leader sighed and said:
"You don't have to be afraid. We don't cannibalize people. Just cooperate with them honestly. We must report truthfully how much land we have at home."
"Also, call all your family members and fellow villagers over. The government is going to count and verify the population. No concealment is allowed. There are only as many people in your family as there are people, old and young, all coming."
"After the fields are cleared, the government will allocate fields to each of your families based on population."
"This is a good thing for you. If any family still hides their people as before and does not get any benefits in the future, don't go to the government to make trouble, otherwise they will beat you to death."
As soon as they heard that the government was allocating their fields, the tense emotions and expressions of the tenant farmers were immediately released.
"Master Jun, how are we going to divide this land?"
"Does this land belong to us?"
This sentry is always a fighting man, how can he stand up to them with so many problems.
"Okay, everyone, be quiet. This matter is not my business. You can ask the officials for details."
The tenants looked at where the captain was pointing, and sure enough they saw an official in official uniform, holding a ruler and measuring tools, giving instructions to a group of petty officials.
The crowd immediately rushed over and started asking questions.
In the past, these tenants, who were as humble as dogs in the eyes of the officials, would have been beaten half to death before even getting close, let alone asking questions.
Nowadays, the world is different. The emperor is implementing the New Deal and attaches great importance to these mud-legged people.
Moreover, an explicit decree was issued that the people must answer any questions they have, and must not conceal them. Once discovered, it is a question whether one's life can be saved, let alone becoming an official.
Listening to their selfish questions, although the official looked bored, he had to answer them truthfully.
Only Liuzi can be considered a sensible and clear-sighted person.
"Master Jun, I would like to ask, where does the government use the land to allocate to us?"
"Although we are from Yujiazhuang, not an inch of the land in Yujiazhuang belongs to us. It all belongs to Mr. Yu's family."
The boss laughed loudly after hearing this and said:
"Otherwise, what do you think the military men are here for?"
"You are quite smart. Let's go and take the military men to your village to meet Master Yu for a while."
Although Liu Zi didn't know anything, he was still brave and immediately led these dozens of cavalry to Master Yu's village.
At this time, the Yujiazhuang was facing a formidable enemy. Under the organization of the landlord Yu Hong, the Yu family's dog-legged guards all went to the head of the village and looked down vigilantly.
"What, you want to rebel?"
Facing the question from the military leader below, Yu Hong felt not guilty.
He is also a landowner. Not only does he dominate one area, but he also has some connections and confidence in his family. Naturally, he knows about the matter of sharing his land.
They just didn't expect that the government officials would arrive so quickly and even send dozens of cavalry here, which really surprised them.
"Master Jun is joking, how dare we rebel?"
"It's just that the military master came here suddenly with so many brothers. We and the other people are really scared. I wonder why you come to my Yujiazhuang?"
Upon hearing such nonsense, the leading sentry officer immediately lost his temper.
"I have come to Yujiazhuang for official business in accordance with the order of Long Live Lord. I will give you five breaths to open the door quickly, otherwise you will be charged with treason and your poor village will be punished."
Listening to these naked threats, Yu Hong gritted his teeth in anger.
He knew that once the door was opened, his Yu family's property and fields would be gone, but he did not dare to rebel directly. He could only think about delaying it as long as possible, maybe there would be a turn for the better.
Unexpectedly, this soldier would not accept this trick at all. Now it seemed that he had no choice but to open the door reluctantly.