This time Wu Chenghe finally stopped playing tricks and moved to a more desolate place.
However, this desolation is only relatively speaking. The difference from the previous piece of land is that it has not been plowed in advance and the grass has not been cleared.
But compared with real people's land, farming is several times easier.
It's not that Wu Chenghe dared to deceive his eldest grandson Wugou a second time, but that the area occupied by Huangzhuang was originally the most fertile irrigated land, no matter how desolate it was, it couldn't be any worse.
But even in this place, Li Chengqian and others suffered a lot, and soon they were so tired that their backs ached.
As for hands full of blood blisters, things like that have not happened. They have been skilled in bow and horse since they were young, and their hands have calluses left by martial arts practice. This little bit of work will not wear out the blood blisters.
Li Chengqian sighed with emotion: "I can't believe that the people are working so hard."
Chen Jingke continued: "The suffering of the common people is a hundred times greater than this. We have the best iron farm tools and cattle, but they have nothing and rely entirely on manpower."
"Most people do not own their own land and can only work as tenant farmers for large households. Half of the output is given to the landlords, and taxes are paid out of their own half."
"After a year of hard work, I only have 10% or 20% of it for myself, which is not even enough to satisfy my hunger."
"Anyone who can eat half grain and half wild vegetables for a year is considered a wealthy family in eight villages. Most of them only have grain for two or three months a year, and the rest of the time they rely on wild vegetables and tree bark to satisfy their hunger."
"It's okay if you don't get sick, but if someone does get sick, they will have to sell their sons and daughters, or they will have to endure everything and leave it to God."
"The land belongs to the landlords. When they die, they don't even have a burial place. It's not uncommon for them to sell their bodies to bury their fathers and mothers."
After hearing his words, everyone felt quite pitiful at first, but the more they listened, the more they felt like nonsense. Would the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty be so miserable?
Princess Gaoyang was the first to couldn't help but said: "How is it possible? Didn't our Tang Dynasty have an equal land system? Everyone has land."
Looking at the questioning looks of everyone, Chen Jingke smiled bitterly. If he handed the country over to these second-generation officials, the consequences could be imagined.
Changsun Wugou's face also became ugly. Before, she thought her education was very successful, but in the end it was all about "why not eat ground meat".
"Everything he said was true."
"Ah?" Everyone was dumbfounded. Chen Jingke said that they would be suspicious, but Changsun Wugou said that it must be true.
Li Chengqian asked in confusion: "Why is this so? I have read the memorial for Aye and asked the officials of the East Palace to collect folk information. Isn't this the case?"
Changsun Wugou said: "It's just a matter of deceiving the superiors and concealing the truth from the inferiors to whitewash the peace."
"That's not entirely true." Chen Jingke had a different opinion.
"Oh?" Changsun Wugou said in surprise: "What is Jing Ke's advice?"
Everyone also looked at him.
Chen Jingke said with a heavy heart: "The Tang Dynasty did allocate land to registered people and implemented the land equalization system, but the registered population was less than half of the actual population."
"People who are not registered will never appear in the report, and no one will treat them as human beings."
"In the eyes of officials, they are not even as good as livestock, they are just weeds on the roadside. Who cares about the life and death of weeds?"
Changsun Wugou was silent. She knew that there were a large number of hidden people in the world, and some of these people were hidden by the powerful, nobles, and powerful people.
There are also some who hide themselves in order to avoid the poll tax and do not apply for household registration after birth. When it comes to official business, several brothers in the family share the same name.
The court had no way of knowing the exact number of these absentees. When she suddenly heard that there were tens of millions, she felt very heavy.
If someone said that there were more hidden households in the world than registered people, she would definitely not believe it, but it was Chen Jingke who said this, so she had to believe it.
Li Chengqian was also very shocked and said: "How is it possible? If I remember correctly, the population counted by the Ministry of Household Affairs is more than 11 million. If half of them are hidden households, then there are tens of millions of people."
Chen Jingke recalled the records in books such as "General History of Chinese Population" and "History of Chinese Population" in his previous life and said:
"Actually, there is a big difference between the statistics from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the real data. I vaguely remember that the number of people registered in the 7th year of Wude should be around 15 million."
"The reason why there is such a huge difference is mainly due to backward calculation methods and local officials' lack of attention to statistics."
On the surface, demography seems to be just counting heads, isn't it very simple? However, in fact, demography is very complicated and difficult to implement.
Even in the Internet era of the 21st century, the census needs to mobilize the resources of the entire society to complete and then obtain a relatively accurate number.
In ancient times, it was almost impossible to obtain accurate population figures. However, during the period when the imperial court was strong, it was possible to obtain a number that was useful for reference.
During the period when the imperial court's ruling power was relatively weak, it was not even possible to collect figures for reference.
Li Chengqian frowned and questioned: "I wonder who compiled this data, why have I never heard of it?"
When Chen Jingke was hesitating about what to tell him, Changsun Wugou said first, "Aye knows about this. Just ask him when you get back. Then listen on."
"Uh...yes." Li Chengqian choked for a moment. He could tell that his mother didn't want him to ask further about this matter. Although he was very confused, he didn't dare to ask any more questions.
Chen Jingke continued: "A very simple mathematical question. The population of the Sui Dynasty was 50 million. By the time the Tang Dynasty reunified the world in the seventh year of Wude, it was exactly fifteen years, and the population was only 15 million."
"That is to say, 35 million people died in 15 years, and then add in the millions of new people born in these 15 years - based on the calculation of 5 million, more than 40 million people died."
"Forty million people died in fifteen years. Does Dalang know what this concept is?"
Li Chengqian was stunned. He had never considered the problem from this perspective.
The total population is 50-5 million, and 40 million people will die in fifteen years. Anyone with a little common sense knows that this is impossible.
Li Tai also showed a thoughtful expression.
As for Princess Gaoyang, they had already gone to play out of boredom, and Li Zhi was also dragged away by them.
Chen Jingke paused to give them time to react, and then said: "Five people died and four died. Everyone knows how ridiculous this is. In fact, the total population of the Tang Dynasty in the Seven Years of Wude was more than 30 million."
"But there are indeed only 15 million people in the imperial household registration book. Where did the rest go?"
"Hidden house." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said.
Chen Jingke said: "Yes, these people are all hidden people. They will never appear in the court reports, but they really exist."
"It's okay if the year is good. If there is a big disaster and the court cannot allocate enough relief materials in time, what will these people do?"
"Rebellion." Li Chengqian said in a difficult tone.
"Your Majesty has realized this problem." Chen Jingke flattered Li Shimin a little and said:
"So since he ascended the throne, he has been exempting population taxes in various places, hoping to reduce the burden on the people and allow those people who are hiding to go to the Yamen to register their household registration."
"But although your Majesty has a kind heart, he only miscalculated one thing."
Li Chengqian said: "What's the matter?"
Chen Jingke looked at the sky and said: "The eight-character Yamen opens to the south. If you have reason or no money, please don't come in."