There is already a New Year atmosphere in the capital. Recently, there have been many changes in the capital. This New Year seems to have changed a lot than before, but if you really want to talk about where the changes are, there is no question for a while.
However, the atmosphere in the six cabinet ministries was quite relaxing. In addition to the annoying Beijing Chase, this year was indeed a good year.
All the news collected from all over the country is pretty good, especially the stubborn disease of refugees in the Ming Dynasty seemed to have shown signs of improvement. In fact, the biggest problem of the Ming Dynasty is not a certain disaster. Now that the 100th anniversary of its establishment, the biggest problem is the problem of refugees.
Thinking about the fact that since the founding of Taizu, the population of the Ming Dynasty has increased tenfold, but the land has not increased. In addition, the serious land annexation has caused many farmers to become refugees because they lost their land. These people do not work for production. In fact, even if they want to produce, they have no land for them to farm, so they can only wander around and cause disasters.
With the previous dynasty's experience, anyone knows that once a person has nothing to do and loses his livelihood, he will have a huge problem. Although Emperor Hongzhi is wise, his only flaw is that he is not tough enough, which not only makes the problem of annexation of land not alleviated, but becomes more and more serious. Once a large number of refugees emerge, the consequences will be extremely terrible. Once someone incites him, the court must quell the rebellion. Once a civil rebellion occurs, this prosperous era will be ruined.
But no one thought that the problem of refugees has not become more difficult this year, but has alleviated a lot. There have been even many gentry landlords who have invited people to cultivate land. The reason is actually simple. After a large number of workshops emerged, it has led to a shortage of labor in the city, so they naturally recruited labor. This has solved the livelihood of some refugees to a considerable extent. In addition, the city is more comfortable after all, so many tenants simply brought their families to the city to beg for food and began to turn into labor. The most serious place is in the south of the Yangtze River, so the labor force in the country suddenly decreased. This is also the reason why the gentry had to reduce rent and recruit refugees everywhere.
Without refugees, it is actually a political achievement. Many prefectures have sent people to report the good news, which has also made the nobles in the court breathe a sigh of relief.
However, there are people who are happy in everything. Although the Ministry of Revenue has been happy for a while, some people are not very happy. Some people have already written a letter saying that scholars, farmers, industry and commerce are the national policy set by Taizu. Now that industry and commerce are inverted, farmers are chasing the stinkyness of money and no longer care about farming. In the long run, grain production will be reduced, and famine will inevitably occur.
Such concerns are not without reason. Some people even argue that since the rise of workshops, many places in Jiangnan have seen gentry abandoning rice and instead planting mulberry trees. Food is the foundation of the country. Once such a thing expands, the problem will be very serious.
These words are actually very reasonable. This is also the reason why the policy of pre-agriculturalism has been adopted in previous dynasties. If even food cannot be guaranteed, what is the use of gold and silver?
In the palace, Zhu Youzhang leaned on the chair with a lazy look, and dozens of Hanlin ministers were kneeling on both sides. Zhu Youzhang didn't speak. Today is a biography, all of whom are well-read scholars. Hanlin expressed his political views here.
Obviously, the two sides argued very fiercely, and they were verbal and verbal..." Zhu Youzhang was only responsible for listening and not making any sound.
"Business and farming are cheap, which has attracted people's impetuousness and no one wants to farm. If this continues, what do you want to buy people? In Yangzhou, thousands of hectares of land were converted into mulberry fields. This year, the silver tax has increased in the Ministry of Revenue, but the grain tax has been reduced by 304 per cent. How can this continue? Without food, how will the court run? The people have no food to eat, so would they let them eat porcelain and silk?"
"Mr. Wang, promoting business is not necessarily a cheap farmer. The most urgent problem at the moment of my Daming is not that there is no fertile land, but that there is a large amount of manpower but not enough arable land. In the first year of Hongzhi, the imperial court counted at most hundreds of thousands of refugees, and now there are a huge number of millions. In the long run, the people have no livelihoods, so what else can they talk about? What's wrong with letting these refugees work?"
Someone sneered and said with a sneer: "This has happened in all dynasties. I have never seen anyone who can't live without silk and porcelain. However, without food, the world will be in chaos. After the business development, the people did not want to work, but regarded luxury as beauty. Is this the sage's education? Lord Wu, don't forget the battle between Jin Dynasty and Jin Dynasty."
"What does this have to do with the Jin Dynasty?"
"It is precisely because rituals and music are broken, people's hearts have changed, and everyone regards luxury as beauty that the two Jin Dynasties have happened.
The so-called battle between the two Jin dynasties is actually an allusion. It refers to the luxury of the Jin people, especially the rich people's struggle for wealth, which led to many luxury trends. After the summary of later generations, especially in Zizhi Tongjian, they believed that this was an important reason why the Jin people worshipped Ran's luxury at that time led to the demise of the country.
"Hmph..." Someone disdained and sneered: "Since it is a court discussion, you need to discuss the matter. Jin people should be scolded by fighting wealth, but what I want to talk about is the livelihood of the people. Besides, now that the court has increased its annual income, what's wrong with it?"
"What kind of livelihood of refugees is obviously nonsense."
"You're talking nonsense."
The debate has deviated from the track and there are signs of losing control. Zhu Youzhang had no choice but to cough to stop these people from continuing to make trouble, and then said lightly: "The words of all the people are all out of their lungs, and I have benefited a lot from hearing it."
He continued slowly, "Okay, let's talk about this today. Let's break up, Grand Secretary Li Dongyang stay."
No one knew what the emperor was thinking. The fight was red, but the emperor had no idea at all. Instead, it made people feel a little depressed. The ministers had to say goodbye one after another, but Li Dongyang stayed alone. The memorials of him and Xie Qian were handed over three days ago. The emperor never gave a reply. He thought to himself, could the emperor be talking about the affairs of Jinyiwei and Liu Gong? He held his breath and looked at Zhu Youting. Zhu Youting's face was deep, which was elusive for a moment.
In the open and wandering in the hall, Zhu Youzhang caressed the imperial desk and suddenly said, "Li Aiqing, why didn't you speak just now?"
This sentence suddenly appeared, and Li Dongyang had to answer carefully. The debate just now was very serious. It was related to the national policy. Generally speaking, if the cabinet ministers opposed the national policy formulated in the palace, they would definitely not have good results. But now, Li Dongyang is not sure about Zhu Youzhang's thoughts.
He pondered for a moment and said, "I dare not speak because I do not know the pros and cons of promoting businessmen. What is the use of sitting in this capital? At present, the court should formulate an imperial envoy and go to various provinces to inspect. After a closer look, whether the pros and cons of promoting businessmen is more beneficial than the disadvantages or the disadvantages are more beneficial than the advantages, so that we can make a decision. Otherwise, it would be too hasty to speak rashly."
Zhu Youzhi nodded: "This is the saying of planning a country. Governing a big country is like cooking a small freshman. You can't make any progress in everything. If you haven't found it clearly, how can you assert it? Look at the Hanlin people just now, they were very well-informed, but I think that truth is the way, but some things are better to see."
Li Dongyang couldn't imagine that he could get away with this, so he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty's wiseness."
Zhu Yousheng waved his hand on the Danbi and said, "It would be great if Lian was a wise man. What should I do if I say these useless words? Let's go. I have read the memorials you and Xie Aiqing a few days ago. Liu Aiqing is a pillar of the court, and I am even more loyal. Lian does not believe that he is a rebellionist. Your words make sense, but then again, I ordered Liu Chengfeng to handle this case. Since Liu Chengfeng believes that it is a suspicion, Lian cannot interfere. Since we want to investigate, then check it clearly. It is also good to clean up Liu Aiqing's grievances."
Li Dongyang couldn't help but become nervous. In fact, many people have come to ask about this in the past few days, and they all understand the meaning. Mr. Liu cannot be humiliated. The reason why they have not taken action now is that they and Xie Qian have handed over the memorials. Let's first look at the attitude in the palace. If the palace approves it, it will naturally be calm. But if the emperor refuses, he is afraid that it will not be as simple as a memorial. These people are angry but dare to say anything. If they say something taboo at that time, this is not a good thing.
"Hmm? Li Aiqing seems to have something to say."
When Zhu Youzhang saw Li Dongyang silent, he looked at Li Dongyang with his eyes.
Li Dongyang said seriously: "Your Majesty, Mr. Liu is an old minister of three dynasties. Now he is recuperating at home and is in his forties. At this time, the Jinyiwei suddenly does this, and it will inevitably make people think that His Majesty is mean and polite, and he wants to take the opportunity to treat Mr. Liu..."
He did not choose to exonerate Liu Jian directly, nor did he attack the Jinyiwei, but started with Zhu Youtang. Zhu Youtang was a man with good face. His words were to tell Zhu Youtang that if he let him go, those who were not aware of it would definitely think that this was the emperor's idea. Liu Jian had been in power for so many years and tried his best to do it for the emperor, but now he ended up in this situation. He would naturally have some thoughts about the emperor. Therefore, if His Majesty wants to maintain his magnanimous image of benevolence, he must stop this.
Li Dongyang's wisdom was undoubtedly revealed at this time, and this sentence was obviously very effective. At least Zhu Youting fell into deep thought and had to estimate the consequences of Li Dongyang's narration.
Zhu Youzing couldn't help but smile bitterly: "While investigating the case and then opening the Internet, you are in a dilemma for the League of Education. It's better to do this. Now that the Marquis of Lianzhou have been investigating for so long, it's better to slander him into the palace and see how he investigated on Liu Aiqing. If there is no suspicion, it's just cancel it immediately. But if you find something, the Marquis of Lianzhou will have to let the Marquis of Lianzhou continue to investigate. Li Aiqing, you must understand my difficulties. Besides, the swelling will not cause Liu Aiqing to suffer any pain, and you will be grateful at that time." (To be continued