Chapter 846 Big brother takes the lead
After the confinement period, Li Tian attended a banquet for the first time with her mother Chang, and went to Chang’s parents’ home.
Today is the day when Chang's cousin is getting her daughter married, and Chang brought Li Tian with her, which made the host family feel very honored.
Most of the female members were relatives, including a few wives from official families. When they saw Chang and Li Tian, they hurried over to greet them.
Ladies' diplomacy is always more effective than men's diplomacy. After all, how many men would not be confused when pillow talk comes?
As they were talking, a woman rushed in and shouted, "People outside say that Chief Wilbur is crazy!"
Li Tian was startled, and Chang said angrily: "What do you mean by that?"
If you can’t explain it clearly, I’ll take care of you.
The woman glanced at Chang, her face flushed, her eyes full of gossip and excitement, "She said that Chang Wei Bo proposed to investigate the land area of the country."
What the hell!
After Li Huan took charge of the Taichang Temple, Chang had many dealings with the wives of officials under him, and her horizons were no longer the same as before.
To investigate the land in the whole country, isn't this just to dig out the roots of those scholars and officials?
Is the son-in-law crazy?
Chang said with a straight face, "Nonsense."
The woman was a distant relative who came to help. She felt that the gap in status between them was too big to get close to Chang, which meant that she was strong without desire. She said, "Aunt, don't you believe it? You can go outside and ask. The men are all making a scene."
"Mother!" Just as Chang was about to ask someone, Li Tian secretly pulled her back and whispered, "My husband has his reasons."
"You are digging for the truth." The wives of the officials disappeared in an instant. Chang said angrily, "I'm afraid this is true. Didn't your son-in-law mention it to you?"
"No." Jiang Qingzhi told Li Tian to bring a few more guards with him when he went out in the morning.
Li Tian didn't know why this happened, but now she knew.
The atmosphere suddenly changed. No one paid attention to Chang's mother and daughter. Only a relative from the host family was there, and the smile on his face was as stiff as a doll's.
Chang was restless, but he couldn't leave at this moment. If he left, the rumor that Jiang Qingzhi was crazy would be confirmed.
During the meal, the mother and daughter actually occupied the table alone.
No one dared to sit with them.
Several wives of officials sat together, and occasionally looked at Chang's mother and daughter with cold eyes.
What will the land inventory bring?
Damn!
The earth dragon is about to turn over.
……
Yan Song returned to the duty room, where Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua were both present. Zhao Wenhua looked quite excited, but Yan Shifan had a grim expression.
"Dad." Yan Shifan stood up to help Yan Song, but Yan Song waved his hand and said, "It's urgent, don't bother with this. Tell me, what does the memorial say?"
Zhao Wenhua handed the memorial to Yan Song.
Yan Song looked at it and closed his eyes.
——Find out the true financial situation of the Ming Dynasty!
This excuse is so fake!
What’s the purpose of finding out the family’s financial situation?
Search your home?
"Dad, the Ministry of Revenue bears the brunt of this matter. Lu Song's position is crucial." Yan Shifan's one eye showed more coldness, "Those people will definitely strongly oppose it. Otherwise..."
Zhao Wenhua smiled and said, "Otherwise, your true colors will be exposed."
"Your family has a lot of land, right?" Yan Shifan asked sinisterly.
Uh!
Zhao Wenhua blinked and said, "Not much."
"Not much?" Yan Shifan sneered, "Jiang Qingzhi suggested checking the land area, and everyone knows what will happen next. Taxes!"
Bah!
Yan Song slammed his teacup on the table and said in a deep voice, "He has stirred up a hornet's nest, but we can't avoid it."
Yan Shifan nodded, "Those people will fight back and use various means to obstruct this matter. Jiang Qingzhi will bear the brunt. But we have to express our stance as well."
The three of them were silent.
The Yan Party is the dog kept by Emperor Jiajing. If they dare to oppose this matter or sit on the fence, can Emperor Jiajing tolerate it?
"Innocent people are affected!" Zhao Wenhua woke up from the excitement that his old rival was going to get into trouble.
"Where is Jiang Qingzhi?" Yan Shifan asked. Yan Song said, "He followed His Majesty to the Yongshou Palace."
"This guy has caused us so much trouble!" The extremely smart young minister stamped his feet, "There is no way to avoid it, there is no way to avoid it!"
Yan Song thought for a long time, "Think about it again, maybe there is another way?"
Yan Shifan smiled bitterly, "Dad, I can think of ways to deal with other things, but this... This is to cut off the foundation of their wealth and prosperity for generations. It's like a great vengeance like killing one's parents. There is no other way except to confront them head-on."
"I think so too." Yan Song sighed and stood up. "I will go to see His Majesty now. Let's see what His Majesty thinks about this matter. He may revoke his order."
Zhao Wenhua said, "Your Majesty should be aware of the consequences of this matter. If things go wrong, you may oppose it."
In Yongshou Palace, Jiang Qingzhi was reading a copy of the Book of Purity and Tranquility.
"Can you be quiet?" The Taoist changed into a Taoist robe, looking like an immortal.
"You have to be able to do it even if you can't." Jiang Qingzhi raised his head. "Since you have started the tax reform, those people will regard the new policy and your majesty as mortal enemies. This is a life-and-death struggle. If that's the case, why should we be polite?"
"After we have checked all the land in the country, what will happen next?" Emperor Jiajing seemed to be testing Jiang Qingzhi.
The new policy must have a leader, a big brother like Fan Zhongyan and Wang Anshi.
Yan Song is naturally not a candidate, and the Taoist priest never even thought about it.
But if you look at the officials you can trust, some are loyal but lack the ability. Some are capable but not loyal...
For example, Emperor Jiajing dared to bet that if his foster brother was given the power to implement the new policy, he would fall ill the next day.
As for Cui Yuan and Zhu Xizhong... Cui Yuan didn't dare. Zhu Xizhong was an old wily man and had too many burdens behind him, so he couldn't put his all into it.
After looking around, only Jiang Qingzhi is suitable.
Jiang Qingzhi said slowly: "The current tax is the head tax. If the head tax is abolished..."
Emperor Jiajing was shocked. "Taxes are collected based on the land?"
Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "That's right."
The tax rate should be distributed according to the land area! Your Majesty!
Are you happy?
Emperor Jiajing pointed at him, his mouth twitching, "You...are you trying to cut off the roots of those people!"
The Daoye threw out the explosive package of tax reform, which was nothing more than trying to force those people to compromise. Taxes must be paid, but how much to pay can be discussed by everyone.
Struggle and compromise have always been brothers and are inseparable.
Compromise in struggle and struggle in compromise, this is the truth that Daoye and his ministers have realized after fighting for half a lifetime.
But Jiang Qingzhi was ready to blame those people. "If the tax is levied according to the land area, land annexation will be unprofitable. Those people have been rich for generations because of this. Without the privilege of tax exemption, do you know what they will do?"
"They will be devastated. They will be furious and even take revenge."
"Aren't you afraid?"
"I am afraid... a little." Jiang Qingzhi smiled. "The Ming Dynasty has reached its current situation. If there is no reform that will cleanse the essence and marrow... Your Majesty, I am worried that the country will not be able to continue."
"You and the third and fourth brothers..."
"Your Majesty, the two princes request to see you." Just then a eunuch came to report.
Emperor Jiajing sighed and said, "He must have known about your memorial."
"Father."
"Father!"
Zhu Laosan and Zhu Laosi saluted outside the door.
"Cousin."
Good boy... Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "Do you know about that?"
"Ok!"
"Your Majesty just mentioned the matter of the country's destiny. I once said that if everything in the Ming Dynasty remains unchanged, something unspeakable will happen in a hundred years."
Jiang Qingzhi closed his eyes, and the killings recorded in history books seemed to be vivid in his mind.
He needs the country's destiny to save his life.
But at this moment, he didn't know whether he was doing this to save his life or because he was reluctant to let go.
"The biggest problem of the Ming Dynasty is that group of people, the group of carnivores whom I call the vested interests. They lie on the Ming Dynasty and suck its blood crazily. If their roots are constantly cut off, then the roots of the Ming Dynasty will be cut off."
Jiang Qingzhi raised his head and said, "I will never look back!"
This is a gesture of asking for mercy!
New Deal!
I come!
The Taoist took a deep breath and patted Jiang Qingzhi on the shoulder.
"Yesterday, I proposed tax reforms, and even Huang Jin was worried. Last night... Otomo, bring out those memorials."
搬？
Huang Jin, along with two eunuchs, carried out several wooden boxes, opened them, and found they were filled with memorials.
"It's all about taxes." The Jiajing Emperor sneered, "Everyone should give advice, everyone should give good advice, everyone should be loyal."
"I can think of the reason." Jiang Qingzhi said with a smile, "It is nothing more than that it will cause people all over the country to rise up in opposition, implying that if the order is not revoked, the country will be in danger."
This is no joke.
Later, Emperor Wanli sent people to various places to collect taxes... This is only natural, right?
But the officials and eunuchs he sent encountered obstacles everywhere.
The Ming Dynasty was so poor at that time that there was no other way out. Emperor Wanli gritted his teeth and said, "Collect!"
Let’s take a hard approach!
Obstruction turned into murderous intent.
Just like the methods those people used to deal with the Taoist priest, they burned those officials and eunuchs to death in a fire.
Do you still dare to come?
Those people sneered and waited for the reaction of the capital.
Jiang Qingzhi dared to bet that Emperor Wanli was absolutely furious. Historical records show that he did not eat for several days because of this, but it was of no use.
The ministers said, "Your Majesty, if this continues, the world will be..."
What do you want?
The owner is changing!
Emperor Jiajing looked at Jiang Qingzhi with a scrutinizing gaze.
Jiang Qingzhi looked at him calmly.
“This road is not easy to travel.”
“But we have to go.”
“This is the second time I’ve taken this route.”
“There will be more people this time.”
"Not afraid?"
"Not afraid."
"So……"
Emperor Jiajing looked pleased. Yan Song came to see him. Seeing Emperor Jiajing approach Jiang Qingzhi, he said with a gentle look in his eyes:
"Emperor Renzong of the former Song Dynasty ordered Fan Zhongyan and others to write a policy of reform, and Emperor Shenzong ordered Wang Anshi to take charge of the overall situation. The important task of reforming the country... is celebrated!"
Jiang Qingzhi raised his head slightly, "I am here!"
Yan Song was standing outside the palace. The two princes, regardless of the taboo that two dragons should not meet each other, leaned in to look.
Emperor Jiajing bowed.
Seriously said: "Please!"
An inexplicable feeling of being moved made Prince Yu's eyes warm.
King Jing's cold had not yet healed. He resisted the urge to cough, held his breath, and looked at his uncle...
Jiang Qingzhi took a step back and bowed solemnly.
"My lord, take your orders!"
Winter of the 30th year of Jiajing’s reign.
Under the witness of the Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty and the two princes, Changwei Earl Jiang Qingzhi took over the power of presiding over the new policy.
On this day, there was a thunderbolt in the capital city out of a clear sky.
One day, a madman in the south of the city suddenly shouted, "It's almost dawn!"
(End of this chapter)
