Chapter 12: The Great Evil of the World, Fighting for Famous Weapons

The Ming Dynasty is about to fall.

Zhu Yijun naturally knew about this. Not only did he know it, he also knew the year of his death. To him, this was not news.

However, when Zhang Juzheng said it, the meaning was very different.

Is this taboo? Of course not.

In fact, after the turmoil of his grandfather, Emperor Jiajing, such voices were heard frequently both inside and outside the court.

In fact, this is the soil for reformists!

Why did Xu Jie and Li Chunfang fall from power one after another? Why are the first and second assistant ministers in the cabinet now both reformists?

It was because of the urgent internal and external pressures of the Ming Dynasty that it could no longer be ignored - the paperhangers could no longer follow the trend of knowledgeable people.

In this context, the reformists' memorials always threatened the end of the Ming Dynasty.

In the first year of the Longqing reign, the cabinet minister Zhao Zhenji said in his memorial: "Although there is the name of public security, there is no reality; there is no danger or chaos, but there is reason."

Gao Gong's memorial also included the words "the world is in a time of peril".

Zhang Juzheng had a previous record. In his "Memorial on Six Matters", he said, "There are many problems in the world that are difficult to reverse."

This kind of words, which are meant to end the Ming Dynasty, are more pleasant to the ear than Hai Rui's direct scolding of the world for being displeased with Your Majesty for a long time.

However, this is what was said, but the question is, why are you, Zhang Juzheng, talking to a ten-year-old kid who has no power?
Is it to allow you to support Zhang Juzheng, or to replace Gao Gong as the prime minister?
Zhu Yijun couldn't figure out what Zhang Juzheng was doing, so he could only carefully cover it up.

He showed an appropriate look of surprise: "Why do you say that, Lord?!"

Zhang Juzheng apologized for his crime.

He neatly pulled out three volumes of manuscripts from his sleeves and held them up with both hands: "This is what I wrote after sorting it out overnight. Your Highness will know it at a glance."

Zhu Yijun took it with doubt and asked, "What is this?"

Zhang Juzheng did not keep the secret and bowed to answer: "Your Highness, from the Hongwu period to the present, the population, land area, and taxes of each year are roughly listed in the scroll. Please read it."

Zhu Yijun unfolded it and took a quick look at it.

It is indeed the population size, amount of farmland and fiscal revenue in different periods since the founding of the country.

He did not look closely, but simply closed it and said shyly: "Sir, I am young and ignorant, and I don't quite understand it."

Zhang Juzheng paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, "Your Highness, please take a look. When our dynasty was first established, how many acres of land did we have?"

Zhu Yijun opened it again and began to read it following Zhang Juzheng's instructions.

When he found the early years of Hongwu, he said, "Lord, it is more than 370 million mu."

Zhang Juzheng asked patiently, "What about now?"

Zhu Yijun asked in confusion: "More than 460 million acres, Lord, what's wrong with that?"

He didn't know whether Zhang Juzheng was testing him, so he could only ask despite knowing the answer.

Zhang Juzheng sighed, "Your Highness, when the country was first established, the mountains and rivers were in ruins. Now that we have been at peace for a long time, the two have not changed much. Your Highness, this is the problem."

Zhu Yijun was surprised: "Isn't this an increase of 90 million mu? Why did the Lord say that the change was not significant?"

He stared at Zhang Juzheng with his watery eyes, full of curiosity.

Zhang Juzheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, during the Hongzhi period, the amount of farmland was 800 million mu."

The Hongzhi period, from 1488 to 1505, marked the centenary of the founding of the country.

Zhu Yijun realized it later and looked at the corresponding time on the scroll, and then exclaimed: "From the Hongzhi period to the present, there have been 72 years of peace, and the number of farmlands has not increased but decreased!?"

Zhang Juzheng nodded.

Zhu Yijun asked: "Lord, what is the reason for this? Is the land all barren?"

He pretended to be confused.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and replied, "Your Highness, it's not that the land is barren, it's that it's annexed! It's that the land is hidden!"

He almost gritted his teeth and spat it out heavily.

"When people are unable to pay taxes in years of disaster, they will pawn their land to wealthy families. Once they are unable to pay back, the land will be taken over by the wealthy families, and they will become tenants."

"When the big families merged the land, they would hide the land and evade taxes."

Zhu Yijun was horrified: "Merging land and evading taxes? Why don't the officials arrest them?!"

When he asked this question, he almost couldn't help laughing.

He has a clear understanding of this matter.

Of course he knew about the annexation of land.

There are two things in life that you cannot avoid: death and paying taxes.

But for these large asset entities, there are two other things, called mergers and tax evasion.

The local authorities are arresting him? I would laugh my ass off just by hearing this.

These things are covered up by local governments, and the profits have always been divided into 30% and 70%.

Not to mention arresting, even if people from the central government dared to measure the fields, in a milder case, the files would be accidentally lost, while in a more violent case, the imperial envoy's residence would catch fire.

Can Emperor Guangwu rebuild the Yan and Han dynasties and measure the land? Measuring the land is even more difficult than conquering the world!

Otherwise, why did the central government turn a deaf ear to it?

This is not just happening in one town or one city; the whole world is doing this!
The difficulty of the world lies here. You are in me, and I am in you. If one hair moves the whole body, who dares to intervene? Whoever intervenes is the enemy of the people of the world!
As for who are the people of the world? The right of interpretation lies in the hands of the people of the world.

Zhang Juzheng did not directly explain why the officials did not arrest the criminals.

Instead, he sighed and pointed to another volume: "Your Highness, this volume contains the population figures of all generations."

Zhu Yijun tactfully skipped the previous topic and opened another volume.

Zhang Juzheng said: "Your Highness may wish to take a look at the number of households and people during the Hongwu period."

Zhu Yijun found the place and read: "During the Hongwu period, there were 10 million households and 58 million people."

He really doesn't know this.

On the contrary, the line about 400 million compatriots during the Qing Dynasty is more familiar.

But the difference between 50 million and 400 million is too big.

Thinking in his heart, Zhu Yijun did not wait for Zhang Juzheng to speak, and tactfully found the current: "In the sixth year of Longqing, the number of households was 10 million, and the number of people was 62 million."

He looked up in astonishment: "Compared to the beginning of the country, the population has increased so little!?"

He demonstrated his intelligence at the right time and drew inferences from one example to another.

"Your Highness is extremely intelligent," Zhang Juzheng praised, and added, "In the second year of the Yuanshi reign of the Western Han Dynasty, there were 59 million people."

The second year of Yuanshi was the end of the Western Han Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago.

Zhu Yijun asked without shame: "Sir, is it because the rich families hide their people after the common people become tenants?"

The Ming Dynasty now collects a head tax.

Ordinary people do not have the ability to evade taxes, but it is different for wealthy people.

If we collude with the local authorities and report 30% of the 100% population, it would be conscientious enough.

Zhang Juzheng bowed and said, "Your Highness is wise and wise."

Zhu Yijun quickly helped him up and sighed, "I understand what you mean."

He pretended to be stupid and asked why the local government didn't catch the big tax evaders. Zhang Juzheng answered him with the population.

Because local wealthy people not only own land, but also people!
Do the authorities dare to investigate?

Well, even if you are a tough guy who dares to destroy a family, what about those wealthy families who are hiding their land and people?

Will there be some young and foolish people shouting that the officials are forcing the people to revolt?
Even if they don't dare to raise the flag themselves, they can secretly collude with each other, support some bandits and robbers, and provide manpower and money, which will immediately shake the surrounding areas.

Are all the pirates in the southeast from Fuso? Of course not.

The principle is the same.

If the gentry and wealthy families in the two capitals and thirteen provinces all resist the central government's orders, the corruption in the country will not be just talk.

Zhang Juzheng bowed and replied, "Yesterday in Your Highness's presence, there were some unspeakable issues regarding the taxation of Huguang and the border affairs of Xuanda. I have the audacity to use this to clear up your confusion."

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng steadily.

How many heroes are there in the world?

This is a famous hero of the time who is well-known in history. He has a deep understanding of the national conditions and world affairs.

From the Jiajing period to the present day, he has probably pondered over these case files for countless days and nights. Now, perhaps no one understands the accumulated problems of the Ming Dynasty better than he does.

Zhang Juzheng was not unaware of the difficulty of reform; he simply faced the challenge head-on.

Zhu Yijun gently held Zhang Juzheng's hand and said comfortingly: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Zhang, for enduring for the country."

Zhang Juzheng's body froze and his back arched subconsciously. It took him a while to slowly relax.

"Your Highness is serious."

"There is also a volume on taxes. Your Highness, please take a look at it." Zhu Yijun nodded, withdrew his hand, and flipped through the last volume.

There is actually no need to read this volume.

With the number of land and people decreasing year by year, it is easy to see what the tax situation is like.

What’s more, the tax system of the Ming Dynasty was inherently flawed.

Zhang Juzheng said at the right time: "Your Highness, last year, the land tax collected by the Ministry of Revenue amounted to 1475 million taels of silver."

"Seventy-two years ago, during the Hongzhi reign, the land tax was worth 1614 million taels of silver."

"Last year, the grain harvest was 24 million dan, even less than the 31 million dan when the country was founded."

"Your Highness, the border troops have not been paid for several years, and the salaries of all officials have also been in arrears for several years."

"If we can't collect taxes anymore... the Central Government is really running out of money!"

Zhu Yijun listened to him quietly and glanced through the thin volume.

He sighed and said, "No wonder the elder said that the Ming Dynasty is going to fall."

A center without money, and a place where government orders cannot be issued.

The Japanese pirates and Tatars who were eyeing them covetously, and the border troops who could not pay their salaries.

Civil servants who form cliques for personal gain, and wealthy gentry and powerful families who own money and land.

The Ming Dynasty...

Zhang Juzheng stood up and replied, "Your Highness, if this continues, how can the Ming Dynasty last long? This is truly a critical moment for the survival of the world!"

Zhu Yijun was silent, then he suddenly raised his head.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng steadily, expressionless and asked, "What can I do?"

Yes, what should I do?

The world is about to be destroyed, what can we do?

You, Zhang Juzheng, are a cabinet minister, but you are only a ten-year-old child.

Even if I am smart and can understand it, what else can I do?

The power is not in my hands, why do you tell me? If you have any advice, why don't you report it to the two palaces?
Zhu Yijun never let his guard down.

He still remembered clearly the "Taijia" that Zhang Juzheng instructed Gao Yi to lecture on every day.

What is your thought process for telling him these things now?

Zhang Juzheng suddenly raised his head and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, there is only one person who can save the Ming Dynasty!"

After these words came out, Zhu Yijun felt as if a bucket of cold water was poured on him and he immediately came to his senses.

He suddenly realized that the atmosphere was wrong.

He raised his head and looked around, but there was no one around, even the eunuch on duty was nowhere to be seen!

Zhu Yijun's heart trembled. Is this going to be a showdown?
Only one person? You are Zhang Juzheng, right?
Advise yourself not to seize power anymore, and give it to him, so that he can be like Yi Yin in power, implement the new law and then return the power?
Zhu Yijun suddenly became angry for no apparent reason.

You, Zhang Juzheng, are a great man of your time, but am I not one too?
Who isn't a famous figure who fought his way up from the common people to the center?!
You, Zhang Juzheng, can only prolong the life of the Ming Dynasty, but I can save the world!
Zhu Yijun was feeling depressed and was somewhat unable to be polite.

He couldn't help but speak in a stiff tone, and said: "Oh? Who is it? Why don't you tell me so that I can ask for your advice."

Even if Zhang Juzheng wanted to suppress him, he would not give in.

There are many people who want to save the world, but there is only one person who can take charge of the affairs of the country!
This is a dispute over the line! A dispute over the orthodoxy!
Zhang Juzheng responded loudly: "The one who can save the Ming Dynasty is naturally only Your Highness!"

Zhu Yijun's body froze for a moment, and then he was shocked!
broken!

In the middle of the move!
This guy is testing me!
Zhang Juzheng might be suspecting that his suppression of Feng Bao and promotion of Zhang Hong yesterday was intentional.

He even suspected that he was another Yingzong who was lying in wait and scheming to seize power, so he deliberately tested himself.

But his reaction just now was completely confirmed by him.

He used the daily lectures on "Taijia" as an introduction, and also analyzed political affairs and stated the major problems in the world in a patient and persuasive manner.

The final pretend showdown was just to test his own emotional changes.

His reaction just now must have been noticed by Zhang Juzheng. Judging from his expression, he had obviously made a conclusion about his actions in the past two days.

And I only realized it later!
Good, good, good! What a shrewd man!

He had just traveled through time and space and brought with him his previous behavioral habits, so he couldn't control his leadership mentality from his previous life. In a moment of carelessness, he was discovered by Zhang Juzheng.

Now, this character who is scheming, intelligent, and cunning is likely to be confirmed.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

Now that it has happened, there is no point in thinking too much about it.

He continued calmly: "How can the Lord persuade the emperor to ascend the throne in private? It is not in accordance with etiquette."

Zhang Juzheng's face showed no emotion, and he replied: "The whole country depends on you, Your Highness. I dare to expect you to do this."

"Cultivate one's moral character, be close to scholars and learn from them, and consult them on government affairs."

"Preserve the legacy of our ancestors and save the world from danger."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "I will take note of what you said today."

After a round of playing, the performance ended.

The two men exchanged some polite words again, and then Zhang Juzheng bowed and took his leave.

Zhu Yijun watched Zhang Juzheng leave quietly.

Poker face.

I'm afraid that when Zhang Juzheng goes there, he will immediately be on guard against me.

In this round, he and Zhang Juzheng almost showed their cards, while Gao Gong, who held the high position of Prime Minister, did not take the two men seriously.

There was also Feng Bao causing trouble.

In addition, the situation is chaotic due to the Jin Party, the Qingliu, the border towns and the local areas. It is really difficult for me to seize power.

but……

When Zhang Juzheng was about to turn the corner, Zhu Yijun suddenly said, "Lord Zhang!"

Zhang Juzheng stopped immediately, turned around in confusion, and was about to bow.

Zhu Yijun stretched out his hand to stop him from bowing, and just smiled: "The rise and fall of the country depends on what I do!"

Fighting against the sky is endless joy, fighting against people is even more endless joy!
After saying this, he turned around without looking back and went into the inner room with the help of the eunuchs.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhu Yijun's back and a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.

He bowed and walked out.

……

He is indeed a good saint.

Zhang Juzheng walked out of the east side hall calmly, but his heart was not at peace.

Just as he expected, this Crown Prince had the ambition to participate in politics and seize power, and what happened yesterday was intentional.

He's only ten years old, but he already has this kind of intelligence, he wields power, and he's very cunning. It's incredible!

Compared to this crown prince, when Zhang Juzheng was ten years old, he was still... Oh, it seemed that he could write policy essays to criticize the world, and even the governor appreciated them after reading them. But it seems that he is still a little bit short.

However, what is even more extraordinary is that he can be compared with Zhang. This crown prince is probably the most precocious monarch after Emperor Yingzong in the past 200 years of the Chinese dynasty.

It would be a blessing for the world if the new ruler could put even half of his mind on the right path.

As for now...

He looked at the young eunuch beside him and said, "Go tell Feng Dayong to be on guard against Zhang Hong."

Although the words were obscure, Feng Bao was sure to understand them.

That’s right, Feng Bao’s ally is Zhang Juzheng!
Otherwise, how would he dare to test the Crown Prince in a place like Wenhua Palace where there were so many eyes and ears.

Otherwise, how could Feng Bao get the news of Gao Gong's impeachment?

Making friends with eunuchs is a big taboo for cabinet officials and a shame for civil officials.

But he doesn't care!
If you want to do great things, why should you cherish your life?
Gao Gong knew that to implement the new policies, he had to hold great power and was willing to suppress cabinet ministers and exclude dissidents. How could Zhang Juzheng not know this?
What are good people and bad people, clear stream and turbid stream, and the opinions of fools!
Zhang Juzheng is not an empty talker who only knows how to talk, he is an honest official!
A law-abiding official who can do things and save the world!

To this end, he did not hesitate to make friends with the eunuchs and betray his close friend. He knew that Gao Gong could not save the Ming Dynasty!

For this reason, he did not hesitate to spy on the holy heart and look at the emperor as a child. He was afraid. He was afraid that in this last chance, he would meet a holy monarch who did not care about the world!

He was no longer young, and the graying hair on his temples told him that this was his last chance.

What will happen after death? What will be his reputation after death? The Ming Dynasty was in danger, and he could not think so far ahead.

In order to allow the Ming Dynasty to be reborn through the sacrifice of the new law, the power of the emperor, the ambitions of the cabinet ministers, the greed of the gentry, and even his own life, can all be offered as sacrifices!
The Ming Dynasty must be revived in his hands!
Zhang Juzheng turned his back to Zhu Yijun and walked out of the Wenhua Hall and returned to the cabinet with firm steps.
-
Note 1: "Recently, the law and order have been gradually relaxed, and customs have changed day by day. This is the danger of long-term peace. Although there is a name of public security, there is no reality. There is no danger or chaos, but there is a reason. This is what is called leaving a big thing to hardship." - "Huang Ming Jingshi Wenbian·Volume ·Sanji Jiuba Sanshi Shu"

Note 2: Lai Jiancheng. Border defense expenditure and national fiscal crisis in the middle and late Ming Dynasty [M]. Zhejiang University Press, 2010.
Note 3: Zhou Bodi. History of Chinese Finance [M]. Shanghai People's Publishing House, 1981.
Note 4: Liu Xiaocheng. History of Chinese Finance and Taxation[M]. China Financial and Economic Publishing House, 2007.
注5：杨慧.17-19世纪中英财政收入和支出结构比较研究[D].东北师范大学，2013(02).
Note 6: It should be noted that the population figures mentioned by Zhang Juzheng were official statistics of the Ming Dynasty. According to modern demographic models, the population in the sixth year of Longqing should be around million.

(End of this chapter)