Chapter 438: Returning the Expenses to the Public
It is very simple to know a thing or a truth.

But discovering this thing or truth is a very difficult thing.

Although it may be just a legend, everyone in this legend knows that the apple falls to the ground, but only a certain Mr. Niu succeeded in realizing it.

Could it be that Zhang Juzheng was unaware of the phenomena of the difference between oranges grown in the south and tangerines grown in the north, the waste of time melting silver, the additional levies and charges, and the high cost of silver and the low cost of grain?
Obviously, as someone who had walked into Wenyuan Pavilion step by step, he knew about the existence of such local government.

But knowing is one thing, but being able to contrast it with the One Whip Law that he constantly glorifies in his heart will naturally make him ignore the problems that exist in these facts.

This is also the reason why Zhang Juzheng could so readily and decisively admit his lack of understanding on this matter in front of Yan Shaoting and Hai Rui.

This also led to him showing such great courtesy to Yan Shaoting.

because.

If such matters concerning the common people of the world are not considered sufficiently, once they are implemented, they will inevitably turn from good policies that benefit the world into harsh policies that bring disaster to the people.

Faced with Zhang Juzheng's sudden and strict response to ancient etiquette, Yan Shaoting was caught off guard and could only stand up with a solemn expression.

He stretched out his hands and placed them on Zhang Juzheng's raised wrists.

"The three of us may have different political views and different backgrounds, but when it comes to the country, we all care about the people. That's why we can gather together today to discuss this matter."

Yan Shaoting's tone was unusually solemn, and he looked sincerely at Zhang Juzheng who was looking up at him.

"Brother Shu, if you continue to treat me with this kind of courtesy, it will shorten my life. If you really want to do one or two good deeds for the people of the world with me, why don't you sit down and let the three of us discuss and come up with a proper plan, and then decide whether to submit it to the emperor for approval?"

This is the end.

After Yan Shaoting finished speaking, he used his hands to exert a little force and pulled Zhang Juzheng back to his seat.

Seeing the two of them working together in front of him, Hai Rui also smiled.

He smiled and looked at the two of them: "Just now, Uncle Da suggested that we could petition the court to approve Gui'e Gong's One Whip Law. Runwu said that there should be some emotion in this, but I think in Runwu's mind, this law is also feasible, but it needs to be strictly prevented and improved."

Yan Shaoting nodded.

Zhang Juzheng immediately said: "How to handle it? Don't hide your shortcomings when you are able to benefit others."

Yan Shaoting did not delay and said directly: "In my opinion, the One Whip Law is feasible, but it is not a good policy that can be implemented in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of our dynasty. For example, the taxes collected in the northwest, southwest, and Liaodong in the north are often not sent to the capital or stored in the southern Zhili. They have always been collected and used in the local area. We still need to follow the original system instead of implementing the One Whip Law."

The southwest is mountainous and the roads are long. In addition, there are local chieftains and barbarians everywhere. Local taxes have always been basically used locally, or transferred to guards in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other places for stationing troops and training horses.

The imperial court basically did not expect these places to bring much tax to the court, but instead focused on local stability.

As for the Northwest.

Since the beginning of the Song Dynasty, the area west of Tongguan has been on the verge of collapse. Until now, the area west of Guanxi is covered with loess and few people live there. It is precisely for this reason that in the past 200 years of the Ming Dynasty, basically no one would mention the redevelopment of the Western Regions.

Because the entire Guanxi and Hexi regions had collapsed. Without the support of a large population, if the imperial court wanted to develop the Western Regions again like the Han and Tang dynasties, it would have to recruit people and food from the Central Plains and Jiangnan. Such a huge cost was a huge obstacle to the imperial court's development of the Western Regions.

Let’s talk about the last part of the northern area and Liaodong area.

That's even simpler.

The entire north is under the jurisdiction of the Nine Border Towns, and Liaodong is now not peaceful. If the Single Whip Law is implemented, it will not improve the livelihood of the local people, but will increase their burden.

Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui nodded repeatedly when they saw Yan Shaoting begin to analyze the issues one by one and one point at a time.

Zhang Juzheng was even more filled with fear and admiration.

Yan Shaoting pondered the geomancy map of the Ming Dynasty and continued, "As for the provinces in the Central Plains, such as Henan, Hebei, Shandong, the northern part of Nanzhili, and the Huguang area, they are important grain-producing areas of our dynasty. The national grain and grass expenses must not be in the hands of merchants, and these places cannot be implemented with a one-whip approach. In a word, no matter how many words are said, it is not as reassuring as if the court actually holds the grain in its own hands!"

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting looked at the two of them with a smile.

The area he was referring to is roughly what later generations often referred to as the four provinces of mountains and rivers and the Huguang Plain grain-producing area.

Whatever the reality is, it must be acknowledged.

These areas must be placed in a position to ensure national food security.

No matter what era, food is life.

Hai Rui also nodded and sighed: "Food is the most important thing for the people. As long as the court can control the grain and allow the people to have something to eat, even in times of disaster, the court can open the granaries and release grain to the people. Then the people will not become refugees or rioters, nor will they rebel against the court."

Zhang Juzheng sighed: "Yes, as long as the people have something to eat, they will not rebel..."

After they finished speaking, they both looked a little hesitant.

Officials like these two know very well what the true basis of governing the people is. They also know how little the people want.

They just want a bite to eat.

The two seemed a little lost.

Yan Shaoting clapped his hands, smiling even more: "Although the above places are not suitable for the implementation of the One Whip Law, but the prefectures south of the Yangtze River, as well as Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi and other places, are prosperous merchants and have many industries. Moreover, most of these places have scarce grain fields and mountains, and the government often suffers the most losses during transportation and release. Therefore, I think these places can implement the One Whip Law, focusing on collecting silver and money for the court to enrich the court's annual expenses."

In those days, Gui E often served as an official in Jiangnan and other places. What he saw was naturally the prosperous business and trade in the provinces and prefectures of Jiangnan, as well as the handicraft workshops in Jiangnan and other places. That is why he felt that the implementation of the Single Whip System was a good thing.

Yan Shaoting also had to admit that the places he mentioned were extremely suitable for implementing the Single Whip Law.

When Zhang Juzheng saw that Yan Shaoting finally agreed and approved of the Single Whip Law, he finally smiled.

Hai Rui observed the expression of this 'unsympathetic' man and said, "This analysis is quite appropriate. After analyzing Uncle Da's aspirations, it seems that this method of whipping is really feasible!"

Yan Shaoting nodded and said, "Of course it is feasible, and it is extremely feasible! The court cannot lose food, but it cannot lose money either. Now the court is opening the sea, and this matter is now being handled by my uncle's maritime governor's office. I think it is clear that as the policy of opening the sea continues, our court will inevitably be flooded with countless silver brought by foreign countries. At that time, with this silver, in conjunction with the court's laws and regulations, it can also prevent the situation where silver is expensive and grain is cheap from happening."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes suddenly flashed: "The opening of the sea can actually be related to this! If Runwu hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten about the influx of foreign money after the opening of the sea."

Attracting Hai Rui's puzzled gaze, Zhang Juzheng smiled and shook his head.

He explained: "The opening of the seas was also proposed by the court. Now that I am the Minister of Maritime Affairs, I have seen with my own eyes that with the opening of the seas, our merchants went out to sea and foreign merchants brought goods back, and they also brought a lot of silver and money."

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "That's why I said that Nanzhili, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong can implement the Single Whip Law. After the opening of the sea in these places, the Maritime Customs Offices have become increasingly busy, and silver has poured in. They are not short of silver, which will naturally prevent merchants from exploiting the interests of the people."

Hai Rui saw that everything had basically been finalized so he clapped his hands and smiled, "So, today we can finalize the tax payment system for both officials and civilians, the tax distribution system based on the amount of land, and the Single Whip Law. Once we have a detailed set of rules, we can submit it to the emperor!"

"No!"

"inappropriate!"

Almost at the same time.

Yan Shaoting and Zhang Juzheng spoke at the same time.

Seeing the two people like this, Hai Rui was stunned, and looked at the two people who denied it at the same time with some confusion.

Yan Shaoting was the first to speak: "Uncle, please speak first."

Zhang Juzheng nodded: "Although the method we are discussing is good, there is still an indisputable fact at the moment..."

After saying this, he looked at the two of them with deep eyes.

Hai Rui's mind moved: "You mean... the West Garden in Beijing..." Zhang Juzheng nodded.

Hai Rui's face darkened.

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and sighed, "Now that the West Garden no longer opens doors and windows in winter, and stoves are lit for warmth, we have to think more about how long your Majesty's holy body can hold on? And what we are discussing, once reported to the court, will inevitably cause an uproar. In the eyes of the officials in the court and the people of the world, it is tantamount to a system change. This kind of thing is something that the three of us are willing to promote. If we don't get the full support of the emperor, if we don't occupy a prominent position in the court, if we don't have a group of like-minded people who speak out with us in the court and in the local area, it will certainly be difficult to implement. On the contrary, if we hastily propose it now, it is very likely to arouse the defensiveness of some people, and they will continue to target us in the future."

What he said is a very realistic issue.

Even Yan Shaoting had to consider it.

suddenly.

The corner of his eye twitched suddenly, and he felt something was wrong.

I am now so busy with these plans that I have forgotten the most important thing.

The old Taoist priest won’t live long!
If I remember correctly, the old Taoist priest has been alive for less than two years!

December of the winter of the forty-fifth year of Jiajing!

Follow the Emperor Shizong Su.

And now, it is already the late spring and early summer of the 44th year of the Jiajing reign.

The subtle changes on his face attracted the attention of Zhang Juzheng and Hai Rui.

Hai Rui asked in a low voice: "Did Runwu think of something?"

Yan Shaoting looked at Hai Rui and shook his head.

I can't just say directly that the old Taoist priest will die next winter.

He shook his head and said, "It's not that I have thought of anything. I just think that what Uncle said is something that we have to guard against. So, it's best to suppress these things for now, and wait until the court is stable. We can also strive to make further progress in the court. When we get support from all parties, we can safely propose to approve what we are discussing today, which is the appropriate move."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "That's exactly what I'm thinking. That's why I think it's inappropriate to submit a memorial now."

After finishing speaking.

He turned to look at Yan Shaoting, with a curious look on his face: "But before, it was also said that moistening things was not allowed. I wonder why?"

Hai Rui immediately asked in confusion, "Yes, why would Runwu say that it's not possible?"

Seeing that both of them were curious.

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "It's not that I think what we are discussing cannot be implemented, but I just thought of something else that can be incorporated into it. I think we can bring it up together when we discuss it in the court in the future."

Nowadays.

Yan Shaoting has already given Zhang Juzheng enough shocks.

Hearing such remarks again, he immediately slapped his palm on the stone table in the pavilion: "It must be a good policy, tell us quickly, don't whet our appetite!"

Looking at Zhang Juzheng's impetuous posture.

Yan Shaoting did not want to delay, and said directly: "What I am thinking about is the fire consumption silver that has always been collected by the government. Now that we have agreed that when the time comes, we will ask the officials and the people to pay the grain, the land tax and the one-whip law, and impose the land tax and the capitation tax on the land, the purpose is naturally to reduce the burden on the people. So, can this long-standing fire consumption silver be exempted, or can this money be transferred from the court to the local government?"

Fire consumption silver, also known as consumption of silver.

It is an additional tax levied by the imperial court besides the land tax and the capitation tax.

Originally, it refers to the loss of silver during the smelting process. So the government passed this loss on to the people and included it in the annual tax collection in the name of consumption.

According to the nature of local officials today.

This amount of expenditure has increased from 10% at the beginning of the country to 20% or even 30% now.

This is a considerable expense.

Although in a certain dynasty later, the local government could collect 30% to 40% of the regular tax on the tax of consumption, and even at the highest it could reach 70% to 80%.

But that is all later talk.

Faced with the issue of Haoxian that Yan Shaoting suddenly raised.

Hai Rui turned his eyes and silently thought about his experiences and observations in the prefecture and county and his current position as the governor of Yingtian.

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "The truth is revealed in the details. It is feasible that Runwu can think of this."

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "Whether the local government levies an additional 10%, 20%, or 30% or 40%, it all falls on the people. Since it is for the benefit of the people of the country, it is better to waive this expense. From now on, local governments should collect taxes based on the regular tax rate. The loss of silver smelting in each province will be set by the court, either 10% or 20%. This will also encourage local governments to study ways to reduce losses during smelting. The excess will be regarded as a subsidy to local governments, which can also alleviate the difficulties of those who complain that their salaries are not enough to make a living."

Well known.

At least on the surface, the salaries of Ming Dynasty officials were very low.

It is so low that officials have to borrow money to stay in office, or they are forced to engage in corruption.

According to Yan Shaoting's idea, when local governments collect regular taxes, they only need to melt down silver ingots into the amount of silver stipulated by the regular taxes, and then the court will set a limit on losses, which can be regarded as a subsidy to local governments.

If it is possible to achieve absolutely no loss, then the 10% or 20% loss limit set by the court can be taken by local officials in a fair and open manner.

At this time, Hai Rui had already summarized in his mind his past experiences as an official in the prefecture and county.

He laughed out loud immediately.

"It's really good!"

"Now we have officials and civilians paying taxes together, paying taxes on land, and the one-whip system and the surpluses returned to the public."

"If these four things can be implemented in the future, I think the two capitals and thirteen provinces of our dynasty will be filled with cheers and the people will all praise and applaud!"

Zhang Juzheng also nodded in agreement: "In that case, we should sort out these four matters in the near future to avoid any omissions in the future."

After finishing speaking.

He looked at Yan Shaoting again, with curiosity on his face.

"But what we are discussing now are all things that cannot be done at the moment."

"But Runwu is now in Nanjing, shouldering the heavy responsibility of the emperor and the court. I'm afraid he still has to do something, right?"

Yan Shaoting nodded immediately.

A smile appeared on his face.

"Of course."

"Otherwise, why would I be so excited about my two brothers coming to Nanjing?"

"I just need you two brothers to lend a helping hand!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)