Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

Chapter 994

"Your idea is good, but in practice, grain executives often abuse their power for personal gain, gradually forming new interest groups."

"Especially the gentry in Jiangnan. When faced with land reform, they will unite to protect their own interests and those of their clans."

"They deliberately delayed land surveys or submitted false information, recording fertile land as lean land to reduce the amount of tax paid."

"They even directly bribed local officials, such as county clerks, to underreport or conceal the amount of land during land surveys and measurements."

Wei Wu said this, shook his head and sighed softly, saying:

"In fact, it's not just in Jiangnan. When other places implement the land tax system, they basically encounter joint boycotts."

"Once it arises, local officials will usually choose to implement it flexibly to protect the interests of the gentry in order to avoid escalating the conflict."

"For example, lowering the land conversion standard, falsely reporting the number of fields, and so on. Anyway, the emperor is far away and no one knows about it."

After expressing his feelings, Wei Wu hesitated for a moment, but decided to speak up.

"Uncle Zhu, regarding the road permit issue, if possible, try to relax a bit or think of other solutions."

“While this policy can control the flow of refugees, deserters, and bandits, strengthen border defenses, and stabilize agricultural production, it has more drawbacks.”

"First, it hinders the development of the commercial economy. Second, it breeds corruption and injustice, with officials extorting money by approving travel permits."

"The Ming Shilu records that a single travel permit cost hundreds of dollars, so the rich had to pay bribes, while the poor could barely move."

"Unable to obtain travel permits, farmers became unregistered refugees, making them easy targets for those with ulterior motives to exploit and turn them into tools for rebellion."

Zhu Yuanzhang listened to what Wei Wu said with a serious expression. After a long silence, he slowly nodded.

"We will carefully consider this matter later. For now, please tell us how you plan to deal with the gentry's tactics."

Although Zhu Yuanzhang did not respond to this question directly, Wei Wu knew very well that he had taken it to heart.

As for the issue of road permits, Wei Wu could not give any good advice, so it would be better to leave it to the ministers to handle.

So following Zhu Yuanzhang's words, the topic returned to the issue of land reform.

"The method for dealing with the gentry is simple. As long as you are determined to deal with this matter, I have the strong support of the imperial power."

"First, we will impose severe punishments, conduct iron-fisted inspections, and severely punish corrupt officials. I will let those gentry see my methods."

"The second is to simplify the tax code and implement a system where officials collect and distribute taxes locally. Instead of relying on gentry to collect grain, we can bypass them and collect taxes directly from the people."

"Finally, there are whistleblower rewards, which encourage citizens to expose concealed information. Informants can even be rewarded with tax reductions or exemptions."

At this point, Wei Wu suddenly laughed. Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but asked a question with some confusion.

"What are you laughing at, kid?"

"Hehe, I laugh at myself because I'm lucky. Because of my big brother, I don't have to deal with a very difficult problem."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang also became interested and said something with a smile.

"Oh? Tell me?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Wu did not keep anyone in suspense and spoke directly:

"Look! The land-based tax system in Shandong has been successfully implemented, and the people have gained real benefits."

"Big Brother has also gained the support and praise of the people for this, which is equivalent to paving the way for me and saving me a lot of trouble."

Although Wei Wu did not say it explicitly, Zhu Yuanzhang was not stupid. He immediately understood what trouble Wei Wu was talking about.

"You mean the people of Shandong are fighting against the government?"

"That's right!"

Wei Wu nodded decisively, and then continued to explain:

"Brother, your implementation in Shandong is going smoothly, and the people are benefiting from it. No matter how many scholars the gentry hire to write petitions, it will be useless."

"Because the facts are there, the people know that the land tax is a good thing for them, so they will not be provoked or deceived."

"Otherwise, if they manipulate public opinion, I will really be forced to do nothing in order to avoid public outrage."

Facing the people, Wei Wu really couldn't do anything too extreme, which was also one of the most difficult points in the later generations' land tax system.

Because the majority of the people are ignorant, they have no channels to learn about state policies and no ability to understand them.

Not to mention the current era, even in the future era of Internet information explosion, there are still many people who cannot understand government orders.

That was an era when more than 97 percent of the population had received an education and had gone through nine years of education, and illiteracy had basically been eradicated.

Therefore, the people can only see tangible things, such as the results after the implementation of the land-based tax system in Shandong.

With this insurance, Wei Wu no longer had to worry about the people being exploited by the gentry, and he only had to deal with other problems.

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally understood this truth, so after Wei Wu finished speaking, he immediately nodded and said:

"Since you already have a plan in mind, I'm relieved about this matter. It's just right that you can set an example in Jiangnan this time."

"Go ahead and do it with confidence. We'll back you up. We'll also order the Ministry of Revenue to send some officials to go with you."

"Let them learn some lessons from your actions in Jiangnan this time, so they can be used when implementing it in other regions in the future."

Wei Wu grinned and responded confidently:

"Don't worry, I guarantee there won't be any problems this time."

"Okay, then we won't keep you here. Go back and get ready before heading to Jiangnan!"

"Yes!"

After casually responding to Zhu Yuanzhang, Wei Wu did not stop, turned around and left Fengxian Hall directly.

After leaving the palace, Wei Wugang returned home and immediately ordered someone to bring Master Zheng to his yard.

Not long after, Master Zheng was pushed in front of Wei Wu by the servants.

"Master, are you already a Duke?"

"Ok!"

Wei Wu smiled and nodded, then told Master Zheng what happened in the court before continuing:

"Not only has the title been obtained, but the implementation of the land-based tax system in Jiangnan has also been successful. The next step is to wait for the Ministry of Revenue."

"Once they have selected the entourage for this trip, we can set off for Jiangnan."

Hearing Wei Wu's answer, Master Zheng also smiled.

"That's good. With the young master gone, the good days of those Jiangnan cancers are completely over!"

As soon as Master Zheng finished speaking, the two of them burst into laughter at the same time.