Chapter 176: Zhu Yuanzhang is ready to make a move
Sharing the land from one person to another was a policy adopted during the Manchu and Qing dynasties, and was an important reform of the tax system.
This marks the abolition of the poll tax, which has been in place for more than 2,000 years.
The implementation of this system has reduced the economic burden of landless and landless farmers and promoted population growth.
Workers have greater freedom in life, which is conducive to social and economic development.
The simplification of taxation rules reduces the possibility of arbitrary tax increases by the government.
The most obvious thing is that it will greatly stimulate population growth.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard Da Sun say these words, he immediately understood the meaning. This is also easy to understand and does not require too much explanation...
Although the so-called taxes and taxes both collect money, there are actually some differences. To put it simply.
The money collected from the tax is provided to the national armed forces and can be understood as military tax.
The money collected from taxes is used for the economic construction of the country.
The Ding tax that Dasun mentioned belongs to taxation.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not show any expression of appreciation. Instead, he looked at his eldest grandson with a strange look in his eyes.
"Have you ever thought about how much food will be reduced in the national treasury's annual revenue if the Ding tax is abolished?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice.
How could the eldest grandson come up with such a trick if he is so smart?
The Ding tax system has existed since ancient times. This does not mean that Zhu Yuanzhang insisted on retaining it. In fact, it seems now that the annual income from the Ding tax is obviously much higher.
The abolition of the Ding tax would have an immeasurable impact on the Ming Dynasty's treasury revenue.
Zhu Ying was not too surprised by the old man's reaction.
A policy that was considered highly efficient by later generations, such as dividing a small family into an equal share of land, actually did not bring much benefit to the current Ming Dynasty.
According to local conditions, the policies of each period should be in line with the current situation, rather than saying that all good policies are piled together and Ming Dynasty will become stronger.
The reason why the system of dividing people into acres was so effective during the Manchu period was a stroke of genius, the key to which was the concealment of the population.
A large number of people have their household registrations concealed, and no one knows how many people support a large number of servants. These concealed populations do not pay taxes.
During the Manchu Qing Dynasty, those who concealed the largest number of people were the Eight Banners disciples.
Therefore, after allotments were taken into account, the tax revenue of the Qing Dynasty would directly take off. To a certain extent, it was a helpless move.
But for today's Ming Dynasty, the situation is completely different.
The population situation of previous dynasties is unknown. The current Ming Dynasty has experienced the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, especially the occupational distribution system implemented by Zhu Yuanzhang, including the household registration system. Basically, all people are registered in the register, and there is no hidden population.
This also means that the Ding tax currently accounts for a large proportion of the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty treasury.
The abolition of the Ding tax and the calculation of taxes directly on real estate will result in a substantial reduction in annual income.
Originally, the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty's treasury was very tight to use, but with a further drop like this, it can be seen that the coming year will be even more difficult.
Don't think that the policy of dividing every farmer's land into an acre is very clever. The military tax is collected based on the real estate. Now it's just that the personal tax is implemented in this way.
Doesn’t Zhu Ying understand this?
Of course he knew it in his heart, otherwise he wouldn't have delayed it until this time to bring it up, but since he knew it, why did Zhu Ying still bring it up.
The most important purpose is to eliminate the gap between rich and poor as much as possible.
Only by narrowing the gap between rich and poor can social conflicts become less acute.
"Those who have more real estate will get more, if they have less, they will get less, and if they don't have enough, they won't get any. Even for some low-level people, the burden of finding a job will be much easier."
Zhu Ying explained.
After listening to Da Sun's explanation, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately understood Da Sun's thoughts, but in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, Da Sun took it for granted at this moment.
In the words of later generations, it was too idealistic and unrealistic.
Seeing the old man frowning and not showing much recognition, Zhu Yingzhi said confidently: "My grandson knows that the abolition of the Ding tax will reduce the revenue of the Ming Dynasty's treasury and even affect the stability of the Ming Dynasty."
"Since my grandson dared to raise this matter, he must have come prepared and prepared a way to solve this problem."
After Zhu Ying finished speaking, he did not continue to talk. Instead, he picked up the already cold tea on the table and took a sip.
Hearing Da Sun's words, Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly excited and his brows were also widened. He wanted to hear what other methods Da Sun had to solve this problem.
Zhu Yuanzhang was still very satisfied with Da Sun's clever plans.
But seeing his eldest grandson drinking tea by himself, and thinking of whetting his appetite, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled brightly, picked up the tea cup, and drank it leisurely.
Old fox!
Zhu Ying was speechless. The old man had a bad temper. This could calm his mind.
Seeing this, Zhu Ying put down the tea cup, rolled his eyes, and asked, "In Grandpa's opinion, does our Ming Dynasty have extremely rich products and everything you need?"
"Of course." Zhu Yuanzhang replied casually, holding a teacup in one hand.
Since ancient times, China has been the center of the world, and it is well known that the barbarians in all directions are in a barren state.
"But grandpa knows that outside the mountains and seas of the Ming Dynasty, there are all kinds of rare treasures, and there are even crops that can produce thousands of kilograms per mu. People living there can live without worries about food and clothing without having to work hard."
Zhu Ying said with a smile.
At this point, Zhu Ying's thoughts were very obvious. He just wanted to arouse the old man's curiosity about overseas.
Apart from anything else, the sea ban must be opened no matter what.
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his expression was calm and he just asked lightly: "Oh, there is such a place outside the Ming Dynasty. We have never heard of it."
Today, in July of the 25th year of Hongwu, there is no world map. The earliest complete map of Kanyu and all the kingdoms in the Ming Dynasty was drawn in the 12th year of Wanli.
In addition to having some understanding of the territory ruled by the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang only had a vague concept in his mind about the Ming Dynasty, which he had read about in books.
Although the topic of Da Sun successfully aroused his interest, Zhu Yuanzhang still kept his expression.
Little fox, we are not as superficial as you think.
Even though Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately hid it, Zhu Ying still saw some clues.
Smiling slightly, Zhu Ying once again whetted the old man's appetite and said: "I think grandpa has already mastered some of my grandson's past experiences. Grandpa, have you ever thought that so many people under your grandson's command are from the Western Regions, beyond the Great Wall, etc."
A bitter, cold and barren area.”
"Why can it still feed so many people every year? Even in the harsh winters when others don't have enough to eat, drink or keep warm, my grandson can still continue to attract members."
This passage finally caused some very obvious changes in Zhu Yuanzhang's expression.
Zhu Ying was right. Zhu Yuanzhang was keenly aware of this problem when he looked at Dasun's detailed information. However, out of love for Dasun, he did not get to the bottom of it.
"Dasun, please tell us what is going on. We are indeed very confused."
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask. He could endure it until today only because the person sitting opposite him was his most beloved grandson.
If it were any other person, after seeing the details of the intelligence, he would not use any means to forcefully dig out the secrets.
Even if it means mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops to march into the Western Regions, it is not a big deal.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly thought of what Da Sun had said about overseas, coupled with Da Sun's business and contacts overseas, and he suddenly became enlightened.
Zhu Ying's subsequent words directly confirmed Zhu Yuanzhang's guess.
"To be honest with grandpa, the main reason why my grandson can continue to recruit other forces and support such a large group of people is that when he was living in the Western Regions, he once obtained tree seeds and crops from overseas merchants.
.”
"It seems to be a coincidence. My grandson didn't pay too much attention to it at the time. Maybe even the business owner didn't know what was going on and just regarded it as a toy to watch."
"By chance, my grandson unexpectedly discovered that these crops are very tolerant of bitter cold, and the yield per mu is extremely amazing. After my grandson's experiment, it was actually able to achieve a yield of over a thousand kilograms per mu."
"Not only that, these crops themselves do not require intensive cultivation. They can grow vigorously on their own with simple care. They are simply a gift from God."
"With these kinds of crops, my grandson no longer has to worry about food. Therefore, before the severe cold winter and when others can't survive, my grandson directly recruits them. Every year, the power under his command almost doubles."
"If we weren't worried about the unstable foundation, the scale of our subordinates might be much larger."
Zhu Ying slowly explained that this was his most important secret at the moment. If he was not the closest person, he could not get in touch with it at all.
When these foods are sent out, they are powdered so that no one else knows.
Like sweet potatoes, they are often accompanied by rice, making them unrecognizable.
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt like he was suffocating.
Although it was not much different from what I expected, it was still unavoidable to be shocked when I really heard Da Sun say it.
A few words suddenly appeared in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind: tolerance to bitterness and cold, no need for fertile land, high yield, and many more.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a slightly urgent tone: "Dasun, the crops you have been waiting for have been brought to the capital. Can you let us take a look?"
Even so, Zhu Yuanzhang still spoke to Da Sun in a consultative tone, not in a commanding or oppressive manner.
Zhu Ying had a delicate and sensitive mind. Feeling the old man's attitude towards her, her heart felt warm and she said without hesitation:
"Grandpa, don't worry. Naturally, my grandson didn't take these crops with him to prevent accidents. However, some time ago, the post documents that my grandson obtained from grandpa were quickly spread to the Western Regions."
"My grandson asked someone to bring a large amount of grain and seeds. Judging by the time, we are now on the way to the capital. At most, grandpa will be able to see you in half a month."
After finishing speaking, Zhu Ying looked at the old man's excited expression and added again: "Grandpa, don't expect too much. My grandson has tried it. Although these crops can be grown in the Ming Dynasty, they will be affected by the land.
"
"After several times of transplanting, the yield will drop significantly, just like a person suffering from a disease. My grandson has also arranged for people to study it, but there is no solution yet."
Yam crops are buried underground and are most susceptible to virus invasion. Zhu Ying is not an encyclopedia, nor has he memorized an encyclopedia, so he naturally does not know how to get rid of viruses.
This involves knowledge related to chemistry in later generations. Obviously, given the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, it will be difficult to deal with detoxification methods for a long time.
However, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn are particularly easy to grow, and they do not occupy the same living space as rice fields. In addition, they are cold and drought tolerant and do not require care. For the people of the Ming Dynasty today, it can be said to be real gospel.
Moreover, if the three crops are planted in rotation, even if they are really affected by the pathogen, the most stupid method will be adopted, which will cause tuber failure and corn moldy areas. The crops will be directly destroyed to block the spread.
Then replace it with new seeds and it can still be maintained.
But obviously, detoxification technology needs to be studied from now on.
Over in the Western Region, there are still not many breakthrough developments in the field of detoxification, but we still have some experience in how to protect potatoes and corn after growing them for many years.
"Even if it's less, to what extent will it be less?" Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask.
"Even if the yield is reduced, as long as it is not impossible to produce seeds and the yield per mu is several hundred kilograms higher, there will still be no problem. Regarding the planting experience, I have recorded it in a book and will distribute it together when the time comes. At the same time, I will strengthen the research on these crops.
, I guess the problem won’t be too big.”
"While we were talking about this, our grandson discovered that Uncle Wu has a strong interest and rich experience in agriculture. He is planning to set up an agricultural school in Daming to study everything related to crops."
"I just want to ask my fifth uncle to help my grandson and set up an agricultural school together to protect my food supply in the future."
As Zhu Ying finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help shouting: "What a great idea!"
"Dasun is indeed Dasun. This idea is really good. It is a good agricultural school, dedicated to the study of various crops, mainly to increase the yield per mu. If we can make a breakthrough, the people of Ming Dynasty will not have to worry about having nothing to eat.
.”
Now Zhu Yuanzhang's face was rosy with excitement, and he felt that his eldest grandson was completely a gift from God to him.
Whether it is matchlock guns or high-yield crops, it is completely conceivable that it will definitely cause earth-shaking changes for today's Ming Dynasty.
By then, the Ming Dynasty will be rich and powerful, the people will no longer suffer from hunger, and the army will have powerful firearms.
Is there anyone in this world whom I cannot fight?
In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang was worried that his eldest grandson would be militaristic, but now it seems that he knew too little.
Having mastered what Da Sun said, who can still restrain Feng Lang Ju Xu's thoughts?
Even Zhu Yuanzhang now feels that his long-dormant ambition has become a little bit impatient.