In a certain respect, although Cheng Yuandao is a little pedantic, he is still a gentleman.
Cheng Yuandao also firmly opposed Zhao Junchen's proposal to reform agriculture, but his position was not that his own interests would be harmed, but that he felt that Zhao Junchen's actions were too big, and that Zhao Junchen's actions would inevitably waste people and money, and shake the country and the country.
Therefore, after Cheng Yuandao came out, he was not afraid of Zhao Junchen's power at all, and just raised his voice: "Master Zhao, even if the court is currently facing the hidden danger of food shortage, Master Zhao's proposals are too big.
It’s enough to restrict private brewing. We can also consider building irrigation measures, but we must forcefully change the people’s farming habits. First, let the people in the north cultivate potatoes and corn on a large scale, and then let the people in the south reduce cotton, tea, etc.
People must not be able to understand the planting of plants. If you are not careful, it may trigger a civil uprising. The risk is too great and it is really inappropriate!"
Zhao Junchen has made full preparations for today's events, and has already made plans for the objections of the officials.
At this time, after hearing Cheng Yuandao's point of view, Zhao Junchen still refused to give in and asked directly: "Mr. Cheng Ge, changing the people's farming habits is to increase the court's grain reserves and reverse the court's dilemma of insufficient grain collection every year.
! It is indeed possible that the people will not understand. If there is insufficient preparation, it is indeed possible to trigger a civil unrest, but it is only possible! But if the imperial court does not have food to help the people in the future, a civil unrest will definitely occur!
I believe that the difference between the two is very obvious, and it is easy to choose which one is more important!"
Cheng Yuandao said with a serious expression: "Insufficient food storage is certainly a hidden danger, but there is no need to go to such great lengths to fight. You can start with the subtleties and use a gentler approach to alleviate it. As the saying goes, governing a country is like cooking small dishes.
Fresh, the methods should not be too drastic."
A trace of helplessness flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes, and he asked Cheng Yuandao directly: "If I could find other ways, I would not risk the opposition of the world to raise these matters! Perhaps I am not knowledgeable enough and cannot think of anything better."
It's a suitable method, but if Cheng Ge always has such a good method, please feel free to teach me!"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Cheng Yuandao looked slightly embarrassed, but he hesitated for a long time, but couldn't tell a reason.
Zhao Junchen sighed secretly in his heart.
In fact, among the hundreds of officials in the Huangji Palace, more than half of them have a problem, that is, they are only good at opposing and criticizing, but they are not good at making detailed decisions, good at talking about some rhetorical principles, and macro-level governance.
I can talk endlessly all day long, but I can’t come up with many solutions on how to solve specific “little things” and I can only talk about the same old things!
Today, Cheng Yuandao is like this.
Faced with Zhao Junchen's tax reform proposal, he could point out many harms and shortcomings, but he didn't have many options on how to reverse the court's food shortage dilemma.
Junchen pointed out a "clear path" to "start with the subtleties and use a gentler approach to alleviate it. Managing the country is like cooking fresh food, and the methods should not be too drastic." It sounds reasonable, but it only sounds like it.
It makes sense, but he doesn't even have the vaguest idea of how this path should be taken and how this method should be implemented!
As Zhao Junchen refuted Cheng Yuandao again, the opposition voices of the officials became slightly lower.
For a time, Zhao Junchen was arguing with hundreds of officials in the Huangji Hall, and defeated many people in succession. He was in the limelight, and the Huangji Hall became quiet because of this. No one came out to refute Zhao Junchen's point of view.
Zhao Junchen, taking advantage of the silence of the officials, raised his voice and said to Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, my idea is very simple! The imperial court has been short of food for many years, and now it has reached an extremely dangerous point! In this case, let's
This situation must be improved! The word "improve" means "change" in front of "good". These two words tell us a very simple truth. Only when there is change can there be good or bad!
No matter whether the situation is getting better or worse, you must always make changes first. If you make changes, you will have a chance to get better! If you are not even willing to change, then the situation will only continue to worsen, and sooner or later it will become irreversible.
That’s why I put forward these suggestions, just to improve the food shortage situation of the court, to help the country consolidate and the people live in peace!"
Having said this, Zhao Junchen glanced at all the officials and said: "These suggestions made by me will naturally not satisfy all my colleagues, but I am not a stubborn person. As long as there is someone who can make more suggestions,
I am happy to adopt good suggestions, but if no one can make better suggestions, why can't I adopt these suggestions? Do I and other ministers have to watch the court's food shortage continue?
Why don't we just go on and let the situation get worse?"
Zhao Junchen's words can be said to be true and resounding.
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, many knowledgeable officials also felt moved in their hearts and subconsciously believed that what Zhao Junchen said was reasonable.
Then, everyone still firmly opposed Zhao Junchen's proposal!
After all, whether Zhao Junchen's statement is reasonable or not is irrelevant to the officials, but it is a real thing that Zhao Junchen's proposal harms their interests, which is enough for them to firmly express their opposition.
In this way, seeing Zhao Junchen's momentum gradually building up, even Emperor Deqing was pondering and thinking seriously about Zhao Junchen's proposal. However, the officials did not dare to remain silent for fear that Emperor Deqing would be influenced by Zhao Junchen, so they
Once again, they came out one after another to express their firm opposition.
However, this time, they no longer debated with Zhao Junchen, and avoided discussing Zhao Junchen's views. Instead, they used some "fake and empty" truths to stop Zhao Junchen.
"Your Majesty, these proposals of Mr. Zhao are against the ancestral system and have no precedent. You need to think twice before taking action!"
"The sage said that the people are water, which can carry or capsize a boat, but farming is the foundation of the people and cannot be changed easily!"
"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and can affect the country and the country. It must be considered carefully and must not be acted upon lightly!"
Ancestor system, saint, country and country...
Big hats were carried out one after another by the officials.
When officials hold up these big hats, it means one thing. No matter what you say, I just don’t agree!