Chapter 618 reaffirms the ancestral system, and the heavenly troops descend to the south of the Yangtze River!

"rebel?!"

In front of the Meridian Gate.

A sharp voice suddenly sounded, full of sarcasm and contempt.

Everyone looked at the sound.

It turned out to be Feng Bao, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Stables and the commander of the Tengxiang Four Guards.

Facing everyone's gaze.

Feng Bao showed a mocking look on his face, and said in a cold voice: "I have been working in the palace since the time of the previous emperor. I have only heard the words of the sage that there have always been people who rebelled due to hunger and cold in this world, but there has never been a merchant who rebelled."

Gao Yi frowned.

It is not a good thing for eunuchs to discuss politics.

But even today in the Ming Dynasty, there are still eunuchs in power.

Before, there were Wang Zhi, Liu Jin and others, and a few years ago there were Lu Fang and others.

But Gao Yi, who came from the Ministry of Rites, frowned and said, "Eunuch Feng, the wealthy gentry in Jiangnan are not merchants, so the situation is different."

Merchants are merchants, and gentry are gentry.

How can they be compared?
Feng Bao snorted coldly, full of disapproval: "So what if they are merchants? So what if they are gentry? Can they escape the fact that they are subjects of the Ming Dynasty? Or do the gentry and wealthy of the Ming Dynasty think they are stronger than the aristocratic families of the former Han Dynasty? Can they defeat the aristocratic families of the Sui and Tang Dynasties? The aristocratic families are all gone, the dynasty remains, and the emperor governs the country. The Ming Dynasty is now strong in military and military, and the national treasury is abundant. I don't think the gentry and wealthy dare to really rebel. They can't rebel to this day!"

Gao Yi protested in a hurry: "The gentry and the powerful have gathered together, seized control of the local areas, and gathered the people to disobey orders. This has always happened. As the Junior Master said before, the financial and tax revenue of Jiangsu and Zhejiang is the highest in the world, and accounts for half of the national expenditure. If Jiangsu and Zhejiang are disturbed at this time, the gentry and the powerful will gather the people's opinions and raise the banner of rebellion. The people will be in chaos, and it will surely sweep across the prefectures of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Where will the court collect taxes from then? If there is chaos in Jiangnan, half of the southeast will be shaken. How can we maintain peace?"

"Then kill!"

"I would like to have a good look at whether the Jiangnan gentry and the wealthy are tougher or the court is tougher!"

Feng Bao was full of murderous intent.

But his eyes swept towards Yan Shaoting who was standing next to the Crown Prince.

Teng Xiang has become increasingly powerful in the palace in recent years, all by pleasing the emperor.

He is now the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Stables. If he wants to go further, he can only be the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

It's impossible to rely on the present emperor.

Then he can only rely on the crown prince who is the heir to the throne.

The prince relied heavily on the young tutor, and it seemed that he almost obeyed his every word.

If I agree with the young master and try to please him, as long as he mentions it to the crown prince in the future, I might be able to rise to a high position overnight, enter the Imperial Household Department, and become an eunuch!
Gao Yi's face became even more anxious: "How can we fight each other in the borders, increase the killing, and make the fertile land flow like a river of blood and corpses everywhere? This is the sign of the country's destruction!"

Say it.

Gao Yi quickly looked at Yan Shaoting who was standing next to the prince.

His words were a bit harsh, using the example of the country's destruction as his advice.

And now, although Yan Shaoting has just entered the cabinet today, he is the Junior Tutor and the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, an unprecedented position that is obviously higher than the Grand Secretary of the Huangji Palace, and is obviously higher than the Grand Secretary of the Jianji Palace.

In addition, he now holds the military power both inside and outside the capital.

No matter from which angle you look at it.

As the youngest in the cabinet, I am not even qualified to compare with others.

Even if it is better than.

He should be compared with Gao Suqing, the current chief minister of the cabinet.

Yan Shaoting also looked at Gao Yi at this time.

He didn't know much about this cabinet minister, but he knew him well too.

after all……

According to historical records, Gao Gong was frightened to death after being driven away by Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao.

There is still some fame.

Yan Shaoting immediately said, "Oh? Minister Gao always thinks that if the gentry and the rich and powerful in Jiangnan rebel, our Ming Dynasty will be destroyed?"

Gao Yi was stunned for a moment, and quickly said, "I... this old man... this is not what Young Master meant."

however.

Yan Shaoting ignored all this, but smiled and then patted the table in front of him with a serious expression.

"Mr. Gao said it well!"

"that's right!"

"What Mr. Gao said is a warning to those of us who are in charge of national affairs!"

This clearly agrees with what Gao Yi said.

But Gao Yi was completely confused.

No!

wrong!

I said that forcing Jiangnan to rebel might lead to the destruction of the country, why did you agree?
But before Gao Yi could react.

Yan Shaoting's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and he said in a cold voice: "In recent years, I have been studying in Changping Academy, and I often listen to current affairs from all sides of the world. It is true that those who do not know are fearless, while those who know are shocked. I never thought that under the rule of my Ming Dynasty, in those places such as Nanzhili and Zhejiang, the gentry and the rich can now control the local population and land. It is often said that the families of officials have one or two thousand slaves, and there are more than ten thousand tenants. Whenever there is a dispute over water sources or wasteland, the gentry and the rich will give an order, and thousands of people will go, the slaves hold sticks, and the tenants use rakes and hoes, and there are often countless casualties."

After saying this, Yan Shaoting looked at Gao Yi again, his face full of gratitude.

"Lord Gao is in charge of the central government and has all the secrets of the cabinet. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have missed this opportunity! Lord Gao is righteous!"

Once again, I praised Grohe.

But it made the other person's face turn red.

Gao Yi now realized that he was being used by Yan Shaoting.

But he also knew that even if he had not said that to Feng Bao just now, Yan Shaoting, who was now determined to continue his attack on Jiangnan, would definitely find other ways to cause these things.

even.

He may have already arranged for students to be ready in the crowd.

After Yan Shaoting praised Gao Yi again, he continued to shout at the officials present: "During the time of Emperor Gaozu of the Ming Dynasty, there was a law that no commoner's family could adopt slaves or maids. Violators would be punished according to the law. Only meritorious officials and officials were allowed to keep slaves or maids as an exception."

"I have thought about it and I think those local gentry and wealthy people in Nanzhi and Zhejiang are probably not the heroes of the Ming Dynasty. They are not working in the capital and do not hold local seals. I am afraid they are not officials either. So how can they keep thousands of slaves?"

To deprive the wealthy and upright gentry in Jiangnan of their land and businesses, it is natural to do things thoroughly.

Even slavery was to be banned.

A good family became a slave of a wealthy gentry because they had no choice.

This is extremely detrimental to social development.

Even if we look at the issue of slavery from the perspective of productivity, it is still unreasonable.

Yan Shaoting glanced at Gao Gong, who still did not express his attitude today, and continued: "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, anyone who sells innocent people into slavery will be beaten with a hundred sticks and exiled for three thousand miles. If innocent people are sold as slaves due to famine, the court government will pay to redeem them and restore them to innocent status. This official thinks that this is a good thing and a good policy established by Emperor Taizu Gao. However, famine is not common, but forcing innocent people into slavery and prostitution is common. Even in years without disasters, the so-called gentry and the rich will also use means to abduct people into slavery. What is the difference between this and the Mongolian thieves who invaded our borders and robbed our people?"

"I believe that all slave-owning families in Jiangnan must pay compensation and return the slaves to the status of good citizens. The government must supervise, and the three judicial departments must send people to supervise. The East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard will also spy on it secretly to prevent collusion between the upper and lower levels and inside and outside, and pretend to obey but secretly disobey!"

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting looked at Gao Yi again with a big smile on his face: "What do you think, Mr. Gao?"

Gao Yi's mind was completely blank at this moment.

He hesitated for a long time, and finally said with a disappointed and uneasy look: "If the young master really wants to do this, I'm afraid there will be chaos in Jiangnan... When the government order is issued, the gentry and the rich will resist it, and the people will be ignorant and will be dragged into it. The workshops in Suzhou, Songjiang and Changzhou will close down, and the people will have no wages. Even if no one intervenes, civil unrest will still occur. Even if what the young master does is a good policy for the country, I'm afraid it will become a bad policy when it reaches the local level..."

Do the officials in the court know the current situation in the world?

Of course I know that.

Do you know where the root of the problem lies?

The answer is still known.

Similarly, it’s not that no one has thought about change, and there is never a shortage of people with lofty ideals.

But everyone knows the problem, but no one has the ability to change it.

The risk is too great.

It was so big that none of them felt their shoulders could carry it.

Yan Shaoting exclaimed, "Ahaha," with a face full of admiration: "Lord Gao is concerned about the country. This is something I admire very much. Only Lord Gao is concerned about the country and the people!"

Another compliment.

Gao Yi was already numb, and his eyes subconsciously looked at Gao Gong beside him. Gao Suqing, please say something!
Gao Yi was in a state of confusion.

Gao Gong was equally confused.

high!
It’s really too high!

Gao Gong now felt helpless.

Oppose Yan Shaoting's proposal?

But don't forget that Gao Suqing was a staunch supporter of the new policy, and was able to act as a figurehead for it.

If I oppose Yan Shaoting's proposal, isn't that tantamount to opposing the new policy and slapping myself in the face?
As for the officials in the court today?

Gao Gong had no words to express his grievances.

In recent years, as the emperor hid in the Western Garden, Yan Shaoting resigned from his post to study, and Yan's officials lay dormant in the court, without any suggestions, and only followed the rules. Meanwhile, he himself had been rectifying the administration of officials and refreshing the officialdom.

Any officials who opposed the new policy were basically expelled and dismissed from office.

Now, most officials with some weight in the court support the new policy.

Now they are asked to oppose the new policy proposed by Yan Shaoting?
And more importantly.

Whether it was the unified tax system for each acre of land or the current proposal to restrict slavery, Yan Shaoting cleverly avoided the officials in the court.

The tax rate and the unified taxation system were both aimed at those who were not officials in the court. They were either people with great achievements or people who had resigned long ago. The same principle was applied to slavery. Yan Shaoting clearly stated that officials were not subject to the restrictions.

This differentiation.

Although some of them are blatantly full of interests and solicitation.

But Gao Gong knew that this arrangement was really brilliant.

Yan Shaoting did not intend to affect the interests of the officials in the court, but only to target others. Now that the officials in the court basically support the new policy, their interests will not be harmed, and they can continue to implement the new policy.

Gao Gong could figure it out even if he used his toes to think about it.

How will these officials choose?

If it's none of your business, you'll eventually just ignore it.

After all, the butcher knife that Yan Shaoting showed today was not aimed at the people present today.

As for arguing with him?

Let’s talk about it first before we can get out of Beijing.

correct.

Don't forget that Beijing is now in the hands of others.

Gao Gong couldn't help but look at Yan Shaoting, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

How is he going to deal with Jiangnan, knowing that chaos will occur?

Yan Shaoting also spoke again.

"To prevent what Mr. Gao said from happening in Jiangnan, I have received an imperial decree to strictly enforce the laws of our ancestors on the prohibition of slavery. I cannot bear to see the common people in the southeast being coerced and deceived by the gentry and the wealthy and powerful and causing chaos. I have been ordered to take charge of the troops inside and outside the capital, command the city's factory guards, and supervise the Beijing camp."

moment.

As Yan Shaoting spoke, Gao Gong understood what he was going to do.

Then, a hint of fear appeared in the eyes of the prime minister of the time.

It was also at this time.

The last bit of spirit in Gao Gong's heart also disappeared.

After all, I couldn't win against this young man.

And after all, I can't compare to this young man.

Yan Shaoting calmly began to call the roll: "Where is Duke Dingguo?"

Duke Dingguo Xu Yande, who was named, immediately stood up with his fists clasped.

"I'm here!"

Yan Shaoting asked again: "Where is the Duke of Ying?"

"Zhang Rong is here!"

"Where is Duke Cheng?"

Duke Chengguo Zhu Xizhong had already prepared himself, and upon hearing the voice, he stepped out immediately. He was also more direct: "The old general is still alive, and he can still eat three bowls of rice!"

at last.

More and more people understood Yan Shaoting's intention.

Yan Shaoting finally shouted, "Where is the governor of the Beijing camp and the Marquis of Zhenyuan?"

"exist!"

Gu Huan, the Marquis of Zhenyuan who had been in charge of the Beijing camp since the time of the previous emperor, spoke even more briefly, only one word.

But when he stepped out, he was full of vigor and power, with a sword in his hand and a strong and heroic face.

Yan Shaoting no longer retained it.

He raised his hands and bowed towards Xiyuan.

"I am commanded by the Emperor to lead the army and horses in the capital, to be involved in the cabinet, and to govern the country. Today, the new policies of the world are vigorous, like climbing a mountain, and the final step is just around the corner. I cannot avoid it."

"I now order Duke Ding Xu Yande, Duke Ying Zhang Rong, and Duke Cheng Zhu Xizhong to go to Jiangnan and take charge of Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou."

"Zhenyuan Hou Gu Huan, command the Beijing camp army, draw 80,000 soldiers from the Three Thousand Camps, Five Army Camps, and Shenji Camp. Once they are ready, they can set out. They will go by land and water, along the canal, post road, and sea route, and head straight to the important passes in Nanzhili, Zhejiang, etc., and station troops there to strictly guard the places!"

"Order the Five Armies Commander Yu Dayou to lead 3,000 men from the Tengxiang Four Guards to Jiangxi to summon troops from Jiangxi and Fujian for training."

"Order the Five Armies Commander Tan Lun to lead 3,000 men from the Tengxiang Four Guards to Henan and call on the troops from Henan and Shandong for training."

A series of military deployments came out of Yan Shaoting's mouth.

But it shocked the people present.

A big fuss!
Something big is really going to happen!
This time, Jiangnan will surely be flooded with blood!

Eighty thousand soldiers were drawn from the Beijing camp alone, and Marquis Zhenyuan Gu Huan personally led them south.

Yu Dayou and Tan Lun were stationed in Henan and Jiangxi, controlling Nanzhili and Zhejiang from the north and south. They were training local troops, but in fact they were just besieging Nanzhili and Zhejiang from the outside.

In addition, there are three old dukes stationed in Nanjing, Suzhou and Hangzhou.

This will drag all the nobles of the entire Ming Dynasty into the water.

Many officials have already thought of the Ming Dynasty before the Tumu Incident.

That was the time when the power of the Ming nobles was at its strongest.

Over the years, the nobles of the Ming Dynasty have been raised like pigs.

But can these people really feel at ease?

Don’t they want to return to their peak? Don’t they want to be equal to the civil officials in the court?
More importantly, they cannot argue against it.

The emperor's decree is now the best support and backing for Yan Shaoting's actions.

But Yan Shaoting spoke again at this time.

"I will report this to Your Majesty later. Please transfer the cabinet member Hu to Jiangnan to be the governor of all parties, the governor of the two provinces, and the general manager of all military affairs."

Hu Zongxian, who had never thought that he would be named, was stunned.

Immediately, a light flashed in his eyes.

I can finally return to the Southeast.

And this time, it seems that he has even more power in his hands, and he has countless soldiers to back him up!

moment.

The word "kill" flashed before Hu Zongxian's eyes.

This time.

Anyone who disobeys my order will be killed!

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
(End of this chapter)