Chapter 57: The Decline of the Grain Administrator System

A prosperous era, ants weep; a chaotic era, ants perish.

This is the tragedy of feudal dynasties and a true portrayal of the lower class for thousands of years.

When looking at any prosperous era in history, most of it is the portrayal of wealth and beauty through the eyes of scholars. It depicts the accumulation of wealth in one or several regions, often achieved through methods similar to the Yuan Dynasty’s “Extreme poverty in the south, extravagance in the north,” where they plundered the wealth of the entire country to showcase the prosperity of the era.

As for the lower class, whether it’s five people sharing one old pair of pants or an old ox tilling dozens of acres of land, it has nothing to do with others.

Officials enjoy fine wine with their eyes closed, businessmen pursue profits far away, and scholars ponder over what kind of poem to write for tomorrow’s spring outing, seeking applause from a packed audience.

It seems that everyone’s eyes are rolling back, looking upward but not downward.

This is an eye disease that needs to be treated.

What Zhu Yuanzhang pursued for the prosperous era was not the indulgence and revelry of a few landowners but the worry-free livelihood of the majority of the lower class!

Yes, just a worry-free livelihood!

As for the main contradiction between material and cultural conflicts in later generations, it has absolutely nothing to do with the current Ming Dynasty!

If they can’t have enough to eat and wear, why would you export culture?

The level of moderate prosperity is something Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t dare to hope for. It took 70 years for the People’s Republic of China, relying on large-scale industry, major policies, commerce, transportation, and poverty alleviation efforts, to basically achieve a moderately prosperous society.

The Ming Dynasty currently has nothing. What makes you think you can strive for moderate prosperity?

The only feasible approach is to first relieve the burden on the farmers and allow them to produce and retain some surplus.

Those in good situations can exchange surplus grain for money to improve their lives, while those in unfavorable situations won’t have to resort to begging for food during times of famine and can rely on government relief.

The implementation of the “Single Whip Method” is the most suitable means for the current Ming Dynasty.

The highest official of the Agricultural Tax department is the Left Vice Minister, held by Xia Yuanji, while the Right Vice Minister is held by Yan Qiliang. Xia Yuanji oversees the agricultural taxes nationwide and is responsible for addressing issues at all levels and in all regions. Yan Qiliang, on the other hand, travels outside the capital to implement the “Single Whip Method,” focusing mainly on the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas.

Upon arriving in Huzhou Prefecture, Yan Qiliang arranges for accompanying interns to be led by officials from the Provincial Administration office to various counties to implement the “Single Whip Method.” If they encounter any resistance, the officials from the Provincial Administration office must fully cooperate. If they encounter obstacles from local officials, the interns should report to the prefecture’s Agricultural Tax department, which will then contact the provincial administration office to replace the officials.

Hu Jun, a student of the Imperial Academy, galloped on his horse, leading twelve men into Changxing County. Before they reached the County Office, they heard cries of despair and misery, echoing through the air.

“Team leader, we should go to the County Office.” Yang Chengxuan, an official from the Administration office, frowned as Hu Jun came to a halt.

Hu Jun turned his horse around and said, “As a member of the investigation team, it is our duty to understand the grievances of the people. How can we turn a blind eye? Let’s go and take a look.”

It was a dilapidated alley, with some slightly better houses having low earthen walls as fences. Most of the houses were simple wooden structures. Walking down the alley, one could easily see what was inside the courtyards.

What saddened Hu Jun was that in all the courtyards, he did not see a single grain storage bin. Not even a single grain of food was visible outside. Looking at the rundown, low houses, it seemed unlikely that more than a few people could live there. Even if someone did live there, they wouldn’t be able to store more than a few dan of grain.

“Release my daughter, release my daughter!”

“Zhou bastard, I’ll fight you to the end!”

“I’m contributing grain for the Emperor. If you dare to resist, it’s tantamount to opposing the Emperor. Are you trying to rebel? Beat him, even if he’s beaten to death, it’s still relieving the court of its worries!”

Amidst the clamor, accompanied by the sound of heavy beatings and cries, Hu Jun’s heart was pierced with despair.

“Stop right there!”

Sitting on his horse, Hu Jun shouted loudly, waving his hand as the students and officials from the Administration office dismounted behind him.

Hu Jun got off his horse and grimaced in discomfort. Riding for a long time was truly a torture. Awkwardly stretching his legs, Hu Jun led the group into the courtyard.

Upon hearing the commotion, Zhou Bunong came out of his house and was taken aback by the large number of people. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the leader was dressed as a student, which filled him with disdain. He shouted, “Just passing through? If you know what’s good for you, mind your own business and don’t disturb me!”

Fearlessly, Hu Jun walked towards Zhou Bunong and looked at the thugs blocking the entrance. He said in a deep voice, “Step aside!”

The thugs glanced at Zhou Bunong, who sneered and said, “This household is a rebel. If you’re smart, you should leave immediately and not jeopardize your own future.”

Hu Jun chuckled and turned to Zhou Bunong, coldly asking, “May I ask who you are?”

Zhou Bunong puffed out his chest and shouted, “I am Zhou Bunong, the grain administrator of Changxing. It is my duty to collect and transport taxes and grain. This household has failed to pay taxes and grain. As a grain administrator, I must act on behalf of the court, share the Emperor’s concerns, and ensure that not a single grain of grain is missing on its way to the capital!”

“Grain administrator?”

Hu Jun nodded slightly and clasped his hands together.

Zhou Bunong felt even more powerful.

Indeed, the grain administrator of this era had some authority.

Grain administrator were not officials, but they wielded power.

The grain administrator system was established by Zhu Yuanzhang to facilitate the collection of taxes and grain. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, most of the previous generations of landlords had died, and the new generation of landlords was not numerous enough. The land was still widely scattered, making it difficult for the government to collect grain.

Zhu Yuanzhang then had an idea, if there was no one in charge for it, he simply found people to take charge of it. It wasn’t difficult at all. He appointed several grain administrators to take charge and manage the affairs, isn’t it solved?

Grain administrators were responsible for a designated area, usually with a grain yield of ten thousand dan or a few thousand dan. One to four grain administrators were appointed in each area to oversee the collection, storage, and transportation of grain.

When the grain administrators arrived in the capital, old Zhu would host a banquet to meet everyone and have a drink. Old Zhu took a look, young man you look decent, had an acceptable physical condition, and lacked intelligence, could serve as an obedient official. With a decisive stroke of his brush, Don’t go back to being a grain administrators, stay here and serve as a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.”

But how were the grain administrators selected?

Old Zhu’s criteria was simple: whoever contributed the most grain would become a grain administrator. The reason was straightforward, these people had made contributions to my old Zhu’s family.

Who contributed the most grain?

The landlords, of course.

A group of small and medium-sized landlords became the grassroots pillars of Zhu Yuanzhang, governing the lower class alongside village head and militia leader. Some influential grain administrators even had the power to hear lawsuits and administer justice. Even the county magistrate had to consider their opinions.

Watching Hu Jun turn and walk towards his horse, Zhou Bunong sneered and said, “Young man, take care of yourself.”

From the baggage on his horse, Hu Jun pulled out a document and turned to Zhou Bunong with a smile. “Grain Administrator Zhou, listen carefully. The court has abolished the position of grain administrator. There will be no more grain administrators in Great Ming!”

“What? That’s impossible!”

Zhou Bunong’s face filled with fear and panic.

“The court document is right here. How can it be impossible?”

Hu Jun threw down the document and looked at the group of thugs, shouting sternly, “I am Hu Jun, the team leader of the Department of Agricultural Tax Department of the Great Ming. Anyone who dares to obstruct my entry into the households will be punished for insubordination. Step aside now!”

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