Chapter 80: Promoting the “Top 100 Counties and Top 10 Prefectures”

The government’s lack of funds is a key reason for the problem, and it is mainly due to excessively low taxation.

Zhu Yuanzhang, coming from a peasant background, believed that lower agricultural taxes were better. As a result, he implemented the “1/30 tax” policy, which kept the Ming Dynasty’s tax revenue from surpassing 33 million dan of grain.

What’s even more regrettable is that in the history of the Ming Dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Hongwu, Jianwen, and Yongle, the imperial court was considered at its wealthiest. However, as time went on, the financial situation of the court worsened. By the Tianqi reign, the annual tax revenue had shrunk to 25.79 million dan of grain.

It can be said that the Ming Dynasty reached its peak at the beginning and gradually declined afterward. Unfortunately, the Ming emperors lacked an understanding of economics and were hesitant to reform the tax system.

Zhang Juzheng was a capable figure who brought a glimmer of hope to the Ming Dynasty through a series of reforms. However, Emperor Wanli did not understand Zhang Juzheng’s ideas and was ignorant of economics. After Zhang Juzheng’s death, that glimmer of hope was completely extinguished.

Zhu Yuanzhang oversimplified economic issues and lacked research into social relationships and activities.

Zhu Yunwen had no intention of following in Zhu Yuanzhang’s footsteps. Not only did he increase the agricultural tax from “1/30” to “1/15” but he also abolished the official lands, tax-exempt fields and made all land subject to taxation.

Although including the petty officials into the imperial court’s salary system would incur significant expenses, compared to the heavy damage they inflicted on the common people and the tax exempt land they held, such a move was absolutely correct and feasible.

Xia Yuanji reported, “Your Majesty, if the Single Whip method and the measures to control land consolidation are fully implemented, this year’s tax revenue will be at least 50 million dan of grain, and it is highly likely to reach 60 million dan of grain. At present, we only need to endure for half a year, and the Ministry of Revenue will still have an abundant reserve after deducting various expenditures.”

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly and said contentedly, “The salary arrangements seem acceptable to me, but I have a proposal.”

“Please, Your Majesty, share your thoughts.”

Xia Yuanji said respectfully.

Pointing to the documents on the new salary system, Zhu Yunwen said, “Considering the thirteen provinces, three hundreds of prefectures, and over one thousand counties, let us also take the Ministry of Personnel into account. We shall use tax revenue, population, commerce, land, official reputation, public security, and criminal justice as criteria for assessment. Every two years, we will conduct evaluations of the prefectures and counties and select the Top 100 Counties and the Top 10 Prefectures.”

“For the Top 100 Counties and the Top 10 Prefectures, all officials will receive an additional 50% salary increase within two years. After two years, if they still qualify for the list, they will continue to enjoy the salary increase. If they drop out of the Top 100 or Top 10, the additional salary increase will be canceled. How about this plan?”

Xia Yuanji looked surprised and quickly replied, “This measure, which benefits the country and the people, should be implemented for eternity!”

Huang Zicheng sighed and said, “Your Majesty’s governance is wise, we cannot compare.”

Using salary increases as an incentive to select the Top 100 Counties and the Top 10 Prefectures would undoubtedly prompt all prefectures and counties to pay more attention to the well-being of the people. Even the unruly petty officials would behave, treating the elderly farmers with respect and politeness.

Who wouldn’t want to engage in something that directly affects their own interests?

Even if there were a few unscrupulous individuals, they would be abandoned by the collective of officials. One person’s actions couldn’t jeopardize the financial gains of everyone in the government office.

After Huang Zicheng and Xia Yuanji left, the Grand Secretariat Yu Xin and the Minister of Personnel Qi Tai were summoned to the Wuying Hall.

Emperor Zhu Yunwen asked the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel to reorganize the prefectures and counties and notify all regional governments to regulate the number of petty officials before the implementation of the new salary system. They should reduce the number of petty officials and retain those who couldn’t be reduced.

In summary, exceeding the prescribed quotas and overstaffing will not be allowed. If any prefectures or counties have special circumstances, they can report to the court for separate approval.

After dealing with a series of affairs, it was approaching evening. Instead of going directly to the Kunning Palace, Zhu Yunwen went to the Jingren Palace.

Luo Yan’er was sitting there writing, but when she heard movement, she looked up and saw Emperor Zhu Yunwen. She quickly put down her brush and stood up to salute, saying, “I greet Your Majesty.”

Zhu Yunwen extended his hand and smiled, saying, “No need for formalities. How are you feeling today?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I am much better now,” Luo Yan’er replied with a smile.

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, walked to the desk, and looked at the words on the paper. He read, “As women possess quiet and virtuous qualities, they should not seek to be talkative, as excessive talking leads to mistakes. It is better to be reticent. Therefore, in the ‘Book of Documents,’ there are admonitions against the crowing of hens in the morning. In the ‘Book of Songs’, includes a critique of the dangerous stairs. The ‘Book of Rites’ emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to the rules and rituals. Those who are good at self-discipline should be cautious in these matters, and this is indeed reasonable advice. What do you think of this ‘Inner Teachings’?”

Luo Yan’er walked to the side, respectfully replying, “The ‘Inner Teachings’ contain profound wisdom.”

“Profound wisdom? Hehe, is it really so?” Zhu Yunwen said with a smile as he looked at Luo Yan’er.

Luo Yan’er didn’t dare to meet Zhu Yunwen’s gaze directly, and she lowered her head, saying, “If I talk too much and provoke Your Majesty’s anger and punishment, then isn’t the ‘Inner Teachings’ truly wise?”

Zhu Yunwen was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter.

This Lady Luo really had some talent.

“In my opinion, these words should be burned.”

Zhu Yunwen picked up the paper and walked to the fireplace, throwing it in. He turned back to look at the surprised Luo Yan’er and said, “Speaking too much leads to mistakes only because there was no prior contemplation. If you have reason, moderation, and evidence, you can speak thousands of words without any harm.”

Luo Yan’er looked at the paper turning into ashes, and her eyes slightly flickered as they met Zhu Yunwen’s clear and profound gaze.

Something seemed to stir her tender heart.

He might be an emperor, but he appeared to be different from what she had imagined.

There was no domineering aura, no absolute dominance that could determine life and death with a single word. Instead, he possessed an elegant Confucian manner like a gentle spring breeze and the heroic charm she had once dreamed of. He treated people with kindness and approachability, seemingly seeing everyone as equals.

Entranced by the profound depths of his gaze, a moment of heart palpitation jolted Luo Yan’er back to reality. She quickly turned her head away, stealing two more glances at Zhu Yunwen. In a hushed voice, she replied, “What Your Majesty said is true.”

Zhu Yunwen’s lips curved into a smile as he nodded slightly, asking, “Shall we go and visit Chengqian Palace?”

Luo Yan’er readily agreed.

In Chengqian Palace, the sound of weaving machines filled the air.

The poisoning incident from before had not affected the production in Chengqian Palace. Consort Xian was inspecting the finished medical gauze, and after confirming its quality, she had it sent for high-temperature treatment.

Although Zhu Yunwen had repeatedly ordered that he didn’t require formalities when visiting Chengqian Palace, Consort Xian and the palace maids had never followed his instruction. They still paid their respects, and after doing so, the sound of weaving resumed.

“Your Majesty, currently Chengqian Palace can produce sixty boxes of gauze daily. If we can purchase more weaving machines and increase the workforce, producing a hundred boxes daily would be no problem,” Consort Xian said with a smile.

Zhu Yunwen inspected the medical gauze and asked, “Are there any issues?”

Consort Xian shook her head and replied, “There are no issues. The two kings, the King of Liao and King of Min, have found reliable cotton suppliers. As long as the supply of cotton remains stable, there won’t be any problems with the production of medical gauze.”

Zhu Yunwen smiled contentedly and said, “A daily production of a hundred boxes is a commendable goal. However, I’m worried that the Empress won’t agree.”

In the Kunning Palace.

Ma Enhui moved the abacus beads, recorded the numbers with a pen, moved the beads again, and finally looked at the figures on the paper with a frown. She said to the attendant, “The Ministry of War needs to purchase three hundred thousand boxes, but our daily production is only sixty boxes, a year only twenty thousand boxes. At this rate, it will take fifteen years, won’t it?”

Fifteen years is too long! This Empress must seize the day and night!

Ma Enhui gave a stern order, “Go and tell the two kings. I want at least a hundred weaving machines as soon as possible. Additionally, let Consort Ning take charge and select three hundred palace maids to participate in the weaving process. I want to fulfill the contract with the Ministry of War of three hundred thousand boxes within two years!”

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