My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 489 "On Enlightened Gentry"

Zhao Zhenji spoke slowly, his voice steady yet carrying the unique strength of Sichuan dialect:
"Not all goods entering Sichuan were boycotted. Printing presses, paper, and ink sold very well, didn't they? Why? Because these things cannot be produced in Sichuan itself. The gentry, newspapers, academies, and schools desperately needed them, and the guilds could not command these buyers, nor could they produce them themselves. That is the key!"

He put down his teacup, his eyes fixed intently on Su Ze: "Zilin, our policy of deferring taxes cannot simply focus on the difference between the total 'inflow' and 'outflow'. We must segment the industries and treat them differently!"

"What does Grand Secretary Zhao mean?" Su Ze leaned forward slightly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Change 'comprehensive exemption for goods leaving Sichuan' to 'industry-specific exemption'!" Zhao Zhenji said decisively. "While ensuring that your initial 'total exemption amount' remains roughly unchanged, adjust the exemption ratio for goods entering Sichuan from various industries!"

He stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to the Yangtze River waterway:

"For example, for those industries in Sichuan that already have mature handicrafts and are the most resistant, such as cotton cloth, ironware, and soap, reduce the tax breaks for them leaving Sichuan."

"For Sichuan specialties, such as Sichuan paper and Sichuan brocade, the reduction and exemption efforts will be increased."

"The same applies to goods entering Sichuan. We should not be bound by the same tax rate. For daily necessities that are scarce in Sichuan, cannot be produced domestically, or are of poor quality and high price, and that are conducive to enlightening the people and promoting industry and commerce, such as printing presses, new agricultural tools, high-quality cement, matches, and even instruments and books needed for new schools, we should significantly increase the tax reduction and exemption ratio for goods entering Sichuan! They may even be temporarily exempted from being included in the 'quantity entering Sichuan' statistics!"

"We must let the people of Sichuan see that the imperial court is not simply 'dumping' goods and squeezing out local livelihoods, but is genuinely supporting the development of Sichuan with the things it needs! Whoever prevents these good things from coming in is hindering the progress of Sichuan!"

Upon hearing this, Su Ze thought, "Isn't this the tariff method used in later generations?"

Thinking about it this way, isn't Yiling Customs just like a customs office in Sichuan?
Zhao Zhenji's idea was to implement different tax rates for different industries.

Su Ze quickly said:
"Brilliant! This strategy will surely cause a rift in the guild alliance! Those who boycott cotton cloth and ironware from other provinces have completely different interests from those who urgently need printing presses to publish newspapers and desire new agricultural tools to increase production. The former are conservative and self-preservationists, while the latter are seeking innovation and profit."

"Grand Secretary Zhao's method is precisely to 'guide them with benefits and divide and disintegrate them'! The total amount of tax reduction remains unchanged, the court's promise is not broken, and the originally monolithic 'resistance' will be cut into pieces!"

"If the cotton cloth guild calls for burning ships again, the printing industry owners will probably be the first to object—they're counting on cheap machine paper to print a few more issues of the newspaper!"

"Sichuan brocade and Sichuan paper are high-value commodities, and since they can get more tax reductions, they will naturally support the imperial court."

Zhao Zhenji also had something he didn't say.

For Shu brocade and Shu paper, which have been best-selling products in Sichuan since the Three Kingdoms period, those who can manage such industries are themselves prominent figures in Sichuan.

This product has transcended its everyday value and can be considered a branded luxury item.

With no competitors from other provinces, their products were only subject to taxes outside Sichuan. If they could pay less tax, they would naturally support the imperial court.

What truly united Sichuan were the everyday consumer goods.

Consumers of these types of goods are more susceptible to price fluctuations and are more likely to have competitive conflicts with goods from other provinces. They are also the most opposed to goods from other provinces entering Sichuan.

Zhao Zhenji then looked at Su Ze and said:
“Zilin, but Sichuan is also part of our Great Ming Dynasty, and it has paid taxes to the court for more than two hundred years. It is not an enemy of the court.”

"Not everyone in Sichuan is resisting taxes; some are willing to support the imperial court."

“There are also gentry in Sichuan who support the government’s policies and want to seek change and development.”

Zhao Zhenji's words made Su Ze fall into deep thought.

As a time traveler, Su Ze had no fondness for the gentry class.

However, having traveled back in time, Su Ze now admits that the gentry wield enormous influence in the Ming Dynasty, an influence that no policy can circumvent.

Previously, Su Ze had been thinking about how to deal with the gentry.

However, Zhao Zhenji's words reminded Su Ze.

The gentry were a group, but their demands were completely different.

Are gentry who manage land the same as gentry who manage handicrafts?
Different industries have different interests and therefore different stances.

Su Ze had a sudden inspiration. Just as Zhao Zhenji had said, "Guide them with benefits, divide and disintegrate them." Since the gentry were an indispensable part of the Ming Dynasty, they could be guided to develop in a positive direction.

Thinking of this, Su Ze returned to his office and immediately pulled out a blank memorial.

The first memorial was the one discussed with Zhao Zhenji, entitled "Memorial on Adjusting the Tax Reduction and Exemption Ratio for Goods at Yiling Customs to Benefit Industry and Commerce".

This memorial delegated authority to the Yiling Customs House, allowing for flexible adjustments to tax rates on goods entering and leaving Sichuan.

The focus is not on the first memorial, but on Su Ze's second memorial.

On Enlightened Gentry

Su Ze began by writing:
"Your Majesty has been diligent in governing the country and has frequently implemented new policies. However, in the reform of commercial taxes, local gentry in Henan, Sichuan and other places have repeatedly obstructed the reform, which is because the interests of the gentry are different."

“Some gentry exploit and oppress the local people, while others seek change and advancement.”

"The Sichuan incident also proves that those who resisted foreign goods were mostly conservative handicraft owners, while those who sought printing presses to publish newspapers were actually profiteers."

"The imperial court has the responsibility to educate and guide the people, exhorting evil and promoting good, so as to change the social atmosphere and enlighten the people to the sacred way!"

"I have considered this matter as follows: those who can uphold these four responsibilities can be called 'enlightened gentry'."

"First, to support the new policies; second, to promote industry and commerce; third, to protect people's livelihoods; and fourth, to help with tax collection."

Now that the standards have been set, the next step is to provide preferential treatment to enlightened gentry.

The first is "to commend and praise".

"Jingbiao" refers to the government erecting memorial arches and bestowing plaques upon individuals of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness as a form of commendation. It also refers to such memorial arches or plaques.

However, in the original timeline, the honors were replaced by chastity arches, which instead became tools of Confucian constraints.

However, Su Ze decided to use the commendation to specifically honor "enlightened gentry".

"At the end of the year, he was recommended by the Provincial Administration Commissioner and awarded the plaque of "Enlightened Local Worthies" and recorded in the local annals."

First give them fame, then give them profit.

“Their children are given preferential treatment. When they enter the imperial examinations, the Ministry of Rites will give them priority in admission; the Ministry of Personnel will select them and appoint them to local official positions as appropriate.”

Finally, Su Ze wrote:
“If this policy is implemented, the gentry will know the benefits and follow the new policy, while those who cling to the old ways will become increasingly isolated.”

"Your Majesty, I request that an imperial edict be issued to the Ministry of Rites to promulgate this policy throughout the empire, so as to solidify the foundation of the new administration."

Your subject respectfully submits this report, filled with utmost trepidation and awaiting your orders.

Su Ze put down the memorial in his hand and sighed softly.

The gentry was an indispensable class in the Ming Dynasty; they were part of the ruling class and the dominant force in local order.

This is not something that Su Ze can change through his own will.

Since the gentry class cannot be eliminated subjectively, they can only be acknowledged objectively.

As that great man said, "Politics is about making as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible."

Since the gentry exists, we should unite with the enlightened gentry and work together to suppress the backward gentry.

Otherwise, even if Su Ze had a cheat code, he wouldn't have enough prestige points to directly eliminate the gentry class.

Su Ze stuffed both memorials into the "Portable Ming Dynasty" device.

As expected, the "On Enlightened Gentry" was a political memorial that had no grounds for opposition and was thus passed.

However, the memorial entitled "Memorial on Adjusting the Tax Reduction and Exemption Rates for Goods at Yiling Customs to Benefit Industry and Commerce" did not proceed so smoothly. —[Simulation Begins]—

The memorial entitled "Memorial on Adjusting the Tax Reduction and Exemption Ratio for Goods at Yiling Customs to Benefit Industry and Commerce" was sent to the Cabinet.

Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Zhao Zhenji agree with your proposal. All the high-ranking officials refrain from expressing their opinions.

Although the cabinet supported your memorial, it was met with opposition from officials from Sichuan.

Sichuan officials believe that the imperial court and Sichuan gentry had made an agreement long ago, and adjusting the Yiling customs at this time is a breach of the imperial court's promise.

Due to the fierce opposition from Sichuan officials, the Longqing Emperor kept your memorial.

——[Simulation End]——

[Remaining Prestige: 7800.]

To fully approve your memorial proposal, you will need to pay 500 prestige points. Do you wish to pay?

Su Ze decisively chose "yes".

[Ding! Prestige has been deducted. Please submit a memorial in real life. The simulated settlement will be carried out after the memorial is executed!]

[Remaining Prestige: 7300.]

Su Ze looked at the system and realized that the Sichuan officials were not fools and understood his plan to divide and weaken them.

Luckily, I had a cheat code; now it's up to the system to do its job.
-
March 21st.

During the holiday at the end of March, the Sichuan Guild Hall was bustling with activity.

Compared to the fragmented Jiangnan region, the Sichuan gentry were much more united, and the first stop for all Sichuan officials coming to Beijing was the Sichuan Guild Hall.

These officials also communicated privately with their families through the guild hall.

Therefore, compared to other regions, officials in Sichuan are more united.

When something happens that involves Sichuan, Sichuan officials will gather at the Sichuan Guild Hall to discuss countermeasures.

The Sichuan officials have gathered here today, naturally to discuss Su Ze's memorial to the throne.

The Sichuan officials were naturally aware of the problems at the Yiling Customs, and they were naturally happy to see Zhang Yuanbian's work fail.

However, when Su Ze submitted a memorial proposing tax reductions or exemptions for goods leaving Sichuan from different industries, these Sichuan officials saw a crisis.

This is an open conspiracy to divide the Sichuan gentry!
Before the ten-day break, several Sichuan officials had already submitted letters of opposition.

Today, during the ten-day holiday, Sichuan officials gathered at the museum, deciding to launch an even greater wave of opposition after the holiday ends.

Chen Sanmo, a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, sat in a corner, watching his fellow townsmen officials speak passionately. He tried to keep his head down and not make himself too noticeable.

As a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, Chen Sanmo had a better understanding of the situation at the top of the court.

The matter of Sichuan's commercial tax is a consensus among the Grand Secretaries and something that the Jiangsu Provincial Procuratorate is strongly advocating.

Zhang Yuanbian, the customs officer of Yiling, was Su Ze's prized student, the top scholar in his class, and a man well-known to the emperor and his high-ranking officials.

Chen Sanmo was familiar with Su Ze's personality; Su Ze would do his best to help anyone who belonged to Su's faction.

Su Ze would never sit idly by and watch his disciple perish at the Yiling Customs.

This time, however, Sichuan officials did not want to let anyone off the hook. All the officials present had to speak and pledge to submit a memorial opposing the movement, ensuring that everyone would pass the test.

Chen Sanmo regretted it somewhat; he should have pretended to be sick and not come.

Just as everyone was taking the stage to express their opinions, a voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall: "Grand Secretary Zhao of the Eastern Pavilion has arrived!"

The hall fell silent. Then Zhao Zhenji, dressed in a scarlet robe and with a jade belt, strolled in, hands behind his back.

Zhao Zhenji was the highest-ranking official from Sichuan, and everyone stepped forward to bow to him.

Zhao Zhenji looked at the crowd, including some of his old friends, and sighed inwardly.

He could understand the opposition of Sichuan officials and gentry to commercial taxes, but as a Grand Secretary, he also understood the prevailing trend.

The imperial court provided a buffer and gave preferential treatment to Sichuan merchants, yet incidents like burning ships still occurred.

Let's see how many lawless gentry who opposed commercial taxes have been sentenced by Di Xu, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Justice, while he was inspecting cases in Henan these days.

If the imperial court is truly forced to use drastic measures, can Sichuan still withstand the imperial army?
After being ushered to the head seat by the crowd, Zhao Zhenji looked around and said:
"This memorial from Su Zilin reflects my own thoughts."

Upon hearing Zhao Zhenji's words, the officials disregarded etiquette and exclaimed in surprise.

"Your Excellency! You are esteemed!"

An official who had known Zhao Zhenji for many years hurriedly asked.

Zhao Zhenji waved his sleeve and said:
Before the ten-day break, I sent someone to the Imperial College to retrieve the list of students from Sichuan who had donated to the college.

As soon as Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, the expressions of the officials present changed drastically.

"Donating to the Imperial Academy" meant that when the imperial court was short of money and food, people could donate money to obtain the qualification of a student in the Imperial Academy.

During the reign of the late Emperor Jiajing, the national treasury was strained, and donations for official positions were offered on several occasions.

Becoming a student of the Imperial Academy through donation was arguably the lowest threshold for gentry in the Ming Dynasty.

To become a gentry, one must first become a scholar.

However, Sichuan has a large population, and the imperial examinations are extremely competitive, with only a limited number of candidates for the titles of Xiucai and Juren each year.

Students of the Imperial Academy also enjoyed some privileges as scholars, as long as they donated money. Therefore, the number of students from Sichuan who donated to the Imperial Academy was always quite large, second only to Southern Zhili.

Among the officials present, many of their relatives and friends had spent money to buy their place in the Imperial Academy.

Zhao Zhenji said:
"Su Zilin has already obtained the list. Any members of the cotton cloth guild who are related to the burning of the ships and whose family members have donated money to become officials will be labeled as bad gentry and their eligibility for donation to become officials will be revoked."

After Zhao Zhenji finished speaking, many people's expressions changed.

The most radical opponents among the Sichuan officials this time were gentry with close ties to the cotton industry.

Zhao Zhenji said:
"As Su Zilin said in his 'On Enlightened Gentry,' the court wanted to praise enlightened gentry, but it also had to suppress bad gentry."

After slapping him, Zhao Zhenji switched to a conciliatory tone and said:
"Gentlemen, given the diligence and competence of the people of Shu, and the wealth of the Shu region, why don't we compete fairly and squarely?"

"Sichuan brocade is famous throughout the world, so why can't Sichuan cloth?"

"As you all have seen, the looms on display at the Crystal Palace Exposition are constantly evolving. Steam looms can now produce soft and lightweight cotton fabrics."

“These machines are not prohibited from being purchased by us Sichuan people. In fact, they can even be tax-exempt when entering Sichuan. We can also use these machines to improve and produce better Sichuan cloth.”

"Do you want to remain stagnant or keep up with the times? Do you want to be enlightened gentry praised by the court or corrupt gentry suppressed by the court? Think it over carefully!"

(End of this chapter)