The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

After the pleasantries, Zhang Juzheng mentioned the topic of today's meeting with the two of them: "I have seen a memorial from Lord Tao, suggesting that instead of collecting the poll tax, we should directly collect the land tax. This proposal is really bold, and is more radical than the 'One Whip Reform' proposed by Emperor Shizong. Lord Tao said that this was Nephew Min's idea. I didn't expect Nephew Min to have his own unique views on taxation. How did you come up with this idea?"

Min Xi said: "The power of a dynasty has always been judged by the number of people it governs, which shows that the court hopes for a large population. However, the court has done a lot to encourage the people to raise children. The more children the people raise, the higher the taxes they have to bear, which makes many people afraid to have children, and some even abandon them after they are born. Therefore, the existence of Dingyin is not conducive to population growth. Secondly, the population can be hidden, but the land is difficult to hide. All the measured land is subject to tax, so the tax items are not linked to the population and cannot be hidden. It is only necessary to examine the performance of local officials to ensure that taxes are collected in place."

The land tax system combined with the performance evaluation system did not worry about the lack of tax collection, but in this way, Zhang Juzheng completely offended the landlord class. However, even if it was the Single Whip System, the landlord class would still be offended. Since they had already been offended, what difference did it make if they were offended more severely?

Zhang Juzheng stared at Min Xi expressionlessly for a long time, then suddenly laughed out loud: "You are more calculating than me, and you suit my taste. I like you! It's a pity that you studied too late. If you were a juren, I would get you to the Ministry of Revenue and help me plunder those wealthy families."

This was because he had won the favor of Zhang Juzheng. Tao Lizhi and Yun Ji were happy for him. But Min Xi was not happy because he knew too well what would happen to Zhang Juzheng. The more he plundered the wealthy, the more people wanted him dead. If those wealthy people knew that he was also involved, how could he still have a good life?

Min Xi thought about it and said, "Sir, I have something very treasonous to say. I wonder if I should say it or not?"

Zhang Juzheng waved his sleeves and said, "Go ahead. This is all gossip during the New Year when visiting relatives and friends. I won't blame you."

Min Xi said: "Your new tax reform has filled the national treasury, which is a great thing for the country and the people. But I'm afraid not many people will remember you. Who of the ministers in the court doesn't have thousands of acres of fertile land? You are equivalent to cutting their flesh, and they will probably hate you to the core." He felt that Zhang Juzheng was not the kind of person who would not listen, so he spoke boldly.

Zhang Juzheng laughed and said, "Yes, that's why I am the bad guy. Let them hate me as much as they want!"

"Since ancient times, those who have carried out reforms have been destined to be criticized. As long as Your Majesty can distinguish right from wrong and can give you complete trust, this will not be a problem." Min Xi did not continue with the next sentence.

As soon as he finished speaking, Tao Lizhi and Yun Ji's faces changed, especially Tao Lizhi, who felt his teeth itching. This Min Xi really dared to say anything. Did he forget what he promised him last time?

As expected, Min Xi was reprimanded by Qi Jiguang: "How dare you doubt your majesty's trust in the Prime Minister!"

Min Xi bowed quickly and said, "I dare not! The Prime Minister is your Majesty's teacher and a senior official appointed by the Queen Mother to assist your Majesty. But your Majesty is still young and has not yet taken power. I am afraid that someone will whisper in your Majesty's ear to sow discord between you and your Majesty. Once your Majesty takes power, will he be able to fully understand your painstaking efforts?"

The implication is that everything now was facilitated by Zhang Juzheng and Empress Dowager Li, and the little emperor was not involved. He just worked day and night on his homework, and the major events in the court had nothing to do with him. He only felt that Zhang Juzheng had seized his power.

Zhang Juzheng waved his hand and said, "It's OK, Yuan Jing, we are all family here. Honest advice may be unpleasant to the ear, but it's still worth listening to. Nephew Min, you have only met His Majesty once, what kind of person do you think he is?"

Min Xi thought for a moment and said, "I have not had much contact with Your Majesty, but I think Your Majesty has a firm character. Your Majesty was still young at the time, and he was doing his homework on the second day of the New Year. I could see that Your Majesty was unhappy. As the ruler of a country, Your Majesty should work hard for the Ming Dynasty, but Your Majesty is still young after all. He may not understand the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, nor the good intentions of the Queen Mother and the adults for him."

Zhang Juzheng nodded: "The Empress Dowager is indeed a bit strict with Your Majesty. Sometimes I even think it's too much."

"Filial piety is the most important thing in the world nowadays. Your Majesty cannot be so self-righteous and blame the empress dowager." The emperor could not vent his anger on his own mother, but he might not vent his anger on Zhang Juzheng.

Min Xi didn't say the rest of the words, but I believe Zhang Juzheng also heard it.

Zhang Juzheng was silent for a long time. Since he had decided to reform, he was ready to be torn to pieces. But what if he could avoid being torn to pieces? Who wouldn't want to have a good end?

Zhang Juzheng suddenly laughed out loud: "You are young, but you understand human nature very clearly."

"Your Excellency is too kind." Min Xi said respectfully.

Min Xi knew that he had said everything he needed to say. He was too old, and it was impossible for him to enter the palace to accompany Wanli as he grew up. It all depended on how Zhang Juzheng guided the young emperor.

Zhang Juzheng will not have many more years left in his power. The young emperor is already fourteen years old. In two years at most, he will be able to rule the country himself.

The relationship between Zhang Juzheng and the emperor was the most delicate during this period, because this was the most critical moment of the reform, and it was impossible for Zhang Juzheng to give up power, and the emperor would feel that his position was threatened. He could not do anything to Zhang Juzheng while he was alive, but when he died, he would definitely settle accounts with him.

Min Xi couldn't help but worry about Tao Lizhi. Even a famous general with outstanding military achievements like Qi Jiguang could not escape the result of being demoted and dismissed, let alone him, a small deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Oh, yes, he should be promoted to assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue after the new year. The higher he climbs under Zhang Juzheng, the harder he will fall.

And Yunji, if he passes the provincial examination this year, he will take the metropolitan examination next year. He will definitely work under Zhang Juzheng in the first few years. When Zhang Juzheng's property is confiscated and liquidated, although he has not been an official for a long time, he will definitely not be able to climb up in the short term. It will be difficult for the two of them to climb to the center of power in the future.

In the end, Wanli would become disheartened by party struggles and would not attend court for decades. At that time, it would be useless for anyone to save the Ming Dynasty.

Min Xi knew the outcome of all events, but he could only watch it repeat itself without being able to do anything. This feeling of powerlessness was extremely discouraging.

Min Xi no longer paid attention to what the people around him were saying. He was lost in his own thoughts, feeling desperate and powerless.

"Nephew Min, what are you thinking about?" Zhang Juzheng suddenly found that Min Xi was silent.

Yun Ji quickly pushed him, and Min Xi came back to his senses: "What does the Lord want to tell me?"

Zhang Juzheng asked: "I see you are so absorbed in your thoughts, so I want to ask you what you are thinking about."

Min Xi looked at Zhang Juzheng and suddenly said, "I have something to say to you, Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Juzheng was surprised and asked, "Talk to me alone? Is it important?"

Min Xi nodded seriously: "Yes."

Zhang Juzheng stood up and said, "Then follow me to the study."

Yun Ji reached out and pulled Min Xi: "Ninth brother?"

Min Xi frowned, looking quite serious. He nodded at him and said soothingly, "It's okay. I'll be back soon."

Yun Ji felt a little uneasy.

After entering the study, Zhang Juzheng sat down and said, "My dear nephew, what do you want to tell me?"

Min Xi said: "Your Excellency wants to implement tax reform in order to increase the revenue of the national treasury."

"Yes! That's obvious."

"In fact, in addition to obtaining income from land, there is another channel, that is industry and commerce. Today, the industry and commerce of the Ming Dynasty are extremely developed, and a unified tax rate of one in thirty is levied, which is actually an encouragement to industry and commerce. The industry and commerce in the Jiangnan region are prosperous to an unimaginable degree, and the merchants are also extravagant to an unimaginable degree. Students believe that it is entirely possible to increase the tax rate on industry and commerce, especially for those large merchants." Min Xi said.

Zhang Juzheng was from Hubei. He had only lived in Hubei and Beijing and was not familiar with the situation in the south of the Yangtze River. He was also a traditional literati and scholar, so his thinking was still limited.

Director Zhang nodded: "Anything else?"

"Your Excellency has worked too hard. You don't have to do everything yourself. You can let more people help you. You are the pillar of the reform. Only if you are healthy and live a long life can the reform be carried out for a long time."

"This is the second time you've told me this." Zhang Juzheng said with a smile, "None of my followers have ever cared about my health as much as you do."

Min Xi added, "It's still about His Majesty. You and the Queen Mother have been too strict with His Majesty. He might rebel in the future. It's not a big deal for ordinary children to rebel, but if His Majesty rebels, the consequences will be disastrous."

Zhang Juzheng frowned and looked at Min Xi without saying anything. He seemed to be particularly concerned about His Majesty's education. This was the third time he had mentioned it. The first time was when he told the empress dowager, but the empress dowager did not take it to heart. She was determined to train the emperor to be a wise ruler like Yao, Shun and Yu.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Min Xi plucked up the courage to ask: "Sir, if the reform will bring you disaster in the future, will you still continue with the reform?"

Zhang Juzheng's eyes were firm: "I don't mind dying!"

"What if it will bring disaster to your family and the younger generations you promote?"

Zhang Juzheng looked at Min Xi sharply: "What do you know?"

Min Xi lowered his eyes and said, "I can't tell whether it was a dream or reality. Your Excellency, just treat it as a dream. I once dreamed of the future hundreds of years later. At that time, there was no Ming Dynasty. Driven by your reforms, the Ming Dynasty continued to rule for another 70 years, but eventually perished in a peasant uprising. But in the end, China did not establish a new Han dynasty. Instead, it was invaded by the Later Jin outside the Great Wall, similar to the invasion of the Mongols. China was ruled by the Later Jin for three hundred years. The rulers of the Later Jin were more conservative than the Ming Dynasty and enforced the maritime ban until their death. As a result, the small European countries used strong ships and powerful cannons to open the country's doors, ceded land and paid compensation, and entered the most humiliating century of turmoil in Chinese history."

Zhang Juzheng's expression was slightly disturbed, but he still asked calmly: "And then?"

"Your Excellency died of illness. A few days after his death, Your Majesty ordered the confiscation of all property. All those you promoted were either dismissed or exiled, including General Qi. Although Your Majesty followed your reform system, he was only diligent for a few years. He did not attend court for the next 30 years, allowing factional disputes to spread. As a result, the Ming Dynasty was plagued by illness, and the last Ming monarch was hanged on Jingshan Mountain."

When Min Xi said this, Zhang Juzheng shuddered: "Is this your dream? Or is it a story you made up?"

"My Lord, just treat it as a nightmare. I think it should be a warning to me, so I have to tell you this absurd dream."