Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

Now that we have come to this, Wei Wu feels it is necessary to mention it again.

"Mr. Zhu, Han Feizi said: 'When corvee labor is reduced, the people are at peace. When the people are at peace, the lower classes do not have great power. When the lower classes do not have great power, power is destroyed. When power is destroyed, virtue prevails.'"

(Note: If the burden of corvee labor is reduced, the people will live and work in peace and contentment. If the people live and work in peace and contentment, officials at all levels will have fewer opportunities to abuse their power and bully others. If officials at all levels do not abuse their power and bully others, the people will be grateful for the monarch's benevolent rule.)

"Our Ming Dynasty is still in its infancy, and corvée labor is unavoidable. We can only find ways to minimize the suffering of the people."

"In the future, when commercial and customs taxes develop and the Ming Dynasty's treasury is abundant, implementing labor-for-labor relations will be a good strategy!"

Having said this, Wei Wu raised his head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, only to find that his eyes were full of solemnity and deep thought.

He understood that his words had indeed touched Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

In fact, as a Ming fan, Wei Wu also had special knowledge about Zhu Yuanzhang's affairs.

Some people say that Zhu Yuanzhang never believed in equality, and he also hated Mencius's idea that the people are more important than the king.

But the problem is, to discuss this issue we must first determine what the people are!

Zhu Yuanzhang climbed up from the bottom, and he had his own standards for the people.

In this era, farmers, peasants, and those illiterate people at the bottom of society should be called the people instead of the people.

The people in his mind are actually those who are nominally the people, and those who are actually the elite.

Because they are the only ones who can read and write, and because they are the only ones who talk about the people all the time.

They can use it immediately when needed, such as collecting commercial taxes, and they will say that they are competing with the people for profits.

When collecting taxes from the gentry, they would secretly send their servants to cause trouble, and even beat to death the court officials who came to collect taxes.

Then I have to say that it was the emperor's implementation of evil laws that provoked civil unrest and caused public resentment.

Powerful people, when their family members were arrested for breaking the law, would dare to say that it was the imperial court that was oppressing the people.

Why are there so many people in later generations who criticize Zhu Yuanzhang, saying that he was cruel to the people and was an executioner and a tyrant?

Because Zhu Yuanzhang was indeed not good to merchants, gentry, officials and nobles.

These people were able to say and write it down, so naturally they would not have anything good to say about him.

However, the people who truly benefited and were cared for could not write it down, and no one would care even if they did.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, the poor and humble people were also human beings, and he just wanted them to survive.

Having suffered from hunger himself, he also wanted the people to have enough food to eat. It would be best if taxes and levies were light so that they could live like human beings.

But some things cannot be changed by one person alone, they require methods and approaches.

Zhu Yuanzhang was capable, but his peasant background limited his thinking, but he wanted to get things done.

If there is no better way, he can only kill until others are afraid of him.

What Wei Wu said now was exactly what he had always wanted to do.

As long as commercial taxes and customs duties can fill the national treasury and do not affect the normal development of the country.

So if people can spend money on work instead of labor, they can indeed live more easily.

So, after a brief silence, Zhu Yuanzhang also suggested a method.

"Xiao Wu, does the cement you mentioned really have the same effect as mortar?"

Wei Wu nodded and said affirmatively:

"Really!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed, and then he said:

"Okay, in that case, let's increase our efforts and make cement attract the attention of wealthy businessmen as soon as possible."

"The city wall of the capital is currently under construction. We can use this wall as a bidding project to attract wealthy businessmen."

"Xiao Wu, can you come up with a solution? Just like building roads, let those wealthy businessmen pay for building city walls?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's words really put Wei Wu in a difficult position.

City walls are related to the security of the city’s defense and don’t seem to have much commercial value. Who would be willing to pay for them?

"Uncle Zhu, I really can't think of a way to make money from this city wall thing, but it can certainly reduce some costs."

"Put out the money to build the city wall, then set out the requirements and acceptance criteria, and let those wealthy businessmen bid for it themselves."

"While ensuring both quality and quantity, whoever can provide the highest efficiency and lowest cost will be awarded the project."

"If you still think it's not enough, then you can only offer a title. I'm sure someone will pay for the city wall repairs."

In fact, Wei Wu had no choice but to bring up the matter of the title.

After all, among the four classes of people, scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, except for a few dynasties, the status of most merchants has been very low since ancient times.

For these businessmen, they can make money by themselves, but the title is something they cannot even touch.

Being able to improve one's status is quite attractive to wealthy businessmen.

After hearing what Wei Wu said, Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat tempted.

The title of nobility is just a matter of a word from him.

If we can use this to promote cement and pave the way for future road construction, it would be worthwhile.

Once the road construction plan forms a virtuous circle in the future, a mere title of nobility will be nothing.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer hesitated.

"Okay, let's do as you say. Xiao Wu, who do you think would be the best person to handle this matter?"

"Of course the best candidate is Big Brother, but Big Brother has too much on his shoulders, and overwork could easily harm his health."

Having said that, Wei Wu pondered for a moment, and then named a candidate.

"Why not leave this matter to Prince Yan? As a prince leading the troops, he will definitely take the city defense seriously."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought it made sense and immediately decided on the candidate.

"Okay, let Lao Si handle this matter. Biao'er, you notify Lao Si. It's a good opportunity for us to see what his abilities are."

Seeing Zhu Biao nod, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Wei Wu again.

"Xiao Wu, the cement issue is important, but we also need to hurry up and slap the officials in the face. How long will it take you?"

Wei Wu pondered for a while and then gave an answer.

"One week... seven days will do."

"Okay, after seven days, you'll show us your worth and give them a good slap in the face!"