Chapter 334 The prosperous Ming Empire and the fate of the reformers
The recovery of Cochin made the people of the empire make a fortune.
Under the stimulation of money, the desire to consume increases.
From noisy and disorderly rural market towns to prosperous cities, you can see the newly wealthy people frantically sweeping away goods.
Trade restrictions or bans imposed by Western countries, Japan and other countries did not affect the Ming Dynasty's commodity economy, and the continued rise in domestic demand still slowed down the Ming Dynasty's inflation.
But for most people, once they have wealth, it is nothing more than to satisfy their desires for food and sex, or to hope for a long and healthy body and eternal happiness.
A lot of money is spent on entertainment, delicious food and other pleasures or on some religious ceremonies.
As the manager of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Houzhao and his court naturally had to use their power to guide the flow of wealth among the people in the right direction, to prevent the people from excessively pursuing pleasure and losing their pursuits, and to prevent some religions from taking this opportunity to grow and even appear. Extreme events come out.
In this context.
The "Shengtian Garden" outside Daming Gate was officially opened.
This is a high-end community built after Huizhou folk houses. It adopts the latest reinforced concrete structure and is equipped with the most complete facilities. Coupled with the superior geographical location, the real estate prices in this community are very high.
But there is still an endless stream of buyers.
In fact, the people of the empire invested all the money they had just received into such commercial housing, and even owed debts that were not enough to make them unable to survive.
But in any case, the living conditions of the people have been improved as a result, and ordinary people in the capital no longer need to live in low and crowded houses.
Even in the countryside, people have spent money to buy high-priced cement houses in towns because of this windfall, bidding farewell to rough houses and thatched houses, thus inadvertently accelerating the degree of urbanization.
Even if there is meat for every meal, even if there is a car when going out, even if they can wear cotton-padded clothes in winter and eat ice water in summer, the people of the Ming Empire are still diligent.
Because the government uses the highest quality municipal services, the highest-end community environment and the best schools, coupled with the stingy land supply method, the people spend their money on purchasing these public products and improving their living environment and life.
But precisely because of this, people still don't have much money left. In order to be comfortable in the second half of their lives and to have a greater sense of security, they have to continue to work hard. On the surface, they already have a lot of wealth.
However, they were still full of insecurities and had to ask for more wealth and then continued expansion of the empire.
Zhu Hou looked after the palace ladies who got up early in the morning to sweep the floor under the palace wall, and couldn't help but smile. He knew that these palace ladies were like the common people outside the palace. In order to get more year-end rewards, they worked more diligently than before and swept the floor. Be more serious.
Therefore, even if it rained last night, there was still not a fallen leaf on the marble steps today.
However, when Zhu Houzhao saw a palace maid kneeling in a corner to pray, he couldn't help but frown. He did not expect that although the people at the bottom were still more diligent than before, they were more susceptible to the influence of some religions and became believers than before. .
Sometimes, Zhu Houzhao also wonders whether one day, if this continues, secular power will be usurped by these religions. Nowadays, more and more memorials are being submitted to request the construction of temples, Taoist temples, and churches.
At this time, Zhang Cong, the chief minister of the cabinet, came dragging his increasingly haggard body, holding a memorial in his hand.
Zhu Houzhao took the memorial from Zhang Cong. The content of the memorial was that Li Wen from the Etiquette Department was reporting on the matter. He mentioned that outside Chongwen Gate in the capital, in Anning Temple, many monks had gathered in recent years and often set up altars. , take refuge in the ordination Devoted men and women are often crowded like clouds. When the monks gather, there are as many as ten thousand people. They gather during the day and disperse at night, and men and women mix. There are even fugitives and absconders who take advantage of this to do evil. People are all rushing to give away the so-called magic medicine and elixir, which leads to bankruptcy.
"In addition, there are private temples, Taoist temples and even churches, which are even used as places for prostitutes. The powerful gentry colludes with external protection, making it worse. Therefore, Li Wen asks the court to deal with it!"
Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but recite silently as he watched. Logically, he, the emperor, no longer needed to deal with this kind of matter. But at this time, Zhang Cong presented this memorial to the emperor. Zhu Houzhao felt that Zhang Cong must have his own reasons, so, Zhu Houzhao said: "Tell me, what do you think about this matter?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, as the people become richer and richer, naturally there are also more good men and women who seek Buddha's enlightenment. This is human nature. But now, according to what Li Wen said in this Rite Book, even though the ignorant people have become richer, they have not yet become wiser. If this continues , the people's hearts may be stolen by these churches. If anyone with a little bit of ambition takes over the church to cause trouble, they may be in serious trouble.”
Zhang Cong said something at this time.
Zhu Houzhao also nodded: "What Ai Qing said is true. You must be vigilant about this matter. Just go ahead and take care of it! If you really want to destroy the Buddha and destroy the sect, it doesn't matter."
"I obey the decree!"
Zhang Cong bowed his hands to Zhu Houzhao and then retreated.
Seeing this, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but sigh slightly, thinking that Zhang Fujing had offended many gentry from the beginning of his reform at the grassroots level. Later, he imposed heavy mining taxes in the customs and made everyone in the world reviled him as a "blood-sucking prime minister." Now, Zhang Fujing's health is getting worse, but He also wants to take action against religion. It can be seen that this is a politician who has been innovating his whole life.
After Zhang Cong received Zhu Houzhao's permission, he was indeed not polite. He directly ordered the Ministry of Rites to prohibit temples, Taoist temples, and churches from recruiting believers at will. Pay the ultimatum tax to compensate for the alms received when no work is done.
In addition, Zhang Cong also ordered all provinces to inventory the property of each temple, and no longer exempted the temples from land taxes, and imposed an additional farmland tax because many temples had occupied farmland.
Of course, religious gatherings of more than 100 people must be reported to the government, otherwise they will be directly arrested as illegal assembly.
For a time, the entire religious world was greatly shaken, and some people who relied on propaganda and teachings to confuse the people and make profits were also arrested one after another.
Hundreds of thousands of people were forcibly returned to secular life.
Of course, these monks and congregants were not willing to be controlled by the court, thereby losing the opportunity to benefit from the people.
On this day, Huijin, a monk from Anning Temple, led thousands of monks to the Daming Gate. They sat cross-legged and shouted: "Since the chief minister does not allow the Buddha to flourish and wants to impose heavy taxes on Buddhism, The reason why we sucked up the people’s property is why we are now on a hunger strike to prove this intention!”
"Yes, the charity we received was given voluntarily by the donor, and there was never any coercion. How can it be undeserved and why should it be taxed heavily! The donations from good people were originally philanthropic, but now they are collected by corrupt officials. Bank, we were deceived, and instead were falsely accused of causing harm to the country and the people! Although people who are born in this world are not burdened by the world, they are not wronged by the world either!”
Another mage responded.
"As the Master said, since today's prime ministers want to destroy Buddhism and destroy religion, then we will starve to death and take off our skin!"
Hyejin shouted again.
The Ming army on top of the city gate ignored these monks and still stood on the city wall like sculptures.
The steam bus line entering Daming Gate still entered the inner city with a clicking sound.
Zhang Cong, the chief minister of the cabinet, was actually in the car, but he was just watching all this silently. Of course he knew that these monks had no sin, but he only knew that the Ming Dynasty could not support too many idle people. Historical experience Tell him that the prosperity of the dynasty will lead to the prosperity of Buddhism, and the prosperity of Buddhism will lead to chaos in the world!
Fortunately, His Majesty doesn't believe anything.
It is difficult for Zhang Cong to imagine how terrible it would be if His Majesty also believed in religion.
Zhu Houzhao does not believe this, but he does not exclude religious believers, but he does think that it is a bad phenomenon that religious believers can get something for nothing, although most people are not aware of this problem, including religious believers themselves. Charity by good men and women is not conducive to the stability of this society.
Therefore, Zhu Houzhao supported Zhang Cong in doing this. However, Zhu Houzhao had to admit that he also had to pay attention to the development of the cultural industry and the guidance of the ideological field. He could not let the people become rich and put their money and energy into religion. In terms of construction, no matter how well the temples and churches are built, there is no better city that is better for the people's livelihood, and there is no masterpiece or painting that can inspire future generations and enhance civilization.
When Wen Zhengming from the attendant's room came to Wu Cheng'en's home according to the order, Wu Cheng'en was writing his "Journey to the West". Ever since he met His Majesty the Emperor when he was a child and heard His Majesty the Emperor tell a story about the Monkey King, he planned to write it. This story has been written down, and I have been working on it for many years now, and it is finally almost complete.
"Wu Cheng'en, His Majesty sent me to ask you, have you finished writing "Journey to the West"?" Wen Zhengming asked.
Wu Chengen replied: "It's almost there, it's almost there, but it hasn't been corrected yet."
"Hurry up as much as possible. This is a contract. Take a look at it and sign it if you accept it. It is His Majesty's wish. The Royal Academy will buy out your work for fifty silver dollars and you will have the right to spread this legend in the future. And the adaptation rights belong to the Royal Academy, and you and your descendants will have no right to inherit it, what do you think?" Wen Zhengming asked.
Wu Cheng'en thought that the profit from a legendary script on the market would only be about ten silver dollars, and his Journey to the West might not necessarily attract people. Fifty silver dollars is already a high price, which is enough to show that this is a way for His Majesty to take care of me. For the literati who can only write legends.
"The emperor's grace is truly so great! The emperor's grace is so great! Of course Wu Mou is willing. It's just a legend. How can a book circulated in the market be passed down to future generations? It's natural for your majesty to buy it!"
Wu Chengen thanked him.
A few months later, Zhu Houzhao received the manuscript of "Journey to the West" from Wu Cheng'en, and immediately printed and published it with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. At the same time, he set up the Ming Dynasty Copyright Bureau with the cabinet, and officially asked the Huangming Newspaper, which was responsible for the publicity of the Attendant's Office, to publish an editorial, and the editorial theme was It is necessary to pay attention to the development of cultural industries.
Wen Zhengming officially took charge of the newly established Daming Culture Company with the title of Right Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He also managed the Copyright Bureau and was responsible for managing and developing the cultural industry of the entire empire.
But there is no doubt that this means that even the cultural industry has become an industry that can only be opened up by the emperor and the Ming court. This will undoubtedly lead to further concentration of interests in the central court and the empire further becoming a public ownership entity. economy.
However, there is nothing that can be done about it. No matter who makes Zhu Houzhao the emperor, private capital is always slow to respond, and it is difficult for them to establish industries without public power.
"Journey to the West, I have read it. The story is suitable for both the elderly and young people, but it is not a simple monster story. There are many insinuations that satirize the world and today, but it is naturally more attractive. Now I have only one request. , we must let the people of the world know this work as soon as possible and like it, including the operas and other things it derived from it! We cannot let the people of the world only go to temples to worship Buddha, burn incense in Taoist temples, and listen to stories about begging for a child and getting a child. .”
Wen Zhengming said to his subordinates with dark circles under his eyes.
And because of this, with the powerful capital power and advanced printing technology of the royal family, Wu Chengen's "Journey to the West" was immediately published in the Ming Dynasty, and also because Zhu Houzhao could directly use the state's public power to legislate copyright, Strictly cracking down on pirates, "Journey to the West" quickly became popular and sold well all over the country.
But as a result, the people of the empire, especially the ordinary people who were not interested in the snow-like Kunqu Opera, had entertainment products that were more suitable for them, which made them pay less attention to religion, and there is some irony hidden in "Journey to the West" The content also gave them a clearer understanding of Buddhism, etc., which was even more effective than the government's earnest words.
"It turns out that not everyone in Buddhism is good!"
An ordinary student sat in front of his house and said this after reading "Journey to the West".
In addition, storytellers and dramas have also gained fresher content, and new dramas have even emerged. The story of "Journey to the West" has allowed the people of the empire to finally have healthy content for entertainment and recreation after achieving economic prosperity. Rather than being seduced into a heretical sect.
It's just that although the people's spare money no longer flows into temples and Taoist temples, it does flow into Zhu Houzhao's pocket.
Wu Chengen didn't expect that his "Journey to the West" would be so popular. Now he naturally regrets it and doesn't know how to express it for a while.
However, Zhu Houzhao took the initiative to summon him and promoted Wu Chengen to the position of lecturer of the Hanlin Academy. At the same time, he asked Wen Zhengming to draw up a new contract for Wu Chengen, asking Wu Chengen to write a book "Journey to the East" and offered him five thousand silver dollars for one thousand words. It means that one word is five silver dollars. If you write one million words, you can get five million silver dollars.
Under the temptation of huge sums of money, Wu Chengen could only agree.
Wu Chengen did not expect that his writing of legends could have such meaning, so he started writing it very actively.
Of course, Zhu Houzhao wanted to develop the cultural industry of the empire, not just to develop the IP of Journey to the West, but to make the literati of this era understand that the texts in their hands can serve more than just people. Honorable gentlemen, the working people are the majority they need to serve, and serving the working people will not only gain respect but also provide more practical economic benefits.
The Ming court's protection and development of copyrights gave the empire's legendary scripts, that is, novels, a chance to make money. Although this era is not yet the Internet era, and people can only get the pleasure of reading by buying paper books, the literacy rate has increased due to the Ming Dynasty's universal education. After the increase, the market became very profitable in the early stage, and even supported a group of professional novelists, not just Wu Chengen.
However, in this early stage, most of the best-selling products were relatively pornographic and large-scale, so much so that some officials accused them of being immoral.
However, Zhu Houzhao is not worried about the people being addicted to sensuality. He is only worried about the people being addicted to cults, so he does not have many restrictions. Now he only wants to enrich the entertainment activities for the people.
Of course, Zhu Houzhao also knew that he should try his best to attract people to healthy entertainment activities.
To this end, Zhu Houzhao not only personally funded the establishment of the Ming Dynasty Literature Award, rewarding important literary works with large sums of money to encourage people to create, but also established the Ming Writers Association and the Ming Academy of Social Sciences to encourage people to engage in social science research and Create, and even spend a lot of money to focus on cultivating a group of positive energy works.
It's a pity that there is no film and television in this era. After all, the research on optics has just started in the Ming Dynasty. Although pinhole imaging was discovered by Mohists very early, photography and photography technology are still under research. Therefore, the only thing I want to do now is visual impact. The only way to directly convey correct ideas to the people is through drama.
For this purpose, Zhu Houzhao specially asked the Ministry of Rites to add a Culture Department, which is responsible for controlling the creation of these literary works and drama creations. Of course, it also promotes the creation of literary works and drama creations through external publicity.
Nowadays, the mainstream stories in the drama world are some stories from Journey to the West, Water Margin and some stories about Yang family generals. However, Zhu Houzhao also asked the imperial literati in the attendant's room to write some brainwashing dramas about his outsmarting powerful ministers and loving the people. In addition to In addition, plays such as White-Haired Girl are still being circulated, which is very disgusting to the gentry. Some civil servants have repeatedly suggested banning it, but Zhu Houzhao dismissed it on the grounds that it was a play reflecting the suffering of the people.
The increase in the wealth of the people in the empire, the development of the cultural industry, and the opening of the mind made the trend of luxury in the empire more and more serious. Some traditional scholar-bureaucrats and civil servants used this advice to ask the court to ban private luxury. However, what Zhu Houzhao did not expect was that there were also The ministers began to disagree with this idea of banning luxury. The reason is very simple, that is, the common people's luxury can promote domestic consumption and promote commercial trade.
Zhu Houzhao thought that instead of letting the people spend their wealth to fund religion, it would be better for the people to dress better, live better, eat better, and live a better life. When it comes to luxury, the people now are not as luxurious as the people in some countries in later generations. There is a huge gap, and at worst, if you impose a luxury tax and value-added tax, you will not be afraid of your people spending money, but you will be afraid that you will not spend money. Anyway, part of every money your people spend will go into the government's pockets.
then.
The luxury tax and value-added tax in Southern Zhili were extended to the whole country, and the empire's tax revenue increased again.
In addition, in order to increase this tax, Zhu Houzhao officially issued a decree to have fun with the people. Starting from the forty-fifth year of Zhengde, the empire abolished the distinction between nobles and commoners, and all forbidden sexual objects among the people were lifted. Those who had broken the etiquette and laws were not allowed to Provide punishment, allow people to have free love, and increase people's freedom of life.
Influenced by Xinxue and Shengxue, as well as free thought after the development of the commodity economy, Zhu Houzhao's decree undoubtedly made most people burst into tears. After all, breaking taboos has become a common phenomenon in society, but it only made some old Confucians cry more and more. The world is declining, and people's hearts are not as old as they used to be.
However, the common people were willing to accept the freedom granted to them by His Majesty the Emperor. Even after being opposed by many dignitaries and gentry, he still granted them freedom and began to break the hierarchical order. However, when the court imposed luxury tax and value-added tax, these common people still They joined forces with the powerful officials and gentry to resist the imperial court's increase in taxes, and even went on strike to resist, and even started smashing, looting, and burning.
Zhang Cong is still in charge of the cabinet affairs now. Zhang Cong was not polite and directly mobilized all the police officers to arrest those who should be arrested, kill those who should be killed, and exile those who should be exiled. He just suppressed these people who had excessive freedom, but because of this , causing Zhang Cong to suffer greater criticism from the people.
In the early summer of the forty-sixth year of Zhengde, although the Ming Dynasty's medical technology had improved a lot, Zhang Cong's sudden death was still unavoidable.
Unlike Wang Shouren's posthumous title of Marquis when he passed away two years ago, which did not arouse opposition from the government and the opposition, when Zhu Houzhao requested that Zhang Cong be posthumously named "Wenzheng", he encountered opposition from the administration and the opposition.
“Obviously, both inside and outside the government, we don’t want a second Zhang Cong to appear!”
Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but say something at this time, and Xia Yan couldn't help but reply:
"As your Majesty said, since the Zhengde Dynasty and since Ma Gong (Ma Wensheng), the reformists have been in power, and the government has undergone drastic changes. In the case of Zhang Gong, he repeatedly risked the disdain of the world and made the people of the world intolerable. Countless people committed suicide because of Zhang Gong's new policies, and even more countless people were desperate because of Zhang Gong's new policies. There are many nobles and even vassal kings who have lost their reputation. Therefore, the world has hated Zhang Gong for a long time. How can it be allowed to be given the posthumous title of Wenzheng now? Even before his body was cold, some ministers had already impeached him before his death. He was accused of fraud and even temporarily changed the examiner in the name of corruption. ”
With that said, Xia Yan handed the memorial to impeach Zhang Cong to Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao opened it, looked at it, and said: "Logically speaking, what I want to do now is to punish Zhang Cong according to his request, so as to appease the anger of the people in the world, so as to prevent the people of the world from being angry at me? Yes or no?"
Zhu Houzhao asked, and Xia Yan couldn't help but nodded after being silent for a long time.
"When the birds are gone, the good bows are hidden; when the cunning rabbits are dead, the running dogs are cooked. This is the wisdom of the emperor. However, what I don't understand is, how to innovate and eliminate shortcomings should be praised by the world, but why it makes the people of the world angry? Is it really true? We have to wait until the world is in danger to realize that good ministers are hard to find. How can we defeat no one?"
Zhu Houzhao threw away the memorial as he spoke: "The impeachment matter will follow judicial procedures. I don't want to unjustly accuse a good minister in order to appease the anger of the people of the world. If the people of the world want to force me, then I will rebel against the people of the world, but I believe in silence. Most people, most people support Zhang Cong and me in their hearts.”
After Zhu Houzhao said this, Xia Yan didn't say anything more. He didn't want Zhang Cong to be given the posthumous title of Wenzheng after his death, but he also knew that Zhang Cong was Shang Yang of the Ming Dynasty. How could a figure like Shang Yang die well? Even if you are lucky enough to die before being punished, your body will still be whipped after death.
But as Xia Yan expected, the Metropolitan Procuratorate submitted that Zhang Cong was indeed guilty of fraud when his son was admitted to the imperial examination, and the evidence was also presented, including a personal confession from Zhang Cong's son, and Zhang Cong's own handwritten letter serves as evidence.
After Zhu Houzhao found out, he had to admit that as expected, he, the emperor, still thought of the problem too simply.
Thank you book friend for the 200 starting coin reward for a pound of sugar. Thank you for the 100 starting coin reward for the watermelon and cola. I am stuck. I have only finished writing it now. Because there are many various events in the later part of the plot, the plot is relatively scattered. I hope to write it. Here’s what book lovers want to read.
(End of chapter)