The emperor had mentioned the concept of mobilizing the whole nation many times, but the people of the Ming Dynasty did not feel it too strongly. In fact, they felt that their lives were even more difficult than before.
It is not uncommon for dynasties to increase taxes on ordinary people due to war or financial difficulties.
But during the Tianqi reign, the situation was completely reversed. The imperial court was short of money, but it targeted corrupt officials, powerful princes, and landlords.
Over the past few years, countless officials have been brought down in waves of anti-corruption campaigns. Land surveys, revisions to the Yellow Book, and crackdowns on evasion and omissions have also brought down many landlords, corrupt gentry, and profiteers. The powerful and wealthy princes are also having a hard time. After their salaries were cut, all their fiefs and privileges such as salt and iron were reclaimed...
This is what the emperor meant by "the whole country's strength", not asking for it from the common people, but plundering it from the rich.
That's right, corrupt officials, powerful princes, landlords, evil gentry, and profiteers can all be defined as rich. Overthrowing one of them can yield more than exploiting a thousand or ten thousand ordinary people.
"The people do not have to pay more taxes and the country has enough money." The emperor really did this.
Without increasing the burden on the people, the wars were fought, construction was carried out, and food storage for famine relief was not delayed. If we don't rob the rich, what other solution is there?
Who made those guys so rich and unkind, breaking the law? Besides, Zhu Youxiao was worried that the common people would rise up, but he didn't think the rich would take the risk of rebellion.
Since you don't have the guts, my throne is secure. What should I be afraid of? I'll just kill you once I catch you.
It was precisely because the emperor did not fleece the common people but only exploited the rich that the Liao war over the past few years did not add any burden to the common people.
Now, at the time of the decisive battle, the lives of most ordinary people are better than before.
Erya's father rushed to the designated location outside the capital early in the morning. He had posted a notice a few days ago that today was the day to issue license plates and rent cars.
I've seen those four-wheeled carriages in the capital before. They were pulled by one horse, more often by two. The carriage was like a small house, with one or two rows of seats inside and a box at the back for luggage.
New things are always experienced first by those with power or money, and new horse-drawn carriages are no exception.
The emperor rewarded important officials such as Xu Guangqi, Sun Chengzong, and Li Qiyuan with exquisitely decorated carriages with markings on them, which were different from those bought by the rich.
The metal axles, the spring-shocked carriage, and the small windows inlaid with transparent glass make it look so noble and extraordinary as it drives on the road.
But who could have imagined that such a good carriage would become an industry and an option for the emperor to expand employment!
Few people would have thought that this was another attempt by the emperor to apply technology to practice.
Moreover, the application of high-quality steel axles and shock-absorbing springs in vehicles represents a significant improvement in the coal and steel consortium's production technology and output.
"Did you bring the money? Where's the guarantor's guarantee document?" A hushed voice came from the side.
Erya's father subconsciously touched his arms and found hard silver coins and guarantee documents. Only then did he feel at ease.
Although she had relatives to help her after arriving in the capital, Erya was also sensible and capable. She roasted sweet potatoes and sold water, so she was neither hungry nor cold.
But a grown man cannot always be a street vendor. Seeing that his wife's health is almost gone, he and Erya can run a small business together.
Erya's father then took up other jobs, transporting coal to Xishan, unloading goods at Tongzhou Wharf, and doing other odd jobs, and saved some money.
But he always felt uneasy after working here and there for a few days. Moreover, he was worried about his wife and daughter because he was always away.
Therefore, as soon as the notice was posted, he was tempted. Although he did not understand the operation of the postal service very well, he only knew that it was a postal service that delivered letters and parcels to cities around the capital and the wages were quite good.
The key is that this job is long-term. After a trip, you can rest for three days and help your wife and daughter, making them feel more relaxed.
Feeling the silver coins and documents in his arms, Erya's father felt relieved and turned his attention to the two people who had just spoken. The familiar Liaodong accent made him feel at home.
They seemed to be a father and son, a middle-aged man and a young boy, both of them looked very strong.
After hesitating for a while, Erya's father smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "You two, judging by your accents, you're from the same hometown!"
A look of joy appeared on the middle-aged man's face, and he returned the greeting by bowing: "This old man is also from Liaodong, so polite."
The boy bowed, seemingly not very interested in the word "fellow villager". He took a step back and stopped talking.
Erya's father greeted the middle-aged man and started chatting. When the middle-aged man took out his cigarette pouch and offered him a cigarette, the two of them puffed on it and immediately became closer.
"I heard that the imperial court has mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops and will soon pacify Liao." The middle-aged man said, "I don't know if it's true or not."
Erya's father nodded and said, "I saw the army heading north. It was all cavalry, with shining helmets and armor, stretching as far as the eye could see."
The boy's eyes immediately lit up, he looked over and listened attentively.
"That's good, that's good." The middle-aged man exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "They've been winning battles so often in recent years that the Jiannu should be nearly defeated. Even if hundreds of thousands of troops were to attack them, their spit would drown them."
Erya's father nodded with a smile and said, "It's good to pacify Liao. We can go back now."
The middle-aged man glanced at Erya's father and asked in surprise, "You still want to go back? Are you not having a good time in the capital?"
"That's not the case." Erya's father shook his head and said, "But after all, I don't feel confident. It's not as solid as planting dozens of acres of land."
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