In Zhu Youxiao's view, imposing taxes on the common people might lead to rebellion, while exploiting the gentry and landlords might lead to strikes and closures, which made it easy for the princes to manipulate them at the moment.
It's a waste not to squeeze a soft persimmon, but it's also a waste to squeeze it.
Of course, the reform of the vassal system is not as simple as squeezing out fat.
Pigs can no longer be raised, and it is no longer affordable. And making the "pigs" self-reliant is not so easy.
The various vassal states in the Ming Dynasty were granted fiefs but not land, given titles but not overseeing the people, and received salaries but not governing affairs. They were not allowed to participate in the occupations of the four classes of people (i.e., scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans), and they could inherit their titles without interruption.
As for this pig-raising-like vassal system, as early as the time of Emperor Shizong (Jiajing), the seriousness of the problem was realized and the "Zongfan Regulations" were re-enacted.
At the same time, the imperial court also allocated funds to build clan schools, allowing the children of the royal family to attend school for free, study hard and become talented, and then support themselves or serve the country.
Although these reforms have eased the burden on the national finances, the fundamental problems have not been solved.
The most effective method has not been proposed by anyone. The "selection of children" proposed by Huo Tao, the Minister of Rites in the Jiajing Dynasty, is very close to Zhu Youxiao's idea.
The so-called "designation of children" means that the descendants of the princes' side branches and illegitimate children should be registered as civilians as much as possible, and they should be allowed to engage in the professions of scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans so that they can support themselves.
The Jiajing Emperor's final decision on this proposal was to "calmly examine and deal with it." Since the interests of tens of thousands of vassal states were involved, and he was also the heir to the throne from a vassal king, he did not dare to be so decisive.
Zhu Youxiao did not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead made the first revision to the "Regulations on the Imperial Consortium and Vassal States".
The Ming Dynasty royal family titles were divided into eight ranks: Prince, Duke, General Guarding the Country, General Auxiliary to the Country, General Serving the Country, Lieutenant Guarding the Country, Lieutenant Auxiliary to the Country, and Lieutenant Serving the Country.
According to the revised regulations, if the three ranks of nobility, namely, the Lieutenant of Zhenguo, the Lieutenant of Fuguo, and the Lieutenant of Fengguo, gave up their titles and became civilians, the court would give them a one-time salary of three years, and they could engage in work as scholars, farmers, merchants, or workers in the future, and they could also migrate freely.
The same rule will also be followed for the descendants of the royal family who have not yet been granted titles, and their rice and salary will be distributed according to the standard of a lieutenant in the state.
It's voluntary, no one forces you.
But the actual situation is that after the implementation of the "Regulations on the Imperial Family and Vassal States", the Ministry of Rites strictly controlled the requests for titles and titles granted to the descendants of the vassal kings.
Many of the more distant descendants of the royal family had neither rice nor civilian status, and were not allowed to go out to work, so their lives were extremely difficult.
Even the sons of royal families with low-ranking titles did not live such a comfortable life as their families grew.
In other words, the wealthy and powerful princes and royal families were only a minority. The withdrawal of privileges such as granted land and salt taxes, as well as the strict implementation of the "Regulations on Princes and Vassalaries", made it difficult for them to continue their extravagant spending.
Take your time and take a few steps.
For Zhu Youxiao, the Ming Dynasty had so many accumulated problems, but he could only advance reforms gradually, starting from the shallower aspects and gradually progressing to the deeper ones.
Therefore, this revision of the "Regulations on the Imperial Sacrifice and Vassalage" is clearly intended to test the waters.
He wanted to see what the reaction would be and how many descendants of the Zhu family did not want to be raised like "pigs"?
If they were all "pigs," there wouldn't be anything to be afraid of. The next revision should be more focused. I'm afraid of a bunch of "pigs," ridiculous.
Zhu Youxiao was not quite sure what impact the amendment to the "Regulations on the Imperial Clan and Vassal States" would have, but it gave a vassal state far away in Nanyang hope.
It is already mid-June and the summer heat is getting more intense.
The several buildings of the Tang Wangfu Chengfeng Division were spread out in a heap, casting thick shadows in the moonlight. Only one room was lit by a dim candle, making the area seem cold and silent.
The Chengfengsi was an eunuch agency of the Prince's Palace in the Ming Dynasty. It had two chief and deputy Chengfengs. Their main responsibilities were the personnel administration of the palace, as well as the management and punishment of the palace staff.
In other words, this place is equivalent to a small prison in the palace, where people in the palace are imprisoned and punished.
But who could have imagined that the Prince of Tang, Zhu Qizhen, and his son, Zhu Youjian, were imprisoned here for eight years!
From the age of twelve to twenty, Zhu Youjian had lived in misery for eight years, but his mind was not depressed. Instead, he became resolute and calm.
Seeing his father with an old face and breathing heavily in sleep, Zhu Youjian stopped fanning him, walked quietly to the outer room, lit the lamp, and started reading.
Zhu Youjian was the ninth-generation grandson of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. His grandfather was Zhu Shuohui, Prince Duan of Tang, and his father was Zhu Qizhen, Prince Yu of Tang (posthumously honored). As the eldest son and grandson, Zhu Youjian's life should have been bright and prosperous.
But among the many princes of the Ming Dynasty, his path to succession was the most difficult and arduous, and his first half of life was the most miserable and sad.
The old Tang prince, Zhu Shuohui, doted on his beautiful concubine and disliked his eldest son, Zhu Qizhen, but he wanted his concubine to give birth to a son, Zhu Qishuang, to inherit the throne. Instigated by his concubine, the old Tang prince imprisoned his eldest son and grandson in the Chengfeng Division.
During the dark days of imprisonment, reading became the only thing Zhu Youjian could do and his only pastime.
A sound of footsteps approached from afar and stopped in front of the window. Zhu Youjian's face lit up with joy and he gently pushed open the window.
Zhang Shutang was old, and time had left deep marks on the face of this old eunuch. Seeing the grandson Zhu Youjian, Zhang Shutang smiled, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes became denser and deeper.
Zhu Youjian and his father were imprisoned here, and naturally they were not treated well. They even nearly starved to death several times. Thanks to Zhang Shutang, who secretly sent them food, they have been able to survive until now.
"Is the prince asleep?" Zhang Shutang lowered his voice.
Zhu Youjian nodded and asked, "Eunuch Zhang, did you bring any new books today?"
Zhang Shutang handed over two pieces of paper and said, "I didn't get the new book, but I think this new newspaper on the market is very good."
Zhu Youjian took it and read it by candlelight. The title "Ming Dynasty Forum" first caught his eye.
"This recently arrived from the capital," Zhang Shutang said. "It's edited and published by the royal family, and the information is even more accurate and detailed than the imperial gazette. It's selling like hotcakes on the market right now!"
Zhu Youjian was stunned for a moment and said, "Imperial publication? Could it be that the Emperor personally read it, or wrote it with his own hand?"
Zhang Shutang smiled and said, "That's not clear."
After a pause, he reminded, "Please take a look at this latest issue. It contains revisions to the 'Regulations on the Imperial Clan and Vassal States'. I think it has something to do with both the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson."
"And one more thing." Zhang Shutang showed a look of hesitation and hesitation, and said, "The emperor sent Wei Zhongxian, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household and the commander of the Eastern Depot, to inspect the various vassal states and reclaim the granted lands. I overheard in the mansion today that Eunuch Wei will be traveling to Nanyang soon. If I report the matter of the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince's grandson to him, would it be possible..."
Zhu Youjian didn't dare to make a decision lightly. After thinking for a while, he said, "This is a serious matter. Let me discuss it with my father."
Zhang Shutang nodded and sighed, "Then I'll leave first and come back at this time tomorrow."
"It's dark at night, Eunuch Zhang, please walk carefully." Zhu Youjian warned with concern. He watched the old eunuch stagger away before closing the window, unfolding the newspaper under the lamp, and reading it carefully.
………………
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