112 Chapter 112
◎Three years later◎
Zhang Daniu was among the first rebels to surrender.
He was not a rebel, but a tenant farmer of a landlord. When the rebels rushed over, the landlord's family had to contribute food and money and take them to "surrender" to the rebels in order to survive.
No one asked for his opinion.
Anyway, he is alone, so no matter how he lives, he will just accept his fate after a few days of discomfort.
But who could have imagined that the imperial officials and soldiers were like heavenly soldiers and generals, beating the rebels to a pulp in one fell swoop, and even saying that those who surrendered would not be killed.
Zhang Daniu didn't want to die, so he immediately threw down his stick and surrendered.
The rebel leaders are also funny. If you give them a wooden stick, how can they beat the "fire sticks" of the imperial army?
One could shoot a hole in them from a hundred paces away.
I don’t know what those people who keep rushing forward are thinking.
His companion wanted to hit the soldiers with a wooden stick, but because he had been kind enough to give him half a steamed bun before, Zhang Daniu grabbed his collar, knocked the stick away, and lifted up his hand.
Companion: ???
"Do you want to live?" Zhang Daniu said unhappily.
His companion's eyes turned red with anger as he shouted, "Zhang Daniu, you traitor! The Sun and Moon Divine Lord will never forgive you!"
"Li Xiaoquan, are you stupid?" Zhang Daniu hit him on the head. "Can your God Lord save your life?"
"That's better than being oppressed by the court!"
Zhang Daniu: “…”
He was speechless because Li Xiaoquan was right. If the imperial court had not imposed higher and higher taxes every year, he would not have been reduced from a self-cultivating farmer to a tenant farmer. After working hard all year round, he could not even afford to buy a new cotton-padded jacket.
He is lucky to have survived the winters in recent years.
No one here has a good impression of the imperial court, and he is no exception. However, he is a man who knows the times. Those who participate in evil cults are not necessarily good people. There is no need for him to risk his life for "Emperor Shengtian".
Besides, in addition to shouting "surrender and no killing", those officers and soldiers also talked about "distributing land to each household".
Zhang Daniu didn't believe it, but he couldn't help but have some expectations in his heart. If the court really fulfilled its promise this time, he would still prefer to be a good citizen.
Isn’t it good to live a stable life?
"Okay, now we have no sticks left, what can we use to fight?" He tried to calm the emotional Li Xiaoquan, fearing that he would lose his life without thinking.
Li Xiaoquan couldn't break free and could only glare at him, muttering "traitor" all the time.
When the soldiers came closer, he covered Li Xiaoquan's mouth with his hand.
"What are you doing?" The man who asked the question was wearing a captain's uniform. He was tall, handsome, and had an awe-inspiring demeanor.
Zhang Daniu spoke frankly, "Master Jun, my brother was deceived by a cult. He might say some unpleasant things, but he's kind at heart. Could you please be kind and pretend you didn't see it?"
"You're quite interesting, kid." The lieutenant laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "The court knows you're innocent and won't punish you arbitrarily. Besides, Her Royal Highness the Princess has personally stated that as long as you haven't actively killed anyone, you can be given a lighter punishment after a lesson."
"Really?!" Zhang Daniu couldn't believe it. "Her Royal Highness the Princess said that herself?"
The captain looked proud and said, "How could it be false?"
"Master Jun, my name is Zhang Daniu. I'm just a farmer. I've never joined any evil cult. They suddenly attacked me, and I didn't want to die, so I followed them. But I've never hurt anyone. I swear!"
"Listening to you speak, it sounds like you've read a book."
Zhang Daniu chuckled, "My family was relatively well-off when I was little, so I went to school for a few years, but I only skimmed through a few books."
"Okay, bring your brother and follow me."
"Alright." Zhang Daniu dragged Li Xiaoquan away and followed the captain. "May I ask your name, sir?"
"My name is Wei Dajiang."
"Captain Wei, your name sounds familiar. I seem to have heard it somewhere before. Look at my memory!" Zhang Daniu hit his head in frustration.
A passing officer couldn't help but laugh and said, "The one who beat the drum for reporting the incident!"
Zhang Daniu's eyes widened instantly. "Hey! Really? I saw it in the newspaper! Captain Wei, you were truly courageous back then!"
Even Li Xiaoquan stopped struggling and looked at Wei Dajiang in surprise.
He had also heard this story, and was deeply moved and admired the protagonist very much.
When I suddenly saw the real person, I didn’t know what expression to make.
Wei Dajiang smiled and said, "I am lucky to have met a noble man who is kind and benevolent."
The surrendered farmers were arranged in a camp. They were in a state of panic and huddled under the guard of the imperial army. They were not abused, but the fear of the unknown was enough to make them unbearable.
When Wei Dajiang and Zhang Daniu arrived at the camp, the guards immediately saluted them.
"This Zhang Daniu has a few years of education and can read. We asked him to help with the statistics, and his brother will help."
"Yes, Captain Wei!"
Wei Dajiang patted Zhang Daniu on the shoulder and said, "Do a good job."
"Wait, Captain Wei!" Zhang Daniu was a little overwhelmed. "What do you want to count?"
Wei Dajiang: "Name, household registration, family members, whether there are any symptoms, etc., someone will tell you the details. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
"Oh, oh, take care."
Zhang Daniu watched him leave and was called into a tent. Outside the tent was a long line of people, all of whom were his "accomplices". Inside the tent were two soldiers, registering names with sad faces.
The guard who brought him here informed the two people in the tent. Their eyes lit up and they hurriedly asked him to sit down.
Previously, government offices across the country were conducting a "literacy campaign", and the military was no exception. They had only learned to read and write for a few months, so it was really difficult to register on the roster.
I didn't expect that there were literate people among the rebels.
Zhang Daniu sat down dazed, with the imperial army's instructions in his ears and a clean and tidy registration form in front of him.
He had never seen such a concise, clear, quick and convenient registration form. Every box was clearly marked, and it was many times better than the books in the Sun and Moon Sect.
He felt more and more that the Sun and Moon Sect's attempt to overthrow the imperial court was truly wishful thinking.
Fortunately, he surrendered in time.
Zhang Daniu calmed down and started helping with the registration.
If they encounter someone who is injured or seriously ill, the guards on the side will distribute a wooden sign with unknown symbols engraved on it, and tell these people to use the sign to go to a certain barracks where there is a doctor to treat them.
The "rebels" didn't believe it at first, but some people were willing to give it a try. This attempt spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and everyone knew that the imperial army's military doctors could treat their illnesses and injuries for free!
The resentment and dissatisfaction towards the court dissipated a little in an instant.
The longer Zhang Daniu registered, the more news he heard, and he couldn't help but feel that the "court was merciful". Even Li Xiaoquan, who was helping him, stopped calling him "traitor".
At night, everyone was given a bowl of porridge. This was not intentional cruelty, but to prevent them from having too much to eat and having the strength to resist and escape.
But even a bowl of porridge is a delicious meal for a farmer who has experienced despair.
Zhang Daniu couldn't help but sigh, wishing that the imperial court had treated them so well in the earlier years.
After eating, everyone stayed together to chat.
Li Xiaoquan had regained some consciousness. He patted his arm and whispered, "I heard that Her Royal Highness the Princess specially sent a team of doctors here, and there's a young lady with them. She's so pretty."
"Female doctors are not uncommon."
"Brother Daniu is truly knowledgeable," Li Xiaoquan continued, "They say it's to investigate something called Furong. I don't understand."
Zhang Daniu frowned: "Opium?"
"Yes, yes, that's what they said. Many landlords and gentry suddenly went crazy and were tied up and sent over by the imperial army."
Zhang Daniu's face darkened: "The Sun and Moon Sect is indeed not a good thing."
"What's wrong?"
"One of my former employers was originally a kind and generous man, but after taking this drug, he became half-dead, lost everything, and had to sell his wife and children."
"So scary?!"
Zhang Daniu nodded: "Fortunately, the imperial court eliminated the Sun Moon Sect in time, otherwise we would have become half-human, half-ghost."
"Brother Daniu, I've figured it out too." Li Xiaoquan had been bewitched by the Sun and Moon Sect before, and thought they were really gods who saved people from suffering. Fortunately, the poisoning was not serious, and Zhang Daniu stopped him in time.
"Don't think too much, just sleep."
After a few more days, after deliberate arrangements by the imperial army, the "rebels" had become one with the army.
Zhang Daniu and others were constantly registering, helping to look after the wounded, and then washing vegetables in the kitchen, never stopping.
But they are full and satisfied in their hearts.
Having work to do and food to eat is the life that most people want.
The "rebels" gradually became peaceful and a bit of hope appeared on their faces.
Just then, the camp issued a notice.
After examination, if there is no problem, everyone can return to their hometown and be allocated land according to the new regulations of the court. The summer and autumn taxes are mainly based on the color tax.
Li Xiaoquan asked Zhang Daniu: "What is the discount tax?"
"Just pay silver instead of grain." Zhang Daniu frowned slightly. "This will save us the trouble of transporting grain, but the price of grain..."
He didn't say it in the end.
The imperial court was willing to allow them to start a new life and even distributed farmland to them. What else could he complain about?
Zhang Daniu was originally from Ji'an Prefecture. After bidding farewell to Li Xiaoquan, he followed his fellow villagers back to his hometown.
After being looted by the Sun and Moon Sect, Ji'an Prefecture was devastated. The court appointed new officials to supervise government affairs, the most critical of which was the "pilot" policy.
Since the mining tax reform yielded results, Xie Mingzhuo has always wanted to change the form of land tax payment, changing the in-kind tax to a discount tax.
Among other things, she intends to control the "enclosure."
The rebellion of the Sun and Moon Sect provided an opportunity, and in this rebellion, the weakness of the gentry was fully demonstrated.
They enjoyed the "tax-free" policy, but at the moment the crisis came, they exempted the rebels from funding and wages. Although they had to do so under threat, it was still despised by the world.
Xie Mingzhuo cited piles of lists and threw them directly in the faces of the opposition, leaving them speechless.
Therefore, starting from the beginning of next year, the new policy will be piloted in Jiangxi.
The tax exemption policy for gentry was abolished, and the gentry had to pay the same tax as the common people on the land they owned.
Those who remained loyal to the court during the rebellion were exempted from taxes for three years as a reward; those who easily defected during the rebellion had their property confiscated and distributed to other farmers.
The landlord in Zhang Daniu's hometown was a coward. When the Sun and Moon rebels attacked, he contributed all his money and food in order to survive and became a member of the rebels. Later, when the imperial army attacked, he was accidentally hit by a stray bullet and died, and no one helped to bury him.
After he died, all the land and property under his name were confiscated and distributed by the court.
Zhang Daniu was alone and was allocated five acres of fertile land.
As long as the weather is good, five acres of land will be enough to support myself, and maybe in a few years I can save some money to marry a wife.
He happily imagined the future, and this thought lasted for three years.
For three years, he worked diligently in the fields during the busy farming season and did odd jobs during the slack season. Not only did he get married, he also had a child.
In late autumn, all the grain in the fields was harvested.
Zhang Daniu was holding the child and sitting in front of the door to bask in the sun. He was holding a newspaper in his hand and reading the words on it to the child.
The imperial court implemented the policy of "equalizing the land tax according to the land area". If there is a new baby in the family this year, he will be given five more acres of land next year, which adds up to fifteen acres.
That's fifteen acres of land. If the crops are cultivated well, the family can save more money. When Xiaobao grows up, he can be sent to school. If he can pass the exam and become a scholar, he will be smiling even when he lies in the coffin.
The more he thought about it, the happier he became, until his eyes caught a piece of news and his expression froze.
Chang Wei, the Minister of Personnel, Grand Secretary of the Huagai Palace, Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, passed away suddenly on September 15th at the age of 70.
Zhang Daniu didn't understand state affairs and didn't know the Prime Minister, so he felt depressed when he saw the news.
I heard that Prime Minister Chang was the mentor of Princess Regent. I wonder how the princess feels now.
Xie Mingzhuo was mentally prepared.
The teacher had lived several months longer than the lifespan diagnosed by the imperial physician. In his last few months, his body was extremely weak and he was as thin as a bag of bones. But every time she went to visit him, he would endure the pain and his eyes would be clear.
It is inevitable to feel sad.
After the teacher closed his eyes, she sat beside the bed and saw with her own eyes that the teacher seemed to come back to life for a moment, and he actually sat up and reached for the small round blue and white jar on the bedside table.
It's the one I carry with me wherever I go.
Those hands had become as dry as dead pine branches. They trembled as they picked up the small round jar and handed it to Xie Mingzhuo.
"Princess, you've done well enough these past few years. Although I won't be able to see the day you ascend to the throne, I can imagine the scene on that day. It's just..."
Xie Mingzhuo burst into tears, "Teacher..."
"But since I am no longer here, please take care of yourself. You should not overwork yourself despite the busy state affairs."
"I've made a note of that."
"Also, don't be afraid to make mistakes or say the wrong things. Correct them promptly, learn from them, and don't make the same mistake again."
"good."
"This jar has been with me for many years," Chang Wei smiled and handed it forward. "I call it the 'Three Reflections Jar.' I reflect on myself three times a day, writing down my mistakes and omissions. I put them in this jar and throw them away if I correct them. If I don't correct them in time, my mistakes will accumulate and eventually overflow."
Xie Mingzhuo recalled a time in Wenhua Hall when Lixia accidentally knocked over a jar and saw three paper balls inside. It turned out that they were the teacher's warning to himself.
"I am giving it to you now. I hope you can always reflect on yourself and take precautions, and not let the clouds in the sky obscure your eyes."
Xie Mingzhuo respectfully accepted it, held it tightly, and replied solemnly, "Teacher, don't worry. I will examine myself every day and be vigilant and considerate."
"Okay, okay, okay."
After Chang Wei said these three words, he leaned against the head of the bed and closed his eyes completely.
Changfu was in great sorrow.
Xie Mingzhuo returned to Wenhua Hall and placed the Three Provinces Jar in the most conspicuous position, so that he could see it at a glance whether he was reviewing memorials or discussing affairs in court.
Within half a day, the imperial edict was delivered to Chang Mansion, posthumously conferring the title of Prince Taifu on Chang Wei, the highest honorary title, which brought him great dignity and glory.
After Chang Wei's death, the situation in the court should have been turbulent.
But within these three years, Xie Mingzhuo had already firmly controlled the court, and her reputation both inside and outside the court had surpassed that of the emperor. The common people even only knew the princess and not the emperor.
Teng Shitong naturally succeeded the post of Minister of Personnel, was promoted to the rank of Grand Secretary of the Dongge, and officially entered the cabinet.
He is on the princess' side, so even if Chang Wei dies, Xie Mingzhuo's position cannot be shaken.
At the same time, Minister of Rites Fan Wenxin wrote a letter to the emperor asking to retire. After three times, Xie Mingzhuo agreed to his request and summoned Sichuan Governor Gao Quan back to Beijing to serve as Minister of Rites and participate in government affairs.
The heads of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites all followed the princess's lead.
The Minister of Revenue Yuan Guande is a fence-sitter, and the Right Vice Minister Wei Zhen is from the princess's faction. Even if the Left Vice Minister is dissatisfied, he cannot cause any trouble.
The Minister of War He Zheng had reached an agreement with the princess as early as when the official post station was being reorganized. He has not shown any obvious behavior in recent years, but he has not made any other abnormal moves either.
The Minister of Justice saw the situation clearly, especially after the emperor and the "prince consort" had joined forces many times to successfully arrest important criminals. He knew that the emperor was obsessed with painting and wanted to train more painters for the government, but was unwilling to govern.
The same is true for the Minister of Works. In the past three years, the Tiangong Institute has been the most popular. The new utensils tinkered with by the Queen and the Prince of Qi have quickly become popular throughout the country once they came out. They are all magical tools that benefit the country and the people.
This was inseparable from the extensive publicity by His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin.
The King of Qi and the King of Jin were both uninterested in government affairs; only the princess was willing to govern the country, and she did a better job than the previous emperors. What reason did he have to object?
Even the Emperor, Empress, Prince of Qi and Prince of Jin fully supported the princess in inheriting the throne. There was no need for them, the ministers, to make trouble and bring bad luck upon themselves.
The situation is becoming clearer.
The court officials were nervous and anxious, but the person involved, Xie Mingzhuo, was unusually calm.
She did not rush to ascend the throne, but continued to concentrate on governing the court. One decree after another was passed down, all of which contributed to the goal of enriching the country and strengthening the military.
One day, after finishing the court meeting and preparing to return to the Qianqing Palace for dinner, urgent news suddenly came from the border.
After King Tunu Khan of the Dada tribe died, several princes fought fiercely for the throne and conflicts occurred many times. Wala and Wuliangha tried to take advantage of the situation, but they gained nothing. Instead, they played into the hands of the third prince Badan, who used them to get rid of his two brothers and ascend the throne himself.
After becoming Khan, the first thing he did was revenge. He attacked the two tribes in the name of killing his brother.
Bataan's ambition is evident.
He wanted to unify the grassland and then march south.
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