Ma Qiandao had already started investigating this matter and had already sent the news up.
He didn't take it seriously at first. According to his understanding, this situation existed in several surrounding counties, not just Xianghe County.
So he just reported the situation and waited for a response. To be honest, he didn't take the matter too seriously, it was just a normal official transaction.
It’s different now. His Majesty has paid attention to it and has come down in person. What is this?
This is my chance to shine! As long as His Majesty takes this matter seriously and I investigate it thoroughly, I'll be truly remarkable. At that point, His Majesty will value me, and my chance to soar to prominence will arrive.
He was able to find a job in Xianghe County, Shuntian Prefecture, thanks to Lord Xu Xianchun. Everyone knew that this Lord was deeply rooted in the Jinyiwei. The emperor did not punish him even when he made a serious mistake. In recent years, he has risen to prominence and gained power.
Some people say that sooner or later, Lord Xu will be able to regain command of the Jinyiwei. Even if he doesn't regain command of the Jinyiwei now, his status and power will be considerable. If I can make a contribution this time, I might be transferred back to the capital. One day in the future, maybe I can reach Lord Xu's level.
How could Ma Qiandao not be excited?
"Then tell me." Zhu Youxiao did not comment on Ma Qiandao's attitude.
If he is indeed a talented person, I don't mind promoting him and seeing how he does things.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ma Qiandao quickly agreed. "Ever since the news of the land inventory in the capital spread, many wealthy families have begun releasing people. In addition to tenants, there are also hidden populations."
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao frowned and looked at Ma Qiandao and asked, "Hidden population? Are there still hidden populations these days?"
You have to know that this is the Ming Dynasty, not the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
During the Ming Dynasty, even slaves were required to have household registration. Zhu Yuanzhang's household registration system was extremely strict. Without an official travel permit, you wouldn't be allowed to travel even ten miles, let alone the capital. Even scholars seeking to travel and study required a travel permit and identification documents.
The Ming Dynasty attached great importance to population. Although the Ming Dynasty has been somewhat corrupt over the years, this system has not been abandoned. How could there be such a large number of hidden populations?
This is not right! Even if they are refugees, they shouldn't be in Shuntian Prefecture.
Zhu Youxiao stared at Ma Qiandao, hoping he could give him an explanation.
Ma Qiandao was a little frightened by Zhu Youxiao's stare and quickly said, "Your Majesty, these people are said to be hidden households, but in fact they are not. Most of them are descendants of servants of wealthy families and have no household registration. Some are escaped military households, or rather, most of them are escaped military households. These people were taken in by wealthy families to farm for them. This kind of thing has never happened before and no one knew about it. We have only found out now. The wealthy families are afraid and released them."
"The escaped military households?" After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao sighed helplessly.
This matter has actually been going on for a long time. The Ming Dynasty military households are fleeing every day.
The military households had a hard life and were exploited by generals at all levels. The only way they had to survive was to escape.
After escaping, they lost their household registration and became illegal residents, naturally becoming the targets of these wealthy families.
These people have nothing and just want a way to survive, so they are naturally the best subordinates.
Plus, they were illegal immigrants, so no matter how they were exploited, they dared not say anything. As long as they were not allowed to escape, they could do anything.
Zhu Youxiao also understood.
This is self-explanatory, just like the illegal migrant workers. They are migrant workers themselves, carrying original sin, so when they are exploited, they dare not resist, because the consequences of resistance are very tragic, and some are even killed and buried without anyone knowing.
After all, he is an illegal resident, and no one will take charge if the body is not found.
Zhu Youxiao had seen this kind of thing before he traveled through time. This was the case in later generations, let alone the current Ming Dynasty?
Zhu Youxiao asked again, "Why are they panicking?"
"Because some people say that this time the court is investigating the land and the tenants as well. They have so much land, who is farming it? They are afraid of being punished."
Harboring fugitive military households is also a serious crime. If the case is really investigated, it can be linked to treason.
So after this incident got out, these people became frightened and drove out all the escaped military households, resulting in a wave of refugees.
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