The policy of distributing the tax on land to households was a major reform of the taxation and corvée system during the Qing Dynasty.

This marks the abolition of the poll tax that had been in practice for more than 2,000 years.

The implementation of this system has reduced the economic burden of landless and land-poor farmers and promoted population growth.

Workers have greater freedom in life, which is conducive to the development of social economy.

The simplification of tax rules reduces the possibility of officials arbitrarily increasing taxes.

The most obvious thing is that it will greatly stimulate population growth.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard his eldest grandson say this, he immediately understood the meaning of it. It was easy to understand and did not require too much explanation.

The so-called levies and taxes, although both involve collecting money, are actually somewhat different from each other, to put it simply.

The money collected is provided to the country's armed forces and can be understood as military tax.

The money collected from taxes is used for the country's economic development.

The Ding tax that Da Sun mentioned is a tax-related tax.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not show any appreciation, but instead looked at his eldest grandson with a strange look.

"Grandson, have you ever thought about how much money and grain the national treasury would lose in annual revenue if the Ding tax was abolished?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice.

How could the eldest grandson, who is so smart, come up with such an idea?

The Ding tax system has existed since ancient times. It's not that Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to keep it. It's just that from today's perspective, the annual revenue from the Ding tax is obviously much higher.

The abolition of the Ding tax would have an immeasurable impact on the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty's treasury.

Zhu Ying was not too surprised by the old man's reaction.

The policy of dividing the land tax into different taxes, which seems to be highly effective in later generations, is actually not of much benefit to the Ming Dynasty at that time.

The policies of each period should be tailored to local conditions and suit the current situation, rather than just piling up all the good policies together and expecting the Ming Dynasty to become powerful.

The reason why the system of allocating land tax to each household had such a strong effect during the Qing Dynasty was a stroke of genius. The key to this was the concealment of the population.

A large number of people were concealed from the household registration, and no one knew how many servants they had. These concealed people did not pay taxes.

During the Qing Dynasty, the group that concealed the most population information was the Eight Banners descendants.

Therefore, after the land tax was distributed according to the land area, the tax revenue of the Qing Dynasty would directly soar. To some extent, it was a helpless move.

But for the current Ming Dynasty, the situation is completely different.

The population situation of previous dynasties is unknown. As for the current Ming Dynasty, after experiencing the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, especially the occupational allocation system implemented by Zhu Yuanzhang, including the household registration system, basically everything was registered and there was no hidden population.

This means that the Ding tax currently accounts for a considerable proportion of the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty’s treasury.

Abolishing the Ding tax and calculating all taxes directly based on real estate would actually lead to a significant reduction in annual revenue.

The annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty's treasury is already very tight, and now there is another wave of reduction. It is obvious that the coming year will be even more difficult.

Don't think that the policy of dividing the land tax by land is very smart. The military tax was levied according to the land, and now the personal income tax is also being implemented in this way.

Doesn’t Zhu Ying understand this?

Of course he knew it in his heart, otherwise he wouldn't have waited until this time to bring it up. But since he knew it, why did Zhu Ying still bring it up?

The most important purpose is to eliminate the gap between the rich and the poor as much as possible.

Only by narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor can social contradictions become less acute.

"Those with more land will sell more, those with less will sell less, and those with none will sell nothing. Even for the lower-class people, finding a job will make their life burden much lighter."

Zhu Ying explained.

After listening to the explanation of his eldest grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately understood his eldest grandson's idea. However, in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, his eldest grandson took it for granted at this moment.

In the words of later generations, it was too idealistic and unrealistic.

Seeing the old man frowning and not showing much agreement, Zhu Ying said with confidence: "My grandson knows that the abolition of the Ding tax will reduce the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty's treasury and even affect the stability of the Ming Dynasty."

"Since my grandson dared to bring this up, he must have come prepared and has already prepared a solution to this problem."

After Zhu Ying finished speaking, he did not continue speaking. Instead, he picked up the tea that was already a little cold on the table and took a sip.

Hearing what his eldest grandson said, Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly encouraged and his brows relaxed a lot. He wanted to hear if his eldest grandson had any other ideas that could solve this problem.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with his eldest grandson's brilliant ideas.

However, seeing his eldest grandson drinking tea by himself, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and thought of whetting his appetite. He also picked up the teacup and drank it slowly.

Old fox!

Zhu Ying was speechless. Didn't the old man have a bad temper? How could he be so calm?

Seeing this, Zhu Ying put down his teacup, rolled his eyes, and asked, "In Grandpa's opinion, our Ming Dynasty is extremely rich in resources and has everything."

"Of course." Zhu Yuanzhang replied casually, holding the teacup in one hand.

Since ancient times, China has been the center of the world, and the barbaric lands in all directions are barren. This is well known.

"But Grandpa, do you know that outside the mountains and seas of Daming, there are all kinds of rare treasures, and even crops that produce a thousand kilograms per mu. People living there don't have to work hard and can have enough food and clothing."

Zhu Ying said with a smile.

At this point, Zhu Ying's thoughts were already very clear. He just wanted to arouse the old man's curiosity about overseas.

Regardless of anything else, the maritime ban must be lifted.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm when he heard this, and asked calmly, "Oh, there is actually such a place outside of the Ming Dynasty. I have never heard of it."

In July of the 25th year of Hongwu, there is no world map. The earliest geomancy map of the world in the Ming Dynasty was drawn in the 12th year of Wanli.

Apart from having some knowledge of the territory ruled by the Mongols, Zhu Yuanzhang actually only had a vague concept of the Ming Dynasty based on what he had read in books.

Although the topic of his eldest grandson successfully aroused his interest, Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent.

Little fox, I'm not as superficial as you think.

Even though Zhu Yuanzhang tried hard to hide it, Zhu Ying still saw some clues.

With a slight smile, Zhu Ying teased the old man again and said, "I think Grandpa has already known some of my grandson's past experiences. Have you ever thought that so many people under my command are from the Western Regions, the outside of the Great Wall, and other cold and barren areas?"

"Why can they still feed so many people every year? Even in the severe winter when others are hungry and cold, their grandson can still continue to recruit members."

These words finally caused Zhu Yuanzhang's expression to change significantly.

Zhu Ying was right. When Zhu Yuanzhang was looking at the detailed information of his eldest grandson, he keenly discovered this problem. However, out of love for his eldest grandson, he did not dig into the matter.

"Grandson, tell me what's going on. I'm really confused."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask, he was able to endure until today only because the person sitting opposite him was his most beloved grandson.

If it were anyone else, after seeing the details of the intelligence, he would not resort to any means to dig out the secrets.

Even if it means mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops to march into the Western Regions, it would be worth it.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly thought of what his eldest grandson had said before about overseas. Combined with the business run by his eldest grandson and his overseas connections, he suddenly had an epiphany.

Zhu Ying’s subsequent words directly confirmed Zhu Yuanzhang’s guess.

"To be honest, Grandpa, the main reason why I was able to continuously gather other forces and support such a large group of people is that when I was wandering in the Western Regions, I once obtained tree seeds and crops from overseas merchants."

"It was a coincidence. My grandson didn't take it too seriously at the time. Maybe even the merchant didn't know the situation and just regarded it as a toy for viewing."

"By chance, my grandson unexpectedly discovered that these crops are very tolerant to cold weather, and their yield per mu is extremely amazing. After my grandson's experiments, he was able to achieve a yield of over a thousand kilograms per mu."

"Not only that, these crops do not require intensive cultivation. They can grow vigorously on their own with simple care. They are simply a gift from God."

"Thanks to these crops, my grandson no longer has to worry about food. Therefore, before the severe winter when others can't survive, my grandson will directly recruit them. Every year, the forces under my command have almost doubled."

"If we weren't worried about the unstable foundation, I think the scale of our command would be much larger."

Zhu Ying slowly explained that this was his most core secret at the moment and that only the closest people could have access to it.

When these foods are sent out, they are ground into powder so that no one else knows about it.

For example, sweet potatoes are often served with rice, making them unrecognizable.

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt like he was suffocating.

Although it was not much different from what I had expected, I was still shocked when I heard what my eldest grandson said.

Several words suddenly appeared in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind: resistant to hardship and cold, no need for fertile land, high yield, and there are many more.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang asked hurriedly, "Grandson, you have brought your crops to the capital. Can you let us take a look at them?"

Even so, Zhu Yuanzhang still spoke to his eldest grandson in a negotiating tone, not in a commanding or oppressive manner.

Zhu Ying was delicate and sensitive. Feeling the old man's attitude towards him, he felt warm in his heart and said without hesitation:

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I didn't bring these crops with me to prevent any accidents. But I asked you for the post station documents a while ago, and they have been sent to the Western Regions at full speed."

"My grandson has asked someone to bring a large amount of grain seeds. According to the time, they are now on the way to the capital. In half a month at most, you will be able to see your grandfather."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Ying looked at the old man's excited face and added again: "Grandpa, don't expect too much. I have tried it. Although these crops can be grown in the territory of Ming Dynasty, they will be affected by the land."

"After turning the seedlings a few times, the yield will drop significantly, just like a person suffering from a disease. My grandson has also arranged for people to study it, but there is no solution yet."

Potato crops are buried underground and are most susceptible to virus invasion. Zhu Ying is not an encyclopedia and has not memorized the encyclopedia, so naturally he does not know how to detoxify.

This involves knowledge related to chemistry in later generations. Obviously, given the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, it will be difficult to find a detoxification method for a long time.

However, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn are particularly easy to grow. Like rice fields, they do not take up living space. In addition, they are cold-resistant and drought-resistant and do not require any care. For the people of the Ming Dynasty today, they are a real blessing.

Moreover, if the three crops are planted in rotation, even if they are really affected by pathogens, the worst that can happen is to take the dumbest method, which is to directly destroy the crops in the areas where tubers fail to form and corn is moldy, so as to block the spread.

Then replace the seeds with new ones and it can be maintained.

But obviously, the technology of detoxification needs to be studied from now on.

In the Western Regions, there have not been many breakthroughs in the area of ​​detoxification, but after years of planting, there is some experience in protecting potatoes and corn.

"Even if it's less, how much less will it be?" Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but ask.

"Even if the yield is reduced, as long as there is no inability to produce seeds, there will be no problem with a yield of several hundred kilograms per mu. I have recorded the experience of planting in a book and will distribute it with the crops. At the same time, we will strengthen the research on these crops. I think there will not be too big a problem."

"While we were talking about this, I discovered that my uncle has a strong interest in and rich experience in agriculture. I am planning to set up an agricultural school in Daming to specialize in researching everything related to crops."

"I just want to ask Uncle Wu to help my grandson and set up the Agricultural School together to ensure food supply for me tomorrow."

As Zhu Ying finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but shout, "Good idea!"

"My grandson is indeed my grandson. This is a great idea. What a great agricultural school. It is dedicated to the research of various crops, mainly to increase the yield per mu. If we can make some progress, the people of our Ming Dynasty will no longer have to worry about having no food to eat."

Now Zhu Yuanzhang's face is flushed with excitement. He feels that his eldest grandson is a gift from God to him.

Whether it is the matchlock gun or high-yield crops, it is entirely conceivable that for the Ming Dynasty today, it will definitely cause earth-shaking changes.

By then, the Ming Dynasty will be rich and strong, the people will no longer suffer from hunger, and the army will have powerful firearms.

Is there anyone in this world who cannot be fought?

Zhu Yuanzhang was once worried that his eldest grandson would engage in militarism, but now it seems that he knew too little.

Knowing what Da Sun said, who could still resist the urge to conquer the Wolf and the Lair?

Even the current Zhu Yuanzhang has felt his long-dormant ambitions beginning to stir.