Since the Mid-Autumn Festival, the temperature in the capital is as cool as a day, and I don't know when, the maple leaves outside the window have been quietly plated with a layer of light red. The afternoon sun poured in through the window and scattered on the green brick floor, and some fine particles of dust drifted in the beams.

Xu Jin stood up from behind the case and stretched, moved his hands and feet, and his pantothenic neck, and walked to the window again, and quietly looked at the frost-stained maple tree outside the window for a while, so that his tired eyes could be relaxed.

At this moment, there are several large stacks of thick books on the desk, all of which are yellow books and fish scale albums.

The so-called Yellow Book is the household registration book of the Ming Dynasty, which records the household's registration, age, dingkou, field property, occupation, etc. The fish scale atlas is a kind of land registration book, which arranges and connects the houses, forests, ponds and fields in order, and indicates the corresponding name and number, which is the general book of the folk fields, and is called the fish scale atlas because the graphics drawn are like fish scales.

The Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Atlas are the main basis for the government to levy taxes and levy labor, and every ten years, the Household Department will recompile the Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Atlas, and in the next ten years, taxes and forced labor will be levied according to the Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Atlas.

Today is the first day of the ninth lunar month, and in the blink of an eye, Xu Jin has been in the household department for five days, and in the past few days, Xu Jin has been familiar with affairs, but he has also looked through a large number of these yellow books and fish scale atlases.

It is said that the Ming Dynasty has been established for more than 150 years, from the 14th year of Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty compiled the Yellow Book, and then rebuilt it every ten years, and now it has been repaired a total of 13 times, and the Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Atlas are piled up in the household treasury as many as hundreds of thousands of volumes.

Therefore, it is impossible for Xu Jin to read them all, he just roughly looked through more than a dozen general books of the whole country, as well as the general books of Beizhili, and did not read the specific sub-volumes of the prefectures and counties, there is really no time, and there is no need for that.

Because as long as you read the general book, many questions are clear at a glance, to be honest, Xu Jin's mood is a little heavy now. I really don't know if I don't see it, and I'm shocked when I see it. Because according to the record of the fish scale atlas compiled in the 24th year of Hongwu, the entire Ming Dynasty registered more than 8.5 million hectares of land at that time, but by the 15th year of Hongzhi, only more than 4.2 million hectares of land registered in the fish scale atlas were left, which was more than half.

You must know that in feudal society, the financial income of the imperial court is mainly the tax on the land, which is less than half, and the tax will naturally be reduced by half, but the expenditure of the imperial court is getting bigger and bigger, in order to maintain the balance of income and expenditure, it is natural to increase the tax, so that the people are naturally miserable, it is no wonder that in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, various popular uprisings emerged one after another.

It can be said that the current Ming Dynasty has been sick to the bone marrow, if it is not drastic to reform and reverse this erosive situation of making ends meet, it will only end up in destruction.

Xu Jin stroked the windowsill with both hands and sighed secretly, he remembered that in the history of the Ming Dynasty, a generation of Ming Minister Zhang Juzheng was a man of insight, he was obviously aware of this drawback of the Ming Dynasty, so he carried out drastic reforms, re-measured the land, and implemented a whip law, which really reversed the financial crisis in a short period of time, and made the treasury of the Ming Dynasty increasingly full, and to a certain extent, continued the life of the Ming Dynasty for several decades. It's a pity that Zhang Juzheng died early, and after his death, Emperor Wanli quickly made a mess of the good country left to him by his teacher.

Xu Jin wanted to use Zhang Juzheng's method, but Xu Jin also understood that with his current status, there was no way to compare with Zhang Juzheng.

Emperor Wanli was only nine years old when he ascended the throne, he didn't understand anything, and he entrusted everything to Zhang Juzheng, the head of the cabinet, so Zhang Juzheng held great power, to put it vulgarly, Zhang Ge's old fart was more effective than Emperor Wanli. It is precisely because Zhang Juzheng has taken charge of the DPRK program that he has been able to ignore the huge resistance and smoothly carry out reforms.

Therefore, it is very difficult for Xu Jin to copy Zhang Juzheng's set, and if he doesn't get it, he will put himself in. Even Zhang Juzheng, after his death, the fate was very miserable, the interest groups fought back violently, Zhang was finally posthumously dismissed, the Zhang family was also confiscated, and the family members were also scattered.

Xu Jin didn't want to follow in the footsteps of Zhang Ge Lao, if he really wanted to copy Zhang Ge Lao's approach, Xu Jin would also think of a way out for himself and future generations in advance. It is more difficult than landing safely than flying into the sky to attract attention. You don't see how many famous people in history, they once dominated the world, but in the end it was a bleak night!

Xu Jin stood on the window for a while, and after returning to the case, he continued to look through the fish scale atlas of Beizhili, after all, the focus of his next work was Qingtianzhuang, and it was necessary to find out the situation of the fields in the Zhili area, so that he could know it in his heart.

At about three o'clock in the afternoon, there was still half an hour to get off work, but at this time, a little eunuch entered Xu Jin's office, smiled and saluted: "The little one has seen Jing Anbo!" ”

Xu Jin recognized that this little eunuch was the little yellow door waiting beside Zhu Houxi, stood up and said politely: "Little father-in-law, please sit down, is there something wrong with coming to this official?" ”

As the so-called Hades are easy to see, the little ghosts are difficult to deal with. Although these little yellow doors have a low status, they are the emperor's close attendants after all, you can not stammer, but you must not be offended, and it is enough to say a few bad things about you in front of the emperor that day.

Although the current relationship between Xu Jin and the little emperor is not casual, the so-called three people become tigers, and they have to be prevented. So there is no harm in having a good relationship with these little eunuchs.

This little yellow door couldn't help but be a little flattered when he saw Xu Jin so polite, you must know that now the civil official group is powerful, and the eunuch group is miserable, and the big eunuchs in the palace have to pretend to be grandsons in front of the civil officials, not to mention those shrimp and miscellaneous fish.

Xiao Huangmen said with a smile: "You don't have to sit, the emperor will see you, please Jing Anbo follow the little one into the palace." ”

Xu Jin nodded and said, "Then please ask the little father-in-law to lead the way." ”

Xiao Huangmen hurriedly said: "Jing Anbo is polite. ”

About two quarters of an hour, Xu Jin followed the little yellow gate into the palace and came to the Qianqing Palace Yangxin Palace, where the emperor usually lived and ate. Behind the Qianqing Palace is the Kunning Palace, which is where the queen lives.

It is said that the queen's surname Chen was canonized by Zhu Houxi, who was only twelve years old, Xu Jin only saw it once during the pilgrimage, and it was indeed a little beauty embryo, but he was only twelve years old, sitting on the phoenix throne with a small face and pretending to be old, which was really a little boring.

Xu Jin entered the Heart Cultivation Palace, and saw that Zhu Houxi's kid was wearing a regular suit, and he had changed from a little boy to a little man, and he seemed to be more mature, and he was full of energy, and he was probably still in the sweet period of married life.

"Minister-see the emperor!" Xu Jin walked into the hall with his front legs, and shouted in a long voice from a distance.

"Well, flat!" Zhu Houxi, who was nibbling on sweet potatoes, replied casually, so Xu Jin, who had just bent down, stood up and saved his kneeling.

Zhu Houxi glanced at Xu Jin with disdain, he had long been accustomed to someone's shameless trick, so he casually took a sweet potato from the plate and threw it over.

Xu Jin caught it quickly, peeled off the skin and took a bite, and said with a smile: "Thank you for the emperor's reward, the emperor actually only eats sweet potatoes for lunch, so frugal, he is really a model for our courtiers, the Ming Jun is in the court, the blessing of the country, and the people are very lucky." ”

Zhu Houxi pouted and said: "Although Xu Qing's appearance is very shameless, I like it very much, I hope Xu Qing will make persistent efforts, and I can consider making you a sycophant king." ”

"Emperor Xie, the ministers will work hard!"

Zhu Houxi laughed, pointed at Xu Jin and said, "Xu Jin, you are becoming more and more shameless...... Belch! ”

Zhu Houxi laughed while eating sweet potatoes, but choked, and the laughter stopped abruptly, like a rooster that was choked by the neck, Xu Jin hurriedly stepped forward and poured a cup of tea and handed it over, the former took a sip of water before he eased up, patted his chest and said rudely: "Grandma's, I almost became the first emperor to choke to death." ”

Xu Jin was sweating, but he didn't dare to laugh anymore, and changed the topic and said, "Does the emperor really eat this for lunch?" ”

Zhu Houxi sighed and said: "Xu Qing doesn't know anything, I am already poor, and this wedding cost 500,000 taels of silver, and I can't open the pot, so I can only eat sweet potatoes." ”

Xu Jin nibbled on the sweet potato, glanced at the kid, and said, "Is it the sweet potato harvest in Huangzhuang?" ”

Zhu Houxi said with a smile: "I guessed it, these sweet potatoes were sent to the palace by the eunuch Guan Zhuang the day before yesterday, and they are 30,000 catties." I gave some to the palaces and ministers, and you can bring ten catties back to Sister Xiaowan and them to taste when you go back. ”

Xu Jin smiled and said, "Thank the emperor for the reward!" ”

Zhu Houxi burped and said: "Xu Qing, these sweet potatoes are really high-yielding, I just tried to plant fifty acres in the Huangzhuang on the outskirts of Beijing, and I actually harvested more than 100,000 catties, which is amazing." ”

Xu Jin smiled, the yield of sweet potatoes per mu in later generations is 6,000 catties, and even more than 10,000 catties, and the harvest of 50 mu is 100,000 catties, which is about 2,000 catties per mu, which is really nothing.

"There are so many sweet potatoes, I can't eat them all, why don't you have a sweet potato banquet and let the civil and military officials enjoy it together?" Zhu Houxi patted his belly, with the face of an upstart.

Xu Jin wanted to kick this kid and reminded: "The emperor can make dried sweet potatoes, or distribute them to the people, which can not only show the emperor's grace, but also achieve the purpose of promoting sweet potatoes." ”

Zhu Houxi's eyes lit up, and he said happily: "Xu Qing's idea is very good, and when I turn around, I will tell the Shangshan supervisor to do it." Hey, I heard from Sun Jiao that the sweet potatoes in Wanping County have also been harvested this year, and I have decided to promote them in Beizhili, Shanxi and Shaanxi next year, so that more people of the Ming Dynasty will be able to fill their stomachs. Yang Qing, this is all thanks to you and Sister Xiaowan! ”

Xu Jin hurriedly said modestly: "That's because of the emperor's sage!" ”

Although he knew that Xu Jin was patting on the back, Zhu Houxi was still quite happy, picked up another piece of sweet potato and took a bite, and said happily: "This year's summer tax has been escorted into Beijing one after another, although this year's tax is reduced by half, but fortunately, the wind and rain are smooth and the grain harvest is abundant, so the income of the treasury is estimated to be not much worse than last year!" ”

Xu Jin smiled when he heard this: "Congratulations to the emperor!" ”

Zhu Houxi shrugged his shoulders and said a little distressedly: "Despite this, I still can't make ends meet, and this summer tax is estimated to be only enough to allocate to the border army." By the way, Xu Qing has been performing his duties in the household department for a while, how do you feel? ”

Xu Jin smiled bitterly: "It's okay if the emperor doesn't ask, but the minister has a headache when he asks, and the minister has fallen into the pit this time." ”

Zhu Houxi was stunned for a moment, frowned, and said, "What's going on?" ”

It is said that Zhu Houyu originally wanted Xu Jin to return to Hanlin to study, but the cabinet couldn't pass it, and later the second cabinet decided to promote Xu Jin to the household department, although Zhu Houyu was not very satisfied, but he reluctantly agreed, after all, this position is not bad, and the household department is a money bag, Xu Jin is good at financial management, just to make the best use of it.

Xu Jin did not hide it, and told the situation he had mastered in the household department in the past few days. Zhu Houxi couldn't sit still after hearing this, and frowned: "My Ming Dynasty's Futian has actually decreased by more than four million hectares compared to the Taizu period, what the hell is going on?" ”

"Your Majesty, according to the records of the household department, the imperial village in Gyeonggi alone covers an area of 40,000 hectares, and there are more than 35,000 hectares of fields under the names of various relatives, vassal kings, gentry, and internal officials...... They don't pay taxes! ”

Zhu Houxi couldn't help blushing, the Huangzhuang is the manor under his name, of course, this is none of his business, he has not added the Huangzhuang since he ascended the throne, the current Huangzhuang is left by the previous emperor, he is just a beneficiary, muttering: "That adds up to only 780,000 hectares, which is not enough for a fraction of more than 4 million hectares." ”

Xu Jin smiled and said: "Huangzhuang is not only in Gyeonggi, as far as the minister knows, there are more than 200 Huangzhuang in the country, covering a total area of no less than 100,000 hectares. ”

Zhu Houxi's face was a little unbearable, and he glared at Xu Jin and said: "Which pot do you don't open and mention, that's good, just take my imperial village to occupy 200,000 hectares, so where is the rest?" ”

Xu Jin said indifferently: "The emperor is a little restless, those disappeared lands are naturally hidden by the gentry and landlords from all over the country, which is exactly the problem that Qingtianzhuang needs to solve." ”

Zhu Houxi said angrily: "How can this be reasonable, I have heard before that some cunning traitors sacrificed their fields to the names of scholars in order to avoid paying taxes. I thought it was just a disease of scabies, but I didn't expect it to halve my Daming Futian, these bastards are really hateful. ”

Xu Jin coughed lightly and said: "Your Majesty, if there are loopholes in the law, it is no wonder that others take advantage of the loopholes, in fact, the people's donation of land is only a secondary reason for the sharp decline in the endowment of land, the most important thing is that the squire and landlords wantonly embezzle the fields, and collude with local officials to cheat, do tricks and tricks in the yellow book and fish scale plots, hide the fields, transfer the servitude, and it is obviously the upper field, but only pay the tax on the field, etc. ”

Zhu Houxi frowned and said, "Then how to solve it?" ”

Xu Jin said calmly: "It's very simple, re-measure the land of the whole country, and re-make the Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Atlas. ”

Zhu Houxi was silent for a moment, the resistance of Qingtianzhuang was already very huge, if the land was re-measured, it would undoubtedly completely damage the interests of the gentry class in the whole world, and the resistance could be imagined.

Xu Jin ...... Is this possible? Zhu Houxi said hesitantly.

Xu Jin said bluntly: "It's not feasible yet, but it's imperative." ”

"Why?"

"The emperor's foundation is not stable, so it is not appropriate to implement it now, but this matter is related to the continuation of the Ming Dynasty, so it is imperative."

Zhu Houxi couldn't help but show a thoughtful look, and said in a low voice: "Then Xu Qing means to implement it in a few years?" ”

Xu Jin nodded approvingly: "The emperor can also implement it in Gyeonggi first, and then gradually promote it to the whole country, so that there will naturally be a lot less resistance." ”

Zhu Houxi nodded approvingly, and asked, "By the way, Xu Qing is in charge of Beizhili, how is the effect of Qingtianzhuang now?" ”

Xu Jin spread his hands and said helplessly: "So far, less than 10,000 hectares of land have been cleared, of which 3,000 hectares are Huangzhuang. ”

The little emperor was suddenly unhappy, I retreated three thousand acres, you ministers and nobles even want to pluck the hair, forget it, there is such a cheap thing, angrily slapped the table and said: "Xu Jin, give me a bold job, let it go, everything is in charge, if anyone dares to obstruct it, you tell me!" ”

Xu Jin waited for this promise, and immediately said with a righteous attitude: "The minister's decree, but can the emperor make a holy decree to grant the minister the power to act cheaply and measure all the fields in Jin?" ”

Zhu Houxi waved his hand happily and said: "Okay, when I go back, I will let the cabinet allocate a holy decree, even if I let it go, how can my country allow these guys to be corrupted." ”

Xu Jin couldn't help but secretly rejoice, Shang Fang's sword was in his hands, and it would be easy to do next.

The two chatted for a while, and at this time it was already time to get off work, and Boss Zhu was also very considerate of the "employee", and ordered the eunuch to load a basket of sweet potatoes for Xu Jin, and then sent him out of the palace.