I really don't want to be emperor at the end of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 423 Chongzhen, do you regret it?
Chapter 423

The front page of the "Ming Empire Times" contained an anonymous vernacular article, which was written about Zhou Yanru of Nanming. Because of Cheng Shijie, a butterfly from another world, Zhou Yanru occupied a place in Nanming.

However, he is now very frightened. The newspaper has revealed how he accumulated hundreds of millions of wealth through tax evasion and lived a luxurious life.The person who wrote this article is really capable. He even found out how much Zhou Yanru made every month, how much tax he evaded, and how much money he spent on which concubine he had on a certain day of the month and year.

The core idea of ​​this article is just one sentence: Look, this bastard spends much more on any meal than the tax he pays, but they are unwilling to pay and are forcing us, ordinary people, to pay. !

Zhou Yanru rubbed his temples with a headache, and thought to himself: "How on earth did the thief find this?"

Zhou Yanru was very surprised. He was not as masculine as someone else. Only once in his life, because he drank too much, did he give Yang Pu, the man from Hangzhou who had been drinking and chatting with him at night, to Yang Pu. Afterwards, Zhou Yanru was afraid Others found out that it was affecting his reputation, so they had Yang Pu killed. But the problem was that he had silenced all of them. Yang Pu, his book boy, long followers, and retinues were all killed. Burned the fire to charcoal.

Even the person who personally performed the operation was silenced. However, what Zhou Yanru didn't know was that Yang Pu, the victim of this incident, did not die. Instead, after escaping from death, in order to escape Zhou Yanru's persecution, Yang Pu changed his name to Yang Zhongming and became The small flag of Nanjing Jinyiwei gradually became the envoy of Nanjing Jinyiwei Town by virtue of his culture and means.

This time Cheng Shijie wanted to bring disgrace to the Jiangnan small court and the Jiangnan gentry. When he saw Zhou Yanru's name, he followed the trend and added this old case to the list.

At this time, the officials of the Nanjing court felt incredible when they read this article. Many of them knew Zhou Yanru. Although these things were not confidential, it was not easy to find out so clearly. , but Cheng Shijie did it, taking off their underwear with almost no effort!
Damn it, does he have spies in everyone's house?

If so, that would be terrible!

……

Beijing, Dongzhimen, Chengfu.

Although Cheng Shijie became the regent and overseer of the country, he did not live in the Forbidden City. At this time, the Forbidden City was mostly empty, and the original palace maids and eunuchs of the Chongzhen Dynasty were no longer alive.

Cheng Shijie likes to live in his own home so that he can sleep peacefully.

There are actually not many officials who disclose their property in newspapers, but not many actually separate their families. Sun Zhiwan asked with some confusion: "Your Majesty, why do we have to separate our families?"

Cheng Shijie did not directly answer Sun Zhiman's question, but asked instead: "Yongyan, have you read "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms"?"

"Know a thing or two!"

Cheng Shijie has read the Three Kingdoms. Cheng Shijie has read "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" countless times. People of different ages have different feelings about reading the Three Kingdoms.

At first, Cheng Shijie fell in love with Lu Bu, who was handsome, fierce, and arrogant. He would kill his adoptive father at any disagreement. Later, he fell in love with Zhao Zilong, who had a white horse and a silver spear. Then he fell in love with Zhuge Liang. At that time, Cheng Shijie didn't know what tactics were. What is a hero, what is a war, what is an era.

It wasn't until he became the chief clerk of the Hansteel Group Office that Cheng Shijie had a different understanding of the Three Kingdoms. He began to like Cao Cao and understand Cao Cao's difficulties and hardships.

Cheng Shijie asked: "Do you know why Cao Cao wanted to kill Bian Yi?"

Why did Cao Cao want to kill Bian Yi?Whether it is official history or novels, it will be said that Bian Rang scolded Cao Cao, and Cao Cao killed Bian Rang in anger, and then the entire Yanzhou rebelled, and Cao Cao almost became a rogue bandit with no territory.

Sun Zhiwan knew that what Cheng Shijie asked was definitely not the answer recorded in the history books, so he said sincerely: "I think Cao Cao is narrow-minded..."

Cheng Shijie shook his head and said: "Yongyan, do you believe that Cao Cao is a narrow-minded person?"

"Do not believe……"

Sun Zhiman vaguely understood Cheng Shijie's allusion.

Cheng Shijie said: "Do you think Cao Cao doesn't know the consequences of killing Bian Yi?"

"Should know?"

"Since Cao Cao knew the consequences of killing Bian Cang, why did he kill Bian Cang?"

"This one……"

"Because he has no choice!"

Cheng Shijie did not continue to dwell on this issue, but said directly: "Back then, when Ning Haijun was founded, why did I lead Ning Haijun to cross Liaonan eastward?"

"The King...had no choice at that time!"

Cheng Shijie said: "Actually, Cao Cao had no choice at that time, because at that time, the eighteen princes challenged Dong. Cao Cao was defeated by Xu Rong, Dong Zhuo's subordinate. He was injured. Fortunately, he was rescued by Cao Hong. Almost all his soldiers were lost. It can be said that he was almost defeated. After breaking the bones, Cao Cao took over Yanzhou as a herdsman. How many men did Cao Cao have at that time??"

"Historical record!"

"There will definitely be no more than 5000 troops!"

Cheng Shijie continued: "What choice should Cao Cao make at that time? He had no choice but to set up a surprise ambush to defeat the Yellow Turbans. He surrendered more than [-] people and had a population of more than one million. Then the question became, what about these millions of Qingzhou Yellow Turbans? Come to support him? He can only ask for help from the Yanzhou gentry. Obviously, Cao Cao will not be harmed by Bianyi. Cao Cao will kill Bianyi, not entirely because Bianyi scolds Cao Cao, but because of food. If he wants to live, he will love Millions of Yellow Turbans. We must live, and only by killing Bian Rang and confiscating Bian Rang’s house can we obtain food and land!”

Cheng Shijie realized Cao Cao's difficulty only later. He attacked Xuzhou for grain. However, Xuzhou Tao Qian asked Zharong to transport the grain away. He originally wanted to transport it to Tan County, the seat of Xuzhou, but Zharong instead transported the grain to Tan County. Guangling, so Cao Cao could only fight and massacre the city all the way.

Didn't Cao Cao know that killing Bian Rang would mean annihilation in Yanzhou?He knew, but he had no choice. At that time, unlike the Yuan family of the Fourth Generation and Three Dukes, he could get the support of the nobles in the world. He could only rely on the Yellow Turban Army, which was born in mud. But if he wanted the Yellow Turban Army to work for him, he had to feed the Yellow Turban Army. , with more than 100 million mouths, how much food is needed?
It can be said that Cao Cao was brought out.

Cheng Shijie sympathized with Cao Cao, because he was forced all the way. Cheng Shijie didn't want to die, so he could only go on step by step.

Sun Zhiyi was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat.

Cheng Shijie would definitely not tell Cao Cao's story without reason, especially when he told Cao Cao about killing Bian Rang and Cao Cao slaughtering Xuzhou. Bian Rang relied on his fame and influence and thought that Cao Cao did not dare to do anything to him. In the end, Bian Rang was wrong. The body dies and the clan dies.

In the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty could rely on the nobles to unify the world. In the last years of Cao Wei, Sima Yan could also rely on the nobles to unify the world. But the problem was that the nobles and clans needed too much, and even if they relied on them, they would bite back.

The Eastern Han Dynasty perished because of the gentry, and the two Jin Dynasties also perished because of the gentry.

Although the Ming Dynasty did not rely on the gentry to make its fortune, the nobles of the Ming Dynasty became the new gentry, and the gentry became the cancer of the Ming Dynasty. Cheng Shijie would not allow the existence of the gentry. Although the Sun family maintained a close relationship with Cheng Shijie, Cheng Shijie The first one allowed the Sun family to separate.

The conversation between Sun Zhiyi and Cheng Shijie spread in a small area, and more and more ministers and generals separated from each other. Of course, there is no big family in Ning Haijun's direct family, because at most they are like Chen Dayong so far, 40 Many children, others less.

It would take a long time for Chen Dayong to establish the Chen family. However, in fact, among Chen Dayong's more than 40 children, only one could barely be considered an official, and that was Chen Zhong, who followed Cheng Jiayue.Only counts as companion reading.

In short, the big families within the Ming Empire are busy dividing their families, because dividing their families means they can reduce taxes, and besides the one hundred acres of tax-free land for fallen martyrs, the Ming Dynasty now has no other tax-free land.In fact, some people have proposed legislation to impose a time limit on the tax exemption of this piece of land, but Cheng Shijie did not agree because his goal is to exempt all agricultural taxes.

As long as the industrial revolution is realized, the focus of national taxation will shift in the future, and this article can be said to be unnecessary.

Of course, because of Cheng Shijie's order of no war for spring plowing, when viewed in the world, it was divided into three major parts. The other small courts were busy living and dreaming, the Jiangnan small court was busy fighting for power and profit, and Li Zicheng of the Western Qin Dynasty completed the war against the Western Qin Dynasty. Take complete control, change the military system at the same time, rest and recuperate, and prepare for war.

Cheng Shijie completed the household registration and land reforms for the northern provinces. More than three months passed unknowingly, and the time soon came to the end of March, when spring plowing officially ended.

In fact, the current Ming Royal Army is already a professional army, which is completely different from the original garrison military system. They actually do not need to farm, but only need to fight.

The real purpose of Cheng Shijie's promulgation of the no-war order for spring plowing is actually to give the people of Jiangnan, Huainan, and Guanzhong a chance to breathe. If the war starts after the beginning of the new year, Jiangnan will be fine, but the people of Guanzhong will be even more sad.

Seeing that the war going south to the south of the Yangtze River was getting closer, Cheng Shijie packed up lightly and came to Liaodong, to the Agricultural College in Xinghai City. There was an inconspicuous small rural village here, with a small farm and only a few hundred households.

Although there are only a hundred households, these people are very strong and have sharp eyes.Because there is a big shot living in this humble farmhouse.

That was Emperor Chongzhen. At this time, Emperor Chongzhen was wearing a short cotton shirt. He was swinging a hoe against the scorching sun with his bare feet. He was digging in the field and planting potatoes. He probably had a good life in the past few months. His lean body There is a little more flesh on the lean face, which makes him look more energetic.

Seeing Cheng Shijie appear in front of him, he stood there blankly, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

Emperor Chongzhen held the hoe tightly, and the surrounding people came over one after another to form a large circle. They were all good men under Chen Guodong and were responsible for protecting Emperor Chongzhen.

Of course, it's called protection, but it's actually surveillance.

Cheng Shijie was the first to break the silence: "Why, we haven't known each other since we haven't seen each other for a few months? Come here and help unload the things. Hurry up!"

Cheng Shijie gave the order, and the people around him were busy unloading their things. There was a whole cart full of fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, beef, etc. They were not valuable things, but they were definitely delicious.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the pile of things, pointed at Cheng Shijie and said dumbfounded: "You... are still the same, you haven't changed at all!"

Cheng Shijie shrugged: "I think I'm fine just the way I am now, there's no need to change anything. How about it, are you living well here?"

Emperor Chongzhen threw down the hoe and shook off the dirt on his hands: "It's okay. I have enough food and clothing, and I don't have to worry about a lot of things. I don't know how to deal with them, but I have to deal with them. Those things are too troublesome. It’s too nerve-wracking, so why not just drink tea all day long, ride horses, go fishing, and farm when you’re too busy? It’s quite relaxing and comfortable.”

Is this Chongzhen’s version of Dasein’s reluctance to think about Shu?

Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen did not hate Cheng Shijie on the surface, Cheng Shijie instead became vigilant. Emperor Chongzhen made progress and learned not to show his joy and anger.

Cheng Shijie smiled and said: "You are so carefree and at ease. You left me such a mess and almost exhausted me to death. How about we switch?"

"Change?"

Chongzhen's expression dimmed and he remained silent for a long time. Then he sighed deeply: "Do you want to send me on my way?"

"Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"What's the fear of death? What's the joy of life?"

The two fell silent again.

Cheng Shijie waved his hand and said: "What are you doing in a daze? Work!"

A group of chefs grilled the meat and slaughtered the sheep. Soon, the yard was filled with the rich aroma of food, making people salivate.After tossing for a long time, a table full of delicacies with all colors, flavors and tastes was placed.

At this time, Queen Zhou and Concubine Tian, ​​together with several young princes and princesses, also came out to attend the banquet. They all devoured their food and made their mouths full of oil.

As for Concubine Yuan, she has disappeared so far. Emperor Chongzhen asked doubtfully: "Where is Concubine Yuan?"

"Concubine Yuan is gone!"

Emperor Chongzhen looked sad again. He thought that if he left, he would be dead. But the problem was that Concubine Yuan was really gone, but she was no longer Concubine Yuan, but became Mrs. Shen.

Shen Mingyu moved very quickly, and Mrs. Shen was already pregnant.

Everything for Cheng Shijie was no different from before, he should eat and drink as he should.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Empress Zhou and several princes and princesses, acting as if they were on the verge of death. Cheng Shijie poured him wine. No matter how much he poured, he drank it all in one gulp, which made him look a bit heroic.

After having had enough wine and food, the prince and princesses went to clean up the house with Queen Zhou. In the courtyard of the courtyard, Cheng Shijie and Chongzhen were lying on the lounge chairs and staring at each other.

"What regrets do you have?"

Emperor Chongzhen sighed and said: "I want to see what you do and how you can be better than me!"

Cheng Shijie did not hide anything. He gave Emperor Chongzhen a detailed account of the current situation. After learning the content of the new policies implemented by Cheng Shijie, Emperor Chongzhen was dumbfounded and simply admitted that he did not have the courage to make such reforms. However, Cheng Shijie vigorously and resolutely put the reform on the right track, which shows that it is his destiny to become the emperor.

"I also thought about being as drastic as him and getting rid of all the bad policies, but I couldn't do it. The more I tried, the worse things got."

Chongzhen looked a little bitter, "It is too difficult to be an emperor. If you can suppress the officials, you are the emperor. If you cannot suppress the officials, you are the puppet. And let alone the emperor, I am not even a puppet. I have been controlled by the officials from the beginning to the end. You are walking with your nose in your hands, thinking that your choice is right even though you have already made a big mistake... If it weren't for you and the Lu Qing family, I'm afraid the world would have been named Nurhaci by now. I... I'm ashamed of you loyal ministers, I am ashamed of those thousands of loyal and brave soldiers!"

"I must correct you. The world will never be named Nurhachi?"

"how is this possible?"

"Huang Taiji's surname is Aixinjueluo!"

"(⊙o⊙)..."

"Do you regret it?"

(End of this chapter)