Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

An elderly woman in the crowd stepped forward tremblingly, bowed and saluted, her voice choking with sobs: "Your Highness, I have the audacity to report that although the few acres of land in my family are small, they are the lifeblood of our family. But in recent years, when the land was measured, they always said that my family reported too much land. The taxes are getting heavier every year, and life is getting harder and harder. Now that Your Highness is presiding over justice, I dare to speak up."

Zhu Han heard this, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes, and he walked slowly to the woman and said softly: "Auntie, you can rest assured today. The king and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are here, and any injustice will be returned to you. Do you still have your land deed?"

The woman hurriedly and carefully took out a yellowed land deed from her bosom and handed it over with trembling hands: "Your Highness, this is the land deed left by our ancestors. It was measured in the early years and we have never occupied more land. But in recent years, people from the government office have insisted that my family has occupied public land privately, which has made us miserable."

Zhu Biao took the land deed, flipped through it carefully, looked up and asked, "Magistrate Li, does the number of acres on this deed match your account book?"

Magistrate Li wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a smile: "Your Highness, I will check the account book right away." He hurriedly ordered his men to fetch the account book. After flipping through it for a while, his face gradually became ugly and he stammered: "Reporting to Your Highness, the account book does have three more acres than the land deed..."

Zhu Han's eyes were stern, and he stared coldly at Magistrate Li, his voice full of unquestionable majesty: "Sir Li, since there is an error in the account book, how do you explain it?"

Magistrate Li's calves were shaking, and he knelt down quickly: "Your Highness, I...I am willing to correct the account books immediately and give justice to the people."

Zhu Biao sneered, and glanced sharply at everyone present: "Sir, how can justice be changed again and again? If I hadn't come here in person, wouldn't such a thing never be known?"

Zhu Han raised his hand slightly, signaling Zhu Biao to calm down, then looked at the old woman and said in a gentle tone: "Auntie, don't worry, this land deed will be the best proof from today on, and the government office cannot change it without authorization. If any official makes things difficult for you again, you can appeal."

When the old woman heard this, her eyes were immediately filled with tears. She fell to her knees with a plop and choked up, "Your Highness, how can we country folks dare to hope for such justice? It is truly a blessing from our ancestors that I have met Your Highness today!"

Zhu Biao hurried forward to help the old woman up, and said gently: "Madam, there is no need to do this. The laws of the court are supposed to protect the people. Today, we are just letting the people get what they deserve."

At this time, a thin middle-aged man nearby also mustered up the courage to step forward and said, "Your Highness, Prince, the situation in my home is similar to that of this lady. May I ask Your Highness if I can measure it again?"

Zhu Han said in a clear voice: "Today, all the fields can be reviewed here. If there is any untrue information, the king and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will get to the bottom of it for you."

After hearing this, the people applauded and cheered. The atmosphere became more and more enthusiastic. Many people were so excited that they shed tears and sighed: "With His Highness here, we finally have hope for the future!"

At this time, Zhu Biao smiled slightly, raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and slowly said: "My fellow villagers, today we are just starting a fair process. If you encounter any injustice in the future, you can go to the county government to appeal. I will order people to set up a 'civil sentiment register', and any problems must be reported in a timely manner to ensure that the land tax is fair and correct."

A young scholar in the crowd heard this and said in a loud voice, "Your Highness is indeed wise! If the people's voices can be heard in time, they will no longer be deceived. May I ask Your Highness, how does this 'People's Sentiment Register' work?"

Zhu Han nodded in approval and smiled, "Good question. This book will be recorded by a dedicated person and reported to the king and the crown prince every month. If there is anything untrue, send someone to verify it immediately."

Zhu Biao then added: "Not only that, the elders in the village can also serve as supervisors. If they find that officials are partial to each other or commit corruption, they can report it directly to the emperor."

Hearing this, the people cheered and expressed their willingness to cooperate. The atmosphere in front of the Changping County Government was peaceful.

Zhu Han looked at all this and felt a little relieved. He said to Zhu Biao softly, "Biao'er, today is just the beginning. We need to be more careful in the future to prevent these people from taking advantage of loopholes again."

Zhu Biao looked determined and nodded gently: "Don't worry, uncle, I will live up to your expectations."

As night fell and the breeze blew gently, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao walked slowly on the bluestone path in the backyard of the county government office. In the distance, they could hear the laughter of the people, as if the entire Changping City was immersed in a long-lost tranquility.

Zhu Biao looked up at the night sky, frowned slightly, and whispered: "Uncle, although the land measurement has achieved initial results today, I still have some worries. It is a good thing for the people to get what they want, but if this trend is promoted, will it cause unrest in the local area?"

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes as calm as water, and slowly said: "Biao'er, you are right. Government affairs are like water management, dredging is better than blocking. If we force our way forward, local officials will inevitably become suspicious and even pretend to obey. Although we have successfully corrected the problems in Changping this time, not everyone in other places may be as... 'cooperative' as Magistrate Li."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "Uncle Huang means that we should let the local officials cooperate voluntarily, rather than forcing them?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and nodded, "That's right. People's minds are hard to predict, but if they can see that this move is beneficial to the local area and themselves, they will take the initiative to cater to it instead of resisting it."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up slightly, and he said softly: "Uncle, if this is the case, we may set up a reward and punishment policy in the future. All places where the land is clearly measured, the taxes are in compliance, and the people are stable will be rewarded. This will not only improve the performance of local officials, but also set a good example to inspire others."

Zhu Han looked at Zhu Biao with a look of relief in his eyes: "Your method is not bad. Not only can it make local officials willing to implement this policy, but it can also make the people feel the goodwill of the court. However -" His voice sank slightly, "How to prevent officials from falsely reporting their achievements and whitewashing the situation is the key."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Uncle, this is not difficult. I think, why not select local people as supervisors? Each village can elect a person of high moral character and respect, and submit public opinion every month, forming a two-way assessment, so as to avoid arbitrary officials."

After hearing this, Zhu Han nodded slightly, with a look of approval in his eyes: "Good idea. This way, we can narrow the distance between the court and the people, and also make local officials dare not slack off."

As they were talking, a Jinyiwei came quickly and reported, "Your Highness, Prince, County Magistrate Li requested that we summon the gentry again tomorrow to discuss the details of the land measurement. Do you agree?"

Zhu Biao turned his head to look at Zhu Han and said thoughtfully, "Uncle, County Magistrate Li is so attentive all of a sudden. I'm afraid he wants to take this opportunity to restore his reputation."

Zhu Han smiled faintly, his eyes were sharp, "Since he took the initiative to ask for instructions, we might as well go with the flow. Let him gather the gentry tomorrow, but we must invite a few village wise men who are familiar with land affairs to participate, to prevent him from being perfunctory again."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded slowly and said, "Uncle Emperor has taken thorough considerations. I will personally take charge of tomorrow's affairs and ensure that they are handled properly." The next morning, in the lobby of the county government office, the gentry gathered and bowed to greet him.

Magistrate Li smiled broadly and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness, I invited all the gentry here today to discuss how to make the land measurement more detailed and practical, so as to ensure that the people and the court can rest assured."

Zhu Han sat upright, his expression calm, and said slowly: "Master Li is right. Today's matter is to ask the people for advice. If you have any good ideas, please speak up."

In the crowd, an old man with white hair and beard stepped forward and bowed, speaking in a deep voice: "Your Highness, I think the key to land measurement is transparency. If the measured data of each household can be made public in the village, all villagers can check and compare, which can reduce errors and prevent abuse of power for personal gain."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly upon hearing this, nodded and said, "You are right, father-in-law. Only by being open and transparent can we win the trust of the people." He turned to Magistrate Li, his eyes sharp, "Sir Li, has your county ever considered this public announcement?"

Magistrate Li nodded hurriedly, "Your Highness, I have already made arrangements and will post a notice in a few days."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his tone calm but not without dignity: "Very good. However, after the public announcement, if there are any objections, how to deal with it?"

Magistrate Li's face changed slightly, and he quickly said, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will set up a complaint office. If the people have any objections, they can file a complaint at any time."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, looked around at everyone present, and said slowly: "Today's matter is not just for Changping County. The court hopes to promote it throughout the country. Therefore, we need all the gentry to work together to benefit the people."

A young scholar stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, if we want to promote it throughout the country, it may be difficult to rely solely on the power of the government. Why not select students from rural schools and let them help measure the land and keep records? This way, we can cultivate talents and ensure fairness."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Great! This is a brilliant plan. Scholars should be concerned about people's livelihood. If we can get them involved, the people will be convinced."

Zhu Han looked deep in his eyes and said slowly, "That's great. Let's act according to this plan."

Zhu Han gently took a sip of tea, and slowly scanned the people in the hall. Seeing them talking, he smiled in his heart and said loudly: "Everyone, today we discussed the matter of measuring the land, and everyone expressed their own opinions. It shows that you all care about the people, and the court should also sympathize with the people. However, the land area in the world varies greatly. If we only use the method of Changping County to implement it everywhere, it may not be perfect."

In the hall, a country gentleman in his fifties stood up with his hands clasped, his expression solemn: "Your Highness is right. I think that the terrain in the south of the Yangtze River is flat, and the fields are evenly distributed, making it easy to measure; but the north is hilly and the fields are jagged. If we generalize, it may not be fair."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "This is exactly what I am worried about. If we want to implement it throughout the country, we must adapt to local conditions. Otherwise, it will be biased."

Magistrate Li, who was sitting nearby, immediately bowed and said with a smile, "Your Highness, Prince, I think the court can start with a pilot project. Places like Changping and Shuntian are close to the capital. If they can be properly governed, they can then be extended to other prefectures, which may be effective."

Zhu Han smiled faintly, his eyes deep: "Master Li's words make sense, but the pilot project must be carried out with caution. If it is only implemented in wealthy areas, it will inevitably be superficial. We should choose places with different terrains and customs, so that we can get a glimpse of the whole picture."

As soon as this was said, everyone in the hall nodded in agreement. A middle-aged scholar in a Confucian robe stood up and said, "Your Highness, if you want to implement the land measurement policy, not only do you need officials to conduct a detailed investigation, but you also need the participation of capable people from the public. I would like to make a bold suggestion. Why not let the local elders and gentry set up a land discussion hall, where opinions on land measurement and taxation can be collected for reference by the government?"

Zhu Biao's eyes gleamed when he heard this. He turned to look at Zhu Han and said with a smile, "Uncle, how about this idea? If the wise men in the village discuss it together, it will not only convince the people, but also reduce the burden on the government."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and nodded slowly: "Biao'er, public opinion is the foundation of government affairs. It would be great if the people could participate in it. However, there is also a drawback that we need to guard against——"

He turned his gaze to the people in the hall and continued, "If there are no rules and regulations, public opinion may become private opinion, and among the gentry, it is inevitable that some people will put private interests above public interests. If a council hall is established, regulations must be formulated to clarify responsibilities and ensure fairness."

There was a murmur in the hall, and everyone echoed. The scholar bowed again and said respectfully: "Your Highness is right. If the court can send people to inspect and regularly verify the land and tax situation, the people will definitely cooperate."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "This method is feasible. We can present it to the emperor later and ask for his approval to implement it."

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere, Magistrate Li took the opportunity to speak up: "Your Highness, Prince, if the court vigorously promotes this policy, I would like to suggest that we set up an office to specialize in measuring the land and coordinate all the land matters in the country. This will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and nodded slightly: "It is indeed necessary to set up a special agency, but this matter must be coordinated with the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Personnel to ensure that it is thorough. Lord Li, you local officials need to integrate the detailed records of land in each county in advance to ensure that it is correct."

Magistrate Li nodded his head in agreement, his face full of joy. Zhu Biao slowly stood up, looked around at everyone in the hall, and said loudly: "Today's discussion has come to an end. After you go back, you must carefully check the land and implement the methods discussed today. If you have any doubts, you can report them at any time. This palace and the prince will personally inquire about it."

Everyone stood up and thanked him, saying in unison: "Your Highness is kind and your Highness is wise!"

After the meeting, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao walked slowly out of the county government office side by side. People in the streets and alleys bowed to them, their eyes full of admiration and gratitude.

Zhu Biao looked at the street in the distance and saw that the people looked calm. He couldn't help but sighed and said, "Uncle, although today's work has achieved initial results, it will still take time for the people to benefit."

Zhu Han smiled and said in a gentle tone: "Biao'er, the way to govern is to persevere. If you want to establish a foundation for a long time, how can you achieve it overnight? You must understand that the trust of the people is hard to come by and even easier to lose. We must be cautious in every step."

Zhu Biao seemed to be thinking about something. After a moment's silence, he suddenly asked, "Uncle, if we want to ensure the long-term implementation of this policy, do we need to establish an evaluation system to supervise the implementation of the policy by local officials?"

Zhu Han smiled and patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder: "You are indeed smart. That's right, all government affairs must be evaluated for effectiveness, otherwise it will become a formality. You can contact the Supervisory Department and ask them to send someone to conduct a secret investigation. Once false reporting is discovered, severe punishment will be imposed." (End of this chapter)