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

Zhu Han nodded and said meaningfully: "It seems that these merchants have their own difficulties. Since we are going to visit them, we should start from the most real place."

As he was talking, a team of carriages loaded with goods were slowly moving along the official road ahead. Several merchants in short brown clothes looked solemn, staring at the checkpoint not far ahead. In front of the checkpoint, several yamen runners stood upright, with swords on their waists and arrogant looks. An official holding an account book was scolding an anxious merchant in a harsh voice.

"This batch of goods is from last month? What does it say in the account book? You merchants should not try to get away with this! Here is the silver for inspection. Bring it here quickly!" the official said coldly, stretching out his hand to indicate a number, obviously asking for an exorbitant sum.

The merchant's forehead was covered with sweat, and he bowed repeatedly: "Sir, this... We have already paid the toll money, can we extend the payment of the inspection money for a few days? We really can't make ends meet."

The official snorted coldly, his eyes turned cold, and he waved his hand to signal the yamen runner beside him: "No silver? Then leave the goods behind!"

The merchant's face changed, and he quickly took out a piece of silver from his pocket and presented it with both hands: "My Lord, please be lenient with me on this little bit of silver."

Seeing this, Zhu Biao frowned slightly and whispered, "Uncle, this checkpoint is clearly openly collecting money. If it is not thoroughly investigated, I am afraid that these businessmen will suffer."

Zhu Han looked deep in his eyes and said softly, "Biao'er, don't worry, let's wait and see."

The two walked forward and started chatting with an old driver who was waiting in line. Zhu Han bowed and asked, "Big brother, are the conditions at the checkpoint very strict?"

The driver saw that the two men were dressed simply and looked kind, so he sighed and said, "You two are probably new here, right? This checkpoint is definitely strict. You must prepare enough silver, either openly or secretly. Otherwise, don't even think about passing it easily."

Zhu Biao pretended to be surprised: "But the court has already set the commercial tax regulations, why do they want extra silver?"

The driver smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Regulations? Humph, regulations are regulations, rules are rules. How dare we, the common people, disobey the words of the adults? Every time we go in and out, we have to pay at least thirty or fifty taels, and at most a hundred taels. Otherwise, we will have a hard time on this journey."

Zhu Han said in a deep voice: "Has anyone reported this to the county government?"

The driver lowered his head and sighed, "Sue? Who should I sue? The officials at the county government and the checkpoint are in the same boat. Suing them will only bring trouble upon myself. Life is already difficult now, so it's better to avoid trouble."

Zhu Biao clenched his fists, his eyes sharp, and whispered to Zhu Han: "Uncle, we can't just sit there and watch."

Zhu Han nodded and pondered for a moment: "No hurry, let's sneak into the checkpoint tonight and see how they operate."

At night, the bright moonlight fell around the checkpoint, and the footsteps of patrolling soldiers were heard occasionally. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao, dressed in black, quietly sneaked into the backyard of the checkpoint. Through the window, they saw several yamen runners sitting together, with a table piled with silver. An official with a greasy face held a teacup and said proudly: "The caravans passing by are all fat sheep. We can slaughter them at will and they will surrender obediently."

A yamen runner agreed with a smile and said, "Master Li, the money today is quite large. These boxes of porcelain have not been inspected yet. How do you think we should divide them?"

The official surnamed Li narrowed his eyes and smiled with his face full of flesh: "You know the rules. According to the old way, we should take what we deserve. The county will naturally have a share as well."

Zhu Biao secretly clenched his fists, his eyes showing anger, and whispered to Zhu Han: "Uncle, these people simply ignore the law!"

Zhu Han signaled him to calm down and continue observing until everyone had dispersed, then he quietly retreated into the darkness.

The next day, Zhu Biao disguised himself as a merchant and brought a cart of "goods" to the checkpoint. When the yamen runners saw him, they immediately came up to him with a smile and asked, "Sir, what good goods did you bring this time?"

Zhu Biao bowed and said with a smile, "Here are some rolls of top-quality Hangzhou silk. Please inspect the goods." Then he handed over a small bag full of silver.

The bailiff took the heavy bag and smiled even more: "Okay, okay. Since you know the rules so well, we will naturally give you some convenience." After that, he casually flipped through the goods and waved his hand to let you go.

Zhu Biao watched coldly. After the truck passed the checkpoint, he could not help but said in a cold voice: "Uncle, these people are so blatant! They don't check the goods at all, they only recognize the silver."

Zhu Han sighed, his eyes dark, "Biao'er, do you know why they are so fearless?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Because they are sure that the people dare not resist, and the government is unwilling to investigate further."

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "Yes. This is the root cause. This matter cannot be solved by punishment alone, but also requires institutional reform."

"Then according to your opinion, how should we govern?" Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with determination.

Zhu Han said slowly: "Establish a commercial tax bureau and send tax officials directly under the court to inspect various places. All matters related to commercial taxes must be checked regularly. At the same time, set up a chamber of commerce. The people can appeal directly to the court through the chamber of commerce to ensure that there is a place to appeal for grievances."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "In this way, there will be checks and balances between officials and businessmen, and the people will have a way to survive."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Han set out on the post road back to Beijing. Along the way, smoke rose from the villages and farmers sweated in the fields. Sitting on the horse, Zhu Biao recalled the land measurement and business tax in Changping, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

"Uncle," he said, breaking the silence, his tone revealing a bit of solemnity, "Although Changping is small, the suffering of the people is evident. If we look across the country, such unfair land taxes and the difficulties faced by merchants are probably not uncommon. Whether the land measurement policy we have implemented in Changping can really benefit the people, it will take time to test."

Zhu Han rode beside him with a calm face. He looked up at the endless fields in the distance and said slowly, "Biao'er, you don't have to worry too much. Governing a country is like cultivating a sapling. We lay the foundation today, and it will take time before we can see the results." He paused and continued, "But your idea is right. Measuring the land is just the beginning. How to make the people live in peace and security requires solving deeper problems."

Zhu Biao seemed to understand something and whispered, "Uncle, do you mean that in addition to taxes, we should also care about the livelihood of the people?"

Zhu Han nodded slightly, his eyes full of deep thought: "That's right. Taxes are just the tip of the iceberg. The daily livelihood of the people, the efficiency of production, and the circulation of goods are the foundation of the long-term stability of the court. What we need is not only to stabilize taxes, but also to ensure that the people can 'live, live in peace, and become rich'."

Zhu Biao fell into deep thought after hearing this. After a moment, he raised his head and asked with a firm gaze: "Uncle, should we set up more specific measures? For example, how to improve the production capacity of the people? How to ensure the smooth flow of basic materials such as grain and cloth?" Zhu Han raised his hand to stop him and smiled gently: "You have seen the key. Next, we will start with people's livelihood issues other than commercial taxes. Biao'er, are you willing to go with me to the countryside to investigate the people's sentiments?"

Zhu Biao nodded without hesitation: "I am willing to go with my uncle."

The next morning, the two came to a rural market. The market was bustling with people, and vendors were walking around. The stalls were filled with all kinds of agricultural products, cloth, and daily necessities. Zhu Biao, wearing a long blue cloth gown, mingled with Zhu Han in the crowd. Their arrival did not attract much attention, and they seemed very comfortable.

Zhu Han walked to a stall selling cooking utensils, picked up an iron pot, and asked with a smile: "Boss, this pot is good, but is it handmade?"

The stall owner was an old man in his fifties. He nodded immediately after hearing this: "Sir, you have a good eye! This is made by hand in our shop. It is strong and durable. Even the county magistrate's family uses it!"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and asked, "Is business going well? Is this iron pot selling well?"

The old man sighed and shook his head, saying, "Well, the past few years were not bad, but the prices of cloth and grain have risen sharply in the past two years. People are living in a tight situation. They have to think for a long time before buying an iron pot. My shop can no longer survive."

Zhu Biao listened carefully and couldn't help asking, "Excuse me, uncle, what's the reason for the price increase? Is it because the raw materials are expensive, or the freight is high?"

The old man looked at Zhu Biao, hesitated for a moment, and sighed, "The main reason is that the toll is too expensive. The iron has to pass through several checkpoints to be brought back from the mine, and we have to pay every time. If the freight goes up, we won't be able to sell this pot, and the money we earn won't be enough to pay the bill."

Zhu Han nodded, put the iron pot back on the stall, took out a few copper coins and put them down: "Uncle, I'll buy this pot. But please don't tell anyone about this, we are just ordinary customers."

The old man nodded quickly: "Don't worry, sir, I'm very tight-lipped."

After leaving the stall, Zhu Biao whispered, "Uncle, the problems in this market are similar to those at the checkpoints. The people's plight is mostly due to the obstruction of the flow of goods. If we can reduce tolls and facilitate transportation, perhaps we can solve the urgent problem."

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "That's right. But have you ever thought about whether it would be enough if we only reduced the toll?"

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and shook his head, "Uncle, do you mean there are other questions?"

Zhu Han said slowly, "Yes. For example, the organization and efficiency of the flow of goods. Look at these vendors in the market, they are all operating independently. If there is a unified chamber of commerce to coordinate the transportation and sales of each business, can it reduce costs and improve efficiency?"

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "Uncle, you are wise! This way, not only can we reduce costs, but we can also allow merchants to form a synergy and expand their influence."

Zhu Han smiled and patted his shoulder: "You can think of these things, which means that your experience in Changping has not been in vain. Next, we have to propose to the court to set up a private chamber of commerce and give it certain powers and responsibilities to help merchants solve practical problems."

A few days later, the two returned to the capital and compiled what they saw and heard along the way into a memorial to Zhu Yuanzhang.

After reading it carefully, Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and said loudly: "Biao'er, Han brother, your proposal is very good. However, if we want to set up a chamber of commerce and a commercial tax bureau, will it cause obstruction from local officials?"

Zhu Biao stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Father, I think that as long as the responsibilities of the Chamber of Commerce are clarified and the local government is allowed to participate in supervision, the conflict can be resolved. The Chamber of Commerce and the government are not in opposition, but in cooperation."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and turned his gaze to Zhu Han: "Brother Han, what do you think?"

Zhu Han replied in a deep voice: "Brother, Biao'er is right. However, I have another plan: we can set up a pilot project in the capital, supervised by the court, and then promote it to the whole country after the results are obvious."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "Okay! Then I'll leave this matter to the two of you. Be sure to come up with the rules as soon as possible."

In the early winter morning in the capital, the air was slightly chilly. Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Prince Zhu Han sat opposite each other, their desks covered with files of pilot programs. Outside the window, clerks in the government office were busy coming in and out, conveying public opinion and reports from all over the capital.

Zhu Biao carefully read a draft about the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce, frowned slightly, and suddenly looked up and asked: "Uncle, the charter of this Chamber of Commerce has been drafted, but I am worried that if there is no clear division of powers and responsibilities, there will be endless disputes between the government and the Chamber of Commerce. What do you think?"

Zhu Han picked up the teacup, blew away the foam, and smiled calmly: "Biao'er, your worries are not without reason. The government and the Chamber of Commerce may indeed have overlapping powers and responsibilities. However, have you ever thought about whether the problem will be solved if the government itself gets involved?"

Zhu Biao put down the file in his hand, his eyes slightly brightened: "Uncle Huang means to let the local government directly participate in the operation of the Chamber of Commerce? But in this way, will the Chamber of Commerce lose its independence?"

Zhu Han gently put down the teacup and said in a deep tone: "Independence is important, but in the early stages of the pilot, excessive pursuit of independence will cause more problems. If we allow local officials to act as supervisors and at the same time absorb respected merchants to discuss, we can achieve a balance, which will reassure the officials and convince the merchants."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and nodded, "Indeed. If we can introduce local wise men and business talents and supervise them by the government, we can prevent the Chamber of Commerce from being controlled by a few people and ensure the smooth implementation of policies."

Before the two finished speaking, the guards hurried in and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, Prince, a group of merchants from the suburbs of Beijing want to see you. They said they heard about the Chamber of Commerce and came to visit."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Han looked at each other, and Zhu Biao smiled gently: "That's great, let's listen to the opinions of these merchants."

After a while, several merchants in plain clothes walked into the side hall, all with solemn expressions.

They bowed respectfully, and an elderly merchant stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness, we have heard that the court is trying to pilot the Chamber of Commerce, so we have come to petition you. It is certainly a good thing to have fair business taxes, but Your Highness, please give us your instructions on how to set up the Chamber of Commerce and who will manage it."

Zhu Biao stood up and personally invited these people to sit down. He said in a gentle tone: "Don't be shy, fellow villagers. Today we are here to discuss the Chamber of Commerce. We hope that through the Chamber of Commerce, we can make the flow of your goods smoother and reduce unnecessary costs. But the specific details still need your opinions."

The old merchant waved his hands quickly: "Your Highness, your words are too serious. How dare I discuss the court's policy? However, if Your Highness really wants to set up a chamber of commerce, I have a request - can this chamber of commerce have more people nominated by merchants? If all of them are appointed by the government, I am afraid it will be difficult to reflect the truth." (End of this chapter)