Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 396: One Capital, Three Capitals, Nine Borders, and Eighteen Provinces
The emperor's stay in Nanjing was uneventful. There was no "incognito" anecdote like in Yangzhou, nor did he make an immediate move over the future of the various departments in Nanjing.

There seemed to be only one thing that was different from the past: officials in Nanjing had more opportunities to meet the emperor.

On the contrary, after arriving in Nanjing and summoning his ministers, the emperor issued an edict: starting from the eleventh year of Taichang (1833 in the Chinese era), the five prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou, Jiaxing and Huzhou would be exempted from paying white grain, and from then on, all white grain they needed would be purchased.

This is naturally a great blessing for ordinary people in the five prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou, Jiaxing and Lake Tai.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the five prefectures have borne the heavy burden of white grain tribute for more than 200 years. Now that they are freed from this burden, who among the people of the five prefectures would not shout that the emperor is wise?
Except for some officials and gentry in Jiangnan.

Gu Xiancheng learned of the decree on his way back to Wuxi with Wang Zheng and others. He only heard Wang Zheng and others sigh: "The people of the five prefectures have been burdened with the heavy burden of grain for generations. Your Majesty has forgiven them one day. Your Majesty will benefit future generations."

Gu Xiancheng wanted to agree, but he was thinking about the reactions of the five governments.

There is no doubt that when the imperial carriage went to Wuxi, one of the five prefectures located in Changzhou Prefecture, the people would praise him.

Although officials and gentry also wanted to praise the emperor's virtues, they could only grievances in silence.

White grain was a heavy burden for the poor, but a source of income for the rich. The extra rice collected could be used as a link to establish a local relationship network with the government, and control the daily staple food supply of the highest level in Beijing. These were all real benefits.

Gu Xiancheng's Gu family was a large grassroots organization of Wuxi's grain and white grain, and he was very clear about the key.

Nowadays, the emperor would rather spend more money to buy white grain than let the localities pay tribute for free. What is to be broken?
A small portion of the money paid by the court could still be earned by some local big families and businesses, but the majority had to be given to the people. In the past, because of the heavy burden of grain, local officials and gentry could use the excuse of protecting the interests of the common people to ask for more policies from the court; later, without the heavy burden of grain, some requests were no longer easy to make. The key was that the common people in the five prefectures knew that the good rice they grew could be sold for money, so who should they sell it to?

Those big families who were ostensibly just grain collectors to help the court and were not involved in business, either had to openly become merchants to earn this money, or they would no longer be able to interfere in the matter and lose the white grain, which was the fulcrum for influencing the local areas.

The local clans in the five prefectures have to make a decision.

The only thing they could not object to was this: it was a greater grace from heaven than the exemption they had asked for in the first place, as it was a way of exempting the five prefectures from a special tax.

The emperor is really here to be a benevolent ruler!

In the Fengtian Hall, the people in front of Zhu Changluo included: Nanjing Minister of Revenue Zhao Shiqing and six other ministers, Nanjing Censorate, Dali Temple, Tongzhengshisi, and a whole set of heads of former imperial court offices.

All the civil servants are here.

"I am going to Wuxi to give lectures. I will listen to your opinions after I come back." Zhu Changluo looked at them. "It is always said that Nanjing is the foundation of the country. Let's make it clear what the foundation is. You should discuss the difficult problem of financial planning. I will give lectures on the issue of talent as the foundation of the country. Apart from these two, if we set up various departments just for the sake of the country, it will be a waste of time and energy, which will damage the foundation of the country."

Zhao Shiqing and others nodded in agreement.

"The Executive Yuan and the ministers respect Nanjing, so naturally I have to ask you about this matter first. The way out that should be given will be given, and the power that should be given will be given. I am an emperor who is willing to delegate power and appoint officials to assist in the administration and work for the people, but officials are still officials after all. I have only one thing to say: if you are too deeply rooted in the local area and want to become a local emperor, neither I nor the court can tolerate it."

"I would rather die than do this!"

These words were too harsh and everyone in the Fengtian Hall knelt down.

"Whether you dare or not, I won't know until I take this step." Zhu Changluo stood up and said, "Go back, think carefully about what I just said to you. Before I leave Nanjing, I hope you all have your own ideas and strategies, how to start discussing with Beijing the reform of Nanjing and Nanzhili in the future."

He stood up and walked to the back. Zhao Shiqing and others shouted "Yes, my Lord!" and respectfully saw the emperor off.

Then, we left the Forbidden City in Nanjing.

"... Let's go to the Ministry of Revenue to discuss this."

Zhao Shiqing spoke, and the others naturally nodded solemnly and followed him in silence.

Most of Nanjing’s government offices are located south of the Forbidden City, not much different from Beijing.

After meeting the emperor yesterday, what was said at the Yan court today, attended by important officials from Nanjing, was too shocking. They all needed to digest it and exchange opinions.

When they arrived at the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue, Zhao Shiqing first asked the idle people to leave the official hall. After serving tea, even the right assistant minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue and others were unable to sit down.

"Your Majesty, since you have told us all the general idea, you are not afraid of the news getting out." Zhao Shiqing looked at them, "However, you all know how resolute your Majesty is."

Everyone nodded solemnly: Even the local tyrant said such words, of course they were determined.

"I understand. This time, they hope that we will cooperate with the court for the sake of our official careers and reform Nanjing and Nanzhili. We can't do the same in the future. What we want to discuss is nothing more than what worries you have, so that you won't be unable to find a way out in the future. For this reason, it's better to keep your mouth shut. There's nothing that can't be discussed privately before the emperor leaves Beijing."

"..."

Can you say it with confidence?

Nanzhili had a vast territory and a strategic location, with the Yangtze River on its borders and the Yellow River and Huai River on its north. Its finances, products, culture and education were the best in the world.

It came into being because the Ming Dynasty was founded and fought from south to north. The original purpose of its design was basically military: to let Nanjing control the nearby military nodes as much as possible.

such as:

They controlled both sides of the Yangtze River below Jiujiang, and all the ferry crossings that could be used to cross the river and attack Nanjing were in the hands of Nanzhili.

Controlled Anqing, the gateway to attack Nanjing from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

Controlled the northern defense line of Huaidong and Huaixi, which meant "to defend the Yangtze River, one must defend the Huai River".

Controlled Xuzhou, a strategic location for the northward attack.

That was because when the Ming Dynasty was founded, Nanjing was indeed the foundation of the country. When the Ming Dynasty's territory was not stable, of course everything was based on the center.

As long as the capital is set in Nanjing, there will be no problem with the existence of Nanzhili.

Now the problem comes, and it has been there for two hundred years.

A backup court is needed only when people are constantly worried about the demise of Beijing. However, in most cases, the core function of Nanjing and Nanzhili remains the same as in the old system, which is to maintain stability.

To maintain stability in the struggle for court - to have a place to retire, and some status and power.

To maintain the stability of the court's finances - as long as Jiangnan doesn't cause trouble and provides financial support to Beijing, then the court can turn a blind eye to some things.

The Ming Dynasty only needs to pay a part of the cost.

Now the emperor said: Nanjing is at most the foundation of the country's finances and talents, and both Nanjing and Nanzhili need to be reformed.

In fact, the imperial court had already cut into the power of Nanzhili by setting up many governors, thus strengthening the imperial court's control over Jiangnan.

This time, the emperor meant: Huai'an, Xuzhou, Fengyang, Luzhou and Anqing were set up as a single province called Jianghuai Province, with the provincial capital in Fengyang; Yangzhou, Chuzhou, Hezhou, Taiping, Chizhou, Ningguo, Guangde, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Suzhou and Yingtian were set up as Jiangning Province, with the provincial capital in Nanjing, which was renamed Jinling.

Huizhou will be returned to Jiangxi. The high walls of Fengyang will be demolished, and the ancestral tombs of Sizhou will be moved to Xindu - in order to control the river.

The Ming Dynasty would have only one capital, but there would soon be two capitals in the southeast. The eastern capital was built in Songjiang Prefecture, with two chief officials, both of whom were of the second rank. The southern capital was built in the counties of Xin'an, Xiangshan and other counties at the mouth of the Pearl River that were demolished from Guangzhou Prefecture, with officials of the same rank.

Huguang is too large, so it is also divided into two provinces, Hubei and Hunan, which will not only provide more official positions, but also further strengthen governance. Among them, the Xingdu of Hubei will give up some counties, but will have an additional Hanyang Prefecture, where the Official Property Office will have an official grain general office. Sichuan, Hubei, and Hunan all have a large amount of land granted by the former vassal kings. Huguang and Sichuan are already major grain-producing provinces, and the court will have more support in terms of grain and finance.

In short: after the official positions in the four provinces and two capitals are changed, including Northern Zhili, the officials in Nanjing will not have to worry about placement.

The power in the hands of the various departments in Nanjing was indeed attractive, but the Eastern Capital and the Southern Capital were also very important: the Maritime Customs, ports, naval fleets... many key places were located in the two capitals. The emperor made it clear that one could not ascend to the position of prime minister without going through the chief officials of the two capitals.

What else is there to say? They might not even get the chance to take these two good positions—except for those who came to Nanjing with a mission, such as Zhao Shiqing.

But the gentry and wealthy families in Jiangnan will suffer: the imperial court will further strengthen its control over Jiangnan.

Tomorrow, the emperor will leave for Changzhou and Wuxi, and they will have a few days to discuss how to clean up some of the problems in the past and how to cooperate with the transfer of power and reform of various Nanjing ministries to the north in the future.

Nanjing was renamed Jinling and was just an ordinary provincial capital. Although the Forbidden City in Nanjing was still preserved, it would be a pity to demolish it, and some princes would continue to live there. However, the Yangtze River Navy would be relocated to Hanyang, the capital of Xinjiang, upstream, and the Oriental Fleet would be located in Dongdu downstream. There was also a Xiaoling Guard and the Front Army Governor's Office still located here. Anqing was in Jianghuai Province and could not be moved.

The transfer of Huizhou to Jiangxi Province is also of great significance, including the big salt merchants from Huizhou who have just boarded the emperor's ship.

Zhu Changluo told them clearly about the major plans that the court had previously discussed and let them figure it out on their own.

This huge change cannot be achieved overnight, but problems need to be exposed and solved in the process.

He also did not have to follow the old thinking to create a loose Jiangsu, sacrificing development in order to control the local areas too much to prevent separatism. The reduction in transportation costs brought by sea vessels is irreversible. In the maritime age, as long as the navy is in the hands of the court, the old-fashioned thinking of dividing the river and governing it separately is no longer appropriate.

Zhu Changluo was about to set off for Changzhou, and summoned Cheng Jing again the night before his departure.

"How is it? The kings should have an idea in their minds these two nights, right?"

"I have asked. With the example of Prince Lu, they are naturally willing. But the fate has not yet been decided..."

"Forget about those who are greedy for comfort. You can wait and see in the next few days. If there are those who have firm ideas and their offspring are capable, then I will let the prince go to Guangzhou with me. Although the Southern Capital is desolate now, after all, there is a sea trade company there to lay the foundation. If these eight characters are to be completed, they cannot just sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. They should go there and make plans together."

"I know."

"Ask the Confucian scholar how the expulsion of the Western barbarians who occupied some roads over there has been going." Zhu Changluo said, "Admiral Shen drove away some Western barbarians who wanted to occupy Penghu. He must clean up the future Nandu before the Nanyang and Outer Yunnan vassal delegations arrive."

This sentence was given to Liu Ruoyu.

The Southern Capital was not located in the current Guangzhou Prefecture, but in the Pearl River Estuary area including Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, etc., which Zhu Changluo was familiar with.

Guangzhou is the core of Guangdong, gathering goods and wealth internally. In the future, this southern capital will be dedicated to external affairs and will be the "international trade" and military center of the south.

Now, there are still the Portuguese in Macau, and we haven’t taken care of them before.

However, in the early years of Taichang, they had a fight with the Dutch. According to reports from Guangdong, the Dutch fought them three times and were defeated each time. During one of the battles, some of them drifted all the way to Penghu. Although the Penghu Inspection Office was re-established during the Jiajing period, it was only for the purpose of resisting the Japanese pirates and did not actually govern Taiwan Island.

Zhu Changluo knew that although the Dutch had suffered several setbacks, they had already learned the intelligence here. Otherwise, they would not have occupied Taiwan Island soon and the story of Zheng Chenggong would have happened.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has initially established a framework in the north, the storms in the South China Sea are beginning to stir.

The Portuguese no longer have the advantage they had many years ago. Currently, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are beginning to make aggressive progress.

Before the enemy actually encounters the enemy, the Ming Dynasty must have a further coastal defense front and a substantial sphere of influence.

Shen Yourong, the Ming Dynasty's most capable naval talent, was still "training" with the Beiyang Fleet in Korea. Jie Jingfu, a Privy Council staff member who specialized in accumulating practical experience in the ocean, had already gone to Guangdong in advance to organize the clearing and expulsion of Western strongholds along the Ming Dynasty's coast.

Before the envoys from Southeast Asia and Outer Yunnan come to see the emperor, the Ming Dynasty must use practical actions to tell them that the Ming Dynasty is watching.

Naturally, they would then face the counterattack of the unwilling Western pirate colonies.

In the face of this trend of the times that requires even greater preparation, how can these contradictions in Jiangnan not be resolved?
"One capital, three metropolises, nine borders, and eighteen provinces." That night at Li Chengliang's residence, he couldn't help but feel a little dazed, "It's only been ten years, and the Ming Dynasty has already become like this."

"Will there be a Western Capital and a Northern Capital in the future?" His grandson was very excited. "Which way should I go?"

"You are not going anywhere, just enjoy your wealth and prosperity." Li Chengliang sighed, "We can let the Ningguo family take over the Weiguo family to guard Nanjing, what else do you want to do?"

"But……"

"Stop talking." Li Chengliang laughed. "Our Li family has been able to be conferred the title of Duke, so we have to set a good example. In the past, there was no Privy Council, and most of us had family soldiers and private soldiers. The Li family still wants to make progress, do we have to be conferred the title of King?"

He sees things clearly and lives a carefree and natural life in Nanjing.

In the next few decades, as long as the Li family keeps the sword in Jinling City, they can still live freely.

Li Chengliang was well aware that the emperor wanted him to take care of him in his old age.

Now, Li Chengliang was a little envious of Liu Jing.

I can only say that I was born at the wrong time and I am already too old.

Otherwise, he could also become the second duke besides the Duke of Qian to rule a region forever like Liu Jing, and be more free and at ease, and be called the uncrowned king.

But who can blame Emperor Wanli for not having such courage?

More than a year after arriving in Nanjing, his list had already been handed over to the emperor.

Although the knife does not need to be unsheathed, it can be pointed at anyone or even placed on anyone's neck.

It all depends on the emperor's orders whether to do it or not, whether to kill or not.

Jiangnan can avoid being flooded with blood, it all depends on what choice they make.

When the emperor personally came to the south of the Yangtze River, seemingly everything seemed calm and peaceful, but secretly there were turbulent waves.

His coming actually means that he has the final say.

Either you cut your flesh or you bleed.

In fact, it’s all bleeding. The only difference is whether you can endure it with a “ouch” or it stops abruptly with a “wow” and then reincarnates into “ooh”.

(End of this chapter)