Zhu Youtang punished corruption with thunderous means. For a time, the Ming Dynasty was clear and honest, and corruption was less than one in ten.
However, after a short period of abundance, the national treasury was now beginning to enter a period of weakness.
Although Zhu Youtang seized the land and taxes of the vassal kings and imperial clans, he also enriched the national treasury to 4.3 million taels.
However, for a powerful empire, the financial situation was still inadequate.
The vassal kings and the imperial clan took the initiative to eliminate the vassal state of Shangshu Zhu Youtang. Why?
This was because the vassal kings and imperial clan were just empty titles. Without these, they would still enjoy the tax concessions brought by the Ming court.
In the coming year, after Zhu Youtang's death, they could still revive.
Therefore, although the vassal kings and imperial clan were trembling on the surface, they were actually not panicking at all.
Zhu Youtang listened to Huai 'en's nagging and said with a fake smile,""Let them show off first. There will always be suffering.”
Once the cabinet's tax reform is completed, I want to see who can still laugh.
"The Emperor has a strategy in hand. How can this group of vassal kings and imperial clan be the Emperor's match?”Wynne flattered.
Zhu Youtang smiled." Alright, don't flatter me. Why did Imperial Grandmother summon me?"”
Huai 'en hurriedly said," Replying to the Emperor, the people have already chosen beautiful women. The Empress Dowager has been choosing for a long time and has selected twenty-three beautiful women for the Emperor. She would like to invite the Emperor to take a look."”
It was the height of summer, and after more than a month of heavy screening, more than 9,000 women were sent to the Forbidden City from all over the country.
These were the best of the best in the provinces and prefectures. They were definitely the most outstanding beauties in their respective regions.
Just his good looks alone were naturally not enough to meet the requirements of the draft.
One had to know that there was a high chance that this batch of concubines who entered the harem would be chosen as the mother of a country. They were naturally not qualified just because they were beautiful.
Therefore, in addition to being handsome, this group of beautiful women also needed to have deep knowledge and knowledge.
There was no need to talk about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Most importantly, one had to have a high EQ.
After all, they had to serve the Emperor. If they didn't know how to observe and see the big picture, they would be eliminated in the provincial selection, let alone the Forbidden City.
Those who could be sent to the Imperial Palace must be one in ten thousand.
Of course, there was a basic premise that Zhu You Tang had mentioned to Empress Dowager Zhou.
He didn't need the bloodline of an alien race!
In other words, other than Han women, Zhu Youtang would prevent any relatives of other races from entering the Forbidden City of Northern Zhili.
"Alright, let's go to the Benevolent Longevity Palace."
After Zhu Youtang finished speaking, he went out with his hands behind his back. Huai 'en followed behind Zhu Youtang with a hunched back.
Outside Yangxin Palace Hall, there were already rows of eunuchs from the East Chamber in official robes and yellow carriages waiting for Zhu Youtang's arrival.
Zhu Youtang got on the chariot, and the eunuch of the East Chamber steadily lifted Zhu Youtang and walked towards Renshou Palace.
On the chariot.
Zhu Youtang peeled an apple and fell into deep thought.
The reform of land tax could move the finance of Ming Dynasty.
However, the real bulk of the tax was on the merchants.
The textile industry and employment industry in each province were already in full swing.
There were also signs of the sprouting of capitalists.
However, the problem was that after the incident with Shen Wansan, Emperor Taizu looked down on merchants.
He repeatedly said: All business taxes, take one out of thirty, more than the punishment for violating the law.
Ever since Zhu Yuanzhang, all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty thought that the business tax was dispensable.
In the Hongzhi Dynasty, the business tax was already as low as one in a hundred.
As for the agricultural tax? The agricultural tax in the vicinity of Bei Zhili was as high as ten out of a hundred meters. The most serious was the heavy tax on Su Song, which was already as high as twenty out of a hundred meters.
In other words, the agricultural tax in the Northern Zhili area increased by 10 points, while the Susong area increased by 20 points.
During the end of Ming Dynasty, all kinds of civil uprisings were caused by Su Song's heavy taxes.
Kacha.
Just as Zhu Youtang was lost in his thoughts, the dagger in his hand cut his finger.
He looked down in shock and realized that there was no blood on his finger.
The third level of the Art of Longevity?
Zhu Youtang would not find trouble to stab himself with a dagger.
Therefore, after cultivating the third level of the Art of Longevity, he did not care anymore.
Impenetrable!
Zhu Youtang became interested and tried to prick his finger with the dagger. It was just as he expected!
"Emperor, we're here."
Wynne's voice sounded from the side.
Zhu Youtang nodded and got off the carriage. He waved his hand and said,"You may leave."
After speaking, he went to Empress Dowager Zhou's bedroom alone.
"Greetings, Imperial Grandmother."
"The imperial grandson is here." Empress Dowager Zhou pulled Zhu Youtang to sit down.
"Much stronger."
Empress Dowager Zhou revealed a smile.
"Men, go and call the children over.”
After a while, rows of beautiful women lowered their heads and lined up under the lead of the old nanny for Zhu Youtang to admire the moon.
"Imperial grandson, quickly take a look."
Zhu You Tang's mind was not here, so he casually glanced at it and said to Empress Dowager Zhou,"Not bad."
Empress Dowager Zhou seemed to see Zhu You Tang's thoughts and said,"Then let's all stay in the palace for now.”
"Yes."
The group of beautiful women stood respectfully with their heads lowered. They could only hear the conversation between the two dignified voices in front of them.
It seemed that the Emperor's voice was still very young?
They didn't dare to raise their heads. Only they knew what they had experienced after being selected from the common people.
In this palace, one wrong step could lead to more mistakes.
Even the Empress Dowager Wan, who was doted on for a while, ended up in a miserable state.
Therefore, they abided by the rules and only hoped that one day they could climb onto the dragon bed and serve the monarch.
Only in this way could they gain a foothold in the harem.
However, everyone knew that this process would be extremely difficult. It was a rare opportunity, and it might require their own abilities to seize it.
They had yet to grasp the rules of survival in the harem. They were all carefully exploring…
However, everyone knew that this process was not easy, but there were still countless people who yearned for the inner palace, yearned for the ruler of a country who controlled and looked down on the world.
If they could be pampered, then their family would be crowned with supreme glory and completely rejuvenated because of them!
This was an opportunity to change one's fate. Who wouldn't yearn for it?
After Zhu Youtang finished speaking, Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand again, letting the beautiful women leave.
After Xiu Nu left, Empress Dowager Zhou pulled Zhu Youtang's hand and said with concern,"Imperial grandson, political affairs are important, but the matter of the imperial grandson is also important. This widow is really lonely in this harem, hoping to report her great-grandson as soon as possible.”
Zhu Youtang didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he comforted her,""Grandson understands. It's getting late, Imperial Grandmother should rest early.”
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