Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 7 Even 8 refugees can conquer the world

We arrived in the countryside.

During the busy farming season, farmers can be seen in the fields.

Zhu Youjian looked around and caught sight of a group of people gathering in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, I saw a well-dressed man sitting in a chair with a table in front of him.

There were writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the table.

"Zhang San, Zhao Si, Chen Hong... are these the only ones who offered sacrifices today?"

Village chief Zhao Xin picked up the roster on the table and glanced at it: "In that case, this year's corvée labor will be given to Li Shan."

Upon hearing this, Li Shan was immediately taken aback.

"It's still my house this year? This is completely unreasonable! Why isn't it Chen Hong and the others?!"

Upon hearing this, the village chief Zhao Xin smiled slightly: "I'm too lazy to explain so much to you. If you don't want to perform corvée labor, you can donate."

Li Shan was unwilling to accept this, gritted his teeth, and finally gave up resisting.

If he disagrees, then taxes and corvée labor will all fall on his head.

He can't afford it.

Zhu Youjian's expression clearly showed his displeasure.

Seeing this, Wang Zhong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, should we step in and stop them?"

He now understood why the number of displaced people was increasing and why land consolidation was becoming more and more serious.

Local gentry, relying on preferential treatment and collusion with county officials, amplified their privileges to an unlimited extent.

For farmers, there is only one way to survive.

He offered himself to the local gentry and became a tenant farmer.

There is no other way.

If one opposes the local gentry, one will face enormous taxes and corvée labor, and ultimately, unable to bear the taxes and labor, one will have to flee.

The farmers fled, and the land eventually ended up in the hands of the local gentry.

No matter which way you go, it's a dead end.

"Killing one won't solve the problem."

There were countless such village chiefs and gentry during the Ming Dynasty.

Otherwise, how could there be nearly ten million refugees wandering all over the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Youjian's eyes were gloomy.

"Let's go, there's nothing else to see."

……

three days later.

Zhou family.

Zhou Wei looked at the roster in his hand and remained silent for a moment.

"Eight hundred men."

"But His Majesty seems to only need five hundred people."

What to do with the extra?

Zhou Wei hadn't expected these people to be even bolder than he had imagined.

Come to think of it, with food piling up and life hanging by a thread, why not take a gamble?

At the very least, the task assigned by the emperor has been completed.

At this moment, Zhou Qiu spoke up, "Brother, what exactly does the palace want to do with so many refugees?"

"Could it be that the imperial court is making some kind of move?"

Zhou Wei naturally ignored Zhou Qiu's probing.

Just then, Zhou Wei suddenly saw a familiar name on the list.

"Zhou Liang?!"

"What is this little brat trying to do!"

Zhou Wei immediately jumped up from his chair.

Then he hurriedly found his son, Zhou Liang.

At this moment, Zhou Liang was not holding the Four Books and Five Classics, but a sword.

Upon seeing his father, Zhou Liang lowered his sword and asked, "Father, what brings you here?"

Zhou Wei's face was gloomy.

"Why is your name on this list?!"

He wouldn't have noticed it if he hadn't looked closely.

His own son was on the list.

When Zhou Liang realized he had been discovered, he smiled innocently and said, "Father has given up his position as clan leader, so the burden of the Zhou family does not need to be borne by his son."

"I want to go and explore."

Zhou Wei immediately roared, "Nonsense! Do you think this is child's play?! You should know how dangerous it is there. One wrong move and you won't even know how you died!"

"I strongly disagree with this!"

Don't be fooled by the fact that Emperor Zhu Youjian could kill several zombies.

But Zhu Youjian said so.

The dangers of that place extend beyond just zombies.

There are also skeletons, spiders, and creepers.

Which of those things is easy to mess with?

Zhou Liang retorted, "Father, I have always listened to you since I was a child, but this time, I want to make my own decision."

"Moreover, these refugees need someone to manage them, and our Zhou family is the best choice."

"Father is kind-hearted, but he is also timid. But I am different. I am brave and not afraid of those things."

Recruiting five hundred refugees will eventually require someone to manage them.

Otherwise, things will get chaotic.

These refugees only trusted Zhou Wei.

Logically speaking, Zhou Wei was the most suitable candidate, but Zhou Wei did not want to take the risk.

Zhou Liang, as Zhou Wei's eldest son, was the most suitable candidate.

Looking into Zhou Liang's resolute gaze, Zhou Wei remained silent for a long time before letting out a sigh.

"Are you... really sure about this?"

"Yes, I want to follow Your Majesty and see if Your Majesty's words, 'governing the world together with the people,' can be realized."

Young people often harbor unrealistic fantasies.

He didn't believe Zhu Youjian could do it, but his son seemed to have taken his words to heart.

After much deliberation, Zhou Wei ultimately chose to let go.

Zhou Liang has grown up.

"Come back alive."

Zhou Liang nodded: "Yes."

……

late at night.

Zhou Wei and Zhou Liang arrived at Zhu Youjian's residence.

He then presented the prepared roster, saying, "Your Majesty, this recruitment totals eight hundred people. Should we remove any unnecessary individuals?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian took the roster and shook his head.

"It's alright."

The Minecraft world is infinitely large; it can still accommodate 800 people.

If there are too many people, it will be difficult to manage them.

"I will remember your help, Minister Zhou. I will reward you when I return to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wei shook his head.

"This is all my duty. Your Majesty has found a place for these displaced people. I should be thanking Your Majesty."

"However, I do have a matter I wish to ask Your Majesty."

Zhu Youjian flipped through the register, and the basic information of the refugees was very complete, with 99% of them being refugees.

They were all military households and farmers.

The proportion of military households was even higher than that of farmers.

Zhu Youjian nodded as he read, "Speak freely."

Zhou Wei glanced at Zhou Liang and sighed softly, "These eight hundred people are all refugees. If they are not managed, chaos will surely ensue."

"My son, Zhou Liang, wishes to serve Your Majesty. I wonder if Your Majesty would be able to do so? If Your Majesty has other plans, then disregard what I said."

Zhou Liang stared intently at Zhu Youjian.

Zhu Youjian was also somewhat surprised by this.

"Is Minister Zhou willing to put his son at risk?"

Zhou Wei said helplessly, "To be honest, Your Majesty, this was my son's own volunteering."

Seeing that Zhu Youjian did not agree, Zhou Liang quickly knelt down and said, "This humble subject also wishes to do his part for the country, and hopes that Your Majesty will grant his request."

After thinking it over, Zhu Youjian smiled and said, "If Zhou Liang could assist me, that would be even better."

Zhou Liang is Zhou Wei's son.

Letting him manage these 800 people is a good choice.

He had also observed Zhou Liang's personality.

Perhaps influenced by Zhou Wei, Zhou Liang is also a kind-hearted person.

Moreover, Zhou Liang had managed the Zhou family's farmland affairs.

Zhou Liang was overjoyed: "This humble subject kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand.

"Bring these eight hundred people to me first thing tomorrow morning."