After being stunned for a moment, Situ Yutang fell into deep thought. What Wu Feng said was correct. When the empire was founded, the five major families were all recognized for their meritorious service, and were awarded vast hectares of fertile land. They suddenly became the five largest grain households in the empire, and naturally became the largest land aristocrats in the empire besides the royal family. At that time, many noble officials and dignitaries also measured the strength of their family by the amount of land.
Now, in the imperial capital, land seems to have long been regarded as an investment channel with extremely low returns. Even the best grain fields in the Wuhu region are far inferior to investment in the industrial and commercial industries and financial industries, especially mining. , smelting, casting, textiles, tea making, ceramics and other industries are extremely profitable due to the massive needs of the domestic economy and the huge market outside the empire. After seeing the rise of the industrial and commercial class using their keen knowledge, the nobles could no longer hold back, and they all Their own capital was invested in these industries and they also received huge profits, which also made them gradually abandon the usual custom of using land income as a criterion.
Income determines everything. Whether it is land income or industrial and commercial income, they are all the same imperial gold coins. No one will care about these sources. Although at the beginning, many nobles were still disdainful to regard these income channels as mainstream. With a speculative mentality, they would stop observing at the slightest sign of trouble. However, the huge difference in income between the two made no one able to resist this temptation. Even members of the royal family also joined in investing in industry and commerce. This view gradually became more and more popular. disappeared from the upper class society of the imperial capital.
According to the analysis of later sociologists, in fact, in the late Tanghe Empire, especially the end of the Tanghe Empire, a large number of land aristocrats had gradually evolved into industrial and commercial aristocrats, and the two identities had been integrated. It is difficult to separate the two. Only those ultra-conservative nobles who are short-sighted and narrow-minded will cling to the land. However, there are really few such conservative nobles in the imperial capital, but in some places in the north there are still deeper foundation. This is also the basic strength that Situ Tai relies on as his backing. However, the northern nobles were greatly influenced by the nobles of the imperial capital. As the nobles of the imperial capital gradually transformed, the northern nobles in those places also noticed these changes. They also began to have this bud, but with the southern nobles, especially Compared with the large number of Jiangnan aristocrats who had transformed into spokespersons for industry and commerce very early on, their transformation speed seemed too slow and a bit too late.
Seeing the beauty beside him lost in thought, Wu Feng did not rush her. He had plenty of time, as long as he could untie the knot in his heart and open Situ Yutang's closed heart. It’s okay to wait a little longer.
Situ Yutang was indeed confused. Wu Feng was right. The Situ family was indeed a representative of the landed aristocracy. The Tanghe Empire was also built on the backing of the land aristocrats. Without these land aristocrats who controlled local land and power, the Situ family would not be able to control such a huge empire, so the Situ family had to give them Enough privilege to win their absolute loyalty and support. But now this foundation has gradually collapsed under the erosion of interests. This should probably be the source of the real collapse of the Situ family. It was precisely because the imbalance of mentality of the local land aristocrats when they realized that the income from industry and commerce far exceeded the income from land caused them to continuously increase land rent. And they are unwilling to invest, which also makes the lives of the lowest farmers even more difficult. The reason why the Taiping Religion can become so widespread in the northern and western regions has a lot to do with this.
"Wufeng, it seems that you have put a lot of effort into studying the existing interest classes in the empire. Yes, there are almost no nobles in the imperial capital who really rely on land income to maintain their prosperous lives. The vast majority are They have huge investments in industry, commerce and finance. Only the income from these areas can guarantee their demanding life. Are you planning to make them true industrial and commercial aristocrats and not give them any more privileges?" Situ Yutang has already said Gradually accepting Wu Feng's words, since the foundation of the Situ family's empire has collapsed, there is nothing to regret about the end of the Situ dynasty. After untying the knot, Situ Yutang suddenly found that his heart suddenly relaxed. It felt so comfortable, like a huge stone that had been pressing on my chest was suddenly removed.
"The word privilege should be said to be outdated or history. If the word privilege still exists, I think they can only use their economic strength to prove their privilege. Whether it is the nobles who have just entered the industrial and commercial class or those who started from the bottom For the growing industrial and commercial elites, I think if we must determine what privileges are given to them, it is that the new empire will absolutely protect their legitimate rights and interests, and the new empire will also support their economic power to expand their existence space. It can be said that their Wherever the economic power goes, the influence and protection of the empire will also reach. Similarly, wherever the various powers of the empire, including explicit and implicit, extend, there will be their best commodity market and raw material base. As long as they If they are willing, the empire will do everything they can for them. Is this considered a privilege they have obtained?"
Wu Fengzhi stood up proudly, put his hands behind his hands and smiled high-spiritedly. The shining luster in his eyes was enough to make people believe that at this time, his mind had already flown to the ends of the earth and to the farthest point he hoped to reach.
Situ Yutang had to admit that his fiancé had a very thorough understanding of the interests of all classes in the current empire. At the same time, he also had a very profound analysis of the characteristics of human nature. He canceled political privileges but gave them economic privileges. However, All this will be based on economic aggression against neighboring areas, and most importantly, it will successfully tie the most powerful and fundamental force in the new empire into a steadily advancing chariot. This move was so wonderful that Situ Yutang even had the urge to ask himself how his fiancé came up with such a clever strategy, which not only eliminated the disadvantages of political privileges, but also passed on the As a possible side effect of economic privilege, it seems that his fiancé's ability to reach this stage and become the end of the Situ Dynasty is not in vain.
"Wufeng, it seems that you are already confident. Yes, your ideas are indeed very attractive. I believe that both the industrial and commercial families in Jiangnan and Donghai and the industrial and commercial aristocrats in the imperial capital will be attracted by your views. Even if some people still have I am dissatisfied, but I believe that at least 80% of the people will be moved by your idea, not to mention that not having political privileges just allows them to stand on the same starting line as everyone else. To be honest, they are not the same as other classes. Equality, inequality of wealth has brought too much inequality, and they should know that if they are not satisfied with this, I am thinking that these people's appetite will be too big." Situ Yutang nodded slowly, "Then what are your plans for our Situ family?"
He rubbed his hands in embarrassment, always returning to this joint point. Wu Feng knew that he could not avoid it, but he was really embarrassed to face Situ Yutang's bright eyes and ask him to tell him the so-called solution.
"Yutang, my idea is that I can keep the Situ family as it is. Of course, except for a few members of the Situ family, all their rights and interests will be guaranteed. If you think the Situ family should get some special rights, I will It can also be considered, but only from an economic perspective, and this is a special case that will never be repeated."
Wu Feng's difficult words made Situ Yutang feel a little emotional. The other party's ability to do this is probably the limit. Political privilege has been regarded by Wu Feng as a cancer that cannot be cut off. The reform of civil servants in Tiannan is an attempt. Situ Yu From then on, Tang had noticed that the gap in her fiancé's chest was unusual. As for the rest, Situ Yutang didn't want to ask too much. As long as the other party had this intention, she was already satisfied.
"Wufeng, you don't have to think about any special rights anymore. I'm very grateful that you have this heart. It's not uncommon for people to be killed by changes in dynasties. It's not uncommon for me to be able to solve the problem in such a peaceful way. I'm also very grateful. The Situ family should be satisfied. If there is still a stubborn obsession, alas, the Thirteenth Sister doesn't know what she thinks." Perhaps because of the hidden pain, Situ Yutang's face also darkened.
"Yutang, uh, you already know about the situation in the Imperial Capital?" Wu Feng was a little cautious at this time. He didn't want to create more details at this time.
"Can you not know? The eighteenth sister's performance skills are really superb. I really didn't expect that my sister would have such skills, but this skill is really good. Even my clan uncles are involved. , it seems that my imperial brother is the real person in charge. He is still waiting for the opportunity, but all this is not important now. I am thinking, if Wu Feng has no objection, I want to go to the imperial capital. If the trip goes well, there should be no bloodshed in the imperial capital." At this moment, Situ Yutang returned to his calm and melancholy expression.
Looking deeply at Situ Yutang, who was elegant and a little sad, Wufeng sighed silently. Some things will always bring some harm when faced with them. He has also done his best to be kind and righteous. This result may be the best. alright. He didn't know why Situ Yutang had to make this trip. In fact, she only needed to show her attitude by running the magazine, but he respected her wish.