Line issues, while seemingly simple on the surface, lead to vastly different outcomes at the decision-making and application levels.
One approach achieves superficial contractual fairness: the imperial court collects taxes, and whoever pays more receives better service. For instance, in certain affluent districts under "Silly Eagle," the imperial guards are highly responsible, fire prevention is excellent, security is top-notch, infrastructure is perfect, and education is outstanding. It's practically paradise because they pay more taxes and rightfully expect superior service.
The other approach is universal fairness: the imperial court collects taxes and invests them in infrastructure, public security, healthcare, education, national defense, and other areas. This can feel unfair to those who pay higher taxes.
To illustrate with a simpler example:
Why do some people keep clamoring to coexist with that "thing"?
Among these individuals, aside from the vast majority of brainless fools and a portion of paid scoundrels, the small fraction truly advocating for coexistence is because they are unconcerned about the ensuing pressure. They possess sufficient capital to weather the storm and the confidence to secure ventilators and hospital beds.
As for the lives of others, would they even care?
Not at all.
On the contrary, this presents an opportunity for them to earn more money. They couldn't care less how many people die from a complete hands-off coexistence policy, as long as it's not them.
However, the grim reality is that most people cannot obtain ventilators and hospital beds, as evidenced by the millions who have already died in "Silly Eagle."
Beyond these more apparent differences, greater disparities manifest in disaster relief. For example, some armies bring shovels and other tools to aid in disaster relief, while others must be fully armed to suppress the disaster.
Zhu Jinsong would naturally not follow the path of "Silly Eagle," nor would the people of the Great Ming accept it.
As Zhu Jinsong mused on these miscellaneous matters, Zeng Cheng continued, "With the increasing number of workshops in various regions, more and more people are migrating to towns. And the existing cities..."
Although Zeng Cheng did not finish his sentence, Zhu Jinsong understood implicitly that the current cities had become an obstacle to the industrialization and urbanization of the Great Ming. Except for the capital, all other cities featured high walls and deep moats, simple city walls that divided the interior and exterior into two distinct parts.
As for demolishing the city walls...
After considerable deliberation, Zhu Jinsong tapped the table with his fingers and said solemnly, "Regarding the city walls, let's start with Tianjin as a pilot. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works should collaborate to meticulously plan Tianjin."
However, Zhu Erdan stepped forward to object, "Imperial Brother, if we need a pilot location, why not anywhere else in the realm? Why must it be Tianjin? Tianjin is, after all, the gateway to the capital; how can it be without city walls?"
Zeng Cheng also nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty, I believe Prince Qin's words are most apt. Tianjin is a vital strategic point for the capital. Perhaps we should choose another location?"
Zhu Jinsong waved his hand with a smile and replied, "Are there any other places as close to the capital as Tianjin? Although Tianjin is a key strategic area of the capital, the North Sea Fleet and the East Sea Fleet each have a detachment stationed nearby, and among the three armies guarding the capital, one is stationed near Tianjin. Do other places possess such conditions?"
"Furthermore, times have changed. In past wars, moats and city walls were the best defenses for a city. However, in the current warfare model, moats are still somewhat useful, but city walls are almost entirely useless."
With Zhu Jinsong's explanation, Zhu Erdan and Zeng Cheng were left with nothing more to say.
The numerous armies under the Five Chief Military Commissions of the Great Ming, when dispersed across various regions, typically saw a military garrison of only one army-level formation in important military towns. Only the capital had three army formations.
The four major fleets under the Five Chief Military Commissions of the Great Ming were generally stationed at various naval bases. Tianjin itself had a naval base, with one each in nearby Liaodong and Shandong.
If considered purely from the perspective of military strength, Tianjin was likely the strongest in the Great Ming, aside from the capital. Even without the protection of city walls, Tianjin could still be considered impregnable.
As for what would happen if the Great Ming's military strength faltered...
As Zhu Jinsong stated, if that day ever came, it was likely that the tall city walls and deep, wide moats of Tianjin would be of no consequence.
With this thought, Zeng Cheng and Zhu Erdan, along with other senior officials, nodded in agreement.
Zhu Jinsong continued, "As the saying goes, don't trouble two masters for one task. Let's try the repeated construction of workshops and other miscellaneous issues in Tianjin. Afterward, the Grand Secretariat and the various ministries should devise a plan and temporarily place Tianjin under the direct administration of the Grand Secretariat."
The decision to use Tianjin as a pilot was a necessary choice for Zhu Jinsong and the Great Ming court.
Apart from the military aspects, which required less concern, the most crucial factor was Tianjin's proximity to the capital. Even if problems arose during the pilot phase, Zhu Jinsong and the Great Ming court would have ample time to react, preventing major chaos. Choosing other locations would lack this convenience.
Even so, for the current Great Ming, this was not merely the first step on a journey of ten thousand miles. The problems and issues that the Great Ming faced and needed to resolve were far more than what was apparent on the surface.
For example, the ongoing reform efforts, such as the separation of the Censorate, the Office of the Imperial Censor, and the Grand Court of Revision, had begun to show some preliminary effects. The officials of the Great Ming were now not as afraid of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but rather of the Office of the Imperial Censor and the Censorate.
However, fear did not equate to obedience among the Great Ming's officials.
It was akin to the Hongwu era when Zhu Yuanzhang flayed a corrupt official and stuffed them with straw to create a scarecrow, which was then hung in the main hall. Initially, newly appointed officials would be terrified upon seeing it, but over time, they grew accustomed to it and dared to become corrupt themselves, ultimately meeting the same fate as the scarecrow.
The officials of the Great Ming today were no different. They would still dare to engage in both legitimate and illegitimate activities. At most, their corruption would be more concealed due to the presence of the Office of the Imperial Censor, the Censorate, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, making it a challenge even for the famously astute Embroidered Uniform Guard.
If these myriad issues were not all piled before Zhu Jinsong, he would not have felt compelled to select a location for a pilot.