According to the regulations of the Great Ming Dynasty, once a consort crossed the palace gates, it was nearly impossible for her to return home—or, as some might say, strictly forbidden. If they missed their parents, their only options were to write letters or have their parents enter the palace to visit them. However, the inner palace belonged solely to the Emperor, so no one could visit without His Majesty’s express permission. This gesture of Emperor Chongzhen’s had truly touched Zhang Yan.
"Sister, there is no need for such formalities. I do this for the sake of the people under heaven," Emperor Chongzhen continued, acting to win their favor.
After the two empresses departed, Emperor Chongzhen reviewed his economic reforms to see if there were any areas for improvement. Indeed, he had already begun these reforms in silence. The first step was to abolish the household registration system and convert the hereditary status of military and stove-household families into a wage-labor relationship. Next, he had the Earl of Taikang and the Earl of Jiading establish workshops and factories. This was not done with the aim of developing capitalism—they lacked the capacity to do so anyway. In Emperor Chongzhen’s view, he could not accomplish a bourgeois revolution from the top down. The Great Ming Dynasty’s small-peasant economy was too massive, and the gentry and landlords were formidable obstacles. Capitalism could sprout in the Great Ming, but it would be difficult for it to ta…
Chapter 463