Daming: The most ruthless tyrant in history

Chapter 131 An idea

When it comes to top-down reforms, there is never a simple explanation. It is like a giant ship sailing on the endless sea. It is still in calm waters on the surface, but there are turbulent undercurrents below, and there are things ready to go ahead. In the storm zone, the hull of the ship is extremely fragile. The keel is eaten by countless moths, many rivets are pulled out, holes are cracked in the hull, and sea water pours into the hull. The people on board have their own agendas. For the captain at the helm, how to rescue himself? , eliminate moths, plug holes, move forward decisively against all opinions, try our best to avoid the eye of the storm, find a reliable landing place, and buy time to replace the keel and repair the hull. This is destined to be thrilling...

"I really did not misjudge Aiqing."

In the East Nuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, bursts of laughter rang out. Bi Ziyan was sitting on the brocade stool, his face slightly haggard. Zhu Youxiao said with emotion: "Even Xiu Mu, Ai Qing, is so dedicated to serving the country and the dynasty." To solve problems, if everyone in the civil and military affairs of the court could be like Ai Qing, caring about the country and the world, how could the country be so difficult?"

When he said this, Zhu Youxiao sighed inwardly. The financial minister of the Ming Dynasty was the financial minister of the Ming Dynasty. Bi Ziyan's financial management ability was really impeccable.

Based on the operating model of the small-scale peasant economy, if we want to improve the central government's financial predicament and ease the economic pressure we are facing, all we can do is increase revenue and reduce expenditure.

The existing financial system of the Ming Dynasty, in Zhu Youxiao's opinion, is cumbersome and bloated. There are too many unreasonable things in it, including commercial taxes that are too low and arbitrary, mine taxes that are in vain, and abnormal taxation, which is disgusting. The tea tax... If I were to list them all, it would take a few days to finish.

Faced with such an intricate situation, what Zhu Youxiao can do is to completely separate internal funds from the national treasury. Internal funds are internal funds, and the national treasury is the national treasury. The former is led by him and actively open source, so that the money bag can always be full. In order to plan what he thinks is right, the latter has a minister who is proficient in finance to temporarily stabilize the central finance, and gradually sort out this ridiculous financial system according to the way civil servants think and understand.

To put it simply, it is the treasury under this period. Zhu Youxiao, the great emperor of tomorrow, has to be the master of the treasury and let trusted ministers make adjustments and make minor changes.

When the overall situation becomes more stable, external military threats are partially eliminated, internal political malpractice hidden dangers are partially resolved, certain advantageous industries are supported, and most of the military power is controlled.

Then the thorough reform of the tax and labor system can be implemented in an orderly manner. Whoever dares to oppose or protest at that time, what Zhu Youxiao will do is to suppress it with iron blood! !
This was something Zhu Youxiao figured out after careful consideration and assessment of the situation.

If Zhu Youxiao dares to push the tenants into their own land now, make officials and gentry pay for food and work as errands, and return the money to the public, then not only will the Ming Dynasty not get better, but it will provoke a counterattack by the gentry, and even in serious cases, there will be riots. There were sudden civil commotions and rebellions.

"The abolition of assessed wages is undoubtedly a benevolent and benevolent policy."

Bi Ziyan lowered his head slightly, "Since I took charge of the Ministry of Revenue, I have reviewed a large number of documents. In recent years, Liao Territory has consumed too much money and food, and the frequent disasters in various places have caused the treasury to be empty.

However, the rebel rebellion in Liao was a source of disaster that threatened the stability of the country. Ensuring the stability of Liao affairs was what the country had to do.

Therefore, apportioning Liao's salary is really a helpless move. However, in recent years, various places have been under great pressure. Blindly apportioning Liao's salary to local areas may help reduce some pressure on the country, but it is not the right way after all.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, the imperial court should increase revenue and reduce expenditure, promote advantages and eliminate disadvantages, focus on reducing expenditure, increase revenue and progressively increase revenue, eliminate redundant soldiers and redundant service, revive farming, strictly investigate the false claims of military pay, investigate hidden fields and private fields, and increase salt production. , so that merchants can transport grain to the border..."

The corners of Zhu Youxiao's mouth turned up slightly. What is a pillar?This is called Dongliang!

Perhaps what Bi Ziyan said, in Zhu Youxiao's view, did not touch upon the core financial problems of the Ming Dynasty. However, under such a situation, Bi Ziyan was able to clarify the above policies. If they can be pragmatically promoted, at least they can make the The pressure on the foreign treasury of North Korea has been relatively relieved, so that it will not affect his plan to open up internal funds.

Things are done one by one.

Especially when it comes to core interests, it is absolutely impossible to achieve results without a long-term struggle process.

What Bi Ziyan, the great financial steward, will have to do in the next few years is to maintain the financial system for Zhu Youxiao and gradually improve the financial predicament. Zhu Youxiao will never let go of the internal funds and resource control.

It's not easy for anyone to come!

"...Your Majesty, if you want to implement the above policies, the existing manpower of the Ministry of Revenue may not be enough."

While Zhu Youxiao was thinking, Bi Ziyan looked slightly complicated and stood up from the brocade stool to bow, "Now that the official meeting has been postponed, it is not conducive to the stability of the government. The shortage of some officials is important to the country. Stable.

In addition, all the strategies I have planned need to be fully fulfilled by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Otherwise, if there is a revival of farming, strict investigation of fake military pay, and an inventory of hidden fields and private fields, it may be difficult for local officials to take it seriously. I am bold enough to ask for advice. I hope your majesty will This matter can be decided early. "

Han Zanzhou, who was serving at the side, looked at Bi Ziyan with a slight frown. "If you want to report the matter to the Ministry of Husbandry, just talk to the Ministry of Husbandry. Why should the Ministry of Personnel and the Metropolitan Procuratorate be involved? You are the Minister of the Ministry of Husbandry." Can you tell?It seems that someone is looking for Bi Ziyan privately.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Ziyan and didn't rush to say anything.

The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty is like this. There is me among you, and there is you among me. Maybe some ministers do not belong to any party or faction, but they still have some friendship with them in private. These are unavoidable.

After all, no one lives in a vacuum.

Why can’t internal strife within the party be eliminated?
The root lies in this.

Who can ensure a worry-free life?Can the journey really be smooth?I'm afraid no one can guarantee it. If you have a private friendship and have more contacts, this friendship will be different from others. Once you make certain decisions or actions due to certain things, there will be certain causes and effects.

The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty is complex and intricate. When dealing with some things, you cannot make arbitrary conclusions. This is the most ignorant behavior.

"I understand your advice."

Zhu Youxiao smiled slightly and said: "Since there are ministers and vacancies in the Ministry of Household Affairs, then Aiqing, as the Minister of the Ministry of Households, should be recommended to the country. Make this matter clear as soon as possible and submit a recommendation note to me. Those who are pragmatic and willing to do it, Aiqing Your Majesty must maintain good relations with the Household Department, which is fundamental to the stability of the country and the dynasty."

"Your Majesty, is this not in line with etiquette?"

Bi Ziyan was stunned for a moment, then he bowed and said.

"The current state of affairs is so difficult, how could I have such an idea?"

Zhu Youxiao said: "I have my own ideas about the matters concerning the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. What I love to do now is to alleviate the bad government as soon as possible so that the national treasury can be gradually filled.

If all the people you love just follow the rules, how can you effectively implement all the policies you advise?If the various measures fail to bear fruit, will the country and the dynasty go back to the old path and continue to allocate Liao salaries? "

Now that he has decided to reuse Bi Ziyan, it means that Zhu Youxiao has handed over the household department to Bi Ziyan. As long as the general direction is correct, there is no need to pay attention to the minor details.

Zhu Youxiao would not be able to do such a stupid thing if he wanted the chief steward of the Ministry of Revenue to improve the central finance, but clinging to certain powers so that Bi Ziyan could not be promoted or demoted.

Zhu Youxiao's money bag is internal money. As long as this money bag can be filled up and more capable ministers and officials who are proficient in finance are cultivated during this period, tax reform can be promoted in the future.

After all, there were still too few people in the Ming Dynasty who were proficient in finance.

When Bi Ziyan left Dongnuang Pavilion, he felt a little complicated. On the one hand, he was very touched by the trust he had in the emperor. He was able to hand over all the powers of the Ministry of Accounts to him. This trust alone was the only thing Bi Ziyan could do. The main thing is to manage the household department well and relieve the pressure on the national treasury as soon as possible.

But on the other hand, even though he advised the emperor on some matters, the emperor did not accept them. This gave Bi Ziyan a headache as to how to face those who came to him.

Forget it, let’s do our job first.

When he lowered his head and walked to Qianqing Gate, he saw the elite soldiers of the Supreme Guards who were on duty here, still standing upright in the cold wind, Bi Ziyan's eyes changed.

Xu Shi saw people thinking about things, which made Bi Ziyan firm up his thoughts deep in his heart. He is now the Minister of Household Affairs of the Ming Dynasty. The most important thing for him to do now is to do his job well. As for the disturbances or conflicts in the court, they are indeed It must be taken into account, but the priority should not be confused. If that is the case, how can the household department shoulder its due responsibilities?How can the treasury be improved?
Bi Ziyan, who wanted to understand this, couldn't help but speed up his steps, and the red robe gradually moved away...

(End of this chapter)