I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Chapter 389 One million taels!
The successful implementation of equalizing land and equalizing service greatly increased Zhu Youxiao's confidence and made him feel much better.

But unexpectedly, the good thing was not over. Wang Yingjiao, the Minister of Household Affairs, also stepped forward at this time.

"Your Majesty, I would like to inform you if I have something to report."

"I love you, but it's okay to talk about it."

When Wang Yingjiao heard this, he took out a question book from his sleeves and held it above his head with both hands. When Wei Zhongxian saw this, he immediately went down and took it and handed it to Zhu Youxiao.

"Your Majesty, since the salt tax reform was confirmed at the beginning of the year, salt merchants have responded one after another. When the imperial court auctioned quotas in Yangzhou in June, many merchants gathered in Yangzhou and prepared to bid. This matter was led by the Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing and assisted by the Ministry of Household Affairs in Nanjing.

After two months of bidding, 25 large salt merchants, 75 medium salt merchants, and [-] inferior salt merchants have been auctioned, for a total of [-] people. "

Zhu Youxiao was immediately shocked when he heard this and quickly asked Wei Zhongxian to hand over Wang Yingjiao's question book.

What he cares about is not how many people are elected, but that the salt merchants have to pay a deposit for this election.The quota for large salt merchants is 20 taels, the quota for medium salt merchants is 13 taels, and the quota for small salt merchants is 8 taels.

Calculated in this way, there will be a salt merchant deposit of 1000 million taels in one wave. Although it is once every five years, 1000 million taels is enough.

Zhu Youxiao slowly opened the question book handed over by Wei Zhongxian and looked at the content inside carefully.

Everyone below stopped talking and looked directly at the emperor, and saw a smile slowly appearing on the emperor's face.

"Good, good, good."

After Zhu Youxiao patiently read it, he could no longer contain his joy and said three good words in a row.

"Wang Aiqing, you did a great job this time. It increased the court's income by a full 1000 million taels. I don't know how to reward you for such a contribution."

Wang Yingjiao's reaction when he heard this was not joy, but fear. Upon seeing this, he quickly bowed and said:
“These are all things that His Majesty pushed ahead against all opinions, and the ministers only acted in accordance with His Majesty’s orders and did not dare to go beyond them.

If you want to take credit, I would first recommend Bi Ziyan, Governor of Southern Zhili, because Yangzhou was originally under his jurisdiction.From the issuance of the edict to the auction, although the Ministry of Revenue issued orders and sent people there, it was in fact inseparable from Bi Ziyan's presiding and support. "

Zhu Youxiao felt more and more satisfied when he heard Wang Yingjiao being so humble.

Since Wang Yingjiao became the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he has taken the lead in finance and transferred the financial power of the Five Ministries and Nine Ministers to the Ministry of Household Affairs, which greatly improved the status and weight of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Zhu Youxiao's money bag has been bulging a lot, and now he has done such a big thing, but he is so humble. How can Zhu Youxiao not like this?

"Okay, okay, you are so self-effacing, but you have lived up to my expectations. If you have merit, you will be rewarded. Otherwise, how can you convince the public? I will give Wang Yingjiao a hundred taels of silver and a bright red gold-woven unicorn robe on the chest and back."

Although Wang Yingjiao still wanted to ask for credit for Bi Ziyan, he also knew that he could not offend the emperor, so he immediately handed over his thanks.

"Your Majesty, Wang Shangshu has made great contributions, but there is some truth in what he said. When Bi Ziyan was the governor of Nanzhili, he fulfilled his duties. He not only successfully recovered the debts owed by the gentry family of Nanzhili, but also presided over the transfer of the Nanjing Household Department's powers to The Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing is now assisting the imperial court in implementing the salt tax reform in Yangzhou, and it has indeed made a great contribution."

At this time, Liu Yishen, the chief assistant of the cabinet, also stood up and echoed Wang Yingjiao's words. After all, Bi Ziyan had indeed contributed a lot this year, and now that he had made such a great contribution, he should be rewarded.

After Liu Yishui finished speaking, Ye Xianggao and others also stood up to support him.They knew the truth inside, and felt that Bi Ziyan should be rewarded. Wang Yingjiao also agreed when he saw this.Seeing so many people in the cabinet speaking to Bi Ziyan, Zhu Youxiao was a little surprised, and he even felt that they were forcing him.

However, he thought for a moment and felt that Bi Ziyan had made a great contribution.It was Bi Ziyan who picked out the debt owed by Jiangnan. He was also appointed by himself to serve as the governor of Southern Zhili to recover the debt.

There are many wealthy gentry in Jiangnan, and the difficulties are evident from Zhu Youxiao's continuous impeachment of Bi Ziyan.

Now that things in Jiangnan were settled, and Bi Ziyan was a famous financial expert, Zhu Youxiao suddenly had plans to get him back to Beijing.

"I know Bi Ziyan's contribution. Now that the salt and silver have been paid, I will ask Bi Ziyan to personally lead and send elite troops to escort the capital. There must be no mistake. When he arrives in the capital, I will interview him in person."

Seeing what the emperor said, everyone agreed and said no more.Zhu Youxiao's mind quickly turned to the 1000 million taels that were about to be escorted to the capital.

Although so much money has to be escorted to the Ministry of Accounts and not a penny will go into Zhu You's school fund, it is enough to make him excited.

This is enough money for two years of Liao's salary, and Zhu Youxiao has already thought of the use of it, which is the cost of completely wiping out Jianlu next year.

He originally had a salary of 560 million, and now he still has a reserve of 1000 million taels. With this Jinshan and Jianlu at the expense, he does not believe that the expense will not kill Jianlu.

It's just that not only Zhu Youxiao was thinking about how to spend so much money, the ministers present were also thinking about how to spend the money based on their own wishful thinking.

"I would like to congratulate Your Majesty. The salt tax reform has been so successful that it can cover the income of Liao's salary for two years. The court no longer has to worry about Liao's salary.

Therefore, I boldly suggest that in the world where Liao's taxes are imposed, the people's burdens are increased. In order to pay taxes every year, family property may be sold, and at worst, the family may be destroyed.Now that the imperial court has salt tax revenue, which is enough to make up for the Liao's salary income, it is requested that your Majesty abolish the Liao's salary to relieve the people's poverty and save the people from the fire and water. "

At this time, a voice suddenly sounded from among the courtiers. Following his speech, Liu Yisui, Ye Xianggao and all the courtiers all changed their minds. They quickly followed the voice and saw that it was Feng Sanyuan, the deputy censor of Youdu.

Zhu Youxiao was also surprised and speechless by these words. From confusion at first to anger, his face slowly turned livid.

Before you can keep your money warm, some people think that you have too much money and ask you to spit out the money.

This Feng Sanyuan had previously opposed Bi Ziyan's pursuit of debts owed by Jiangnan gentry, and now he wanted to take this opportunity to cut off his own financial path. It was really hateful.

Not to mention that the Liao salary was carefully calculated and the burden on the people was very small. If the Liao salary was really abolished, wouldn't the local government collect it?

Zhu Youxiao knew the following habits very well. Even if he didn't accept it, the local government would still accept it, but the money ended up in the hands of local officials.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but get angry. He immediately slapped the dragon chair heavily and glared at Feng Sanyuan.

"There is boiling resentment among the people, from selling family property at the least, to ruining the family and destroying people at the worst, and from saving the people from fire and water.

Could it be that in your eyes, I am such a foolish king? I have done wrong things this year and made the world unpeaceful, yet I let you bully me like this. "

(End of this chapter)