Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 411: One hundred and fifty million. This is all my money! (Please subscribe!!)
"Hush - don't talk nonsense, your majesty is not something we can discuss? You don't want your life!"

"That's right, we have just received the year-end bonus and it has not been used up yet. It would be too unfair if we were convicted and imprisoned!"

"Who is going to interfere in the matter between His Majesty and the Consort?"

"He is a son-in-law, and he is also a king and a minister. It's complicated!"

"Let me tell you, let's keep the kindness of Ouyang Prince Consort in our hearts. If Ouyang Prince Consort really needs help, we can help secretly. This will be good for Ouyang Prince Consort and ourselves!"

"That's right, when Mr. Qiu Zhangqiu, the official of the Ministry of Revenue, distributed the year-end bonus, he warned that this matter should not be too public!"

"That's right, let's stop talking and let's drink and drink!"

"Let's toast Ouyang's consort from a distance!"

"it is good!"

The officials raised their wine glasses and toasted in the direction of the Zongren Mansion.

When Ouyang Lun proposed to issue year-end bonuses, he did not stop it because he thought that the so-called 'year-end bonus' was not that much. Even if it was a reward, he had to reward officials from time to time after all, so he could just regard it as an early reward.

at the same time.

Hearing this number, Zhu Yuanzhang almost fainted.

One hundred and fifty million taels of silver? ! !

Looking at the whole capital, there are many scenes like this, especially the middle and lower-level officials, who have more respect and gratitude for Ouyang Lun.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up in a flash, widened his eyes, and exclaimed: "Ji Gang, are you sure you are not mistaken? This year-end bonus will be at least one thousand taels?!"

"Ji Gang, did you just say how much was the year-end bonus?"

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Household Affairs has started distributing year-end bonuses." Ji Gang said.

Ji Gang cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the number of civilian officials in our Ming Dynasty is about 5480, and the number of military officials is about 28000, totaling more than people. If calculated based on the average of taels per person, this time Ouyang Prince Consort. The imperial court sent out a total of billion taels of silver."

Even if Ouyang Lun wanted to reward officials more, Zhu Yuanzhang would not have any objections.

But I never expected that this year-end bonus would be so high. It was at least one thousand taels of silver per person, and the total cost was 1.5 billion taels of silver.

Listening to Ji Gang's words, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly, "Yeah."

Zhu Yuanzhang in the palace also received the news.

'Bang', Zhu Yuanzhang sat back on the dragon throne and said in shock: "How much does this cost!"

"Ouyang Lun, this bastard bastard! Is he crazy!"

"The general found out that a fifth-grade official with a superior evaluation was given 8,888 taels of silver, and a first-grade official with an average evaluation was given 48,888 taels of silver." Ji Gang continued.

The news about the year-end bonus quickly spread throughout the capital. The officials were grateful to Ouyang Lun, and the people also admired Ouyang Lun's ability. He was not only able to benefit the people, but also the officials. Who could not be such a minister of household affairs? like?

After a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang froze, his pen hanging in mid-air.

"Just give it out." Zhu Yuanzhang immersed himself in reviewing the memorial. "It's okay to give some money to the officials. All these officials in the province are listless all day because of the lack of salary increase. Those who don't know think that I am right again. What did they do!"

"The upper-level assessment for fifth-grade officials is 8,888 taels of silver, while the intermediate assessment for first-grade officials is 48,888 taels of silver. The other officials at all levels also calculate their year-end bonuses based on their evaluation ratings. "According to the statistics of the general, no official who received a year-end bonus received less than one thousand taels of silver," Ji Gang answered truthfully.

"The general has verified it many times, and there are indeed so many!" Ji Gang nodded, "And even the general received a year-end bonus, which is 28,888 taels." Ji Gang replied.

"With so much payment, the tax revenue of the next year may not be so much. After all the payment is done, what will happen next year? !!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was really anxious. Although Ming Dynasty's tax revenue this year was not bad and would definitely exceed 100 million, Zhu Yuanzhang had not been happy for a few days. Ouyang Lun turned around and waved and spent 1.5 billion. Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he wanted to immediately He raised his knife and went to chop Ouyang Lun.

"Quick! Go to the Ministry of Revenue and pass on my instructions to stop the payment of year-end bonuses!"

"Your Majesty, according to what I know, all year-end bonuses have been distributed. There may be places further away that are still distributing them, but even if we rush there now, it will probably be too late." Ji Gang said helplessly.

"Has it all been paid out??" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little dumbfounded, but he quickly calmed down. He personally agreed to the payment of year-end bonuses. If he regrets it at this time, he will undoubtedly slap himself in the face, not to mention that Ouyang Lun used the imperial court In the name of Zhu Yuanzhang, the name of the court is his name, and he must not directly oppose it.

"It's all over. Some officials have already spent all their year-end bonuses." Ji Gang nodded.

"Bastard!" Zhu Yuanzhang growled. Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ji Gang and asked in a deep voice: "Ji Gang, this year-end bonus has been paid out, and you just came to tell me. Could it be that you already knew that for this year-end bonus, you deliberately procrastination?!"

"Ji Gang, were you bribed by Ouyang Lun too?!"

Hearing this, Ji Gang was so frightened that he knelt on the ground with a thud, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, please be careful. I will be loyal to Your Majesty in the end. I will never have two intentions, and I will never be bribed by Ouyang's consort!"

"The reason why I am reporting this at this time is because the Ministry of Accounts has done a good job in keeping secrets. The year-end bonuses are delivered to my door one by one in person, and I personally tell them to keep it secret and keep a low profile."

"So you chose to deceive me? You still said you didn't rebel!!" Zhu Yuanzhang almost roared.

"Your Majesty!" Ji Gang prostrated directly on the ground, "The general is not trying to deceive, but the Ministry of Revenue should know that the general is the commander of the Jinyi Guards, so he deliberately gave the year-end bonus to the general at the end, and waited for the general to confirm these things. By the time, all the payments have been completed by the Ministry of Accounts!”

"I don't dare to have any delay, I will report to His Majesty right away!"

"I am willing to swear on my wealth and life. If I have second thoughts, I will die!"

Hearing what Ji Gang said, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened slightly.

He was thinking about it just now. Ouyang Lun had given him a year-end bonus of 1.5 billion, which was a lot of money. But after all, he had promised it personally in court. He couldn't say that Ouyang Lun was at fault. Moreover, if he was forced to The money that was sent out and taken back from the officials will definitely make the officials feel chilled!
"How did the officials react?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a deep voice. Ji Gang once again recounted Baiguan's reaction after receiving the year-end bonus.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt as if he had eaten a fly when he heard that all the officials praised Ouyang Lun greatly after receiving the year-end bonus. All the officials also admired Ouyang Lun more and more.

You, Ouyang Lun, are the co-authors of the good guys, so I can only be the bad guy, right?

Now Zhu Yuanzhang did not dare to underestimate Ouyang Lun at all. When Ouyang Lun first came to the capital from Beizhili, Zhu Yuanzhang was very confident that he could manipulate Ouyang Lun at will. He also did the same, killing three people in front of Ouyang Lun. A corrupt official came to scare the monkeys, and then imprisoned Ouyang Lun in the princess's house.

I thought that was just the beginning of his mastery of Ouyang Lun, but unexpectedly he reached the pinnacle.

Now with Ouyang Lun's current status and prestige, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally cannot manipulate it at will. If he really takes action, many people will definitely stand up to oppose him.

Of course, if Zhu Yuanzhang ignores the objections of others, he can still easily kill Ouyang Lun. This is his prerogative as the emperor, but he will definitely get a bad reputation. Officials and people will accuse him of being a tyrant who is good at killing meritorious officials.

"Your Majesty, do you still need the general to stop this matter?"

Ji Gang said cautiously.

"No need, since the money has been distributed, let's forget it!" When saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang almost gritted his teeth!
"I want to see what kind of results Ouyang Lun will get next year if he spends 1.5 billion silver taels. If the tax revenue drops next year, I will settle old and new grudges with him!" Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to punish Ouyang Lun, but alone The reason Ouyang Lun paid more money is not sufficient now.

Zhu Yuanzhang was heartbroken that 1.5 billion taels of silver were gone out of thin air, but now that the money has been distributed, it would be too embarrassing to take it back by force.

"Ji Gang."

"The end will be here."

"Tell me how you feel about receiving the year-end bonus. I want it to be true!!" Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ji Gang and asked.

"To be honest with you, Your Majesty, when I received the year-end bonus, my mood was ups and downs. There were many things I didn't expect." Ji Gang took a deep breath, and then said slowly: "The first thing I didn't expect was the efficiency of the Ministry of Accounts. The year-end bonuses of all the officials in the imperial court will be calculated so quickly. You must know that there are more than 30,000 officials! As far as I know, the year-end bonus calculation is not simply based on the official level, but also takes into account comprehensive considerations. The performance of officials this year is divided into excellent, superior, average, inferior and failing. Each level has strict and specific selection criteria! "

"Such a complicated calculation is almost as difficult as calculating taxes, but the Ministry of Household Affairs has still figured it out. If it were replaced by the previous Ministry of Household Affairs, it would never have been done within half a year. It can be seen that after Ouyang Prince Consort took charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Household Affairs Bureau would not be able to come up with it. What an improvement the department has made.”

Zhu Yuanzhang muttered, "Huh, that lazy guy Ouyang Lun either spent money, invented a more efficient calculation method, or used tools."

Ji Gang continued: "The second thing I didn't expect is that the Ministry of Revenue will arrange for someone to deliver it door to door. I can feel the sincerity of the court and it has a sense of ceremony. It will make people feel that their efforts for a year have not been in vain!"

"The third one didn't expect." Ji Gang raised his head and glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, "The general didn't expect that the year-end bonus would be so generous!"

"Take the last general as an example. I am the third-rank commander of Jinyiweidu. The year-end bonus of the Ministry of Household Affairs is rated as high. The year-end bonus is 28,888 taels. I have never had so much salary in my life!"

"But I'm very happy with this money. I can improve my family's living conditions openly."

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "Ji Gang, didn't you tell me that you are not interested in money? Could it be that what you said before was all lies to me? It's not that you are not interested in money, you just don't have enough money!"

"Your Majesty has really wronged me. I really have no pursuit of money. That's because I know that as the commander of the Royal Guards, if I get caught up in money, it will become my weakness and I will probably be exploited by others! "Ji Gang explained: "But this year-end bonus is different. It is given by the imperial court based on the performance of the general, and it is earned by the general in an honest manner!"

"This nearly 30,000 taels of silver is enough to raise my family's living standard to a higher level, and also makes the general manager look forward to next year!"

Seeing Ji Gang getting more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes shining with hope for the future, Zhu Yuanzhang was also stunned.

"Your Majesty, there is something I shouldn't have said, but today I am bold. Although there are corrupt officials among officials, there are also good and good officials. If it is to suppress corrupt officials and make life difficult for good and good officials, Not only does this not solve the problem, it is also unfair to good officials!”

"The year-end bonus system introduced by Prince Consort Ouyang may be able to change this situation!"

"After all, since I can earn bonuses honorably, why do I need to embezzle?"

After listening to Ji Gang's words, Zhu Yuanzhang fell into deep thought. After a moment, he raised his head again, looked at Ji Gang and asked in a deep voice: "Ji Gang, are you telling the truth and not to excuse that guy Ouyang Lun?"

Ji Gang solemnly kowtowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, everything the general said today was from the bottom of his heart. He absolutely did not favor Ouyang's consort, nor did he mean to excuse him!"

"Okay, I know everything you said, please step back, I want to be alone for a while."

"Yes."

Ji Gang stood up, saluted again, and then slowly exited the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Wang Zhong also wisely led the other eunuchs and maids in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to retreat together.

Soon Zhu Yuanzhang was the only one left in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"If you can make money openly and honestly, why should you engage in corruption? Are the methods I used before all wrong?"

Zhu Yuanzhang whispered.

"Now that the money has been distributed, why not just use the trick and see how big a splash Ouyang Lun can make this time. If he can really solve the problem of official corruption, there is no problem in spending some money."

"One hundred and fifty million. This is all my money!"

"Damn Ouyang Lun!!"

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Wang Zhong and the eunuchs were startled when they heard Zhu Yuanzhang's roar coming from the hall.

"Boss, what's wrong with Your Majesty? It's rare to see His Majesty so angry."

"We can't interfere with His Majesty's affairs. We just have to do our own thing. Come on, let's get away quickly. If His Majesty knows that we heard this, will we die?"

After saying that, Wang Zhong took the other eunuchs and maids to stay away quickly.

While the capital was shocked by year-end bonuses, officials from various provinces, state governments, and county governments were also receiving their year-end bonuses one after another.

After receiving their year-end bonuses, these local officials were even more excited than the officials in the capital!
(End of this chapter)