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

Chapter 412: Everyone is happy, only Lao Zhu is uncomfortable (please subscribe!!)

In fact, the local officials had already received the news before the convoy from the Ministry of Household Affairs distributing year-end bonuses arrived at the local level.

Wanzhou Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

When Ke Wenhao, who has now been promoted to prefect, heard that the Ministry of Revenue convoy was about to arrive, he took all the officials of Wanzhou Prefecture and waited at the gate of Wanzhou City early in the morning.

All officials, including Ke Wenhao, looked forward with anticipation.

"Master Prefect, I heard that the imperial court is really going to give us money this time. Is this true?"

"That's right! It has been twenty years since the Ming Dynasty was founded, and our salaries have never changed. The court has never given us any year-end bonuses. I'm afraid this is not a lie to us!"

"But I heard that the year-end bonus is quite a lot! I really like him. I'm already 30 years old and I haven't married yet. It's all because I'm poor!"

"Hey, we are in a remote mountainous area. There are only a few girls here, and women from other places are not willing to come to our place."

Listening to the discussions among his officials, Ke Wenhao said with a smile: "First of all, my government has received the news that today the Ministry of Household's convoy to distribute year-end bonuses will arrive in our Wanzhou City. They are here to give us year-end bonuses!"

After a while, the Tobe motorcade slowly arrived.

While Ke Wenhao was communicating with his officials, a convoy consisting of dozens of people and escorted by hundreds of soldiers slowly came over.

After the words fell, the officials behind Ke Wenhao all looked excited and gearing up. They had only heard about the so-called year-end bonus before, but now it is right in front of them and they can get it immediately. How can they not be excited!

"So as officials, you have to change your thoughts. Our Wanzhou Mansion is no longer a remote and remote place. I believe that many women will be willing to marry into our Wanzhou Mansion in the future!"

Ke Wenhao said with a smile.

The words fell.

Before Ke Wenhao read a name, an official came forward to take away the year-end bonus box and the key, and at the same time signed the directory.

"Yes, Lord Prefect!"

An official quickly reminded him.

After saying that, the junior official from the Ministry of Revenue clapped his hands and said, "Someone, bring down all the year-end bonuses for Wanzhou Prefecture officials!"

"Look, look, look, it seems like the Hubu's motorcade is coming!"

An official got out of the carriage. Judging from the official uniform, this official was just an eighth-grade official.

"Brother, let's go!" Ke Wenhao raised his thumb and then looked at the motorcade behind the household official.

"Yes!" Ke Wenhao nodded, and then began to distribute year-end bonuses according to the list.

"I'll just leave it all to you. Here is the list and the keys. You can distribute them on the spot!"

"No problem, brother, I'll do it right now! But I don't need to go to Qianzhou Mansion so quickly. Brother, I have prepared a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust. It won't be too late to leave after dinner!" Ke Wenhao said with a smile. .

"At the same time, I welcome you all to come to Wanzhou Mansion!"

Ke Wenhao immediately stepped forward and saluted respectfully to the household team.

"The prefect is right!"

Ke Wenhao took the directory and key and nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, brother!"

"You don't need to thank me. If you want to thank me, just thank His Majesty and Ouyang Consort! If Ouyang Consort hadn't proposed it and His Majesty agreed, none of us would have such an income!" The junior official from the Ministry of Revenue continued: "Ouyang Consort asked me to tell everyone. , this year-end bonus is the first, but it will definitely not be the last. As long as you continue to work hard, there will definitely be another next year!”

"Oh, what do you call the magistrate? As the saying goes, the officials assigned to the capital will automatically be promoted to three levels. This means that our ranks are equal. Moreover, this is not the capital. We don't need so many rules. I, Ke Wenhao, can also be regarded as the son-in-law. Now that my colleagues from the Ministry of Finance are here, I must take good care of them!”

"In addition, our Wanzhou Prefecture used to be poor, but it is different now. After a year of construction, our Wanzhou Prefecture has built three national roads, as well as countless county roads and township roads. From now on, whether you are leaving Wanzhou Prefecture or returning home, Wanzhoufu is very convenient! ”

In response to Ke Wenhao's overtures, this junior official from the Ministry of Revenue also acted calmly and calmly, "I have met the prefect!"

"Okay, please give it to me, brother. After I finish distributing it to Wanzhou Prefecture, I have to go to Qianzhou Prefecture!" said the junior official of the Ministry of Revenue.

"Ke Wenhao, the magistrate of Wanzhou Prefecture of Sichuan Province, pays homage to the Lords of the Ministry of Household Affairs!"

But even so, Ke Wenhao still did not show any arrogance or dissatisfaction. Instead, he took the initiative to grab the hand of the official from the Ministry of Revenue and get close to him, "Welcome colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue to our Wanzhou Mansion!"

"It seems that I know a lot, brother. I will keep the story short. Today is to distribute this year's year-end bonus. I hope all my colleagues can have a good year!"

"Yes, we will definitely work harder and strive to achieve more results." Ke Wenhao and other officials nodded.

If he is too cautious, he will lose the majesty of the household department and the face of Ouyang's consort.

Hearing the voice, Ke Wenhao also reacted and said quickly: "Prefect Duben is standing, he is an official from the Ministry of Household Affairs and our God of Wealth. We must try to behave better in front of them! Leave a good impression. , it will be easier to ask for money in the future!”

"Yes!"

"King Li Chengkai and Zhao Wentao."

"Let's call ourselves brothers. I'm a little older, so I'll call you brother, and you can just call me brother!"

Other officials agreed, and at the same time they all straightened their backs and became much more serious.

The casual attendant immediately began to carry down a small wooden box. After a while, there were a bunch of small boxes in the open space. Each small wooden box was locked. At the same time, the official's name and rating were engraved on the wooden box.

"Brother, I appreciate it. Let's wait until you pay out the year-end bonus!" The junior official from the Ministry of Finance did not refuse directly.

"In that case, I will bother you!" The junior official from the Ministry of Household Affairs did not refuse. He was sent from the capital to Sichuan Province to distribute the year-end bonuses of officials. He had encountered many such things, and he also knew very well that the reason why these people You are polite to him not because of him personally, but because he is an official of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ouyang Consort behind the Ministry of Household Affairs!

"Brother, these are the year-end bonuses for officials at all levels in your Wanzhou Prefecture. Each official corresponds to a small box."

As the junior official from the Ministry of Revenue said, he handed Ke Wenhao a directory and a bunch of keys.

"Good good!"

"Holy crap! So many! I actually have two thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels!"

"I have more than you, four thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels!"

"Is this a year-end bonus? This is obviously a chance to get rich overnight!"

“With this year-end bonus, not only will I be able to have a good year this year, I will also have enough food next year, so I don’t have to worry about money at all!”

"I'm so touched that Prince Consort Ouyang can think about us local officials." "I won't say anything else. If I can't do it next year, I'll do it to death!"

Ke Wenhao opened his year-end bonus box, "One thousand two thousand taels. Five thousand taels. Six thousand taels. Eighteen thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels. Hiss. This is too much!"

Seeing that his year-end bonus was so large, Ke Wenhao looked at the household official in disbelief, "Brother, is this a mistake?"

"Brother, don't worry. I'm not mistaken. If you were the magistrate, you wouldn't have had so many year-end bonuses. But now that you are the magistrate and you have received excellent evaluations, you have this year-end bonus of nearly 20,000 taels." , your year-end bonus is the only one among ordinary state capitals!"

"This is also the court's recognition of you!"

After listening to the explanation from the household official, Ke Wenhao suddenly felt tears rolling in the corners of his eyes.

There is a feeling that a scholar dies for his confidant.

"Brother, I won't eat anymore. Little brother, I have to rush to Qianzhou Mansion before it gets dark. Say goodbye!"

After saying that, the junior official returned to the carriage, and the convoy hurriedly left and quickly disappeared from sight.

"Everyone, if you are drinking today, go to Master's place to sign up. I will pay for tonight's drinks!!"

After receiving a year-end bonus of nearly 20,000 yuan, Ke Wenhao suddenly felt confident. Officials like them could live a good life openly and honestly!

"Your Majesty, you are so proud!"

"Sir, please have a drink, and I'll invite everyone to listen to music!"

"Then I'll ask everyone to wash their feet!"

"Who wants to wash your feet?"

"Who?"

"Damn it, you shouted but didn't acknowledge it. Are you afraid that you don't have enough money?"

"If you don't have money, don't call me to wash my feet! It makes me want to wash my feet!"

The situation in Wanzhou Prefecture is also happening in other state capitals.

After officials received the year-end bonus, their admiration for Ouyang Lun reached its peak. Some officials even regarded Ouyang Lun as their idol and spiritual leader. Some officials even hung Ouyang Lun's portrait in their study room to encourage themselves from time to time.

Officials are also holding back their energy and plan to make an all-out effort in the new year.

The vision returns to the capital.

Compared with the soaring enthusiasm of officials across the country, officials in the capital have gradually calmed down. However, with the support of year-end bonuses, the officials' work efficiency has improved a lot and they strive to be advanced!

On this day, Zhu Yuanzhang was dancing in the square with Queen Ma.

After a square dance and when he was about to take a rest, Ji Gang hurried over.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Ji Gang and said calmly: "If you have anything to do, just tell me directly."

"Your Majesty, according to the news from the Jinyi Guards in various places, the Ministry of Revenue has distributed the year-end bonuses to local officials. Officials who received the year-end bonuses are very happy!" Ji Gang said.

"That's 1.5 billion taels of silver! At least one thousand taels of silver for each person, just like money falling from the sky. Who can be unhappy!?" Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "Those are all my money. I guess this is the most valuable thing." I’m the one who’s sad!”

"Your Majesty, after receiving the year-end bonuses, local officials have significantly increased their enthusiasm for work and are becoming more and more careful in their work. They are now thinking of various ways to solve problems that could not be solved before!" Ji Gang continued to report.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was still depressed, was stunned after hearing this.

But then he showed a disdainful expression, "There must be a brave man under a heavy reward. This bastard has scattered 1.5 billion taels of silver. If it has no effect at all, then he doesn't need to be the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

"This kind of reward cannot last at all. I put my words here. Within three months, many officials will be back to their original state!"

"Okay, I know everything. You Jinyiwei people are all being watched by me. If you have any news, report it immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Ji Gang saluted, he slowly stepped back.

After Ji Gang left, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression gradually became serious.

Queen Ma stood aside and said nothing, but after seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's expression, she suddenly asked: "Chongba, what do you seem to be worried about?"

"Isn't it a good thing that the enthusiasm of officials has been mobilized? Although 1.5 billion taels of silver is indeed a lot, Ming Dynasty's tax revenue has increased a lot this year, and there is a Kaiping Silver Box to cover the bottom line, so there will be no shortage of money."

"Are you worried about money?"

Hearing Empress Ma's words, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly, "One and a half billion taels of silver. It would be a lie to say that you don't feel sorry for it. In the 20 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the national treasury has never exceeded 100 million taels. What a kid like Ouyang Lun has done is unreasonable." It’s different from spending all the money in the treasury at once!”

"Of course, I can figure out the money issue now."

"Now there is a more difficult problem."

"What's the problem?" Queen Ma asked curiously.

"This time Ouyang Lun fought for the year-end bonus for the officials. Although we agreed, the officials all know that this is actually Ouyang Lun's contribution, and I am afraid they will be extremely grateful. However, as the emperor, we have become a transparent person. In addition, Last time, we vetoed the official salary increase in front of all the civil and military officials, and now the officials probably like this bastard Ouyang Lun even more!"

"I'm worried."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not say it directly, but changed the topic and continued: "Ouyang Lun's ability is beyond words. When he was the chief envoy, he governed Beizhili into the first economic province of the Ming Dynasty and built the strongest economy in history. of the Great Wall, served as the imperial edict, reformed the clan welfare system, completely solved the clan funding problem, served as provincial governor, saved the four southern provinces, and now serves as the minister of household affairs, which has led to the skyrocketing tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty. I have gone through this step by step. I found that I had underestimated him, and even now we haven’t seen clearly where his limits are!”

"Sister, to be honest with you, we are a little afraid of him!"

"What's more important is that I am already sixty, and he is less than thirty. With his means, ability, and prestige, we really doubt whether Biao'er can suppress him in the future."

After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Empress Ma thought for a moment and slowly said: "Chongba, if it were someone else, your concern would be correct, but Ouyang is our son-in-law. As the saying goes, half a son-in-law. After all these years, you Don’t you still know who Ouyang is?”

"He is just lazy and unambitious. If you hadn't forced him these years, he wouldn't have been able to reach the position of Minister of the Ministry of Finance!"

"Let me tell you, you created Ouyang Lun, the current Minister of Household Affairs, and yet you are still jealous and suspicious of him. You are going too far!"

"Ahem, sister, aren't we doing this for the development of the Ming Dynasty?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little embarrassed, "Look at the Ming Dynasty today. If I hadn't made good use of this guy Ouyang Lun, how would it be like this prosperous world now?"

"Haha, you just want to take advantage, but you don't want to take risks, right?"

(End of this chapter)