Jingtai Fenghua

Chapter 198 The emperor asked: Where is the money?

Wang Zhi and Chen Xun had been waiting outside Qianqing Palace, and Cheng Jing did not go in to report.

The two waited for almost half an hour. Cheng Jing was still standing outside. Chen Xun frowned. He had been seeing those generals for so long. What could be so important?

If it was a major military matter, why didn't I, the chief minister of the cabinet, know about it?

Does Your Majesty no longer trust yourself at all?

Chen Xun couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat when he thought of this. He seemed to have done a lot of things that went against Zhu Qiyu's wishes recently, but he was also selfless!

Chen Xun saw Cheng Jing leading several of his father-in-laws into the imperial study. Because the generals in the imperial study had all finished their tea, Cheng Jing needed to bring someone to refill the tea and water.

While Cheng Jing was pouring tea and water for Zhu Qiyu, he said softly: "Your Majesty, Mr. Chen Ge and Wang Shangshu have been waiting outside for almost half an hour!"

"Huh? Let the two of them go back. I don't have time to see them this morning!" Zhu Qiyu said to Cheng Jing.

Zhu Qiyu wanted to invite those generals to dinner at noon. After all, these generals were still good so far. Although he did not dare to completely trust them, he still needed to win over them.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Cheng Jing immediately handed over and went out.

When they got outside, Cheng Jing raised his hands to Chen Xun and said, "Mr. Chen Ge, Wang Shangshu, your majesty and the generals are discussing things. I'm afraid we don't have time in the morning, so your majesty wants you to go back!"

After Chen Xun heard this, his heart trembled, and he discussed the matter with the generals? Discussing what? Why didn’t I, the chief minister of the cabinet, know this?

So he raised his hands to Cheng Jing and said, "What important matters do you generals have? Why is there no news from the cabinet?"

"The Zajia didn't know about it. Mr. Chen Ge also saw it. The Zajia didn't go in, and His Majesty didn't let everyone go in to wait!" Cheng Jing answered with cupped hands. Cheng Jing knew and couldn't say anything about this kind of thing.

"Thank you for your hard work, father-in-law. Come over this afternoon!" After hearing this, Chen Xun also bowed his hands to Cheng Jing, as did Wang Zhi.

Wang Zhi felt deeply in crisis, mainly because many of the people recommended by the Ministry of Personnel were crossed out by His Majesty.

Moreover, Wang Zhi still didn’t know what went wrong, so he wanted to come over and talk to His Majesty.

Chen Xun was also a little dissatisfied with Wang Zhi. When Lin Cunde was granted the title of marquis, Wang Zhi did so before he could say anything about it.

The two of them left Qianqing Palace and walked outside together.

"Why did you come to see His Majesty this time?" Chen Xun asked.

After Wang Zhi heard this, he smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Chen Ge, you also know that the last time we reorganized the army, many positions were vacant. The personnel department has not yet been arranged. Moreover, after many recommendations, His Majesty has crossed them out. Now, all the officials don’t know what to do and have been racking their brains to settle those positions!”

"That's it?" Chen Xun looked at Wang Zhi in disbelief and asked.

Wang Zhi looked at Chen Xun in confusion and asked, "What else could be the reason?"

"Yes!" Chen Xun nodded and continued walking forward with his hands behind his back. Wang Zhi actually knew in his heart that Chen Xun had objections to him speaking out first that day, but he also had his own reasons!

The officials were very dissatisfied with themselves as ministers. They recommended it once and rejected it once, and the cycle continued, so that the officials under the official department didn't know what to do and had no choice but to go to Wang Zhi.

Speaking of Zhu Qiyu's side, Zhu Qiyu listened to his opinions all morning, and felt a little confident about defending against this Wala attack.

Especially since Lin Cunde promised to guard Shanhaiguan, Zhu Qiyu was even more relieved.

Moreover, it was agreed today that the troops of the Third Battalion of the Capital City would be mobilized to go to Shanhaiguan in the next few days, and the craftsmen would also need to be mobilized. This was requested by Lin Cunde. Lin Cunde wanted to spare the Ministry of Works and let the craftsmen work directly.

Zhu Qiyu trusted Lin Cunde and agreed with Lin Cunde's decision.

Zhu Qiyu had already thought of the reason. To defend Shanhaiguan, tools needed to be made in Shanhaiguan, and long-distance transportation was inconvenient!

At noon, Zhu Qiyu invited the generals to have a meal and also gave them wine. Zhu Qiyu didn't drink much, but he also toasted to the generals.

In the afternoon, Zhu Qiyu took a nap, and Cheng Jing came over to inform him that Mr. Chen Ge wanted to see him.

Zhu Qiyu could only let Chen Xun in.

"I pay homage to your Majesty!" Chen Xun saluted Zhu Qiyu.

"Well, come and sit here and drink tea. I just woke up and drank some wine with the generals at noon!" Zhu Qiyu smiled and called Chen Xun to come and sit down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Chen Xun felt much more relaxed when he saw Zhu Qiyu greeting him with such a smile, so he went over and sat down opposite Zhu Qiyu.

"But what's important?" Zhu Qiyu poured tea for Chen Xun and asked with a smile.

"There are some things that still need to be decided by Your Majesty. I now also supervise the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Hubu. Of course, Jin Lian is mainly responsible for the affairs of the Ministry of Hubu. But now that Jiang Yuan has been transferred to the Ministry of Hubu, there are three ministers in the Ministry of Hubu. I am responsible for Of course it doesn't matter if you hold the position of Minister of Household Affairs and don't care about things.

But now, Jiang Yuan went to the Hubu. Jin Lian was very familiar with the affairs of the Hubu, but Jiang Yuan was not very familiar with them. From now on, who is in charge of the affairs of the Hubu? "Chen Xun sat down, looked at Zhu Qiyu and asked.

"Didn't I make it clear before? I said that Jiang Yuan is fully responsible for the household affairs!" Zhu Qiyu looked at Chen Xun with a confused look.

"Ah?" Chen Xun was surprised when he heard this. This meant that not only was his power in the Ministry of Household Affairs gone, but Jin Lian's power in the Ministry of Household Affairs was also reduced.

"Mr. Chen Ge is in charge of the cabinet. When Gao Gu becomes an official, he will be replaced by Yu Gang. Yu Gang is not familiar with the cabinet. The pressure is all on Chen Ge's side. My idea is that Mr. Chen Ge of the Ministry of Household Affairs will continue to serve concurrently. However, things are still going on. Let Jiang Yuan do it. In addition, Jin Lian is indeed very familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Household Affairs, but now the treasury has no money left. Since the Battle of Tumubao last year, there is still no money left. Previously, those corrupt officials were investigated and punished, and the money collected Money disappears in a few days,

I am not doubting Jin Lian's ability, but when the Supreme Emperor was here, the Ministry of Household Affairs had extra money. Why did the money and grain that I checked this year, converted into silver, exceed six million taels, but the money disappeared? Of course, the Ministry of Household Affairs also did Reports are used where they should be used.

But now, the Supreme Emperor is still in Mobei, and Wala still wants to attack our Ming Dynasty. If the Hubu has no money, how can we fight Wala? I summoned those generals today because I need to be prepared in advance. As the so-called soldiers and horses have not moved forward with food and grass, and the national treasury is empty, how can we fight this battle? Mr. Chen Ge, what should we do about this matter?

It is true that Jin Lian is familiar with the affairs of the Household Department, but I need money to fight the war! If we don't fight, our Ming Dynasty will be in danger of subjugation. What do you think I should do? Zhu Qiyu looked at Chen Xun and said lightly.

Chen Xun was dumbfounded. How could it be possible when the country was in danger of subjugation? So he cupped his hands in front of Zhu Qiyu and said, "Why is the country in danger of subjugation? Wala's attack on Yanmen Pass has been defeated. Don't they still want to give up?"

"What do you think?" Zhu Qiyu looked at Chen Xun with a wry smile.

Chen Xun never expected at this moment that the Ming Dynasty was actually in danger of subjugation.

Chen Xun sat there and pondered for a moment. He still felt a little unconvinced, so he asked tentatively: "Did the generals say this?"

"Military matters are naturally inferred by military commanders. Of course, the Minister of War is also involved. Yu Qian is also very worried about this matter. Regarding the Ministry of Revenue, there was no money last year. I understand. There is no money in the first half of this year. I also understand. For this reason , the expenses of the army all come from my internal funds. So far, my harem only has four people, and the queen has been reducing the expenses of the palace.

Even so, I still tolerate the Ministry of Revenue to continue to fill the previous vacancies, but now, Mr. Chen Ge, tell me, where is the money! "Zhu Qiyu asked coldly, staring at Chen Xun.

Chen Xun naturally knew where the money had gone. Before the Battle of Tumubao, many things had not been done. Zhu Qizhen did not agree. After Zhu Qiyu came up, local officials also reported a lot of expenses. These expenses were not carded by the Ministry of Household Affairs. Approval of all.

For example, tax exemption, building river embankments, repairing cities, etc.

All this money will be allocated by the Ministry of Household Affairs this year.

Of course, it was approved by their cabinet. The cabinet did not want the money to be kept in the Ministry of Household Affairs, and they did not want the money to be taken away by the Ministry of War and handed over to the army, so the Ministry of Household Affairs had no money left this year.

I just hope that the Ministry of War can have more say and civil servants can supervise the army and even intervene in military affairs.

And Zhu Qiyu was also stubborn. The expenses of the Third Battalion of the Capital had always been covered by internal funds, and not a penny was used by the user department.

"That's it for now, Jin Lian will assist Jiang Yuan in handling household matters!" Zhu Qiyu finally said.

"Yes!" Chen Xun said with his hands raised.

"Come, drink tea!" Zhu Qiyu poured tea for Chen Xun with a smile.

Chen Xun was sweating on his back now, not from heat, but from fear.

He knew that Zhu Qiyu was already very dissatisfied with the civil servants, but now that there was a war to be fought, Zhu Qiyu had been enduring it.

If Zhu Qiyu is free to take action, many civil servants will probably be in trouble.

And the Ministry of Accounts will definitely check the money.

Maybe Jiang Yuan went to the Household Department not only to be in charge of the Household Department, but also to audit the accounts.

The emperor has matured and started sacrificing swords.

Chen Xun sat in Zhu Qiyu's imperial study for a quarter of an hour and then left.

When leaving, I saw Wang Zhi already waiting outside. ’

Chen Xun glanced at Wang Zhi and couldn't help but sympathize. Zhu Qiyu wanted to rectify the officialdom, and Wang Zhi was the first to deal with it.

Wang Zhi has been in charge of the personnel department for many years, and his disciples and former officials are all over the world.

How could Zhu Qiyu let Wang Zhi go?

After Chen Xun left, Cheng Jing led Wang Zhi to the imperial study.

Wang Zhi actually had nothing to do when he came here today. He just wanted to chat with Zhu Qiyu. After all, he also wanted to know what Zhu Qiyu thought of the recent work of the Ministry of Personnel.

Wang Zhi is not stupid, he naturally knows that Zhu Qiyu must be dissatisfied with the officials now, and also knows that Zhu Qiyu is becoming more mature now.

If positive measures are not taken as soon as possible, Zhu Qiyu will not let him go.

In Lin Cunde's mansion, Wei Guogong, Wang Ying, Xu Xianyong, Xincheng Bo Zhao Rong, and Taining Marquis Gu Jing were all sitting in Lin Cunde's mansion. They wanted to know Lin Cunde's next plan.

Whether Shanhaiguan can be defended is related to the security and stability of Ming Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)