King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 164: Take the fire under the cauldron and see who is ruthless enough

In the weapons workshop.

In an instant, the atmosphere became futilely quiet.

Zhu Gaoxu's expression was slightly startled, the smile on his face instantly faded, a coldness flashed through his half-closed eyes, and he shouted loudly and asked:

"What did you say?"

"The salary of craftsmen has increased several times compared to before. How come there are still people who are dissatisfied with their salary?"

"What do they want to do?"

"Relying on talent to improve yourself, relying on talent to be arrogant?"

“Who took the lead, and who complained privately?”

"Do you really think that the Ming Dynasty and the weapons workshop will not be able to survive without them, and that they can't find good craftsmen to replace them?"

"A heartless bastard."

Say it.

He glanced around coldly at the craftsman who was busy in his hands. The expression on his face became extremely gloomy at this moment, and he even cursed in his heart:

"You can't live a good life with just the word 'cheap'."

Listening to Zhu Gaoxu's angry questioning and looking at his angry look, Song Li, who was standing next to him, was dumbfounded. His face was slightly red, and a trace of embarrassment flashed in his eyes.

He was also speechless, and he instantly understood from Zhu Gaoxu's words that this man had misunderstood what he just said.

What is this?

Everyone knows that their salaries have increased several times. With such a high salary, how could it be possible that the craftsmen are dissatisfied with their salaries?

Just kidding?

That’s not what he meant!

On the contrary, today's craftsmen are extremely satisfied with their salary. When working, they all work hard, fearing that they are not good enough and will be kicked out for cheating.

The people who are really dissatisfied are the people who manage the weapons workshop!

Thinking about this, Song Li raised his head and carefully looked at the man in front of him. He looked a little embarrassed and said tentatively:

"Your Majesty."

"No, no. It's not that the craftsmen are dissatisfied."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at Song Li after hearing this, his eyes narrowed involuntarily, a look of surprise flashed across his face, and he said:

"Oh?"

"Aren't the craftsmen dissatisfied?"

"Who is it that is dissatisfied with his salary?"

"Mr. Song, if we have anything to say, just tell us directly, why bother to be coy? This is not your usual style of doing things!"

Song Li's seemingly considerate question made Song Li sit upright.

We are all old foxes and smart people. If Zhu Gaoxu did not understand the first sentence he said before or even misunderstood it, he might still believe it.

But he had directly rejected the statement about the dissatisfaction of the craftsmen, and he would not believe that the King of Han could not understand what he meant.

Thinking back to today's sudden visit, Song Li didn't believe that the King of Han just wanted to come to the weapons workshop casually.

You must know that during this period, Zhu Gaoxu obtained the position of supervising the country and was preparing for the salt tax reform. He had quite a lot to worry about!

How could he come to the weapons workshop for inspection for no reason?

There is no doubt that he must have heard some rumors or rumors and came here specially.

From this point of view, when the King of Han asked him if he had any difficulties, he was already laying nails for him, waiting for him to tell him the matter.

If this is the case, the implications are somewhat intriguing.

Thinking of this, Song Li couldn't help but murmur in his heart, what is the purpose of King Han's trip, and what will be his attitude?

But now that this has been said, it is definitely not realistic to escape.

In this regard, even he had to bite the bullet and said softly:

"Report to the prince."

"It's not that I deliberately targeted anyone, but the salary increase of the craftsmen during this period has been too outrageous."

"As a result, many officials of the Ministry of Industry and those who work for the Ministry of Industry have a lot of criticism both inside and outside their words."

"Old minister, there really is nothing I can do to stop everyone from talking!"

"If I hadn't tried my best to suppress it, many people would have already written memorials to His Majesty."

"Please give me a clear warning, Your Majesty."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu half-squinted his eyes, a sneer appeared at the corner of his slightly raised mouth, stared deeply at Song Li for a while, and said in a deep voice:

"Oh, that's good!"

"In this case, we will summon all the officials from the Ministry of Industry who have opinions on this matter."

"It just so happens that I am here today, so I can help you with your urgent needs and make it less difficult for you."

"Master Song can still be a good old man."

"I will do this 'evil' thing myself."

The last sentence was almost said through gritted teeth.

After hearing this, Song Li, who was standing in front of him, was slightly startled, his expression changed instantly, his eyes were full of fear, he waved his hands hurriedly, and opened his mouth to say something.

But before he could say anything, he was directly interrupted by Zhu Gaoxu with an extremely tough look, and said in a deep voice:

"Huh? Master Song?"

"Didn't you hear what the king just said?"

"Or is it that what the king said has no effect on you, and I can't command you anymore."

Facing the categorical words and the cold and devoid of warmth in his eyes, Song Li, who wanted to explain a few words, had no choice but to hold back the words that had reached his lips. He lowered his head silently and bowed in salute:

"promise!"

"Old minister, let's do it now."

After that, without stopping at all, he quickly walked to the door, whispered a few words to the soldiers who were on guard not far away, and asked them to leave quickly to take care of things.

After finishing all this, he quickly returned to Zhu Gaoxu, stood aside with great respect, and said softly:

"Prince Qi"

"The matter has been given. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Zhu Gaoxu showed no expression on his face, showing no emotion or reaction, and silently nodded to him.

Although Zhu Gaoxu looked calm, how could Song Li, who was standing aside, not feel the anger that was suppressed deep in his heart?

In addition, during this period of time, Zhu Gaoxu has been tough, ruthless, and murderous in every situation.

This is definitely a sign of the coming storm!

It is precisely because of this that Song Li was even more frightened to the extreme. He hung his head heavily and did not dare to say a word. He could not stop praying for the colleagues who had been summoned:

"Never. Never say too much!"

"We really have to get into trouble with this man, otherwise this violent storm will kill many lives."

"Hey, the smell of blood in front of the weapons workshop hasn't dissipated yet!"

Not long after.

All the officials, big and small, who served in the Ministry of Industry were notified, and the large group of people made the entire weapons workshop lively in an instant. At this moment, the craftsmen who were still working saw so many people coming, which aroused the curiosity of many people. They subconsciously put down their work and looked over, all extremely curious about what happened. Things are worthy of such a big fight.

When everyone arrived, Zhu Gaoxu half-squinted his eyes, looked around at everyone coldly, and said in a deep voice with no expression on his face:

"I heard that Song Shangshu said that a large number of you have serious opinions about the salary of craftsmen?"

After hearing this, all the officials from the Ministry of Industry who were urgently summoned were slightly stunned. You looked at each other, and I looked at you. For a moment, they didn't know how to answer.

When they received the edict before, they thought something big had happened in the weapons workshop, and everyone was extremely uneasy.

I never expected that it was because I and others had objections to the salary issue for craftsmen.

Thinking of this, many officials in the field spoke up and responded:

"Report to the prince."

"We know that you sympathize with the hard work of the craftsmen, but giving them such high salaries goes against the laws of the imperial court throughout the ages!"

As someone in the crowd spoke, all the officials who followed him subconsciously echoed, expressing their dissatisfaction with the matter in their words.

"enough!"

"Shut up, everyone!"

Seeing the mess and the chatter, Zhu Gaoxu shouted angrily to stop it.

After that, his face gradually became gloomy, his eyes had a daunting cold light, and he continued:

"What law?"

"What rules?"

"I have looked through the laws of the Ming Dynasty, but why don't I see this provision?"

"Or is this just an excuse for you to make assumptions one by one and act haphazardly?"

With that said, Zhu Gaoxu turned to look at Song Li, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, who was standing next to him, and asked in a deep voice:

"Song Shu, please forgive me for being ignorant and ignorant. I wonder if I missed it or not?"

"Does the DPRK and China really have such clear regulations?"

"You are the person in charge of the Ministry of Works, and you should be the most familiar with this matter. You might as well give me a good explanation."

Say it.

The venue fell into a strange silence. The expressions on the faces of all the officials were extremely ugly. They fell into silence involuntarily, not knowing how to answer this question.

Because as far as the current Ming Dynasty regulations are concerned, there has never been such a provision.

But for so many years, since Emperor Taizu established the Ming Dynasty, it seems that it has always been like this.

Craftsmen, these people, have always been at the lowest level of the class, and they have always been the targets of oppression and exploitation, and no one has ever cared about or cared about them.

Over time, the officials in the DPRK unknowingly developed this consensus.

Song Li, whose name was called, frowned and pondered for a long time, then slowly stood up and responded softly:

"Report to the prince."

"This matter has been like this since Taizu established the Ming Dynasty and implemented the household registration system."

"After that, it can be regarded as the consensus of everyone!"

"Also followed. Followed as the ancestral system."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu laughed angrily at the remarks. He looked around at the aggrieved crowd coldly and replied:

"Tell me about the ancestral system?"

"consensus?"

"Interesting. Interesting."

"Since they have raised their salary a little like this, you feel that it violates the ancestral system and violates the laws and consensus. I am very curious."

"Emperor Taizu set up salaries for all the officials of the Ming Dynasty. Why did you all ask for salary increases when my father came to power, as if you had pink eye?"

"Why did you keep silent about these consensus laws and ancestral systems at that time?"

"Since you all know that a low salary cannot solve the problem of food and clothing for the whole family, do you think that these craftsmen's salary is low and their families can't support themselves?"

"Or you people always think that you are superior to others, that you are arrogant and arrogant, and that these craftsmen are cheap and cannot be compared with you at all. You don't care about their life or death at all."

Everyone was shocked and opened their mouths to defend themselves.

However, Zhu Gaoxu didn't listen to any more words from these people. He turned to look at Song Li beside him and ordered in a deep voice:

"Song Shu"

"Listen carefully to everyone here, everyone counts."

"Everyone's salary for the past six months will be given to me according to the ancestral system when I restore it."

"If you dare to give these people a salary within half a year, give them one more point."

"I will ask you a question."

"I want to see how their family can live if their salary is not enough."

"At the same time, I will order the Jinyi Guards to check the accounts of these people from time to time. If they dare to reach out to other places, they will all be confiscated by me."

Song Li was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

This move is really cruel!

Before, one by one the officials had to hand over the money that had been corrupted. It was already difficult enough for the family. They all relied on meager salaries to live, and they were already tightening their belts.

If we really want to restore the salary of these people to the ancestral system, let alone half a year, even if it only takes a month, I am afraid that many people will have trouble in their families.

The key point is that they are also supervised and audited by Jin Yiwei from time to time. This is really going to kill someone!

How to live. How to live?

It's definitely worse than killing them.

I'm afraid that if the time comes, everyone will be complaining and everything will be in chaos. How will the subsequent work be carried out?

Thinking of this, Song Li also had an extremely headache, and had to bite the bullet and ask for mercy, saying:

"My lord."

"It's not like that, it's not like that!"

"They. They are just talking."

"There's no need to get to know people like them."

Seeing Song Li who was anxious to explain and wanted to turn hostility into friendship, Zhu Gaoxu glanced at him coldly and said in a deep voice:

"Why not?"

"Don't these people always shout, "For the country, for the people, for the country and the country?"

"Now the treasury of the DPRK and Central Government is empty due to the Northern Expedition."

"It just reflects the sincerity of the ministers towards the imperial court. They serve the country, the people and the country with unwavering iron heart, and solve the urgent needs of the imperial court."

"Don't worry. Regarding the contribution of all the courtiers, I will definitely report it to the Holy Majesty and express your thoughts."

"I think when you come, Your Majesty will be very pleased to see the sincerity of such a great man."

"When the time comes, I will use the ministers as examples and implement it throughout the Ming Dynasty. I call on all officials in the Ming Dynasty to learn from you, regard all ministers as models, and praise your good names and virtues."

"In this way, you gain fame and the court benefits. Isn't it wonderful to have the best of both worlds?"

Everyone: "."

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(End of this chapter)