The Ming Dynasty took an unconventional approach

Chapter 527 I Hope for You

"If officials can support their families, we can rectify the morals and enforce the law. Corruption has been a problem in every dynasty, but it can be reduced." Yang Shiqi said: "If the court gives officials appropriate salaries and officials are supported by the people, people all over the world will be able to question corrupt officials with confidence."

“Only when you are in a proper position can you generate righteous energy.” Yang Shiqi has become increasingly silent in recent years. Firstly, he is old and unable to do what he wants; second, he wants to give up power to the emperor; third, he knows the hardships of the small and medium-sized officials in the court and cannot bear it, so he feels guilty.

Yang Shiqi said: "Since the Emperor started the Luchuan Campaign, the national treasury has become increasingly impoverished.

Last year, during the spring and summer, the battle of Luchuan was at its most critical. It was also a time of famine in various places, and natural disasters occurred frequently. Therefore, from March to June, the salaries of some poor local officials were not paid until July. "

Xue Shao was surprised when he heard this: "Is it really that difficult?"

Yang Shiqi nodded slightly and said softly: "The salaries of officials in the capital are often insufficient. For people of our rank, the Ministry of Revenue dare not make a shortfall, so it can only wrong the middle and lower-level officials."

"Either they are short of the amount, or they are using goods to replace silver or rice," Yang Shiqi coughed and shook his hand to refuse the water Xue Shao offered him. He paused before continuing, "They can neither eat or drink these substitutes, nor use them directly as money. They can only sell them for money, but this exchange will greatly reduce their salaries."

Xue Shao knew that the salaries of Ming Dynasty officials were not high.

When Emperor Taizu Gaozu set the salaries, he was very strict, thinking that the officials could use their salaries to support their families without being extravagant. After the discount, the officials simply could not support their families.

"Since their salaries were not enough to support their families, their wives and daughters had to take on weaving, embroidery, and even laundry work to supplement the family income. Some officials chose to send their parents, wives, and children back to their hometowns to reduce expenses..."

Yang Shiqi's eyes showed compassion: "If an official cannot support his parents until old age and raise his wife and children, how can we expect him to be loyal to the country, be employed by the emperor, and be requested by the people?"

Xue Shao: "Have the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel done any statistics?"

Yang Shiqi glanced at him and said, "They don't dare to do it."

Xue Shao frowned.

"But I asked someone to do it privately. After last autumn, the number of family members of officials in Beijing who traveled with them decreased by 30% compared to the previous year. And this," Yang Shiqi opened the drawer beside the wooden couch and took out a booklet from it and gave it to him.

Xue Shao opened it and found that it was the official salaries recorded by the Ministry of Revenue.

"I asked Wang Zhi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to calculate the salaries and actual salaries of officials in the capital over the past ten years."

Xue Shao pointed to the last line and asked, "What is this?"

Yang Shiqi: "This is the average price of grain, pork and mutton that year."

Xue Shao looked through it carefully and soon found a clue.

Within ten years, the salaries of most officials remained unchanged, and only a very small number of them saw a slight increase or decrease in their salaries.

He found that the salaries of officials who were not of high rank were mostly reduced.

But this is normal, because whether it goes up or down, the changes are not big.

What really frightened him was the following record - the actual salary.

Official salaries in the Ming Dynasty were low, but when the treasury was well-off, the emperor would give rewards during festivals and holidays, both high and low officials, so their lives were better than those of ordinary people.

The annual festival rewards in recent years seem to be quite a lot, but the value of the rewards has been greatly reduced, and the actual salaries paid are far less than before.

He calculated the current prices. As an eighth-rank official, based on the actual salary he received, he could not even support his parents, wife and children. If he could not rent an affordable house, he would not even be able to support himself after paying the rent in the capital.

Xue Shao murmured, "No wonder Wang Zhen has so many followers."

Yang Shiqi glanced at him approvingly: "You finally hit the point."

"After ten years of hard study, you have become a Jinshi. Who wouldn't be a little proud?" Yang Shiqi asked, "Why do you want to rely on a eunuch?
Except for some people who seek power, the rest just want to live a better life. "

Xue Shao closed the book, feeling heavy in his heart: "Why did Elder Yang tell me about such an important matter?"

Yang Shiqi: "This booklet and these words were originally intended to be given to Xue Xuan." So since Xue Xuan didn't come, they were given to him?

"Go ahead and take these problems to Jiangnan. I hope you can find a solution to it," Yang Shiqi said softly. "There are so many civil and military officials in the court, but I only see hope for a solution in you."

Xue Shao was silent for a moment before he stood up and saluted Yang Shiqi.

The old butler came hurriedly.

Xue Shao subconsciously stuffed the booklet into his sleeve.

"Old Master," the old housekeeper didn't notice Xue Shao's action, and walked forward quickly with his back bent: "A Taoist priest came outside the door and said he had an appointment with you, Old Master."

Yang Shiqi frowned slightly: "Taoist?"

"Yes, a 10-year-old Kundao."

Yang Shiqi's brows relaxed instantly and he couldn't help but smile: "It's her~~"

Xue Shao was startled and asked hesitantly, "Could it be that his last name is Pan?"

The old housekeeper was stunned for a moment and then nodded: "Yes, she said her surname is Pan."

Yang Shiqi chuckled and said, "Please ask her to come in."

Pan Yun brought a handful of bacon, snacks and fruits.

The old housekeeper received a gift that was almost identical to Xue Shao's. He looked at her speechlessly before turning aside and saying, "Master Pan, please."

Pan Yun changed back into his wide-sleeved Taoist robe, which looked very elegant and graceful at this moment.

Through the window, she handed the gift to the old housekeeper, then smiled at Yang Shiqi, walked into the door, and when she looked up, she saw Xue Shao standing aside, just blocked by the screen.

She blinked, slightly surprised: "Why are you here? Aren't you planning to go to Jiangnan?"

Xue Shao nodded at her: "I will leave tomorrow. I will come to visit Elder Yang. But you, haven't you left Beijing?"

Pan Yun: "I'm back again. What a coincidence. I'm here to visit Elder Yang as well. I'll be leaving tomorrow as well."

Xue Shao was delighted when he heard this and invited him, "Are you going back to Sanqing Mountain? No, the Longhu Mountain Academy is about to start classes. Are you going back to Longhu Mountain? We happen to be going the same way, why don't we go together?"

"No, my way of passing is not suitable for you."

Xue Shao felt very regretful.

Yang Shiqi waited until they finished talking before speaking: "Your father has been rehabilitated. Congratulations on your reunion."

Pan Yun clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Lord Yang. Before coming here, my father asked me to thank you on his behalf. Thanks to you for speaking out for justice, otherwise this case would not have been concluded so quickly."

Yang Shiqi smiled and said, "It's because your father is upright and has never done anything wrong. Otherwise, no matter how much I say, it will be useless."

The two men looked at each other in silence, the old and the young staring at each other blankly, as if they both remembered the unpleasant experiences of threatening and being threatened in the past.

Pan Yun coughed lightly and took the initiative to find a topic: "Master Yang, how are you?"

Yang Shiqi: "I may be able to see you two friends today. I feel much better. I guess the day is coming soon."

Pan Jun looked at his face intently, but unfortunately she was only a half-baked doctor and could only observe his expression. He did look pretty good, except that his lips were a little pale and colorless, and a little black, probably because of insufficient blood supply to the heart.

(End of this chapter)