Wanli Ming Emperor

Chapter 215: All the birds fly high, but the lone cloud goes away

Publicizing the royal property was one of today’s topics.

But this was brought up directly, which caught Old Wang off guard.

Wang Guoguang looked back and forth between the emperor in the main seat and the account book in front of him. After a long while, he finally said, "Your Majesty, won't you discuss this first?"

Zhu Yijun glanced at Wang Guoguang in surprise and said, "We have been collecting opinions for nearly a month. All the officials, scholars, and outstanding people who have submitted memorials to discuss this matter have praised it highly."

"Since I ascended the throne, I have never encountered anything so smooth."

"With such popular support, is there anything else to discuss?"

Wang Guoguang was choked by the emperor's words and had no choice but to look at Shen Shixing.

Shen Shixing suddenly felt a toothache.

Look at what he said. The emperor has tied his own hands and feet and is going to impose some restrictions on the imperial property. Who among the outsiders can say a word against it? Isn't he afraid of being drowned in saliva?

Not to mention the others, just the censors who were seeking fame and reputation reached a consensus almost overnight that whoever dared to oppose this matter in the court would be a eunuch clique that was trying to make money.

In addition, the impoverished rural talents and young scholars who had not yet entered officialdom strongly advocated this policy in the memorials submitted.

Even if the court officials had objections in their hearts, they had to praise the emperor openly, or at most remain silent.

As for the only question that the court officials were concerned about, no one dared to ask - after the imperial property was made public, what about us?
Well known.

The emperor's tricks were always one after another, and most of the court officials had fallen for his tricks.

It has almost become a conditioned reflex, and everyone can't help but wonder if the emperor is using this opportunity to force the court officials to follow his lead.

However, no one dared to test the emperor on this matter.

You can't just say it to our face. Your Majesty, just make the announcement yourself. Don't be ungrateful and cause trouble for everyone.

Therefore, the pressure of this matter inevitably fell on the Censorate, the Ministry of Revenue and the Cabinet, and colleagues always made indirect criticisms every few days.

Wang Guoguang was a person who didn't like to get involved. When the emperor mentioned this to his face, he had no choice but to turn his eyes to Shen Shixing - who made Shen the licorice? He had to balance yin and yang.

Shen Shixing felt Wang Guoguang's pleading gaze and took a deep breath.

This matter is indeed a matter of great relevance, and the cabinet certainly cannot turn a blind eye to it.

After thinking for a moment, he took over the emperor's words and tried to reconcile the two sides: "Your Majesty, of course there are still some things to discuss."

"Confucius said, 'If the name is right, then the words will flow smoothly. Once a decree is issued, there must be a reason. I don't know what the reason is for your Majesty's action."

Without rules, there can be no order.

The name is very important. Once the name is given, the framework will be determined.

If this matter is not clarified first and is done in silence, the court officials will probably lose their appetite for the whole day.

Lord Shen has always been good at speaking.

Zhu Yijun couldn't help laughing: "What a legitimate reason! Shen Qing is afraid that I will insist on my own way, so you want to promote it more widely, right?"

Shen Shixing pulled the corner of his mouth awkwardly.

Zhu Yijun glanced at the ministers in the hall, most of whom showed concerned expressions.

Yin Zhengmao, in particular, looked concerned but didn't want to be discovered, and kept glancing over here out of the corner of his eyes.

Even though the scene was expected, Zhu Yijun still felt a little unhappy.

He sighed and said in a serious tone, "During the palace examination in the second year of Wanli, Li Sancai's essay won my heart."

"Heaven has entrusted me with the great throne, not to favor me with high status and wealth, but to entrust me with the lives of hundreds of millions of people and to manage them."

"I accept the salary of being the governor of the country as a matter of course; as for the high position and wealth, I respectfully decline."

"I have been stabbed in the face by He Xin before. I have come to realize that I am not a gentleman and cannot be cautious. I am in charge of a great cause and I should make it public for the world."

"The so-called name is nothing more than a sentence: reason and desire cannot coexist, and public and private are different paths."

Although Li Sancai was too selfish and liked to form cliques, his talent and courage were impeccable.

As early as several years ago, he had discussed the public and private nature of the emperor's property and laid the foundation in Confucian classics - the topic of whether it is a public world or a family world is too sensitive, so let's not discuss it for now, but at least the property does not belong to the emperor alone, and he should only get a management salary.

Now that we can use it, it can be said that it has a legitimate reason.

Shen Shixing and Wang Guoguang looked at each other and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

If that were the case, who wouldn't support it? The emperor had been robbing the national treasury for his own selfish reasons, and the ministers could still remember it clearly.

This title is very mild, so mild that it will not bring anger to the court officials - the emperor has to distinguish between public and private affairs, so what does it have to do with the court officials?
At least it is much better than the pretext of "setting an example in fighting corruption and promoting integrity", which makes the court officials neither up nor down.

Not just the two of them, but almost all the ministers breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

Most of them were afraid that the emperor did not know the interests involved and took things for granted; as for the minority, there were also ministers like Yin Zhengmao.

"but……"

The emperor's voice sounded again, but the topic changed.

The hearts of the ministers were once again in suspense.

Zhu Yijun's expression was unclear, and he said slowly: "It's not just me. All of you are the leaders of the world and the leaders of the country."

"As for those who have gained great wealth and honor through public service, I am afraid that you are only slightly inferior to me."

As soon as the words fell, all the ministers present were shocked.

From Shen Shixing onwards, everyone stood up and left the table: "We are guilty."

Zhu Yijun stretched out his hand and pressed lightly: "I am referring to the position and status, not you."

Although the tone was gentle, the ministers still stood in the hall, feeling awkward and uneasy.

After all, since the emperor has ordered it, it must not be groundless.

Zhu Yijun continued to speak: "You are all my confidants, I will not keep you in suspense."

"I have thought about asking all the court officials to turn out their property for everyone in the world to see."

"Unfortunately, it's just a fool's dream. You don't have to worry about me taking things for granted."

"There is a follow-up to this matter, but it is not where it should be."

Zhu Yijun gestured for everyone to take a seat and raised two fingers.

Judging from the appearance, there will be more than one follow-up.

The ministers looked at each other and had to sit down one after another.

After a brief pause, Zhu Yijun slowly spoke: "First, the cabinet exercises the imperial power, and is actually the central government and the leader of the country."

When Shen Shixing heard this, his thoughts were in turmoil, and he felt both happy and worried.

The chair he had just touched was raised again, with a wry smile on his face: “Please let your majesty know clearly.”

Zhu Yijun did not even look at him, but turned to look at Wang Xijue: "I will not forcefully look into the property of cabinet ministers, but in the future, those who are willing to disclose their property when recommending cabinet ministers, please list them separately in the Ministry of Personnel, and I will give priority to them."

It would be fine if it was just a minor official, but if the leaders of the country, like the Minister of Revenue Ye Qi, began to pursue great wealth and undermine national policy for the sake of their family and descendants, then it would be a disaster from top to bottom.

There must always be some lofty ideals.

Shen Shixing, who had already entered the cabinet, and Wang Xijue, who was about to enter the cabinet, looked at each other and parted ways as soon as they made a mistake.

Wang Xijue understood, took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and decisively took the lead: "Your Majesty, I recommend myself, please make it public!"

This is also what should be done.

Not encouraging means absolutely prohibiting; giving priority means it is a convention.

You are so impatient that you lack the manners of an official. Everyone knows that you will join the cabinet next year, but it is a bit too arrogant to do this without telling anyone.

But Wang Xijue is just that kind of person, and his colleagues are no longer surprised.

Who made the emperor like this guy?
Zhu Yijun was of course pleased, but he was thinking about other things.

Although the imperial system has a low lower limit and a high upper limit, there is a reason for this.

In the backward system of monarch-ruler and minister-subject, the clear relationship between superiors and subordinates can bring out different advantages in certain aspects - at least, it allows Zhu Yijun to make such an unreasonable request with confidence.

Zhu Yijun naturally followed suit and instructed Chen Sanmo: "This matter will be submitted to the Ministry of Personnel for approval and public announcement."

After Section Chief Chen received the order, Zhu Yijun looked at Shen Li and said, "Let me continue. There is another one."

"Shen, from now on, when the governor surveys the land, all the land owned by the officials in office in each prefecture and county will be made public."

This is a handy thing to do.

If you are still in the dark after working on the fields, wouldn't it be a waste?
When Shen Li heard this, he felt that it was expected. He had been mentally prepared for this on his way to Beijing.

Not only that, he had already thought about the pros and cons several times.

Shen Li was silent for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter will only work temporarily."

This is not the first day for all of us to work in the officialdom.

After the land measurement is completed, it will naturally be easy to make an announcement. It is nothing more than picking out the officials' properties and making a copy.

The problem is that allocating land is not something that you can obtain once and for all, or something that can be proven once and for all.

In less than a decade, these numbers will inevitably become inaccurate.

Zhu Yijun shook his head: "I know, so Shen Qing, the governor of the land survey, will not be dismissed afterwards."

“Patrol the fields regularly and accept reports.”

report?

Shen Li was stunned.

The first person to react was the Chief Censor Wen Chun.

Wen Chun had been in charge of the Censorate for several years, and he immediately understood the emperor's unfinished intention as soon as he heard it.

He frowned and advised: "Your Majesty, exposing the secrets may be suspected of instigating the people and provoking the officials, which is not the right way."

There has always been a taboo against reporting such things as an act of subjugation.

The Censorate would never accept reports from the people or colleagues. The only honorable way out was to report to the emperor and request a thorough investigation.

Otherwise, the ministries and commissions will be so powerful that there will be almost no constraints, and they will sooner or later become tools of political struggle.

What's more, there will inevitably be many false accusations in such matters. Even if the ministries and commissions can remain upright and impartial, it will only waste manpower and material resources and ruin the morale of the court.

Wang Zongyi also reacted quickly and echoed: "Your Majesty, this is a bit hasty and will definitely cause panic. I think it is better to take a long-term view."

Zhu Yijun sensed the resistance among his ministers, but fell silent.

He opened his mouth to speak, but swallowed it back.

In the end, he actually didn't explain, but just said stiffly: "I have made up my mind, let's try it first."

The emperor suddenly revealed his stubborn side, and the expressions of his ministers froze for a moment, and then they became somewhat surprised and doubtful.

Seeing this, Zhu Yijun sighed inwardly. It was not that he didn't want to explain, but he really didn't know where to start.

Panic?

Of course he knew it, but what he wanted was to create panic!
Obviously, the high-pressure workplace environment of publicly announcing land acreage will not last long, and will eventually lead to the demise of the people and the collapse of the government.

But some things have to be done, even if it's just a gust of wind.

It is not for the so-called anti-corruption purpose - the effect of publicly disclosing the land area will not be too great.

To put it bluntly, corruption is rooted in human nature. To some extent, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a living organism. Corruption seems to have a survival instinct. No matter how difficult the situation is, it will always struggle to survive and find its own way out.

After the implementation of the performance evaluation system, the trend of corruption has only been curbed to some extent. It is nothing but a pipe dream to expect to eradicate it completely.

The same is true today. If real estate is to be made public, these people will collect gold and silver, mint copper coins, buy shops, and even secretly support businesses.

If there is no light in the east, there is light in the west. There are plenty of ways to acquire property.

But, what a coincidence, this is exactly what Zhu Yijun wanted to achieve!

It is almost self-evident in whose hands the world's wealth is hidden. Although the annual confiscations of property often amount to millions of silver taels, which is an exaggerated number, it is really a drop in the bucket compared to the "70 million in looting and tribute, of which three-tenths were from the nobles and two-tenths from the officials" after Li Zicheng broke into the capital.

Guiding the economy is like controlling water.

The wealth of these insects must be squeezed out of the real estate!

The public disclosure of land acreage is not intended to curb corruption, but to curb the trend of asking for land and houses!
For thousands of years, the way to gain profits has been limited to real estate mergers, which is too slow!

It is precisely because their efficiency in eating people is not as good as that of outsiders that they are overtaken by others later - don’t talk about bad habits, they are all cannibals, and those who eat slowly are immoral, and being weak is the original sin.

As soon as this move was made, during the reign of Emperor Wanli, the imperial court used the policy of reporting corruption in a high-pressure manner to maintain a high-pressure stance on farm corruption while relaxing the rest, forcing these corrupt officials to take their eyes off the farm.

These people would naturally use their privileges to buy and sell luxury goods, let their aunts and uncles set up shops, support their relatives to set up handicraft workshops, and follow the nobles to open businesses - Zhu Yijun has already paved most of this road, and the nobles have already started to eat meat. Corrupt officials always eat people, just like the foreign gentlemen, they are always eating people.

Now, Zhu Yijun wanted to drive this group of people away and find another place to eat them. Fortunately, while eating them, they could also unconsciously contribute to the prosperity of the commodity economy - in the commodity economy, joining in means adding bricks and tiles, no matter what form it takes.

Capital needs to be accumulated, even feudal bureaucratic capital is no exception.

It depends on how far this group of people can run before the death of the people and the end of the government...

It was rare for the emperor to speak in such a cold tone. All the ministers in the hall could more or less sense that something was wrong with the emperor's mood, and there was silence for a moment.

Seeing this, Shen Shixing had no choice but to step forward and try to ease the atmosphere: "Your Majesty is so kind-hearted, how can we not even try?"

No one could understand what the emperor was thinking about this matter.

Shen Shixing only thought that the emperor hated corrupt officials and his ideas were too idealistic, so he insisted on doing so, and his expression inevitably looked a little reluctant.

Implicitly, he agreed with the emperor and also expressed that when the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, the system should be abolished in a timely manner.

Just treat it as the emperor being in a bad mood, sigh in your heart, and silently comfort yourself that no one is perfect. The young man is full of passion.

Wang Zongyi frowned even more.

He wanted to nip the problem in the bud and give some advice, but he was afraid of provoking the emperor's anger, so he was still conflicted.

Shen Li and Wen Chun looked at each other, feeling helpless. The emperor with real power wanted to go against the majority opinion, and there was really no one who could suppress him.

With Shen Shixing stepping in to mediate, the two had no choice but to swallow their words.

The two of them had no choice but to compromise: "We obey your order."

Zhu Yijun looked at the reactions of the people in the hall and naturally knew what they were thinking.

A feeling of melancholy rose in my heart again.

He looked up and out the window.

All the birds fly high, and the lone cloud goes away alone...

I am afraid that no one will understand me about this, even in the future.

I don’t know how this “evil policy” will be judged as a merit when the final verdict is made.

Zhu Yijun's thoughts wandered for a moment, then quickly came back to life.

He didn't dwell on this issue and waved his hand: "Let's just leave it at that."

After saying that, he looked at Wang Xijue and was about to move on to the next topic.

Wang Guoguang suddenly pulled out another petition from his sleeve and spoke first: "Your Majesty, this is the tax and labor service that Songjiang Prefecture, Yangzhou Prefecture, Chengdu Prefecture, Changsha Prefecture, Huzhou Prefecture and other five prefectures have levied over the years."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

After a moment, he remembered and reached out to take the question book: "Hao Weiqiao has finished his work?"

Wang Guoguang nodded: "That's right, Hao Weiqiao returned to Beijing from Chengdu a month ago."

Since the first year of the Wanli reign, Songjiang Prefecture has been the court's experimental field for tax law reform in the south. When Li was the imperial concubine, Nanzhili took the initiative to submit a petition to add another Yangzhou Prefecture. Both are major tax-collecting prefectures.

From now on, any new ideas will mostly be piloted in several counties in the capital area and two prefectures in the south.

The Ministry of Revenue made many preparations for tax reform.

In the third year of the Wanli reign, the Imperial Censor Hao Weiqiao submitted a memorial, saying that the state originally had a fixed quota for taxes and labor service. However, the laws were fickle, and the levies were sometimes reduced and sometimes increased. The expenses for supply were unknown, and the need for collection was irregular. Few people paid the two taxes to the government, while many paid miscellaneous taxes. Based on this, he then requested an order to consult with all provinces to clear miscellaneous taxes in various places.

The pilot project naturally fell first on Songjiang Prefecture and Yangzhou Prefecture.

The Ministry of Revenue issued an order, which was personally supervised by the two prefectures, requiring them to conduct a comprehensive check on all the money and grain collected from the people, including the labor service, the lijia tax, public funds, and levies, other than the two taxes. The check was divided into three categories: increased amounts, additional items, and those that followed old rules, and then compiled a list and reported it.

In short, it is to count how much miscellaneous taxes the local governments have levied on the people, in addition to the regular taxes.

Later, Sichuan Senator Li Sancai volunteered and Huguang Governor Liang Menglong took the initiative to volunteer, and the pilot sites were set in five prefectures and nearly a hundred counties.

Zhu Yijun read it carefully.

These are the basis for setting the tax quotas in the future - neither too high nor too low is a long-term solution.

"Your Majesty, Li Kun, the prefect of Chengdu, attached another volume at the end of the volume." Wang Guoguang pointed to the end of the volume, "He said that there is a quota for money and grain. If it is cut too much, the supply will be insufficient. The conscripts have a regular supply. If they are recruited at the last minute, the plan will not be implemented."

"If the person who has suffered the loss has no choice but to appeal, cunning people will take advantage of the opportunity to make excuses and confuse the lawsuit, which will disrupt the overall situation."

"I hope Your Majesty can adapt to local conditions and not make the people pay compensation..."

The so-called secret compensation means that the court has cut too much, and the local governments will probably have to use all their tricks again. At that time, the people will still have to pay the additional taxes to the prefectures and counties in private.

If public opinion is aroused at that time, the government will be dragged into the situation by cunning elements and the good governance will be ruined.

Zhu Yijun didn't even raise his head and said with a sigh: "It's rare that he dares to say that."

The purpose of this tax clearance is not just to give the central government an idea of ​​the situation.

To put it bluntly, on the one hand, this move was the court's attempt to establish supervisory standards for the tax-collecting behavior of local officials, and on the other hand, it was to ensure the full payment of the two taxes by limiting the amount of silver collected.

In essence, it is still a competition between the central and local governments for private financial resources.

In this environment where the central government is striking hard, Li Kun dares to speak up for the local government, which can be regarded as explaining the pros and cons of a career in politics.

Just ...

Zhu Yijun stretched out his finger and poked at several items of miscellaneous taxes in Chengdu Prefecture: "Chengdu Prefecture's miscellaneous taxes are several times more than the regular taxes! I'm afraid they have been collected for decades!"

"Your Majesty, Sichuan has a complex geography and a tough people, so the expenses of the prefectures and counties will naturally be higher."

Wang Xijue said something fair.

If not for this, Li Kun would not have said something like "adapting to local conditions".

Isn't it just hoped that after the court cuts miscellaneous taxes, it can retain more regular taxes to cover expenses?
Zhu Yijun sighed and said, "We will discuss the tax distribution between the central government and the local governments after we measure the land."

He closed the question book again, handed it to Shen Shixing, and indicated that he should circulate it.

He then turned to Wang Guoguang and said, "Let's change it. Let them come up with their own cases and change them first. We'll see the results in the next few years while the land is being cultivated."

"By the way, we will set up the stall and send a letter to the governors of each province, asking them to classify and impose taxes and corvées in each province according to the experience of the five prefectures."

Wang Guoguang responded silently.

After waiting for a while, seeing that Old Wang had nothing else to report, Zhu Yijun turned to look at Li Youzi and said, "Mr. Li has also seen that during the reform and opening up period, the Ministry of Revenue was the most busy. The Grand Tutor worked day and night and had many gray hairs."

"Li Qing, you will join the Ministry of Revenue after the new year and serve as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. You can help me out a bit."

Li Youzi was startled and moved his fat body awkwardly and stiffly.

He raised his head, not disguising his surprise, "Your Majesty, don't you need a recommendation?"

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, "You are the one who brought up this topic. As long as I and you have reached a consensus, there is no reason for the court to have a difference in votes."

Are you kidding? All the ministers are here, so even if the court recommends someone, there will definitely be enough people.

At this time, Wang Xijue explained: "Li Butang has been in charge of the Guanglu Temple for seven years, and he is also the deputy editor-in-chief of the Wanli Accounting Records. Regardless of his qualifications and abilities, Li Butang is the one that everyone expects."

Of course, there is one more thing left to say.

Li Youzi was obese and had male health emergencies, so he was even given the nickname Li Sanhu - a teapot, a wine pot, and a urinal - all of which were indispensable. The former needs no explanation, and the latter refers to the fact that he could not hold his urine.

Officials hold high positions and pay the most attention to their appearance and manners. If a small meeting is not held to reach a consensus on this kind of ugly defect, it will be difficult to say whether the candidate will be recommended by the court at that time.

Li Youzi knows his own affairs best.

After a short silence, he did not refuse, covered his face and stood up: "Your Majesty, I will not refuse your grace even if I die!"

Seeing his moved expression, Zhu Yijun said nothing and waved his hand lightly, "Leave the matter of Henan land measurement to Deng Yizan. He is fair and capable, and it is time for him to take charge."

After that, he turned to look at Pan Sheng and said, "Mr. Pan, you will take over as the Minister of Justice."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers turned their heads to look at Zhang Han at the same time.

Pan Sheng was also caught off guard and was about to speak.

Zhang Han nodded first and explained frankly: "I am already in my seventies, and I feel that I am willing but unable to do anything lately."

"I have already submitted my resignation to Your Majesty a few days ago. After today, I will bid farewell to my colleagues and return to my hometown to edit books."

The ministers looked at each other.

It was both understandable and unexpected that Zhang Han was considering quitting.

When offering sacrifices to heaven in the southern suburbs, Zhang Han, Chen Yubei and others claimed to be moral gentlemen, but considering the overall situation, they stood on Zhang Juzheng's side.

Obviously, many of these people made compromises just to have the best of both worlds, so as to avoid being classified by outsiders as those who oppose the new policy.

As soon as the storm died down, Chen Yubei resigned from his post and returned home on the pretext of supporting his elderly father.

Now that Zhang Han has retired at the end of the year, he can be said to be following closely behind.

Well, it was a bit too hasty.

Shen Shixing was somewhat displeased, frowning, "I don't remember the cabinet ever seeing the request for the Grand Secretary to retire."

He turned to look at the emperor and for once he showed his toughness: "Your Majesty, I wonder what the Grand Secretary of Justice has done to deserve this?"

Zhang Han was at least a second-rank official and had been in charge of the Ministry of Justice for seven years.

If the emperor had not intended to expel him, Zhang Han would never have left so abruptly. Even the cabinet had heard of it for the first time.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and said, "The Grand Justice Department has been in charge of criminal cases for many years and has always enforced the law. How could he have committed a crime?"

The emperor asked a question instead of answering Shen Shixing in person.

Lord Shen was naturally dissatisfied and was about to ask again.

At this time, Zhang Han smiled bitterly: "Why does Lord Shen have to expose other people's past?"

"My fame is not based on my writings, and I should retire from office due to old age and illness. What I just said is that I have the will but not the ability, and it is not an excuse."

He sighed and spoke from the bottom of his heart: "It's not just about the Yuanfu's love affair."

"Over the past few years, the Ministry of Justice has been in chaos, and the revision of the Ming Dynasty Law has been wrong again and again. In addition, the situation of the New Deal has become increasingly intense. I am really incapable of staying at the center and holding you back."

His words were so sincere that his colleagues were at a loss.

Wen Chun felt quite empathetic when he saw Zhang Han like this.

Zhang Han is old now, and he has been scolded by the emperor many times over the years.

A few days ago, the three judicial officials went to the emperor to report their work, and Zhang Han was scolded. He still remembered how fierce the emperor's words were - "The quarrel outside has reached such a level, isn't it because you, the Ministry of Justice, are just sitting there doing nothing and taking sides all day long!?"

He was seventy years old, and because he could not keep up with the emperor's ways, he wanted to retire. It was really sad.

At this time, the emperor suddenly spoke up: "Mr. Zhang is a gentleman of moral integrity. He has never made a mistake in his mission. It is because I did not put you in the right position, which caused you to be exhausted."

"You are highly respected and have made great contributions to the country. I personally wrote these eight characters to you. I have already ordered someone to frame them and will send them to Mr. Zhang's residence later."

"Don't even mention the words of dragging us down. I know your contributions very well. The return of a crown prince's guard in glory is definitely not without Zhang Qing."

Perhaps Zhang Han had been scolded by the emperor and his eyes started to turn red when he heard these words.

He lowered his head quickly, tried to cover up a little, and handed over the Great Ming Law in his sleeve: "Your Majesty, this is the Great Ming Law revised according to your instructions. There may still be many omissions."

Zhu Yijun felt that he had lost his temper when facing Zhang Han before. He took the Great Ming Law and flipped through a few pages. Then he forced a smile and said, "Leave the manuscript to the National History Museum. The rest of the unfinished business can be left to Mr. Pan."

After that, he passed the decree to Pan Sheng for review: "It just so happens that now Yongnian Bo Guiji's case still needs to be resolved by the Eight Councils to reduce his sentence. Mr. Pan can take over this matter as well."

Pan Sheng quickly stood up and took it.

Following the emperor's words, I turned to the Eight Discussions.

Then he was stunned.

The opening is naturally clear. At the beginning of the volume, there are a bunch of words such as "etiquette does not extend to common people, and punishment does not extend to officials", "Be virtuous and cautious in punishment", "Virtue is the main and punishment is the auxiliary", "Show courtesy to ministers, and pay attention to every detail" to discuss the necessity of the Eight Discussions.

Of course, the manuscript was filled with corrections and all these words were crossed out.

Instead, the emperor wrote in his imperial edict: "The Eight-Discussion System was born to protect the crimes of members of the ruling group. It is the result of the game between maintaining the rule and accommodating others. It is the concrete product of the compromise of the prestige of the law with the power of the ruling group represented by the emperor. It is also a short process that the law had to go through at this stage."

Pan Sheng silently closed the revised Ming Dynasty Law and looked at the emperor and Zhang Han out of the corner of his eye.

The fact that Minister Zhang cannot keep up with the Emperor's thinking is probably not Minister Zhang's problem.

"Okay, let's move on to the maritime trade. Mr. Li, can the Fujian Maritime Customs open to navigation next year? Mr. Zhu, when can the long-distance ships be put to sea? Give me a definite answer."

Topics came one after another, and the emperor began to name names.

Before Zhu Heng could speak, Li Zaiting spoke first: "Your Majesty, I have an unwelcome request. If you approve it, Fujian will be open to navigation next year!"

Zhu Yijun glanced at Li Zaiting and said, "Tell me."

Li Zaiting said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I want to vindicate Wang Zhi."

(End of this chapter)