Ming Dynasty: A mere unruly commoner is rebelling against the heaven?

Chapter 48: Turning against Tiangang!
At three quarters past noon, the Beijing branch of Ming Bank opened on time.

The first person in line, Wei Wenjiang, the Minister of Tongzhengshisi, was welcomed into the palace by He Yong himself.

After Wei Wenjiang entered the Beijing branch, he asked his servants to drive the carriage to the silver vault while he waited to exchange the banknotes.

Wei Wenjiang fully learned from yesterday's lesson, and this time he prepared a full three thousand taels of silver!

He wanted to exchange all the money for the next few months at once.

But he didn't expect that the first sentence He Yong said would stun him.

"Master Wei, I'm sorry."

"Your Majesty ordered yesterday that from now on, each person can only exchange 500 strings of cash per day."

"So today I can only exchange 500 guan notes for you. If you need it, please come back tomorrow to exchange notes."

"what?!"

Wei Wenjiang was so confused and anxious: "How could this happen? Yesterday, those people were able to exchange money at will!"

He Yong still had a smile on his face: "This is a new order issued by His Majesty last night, and it was officially implemented today."

"This is also to allow more people to exchange for the new Ming Dynasty treasure notes. Lord Wei, please understand."

"This……"

Wei Wenjiang was very unwilling, but he could only grit his teeth and take the 500 strings of Ming Dynasty treasure notes and move the silver that had not been exchanged back home.

Wei Wenjiang was really conflicted.

From resisting to exchange for Ming Dynasty treasure notes at the beginning, to rushing to exchange for Ming Dynasty treasure notes, and finally feeling angry and unwilling because they could not exchange for Ming Dynasty treasure notes.

It only took a few days to go through all these mental journeys.

After Wei Wenjiang walked out of the Beijing branch with a gloomy face, the second-ranked official walked into the Beijing branch happily.

I began to experience the same mental journey as Wei Wenjiang.

It was precisely because of Zhu Youtang's regulation that several brave and shrewd people were able to exchange some Ming Dynasty treasure notes.

After these brave people exchanged the Ming treasure notes for the coins, they sold them at high prices to some officials who were eager for the money.

The people of the Ming Dynasty actually exploited the officials of the Ming Dynasty.

……

Forbidden City.

Royal study room.

Wang Zhi hurriedly walked into the imperial study and found that Cabinet Minister Liu Jian was in the study, discussing matters with Zhu Youtang.

So Wang Zhi stood quietly aside, waiting for Zhu Youtang and Liu Jian to finish their meeting.

Zhu Youtang glanced at Wang Zhi and said nothing. He was listening to Liu Jian's report.

"Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice Zhang Ying died of illness in Beijing a few days ago."

"After discussion, the Ministry of Rites decided to give Minister Zhang Ying the posthumous title of Zhuang Yi."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Yes, I will give Zhang Ying the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. I will bury him properly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Jian wrote it down and continued reporting.

"Zhang Ying passed away, and the Minister of War Ma Wensheng was beheaded. Now two more ministerial positions are vacant."

"In my opinion, the position of Minister of War can be held by Liu Daxia, the Chief Censor."

"Liu Daxia is a man of integrity and honesty, but he is honest and easy-going. He likes the good in others and forgives their shortcomings."

"He has served successively as the Director of the Military Affairs Department, a doctor, and the Right Governor of Yuezhou. He has also handled the grain and salary issues of Xuanfu, so he is very experienced."

"The position of Minister of Justice can be held by Right Vice-Chief Censor Peng Shao."

"Peng Shao was upright and selfless, and implemented many beneficial policies."

"He has served successively as the head of the Ministry of Justice, the deputy envoy of the Shuzhou Censorate, the left governor of Yuezhou, and the governor of Yingtian."

"Peng Shao is experienced and steady, and he is the best choice for the Minister of Justice."

Zhu Youtang nodded as he listened.

Zhu Youtang didn't know Peng Shao, but he was very familiar with Liu Daxia.

As mentioned before, Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng and Liu Daxia are collectively known as the "Three Gentlemen of Hongzhi".

Now Ma Wensheng's three clans had been exterminated by Zhu Youtang, and Wang Shu was still serving as the Minister of Personnel, but he had not been approved to join the cabinet.

With the addition of Liu Daxia, the three gentlemen of Hongzhi, Zhu Youtang, are complete.

Zhu Youtang's biggest problem now is that he has no confidants of his own in the court. Huai En, Wang Zhi, and Mou Bin all belong to the factory and guard secret service agency, and Gao Shun is the commander of the army.

All his subordinates were military generals, with no civil officials, so he was completely blind when it came to the appointment of officials in the court.

Zhu Youtang finally agreed to Liu Jian's proposal.

"Liu Daxia and Peng Shao? Okay, I approve of both."

Liu Jian took two steps forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think Liu Daxia can still join the cabinet..."

Zhu Youtang waved his hand, and Liu Jian tactfully shut his mouth.

"Okay, I think the four of you are enough for the cabinet, there is no need to recommend anyone else."

Liu Jian was helpless, his hopes were shattered once again.

He could only bow and accept the order: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Lord Liu, if you have nothing else to do, please leave first."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."

Only after Liu Jian stepped back and left did Zhu Youtang look at Wang Zhi.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Wang Zhi took a few quick steps, came to stand in front of Zhu Youtang, and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, it's about the Beijing branch, about the new Ming treasure notes."

"Ok?"

Zhu Youtang perked up a little.

"After the Beijing branch opened today, in addition to the officials in the capital, several ordinary people also exchanged their banknotes."

"Then these people sold the notes to officials at a price twice the actual face value, making a profit from it."

"Your Majesty, do you think you should put an end to this trend?"

Zhu Youtang was stunned at first, then he clapped his hands and laughed.

"Hahaha, great, that's wonderful!"

"I didn't expect that the newly issued Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes would be recognized by the people so quickly."

"Why should we stop such a good thing?"

"The officials of the Ming Dynasty have been exploiting the people for a long time. Now let the people exploit the officials of the Ming Dynasty. What's wrong with that?"

"But we must be careful not to let the wealthy businessmen in the capital take advantage of us and make a profit from it."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhu Youtang waved his hand and Wang Zhi quietly left.

……

Another day.

After waiting in line for three hours, all the Ming Dynasty banknotes in the Beijing branch were exchanged once again.

Yu Zhen, a doctor in the Ministry of Works, who had not been able to exchange his banknotes for three consecutive days, completely collapsed!

He walked out of the Beijing branch, cursing.

"How unlucky we are! All the banknotes have been exchanged by others again!"

"There are only 50,000 strings of silver per day. Where do other people get so much silver? Do they have to exchange the full 500 strings of silver every time?!"

"If we can't exchange for banknotes, what will our family eat and use?"

Yu Zhen was really anxious. He couldn't exchange Ming Dynasty banknotes for several days in a row, which made him very panicked.

At this time, a commoner in shorts came up to him and lowered his voice: "Sir, do you want to exchange Hongzhi treasure notes?"

Because the biggest difference between the new Ming Baochao and the original Ming Baochao is that the reign title was changed from Hongwu to Hongzhi.

Therefore, people gradually began to call the New Ming Baochao "Hongzhi Baochao" to distinguish it from the previous Ming Baochao.

Yu Zhen frowned and nodded: "Yes, so what?"

The man smiled mysteriously and said, "If you want to exchange Hongzhi banknotes, please follow me. I will definitely satisfy you."

After saying that, the man walked towards an alley nearby.

Yu Zhen was confused, but he really had no other choice.

So he followed with his servants, half believing and half doubting.

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(End of this chapter)