Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 80 Before giving out money, put up a knife

"Saints do exist, but the system and morality that only encourage saints, while giving birth to 'saints' like Hai Rui, also breed more evildoers and bandits." Zhu Changluo's words became more and more explicit.

This is a criticism of the ancestral system! Wei Chao was secretly shocked.

Although Wei Chao had entered the Ministry of Rites, he did not know that Wang An would use all the tributes he received for public use. In addition, after taking up the post of scribe, he also presented Wang An with a considerable tribute as per custom.

"Is the Emperor going to change the ancestral system?" Mi Mengshang had no interest in defending the ancestral system. She didn't even know the specifics of the ancestral system, only fragments of it. So she asked directly about her confusion.

"It's not the ancestral system, but the salary system." The areas covered by the ancestral system are really too broad.

"Then the Emperor can simply issue an edict." Mi Mengshang believed the Emperor was a figure of divine authority, omnipotent. There was nothing he couldn't do, only things he couldn't see. Now that the Emperor had recognized the crux of the matter, he could simply issue an edict to remove the problem.

"If I issue an order to increase salaries and maintain integrity, tens of thousands of officials across the country will naturally be happy to see it happen." Zhu Changluo chuckled and asked, "Where will the money come from?"

"Doesn't the emperor have it in his inner treasury?" she blurted out, but she quickly covered her mouth before she could finish her words.

"You're really generous." Zhu Changluo put his hand on her head and rubbed it hard twice. "There are tens of thousands of officials in the world. How long do you think fifteen million taels of silver can last?"

Before Mi Mengshang could answer, Zhu Changluo asked again, "And how are we going to distribute the silver? Will they definitely stop after we distribute the silver?"

"I think most people won't." Mi Mengshang retracted her head and pushed her messy hair behind her.

Zhu Changluo walked to the sword rack behind the imperial table. On the rack sat a one-handed sword. He reached out and took the sword down, weighing it in his hand. "So before handing out the silver, we should have the sword racked up properly first."

Clang! The sword was unsheathed, the blade gleaming coldly.

"The Inner Court is the knife held against the Outer Court, and the Western Factory is the knife I hold against the Inner Court. Mi Mengshang, do you know your use?" Zhu Changluo's gaze swept from the hilt to the blade.

"Am I the knife that the emperor is holding on the Western Factory?" Mi Mengshang guessed.

"Think about it again." Zhu Changluo's eyes were filled with the solemnity of winter.

Mi Mengshang frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, she answered again: "I am both the sword blade and the scabbard."

"Smart. The Execution Bureau is the blade, the External Audit Office is the front, and the Internal Audit Office is the scabbard." Zhu Changluo sheathed the sword and handed it to Mi Mengshang. "Here's a gift for you. Take it back and find a place to put it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward." Mi Mengshang took the sword with both hands, her eyes complicated.

"Increase revenue and expand resources, investigate corruption and theft, increase salaries and maintain integrity—none of this can be neglected." Zhu Changluo gathered his thoughts and touched his nose again. But this time, he realized in advance that his glasses were not there, so he lowered his hand and stroked his beard. "This system must be completely destroyed. If it is not destroyed and rebuilt, demotion, exile, and killing will only serve to stop the problem. Increasing salaries is easy, but expanding resources is difficult. Fifteen million taels of dead money may seem like a lot, but if thrown into the two capitals and thirteen provinces, into the bottomless quagmire of officialdom, it won't even make a splash."

"I understand. The emperor retains the salary system, the ceremony and the filial piety. It is not because he knows about greed and indulges in it, but because he knows about it and tolerates it. We should proceed step by step and take it step by step." Mi Mengshang suddenly realized.

"It seems that you are quite smart." Zhu Changluo praised.

"I am stupid, Your Majesty, thank you for your praise." Mi Mengshang declined.

"This deformed ancestral system is the very foundation of our dynasty. It has sustained the Ming Dynasty for over two hundred years and won't crumble anytime soon. Any hasty changes would be disastrous." Zhu Changluo's lips curved in a terrifying arc. "I can't straighten the bones right now, but I can shave off the extra bone."

"Go on, tell me who in the twenty-four yamen and various departments of the Imperial Household has reached a point where they deserve to be sacked," Zhu Changluo concluded. "What the Audit Bureau figures out will implicate many. Some will be exiled, some executed, but fear not. You are merely my sword. Success is yours, but the punishment is mine." "I am a humble concubine, but please use me as you please, Your Majesty," Mi Mengshang replied, sword in hand.

When Mi Mengshang secretly reported the corruption in the inner court, Wang An pulled Wei Chao out of the South Study and came to a secluded place.

"All of you go out." Wang An dismissed his attendants.

"Yes, ancestor." The eunuch who was serving with him retreated after receiving the order.

"Did you hear everything you should and shouldn't have heard?" Wang An's expression was inexpressible. He simply stared at Wei Chao gently. This, in turn, made Wei Chao's heart tremble.

"Grandfather, I heard it clearly." Wei Chao hurriedly knelt down and moved to Wang An's side with his knees.

Wei Chao was only a few years younger than Wang An, and not a eunuch under Wang An's name, so naturally there was no relationship between them. Before the new emperor ascended the throne, Wang An and Wei Chao were considered equals. But after the crown prince ascended the throne and Wang An took the throne, this relationship of equals completely disappeared, replaced by a hierarchy of superiors and subordinates.

The palace was a place of strict rules and clear hierarchy. The eunuchs in charge of the seals of the twenty-four yamen held the rank of Fourth Rank. However, with the exception of the Imperial Stables, the eunuchs in charge of the other yamen would consciously kneel when they saw the seal or writing brush of the Imperial Household Department.

Although Wei Chao was appointed as a clerk in the Imperial Household Department, he knew full well that this was entirely due to Wang An's promotion. Otherwise, how could the emperor's favor have reached the Armory? Wang An could lift him up, but he could also throw him to death.

Wang An didn't act superior, but sat down on the steps at the door. He patted the empty space beside him and said, "Come and sit."

"Oh!" Wei Chao propped himself up and crawled two steps at a time.

"Do you know why I'm not talking to you in a roundabout way?" Wang An said.

Wei Chao felt relieved after hearing this, but he still said, "I am a stupid servant. I hope the ancestor can teach me."

"The master has known about your arrangements for a long time." Wang An's voice was still calm.

"It's the fault of that servant." As soon as Wang An said this, Wei Chao fell into panic again.

"It's not a big mistake. The master knows you and knows that you are still capable." Wang An reached out and patted Wei Chao on the back. This made Wei Chao feel much more relaxed.

"What is the most important thing for us slaves?" Wang An asked.

"Of course it's loyalty!" Wei Chao said without hesitation. He had also been to the inner study hall, and the first word taught there was loyalty.

"The master doesn't avoid talking to you, which means he recognizes your loyalty." Wang An said with a smile.

"Grandfather!" Wei Chao's nose suddenly felt sore. "I will return the money and property I received to the inner treasury right now!"

"Keep it. Master doesn't mind that little bit of money. Master tolerates you, firstly because you're loyal, and secondly because everyone does it. Even I have to do it." Wang An's smile was filled with kindness and tolerance. "But when I stop doing this, you can stop doing it too. Do you understand?"

"That's save for me." Wei Chao nodded repeatedly.

(End of this chapter)