Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 53 A First-Class Emperor Sets the Standards (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Therefore, if these ten policies can be implemented, the national economy may gradually improve."

Guo Yunhou's somewhat hoarse voice finally came to an end.

He raised his head and looked at Zhu Youjian expectantly.

Zhu Youjian tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, remaining silent for a long time as if still savoring Guo Yunhou's words.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke, his voice clear and melodious.

"What Minister Guo said was all wise and insightful advice for governing the country, and I have taken it all to heart."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the various cabinet ministers and officials in the hall.

"However, no matter how good a national policy is, it still requires people to implement it."

"In the past, the country was in disarray and corruption was rampant. Many people were caught up in it and had no choice but to accept it."

These words immediately created a subtle atmosphere in the hall.

To be honest, very few of those who are standing in this hall today to participate in the discussions are completely innocent.

Zhu Youjian seemed oblivious to this undercurrent and continued:

"However, I have lived in the deep palace for a long time. After leaving my residence, I only read books and practiced martial arts. I really do not know much about the affairs of the court."

"Among the civil and military officials, the personnel are complicated, and I cannot distinguish who is virtuous and who is treacherous. I need time to observe carefully before I can see clearly."

"Otherwise, if treacherous officials are misused, even the best national policies will turn into disastrous things that harm the country and its people once they reach the lower levels."

"Therefore, let's put aside Guo Aiqing's ten strategies for now. Let's wait until I have a better understanding of the officials in the court before making any decisions."

He spoke earnestly, and looked like a young emperor who had just ascended the throne.

Guo Yunhou could only bow in agreement, but he could not hide the disappointment in his eyes.

He was the one most anxious about matters of national finance and taxation.

There's no other reason than that as long as the nation's finances and taxes remain poor, he will be like a donkey tied to a millstone, endlessly suffering the torment of cattle and horses.

However, this was just a lie told by Zhu Youjian.

What does it mean to be unable to distinguish between the virtuous and the wicked? What does it mean to wait until you understand before making a decision?

It's hard to say whether there's an absolute standard for judging virtue or wickedness.

The leader draws a standard line; those above the line are virtuous, and those below are wicked.

If leaders don't set the standards, they will naturally fall into the hands of others.

Historically, the Donglin Party loved to do this, and the eunuch party also loved to do this.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that all partisan struggles are not about right or wrong, but about the right to set the standard!

Regardless of how the standards were set before, now it's time for Zhu Youjian to set the standards.

Zhu Youjian's mind raced, and he had already made up his mind.

"Let's discuss the matter of the grand prize we just mentioned."

He raised his head, his gaze sharpening, no longer that of the gentle boy from before.

"Several days after I ascended the throne, I personally investigated the imperial treasury and found that it was already empty and in short supply."

Even if the property of traitors such as Wei Zhongxian and Madam Ke is confiscated, it will still be barely enough for the palace.

"However, this grand reward is a matter of national dignity and the morale of the soldiers on the nine borders, so it cannot be withheld."

"However, the imperial treasury is in dire need of assistance from various departments."

coming!

The hearts of all the ministers in the hall were in their throats.

Zhu Youjian's gaze first fell on Huo Weihua, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

This Minister Huo is the same one who presented the "elixir" Linglu Drink to his elder brother, the Emperor.

As a result, when the Tianqi Emperor died, this person was not implicated like in the "Red Pill Case," but was instead promoted repeatedly, which shows his keen insight and skill.

The most suitable approach to offering a reward is to start with him.

"Minister Huo," Zhu Youjian's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable pressure, "Ministry of War, how much can you support?"

Huo Weihua hurriedly stood up, but felt that the emperor's gaze was so sharp that he dared not look directly at him.

His mind raced, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Ministry of War...is it feasible to allocate 150,000 taels?" Zhu Youjian asked casually, as if he were discussing something, or perhaps giving an order.

Howard remained silent for a moment, seemingly making a difficult decision.

But soon, he gave up struggling, bowed deeply, and replied in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty's worries are our responsibility! The entire Ministry of War is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens!" "Our ministry will keep only 10,000 taels for daily expenses, and the remaining 150,000 taels can be used to support the grand reward!"

A satisfied smile finally appeared on Zhu Youjian's face.

"Minister Huo is indeed a loyal minister who cares for the emperor and the country."

His casual compliment made Huo Weihua feel as if he had been granted a pardon, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Youjian's gaze then turned to Xue Fengxiang, the Minister of Works.

"Minister Xue, what about the Ministry of Works? The three main halls have just been completed, and the major construction costs were enormous. Can they still afford it?"

Xue Fengxiang's face twitched, clearly indicating that he was in extreme pain.

The Ministry of Works was a government office that spent money; it was lucrative, but its internal problems were even bigger.

He gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and stepped forward, saying, "Although the Ministry of Works is also troublesome, with His Majesty overseeing it, it can be managed with some maneuvering. Your subject... Your subject's ministry can provide 80,000 taels!"

"Minister Xue is also a pillar of the nation." Zhu Youjian nodded in approval.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Guo Yunhou, the Minister of Revenue.

"Minister Guo," Zhu Youjian's tone softened considerably, "the Ministry of Revenue oversees the nation's finances and bears the heavy responsibility of the country. I know your difficulties, so perhaps..."

Before he could finish speaking, Guo Yunhou stepped forward with a resounding voice.

"Your Majesty! This year's military pay for all nine border regions has been fully disbursed, and the Ministry of Revenue still has surplus funds! Our ministry has reserved 100,000 taels for unforeseen needs, and the remaining 230,000 taels can be donated to enhance the Emperor's prestige!"

"it is good!"

Before Zhu Youjian could speak, Lai Zongdao, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices under the Ministry of Revenue can also provide 30,000 taels!"

Zhu Youjian was slightly startled.

Isn't the Court of Imperial Sacrifices just a place for cooking? How can it collect taxes?

He quickly suppressed his surprise and burst into laughter.

"Excellent! My beloved ministers, you are indeed all wise and loyal officials of my Great Ming! With you all here, how can I not worry about the prosperity of the country!"

He turned to the chief eunuch Gao Shiming, who was standing to the side, and said, "Since that's the case..."

He pondered for a moment, his mind racing with calculations.

150,000, plus 80,000, plus 230,000, plus 30,000... a total of 490,000 taels.

After finishing the quick calculation, Zhu Youjian's voice rang out again, filled with an unquestionable decisiveness.

“Take another 1.31 million taels from the imperial treasury! Make it a total of 1.8 million taels, and send it immediately to the nine border regions as a reward for the coronation!”

Upon hearing this, he felt as if his heart was bleeding.

After paying the 131 million, his personal funds were left with only... 130 million!

Not only did they give away all the money from the confiscation of their property, but they also added an extra tens of thousands of taels of silver...

His heartache had absolutely nothing to do with indulging in pleasure.

The Ming emperor's various needs for food, clothing, and daily necessities did not involve many expenditures of silver.

His emphasis on the imperial treasury stemmed entirely from a simple, profound distrust of the integrity and competence of officials in this era.

The value of a tael of silver in the hands of Zhu Youjian was vastly different from that in the hands of a civil official.

The officials in the palace, unaware of the young emperor's inner turmoil, bowed in unison upon hearing the number.

"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent to your soldiers; you are truly a benevolent ruler unlike any other in history!"

Gao Shiming also bowed and agreed, "This servant obeys!"

Amidst shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", Zhu Youjian suddenly waved his hand and raised a seemingly unrelated question.

"How were these rewards distributed to the soldiers of the Nine Garrisons, according to past practice?"

　Historically, the money for this grand reward was raised jointly from Emperor Chongzhen's imperial treasury and various government departments.

　　Moreover, Emperor Chongzhen initially couldn't afford this sum of money, but after the eunuch faction was raided on November 1st, he suddenly had the money again.

　　Then they gave 50 taels and 80 taels respectively, totaling 130 million taels of imperial funds.

　　From "Chongzhen Changbian" (The Long Compilation of the Chongzhen Emperor), November 10th & 26th, 7th year of the Tianqi reign (1628)
　　-
　　Xie Zhaozhe wrote in his "Wuzazu" that the paper the emperor used to wipe his bottom was brocade woven from wild silkworm silk specially harvested in Sichuan.

　　Emperor Xiaozong felt this was too extravagant and ordered it to be stopped.

　　As a result, the locals reported that all those who made a living from this had been displaced and lost their livelihoods, so the offerings were resumed.

　　In the Ming Dynasty, handing over bulky but low-value items like grains and hay could easily lead to the ruin of a family. However, the pressure was not so great for items like cloth and silk.

　　-
　　Oh, by the way, the emperor would throw the cloth away after wiping his bottom, but some eunuchs thought it was a waste. They picked it up, washed it, and cut it up to use as a door curtain, haha.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)