Huangming

Chapter 138 Imperial Stipends Distributed, Officials Generously Distributed Funds

After receiving Zhu Youxiao's "enlightenment education," Man Gui and Ma Shilong left the East Warm Pavilion with great excitement and loyalty.

"Wei Zhongxian has been summoned for questioning!"

Zhu Youxiao instructed his attendants, and Wei Chao, upon receiving the order, hurriedly sent a messenger eunuch to summon Wei Zhongxian.

While waiting, Zhu Youxiao did not waste any time. He stretched and began to review the memorials.

He picked up the first memorial.

Li Qiyuan, the Governor-General of the Three Border Regions of Shaanxi, submitted a memorial entitled "Memorial on the Remaining Uprising of Bo Bai's Troops in Ningxia".

Content: Taking advantage of the Ming court's military campaign in Liaodong, northwestern Mongol tribes plundered the border and requested reinforcements to suppress them.

Zhu Youxiao looked at the suggestions for solutions submitted by the cabinet, pondered for a moment, and then wrote in his approval:

"I have read your memorial. The remnants of the Bo Bai rebellion have colluded with the northern barbarians to harass our borders, which is deeply hateful! I hereby order the Governor (Li Qiyuan) to strictly instruct all garrisons to seize the opportunity to suppress and pacify them, and to ensure that they are completely eradicated."

The deployment of troops shall be discussed in conjunction with the Ministry of War, and the masses shall not be mobilized lightly, lest supplies be wasted.

He further instructed the generals: those who have rendered meritorious service will be generously rewarded, while those who are cowardly in battle will be severely punished. The border affairs are extremely difficult; you must strive diligently! This department is aware.

Hit a punch to avoid a hundred punches.

Zhu Youxiao intended to win over the various Mongol tribes and then work together to deal with the Jurchens.

But
Non-my family, its heart must be different.

These people should not be trusted.

Only after you've subdued them can you discuss cooperation smoothly.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Youxiao continued reading the second memorial.

"On the Western Migration and Border Incursions of the Northern Barbarians from Chahar and the Sending of Envoys to Request an Alliance!"
This was a memorial submitted by Sun Chengzong shortly after he arrived in Liaodong.

Zhu Youxiao's eyes lit up, and he immediately began to read the contents:

Your humble servant, Sun Chengzong, Minister of War, respectfully submits this memorial:

According to reports from Wang Guoliang, Governor-General of Xuanfu and Datong, and Wen Qiu, Governor-General of Jizhou and Liaodong:
Since annexing the Inner Khalkha tribes last year, Ligdan Khan, the chieftain of the Chahar tribe, has led tens of thousands of cavalry westward to the Xuanfu and Datong area. They have repeatedly violated the border walls, killing and plundering soldiers and civilians, and burning down fortified villages. Their power is rampant, and border beacons are constant day and night.

I recently received a secret report from a surrendered enemy that Ligdan Khan intends to send his trusted confidant, Guiying, as an envoy to the capital with a letter declaring, "We are willing to join the Celestial Dynasty in suppressing Jianzhou," and requesting rewards and firearms as assistance. However, judging from his words, he is actually asking for rewards in exchange for troops, and I suspect he is not sincere.

Your servants have proposed the following punishment:

Border defenses should be strengthened: I request that an imperial edict be issued to reinforce the troops in Xuanfu, Datong, Jizhou, and Liaodong, and not to fall into the enemy's trap.

Foreign envoys should be cautious: If Ligdan Khan's envoy arrives, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War should jointly examine his letter and not lightly agree to any treaty.

The key is to sow discord: a secret message can be sent to the remnants of the Inner Khalkha (such as Bairin and Jarud) to make them suspicious of the Chahar, thus dividing their power.

We humbly beseech Your Majesty's judgment!

After reading the memorial, Zhu Youxiao fell into deep thought.

The years from the first year of the Taichang reign to the first year of the Tianqi reign were two crucial years in the power struggle between the Ming Dynasty, the Mongols, and the Later Jin Dynasty.

At this time, for the Ming Dynasty, the situation in Liaodong was deteriorating, and the defenses were weak after the disastrous defeat at Sarhu. The Ming Dynasty urgently needed the Mongols to contain the Later Jin.

For the Later Jin, their goal was to capture Shenyang and Liaoyang in an attempt to win over the Mongols and isolate the Ming Dynasty.

For the Mongol tribes, the division of the steppe intensified. Ligdan Khan attempted to unify southern Mongolia, but internal divisions made it difficult for them to form a united force.

If we could utilize the Mongol tribes to deal with Jianzhou, it would indeed be a labor-saving and worry-free approach.

However.
Ligdan Khan is quite ambitious; even if he grants annual stipends, he may not actually help the Ming Dynasty.

Throwing a meat bun at a dog is truly a case of never getting it back.

In addition
The Mongol tribes had suffered greatly at the hands of the Ming army. For example, when Li Chengliang was in Liaodong, he repeatedly deceived the Mongol tribes by taking their heads as rewards.

The current relationship between the Mongol tribes and the Ming Dynasty is like the Dark Forest theory.

Whoever believes it first will suffer the consequences.

After some deliberation, Zhu Youxiao decided not to write an imperial edict. Instead, he had Wei Chao bring him imperial stationery and wrote a handwritten edict to Sun Chengzong on it.
Imperial edict to Sun Chengzong, Governor of Ji and Liao and Minister of War:

I believe the safety of the nine border regions depends on the allegiance of the northern barbarians. I have recently learned that although Ligdan Khan is unruly and difficult to subdue, he and the Jianzhou barbarians are irreconcilably opposed. This is a divinely granted opportunity to use one barbarian against another. As the Governor-General of the border affairs, you are well aware of the barbarian situation. Therefore, I hereby instruct you to secretly devise strategies and act accordingly:
First, to assist the Chahar in restraining the Jianzhou Jurchens.

Increase the rewards to win their hearts: In addition to the annual gifts to Xuanda and Jizhou, allocate additional salt, tea, and cloth to them so that they can focus their efforts on the eastward expansion.

Assist in training troops with weapons: Select firearms craftsmen and warhorses, and provide them with appropriate supplies, but secretly send trusted confidants to monitor them to prevent them from turning against you.

2. To sow discord among the remaining Inner Khalkha forces.

If any of the chieftains of Bahrain and Jarud have not yet surrendered to the Jianzhou Jurchens, they shall be granted titles and trade relations, and shall be made to join forces with the Chahar.

Be careful when sending envoys, lest the Jurchens discover them and cause trouble.

Third, maintain strict vigilance at the nine borders.

The towns of Xuanda, Jiliao, and others should increase the number of scouts and strengthen the border walls to prevent the enemy cavalry from using this route to invade the south.

You are experienced and prudent, and well-versed in border affairs. This matter is of great importance and must be kept secret! You may submit a confidential report detailing the implementation plan and the true situation of the enemy, which I will discuss with my cabinet ministers in person.

Special edict.

This edict is not an official edict, therefore it does not need to be stamped.

After writing the imperial edict, Zhu Youxiao blew on it and let it air dry naturally.

Ligdan Khan needed to be won over, as did the Mongol tribes.

Although Ligdan Khan was a considerable threat to the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youxiao, as a person of later generations, knew in his heart that Jianzhou posed an even greater threat to the Ming Dynasty!

The Later Jin was far more organized than the Mongols; even when the Mongols unified, it was a loose alliance.

It is virtually impossible to recreate the glory of the Mongol Empire.

If the Jin dynasty were to annex all the Mongol tribes, Liaodong would be difficult to defend.

Sun Chengzong needs to conduct a thorough investigation to see if the plan to support Ligdan Khan and divide the Mongol tribes from Jianzhou is credible!
After putting down the second memorial, Zhu Youxiao continued reading the third one.

The memorials that are still being sent to the East Warm Pavilion are mostly those that are considered important by either the Directorate of Ceremonial or the Grand Secretariat.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao did not review the documents quickly.

Many decisions cannot be made directly; they need to be made after consulting with cabinet ministers and officials of various departments.

National affairs are no small matter; even his imperial edicts could affect the situation in a region.

Zhu Youxiao took the matter of reviewing and approving memorials very seriously and was extremely careful.

Finally, Wei Zhongxian arrived while reviewing the fourth memorial.

"This servant, Wei Zhongxian, respectfully wishes Your Majesty a speedy recovery!"

Zhu Youxiao put down his brush and said, "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Wei Zhongxian got up, he waited quietly for the emperor to continue.

What is the purpose of this summons?

"How's the matter with the imperial estate going?"

Upon hearing the mention of the Imperial Estate, Wei Zhongxian felt a chill run down his spine and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of the Imperial Estate is still under investigation."

Zhu Youxiao frowned deeply.

"How long will the investigation take?"

Zhu Youxiao coldly looked at Wei Zhongxian before him and asked, "One month? Or two months?"

Thump~
Wei Zhongxian knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I will investigate the matter of the imperial estate as quickly as possible and give Your Majesty a satisfactory answer within a month!"

When Wei Zhongxian gave him a deadline, Zhu Youxiao's anger gradually subsided.

"I've heard that the eunuchs in charge of the various imperial estates all have connections with you?"

Wei Zhongxian's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, and he immediately said, "This servant...this servant dares not!"

"Is the money I gave you not enough to spend?"

Wei Zhongxian kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Under Your Majesty's benevolence, you have bestowed upon me estates and land. I am but a servant and a eunuch; there is no need for me to spend any money. The wealth Your Majesty has given me is enough for several lifetimes."

Seeing that Wei Zhongxian was somewhat quick-witted, Zhu Youxiao's expression softened slightly, and he said:
"I will not tolerate the acceptance of bribes. If you make contributions, I will not hesitate to reward you."

Zhu Youxiao took a small booklet from the dragon desk and threw it in front of Wei Zhongxian.

"I know the suffering of you rootless people. Look."

After being reprimanded by the emperor, Wei Zhongxian felt uneasy. When he picked up the booklet and opened it, a look of shock immediately appeared in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, this."

His narrow eyes widened suddenly, his cloudy pupils trembled in their sockets, and his pupils contracted to the size of needles.

What shocked him so much was the content of this booklet!

The system of allowances for officials to maintain integrity within the inner court, and the pension system!
The allowance for maintaining integrity was determined according to the ranks of eunuchs in the twelve directorates, four departments, and eight bureaus.

For example, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs received a stipend of one thousand taels of silver per year!

The chief eunuchs and scribes of each supervisory office received an annual allowance of three to seven hundred taels of silver.

The junior eunuchs, such as those serving in the Directorate of Ceremonial, received an annual allowance of 150 to 300 taels of silver. The next lower rank, the senior eunuchs and those serving as imperial attendants, received an annual allowance of 70 to 150 taels of silver.

As for the lowest-ranking cooks and odd jobs, they did not receive any allowance for maintaining integrity, but they did receive an annual salary of ten taels.

In addition to the allowance for maintaining integrity, there was also an inner court pension system.

First, there is a pension:

Those who have worked in the inner court for 30 years can receive half of their original salary until their death (for example, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial can receive half of his annual salary of 120 taels, 60 taels, after retirement).

Those who have worked in the inner court for 20 years can receive 30% of their original salary (e.g., a retired eunuch from the Imperial Horse Administration receives 30 taels of silver annually).

Those who have worked in the inner court for less than 20 years will receive a one-time severance payment of 10-50 taels.

Secondly, they would provide retirement housing and resettlement for retired eunuchs.

The imperial court allocated funds to establish "Enyang Temples" in Beijing and Nanjing to shelter homeless elderly and weak eunuchs, providing them with food, lodging, and medicine.

The temple's land was allocated by the imperial estate, and the income was used exclusively for the elderly.

Third, there are subsidies for returning to one's hometown.

Those who voluntarily return to their hometowns will be provided with travel expenses (20-50 taels) and land (10-20 mu) to prevent them from becoming homeless.

bang bang bang~
After reading it, Wei Zhongxian kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling as he cried out, "Your Majesty is wise! In all my years, I have never seen such a compassionate and benevolent ruler! This system of allowances for officials and pensions is truly a blessing from heaven for us rootless people!"

He raised his sleeve to wipe his reddened eyes, choking back tears as he said, "So many old eunuchs in the palace couldn't even afford a simple coffin when they died. Now His Majesty has even thought of a way out for us thirty years from now. This isn't just money; it's a lifeline for us servants!"

Then she kowtowed three times: "On behalf of the 3,600 unfortunate people of the Twelve Offices, Four Departments, and Eight Bureaus, this servant kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your grace in giving us life! From now on, if anyone dares to embezzle silver, without Your Majesty even having to say a word, this servant will be the first to chop off their claws!"

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "I know your suffering. Sometimes, if you don't take advantage of others, who will support you in your old age? Now I'm telling you, I will take care of you and see you off in your final days. You must serve me well and refrain from corruption!"

During the Ming Dynasty, retired eunuchs were often sent back to their hometowns or temples, leaving them without a secure livelihood, which led them to amass wealth during their tenure.

Now, the emperor has taken care of their worries.

As for where the money came from?

Naturally, the funds came from special appropriations such as royal estate revenue, customs duties from the Maritime Trade Office, and mining taxes, without using the regular taxes from the national treasury.

of course
Having given so many benefits, if anyone in the inner court is found to be corrupt, they will certainly be severely punished!

Zhu Youxiao warned Wei Zhongxian: "I have spent so much money to support you in your old age, so that you will not end up on the streets in your later years. Of course, I expect you to be truly loyal to me and not greedy at all. If I find that you have accepted bribes or extorted money, I will confiscate all your allowance and dismiss you from your posts and punish you. Do you understand?"

Wei Zhongxian immediately kowtowed and said, "How could this old servant not understand? His Majesty's grace is so great, anyone who dares to embezzle will have to feed the turtles in the Jinshui River!"

The allowance for maintaining integrity was a good thing for lower-ranking eunuchs, but not for upper-ranking eunuchs.

These several thousand or several hundred taels of silver were easily obtained by them.

Therefore, Zhu Youxiao looked at Wei Zhongxian and said, "This is just a stipend for integrity and retirement, to provide you with a final guarantee. If you make great contributions, even if it is ten thousand taels of silver, I will reward you. Now, let me see how you repay me."

Zhu Youxiao's words made Wei Zhongxian's eyes light up.

To be honest, he really looked down on the several hundred taels of silver meant for maintaining integrity.

But if he were told that he could be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver for his meritorious service, he would not be sleepy at all.

Embezzled income cannot be used legitimately.

But he can flaunt His Majesty's reward however he likes.

Zhu Youxiao immediately mobilized the enthusiasm of the top seller in the Ming Dynasty.

Wei Zhongxian immediately said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will reorganize the imperial estate as quickly as possible. All the guilty will be brought to justice, and no one will be let off the hook. Afterwards, the land will be thoroughly surveyed, leaving no room for greed among the people below!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded.

"I'll be watching!"

After saying this, Wei Zhongxian prepared to take his leave.

However, Zhu Youxiao stopped him and said, "Minister of Personnel Zhou Jiamo, I have heard that he spends a lot of money and is suspected of forming cliques. You should investigate this matter thoroughly for me."

Wei Zhongxian's eyes lit up.

He might not be the right person to manage the imperial estates.

But investigating those civil officials is where he excels.

After all, that's what he's been doing all this time.

Furthermore, his Imperial Guards had already established a network of intelligence throughout Beijing.

The ability to gather intelligence has greatly improved, and the ability to investigate the backgrounds of officials is also vastly different from what it used to be.

It has the same glory as the Embroidered Uniform Guard of Emperor Taizu.

Wei Zhongxian immediately declared, "This servant will definitely investigate Zhou Jiamo thoroughly, going back eighteen generations to find out everything."

Why do I need to investigate his ancestors for eighteen generations?

Zhu Youxiao rolled his eyes and reminded him, "Don't fabricate charges. I want a real crime."

Punishing subordinates with fabricated charges can make them tremble with fear, thus disrupting the political environment.

Only a truly conclusive charge can silence all sides.

Wei Zhongxian patted his chest and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will never wrong anyone!"

Upon hearing this reply, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand at Wei Zhongxian and said, "Go down!"

Before leaving, Wei Zhongxian respectfully presented the emperor with a booklet detailing the inner court's allowances for maintaining integrity and the pension system.

Zhu Youxiao took the booklet and watched Wei Zhongxian's departing figure, his eyes flickering.

The system of allowances for officials to maintain integrity and the pension system would allow the emperor to gain the support and endorsement of the vast majority of eunuchs, making the inner court even more at his beck and call.

In addition, this pension system also included provisions for palace maids.

After all, Zhu Youxiao did not want the situation of palace maids strangling people to death to happen again.

In fact, the issue of old age for palace maids in the Ming Dynasty was long neglected, and most of them suffered a miserable old age.

Zhu Youxiao asked Zhao Qingyue, a palace maid in charge of the imperial bedchamber, about the issue of palace maids' retirement.

When asked, Zhao Qingyue secretly wiped away tears. After her words, Zhu Youxiao gained a deeper understanding of how palace maids in the Ming Dynasty were cared for in their old age.

The main types of elderly care methods are as follows:
One option is to leave the palace upon completion of one's service period.

Palace maids could generally apply to leave the palace when they were 25-30 years old (but they needed the approval of the chief eunuch or female official).

One must be without fault and not be retained by the emperor or empress.

Because the conditions were quite strict, only a few palace maids were actually able to leave the palace after their term of service was completed.

Even after leaving the palace, most palace maids, due to homelessness or lack of dowry, became poor, servants, or even prostitutes.

Secondly, they could marry eunuchs or soldiers.

Older palace maids might be given to eunuchs as "partners" (nominal spouses) or assigned to soldiers stationed at the border (such as soldiers stationed in Xuanfu and Datong).

However, such marriages were mostly formalities, and the palace maids still had to make a living on their own.

Third, she was promoted to a female official.

A few clever and capable palace maids could be promoted to female officials in the Six Bureaus and One Department (such as Shanggong and Shangyi), and could stay in the palace to retire after reaching the age of 50.

However, this was a very small minority. Moreover, even if they were able to stay in the palace to live out their retirement and have their food and clothing provided by the inner court, life in the palace was not easy; they received no salary, had a low status, and their lives were actually quite difficult.

Fourth, to serve the Empress Dowager and the Dowager Consort.

If one has served the Empress Dowager or the Grand Empress Dowager, they may be allowed to continue living in the Cining Palace or Renshou Palace in their old age.

However, once their master died, the palace maids were often dismissed.

Fifth, resettlement in nunneries and Taoist temples.

Beijing's Baoming Temple (also known as "Gugu Temple") and Baiyi Nunnery were places specifically for sheltering elderly palace maids.

They received a small amount of money from the inner court for incense offerings, and lived a frugal life.

Orphaned palace maids would become nuns at their own expense and make a living by embroidery and copying scriptures.

Sixth, the Anle Hall, funded by eunuchs, took in elderly and sick palace maids, but the conditions were terrible, and they were practically waiting to die.

This shows that most palace maids in the Ming Dynasty met tragic ends.

It's not surprising that, after being treated harshly by the emperor in the palace, the incident of strangling the emperor's neck occurred.

Regarding the issue of the care of palace maids, Zhu Youxiao drew on the system of the Qing Dynasty.

Under normal circumstances, palace maids would leave the palace at the age of thirty, and the court would provide them with dowries and find them suitable matches.

Those who were unwilling to leave the palace were also provided with places to live in comfort and retirement, funded by the inner court.

Having made arrangements for the funerals of the eunuchs and palace maids in the inner court, Zhu Youxiao could finally get a good night's sleep.

However, having spent so much money, Zhu Youxiao had to find a way to collect even more.

The local tax and salt tax in Jiangnan should be put on the agenda soon!

If taxes cannot be collected, his inner court pension system will be nothing but a castle in the air, a mere formality.

(End of this chapter)