How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 108 The Seven Princes Go South and Beg for Food! (28th Update)
The ninth day of the fourth month of the first year of the Chongzhen reign.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the morning light was just beginning to break. The officials stood solemnly in their ranks, waiting for the young emperor to be seated on the throne before bowing in unison: "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings!"

With a faint smile on his face, Chongzhen glanced at the sea of ​​heads below him and said in a clear voice, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The officials rose and stood at attention, and the hall was silent.

Emperor Chongzhen did not immediately discuss politics. Instead, he picked up a thick memorial from his desk, weighed it in his hand, and began to speak in a relaxed tone:

"Yesterday, I received several interesting memorials. They came from Datong, from the seven princes in Datong city."

He paused, then his smile deepened:
"My imperial relatives have shown some understanding this time, knowing how to put my mind at ease and the court's peace of mind."

He turned to Yang Shaozhen, the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review, who was standing beside the throne:

"Minister Yang, please read aloud the opening of the memorial submitted by the Prince of Xiangyuan, so that all the officials may hear it."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Yang Shaozhen bowed, took the memorial, unfolded it, cleared his throat, and read aloud in steady Mandarin:
"Your Majesty, I, Zhu Chengqi, a subject of this guilty vassal state, am filled with trepidation and humility. I bow and scrape my head a hundred times to report to Your Majesty: We have lived in Datong for generations and have been blessed with Your Majesty's grace. We should have been dutiful in our duties as vassal states to repay Your Majesty's kindness even in the slightest. However, we have been foolish and ignorant, and have failed to avoid suspicion. We have maintained some close ties with the major vassal states. Although we have no intention of rebellion, we have realized that this was truly negligent. We are filled with trepidation and have deeply failed Your Majesty's boundless grace..."

Yu Hui's voice echoed in the empty hall, each word revealing a humility and fear rarely seen in a prince. The officials listened, each with their own thoughts. The turmoil surrounding the Datong Prince's rebellion was still unresolved; these seven princes' self-reports were nothing short of adding fuel to the fire.

After Yu Hui finished reading the opening, Emperor Chongzhen raised his hand to signal him to stop.

"Alright." He turned his gaze to one of the people in the train, "Marquis Wuqing."

Li Chengming, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Clan Court and Marquis of Wuqing, who had just rushed back from Datong, felt a tightness in his chest. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject is here."

"You have just returned from Datong, and you have seen and heard everything with your own eyes and ears. Tell me about the situation in Datong, and what about these seven princes?" Chongzhen's tone was very calm, revealing no emotion.

Li Chengming felt bitter inside. How could he not understand the Emperor's meaning? He had been sitting right there when Yuan Chonghuan was painting a rosy picture of "Jiangnan" for those princes in the Yin'an Hall of the Prince of Dai's residence! Would Yuan Chonghuan dare to make such an empty promise to the seven princes without His Majesty's authorization? Although his Wuqing Marquis Li family was a powerful maternal relative, they were long past their prime. Now, even established nobles like the Duke of Dingguo and the Marquis of Funing were vying for loyalty. Did he dare to disagree with the Emperor's wishes?
Thinking of this, he dared not hesitate for a moment and immediately reported:

"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to go to Datong to assist in the investigation of the Dai prince's rebellion. According to my investigation, although there is no clear evidence that the seven princes of Datong, including Xiangyuan and Lingqiu, were directly involved in the Dai prince's rebellion, their interactions with the Dai prince's residence were indeed frequent, and they were involved in many matters concerning land and shops. This is the truth. More importantly, there are a great many members of the imperial clan in Datong. In addition to the seven princes, there are more than one hundred generals of the Zhenguo and Fuguo ranks, and several thousand lieutenants and members of the imperial clan without titles!"

He glanced at the throne, and seeing the emperor nod slightly, he continued:
"Datong is a crucial town on the nine borders, directly facing the northern barbarians. So many members of the imperial family live together in one city, their influence deeply entrenched, and its location on the frontier is threatened by the Chahan tribes. If... if any villains were to collude with them, the northern barbarians might take advantage of the situation, or a treachery might occur from within, then Datong would be in grave danger, and the Xuanda defense line would be in peril! This is truly a threat to the very heart of the nation!"

He took a deep breath and concluded:
"Now, the seven princes have voluntarily requested to be granted new titles and to leave the troubled land of Datong. This is truly an act to prove their innocence and reveal their true intentions. It is also to share the burden of the court and remove a major hidden danger for the country! Their hearts... are pitiful, and their actions... are commendable!"

These words not only pointed out the connection between the Seventh Prince and the Prince of Dai's residence, but also emphasized the enormous risks of the imperial clan gathering in the border towns, and finally affirmed the Seventh Prince's "loyalty" in "requesting a different title." Every sentence hit the mark that Chongzhen had anticipated.

This Marquis of Wuqing is loyal and honest!
Emperor Chongzhen nodded with a satisfied expression: "What Marquis Wuqing saw is very much to my liking."

He then turned to the head of the civil service: "What is the Cabinet's opinion on this?"

Grand Secretary Huang Lijie, who was already prepared, immediately stepped forward and reported:

"Your Majesty is wise! Datong is the northern gateway of the nation, its safety hanging in the balance. The treasonous case of the Dai princes serves as a stark reminder, and the concentration of imperial clansmen in the border region poses a serious threat. The seven princes, deeply understanding the greater good, have voluntarily requested to be granted new fiefdoms to distance themselves from trouble. This is truly an act of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and a way to prove their innocence! If this proposal is approved, it will not only reassure the imperial clansmen but also strengthen the nation's borders—a win-win situation. We, the cabinet, believe that Your Majesty should grant their request, fulfilling the seven princes' loyalty and removing a major threat to the nation!"

Huang Lijie's words were practically an official, upgraded version of the Marquis of Wuqing's statement, elevating "requesting a different title" to the level of "loyalty to the emperor and love for the country" and "defending the nation's borders." The officials in the hall, especially those from Jiangnan, understood perfectly well what was happening as the emperor and his ministers spoke in unison. The emperor was determined to relocate those seven hot potatoes of Datong, along with over a hundred generals and thousands of members of the imperial clan! And the destination was most likely Jiangnan!
Standing in the procession, Qian Qianyi, the Right Vice Minister of Rites, felt a chill run down his spine. He knew all too well Chongzhen's intentions! This was the strategy of "relocating the princes south," a move to shift the heavy burden of the imperial clan on Shanxi's shoulders to Jiangnan! Seven princes, over a hundred generals… these men might be incompetent themselves, but he had witnessed firsthand the methods of the emperor on the throne. Who could guarantee that he wouldn't equip these princes with capable eunuchs, officials, and guards? Who could guarantee that these princes wouldn't become the emperor's tentacles reaching into Jiangnan to seize wealth? The horrific scene of the mining tax eunuchs running rampant in Jiangnan during the Wanli era was still vivid in his mind! Now, seven princes were suddenly being transferred…

But Qian Qianyi knew all too well that he absolutely could not openly oppose the "re-granting of titles to the seven princes." The emperor's words, "prove your innocence," were a sword hanging over his head. If he dared to step forward and obstruct, Chongzhen could simply say, "Vice Minister Qian, you have repeatedly obstructed us. Do you not want the imperial family to prove their innocence? Or do you have a past relationship with that traitor?" Then Qian Qianyi's fate would be far more than just being dismissed from office and returning home; it could even involve the confiscation of his property and the extermination of his entire clan!
However, as the leader of the Donglin Party and the representative of the Jiangnan gentry in the court, he could not stand idly by and watch as the banners of seven vassal kings were raised over Jiangnan.

Qian Qianyi took a deep breath, steadied himself, stepped out of the classroom, and announced loudly:

"Your subject, Qian Qianyi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, has a memorial to report!"

Chongzhen turned his gaze to him, his face still bearing that faint smile: "Bring it here."

Qian Qianyi bowed, his tone extremely sincere: "Your Majesty, what Grand Secretary Huang said and what Marquis Wuqing put forward are both wise and insightful opinions on governing the country. The seven princes' request to be reassigned and to stay away from the troubled border towns is indeed the best policy to prove their innocence and share the burden of the country. I wholeheartedly agree!"

He first set the tone, expressing his support, then immediately changed the subject:
"However, the matter of further enfeoffing princes is of great importance and involves a wide range of issues. I humbly request Your Majesty to clarify a few points so that there may be guidelines for court discussions, so that the matter can be handled properly, without disturbing the people or wasting resources, and without failing the seven princes' loyal hearts."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded: "Minister Qian's considerations are thorough. Please speak."

Qian Qianyi then posed the question he had prepared:

"Firstly, the re-granting of titles to the seven princes will require enormous expenses. The construction of the princely residences, the relocation of the ceremonial guards, and the settlement of personnel will all require huge sums of money. Where should these funds be sourced? Should the imperial treasury be used, or additional funds be allocated from local authorities?"
Secondly, where will the seven princes be moved to? The Central Plains are exhausted, Sichuan and Chongqing are in turmoil, and although the Southeast is considered prosperous, each prefecture and county has its own rules. If seven princes are suddenly settled, the local area may not be able to bear it and it may easily cause unrest.

Thirdly, where should the Prince's Palace be located? If it is chosen in a famous city, land prices will soar, and forcibly seizing land from the people may cause public resentment; if it is chosen in a remote place, the dignity of the Prince will be compromised, and it is not the way the court should treat its relatives with favor.

Fourthly, the seven princes originally owned estates and stipends in Datong. After their fiefdoms are changed, what will happen to their estates? Where will their stipends be drawn? If they are all transferred to their new fiefdoms, the already scarce land in Jiangnan will be difficult to accommodate them; if they remain in Datong, how will the princes manage their estates while they are far away in Jiangnan? These are all practical difficulties, and we humbly request Your Majesty's wise decision.”

Qian Qianyi's series of questions, seemingly seeking advice on specific operations, actually pointed out the enormous difficulties and potential harms of "relocating the feudal lords south"—huge costs, difficulty in resettling local populations, disturbance to the people, encroachment on farmland, and impact on the economy of Jiangnan. He intended to use these concrete problems to delay or even hinder the implementation of this policy.

After listening, Emperor Chongzhen's face remained calm and composed. He paused for a moment, tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk, and then slowly spoke:
"Qian Qing's concerns are all the words of a seasoned and wise ruler. However..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the officials in the hall:
"I have heard that the Jiangnan region is a land of plenty, abundant in resources and prosperous in people, and has never suffered any major disasters. Now that the Japanese pirates have been quelled and the seas and rivers are calm, it is a perfect place for people to recuperate and rebuild their lives. Datong is bitterly cold, and the imperial family is in dire straits. Let them go to Jiangnan... well, let's just say they're going there to beg for food!"

The Emperor Chongzhen uttered the words "I need to eat" casually, even with a touch of colloquialism, yet they sent a chill down the spines of many ministers in the hall. These seemingly casual words carried immense weight, effectively sealing the fate of the southward march—to Jiangnan!
Emperor Chongzhen didn't give everyone much time to react, and continued:
"As for the difficulties raised by Minister Qian... the specific procedures will be devised by the court. The Grand Secretariat will take the lead, with the participation of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, and the Imperial Clan Court. Remember my words."

His voice suddenly turned cold:

"First, frugality is paramount! The regulations for the Prince's residence should be simplified as much as possible, and the people must not be disturbed! Second, there should be no delays! The relocation site and regulations should be decided as soon as possible and submitted to me for review! I need a swift and decisive solution!"

Emperor Chongzhen's gaze sharpened as he slowly swept his eyes across the faces of key officials such as Huang Lijie and Qian Qianyi.
"My esteemed ministers, this matter concerns the peace and tranquility of the imperial family, and even more so, the stability of the nation. I do not wish for... anything disgraceful to come out. That would be bad for everyone, wouldn't it?"

The last sentence, spoken calmly, carried a chilling undertone. The officials in the hall, especially Qian Qianyi, felt their backs instantly drenched in cold sweat.

The emperor's meaning couldn't be clearer: the matter must be handled, and handled quickly and frugally. Anyone who dared to delay or obstruct, causing "trouble" (such as a disturbance by members of the imperial clan—trouble would naturally arise if it dragged on to the point of displeasing Chongzhen), would be disrespecting the emperor and would bear the consequences!
"Your Majesty, we obey!" Huang Liji and the cabinet ministers from various departments responded in unison.

Emperor Chongzhen nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Qian Qianyi with a wistful look.

(End of this chapter)