The Ming Dynasty: Starting with Emperor Chongzhen's crackdown on factionalism

Chen Zhiyuan knew that the emperor was tempted.

He organized his thoughts and began to speak slowly.

"The first step is to clear up the accounts. We need to sort out all the income and expenses from the past three years."

"Which are regular taxes, which are additional levies, and which are miscellaneous charges? Which are used for military expenses, which for salaries, and which for engineering projects... everything must be clearly calculated."

"The second step is forecasting. Based on the situation of the past three years, we forecast how much we can collect this year. We need to take into account factors such as natural disasters, war, and tax evasion. It is better to underestimate than to overestimate."

"The third step is allocation. Based on the estimated income, allocate various expenditures. How much should be allocated to military spending, how much to salaries, how much to disaster relief, how much to engineering projects... Each item must have an upper limit and cannot be overspent."

"The fourth step is execution. Each department spends money according to its allocated budget; any overspending is not reimbursed, and any surplus is retained."

"The fifth step is supervision. The Censorate and the Sixth Bureau will supervise the entire process, and any false reporting, fraudulent claims, or misappropriation will be severely punished."

Zhu Youjian listened intently.

These steps sound logical and seem feasible.

But he also had doubts.

"Wouldn't that be too rigid? What if something happens and we don't have time to react?"

"So we need to be flexible," Chen Zhiyuan said.

"For example, military spending can be set within a floating range. In peacetime, it is allocated at the minimum amount, and in wartime, it can be increased. However, the increase must be justified and approved; it cannot be given simply because a general requests it."

"For example, we can set aside a 'contingency fund,' which accounts for about 10% of total revenue, for emergencies."

"The use of reserve funds requires consultation among the Cabinet, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Censorate, and must be approved by His Majesty."

Zhu Youjian nodded repeatedly.

This idea is becoming clearer and clearer.

"There's one more thing," Chen Zhiyuan added, "the budget must be made public."

"Publicly?" Zhu Youjian was taken aback. "For whom?"

"It's for the court officials to see, and for the local officials to see," Chen Zhiyuan said.

"Let everyone know how much money the country has and how it spends it. This way, it will be difficult to make false reports or embezzle funds, because everyone will be watching."

Zhu Youjian remained silent.

Publishing the accounts publicly is incredibly audacious.

The finances of the Ming Dynasty were always kept secret.

The emperor knew how much, the Ministry of Revenue knew how much, but no one else knew.

If made public...

"Your Majesty," Chen Zhiyuan noticed his hesitation.

"Making it public is not to show weakness, but to gain trust."

Zhu Youjian fell into deep thought.

He paced back and forth in front of the imperial desk, his hands behind his back.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Chen Zhiyuan's words were like a key, opening a door he had never imagined.

Budgeting should be conducted within budget and with transparency.

These concepts were unheard of, but upon closer examination, they made a lot of sense.

The finances of the Ming Dynasty were indeed a mess.

No one knows exactly how much was levied, how much was spent, or how much was left over.

The Ministry of Revenue couldn't explain it, the Grand Secretariat couldn't explain it, and even the emperor himself couldn't explain it.

If we can truly clarify things, truly budget for them, and truly make them public...

"But this is too difficult." Zhu Youjian stopped and sighed.

"It involves too many issues and faces too much resistance. The Ministry of Revenue will be the first to disagree—once the budget is approved, they won't be able to take advantage of the situation."

"The Ministry of War will not agree either—once the military budget is fixed, they can't ask for money at will."

"Local officials would be even less likely to agree—making the accounts public would expose all their underhanded dealings."

Chen Zhiyuan nodded.

"Your Majesty is wise. Therefore, this matter cannot be rushed and cannot be rolled out all at once."

"What should we do then?"

"Pilot program," Chen Zhiyuan said. "Choose an area and try it out first. For example... military spending."

"Military spending?"

"Yes," Chen Zhiyuan said.

"The issue of military spending is the most prominent, the most urgent, and the most convincing."

"Your Majesty may issue an edict to implement a budget system for military expenses in Liaodong on a trial basis, starting this year. The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and all garrisons in Liaodong shall follow the new regulations. This trial period will last for one year, and the results will be observed."

"If it works well, we'll expand it to all nine regions. If it doesn't work well, we'll adjust the plan."

Zhu Youjian's eyes lit up.

That's a good idea.

Pilot programs have low risk and low resistance; if they are effective, they can be rolled out; if not, they can be stopped.

"How exactly do we try it?" he asked.

Chen Zhiyuan had already made up his mind.

"First, settle accounts. Thoroughly investigate all military expenditures in Liaodong over the past three years. How much was spent, how much was left over, and how much was embezzled—verify everything."

"Second, staffing. Verify the actual number of soldiers in each town in Liaodong and allocate funds accordingly. Any vacant positions will be cancelled."

"Third, the budget. Based on the actual amount, calculate how much military expenditure is needed in Liaodong this year. The Ministry of Revenue will reserve funds based on this figure and allocate them on time."

"Fourth, supervision. Imperial censors will be stationed in Liaodong to supervise the distribution of wages. Soldiers can directly complain to the imperial censors, and the imperial censors can directly report to His Majesty."

"Fifth, transparency. The budget, allocation, and use of military funds in Liaodong will be reported to the court officials every quarter. Let everyone see where the money is going."

Zhu Youjian became more and more excited as he listened.

This plan is specific, feasible, and targeted.

If this policy can be implemented, the problem of military spending in Liaodong might actually be solved.

No, it's not just Liaodong.

If the pilot program is successful and extended to the nine border regions, it will alleviate the military expenditure problem of the entire Ming Dynasty.

If military spending is alleviated, additional taxes can be reduced.

With the reduction of additional taxes, the burden on the people will be lighter.

When the burden on the people is lighter, there will be fewer bandits...

One link leads to another; perhaps we can truly break that vicious cycle.

Zhu Youjian felt a surge of excitement.

For the first time since ascending the throne, he saw so clearly a possible way out of the predicament.

This road is difficult and fraught with danger, but at least we have a direction.

"Chen Zhiyuan," he said, looking at the young man in front of him with a complicated expression.

Where did you get these ideas from?

Chen Zhiyuan bowed.

"This is what I thought of while reading history. In the final stages of dynasties, financial collapse was often due to chaotic revenue and expenditure and rampant corruption. A good system could have prevented this."

Zhu Youjian nodded.

Everyone has their own secrets. As long as they can be used for the country, why bother digging into their origins?

"Alright." He walked back to his desk and sat down.

"I approve. A budget system will be implemented on a trial basis for military expenses in Liaodong. Draft a detailed plan and submit it within three days."

"I obey your decree."

"Furthermore," Zhu Youjian paused, "continue investigating the Yuan Chonghuan case. I will back you up, so don't be afraid."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

When Chen Zhiyuan left the Qianqing Palace, it was nearly noon.

The sunlight was blinding, so he squinted.

He knew that the hardest hurdle was over.

Zhu Youjian was persuaded, and the budget system is expected to be piloted.

But this is only the beginning.

The real challenge is yet to come.

Would the Ministry of Revenue agree? Would the Ministry of War cooperate? Would the generals in Liaodong obey?

Will those who make a fortune by embezzling public funds just sit idly by and wait to die?

will not.

They will resist, they will obstruct, and they may even resort to underhanded tactics.

The road ahead is even more dangerous and difficult.

But Chen Zhiyuan did not back down.

He looked up at the azure sky and took a deep breath.

Since we're here, and since we've started, let's see it through to the end.

For the soldiers who guarded the border on empty stomachs, for the people whose families were torn apart by exorbitant taxes, and for... this once glorious civilization that is now riddled with wounds.

He strode toward the Censorate.

There is still a lot to do.

The charter needs to be written, the staff needs to be adjusted, and the obstacles need to be addressed.

But at this moment, he had fire in his heart and light in his eyes.