Ming Dynasty: Tanks blocked the door and you said to me, "Long live Ming Dynasty"

As a result, although the voyage to the West did play a role in showing off the power overseas, the court's finances could not afford it.

No wonder that group of civil officials were so resistant to the idea of ​​traveling to the West.

Every time Zheng He came back from his voyage to the West, Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanji were the ones who were happy.

But what about the officials from the six ministries?

The Ministry of Revenue needs to prepare funds for the next voyage.

The Ministry of Works will send people to repair ships and replenish firearms.

The Ministry of Rites was busy receiving envoys from small countries who came to pay tribute.

The Ministry of War would provide pensions to the soldiers who died while at sea and dispatch new soldiers to replace them.

If the people brought by the envoys of small countries caused trouble in the capital, the people from the Ministry of Justice would have to clean up the mess.

The Ministry of Personnel also had to evaluate those who returned from overseas, and determine their promotions, demotions, and so on.

It can be said that the emperor is so majestic and the officials are in trouble!

In addition, there were people who would get themselves killed, but no one wanted to do business that would lose money. Over time, going to sea became a burden for the Ming Dynasty.

Normally, no one would mention these things to Zhu Youxiao, and no one dared to mention them.

But now, he finally knew some of the inside story.

After a long sigh, he spoke to the three people earnestly.

"Good job!"

"There is something I can tell you."

"Although I just issued an order to ban sea trade not long ago, you must remember that the Ming Dynasty will open the sea sooner or later!"

"It's getting late. Eat slowly. I'm tired!"

After saying this, he returned the dragon bone pendant to Zhang Tiegu and stood up and left.

The three of them stood up, saluted and watched them leave. Then Zhang Tiegu frowned and whispered to Ximen Cang and Huang Gouzi.

"Since the sea is to be opened, why does Your Majesty want to ban the sea?"

Huang Gouzi glanced at the Jinyiwei standing at the door and spoke in a low voice.

"You don't know this, right?"

"I have been following His Majesty for some time. Let me tell you, this sea ban is for the purpose of opening the sea!"

Ximen Cang became interested and pulled his arm to ask more questions.

"how do I say this?"

Huang Gouzi smiled complacently: "Think about it, who has gained all the benefits on the sea now?"

"Aren't they still those noble families and corrupt officials?"

"They send people to sea to do business, but they don't pay taxes to the court. Your Majesty knows that there are huge profits at sea, but you can't collect taxes."

"You know, two days ago, His Majesty ordered the South China Sea Navy to seize several merchant caravans in the name of maritime ban, and they collected a large sum of money and goods!"

Upon hearing this, Ximen Cang and Zhang Tiegu immediately understood what was going on.

The two of them looked at each other and nodded.

Then, each of them gave Huang Gouzi a loud slap in the face.

Huang Gouzi was beaten dumbfounded. Feeling the burning sensation on his face, he pointed at the two men and cursed.

"Damn it, did you take the wrong medicine?"

"Why hit me!"

Zhang Tiegu glared at him and scolded him seriously.

"I'm hitting you to teach you a lesson! If you want to live, remember what you just said!"

"You didn't talk about it today, and we didn't hear it!"

Hearing the noise inside, the Jinyiwei guarding the door walked in with a unfriendly look on his face.

"What are you doing? Go back and rest when you're full. Is this where you play around?"

The yellow dog shuddered.

He was showing off just a moment ago, but now he finally realized where he was wrong.

Some things, if you know too much, can be fatal!

When the fleet passed through Zhangzhou, Sun Kangwang asked whether to dock, but was rejected by Zhu Youxiao.

But just as he left, Zheng Zhilong came again. In addition to asking whether escort was needed on the subsequent sea route, he also brought another piece of news.

Those were the men he left in Jilong. They intercepted two caravans a few days ago and seized 30,000 taels of silver and several ships of spices.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Youxiao was extremely happy.

Although the silver and goods are not much, it is still an unexpected fortune, isn't it?

He was very curious about the expressions of the noble families behind this caravan after they received the news.

Following the same practice as last time, he took the silver back to the capital and left the goods to Zheng Zhilong to sell.

As for the subsequent escort, the South China Sea Navy returned to Taiwan, and the remaining fleet continued northward and returned to the capital.

On New Year's Eve, the fleet arrived in Nanjing.

Just like when we came here, the canal in the north was frozen and shipping was impassable, so we had to travel by land.

It was New Year's Eve that night, and Zhu Youxiao no longer had the heart to travel, so he entered Nanjing city surrounded by the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

The city was very lively, with the sound of firecrackers everywhere.

A group of children, holding incense, set off firecrackers on the street corner.

Some people were so impatient that they threw lit firecrackers into the loads of passing peddlers.

After a crisp sound, the peddler was so angry that he jumped up and down, pointing at them and cursing in national language.

The kids laughed so hard that snot bubbles came out of their noses. It was not until they saw the patrolling soldiers coming that they ran away with their tails between their legs.

The soldiers just stood there, pointing at them and yelling at them.

A group of women wearing flowery jackets and dressed flashily were joking and cursing with vendors selling rouge and powder on the street, saying obscene words one after another, making the vendor blush and not knowing how to respond.

The gates of the six ministries were deserted. Apart from those on guard, there was hardly any official entering or leaving. At this time, most of them stayed at home, drinking and chatting, or hugging their beloved girls.

While the whole city was bustling with the atmosphere of the New Year, the family of Left Censor-in-Chief Min Hong was solemn.

"Why hasn't the fleet returned yet?"

"The Zhang family and the Liu family are here to ask for dividends. Should I give them the money or not?"

"Hurry up and send someone to Songjiang Prefecture to check. Once there is any news, report back immediately!"

Chapter 176 Year-end bonus?

When it comes to business, no matter in ancient or modern times, accounts must always be taken into account during the New Year holidays.

But the Min family’s fleet had not returned until New Year’s Eve, which made Min Hongxue feel a little uneasy.

Fleet, personnel, cargo, cash, each voyage meant tens of thousands of taels of silver were spent.

Going out to sea is very risky. Once encountering bad weather, it is common for the ship to be destroyed and people to die.

Therefore, this kind of business is usually a joint venture between several companies, and it is rare for someone to work alone.

Its main purpose is to share the risk.

One is facing the risks of nature.

Another is the risk in officialdom.

After all, once things like smuggling and tax evasion are exposed, it is difficult not to be held accountable.

The same is true for the Min family’s business.

Just after sending the servants to check at Songjiang Mansion, the Min family's housekeeper came running over with a panicked look on his face.

"Master, the master asked you to go to the study for a chat."

The underground fire dragon made the Min family's study room as warm as spring. An old man with white hair and eyebrows was sitting behind the desk with his chest exposed.

Two tall and good-looking women stood behind the old man. One of them had a seductive look in her eyes and was touching his chest with her hand, while the other was feeding the old man with fresh diced winter peaches.

After Min Hongxue came in, he seemed to be accustomed to the old man's decadent behavior and respectfully called him "Dad".

The old man took a bite of the peach in the maid's hand, puffed out his cheeks, and spoke while chewing.

"I heard that the emperor arrested Zheng Zhilong in Zhangzhou and exposed the matter of disaster relief grain."

"There's no need to ask anyone to investigate the merchant ship. I don't think he has anything to do with it."

Min Hongxue frowned slightly, and he finally understood where his previous uneasiness came from.

"But Dad, the Zhang and Liu families have urged us to pay the dividends several times. What should we do?"

"That's easy! I heard that the emperor has entered the city and will definitely stay in the palace today."

"Tomorrow you will select a few obedient officials and ask them to do this and that..."

As Min Hongxue listened to the old man's advice, a smile finally appeared on his face.

"Dad, if I had to, it would have to be you. I'll arrange it right away."

..........

At the same time, in Beijing City, Wenyuan Pavilion.

At this time of year in previous years, officials had already gone home for vacation and rest, and at most only a few minor clerks would remain on duty in Wenyuan Pavilion.

But today is completely different!

Prince Xin and Wen Tiren sat side by side, and officials from the six ministries were also present.

In Prince Xin's hand was a letter, which was sent back by Zhu Youxiao.

There were only two simple sentences in the letter.

"The year-end bonus for officials in Beijing is based on one percent of the money deposited in the Ministry of Revenue. This rule will apply in the future!"

"Local officials' year-end bonuses will not be issued this year, and the standards will be reviewed again next year!"

Although the Ministry of Revenue was poor in previous years, the officials in Beijing could still take some things home.

Either rice, flour, grain, oil, or cloth and silk, or at least half a fat pig.

When the harvest is good, truckloads of it are brought home.

But this year...

When the emperor is not at home, the Ministry of Revenue is so empty that even rats can escape!

The letter arrived yesterday. Prince Xin and Wen Tiren had been sitting face to face for the entire night, neither of them knowing how to explain it to their ministers.

Although they know that most officials don’t really care about this year-end bonus, there are always a few whose families are so poor that they can’t even afford to eat!

The whole family, young and old, are waiting to take these little things home to celebrate the New Year!

Seeing that New Year's Eve was approaching, they had no choice but to call the officials in Beijing over temporarily.

"Everyone, this is what His Majesty meant. What do you think?"

After Prince Xin read out the contents of the letter, he looked at everyone and asked.

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

They were able to estimate how much silver Zhu Youxiao had in his treasury.

That’s more than 20 million taels of silver!

I thought I could have a good year, but I didn't expect...

This dog emperor actually intends to not give a penny?

Sun Chengzong never expected that the emperor he taught would be able to do such a thing.