It is said that during the summer solstice, the weather becomes hotter and hotter after the summer solstice.
Because of the hot weather, at the beginning of May, the emperor agreed to the invitation of the Jingyan officials and temporarily skipped the Jingyan feast.
In addition, after the banquet is updated, the spring lecture will be free from February 12th to the second day of May; the autumn lecture will be free from August 12th to October 2nd.
This will always be the rule, so there is no need to ask questions one by one.
In other words, the little emperor is on summer vacation.
Unfortunately, summer vacation is not for fun.
Just because the emperor stopped the Sutra banquet, the number of times the cabinet invited the emperor to go to the Wenhua Hall to listen to government affairs, and the number of ministers who came to Xiyuan to report on their affairs, increased significantly.
For example, today, while Zhu Yijun was still having lunch, Zhang Juzheng and Wang Chonggu were already waiting in Chengguang Hall.
Seeing the emperor come in, the two of them quickly saluted: "Your Majesty."
Zhu Yijun waved his hand to signal the two of them to stand up.
Shi Shiran sat down at the imperial desk and took a breath before speaking: "Yuan Fu and Wang Ge Lao are here in a hurry. What's the important matter?"
The two of them looked at each other, and Zhang Juzheng nodded and signaled Wang Chonggu to go ahead and play.
The latter followed what was good and took a step forward.
After Wang Chonggu entered the cabinet, he was quite high-spirited.
His temperament has calmed down a bit, making him look more mature and steady.
With a smile on his face, he congratulated loudly: "Your Majesty! Great victory!"
Zhu Yijun reacted immediately and asked: "Did Duoyanwei violate the border again? What's the result?"
There is no shortage of surprises in the tone.
Wang Chonggu was not surprised by the emperor's delicate thoughts, so he picked out the important points and reported the matter.
Zhu Yijun listened carefully to Wang Chonggu's words and nodded from time to time.
In early May, Duoyanwei's envoy returned and brought the news back to the tribe.
Although the imperial court awarded Duoyanwei a reward, it was the nominal chieftain Ang who was rewarded.
The current powerful figure in Duoyanwei, Dong Fox, was not awarded.
That's it, the imperial court still rewards him with silver coins.
As for grain, cloth and the like, there was none - if you wanted grain, you had to go out and buy it from the border towns of the Ming Dynasty.
Power is power, and Chang Ang used this reason to win over the tribal elders and win people's hearts.
Naturally, Dong Hu would not just sit back and watch.
At this time, Dong Hu took the initiative to move closer to the Ming Dynasty, which might not be a way out.
But he chose another direction - foreign war to divert internal conflicts.
The ancient method has endured for a long time, precisely because its effect is almost like an objective law and has never failed.
The best way for nomads to consolidate their power is naturally to carry out a successful robbery.
Whether it is population, food, or coarse salt.
As long as the robbery is successful, the reputation and status in the tribe will increase.
Internal threats are self-defeating.
It's a pity that Dong Hu's abacus was good, but his luck was not good.
This time when he crossed the border, he happened to meet Qi Jiguang, who was waiting for help and was very alert.
Wang Chonggu was still in high spirits: "Dong Hu led the bandits with more than 4,000 horses, and invaded from Panjiakou, Longjing Pass and other two routes, and happened to bump into Qi Jiguang."
"In this battle, the border troops killed more than 300 enemies and injured the thieves. The Tatar chief defeated Ke Lulanle and gave him the head! Dong Hu fled in panic!"
Panjiakou, Longjingguan?
Zhu Yijun was startled, something beyond his expectation.
How could he remember... Historically, Dong Hu entered the border from Jialing and Taolin.
He had also specifically asked this place to strengthen military preparedness.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun suddenly reacted - he seemed to be desperate for a sword!
We have specially increased our troops, and our scouts are not stupid.
Zhu Yijun touched his nose awkwardly, but luckily no one else knew.
I also secretly reminded myself of this.
Water has no permanent shape, and soldiers have no permanent potential.
I was born in a peaceful era, so I don't know anything about fighting.
Especially when it comes to military matters and historical matters, things may not be done accurately.
Since you don’t understand, it’s better not to do any micro-management, otherwise you will easily become Chang Kaishen.
In addition to trusting veteran generals like Qi Jiguang and giving them support in the temple, we should also rely on the profound accumulation of the country to crush the enemy with great momentum.
Zhu Yijun took a deep breath.
I examine myself three times a day.
Wang Chonggu didn't know what the emperor was thinking, but still reported the details of the battle in a serious manner.
At the end of the sentence, he began to ask for credit: "The cabinet and the Ministry of War believe that those who gave full instructions in this battle, those who broke the enemy's charge, those who worked with colleagues, and those who supported from afar should all be discussed."
"Prime Minister Qi Jiguang is especially recommended, and Xu Xuegu is the chief contributor to military preparation."
If you win a battle regardless of merit or reward, you will have no fighting power.
As for the verification and review, it will naturally be done by the Ministry of War and the Censor.
Zhu Yijun naturally had no reason to disagree and readily agreed: "Yes!"
Of course, Wang Chonggu did not come here just for such trivial matters as asking for credit.
He paused and then said: "Your Majesty, after this battle, it has quite an impact."
"I heard that Chang Ang is now under house arrest by Dong Hu."
"And the leader of the Duoyan Guards, the Yi chieftain Uluru Sihan, and the Yi woman Boyan Lord Lai Xuanyu returned the Ming Dynasty captives, and tied up two members of the evil tribe Boyan Aduchi as tribute, and begged for forgiveness.
Tribute reward."
"The Ministry of War thinks that the matter is between two ends and asks His Majesty to judge it."
This was the effect of the first battle, and chaos arose within Duoyanwei.
Dong Huxu had to use fierce methods to suppress Chang Ang.
The other leaders also had strange thoughts.
After that, Wang Chonggu explained Uluru Sihan to the emperor.
Uluru Sihan is one of the lords of Duoyanwei, the younger brother of Dong Fox, and the uncle of Changang. He does not listen to the instructions of the tribal leader.
But this one is always a piece of cake.
During the Jiajing period, they repeatedly raided the border, but if other troops invaded the border, this troops would inform the border generals.
During the Longqing period, the imperial court tried to grant rewards, but Uluru Sihan often accepted the rewards with one foot in front and continued to plunder with the other.
Now I just see that the situation is not good, and I have started to ride on the wall again.
The bound Boyan Aduchi was naturally an enemy chief whose hands were stained with the blood of Ming Dynasty generals.
Zhu Yijun nodded thoughtfully.
He had heard about the Uluru Sihan tribe.
Historically, in the second year of Wanli, that is, next year, Dong Fox once again plundered Xifengkou, and Uluru Sihan obeyed the court's order and stopped it.
In the third year, Chang'ang invaded the border and asked to borrow troops. Uluru Sihan also sternly refused and informed the court.
Later, Chang'ang was defeated, and he took Chang'ang to the border to plead guilty.
Of course, as the Ming Dynasty gradually weakened, this group immediately defected.
He often assisted Changang and plundered Liaodong and other places.
In short, he is just a wild dog that is not well-fed, fearful of power and not ethical.
Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and then said: "Boyan Abdul Chi's owl's head is just for showing to the public. As for tributes and rewards..."
"If we can promote mutual trade, I will not hesitate to reward you."
Prostitution for free? What a beautiful thought!
In the past, the imperial court was unwilling to fight, but now Zhu Yijun doesn't mind this kind of small-scale war with small tribes - without continuous bloodletting, how can we do business well? How can we naturalize with peace of mind?
Want to get a reward? Then really make some achievements!
Wang Chonggu nodded in agreement and was about to retreat.
Zhu Yijun suddenly stopped Wang Chonggu: "Old Wangge."
Wang Chonggu stood still again, bowed and listened.
Zhu Yijun thought for a while and said seriously: "The barbarians are constantly harassing us. What I mean is that after the Kaizhong method resumes, the granary in Jiliao will be filled first."
"What do you think, Mr. Ge?"
Wang Chonggu was shocked.
Fill up the Jiliao granary first. Is this to pave the way for the war?
But correspondingly, Xuan naturally had to line up a row further back.
He met the emperor's gaze and hesitated.
When Zhu Yijun saw this, he sighed and spoke again: "Since your father Wang Yao, uncle Wang Wenxian, and brother Wang Chongyi are all loyal salt merchants in the northwest, you might as well do more work if you can."
"Take away part of the Kaizhong Yanyin from Jiliao."
There is no choice but to lure it into profit.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Chonggu immediately bowed down and said, "I obey your decree!"
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and motioned for him to get up.
When Wang Chonggu saw that the emperor had no more instructions, he bowed and left.
Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Chonggu's back and after watching him leave, he sighed helplessly: "You can't wash away the businessman's habits even if you become a general or become a prime minister."
He and Zhang Juzheng were the only ones left in the hall, so it wouldn't be a big deal if they complained.
He really couldn't bear it.
The businessman's habits in Wang Chonggu are too strong.
As long as he handles other official matters, he can be regarded as a capable minister.
But once it involves harming one's own private property, he starts to act in both directions and is reluctant to do so.
You have to promise some benefits in return before you can be willing to get things done.
Zhang Juzheng, who was standing next to him, didn't take it seriously.
He has been in the cabinet for many years, who hasn’t seen him?
Wang Chonggu can be considered okay. At least he can handle most things safely, which is already very rare.
Zhang Juzheng said with both relief and reminder: "Your Majesty is serious. Mr. Wangge's business aura is much lighter than that of his nephew."
Wang Chonggu intervened and occupied a cabinet seat, leaving Zhang Siwei unable to move up and down. He could only continue to take charge of cabinet affairs on his behalf, and was unable to change his position.
Over the past few days, my temperament has become much more sinister, almost visibly to the naked eye.
There is no need to say much about small actions in private.
As the chief shopkeeper of Shanxi merchants, Zhang Siwei and Wang Chonggu's family members who were doing business were all under pressure from this junior.
Similarly, in the court, Zhang Siwei also began to contact people from the three Jin Dynasties, not knowing what his plan was.
This situation makes people have to pay attention.
When Zhu Yijun heard this, he immediately sat up straight.
He said with emotion: "Sir, what you are saying is that it is not good to delay Zhang Siwei's matter..."
He looked at Zhang Juzheng and said sincerely: "Sir, you might as well discuss it with the court."
Zhang Juzheng glanced at the emperor without revealing anything.
He knew in his heart that although he didn't know what method the emperor wanted to use, it was obvious that he wanted to give Zhang Siwei some color.
After all, whoever joins the cabinet is decided directly by the emperor and has not yet been discussed by the court.
When something goes wrong, there must be a monster.
But seeing that the emperor knew what he was thinking, he didn't bother to ask - there were too many things to do and he didn't have time to take into account every aspect.
Zhang Juzheng nodded and talked about the business of this trip: "Your Majesty, we agreed last time that in August this year, Huguang, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi and other provinces will be added to implement the examination method."
"Before this, I and the officials will once again sort out the gains and losses of the examination."
"It has been nearly a year since I passed the legal exam."
"On the basis of the original test method, the ministers and officials made some additions and subtractions, and patched it up. Taking into account the shortcomings of this year, they made a new draft in order to expand it to the two capitals and five provinces.
.”
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
As he spoke, he took out a memorial from his sleeve and respectfully presented it.
Zhu Yijun reached out and took it.
He pointed to the low stool placed nearby, a little far away: "I asked the palace attendants to retreat, Yuan Fu can sit on his own."
Zhang Juzheng had become accustomed to the emperor's behavior in private, so he silently moved the stool over - it was not that he didn't want to stand to show his respect. The last time he refused, the emperor personally went to move the stool for him.
An emperor with this kind of behavior has no other choice but to accept his emotional bribes.
Seeing the emperor looking through the memorial he had submitted, Zhang Juzheng explained thoughtfully: "After one year, the more difficult problems in the examination will still be with low-ranking officials."
"There are conflicts in my heart, the number is huge, and there are frequent connections in private."
Zhu Yijun had already expected it and asked without raising his head: "What are the details?"
Zhang Juzheng sighed: "It's nothing more than those means."
"Twice it. Execute the decrees of the central government and the provincial government twice as much. After defrauding the people, they say it is the order of the central government and the provincial government, deliberately arousing public dissatisfaction and inciting the people."
"Change it. There are always imperfections in government orders. When the central government goes to the province, it changes to the same thing. When it goes to the government, it changes to the same thing. When it gets to the bottom, the examination achievement goals set are all weird and weird."
"Xu Zhi..."
While Zhang Juzheng was still waiting to talk, Zhu Yijun had already finished reading the memorial.
He waved his hand and smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly: "It's just formalism, I know."
Zhang Juzheng stopped talking.
I chewed on this word in my mind, it was a bit strange, but it felt inexplicably appropriate.
Zhu Yijun closed the memorial without any negative emotions. He had long been used to this kind of thing.
Instead, he comforted Zhang Juzheng: "The response of sir and the officials is to take medicine according to the symptoms. It's very good. Just do it this way. I will give you approval later."
"This has been anticipated for a long time. Sir, don't sigh. This is the significance of the pilot."
"The devil is one foot high, and the Tao is ten feet high. Each one makes his own move, just take your time."
After saying that, Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhang Juzheng.
I have to say that after serving as chief assistant for one year, my appearance has aged a bit too quickly.
No wonder Yan Song and Xu Jie were able to live well into their eighties, while Zhang Juzheng passed away in his fifties.
Wisdom is extremely harmful to the body.
Zhu Yijun thought of this and couldn't help but advise: "Yuan Fu should also pay attention to his cultivation. The future will be long."
Zhang Juzheng only regarded it as an ordinary comfort and didn't take it to heart.
He gave a perfunctory hum.
Then he talked about the affairs of Songjiang Mansion: "Bo Ding'an reported the day before yesterday that all the acres of land donated by the people to Xu Mansion have been properly settled."
"The prefect's yamen have also reviewed the taxation, and most of the excessive local taxes and miscellaneous taxes have been withdrawn."
"However, in this case, the regular taxes and corvees may not be enough to support the operation of the major government offices in Songjiang Prefecture."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun also became serious.
He thought for a while and said seriously: "I was about to discuss this matter with my husband."
Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and then got straight to the point: "I know that Mr. Wang intends to reform the tax law. Songjiang Mansion can give us a good example."
"I also have some ideas about this, and I will tell you sir for details."
Zhang Juzheng had already speculated about this.
Today, he had prepared a plan in the cabinet, and then he impatiently came to Xiyuan to find the emperor.
Zhang Juzheng sat up straight and listened carefully.
Zhu Yijun subconsciously stretched out his hand to fiddle with the air in front of him and considered: "First, the regular tax of thirty to one tax is inappropriate. After the exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes are abolished, everything will return to the regular tax."
"Of course, the specific amount, and how much each province will increase or decrease according to its characteristics, will have to be discussed with the Ministry of Household Affairs before deciding."
The regular tax of 30 yuan and the tax of 1 yuan is really a bit whimsical.
This number cannot be said to be very low, but it is probably enough for the normal operation of the Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy - this was also the original intention of Emperor Taizu in formulating this number.
But the problem is, how can a court function normally!?
There will be a war this year, the Yellow River will be regulated next year, there will be national ceremonies every now and then, the water transport will be overturned, the lake will be flooded, there will be an earthquake in Ningxia...the list is endless.
Extraordinary things happen every year.
Not to mention the normal "wear and tear" of a system, which is simply unavoidable when taxes are collected and reduced.
Expenditures were more than expected, income was less than expected, and taxes of thirty to one were simply not enough to support the normal operation of the Ming Dynasty.
This is why they impose all kinds of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, create clever names, and try every means to mend the holes.
Just like counting more than three hundred years in the future.
When the country is established with productivity conditions, the agricultural tax will have to be 1 out of 7 taxes. Even so, there will be additional withdrawals and retentions later.
How could the Ming Dynasty be virtuous and capable? The official tax was as low as thirty to one?
If you want to change the tax system, you should start from the experimental field and return exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes to regular taxes.
It will take three to five years to trial and then when the time is right, we can start to implement it nationwide.
The pilots are all valuable experiences!
Zhu Yijun organized his thoughts and then continued: "Second, regarding mergers..."
"I can allow cooperative production among the common people, but I will not allow annexation by government households and gentry."
"For specific matters, the cabinet will discuss it with the six ministries. It doesn't matter if we try a few more times or wait a few more years. Anyway, it's only in one government."
Mergers have pros and cons.
If you want to promote the large-scale and industrial development of agriculture, mergers are a good thing.
In fact, this is an unstoppable historical process.
If you want to promote the emergence of capitalism, this is an indispensable link.
But again, the so-called "different paths lead to the same goal" - the form of annexation may be the same for the historical process, but for the people, it is completely different.
Zhu Yijun still remembers how many tears Xia Yan made him cry by deceiving him about his commitment to work.
Now we are crossing the river by feeling the stones, so naturally we have to try a new way.
Zhu Yijun paused and continued: "Third, sir, do you think... the officials and gentry should pay the grain?"
Chapter completed!