In the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Yijun was sitting on the throne.
There were two long tables in the hall, and all thirteen important officials were given seats, sitting on the left and right sides of the long table.
While showing off her good looks, she also looked like she was going to have a long meeting today.
At the beginning of the annual meeting, Zhu Yijun ordered the Ministry of Household Affairs to make a financial report.
Financial reporting is definitely a must.
Compared with splendid articles praising virtues, people cannot be deceived by how much money they have in their pockets.
Fortunately, he made some money this year, so Wang Guoguang didn't feel embarrassed when he was called on first.
When something was said first, Wang Guoguang did not need to get up to answer. He sat on the third seat on the left bench, opened a memorial and began to answer.
"Your Majesty, according to Guo Chaobin, the Minister of Household Affairs in the Governor's Cangchang, take stock of the total number of Taicang's one-year-olds."
"A total of 5,819,153 liang of silver and 2,677,945 copper coins were collected."
"A total of 3,837,142 taels of silver and 2,780,666 copper coins were received."
"The net income was 1,982,039 taels, eight cents and four cents of silver, and the net output was 102,721 copper coins..."
"As of the end of last month, there were 465 taels of gold in the warehouse, 5,385,877 taels of silver and 1,646,490 copper coins.
Ten articles. Other gold and silver jewelry, pearls, gemstones, Jialong gold backs, ancient miscellaneous items, low money from Yunnan, etc., not included."
Zhu Yijun was listening and drawing circles on a memorial.
Following Wang Guoguang's report, the twelve remaining ministers in the palace either had relaxed expressions or looked happy, and they all seemed quite satisfied - the poor and lowly central government had nothing to do but had money, and the atmosphere was naturally harmonious.
What is the concept of a balance of nearly two million taels?
In the six years of Long Qingli's reign, which year did he not lose more than 1.8 million?
In the first year of Longqing's reign, the story of how the warehouse received 2.3 million taels and paid out 4.4 million taels, which directly scared away Ma Sen, the Minister of Household Affairs, is still vivid in my mind.
Wang Chonggu, who was sitting second on the right column, tapped his knuckles on his knees with joy.
It would be great if Taicang had money. The Ministry of War's Taipusi treasury may not be enough for the war next year, so it would be a good time to ask Taicang to contribute.
Zhang Juzheng, who was first on the left column, also nodded with satisfaction.
If they were so well off at the beginning, why would the cabinet instruct the imperial minister to humiliate... and dissuade the late emperor because he embezzled one hundred thousand taels from the treasury?
However, after Wang Guoguang saw the joy on everyone's faces, he cautiously reminded: "There is a lot of income in this, which is not a collection of silver, and there may not be any in the future."
"Other than these, it's just a balance of payments."
Zhu Yijun, who was comparing the report below and reading the memorial of Guo Chaobin, the Minister of Household Affairs of the Governor's Cangchang, stopped writing when he heard this.
He raised his head and looked at Wang Guoguang.
Non-tax collection, that is, non-fiscal revenue, fines, house confiscation, etc.
Just as Wang Guoguang said, in this year's balance, there are still many one-pole transactions and stolen goods.
For example, among the five million taels in Southern Zhili, the emperor's first assistant divided a lot of silver taels for emergency use and did not transfer it to the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts. However, of the remaining 2.04 million, one million was put into the Taicang.
There are also the clan properties that were confiscated in Huguang this time. Although most of them remain unchanged and continue to be restructured and used by the clans, some three or four hundred thousand have been transferred to Taicang.
These incomes may not be available next year.
The ministers in the court were also aware of this problem and couldn't help but wake up a lot.
Zhu Yijun, who was on the imperial steps, pondered for a long time, and then slowly said: "In the future, the salt tax collection will be more than in previous years, and the vassal's expenditure can also be saved a lot."
The salt tax was a consensus reached after a battle between the North and the South, and Li Chunfang paid it on behalf of that group of people.
Until the salt policy was corrupted again, the income was millions every year.
This is a long-term business.
Wang Guoguang bowed his hand, he naturally knew it, but he still had to make the emperor and his colleagues sober up.
Especially the look in Wang Chonggu's eyes, you can tell what he is thinking at a glance.
When I was the governor of Cangchang, the days when I couldn't make ends meet and had to be borrowed money from various parties were so tortured that I really didn't want to go through it again.
Wang Guoguang shook his head: "Your Majesty, the national finances cannot be so optimistic."
"When King Sejong reformed taxes, he was very generous. In addition to annual expenses, he could have more than a million silver left over, so floods and droughts would not be a problem, and thieves would not be trapped."
"It's a pity that since then, due to lack of finances, more and more searches have been carried out year by year. It can be said that there are still some survivors."
"This situation cannot last long. It is just because the national treasury was short of money before and drank poison to quench thirst."
"If the search continues, it will definitely hinder the development of the country; and once we start to deal with this problem, the revenue of the national treasury will inevitably decline rapidly."
What is mature and prudent? This is called mature and prudent.
Wang Guoguang's words directly gave everyone a bucket of cold water.
Zhu Yijun also thought seriously.
Wang Chonggu, who wanted to borrow money for Taipusi's treasury, wanted to refute, but could not find any flaw in his words.
The ministers recognized that the word "it's a pity" in Wang Guangguang's sentence was an insinuation of King Sejong's massive construction project, but they all pretended not to realize it at all.
The new Hu Kedu, who was full of compassion for the situation, nodded frequently: "Wang Shangshu's words are reasonable."
Wang Guoguang looked around and continued: "Besides, local tax revenue has been declining year by year. This year, the trend has not improved, and has even intensified."
"Especially when the Yuan was changed, many prefectures and counties were exempted from tax arrears, so now the local government has intensified the tax arrears, and there are more and more arrears. There are even prefectures and counties that are deliberately dragging their feet, hoping to write them off next time the Yuan is changed."
"This year, the summer tax and autumn grain reserves in the local area totaled more than 11,917,456 dan. This is the amount designed according to the revenue and expenditure of each prefecture and county."
"But even so, the local area is still not enough. If it is not needed to stay in Beijing, we will ask for internal funds, always trying to withhold part of it. There are many names, including locust plagues, floods, earthquakes, soldiers and bandits, plus the large number of people involved in the area
, the Ministry of Finance has no way of distinguishing between true and false.”
"There is a lot of mud and sand. If you don't agree, you will be afraid of harming the people. If you agree, more and more counties will follow suit."
"The tax base is being eroded. If this continues, even if we copy millions of silver taels every year, it will not help. In the end, we will still be stretched."
The more direct the problem is pointed out, the stiffer the atmosphere becomes.
Especially when I wanted to hear some good news a few years ago, the few people who had just finished listening to Wang Guoguang's report and were about to ask for money looked at each other tacitly, not knowing what to think.
There was silence in the hall for a while.
Zhu Yijun naturally understood that Wang Shangshu wanted to hold a meeting to complain.
But these words really hit the point.
Realistic conditions restricted the Ming Dynasty, and there was no way to distribute taxes. Central taxes had to be collected through local governments.
But every time the pork passes through your hands, it will leave a layer of oil on your hands.
There are many reasons why officials help big households fight taxes, such as collusion of interests, simple laziness, trying to keep a good reputation, or simply not being able to offend big local households.
All in all, this results in the center receiving less and less tax anyway.
This is a structural contradiction, but since Wang Guoguang has raised this matter, he will always try to solve it, even if it is to treat the symptoms.
This is the purpose of the meeting.
Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and was about to speak.
At this time, Zhang Juzheng, who was first on the left column, broke his silence, faced the emperor, and actually said to everyone in the palace: "Your Majesty, in this case, this matter will be added to next year's examination."
"Each direct province will conduct detailed accounting according to the annual income and annual expenses reported each year, and submit it to the Ministry of Accounts within a time limit to clarify the old amount, expenses, surplus, existing physical objects and arrears, and check it with the old account books of the Ministry of Accounts."
"For states, prefectures, and counties with large gaps, the corresponding Thirteen Censors and the Thirteen Clearing Officials Division of the Ministry of Household Affairs will be dispatched to the local areas to conduct inspections."
"Those that are truly natural or man-made disasters will be avoided according to the circumstances."
"Those who willfully default will be arrested and punished, and local magistrates will be sent to collect taxes again."
Zhu Yijun was interrupted, but he was happy to listen to Mr. Shoufu's opinion first.
Although Zhang Juzheng's words are just a temporary solution, they are also the right policy at the moment.
It is beyond the reach of the local government, but it cannot always be ignored.
Always check the accounts and look through the underpants of the local and state capitals.
Although it cannot be eradicated, it is just like weeding, each round of weeding has its own effect.
This is what the exam is for.
The state capital has the state capital's "the law does not punish the public", and the central government has the central government's "if you are not an official, others will be".
It’s hard to find the third-ranking Jinshi. Are there still very few Imperial College graduates?
If it doesn't work, replace it!
This can also be regarded as a foreplay for the transfer of land - local interests are so rigid that they even dare to resist taxes. If they don't take advantage of them every now and then, how can they be gathered together to increase their intensity when waiting for the transfer of land?
After Wang Guoguang waited for Zhang Juzheng to finish speaking, he immediately reacted and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I second the proposal."
Seeing this guy so excited, Zhu Yijun somewhat understood his mood.
After taking office in the Ministry of Revenue, this person has worked very hard.
It is also about streamlining the procedures of the household department and establishing the joint offices of the thirteen departments of the household department.
In particular, the two matters of collecting arrears of money and grain and inspecting border land and taxation offended many people.
It can only be said that our Wang Shangshu will help with anything that is beneficial to the national treasury.
The pragmatic officials who wrote "Wanli Accounting Records" are different from those outside scholars and celebrities who like to teach.
Zhu Yijun thought to himself, and agreed very reasonably: "That's it, Shen Qing, Ge Qing, you go down and discuss this matter with the Ministry of Household Affairs, and draw up a charter as soon as possible after the year."
The Procuratorate and the Ministry of Civil Affairs will definitely not be able to escape this job.
Shen Shixing, who was present at the meeting as acting minister Lu Shusheng, and Ge Shouli, the imperial censor, quickly expressed their commitment.
Zhu Yijun wrote down the key words of this matter twice on a blank piece of paper.
As he was writing, he suddenly raised his head, looked at the ministers, and added: "At that time, I will also send ministers and royal guards to assist me as appropriate."
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Juzheng, the leader of the class, and Gao Yi looked at each other.
The emperor did not say how to assist, but he wanted to know how violently the ministers and imperial guards would demand payment.
It's hard to dissuade him - the tax arrears are not only from the national treasury, but also from the emperor's private treasury, which can be said to be a famous example.
Zhu Yijun finally wrote the words "Jinyiwei" on the note, handed it to Zhang Hong, and asked him to hang it on the screen of the Longevity Palace later.
Then he looked back at the ministers below.
At this time, Tobe Guoguang had already closed the memorial and was looking intently at the long table in front of him. It was obvious that he had finished speaking.
On the other hand, Zhu Heng from the Ministry of Works opposite Wang Guoguang looked eager to try.
Zhu Yijun's eyes directly passed him and fell on the new Minister of Justice Zhang Han.
Zhang Han was not well-known in later generations, but his short fables were still very popular.
For example, his story says that before he took office, he went to see his teacher, and the teacher warned him, "One day when I was going to court in a sedan chair, my bearer wore a new pair of shoes. It was raining and the road was muddy at first.
The bearer chose a road, but accidentally stepped into a puddle of mud and puddles, and he no longer cared about it."
Zhang Han immediately had an epiphany and understood the principles of being an official.
It was once sung by Shilin.
The popularity of fables can reflect a person's reputation in the scholarly community.
The Ming Dynasty Rules were also copied on the wedding night, and the reputation among the people is also very different.
Obviously, Zhang Han's reputation in Shilin is very high.
Even Zhang Juzheng was so impressed that as soon as Wang Zhigao resigned, he immediately recommended Zhang Han.
He was not only praised as "Han has a very high character, is good at both literature and political affairs, and is truly worthy of this position."
He also said that although they are not familiar with each other, this person will definitely repay his kindness - "If you are caught by surprise and separated from others, the repayment will be ten thousand times more constant."
I don’t know whether Zhu Yijun was repaying his kindness. Anyway, the most important love-stealing case in the history of Mr. Shou Fu was Zhang Han’s backstabbing.
But then again, it doesn't necessarily mean that those who oppose Mr. Zhang are bad people.
This may just show that Zhang Han is an upright and upright man, a moral defender who does not want to see anyone disobeying etiquette and law?
If this is the case, it may not be a bad thing for him to stay in the position of Minister of Justice.
Zhu Yijun thought about it over and over, but finally chose to put aside the historical plot and obey the opinions of his chief minister.
He handed the punishment department to Zhang Han and prepared to wait and see again.
Zhang Han is now sixty-four years old and is the longest serving person in the imperial court.
Zhu Yijun still pays great attention to etiquette when facing his elders: "Da Sikou, you have been in charge of Qiucao for a few days, but can you still do it well?"
When there are many people with the same name, it becomes difficult to call them "Qing" or "Qing".
Zhang Han has white hair and beard, and he has a fairy-like temperament.
At this time, facing the question, he pondered for a moment and said directly: "Your Majesty clearly knows that since Your Majesty came to the throne, the personnel of the Ministry of Justice have changed too frequently. The departments below were once leaderless and acted on their own."
"Wang Shangshu, who has been in power for the longest time, has too high a vision and does not pay much attention to specific affairs, leaving his subordinates to do whatever they want."
"Today's Ministry of Punishments... has a backlog of cases, wrong cases, and unjust cases. It's really a bit confusing."
"I can't figure it out for the moment."
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed when he heard this.
At the beginning, Liu Ziqiang, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Cao Jin, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, joined the official posts together with Gao Gong's departure from Beijing.
Bi Qiang, the right minister of the Ministry of Justice, got into trouble with Hu Wei and his gang at the end of last year and was exiled to Hainan Island.
However, I was really sorry to hear that he unfortunately passed away from illness halfway.
Let’s not talk about Wang Zhigao, the Minister of Punishment. He only sent him back to his hometown in the first month of this year.
Too frequent personnel changes will definitely affect the normal operation of the department. Zhu Yijun must admit this.
But everything happened for a reason, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and gently uncovered it: "That big Sikou will be very good at rectifying Qiu Cao in the next year."
After Zhang Han returned the gift, Zhu Yijun continued: "But I have a few words. I still have to tell Da Sikou in advance."
Zhang Han quickly stood up and listened.
This posture made Zhu Yijun a little uncomfortable, and he repeatedly motioned for him to sit down.
Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and then slowly said: "As Da Si Kou said, the Ministry of Punishment has made quite a few unjust, false and wrong cases in recent years."
"Even if it's just the Kedao impeachment that comes to me, there are still two or three cases. I don't know how many more have been accumulated and never seen the light of day."
"Manpower is sometimes exhausted, and I don't ask the big officials to clarify the situation for me. The sky will be clear and the air will be clear, so that the people can feel justice in the court."
"Unjust cases are unavoidable, but...for those officials who have led to unjust cases, I hope that the chief ministers will hold them accountable together and stop appeasing and protecting them like the Ministry of Punishments did in the past."
Despite the fact that there are not many impeachment cases in the Criminal Division, they are only those that can be brought to the emperor's court.
There are countless other things that have been digested by the cabinet, covered up by the Ministry of Punishment, and even the files are seamless.
In the Ming Dynasty, there was no shortage of detectives with Fengshen legs, and there were also many Yousi who forced good people to become thieves.
However, the production relations of the Ming Dynasty are here, and there is really no way to solve them overnight. We hope that the Ming Dynasty will see justice for the head of Guizhou.
But this is the advantage of being an emperor, he can be willful with a little power.
System construction is far away, so let’s vent our anger first.
Zhang Han was reinstated and had only been serving as Minister of Punishment for a few days, let alone understanding the emperor.
After hearing these words, I couldn't help but sigh secretly, how angry the emperor was.
He glanced at the four unmoving ministers and knew that he could only deal with it by himself. He couldn't help but hesitate and said: "Your Majesty, unjust, false and wrong cases may not be caused intentionally..."
Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Han curiously and said in a very puzzled tone: "Yes, that's why I asked you to pay attention to the distinction and hold him accountable according to the law."
"As for such a crazy thing as deliberately causing an unjust, false or wrongful conviction... I will go beyond the Ministry of Punishment and ask Beizhen Fusi to come forward and punish him."
Otherwise, why would he be so dissatisfied with Wang Zhigao?
This guy doesn't care about his own affairs in his position, and I don't know how many things like this have been allowed to happen.
He wanted to see if Zhang Han was really a moral gentleman with justice at heart.
Zhang Han was stunned and speechless when he heard this.
I don't know whether I should praise the emperor for his innocent heart or worry about the emperor's harshness.
There was a long silence.
Zhu Yijun did not rush and waited quietly.
After a while, Zhang Han finally made some movement.
He seemed to have figured out the key and sighed: "I obey your order."
Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction and stopped trying to push the envelope - the stability maintenance department could only do this, and there was really nothing that could be improved.
He lowered his head, wrote another note, and handed it to Zhang Hong.
Then Zhu Yijun raised his head and finally looked at Zhu Heng, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, who had been ready to make a move since just now: "We have arrived at the Ministry of Industry, let's talk about it."
Zhu Heng could not wait for a long time.
He opened his mouth and said: "Your Majesty! This year, the Ministry of Industry and the Water Transport Yamen have tried three times of offshore shipping. Although they encountered many difficulties such as running on rocks, big waves, and storms."
"But the geography, hydrology, climate, etc. of the shipping routes have finally been explored."
"The difficulties of shipping are combined with the dangers of sailing overseas and the worries of drowning. I can get rid of these two problems in two years!"
"In four years of Wanli, sea transportation will be possible!"
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but be moved, with a look of surprise on his face, and subconsciously asked: "So fast!?"
Zhu Heng shook his head: "Your Majesty, please admit that it is not the Ministry of Industry and the Water Transport Yamen who have done something special, but it is actually the legacy of many years of opening and closing the sea."
"Today's proposed shipping route, the most congested area is north of Jiaozhou and south of Yangjiaquan, covering an area of ​​about 160 miles."
"Since Zhengde's reign, this section has been blocked by speculation."
"People were often employed in the winter to dredge it, but in the spring it was still silted up, and finally it was abandoned."
"Another example is that there are old warehouses at Haicangkou and other places. It is still possible to check and build them for storage. This is a long-term strategy that can be prepared and is called a convenient way to transfer."
"There are so many things. Now that they are all reused, it will naturally save time and effort."
Only then did Zhu Yijun understand.
After repeated repetitions, the legacy left behind...
It really is an archaeological route.
He didn't know how much money he had spent on changing things like this overnight. Zhu Yijun couldn't help but feel a little distressed.
He immediately calmed down his emotions and asked about the business: "So, what difficulties does Zhu Qing have now?"
There must be difficulties, otherwise Zhu Heng would not have said that he would wait another two years before the ship could be opened.
As soon as the emperor asked this question, Zhu Heng's usually stern face actually showed a bit of shyness.
He glanced at Wang Guoguang hesitantly and then at the emperor.
Finally, he spoke uncomfortably: "Your Majesty, I personally went to Jiaozhou to inspect before winter, and chose a difficult place to test in the watershed..."
Zhu Yijun couldn't help but tremble when he saw Zhu Heng's expression.
Are you here to ask for money?
I saw Zhu Heng babbled: "... Pick up a few feet and it will be a stone, and a few feet will be sand. There is black sand below, and there will be water springs after not more than a foot. Pick it up and drain it, the deeper it becomes, the harder it becomes.
"It has been more than ten days now, and the depth is only one or two feet. It has cost more than five hundred taels of silver, and it is not yet level with the water. If it is feasible to reach the sea and the sea boat, it must be deepened by another ten feet."
"In addition, there is also shipping that must come from Huai'an Haikou, Gaobao must pass through it, and this place also needs to be managed."
At this point, Zhu Heng paused.
Zhu Yijun remained calm and looked at Wang Guoguang.
The latter couldn't hold himself back and took the initiative to speak to Zhu Heng: "Zhu Shangshu might as well tell him how much money it will cost?"
Zhu Heng looked at Wang Guoguang as if he was shy, and even smiled in a flattering way.
He quietly turned away and said hesitantly: "About... 1.8 million taels."
After being reminded, I found out that I had made an mistake yesterday. Li Du, the staff member, was not the same person as Li Du, who was Jinshi in the second year of Wanli. The birthplaces on the registration records were different.
But if it doesn’t affect the plot, I won’t make any changes, so I’ll let the readers know.
As a digression, I asked readers and friends about their books two days ago. I read them today. One of them is The Eunuch, and the other one is eight months old in 2024. It only has 46 chapters. It’s really outrageous. Oh my God.
Not allowed to read novels.
Chapter completed!