There is naturally a reason why Zhu Yijun asked Qi Jiguang not to wear armor but to come to the capital to collect his salary in person.
Otherwise, if Qi Jiguang gets his hands on 200,000 taels, he may lose even half of it.
Regarding military pay, there is a joke among the people in the Ming Dynasty.
But he said that there was an emergency on the frontier, and the Forbidden City was favored by heaven, and tens of millions of silver were sent down.
So the emperor didn't keep any money, and with a wave of his hand, he used the entire ten million yuan as military pay.
The cabinet made arrangements overnight and ordered the Ministry of Revenue to quickly escort five million taels of silver to the border.
After receiving the two million taels of pay, the governor summoned the general soldiers from each town, shouted for the emperor's grace, and allocated 500,000 taels to pay for the troops.
The commander-in-chief was so grateful that he could only kill the thieves with all his heart and die with exhaustion. He distributed the 100,000 taels of silver he received to his subordinate generals.
Each of the 100,000 troops received a reward of two hundred coins from their generals. Their morale was greatly boosted and they fled overnight.
People who heard the joke refuted the absurdity - how could the emperor leave nothing behind!?
The person who made up this joke has been arrested by Shuntian Prefecture for leaking secrets.
This is the layer upon layer of exploitation that was deeply rooted in the hearts of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yijun has experienced this personally.
When the late emperor died, there was a quarrel between the internal and external officers and soldiers. In order to appease the emperor, the central government allocated 1,800,000 taels to the 664,319 internal and external officers and soldiers, with 2 taels of silver each.
So how many big soldiers did you get?
Afterwards, Zhu Yijun asked Gu Huan to inquire about it. Naturally, each army was different, even if there were differences within the army - the larger ones received one tael, and the smaller ones received 600 Wen.
Obviously the market price is different.
Then who exploited it?
Sorry, once the money is out of the treasury, don't even think about who did it.
Since Zhu Yijun knew it, he must have let his private money go down the drain. If all the two hundred thousand taels of private money were swallowed up, he would not be able to express his feelings - it was always him who copied other people's money, not yet.
He said that his family was hit by the autumn wind.
Therefore, before the official administration is clarified, instead of letting people exploit them layer by layer, it is better to hand them over directly to the border troops to avoid middlemen making the difference.
and.
He does not need to explain why Du Du favors Qi Jiguang, just like he promoted Qi Jiguang last year, he feels it is natural.
Because this is a matter of course - Tan Lun is the direct descendant of the late emperor Qiandi, and Qi Jiguang is the direct descendant of Tan Lun, so Qi Jiguang is the general of Qiandi in Prince Yu's palace. It's as simple as that.
Mu Zong has always been very good to his direct descendants.
As soon as he ascended the throne, Qi Jiguang was transferred to the capital camp.
Qi Jiguang invited him to go abroad. Not only did he approve it immediately, he was also promoted to the rank of commander-in-chief.
Even though Qi Jiguang went too far and requested that three thousand old troops from Zhejiang be transferred to Jizhen, the late emperor still agreed without saying a word.
Even in the years when Qi Jiguang had no military exploits, he was promoted and rewarded every year.
This is the value of General Qiandi. Do you need a reason to prioritize the direct lineage of the late emperor?
At the same time, it was also convenient for the emperor to show favor to General Qiandi, which was a matter of course.
At this time, Wang Chonggu was still hesitating, and Shi Maohua on the side finally couldn't hold back and said: "Your Majesty, Ji Town still needs a general to be in charge, how can we leave lightly?"
"Furthermore, if the border generals enter the capital, they may leak military information."
Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Shi Qing, don't try to deceive me. It's the twelfth lunar month of winter, and the Tatars are desperate to die at this time."
"Leaking military information is even more nonsense. There are so many generals who will come to Beijing to report on their duties during the New Year."
Shi Maohua's rank is too low, and he doesn't have Zhu Heng's sense of professionalism when he talks about his own affairs and leaves outsiders speechless.
Seeing Shi Maohua, I have to say more.
Zhu Yijun went straight to the point: "Shi Qing, it is precisely because of the exploitation by generals at all levels that I have no choice but to do this unnecessary thing."
"Shi Qing wouldn't want to scratch a piece of the private money that I kindly paid for, right?"
Shi Maohua's expression changed.
The emperor always speaks these arrogant words lightly, but does he know what it means to be dignified?
He felt aggrieved and quickly apologized: "I don't dare."
Zhu Yijun didn't want to target Shi Maohua, so he gently dismissed the matter and continued to ask: "When will the Ministry of War plan to send troops?"
Obviously, he is not ready to continue discussing how to distribute the money.
Wang Chonggu had no choice but to follow the emperor's train of thought and replied: "Your Majesty, we must wait until the extent of Duoyan Guard's grazing, the location of Dong Hu and other leaders, etc. is ascertained before sending troops."
"Now the righteous merchant king Chongyi has stepped forward and has gone to Duoyan Guard under the guise of selling salt in a caravan."
"Your Majesty, please stay for a few days."
Zhu Yijun was startled.
Wang Chongyi, isn't this your brother? If you really want any benefits, you have to give them to your family, right?
Zhu Yijun was speechless in his heart, but he still promised generously: "If you are a good businessman, we will reward you based on your merits!"
Wang Chonggu nodded with satisfaction.
He didn't ask for anything else, just to find a supervisor for his nephew.
Wang Chonggu spoke again: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing."
Zhu Yijun motioned for him to continue.
Wang Chonggu thought for a moment and said slowly: "Your Majesty, since King Shunyi surrendered to our dynasty, he and Mrs. Zhongshun began to build Seoul to trade with our dynasty."
"Today I received a letter from Mrs. Zhongshun and asked Your Majesty to invite some virtuous monks to go to the Tumut tribe to consecrate the city they built."
After Anda Khan surrendered, the imperial court granted him the title of King Shunyi. His wife, Sanniang Zi, had an extraordinary position in the ministry and was given the title of Lady Zhongshun.
Zhu Yijun not only knows these common sense.
He also knew this third lady very well.
This person can almost be called Mongolian Wu Zhao.
When he was nine years old, he was accepted by Ada Khan.
After the death of Anda Khan, he married his son Huang Taiji. After his son's death, he married his grandson Talike. After his grandson died, he married the fifth-generation grandson Bu Shitu.
Outsiders say she is a family heirloom in the basement.
But in fact, Sanniangzi has always had tens of thousands of horses and more than 60,000 young and strong people in her direct lineage.
Whether it is the Khan position, the royal seal or the military talisman, she must nod before deciding on the successor.
Almost always relying on the legal political status of the leader's wife, he firmly controls the power of the tribe.
Just like now, the person who should report to the court should be Anda Khan, but it happens to be this third lady, who can have a good idea of ​​the situation in the army.
Of course people like Sanniangzi are not here to seek consecration from eminent monks.
Mongolians believe deeply in Buddhism, and this move is probably more for their own reputation in the tribe.
At the same time, she was just testing whether the Ming Dynasty would support her.
Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and looked at Wang Chonggu: "Mr. Wang Ge, do you think you should give it to me or not?"
For professional matters, ask the professionals.
Wang Chonggu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and expressed his position: "Your Majesty, even King Shunyi plundered our dynasty several times and was capricious, but the third lady has always been friendly with our dynasty and has never had any grudges."
"I think I should give it to you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Chonggu saw the emperor looking up and down at him inexplicably.
He couldn't help but wonder if he had said the wrong thing.
Wang Chonggu naturally didn't know how outrageous the emperor's thoughts were.
In fact, when Zhu Yijun stared at Wang Chonggu, he suddenly remembered a story from the fifth year of Longqing.
At that time, the northern captives followed suit and each town discussed the horse market. The person who came forward from the Tatars was Sanniangzi.
When the 21-year-old Sanniangzi arrived at Xuanda, she met Cai Kexian, the 36-year-old deputy envoy of Shanxi Anchasi, on the way.
Afterwards, he kept praising Cai Kexian for his beautiful face and fair skin like a fairy.
Later, at the negotiation table, he openly used this as a condition, declaring, "I would like to have Grand Master Cai of the Military Dao come to my camp and swear an oath of alliance to establish a lasting friendship."
Then Wang Chonggu was sold to Cai Kexian, who was summoned without knowing it. As soon as he arrived outside the camp, he "suddenly used dozens of fine horses to support Cai Bei and marched to the fortress."
A few days later, Xiao Cai looked exhausted and was released.
It can be seen that this third lady is a woman with an open personality.
In this case, there are rumors that he often enjoyed Wang Chonggu after arriving at Xuanda, which is probably not groundless.
Although Wang Chonggu is fifty-eight, he looks smooth, tall and strong, and still has some good looks - the face of thirty-six is ​​as delicious as a crown jade, and the tall and handsome minister of fifty-eight may not be without some flavor.
Zhu Yijun suddenly understood why Wang Chonggu had such a strong relationship with the Mongolian right wing. Even after leaving Xuanda, he could still control it from a distance.
Everything happens for a reason!
Seeing the emperor's eyes getting weirder and weirder, Wang Chonggu coughed lightly.
Only then did Zhu Yijun come back to his senses and return to business calmly: "In that case, Wang Ge should go and pick some good-looking eminent monks."
It's good to have weaknesses.
In a game between two sides, we should focus on attacking people with such weaknesses.
Don’t you see, if Zhao Ji meets Lao Ai, she can even kill her own son.
In the history of Tsarist Russia, there was a monster monk named Rasputin who consecrated almost all the women of the nobility. Even the queens and princesses of the Tsarist royal family were not spared, and their whole bodies were baptized.
After the incident, noble ladies and common people all claimed that he could do hypnosis.
As a result, after his death, people cut off his ritual artifact and measured it, and found that it was 25.8 centimeters long.
This is called a magic weapon that targets weaknesses, using its physical essence to produce metaphysical effects.
The same goes for eminent monks.
Since the third wife wants a high-ranking monk, she must get some handsome monks - uniform bonus.
Wang Chonggu didn't know what the emperor was thinking, but he intuitively couldn't stand the emperor's scrutiny. After talking about the business, he silently used Gao Yi's body to block the emperor's sight.
At this time, it was the turn of the Ministry of Rites, and Ma Ziqiang consciously cleared his throat.
"The Ministry of Rites has something to report to Your Majesty."
Everyone looked at him one after another.
Ma Ziqiang opened the memorial and recited something like: "Your Majesty, the restructuring of the Huguang clan will be carried out step by step and in an orderly manner this year."
"The products of each vassal are mostly used to set up factories, workshops, cotton processing, silk weaving, garments, rice milling, oil pressing, paper, printing, straw weaving, bricks and tiles, lime and so on."
"However, there are not many clans in each vassal that are good at doing business."
"Currently, it is still a merger and acquisition firm. The shopkeeper always takes on new apprentices, and they can only be assigned to work after they graduate."
"If it was really clumsy and inappropriate, I arranged some light manual labor."
"There are also some outstanding problems, such as the fact that the vassals are doing business, but the people are afraid to do business with them."
"Or some of the firms and factories acquired may have backward technologies and may be suspected of colluding to realize cash."
"These specific matters are being handled by the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Inner Court."
Zhu Yijun nodded.
He was not in a hurry about this, he would take his time.
Ma Ziqiang paused and said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, one of the obstacles has caused the Clan's Mansion and the Ministry of Household Affairs to be undecided, and they still need His Majesty's Holy Judgment."
Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ziqiang curiously, waiting for his next words.
Ma Ziqiang thought for a moment and then said: "The major princes previously colluded with the gentry and secretly operated many iron foundries to smelt iron ore and cast weapons."
"Now most of them have been returned to the Chief Secretary of Huguang."
"But Zhu Yunhua of the Yueyang Prince's Palace had previously made a petition to the Zongren Mansion and asked if the Yueyang Prince's Palace could run the iron foundry."
Zhu Yijun was startled: "Zhu Yunhua?"
Ma Ziqiang explained: "In Yueyang Prince's Palace, there are many titled clans, and they are often implicated. Zhu Yunhua is quite trusted in business matters and was promoted by Yueyang Prince. Although he has no title, he is a person who can make decisions."
Zhu Yijun nodded without delving into it.
When it comes to iron smelting, it's no wonder that the subordinates can't take the final say.
Even if it is for civilian use, if one day you are in a bad mood and want to explode the army, weapons can still grow in the furnace.
but……
Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Give it to him!"
The enthusiasm for production in various iron smelting plants is somewhat too low.
Take a look at the iron smelting plant run by Zhang Siwei's family, with an annual output of nearly 100,000 kilograms. I heard that the quality is pretty good and it is widely praised by Tatars and Jurchens.
It's time to establish some iron smelting plants that obey the emperor's command and participate in market competition.
Ma Ziqiang silently wrote it down.
Then he talked about another matter: "Your Majesty, the case between the King of Dong'an and the King of Wugang has been concluded by the three courts, and the case will be sued to the Ancestral Temple soon."
"The King of Wugang wants to see His Majesty, saying that there was something behind the death of King Chu, and he wants to report it."
After saying that, he carefully observed the emperor's expression.
It doesn't matter whether this reason is true or false, it mainly depends on whether the emperor wants to see it or not.
Zhu Yijun laughed and waved his hand: "Let's talk about the imperial examination."
It's obvious that I don't want to see him like this.
Ma Ziqiang quickly lowered his head and responded.
"After the holiday, the test will be held in just 20 days. There is not much time to prepare. How are the test papers going in the exam hall?"
Ma Ziqiang did not reply, but Zhu Heng on the side spoke: "Your Majesty, the Etiquette Department reported to Zhu Nanyong that the examination room was narrow and should be expanded."
"The heads of the department, Yang Song, Hu Xu, and Zhang Daqi, together with Huang Jiadong, the censor of the city, went to the Gongyuan in person to measure the regulations and dimensions of the number room. It is true that it needs to be rebuilt."
"The Ministry of Works has made a plan to start construction the day after tomorrow. We will use money and food according to the example. Six branches of the headquarters and four branches of Shuntian Prefecture will be allocated. We will strive to complete the repairs around the Lantern Festival."
You have to go to the exam room one month before the exam, right? What were you doing earlier?
How many years have you been taking this exam?
Zhu Yijun had no choice but to tactfully remind: "Try not to work overtime at the end of the year next time."
Ma Ziqiang calmly took over the affairs of his headquarters and said, "Your Majesty, there are 8,324 people who have registered for this year's examination."
"Among them, 2,700 people were found to have falsified their ages after verification by the headquarters and undergraduate departments."
"How to deal with it, please give me your Majesty's instructions."
It is definitely impossible not to let people take the exam, after all there are so many people.
Even if 10% goes to give advice to the Tatar Jurchen, it will be a huge disaster.
Therefore, the emperor still had to speak about this matter.
But Zhu Yijun did not accept this hot potato easily at this time. Instead, he said with an incomprehensible expression: "This matter was exposed by Wu Zhongxing, Zhao Yongxian, Li Deyou and others."
"If I deal with it too harshly, it will be unkind."
"And if the treatment is lenient, I'm afraid they won't be angry."
"That's it. From now on, we will declare in advance for every examination that those who forge their age will not be allowed to take the examination. As for the current subject... the Ministry of Rites should not ask me. We should respect the opinions of those direct ministers."
Ma Ziqiang choked, the emperor could play Cuju better than he did.
He silently handed over his hand and agreed.
Zhu Yijun glanced at Shen Shixing, and there should be nothing wrong with the staff.
The matter of passing the legal examination has been discussed previously and the chief secretaries to whom it will be implemented next year have also been decided.
There doesn't seem to be much work to deploy.
Zhu Yijun directly ignored Shen Shixing, glanced at the sky outside, stood up, smiled at the thirteen important ministers and said: "My lords, how about we have lunch together?"
After a long morning meeting, the emperor was also hungry.
At this moment, Lu Tiaoyang, who had been silent for the entire meeting, suddenly stood up, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty invites me to share the meal. I am naturally overjoyed."
"But I have one more thing to do here."
Zhu Yijun had just stood up and was about to walk down the imperial steps to stretch his muscles. Hearing this, he couldn't help but stop and look towards Lu Tiaoyang.
"It's okay, Lu Qing, just say it."
Lu Tiaoyang glanced at the first assistant and the second assistant.
Then he looked at the emperor with a soft expression: "Your Majesty, the new year is approaching. When will he be in charge of the Qing Palace? Shouldn't it be given a date?"
Zhu Yijun hesitated.
He looked embarrassed and said hesitantly: "Didn't you say after the New Year earlier?"
Lu Tiaoyang looked at the two people at the head of the class.
Gao Yi coughed lightly: "Your Majesty, what about before the 24th of the first lunar month?"
The courtiers went to work on the 24th, and the emperor happened to move back to set an example.
Zhu Yijun looked embarrassed and hesitated: "This... the first month of the year, the snow has not yet melted..."
At this time, Zhang Juzheng finally couldn't stand it anymore, his expression turned a little stern, and he called: "Your Majesty!"
The sudden opening made Zhu Yijun tremble.
He sighed and reluctantly compromised: "We will move after the New Year, and we will move after the New Year."
The three ministers looked at each other, nodded with satisfaction, and saluted the emperor.
Then several ministers began to talk nicely, saying that the emperor was wise and wise, that he had achieved remarkable results this year, and that there was hope for the rejuvenation of the country.
The emperor smiled reluctantly.
Ma Ziqiang walked over and started boasting about the emperor.
When the ministers saw this, they took two long tables and packed them up.
When everyone stood up, only Zhu Heng was still sitting on the chair with his golden sword, mumbling something.
Zhang Han and Chen Wude cleared the table for the ministers, looking back at the emperor from time to time, quietly approaching to discuss something.
Shi Maohua was out of place and stared at Wang Chonggu's back.
Ge Shouli and Wang Guoguang walked to the entrance of the palace at the same time, stood side by side, and looked at the snow scene outside.
I haven't spoken a word today, and it's like the officials who are just making up the numbers are used to the task and bored, taking everything in their eyes.
I couldn't help but touch my belly, my thoughts were racing. Although I was suspected of making up the numbers, I might as well gain a reputation if I painted.
I thought of names, so I called them, Holy Father and His Thirteen Ministers.
Shen Shixing was about to salute when he saw the emperor emerging from the crowd surrounded by several ministers.
When the emperor passed by his back, he whispered: "I heard that Gu Xiancheng, the junior you like, started a newspaper to remonstrate with me, so he went to the Kong family to invite people."
Shen Shixing was startled and wanted to reply.
But the emperor's voice was as quiet as a mosquito, he left one more word and walked away.
Shen Shixing thought about it for a moment, and then remembered what the emperor said - as an elder, how can you not help me? Use your arrogance as a minister of civil affairs and write a letter to the Kong family to help the younger generation stand up.
Shen Shixing was about to speak but stopped, and finally he concentrated on meditation.
The ministers took their seats one after another, and the ministers finally began to serve the dishes.
The Forbidden City outside the palace was covered with heavy snow, it was freezing cold and covered in silver.
In the palace, the emperor and his ministers shared meals and shared the same boat, enjoying themselves happily.
The first year of Wanli passed like this.
Chapter completed!