For information, either coercion, inducement, or torture to extract confessions, Zhu Yixi was not like Zhu Yuanzhang, who even had to know how many times someone went to bed to have sex.
To put it bluntly, the conflict between the monarch and his ministers is not deep.
Moreover, in the early Ming Dynasty, the scope of Jinyiwei was basically concentrated in the capital, but it was very neglectful of local areas. As a result, Lao Zhu was deceived by Zhu Liangzu and unjustly killed upright officials and fellow Taoists.
After the Shaowu Dynasty, Dongchang supervised the capital, and Jinyiwei supervised the local areas. Although they were slightly mixed in the capital, they basically did not interfere with each other.
In a sense, Dongchang and Jinyiwei have equal rights and responsibilities.
Now in this situation, the biggest role of Jinyiwei is to find out the real news from various places.
For example, where there is a flood or drought, is the local government hiding the situation, or is taxing taxes indiscriminately, or exceeding the rules?
This kind of information that can be revealed with a little digging may not seem worth mentioning, but for Beijing thousands of miles away, it is crucial.
Isn't the reason why there is a famous saying that the county has destroyed the family and the prefect has destroyed the family? Isn't it because the civil servants deceived the superiors and concealed the truth from the subordinates?
Although the news conveyed by Jinyiwei is just ordinary news, in this era of underdeveloped productivity, it can be said to be crucial, and can even affect the lives of the people in a place.
"Now that there are so many Jin Yiwei, the local government may not dare to interfere, or even collude with the local government. Nanzhen Fusi must investigate on its own."
Fusi in North Town is responsible for edicts and prisons, while Fusi in South Town is responsible for supervision.
The emperor said casually on a whim.
Chu Yu naturally did not dare to object. He raised his head and glanced at the emperor. After hesitating for a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, now the world only knows the Imperial Inspectorate but not the Jinyiwei..."
"I know what you want to say!"
The emperor stopped him directly: "The Jin Yiwei only need to inquire about the information now. This is your most important matter. To arrest the civil servants, you have to let the civil servants do it themselves."
"Don't worry, even if it has been sheathed for many years, the knife will still be a knife. It will only rust but not disappear."
Intelligence agencies have independent judicial power, so don’t they allow civilian officials to unite?
How about letting them dog eat dog?
He has restructured the Metropolitan Procuratorate for many years and has matured and can shoulder heavy responsibilities.
After all, he doesn't have any heroes, powerful ministers, or remnants of Jianwen to deal with him.
Chu Yu sighed, the sharp blade was difficult to use, how sad!
After he left, Tian Ren, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, also came to ask for an audience.
Like Jin Yiwei, his twenty years of official career have made him boring.
Under the pressure of a strong monarch and a strong cabinet, the biggest role of the Secretary of Ceremonies is to write the approval and then pass the votes.
He has no share in Dongchang, and there is Liu Afu fighting for power in the palace. This feeling is extremely uncomfortable.
Now he is nearly sixty years old. Although he is not senile, he is already exhausted.
What's more, he understands that the longer he stays in this position, the more resentment he will arouse, and how many people are eager to replace him!
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little proud.
The internal prime minister of twenty years was much better than the external prime ministers. In the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, no eunuch could compare with him.
"Greetings to Long Live Lord!" Tian Ren knelt down and saluted.
"Okay, get up!"
Zhu Yixi glanced at the old slave and the gray hair, feeling quite emotional for a moment.
Well, as expected, sterilization is the way to live longer. It is possible to still be as healthy as ever at the age of sixty, and it is possible to live to seventy or eighty.
"how?"
Faced with the emperor's doubts, Tian Ren said cautiously: "I am old and frail. Although I want to still serve your majesty, it is no longer possible. If it delays national affairs, it will be a disaster instead of a blessing..."
"You, an old guy, also want to become an official?" Zhu Yixi's expression changed, and then she sighed again.
"I don't dare, and I can't bear to leave you, Your Majesty..."
"It's okay, while your body is still healthy, it would be good to enjoy a few more years of happiness."
Coming from later generations, Zhu Yixi knew that people are inevitably divided into noble and inferior, but after all, people are human beings, and their souls are still equal.
"what's your plan?"
"I want to help you build that auspicious land for your majesty. I will try my best to do it for the rest of my life."
Tian Ren said with a smile.
"My cemetery has almost been built. Guarding the tomb is a hard job. That's all. You can just be the inspector. You can stay in Zhongguantun for retirement on weekdays!"
After all, Zhu Yixi was thinking about old friendships. Whether it was guarding the mausoleum or supervising the construction, it was a hard job. The mausoleum was damp and cold, so it was not a good place to retire.
Rather than doing this, it is better to take a job and provide for retirement to avoid suffering.
"Old slave, thank you for your kindness!" Tian Ren burst into tears and choked with sobs.
Compared with so many emperors, he is really too benevolent nowadays.
After he left, Zhu Yixi looked thoughtful and immediately asked about Liu Afu:
"By the way, how do you eunuchs support themselves in old age?"
"If you have a family, you will naturally return home, but usually you will build a house in Zhongguantun or take care of the elderly in Enji Temple. Ordinary young eunuchs will also gather together to support each other."
Liu Afu also felt the same way for a while: "We usually rely on our savings or our adopted godson to get food and rice.
Some eunuchs and young eunuchs in the inner court often give some as gifts, after all, they will come over in the future..."
It is no wonder that the eunuchs were greedy for money when they left the palace at the age of fifty. It is true that there is no guarantee of support in old age, and there are no heirs to accompany them. It is certain that they will be lonely in old age.
"It is hereby ordered that all eunuchs who leave the palace will be charged with five fights per month, and those with high rank will be charged with one stone per month."
"On behalf of the young men in the palace, I would like to thank Your Majesty for your kindness."
Liu Afu hurriedly knelt down and burst into tears of gratitude.
Although five pecks and one stone is not much, at least it can ensure that you will not die of hunger, and it is a regular expense, which means a basic guarantee.
Zhu Yixi sighed.
Eunuchs have served the royal family for most of their lives, and they may not necessarily enjoy happiness when they are old. Therefore, eunuchs can be rampant for only a few years after they have been glorious. How can they wait until they are old?
One mistake in the palace can lead to death without knowing it, and you will be shocked every step of the way!
From the eunuchs, Zhu Yixi thought of the civil servants and military generals who became officials.
They also don’t have pensions, so they have the right not to have them expire, so they naturally abuse it.
But civil and military officials are different from eunuchs.
There are more than 3,000 eunuchs in the entire palace, but only a few hundred people leave the palace every year, which costs them 3,000 yuan a year. He has more than just toys.
After all, these people serve the royal family personally. Even if they are not considered family members, they are still comparable to cats and dogs.
It is very worthwhile to buy people's hearts with small money.
However, the total number of civil and military officials in the country, plus the subordinate staff who are high-ranking officials, is about 400,000, and the number of official posts of 20,000 to 30,000 every year is just a joke.
Okay, how can we afford this?
"However, the financial pressure is not too great, and it cannot all be borne by the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Zhu Yixi had an idea in mind and summoned two cabinet ministers to discuss it.
During the period of sealing the government, all officials can take a break, but the cabinet and general affairs department cannot take a break.
Du Yinxi and Yan Yingyuan came quickly, thinking that there was something important, but they didn't know that the emperor was concerned about those officials who had become officials.
Du Yinxi opened his mouth but stopped talking.
What he actually wants to say is that as long as he has been an official for a few years, even if he is not greedy or plundering, the usual money (birthdays, birthdays, filial piety) will be enough for an upright official to buy hundreds of acres of land at home.
But this was the emperor's favor to the officials, so how could he have the nerve to refute it?
If anyone found out about this, he would be scolded by his colleagues.
The same is true for Yan Yingyuan.
He felt that the emperor was simply supported by having too much money. He suddenly became rich and wanted to spend money to win people's hearts.
But you must know that if this becomes a routine, it will be sad if we encounter a famine or something later.
"Your Majesty is kind and kind, and I am very grateful to you. However, the treasury is a little large and should not be overused. Why don't you give me ten pieces of silver every year?"
Yan Yingyuan said tentatively.
Du Yinxi looked at the emperor's face and added:
"The total number of civil and military officials in the country is 400,000. The number of officers below the seventh rank is fifty, and the number below the second rank is sixty. There are about 20,000 people who become officials every year."
Yan Yingyuan was speechless.
He could pay ten yuan for low-grade subordinates, but if they were high-grade civil servants, ten yuan would be an insult to them.
"Since the official grades are different, the annual salary is also different."
Zhu Yixi sighed.
In feudal society, people must be divided into three, six or nine grades.
Ordinary people don't have any pension money. The most important thing is to satisfy the interests of the bureaucratic class.
That is, use ordinary taxes to allow the bureaucracy to provide for its retirement.
However, the bureaucracy has the imperial examination as a path, and ordinary people also have the opportunity to become a member of it.
It can be expected in the future that when finances are tight in the future, the bureaucrats will never remove them, but will choose to raise taxes.
"Those below the seventh rank will receive ten yuan per year; those above the seventh rank and below the fourth rank will receive fifty yuan per year; those above the fourth rank will receive one hundred yuan per year."
There are a large number of subordinate staff occupying 80% of the quota, and the money is not too high.
Du Yinxi is worthy of being the elder of the pavilion. He counted with his hands and got the number in a moment:
"The annual income is about one million."
"But Your Majesty, every year there are officials who take up their posts. If this accumulates over time, it will be five million in ten years."
"The maximum is five million."
Zhu Yixi waved his hand and said: "Seventy years of life are rare in ancient times, and many people die at the age of sixty. Officials who become officials will pass away in ten years or so. This little money is nothing!"
Yan Yingyuan on the side sighed deeply.
Half of the national tax revenue, a province's wealth, is used exclusively to support officials in their retirement years. This is really a generous sum.
Du Yinxi wanted to persuade him, but he couldn't open his mouth.
Although this kind of benevolent government was advocated by the emperor, he, as the first assistant, could also gain some credit and increase his prestige.
However, he has the most seniority in the cabinet. Yan Yingyuan has only been in the cabinet for one year. He will definitely be a little boy in the next few years when he joins the cabinet and will not dare to act recklessly.
This fisherman's feeling of profit is really refreshing.
"For this money, half will be provided by the Ministry of Household Affairs and half will be provided by internal funds. Then, it will be remitted through Tianxia Bank every year."
"Your Majesty is benevolent!!"
The two of them bowed hurriedly.
If you had said earlier that the internal funds would be shared half way, why would I still be so worried?
"The cabinet will work on the detailed regulations and they will be promulgated when the government opens next year!"
Zhu Yixi waved her hand and asked the two of them to retreat.
However, Yan Yingyuan finally added: "I wonder what this money is called?"
In the early Ming Dynasty, this kind of money was called Daolifei, because it was an avoidance system, and officials were appointed as officials in foreign lands. However, in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the rice was depreciated, let alone this money.
As for half salary and full salary, they are special privileges, not exceptions.
"It can be regarded as the aftertaste of officials who are honest and upright and serve the people. It is called the gold of raising integrity."
The secretaries of the cabinet usually keep their mouths shut, but this is a matter of concern for their welfare and that of thousands of colleagues.
Suddenly, in this winter, the news spread throughout the capital.
Many officials cried with joy and talked a lot, saying that he was the most conscientious emperor in the Ming Dynasty.
Increasing salary is one, raising money and providing pension is two.
Even Du Yinxi gained prestige indirectly.
It is foreseeable that after his death, he will definitely receive a good posthumous title.
Zhufu.
When he was in his fifties, he became an official and took care of himself at home. Zhu Mou seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, with droopy wrinkles on his face and white hair on his temples.
He was holding a book, half lying on the couch, with glasses on his nose and a leisurely expression.
"Dad, look, this is nothing!"
When the son returned home, he told him about Yang Lian Jin and said angrily: "If I had told you this a few months ago, would you still have come down?"
Listening to his son's dissatisfaction, Zhu Mou put down his book and scolded: "What do you know? Thunder, rain, and dew are all your kindness."
"I can't kill you if you talk nonsense."
The son looked horrified and had to lower his head to admit his mistake.
Zhu Moucai sighed: "The most taboo thing in a person's life is not being satisfied."
"You and I spent a few years in Zongxue, and then we became gangsters on the street, stealing and stealing. We didn't even have the money to hire a name and bribe the chief minister, and the good lieutenant was gone..."
"Young nobles, pavilion elders, and chief assistants are not satisfied with every step. They want to sit still longer, but how can this world be perfect?"
"It's okay, now that I've retired, I'll have a rest..."
In the days after he took office, he was indignant.
But now, he is at peace.
Looking back on his official career as chief assistant in less than a year, there were so many mistakes and omissions that it made him blush just thinking about it.
Moreover, it is normal for officials to have ups and downs, and they can also have ups and downs after becoming an official.
It's okay to take a break.
He had a smooth journey, becoming a minister in his early thirties, then rotating through six departments, and successfully entering the cabinet. His arrogant character offended many people.
Nowadays, except for some nobles and nobles, there are only a few civil servants in officialdom. Is this not a failure?
On the New Year's Day, the envoys from various countries stationed in Beijing paid homage, which was quite orderly.
It was not until the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, after the Lantern Festival, that the government offices, which had been closed for a month, were finally opened, and the officials began to work.
The Ming Dynasty Gazette directly used bold fonts: What is Yanglianjin?
In an instant, the officialdom of the world was boiling.
The establishment of the Yanglian Fund is tantamount to solving the worries of many people.
Yuan Jiang, who had just turned 50 last year and was promoted to official position from the Third Elder position, walked hundreds of miles back home with a lame leg.
He served in the army for more than ten years and then returned to the local government. When he returned home, he should have enjoyed a happy life with grandchildren, but his old wife fell ill and lost most of his savings.
If it weren't for the financial support of a few old teammates in the army, he would have sold the land long ago, and now he still has to work hard in the field at his age.
The snow has not yet melted, so he has to worry about fertilizer for the coming year. Many families have that milkvetch, but he has no money left to buy seeds.
My daughter-in-law is pregnant and is about to give birth, so she needs to take care of her nutrition.
The plow at home is broken and we have to find a blacksmith to repair it...
Especially since my son is going to study at that college next year and there is still a shortfall of five yuan in tuition. This is related to his son’s reputation as a scholar and cannot be saved no matter what.
Added together, there must be at least eight or nine yuan worth of holes.
"I hate it!" Yuan Jiang drank the wine: "Why weren't you greedy at the time? Otherwise, why would you have worked so hard to plan!"
Thinking of some of his colleagues enjoying a happy retirement, he, a rough guy who prides himself on being honest, worked hard and saved money in his old age.
He had been busy all his life for the emperor and the court, and he had ruined himself like this.
At this time, his son braved the wind and snow and broke into the house from outside: "Dad, what a happy event!"
"What's the happy news? The imperial court has exempted you from taxes?"
"Your Majesty's kindness has helped all the officials, and raised honest gold for all officials who have reached official positions."
The son jumped for joy and read aloud: "Below the seventh rank, you will receive ten yuan every year until your death..."
"If an official dies in office, his wife (son) will take it with him until his death!"
"Your Majesty is kind, Your Majesty is kind!"
Yuan Jiang cried with joy and knelt directly on the kang, kowtowing: "Your Majesty has us in your heart and will provide for us old brothers to take care of us in our old age..."
With these ten silver coins, I don’t know how many difficulties can be solved. It is simply a timely help!
As long as my son is admitted as a scholar, everything will be worth it.
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and said: "Little bastard, if you still fail to pass the examination as a scholar, I will chop you alive."
"Dad!" the son said eagerly: "You will live a long life. Let me forget it. If you live to be a hundred, you will have five hundred silver dollars, which is enough to buy dozens of acres of land..."