Chapter 237 Chapter 239-240: Duty Free World Prince Supervision
Chapter 237 Chapter 239-240: The world is tax-free, the prince supervises the country, Qian Qian is stunned with anger
It was not until Chongzhen left that the courtiers began to talk. Ni Yuanlu's face looked innocent and angry.
Hong Ying walked up to Zhang Sizhi with a dark face and stopped Zhang Sizhi in front of everyone.
"Master Zhang, why do you want to slander His Majesty?
How can it be trivial for the Emperor to travel? Don’t you know that as a minister, all you have to do is consider His Majesty?”
"Haha, Yushi Hong, what is slander? Is this the advice I gave to His Majesty?
Is it wrong for Your Majesty to go to Liaodong to appease the morale of the troops?"
Zhang Sizhi snorted disdainfully and looked at Hong Ying. It's not like he didn't know what Xiao Jiujiu was thinking about.
If it were in the past, all the civil and military officials of the dynasty would have made a choice with Hong Ying, and when it came to the emperor himself, everyone would still be very united.
But it's different now. Chongzhen had more than ten "loyal ministers" in his hands, and how many people were there in the court?
The six ministries do not count the dozen of them. The other censors, local officials, representatives of nobles, and military attachés add up to nearly twenty people.
By controlling the top ten people, Chongzhen actually controlled the court, because these ten people were already the spokespersons of various interest groups.
"Master Zhang, if His Majesty goes out and sees something bad, can you afford it?
If your Majesty is out of the capital and something happens to the capital, can you afford it? Flattering a villain, bah."
"Zhang Sizhi, don't think that we don't know about the bad things you do at home.
Now you are slandering His Majesty again, do you want to be a eunuch to accompany you? Tomorrow the Japanese officials will report to Your Majesty."
More and more censors gathered around and condemned Zhang Sizhi. Fan Fucui on the side quickly came over to persuade him to make peace.
The court finally broke up in unhappiness. The performance of Zhang Sizhi and others today seemed to be a clear betrayal of the class, which aroused the dissatisfaction of many people secretly.
In the afternoon, invitations from many families flew to the homes of several ministers, trying to win over them.
In other words, the resources behind them that support their rise to power are also looking for them to inquire about the situation.
Especially on Ni Yuanlu's side, everyone mistakenly believed that the death-seeking behavior of the right minister of the Ministry of Rites was inspired by Ni Yuanlu's conscience.
In the palace, Wang Chengen received the news from Dongchang and walked into the palace. Li Ruolian was also reporting.
"Your Majesty, only the Minister of Punishment has a vague attitude. The other adults all gave exhortations after receiving the ministers."
"Who contacted Liu Zeshen? I have already demonstrated my ability, but he still has to take the initiative to mention it. What kind of interests will make him risk being cut off by me?"
"The minister is investigating."
Chongzhen touched his beard with his hand and thought.
"Li Aiqing."
"I'm here."
"The Jinyiwei Discipline Department, as well as the Ming Dynasty National Security Bureau, have focused on the officials of the capital during this period, as well as the noble speeches.
Anyone who talks about my supernatural powers will be arrested and interrogated."
Chongzhen wanted to see if these guys, in order to suppress the people behind them from messing around, would not be able to withstand the pressure and tell people about his supernatural power.
"Your Majesty, I have returned from collecting information."
"Well, Li Aiqing just told me. You two should check it out to see if there is anything missing. Just tell me the important ones."
"Okay, Your Majesty."
Wang Chengen took a dozen recording papers, walked to Li Ruolian, and exchanged the newly arrived supervision information.
Early next morning.
As the morning sun rose, the various prefectures in Zhili fell into a commotion as the employees of the Royal Merchant Company carried out the newspapers delivered by the Chongzhen system overnight.
In Chenjia Village, Shunde Prefecture, the village chief is mobilizing this year's leaders in the village to publicize the upcoming taxable autumn harvest.
"Mr. He, didn't the newspaper from the city say that the Royal Army went on an expedition and no longer had to pay Liao pay this year?"
"The official said so, do you believe it?"
"Then, isn't it said in black and white in some newspaper?"
"It's written in black and white, are you literate? And what's the use of just being exempted from Liaoning pay? Is it the rice you're short of?"
Everyone, listen up. This year, He Jinshi from the next village received another fifty acres of shelter, so their half-mile gift will definitely be added to us.
Although the price of rice has increased to one tael this year, those blood-sucking people probably still charge two cents, and it is no longer cost-effective to exchange it directly for silver.
Next, there will be jobs for porters and handymen, so be more active. Now that the land is so expensive, it is better to do the labor than to leave it to them."
"What? You are collecting shade to cover the fields again? When did this end? If the fields in our village were better, why would we be like this?"
Several old farmers who had a little say in the situation were not chosen in turn, and they all felt sad and angry when they heard this.
"Obviously, most of the farmland is dry land, but we are asked to pay taxes according to the farmland. Why? We need more money and more grain taxes!
Last year's harvest was not good, and we were already reduced to one breath. This year, we are under the shade again, and there is still that big-headed plague. How can we survive?
Your Majesty, Your Majesty, can you see it? You are really like a storyteller and love the people like your own children. Just look at us!"
"Suddenly, a madman sharpens his knife at night..."
"He Ergou, if you keep talking nonsense, I will send you to the county government to repair the city. Damn it, if you want to die, don't take me with you.
I asked you to be the leader all the time, report your property truthfully, and didn’t ask you to pay an extra cent, so I asked you to harm me?”
The chief was obviously frightened by He Ergou's words and kicked him.
The Li Jia here are actually almost hereditary. The Li Jia, together with the head Jia, controls the entire li, one hundred and ten households.
Others were obviously aroused by He Ergou's words, but as the bottom, there was nothing they could do.
They are just big-ass officials. In addition to surviving, they want to change their destiny and become landlords? It's just a dream.
"Old He, don't say that to Ergou. These times are indeed getting more and more difficult.
Our village is fine, but I heard that the area near Guangping has lost most of its harvest this year, but will those gentlemen stop harvesting grain?"
"That's right! Even we need to make up more and more money for the handymen. If we continue to make up for it, we won't be able to afford food."
It is obvious that even the people in Zhili are basically starving.
"I just don't know if the military coupons of the royal merchant house in the city can be used to pay taxes like money. If it can, they are really conscientious in collecting grain.
Unlike the grain sellers and the county, who not only give me three cents, three cents and five cents, but also always take my scale."
"Who says it's not the case? Speaking of which, Daniel, hasn't your boy already signed up to join the army? You even got fifty yuan.
Those are His Majesty's personal soldiers. He can teach them how to read and write, and he can also be exempted from his share of taxes."
"Ha, I don't know why, but suddenly the Royal Merchant Company said it was temporarily suspending entry into the camp."
"Maybe it has something to do with the battle in Jinzhou. After all, the war there costs a lot of money and food."
"Oh, I really hope that the war in Jinzhou can end as soon as possible. If Jiannu is really wiped out, my boy can join the army."
Seeing that the conversation between the few people was getting more and more focused on the boy from the Daniu family that he was jealous of, the chief was about to stop drinking when he suddenly heard a voice.
"Don't move, listen, what is the sound??"
"It seems...it seems like, what kind of great victory in Jinzhou?"
More than a dozen old farmers rushed into the distance in an instant. A horse-drawn carriage pulled two employees of the Royal Company and drove on the county road carrying a super-lasting Bluetooth speaker.
Behind the carriage, there were more than fifty government officials protecting him, and the sound of the stereo gradually became clearer.
"Guangning Wei was restored, and the slave-building royal family surrendered. His Majesty, the Ming Emperor, sympathized with the difficulties of the people and issued a special order to exempt the Liao soldiers from training and pay, exempt the world from miscellaneous labor for half a year, grant amnesty to the world, and never increase taxes!!!"
"Great victory! Tax exemption! Amnesty and never any additional taxes! Long live His Majesty the Ming Emperor!!!!"
The voice that reached into the soul was like a bolt of lightning, striking directly at the few people who were still discussing just now.
The sluggish people looked at the military household who was gradually approaching, not knowing what to say.
"Why are you still standing there? Why don't you go and thank the capital and tell your village the good news?"
"The common people thank your Majesty, may your Majesty the Ming Emperor live forever!"
After the li leader and the chiefs came to their senses, they knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the Chongzhen capital with tears in their eyes.
The carriage pulling the stereo is still heading towards Julu. They have only one task today, which is to spread the tax-free news to Julu. They will also spread it to Shanxi tomorrow.
The chief and others knelt sincerely, and then jumped up excitedly after watching the carriage leave.
"Go back quickly! Let everyone know that the banquet is open!"
"What a happy event! Your Majesty is wise! You are exempted from the labor service for half a year, and you can have a good year this year!"
A group of people ran to the village chief's home, took out an ancestral gong, and quickly beat the gong and called out along the village. Soon, the entire village had arrived.
After the latest tax exemption edict was announced, the whole village fell into a carnival. If it was just tax exemption, they would not be so happy. Exemption from taxes and chores is too critical.
The joy quickly spread to all parts of Zhili. The imperial guards who rushed eight hundred miles away were holding the imperial edict and delivering the imperial edict of the Six Ministries to various provinces along the official road.
It's just that this speed is still lagging behind compared to Beizhili, where every imperial company has one, and those along the canal.
In the capital city, after lunch, Chongzhen, dressed in a dragon robe, walked into the Fengtian Hall.
Zhu Cixiang, dressed in a prince's attire, was waiting at Seat C of His Highness. There were cabinet ministers on his left and right, and other ministers behind him.
"While I am away, I hope you and all the dear ministers in the cabinet will study hard, and they can all be your teachers.
Officials of the East Palace, you must shoulder the heavy responsibility of guiding the prince during this period and explain the possible intentions behind the memorial to the prince. Prince, you must write down these contents and let Gao Banban report to me as soon as possible."
"I will obey my father's teachings."
"Cabinet Committee, when you handle local reports, as long as you explain it to the prince, send me a copy of it in its exact form.
I want to know how you educate the prince, do you understand?"
"According to the decree."
Fan Fucui and others quickly took the order and replied that Chongzhen's arrangement directly made everyone in the East Palace feel pain.
If what happened while Chongzhen was away was not explained in depth to the prince, I am afraid Chongzhen would think too much about it.
If he was deliberately guided and let Chongzhen see it, it would be a direct disaster. Chongzhen would not look for any excuses when he wanted to mess with people now.
"The six departments work according to their respective functions, with city defense entrusted to Li Banghua and Jin Yiwei commander Li Ruolian.
If all your ministers serve diligently, the court will function normally."
"I obey the order!"
Seeing that everything had been arranged, Chongzhen took Zhang Sizhi, Jiang Dejing, two cabinet ministers, and a team of eunuchs headed by Wang Chengen, and walked towards the palace gate.
At the gate of the palace, there were already ten Warrior off-road pickup trucks and a convoy of ten Jiefang trucks parked outside the gate.
A company of Royal Army infantry has been assembled as Chongzhen's escort force.
Zhang Sizhi and Jiang Dejing followed Chongzhen with bewildered expressions, until Chongzhen got on the bus and they were still at a loss outside the car.
"Both of you, one car can only seat four people. You take the car at the back."
"Ah? Oh oh oh."
"Thank you, Eunuch Wang."
Only then did the two people react, and quickly thanked Wang Chengen who was walking towards the co-pilot. They walked to a Hummer behind them, followed Chongzhen's actions just now, and sat in the back seat.
Then all the eunuchs went to the back of the pickup truck and opened the awning. A pickup truck pulled four people, and the back bucket was loaded with supplies.
Two trucks were responsible for turning on the radio and receiving telegraph signals at any time. The remaining eight trucks, carrying the Han general in charge of the guard of honor, started slowly.
The ministers who watched Chongzhen go away gathered next to Chen Xinjia.
"Chen Shangshu, your Majesty, why do you bring so little guard of honor when you go? Are you following me at the Beijing Camp Guard?"
"How can you know about His Majesty's camp? All I know is that even with an army of ten thousand people, I don't want to put His Majesty in any danger."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Just a few people?"
A group of ministers did not find any specific information, and looked at Chongzhen's leaving convoy, full of unknown meanings.
In the outer city of the capital, several carriages were parked at the inn, and a servant was carrying documents to communicate with the soldiers guarding the city.
Qian Qianyi and Fang Yuegong were standing in the shade, holding a newspaper, their faces filled with shock.
"Mr. Mu Zhai, we were in Tianjin a few days ago. The newspapers we received were still about the war. The Royal Army went into battle half a month ago, right?"
"It's not wrong. It's unbelievable. It's only half a month, half a month. Why was Donglu wiped out?
What happened in the capital? His Majesty went on patrol today? Oops! Ministers in the court, why didn’t you stop them? Can His Majesty go on patrol at will?"
Qian Qianyi took the latest newspaper and looked at it. When he saw the report of Chongzhen's tour, he felt bad all at once.
He traveled thousands of miles to the capital with his sweetheart, just to get Chongzhen's help. But now that Chongzhen suddenly went on tour, who did he want to ask for help?
"Sir, the city gate has been prepared. The military household guarding the city reported that Your Majesty has left your name.
You can bring people in directly. Mr. Mu Zhai did not leave a name, but you can enter if you have documents."
"???"
Fang Yuegong and Qian Qianyi looked at each other, a little strange.
Logically speaking, if Chongzhen summoned Qian Qianyi, he would be given a higher official position than if he summoned Fang Yuegong, there was no reason to only keep Fang Yuegong.
"Go and ask again quickly why there is no Mr. Mu Zhai."
"Okay sir."
After confirming again that his name was still missing, Qian Qianyi suddenly felt extremely angry. After entering the city, he stopped going to the inn with Fang Yuegong.
He wanted to go directly to Chen Yan, regardless of the etiquette. He now wanted to know as soon as possible why he was summoned together, but he was not mentioned.
"Yu Jin, I won't tell you anymore. I'm going to find my descendants in the capital. I'll also visit my friend Xian Sheng and ask what's going on."
"Okay, Mr. Mu Zhai, you are busy, please say hello to Grand Scholar Chen for me.
I'm also going to send greeting notes to my former colleagues and ask about the situation."
Fang Yuegong bowed and saluted Qian Qianyi, then got into his carriage, his expression changing from a smile to indifference.
"Sir, the soldiers guarding the city just now have something to say to you. They say that if you arrive, you can go directly to find the Minister of Song. His Majesty's orders are there."
"Interesting, this capital city has really changed a lot since last time, and it's becoming more and more mysterious."
When Fang Yuegong heard what his subordinates said, he nodded and asked his subordinates to find Yaren to lead the way to the inner city of the capital.
In the car dozens of meters away, Qian Qianyi took the newspaper and pondered it over and over again, pondering every word.
Liu Rushi beside him saw the darkness inside the carriage and gently pushed open the window of the carriage. He held a thin fan in his hand and gently fanned Qian Qianyi.
Through the newspaper, he quickly discovered an astonishing phenomenon. Chongzhen's control over Zhili seemed a bit scary?
"Husband, you are sweating a lot. Did you see something?"
"His Majesty will send the students recruited from various provinces to the prefectures and counties of Zhili and let them study with the chief officials for two months."
"Ah? Which minister's suggestion is this?"
"We don't know yet, but the relationship between His Majesty and the courtiers is probably very different from what we thought before. It seems that we really need to ask about it."
While muttering in his mouth, Qian Qianyi put down the newspaper and let Liu Ru hold it. Liu Rushi just glanced at the cover and threw the newspaper away in fear, and the little bird hugged Qian Qianyi lovingly.
"Master, we're here."
Qian Qianyi stepped out of the carriage with the support of Liu Rushi. What he saw was Chen Yan's residence in the capital. The door had been opened to welcome him after being informed by the dentist.
Chen Yan, who had been dismissed as prime minister and was strictly ordered not to run around by Chongzhen, was dressing under the attire of a maid, and then walked to the front yard living room in silk clothes.
He was not dissatisfied with Qian Qianyi's sudden visit and had already retired without submitting a greeting card. On the contrary, he had some sympathy for Qian Qianyi, thinking that he came to see him and was going to deal with Qian Jun.
"It's a great honor for Mu Zhai to come to Hanshe today! I've already ordered someone to call Qian Jun. Please wait a moment."
"Fasheng, what are you talking about? I am just an idle scholar. It should be my honor to be in your residence as a great scholar."
Qian Qianyi was deliberately surprised by Chen Yan's politeness, but he responded happily. After all, everyone carries the sedan chair.
And when he thought about it, he was about to be promoted to the ninth ministry of the Ming Dynasty, the Minister of Education, so it made sense for Chen Yan to be so polite.
"Mu Zhai, I am no longer a bachelor. His Majesty thought that I was not capable enough and asked me to retire. Now I only have empty honors."
"What? Your Majesty has dismissed the Cabinet again?"
Qian Qianyi was shocked on the face, but felt unsurprising in his heart.
It was normal for Chongzhen to change people. Now he also understood why Chen Yan was so polite when he saw him. His feelings had already been touched, and he was not as good as himself, the minister who was about to ascend to the throne.
"Yes, I have always worked hard, Your Majesty, but for some reasons, His Majesty regarded my opinions as an obstacle and asked me to retire. Alas."
"You don't have to worry about becoming a saint. Now the Ming Dynasty is employing people, and Liaodong has been mostly recovered. His Majesty will use you soon.
You see, didn't His Majesty just activate me? The Ministry of Education split the original responsibilities of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites into half, and I immediately became the Minister.
Don't worry, when I go up there, I will definitely mention you to His Majesty so that you can regain His favor. When the time comes, you will be transferred to a prosperous place and you will return to His Majesty with political achievements."
Chen Yan looked at Qian Qianyi, whose tone was gradually rising, and was a little confused. Didn't this guy come to him for Qian Jun's business?
"Sage, you must have offended His Majesty by being dismissed from office. If you want to move around when the time comes, you will need some silver.
My family has suffered a disaster recently. Alas, my family is also short of food and clothing. You have to work hard on your own, but I will definitely help you."
Chen Yan was sure that Qian Qianyi definitely didn't know about Qian Jun, otherwise he wouldn't have been thinking about making money at this time.
"Mu Zhai... you haven't been in the capital for a long time, so you may not know some things.
Xiaocui, pour us two bowls of well water, Mu Zhai, let’s talk while we talk.”
"Please tell me, is there any problem here?"
When Qian Qianyi heard Chen Yan's words, he immediately felt that there was something wrong. Why didn't Qian Qianyi thank himself first, but started to get well water for himself?
You don't even give me tea, are you looking down on someone so much? When I become the minister, you will see if I can plead for you.
Qian Qianyi groaned secretly, listening to what happened in the past two months, from Chongzhen's message to save Xiangyang, to the rectification of the Jinyiwei, to the establishment of the royal merchant house, and used various means to "convince" them, the cabinet ministers.
Afterwards, he reorganized the capital camp, built roads, showed movies, and promoted Lu Xiangsheng. These operations made Qian Qianyi exclaim that it was impossible, and his face was filled with shock.
Until the end, Chen Yan talked about the recruitment conditions of the Royal Army. Qian Qianyi had already seen this matter, and now that he heard Chen Yan mention it again, he also complained.
"Fasheng, why can you agree to His Majesty's issuance of this decree? You also allowed this decree to be circulated to Zhili."
"Well, as I said, we are all "convinced" by His Majesty, and those who are not convinced have been truly "conquered"."
"Don't you want to unite? Doesn't this also require human teaching? Your Majesty can still bend the backs of the civil and military officials of the dynasty? Is this world still governed by us scholar-bureaucrats?"
Chen Yan smiled and said nothing, silently listening to Qian Qianyi's complaints, and waited until he finished speaking before continuing.
"The students in Beijing Middle School thought the same thing, so they gathered together and went to the gate of the imperial city to force the palace. Your nephew Qian Jun was one of the leaders.
I have already persuaded him, but he refused to listen, and even went to the gate of the imperial city without telling my students."
"Ah?? What a beast! Is it so easy to force someone into the palace? Without the leadership of the ministers, what are the students?"
Just as he was talking, Qian Jun was brought from the side courtyard by his servants and walked into the main hall timidly.
"Uncle...Uncle, I'm sorry, I hurt you and our Qian family."
Qian Qianyi looked at Qian Jun who fell at his feet, and looked at Chen Yan who still squinted his eyes meaningfully in astonishment.
"On that day, there were several subordinate officials and censors involved.
Your Majesty, all the civil and military officials have tried to dissuade those who forced the concubine to have a baby, but they didn't listen.
Therefore, the six ministries of the cabinet unanimously agreed to arrest all the students and officials who refused to listen to dissuasion.
Officials will be dismissed from their posts and sent to prison, and all members will be dismissed from their honors... The whole clan will not be promoted if they are promoted, and will not be used if they are used..."
"belch……"
Qian Qianyi rolled his eyes and fainted on top of Qian Jun.