Zhou Shangjing not only stood very tall, but also stood very steadily.
In today's temples, Zhou Shangjing is the representative of ministerial power. Not only does he have power over the ruling and opposition parties, but he also has a solid foundation. Even Emperor Deqing can easily do nothing to him.
Therefore, Zhou Shangjing can always stand on the top of the mountain with peace of mind, take in everything under his feet with a calm or even indifferent gaze, and then deal with it calmly.
As for the people crawling up the mountainside at the foot of the mountain and on the mountainside, to Zhou Shangjing, they are just a place in the scenery.
But Zhao Junchen is different. He doesn't stand that high, nor does he stand that stable.
Moreover, like Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen never dared to underestimate the complexity and dangers of this officialdom, nor did he dare to overestimate that his own methods were more sophisticated than others, and he never dared to think that he could succeed just by relying on some scheming methods.
Able to play with the entire officialdom.
There are many problems. Even if Zhao Junchen discovered, thought about, or even saw through them, he could not change anything at all due to timing and strength.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen could only endure it, take one step at a time, and look at the present first. This may be short-sighted, or not decisive enough, but Zhao Junchen has no other choice.
In the final analysis, Zhao Junchen is just one of countless mortals in this world. He is not more noble than anyone else, nor smarter than anyone else. He does not have the courage to ignore the present for the sake of the future, nor the open-mindedness to only focus on the present and ignore the future.
…………
Precisely because Zhao Junchen is just a mortal, like ordinary people, he has light and darkness in his heart, which is complicated and contradictory.
In order to survive for himself, Zhao Junchen will do anything and will not hesitate to sacrifice others. This is Zhao Junchen's true intention.
But Zhao Junchen will also feel guilty for the various disasters and tragedies he has caused, and will find ways to compensate. This is also Zhao Junchen's original intention.
Now, the layout for the prince has been completed, the overall situation has been decided, and all that is left is the specific implementation.
Therefore, at this time, faced with the various human tragedies caused by his own planning, promotion, and instigation, Zhao Junchen felt that he should do something to make up for some of the guilt in his heart.?br /
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Not long ago, when Wei Huai and Jiang Cheng asked to see Zhao Junchen, the excerpt Zhao Junchen was writing was actually an excerpt in which Zhao Junchen asked Emperor Deqing to issue an order to appease and relieve the people who were persecuted by corrupt officials in various places, and how to deal with the aftermath.
This excerpt is actually very easy to write, as long as you clearly explain the stakes and some high-sounding principles.
But in actual implementation, whether it is comfort, relief or aftermath treatment, money is needed.
Therefore, after Wei Huai and Jiang Cheng left, Zhao Junchen found Jiang Qian, a member of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Knowing that Zhao Junchen was going to summon him, Jiang Qian did not dare to neglect and arrived soon.
Jiang Qian was Zhao Junchen's confidant and was familiar with the Zhao family. After being led to the study, he didn't look nervous at all. He just saluted Zhao Junchen quickly and said, "Jiang Qian has met Mr. Shangshu."
At this time, Zhao Junchen was checking the folder in his hand to see if there were any errors or omissions. After hearing Jiang Qian's voice, he raised his head and said with a smile: "This is not the Hubu Yamen. No need to be polite. Get up and sit down, Jiayi
, serve him tea."
"Thank you, Lord Shangshu."
Jiang Qian stood up with a smile and sat aside again.
On the other side, Chu Jiayi also served Jiang Qian refreshments with neat movements.
This Jiang Qian has no other hobbies. He is just lustful. He can be said to be a hungry ghost in lust. After seeing Chu Jiayi's beauty so fiercely, he looked even worse than Jiang Cheng just now. He stared blankly at Chu Jiayi.
His face was unblinking, his eyes were unblinking, and even his saliva was about to flow out.
Seeing Jiang Qian like this, Chu Jiayi frowned slightly, and a trace of disgust flashed in her eyes. When placing the tea, her hands and feet became a little heavier, and she made a clanking sound of tea cups, waking up Jiang Qian.
of absent-mindedness.
Then, Chu Jiayi said in a slightly heavier tone: "My lord, please have tea."
Then, Chu Jiayi did not stay, but quickly returned to Zhao Junchen.
With Chu Jiayi's attitude, Jiang Qian finally realized his gaffe, and couldn't help but look embarrassed. He was afraid of Zhao Junchen's blame, so he quickly changed the subject and asked: "I don't know why you called me here.
?”
Zhao Junchen was well aware of Jiang Qian's temperament and did not care about Jiang Qian's gaffe. He just asked quietly: "You know all the things that have happened in the capital in recent days, right?"
Jiang Qian nodded repeatedly and said with a gloating smile: "Rumors are circulating in the capital now, and the lower officials know it. There are mistakes in the preparations for the southern tour in charge of the prince. Refugees from all over the country have come to the capital to complain, and even the Metropolitan Procuratorate has also
His reputation is ruined... Hehe, the prince is in trouble this time, let’s see how he dares to put on a sanctimonious face and embarrass you in the future!"
Jiang Qian was a close confidant of Zhao Junchen, and he was often made things difficult by the prince's party. But now that the prince was in trouble, he was even happier than Zhao Junchen.
However, Zhao Junchen looked indifferent and said slowly: "I called you here this time just for these things. Now there are mistakes in the southern tour. From the capital to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, people in many places have been displaced and damaged because of this."
Seriously, no matter what the situation is in the future, the imperial court must continue to appease and deal with the aftermath of these people. Our Ministry of Household Affairs is responsible for the movement of money and food in the world, but we need to take precautions and make preparations in advance."
Jiang Qian nodded repeatedly and said: "Your Excellency has thought far and far, and what he said is very true. However, please rest assured, this amount of money to appease and deal with the aftermath is only a small amount after all. Our household department can still come up with it. Your subordinates will prepare it themselves."
That’s all right, adults don’t have to worry about it when the time comes.”
Hearing Jiang Qian's confidence, Zhao Junchen was a little stunned.
Although the Ministry of Revenue is said to be in charge of the world's money and food, the revenue and expenditure of money in it are all fixed. Salaries, soldiers, and rivers alone account for nine out of ten. Now they are also responsible for Emperor Deqing's southern tour.
The expenses are also a large amount of money. As a result, the money left in the household department may have bottomed out.
Why, according to Jiang Qian, could the Ministry of Revenue easily come up with the money for the aftermath of the incident?
Therefore, Zhao Junchen couldn't help frowning and said: "Oh? The preparations for this southern tour were extremely flawed. Just the people who lost their houses and fields and were displaced in various places. There were nearly 2,000 households in total. These people were displaced.
The fields have been seized, and now the farming season has been delayed. There will be no money for the next year. Just to appease these people and deal with the aftermath, I am afraid it will require 20,000 to 30,000 taels of food expenditure. As for the various other aspects, I am afraid it is not.
Decimal. Now I also know the situation in the Ministry of Household Affairs. Putting aside the money prepared for His Majesty's southern tour, the remaining money and food are almost at the bottom. How can you still come up with so much money?"
When Zhao Junchen said this, it was Jiang Qian's turn to be surprised and stunned.
The news that something went wrong in the preparations for the southern tour reached the capital only a few days ago. How come Zhao Junchen already had a rough estimate of the specific losses suffered by the people? It was as if he already knew about it and was keeping an eye on it!
However, Jiang Qian did not dare to ask any more questions about this situation.
In fact, what really stunned Jiang Qian was the number Zhao Junchen said.
"Sir, where do we need so much money!? Is it possible that we have to really take care of their food, housing, housing and raising them for a whole year!?" Jiang Qian was surprised and asked: "Such appeasement and resolution are always just a matter of face, don't look at this
The matter is now making a big fuss. At that time, as long as the court punishes a few corrupt officials, returns their land, and makes them feel that there is justice, then each household will be compensated with a few taels of silver and a few stones of grain, so that they can survive for the time being.
The people said nothing more."
After hearing Jiang Qian's description, Zhao Junchen's eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed even more tightly.
As Jiang Qian said, as far as the court is concerned, as long as the corrupt officials are punished, the influence is quelled, and the people are given justice, the remaining aftermath and relief are just a matter of face. Those people who are persecuted by local corrupt officials, as long as they do not
He will starve to death immediately, and no one will care whether he lives or dies, not the emperor, not the officials, not even the Qingliu people.
However, Zhao Junchen was unwilling to do this.
Although Zhao Junchen knew that doing so was already the court's practice.
On the other side, seeing Zhao Junchen's silence, Jiang Qian rolled his eyes and thought of something.
"So that's it!" Jiang Qian suddenly touched his palm and exclaimed: "The money and food provided by the imperial court in the history of relief are most confusing. How it was used and where it was used, no one can explain it.
Sir, you want to falsely report some numbers, and then..."
As he spoke, Jiang Qian smiled broadly and looked like he knew everything.
Hearing what Jiang Qian said, Zhao Junchen already regretted having brought Jiang Qian here.
These officials under him are very familiar with corruption and bending the law, and even know about it without mentioning it. However, if you want to discuss serious matters with them, it is difficult to be a help.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not explain much, and just asked in a deep voice: "I just want to know how much money our Ministry of Household Affairs can give to help the people now?"
Seeing that Zhao Junchen's face was serious and his eyes were compelling, and he was not as kind as before, Jiang Qian could not help but trembled. He did not dare to speculate on Zhao Junchen's thoughts. After thinking carefully for a moment, he replied: "Sir, sir,
The lower official estimated that the Ministry of Revenue currently has about ten thousand taels of idle silver available."
"Only ten thousand taels?"
Zhao Junchen couldn't help but frown again.
Does the household department only have this little money left?
Jiang Qian nodded quickly and explained: "Yes, sir, our household department has a fixed amount of money. Putting aside the necessary expenses, the remaining amount is only 40,000 to 50,000 taels, but the household department always has to keep tens of thousands taels.
The silver is reserved in case of unexpected needs. You can't use all the money for relief, right? So the only money that can be used for relief is only ten thousand taels, which is the limit of our household department."
Zhao Junchen suddenly thought of something and asked again: "A few days ago, didn't the prince save more than 70,000 taels of silver in preparation for the southern tour? Then where did the money go?"
Jiang Qian reminded: "Sir, didn't all this money go to the ceremonial guard during His Majesty's southern tour? Is this your Majesty's intention, or did you personally handle it?"
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile and said: "There are too many things going on these days, I forgot about it."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen looked dissatisfied, Jiang Qian asked cautiously: "Sir, how much money do you think our Ministry of Household should give out for relief?"
Zhao Junchen sighed, and then said slowly with some helplessness: "So many people are displaced and have no life to rely on. If we want to let them live and help them repair their damaged fields and houses, we will need at least 50,000 taels."
silver."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Jiang Qian was shocked and subconsciously retorted: "Sir, it's just for some common people in the grassland, why spend so much money? What does our household department have to do with whether they live or die?"
While talking, Zhao Junchen's face turned cold. Jiang Qian quickly said with a grimace: "What's more, our household department really can't come up with so much money!"
Understanding that Jiang Qian was telling the truth, Zhao Junchen was helpless. He just remained silent, thinking about how to get the money out.
But Jiang Qian thought that Zhao Junchen was dissatisfied with his performance. After a second thought, he cautiously asked for permission: "Sir, how about we appropriate some from other places? For example, the Ministry of Works is only following your orders now, so we should go to the Ministry of Works less often."
With some money, this money will come out."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "No, the Ministry of Works cannot be short of money. The Ministry of Works has just surrendered to me, so we cannot wrong them at this time. What's more, if we are short of money from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Works will have to go to the river.
, embankments, city walls, etc., there is a shortage of money, so don’t lose a lot for a small amount.”
After Jiang Qian's "prompt", Zhao Junchen suddenly discovered that the Ministry of Revenue may really be unable to get out the money, not only because every piece of money has a place to go, but also because every piece of money involves various people.
The interests of all parties cannot be easily misappropriated.
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen slowly sat back on the chair, closed his eyes slightly, and didn't know what to think about anymore.
Jiang Qian, on the other hand, was carefully waiting for Zhao Junchen to express his stance, but he was still confused in his heart. He didn't understand why Zhao Junchen was so concerned about rescuing the people, and it seemed that he still wanted to sincerely provide relief, rather than relying on relief.
Under the guise of being greedy for money.
What's more, since Zhao Junchen learned from the accounting methods of later generations and changed the accounting method of the household department, if he wants to embezzle money, he only needs to change the accounts of the household department. No one can find out, so why do this?
trouble.
On the other side, Zhao Junchen finally thought of a way after thinking for a long time.
The Ministry of Revenue is indeed out of money, but Zhao Junchen's house has so much money that it can't be used up.
What's more, these people have been so harmed by corrupt officials. After all, Zhao Junchen is one of the masterminds behind the scenes. It is also appropriate for Zhao Junchen to provide some money for the current relief.
"Qingyan." Zhao Junchen slowly opened his eyes and ordered Xu Qingyan: "You take one hundred thousand taels of silver from the government and hand it over to the Ministry of Household Affairs within three days."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen straightened up and told Jiang Qian: "I will give this money to you. You must find a way to record this money in the account of the household department, and then save it to help people everywhere. You must not use it again."
It was misappropriated."
When Jiang Qian heard what Zhao Junchen said, he felt that Zhao Junchen was stupid. Zhao Junchen always moved money from the Ministry of Household Affairs to his own house. How come it was Zhao Junchen who moved money from his house to the Ministry of Household Affairs today?
not to mention……
"Sir, didn't you say that you only need 50,000 taels to help the people? Why did you transfer 100,000 taels of silver to the household department? It's too much! You can't use so much!"
Although Jiang Qian didn't understand what Zhao Junchen was thinking, but because of this, he didn't dare to object and just waved his hands.
Zhao Junchen snorted softly and said: "Once it passes through your hands, if I can use 50,000 taels of silver out of my one hundred thousand taels to help the people, it will be considered good."
Jiang Qian naturally understood what Zhao Junchen meant. Nowadays, corrupt officials are everywhere in the Ming Dynasty. This money to help the people will definitely be intercepted by corrupt officials after it passes through the hands of those corrupt officials.
Therefore, Jiang Qian quickly waved his hands and said: "Since you paid this money to the account of the household department, who in the household department dares to touch it? Sir, please rest assured that if someone dares to steal your money, sir
, I will be the first one not to let him go."
Zhao Junchen smiled sarcastically and said: "Even if the people in the Ministry of Revenue dare not move, those local officials may not. What's more, it is not a bad thing to have more money for relief."
At this point, Zhao Junchen didn't want to say anything more. He sat on the chair again, waved to Jiang Qianyi, and said, "Go ahead and make arrangements now, and help me keep an eye on it by the way."
After Jiang Qian gave Zhao Junchen a strange look, he felt that Zhao Junchen was very strange today, but he did not dare to say anything more. He just agreed and left.
…………
After Jiang Qian left, Xu Qingyan, who had always been a miser, couldn't bear it. After hesitating for a moment, he asked with a sad face: "Master, do we really want to use the money in the house to help the Ministry of Household Relief to the people? That's
One hundred thousand taels of silver!"
Zhao Junchen smiled, with some self-deprecation, and said with a smile: "Is our house still short of these one hundred thousand taels of silver? I am a world-famous corrupt official, and one hundred thousand taels of silver is just a drop in the bucket... This can be regarded as a drop in the bucket..."
People, use it for the people..."
Xu Qingyan knew Zhao Junchen best. When he saw Zhao Junchen's expression, he knew that he could not convince Zhao Junchen, so he couldn't help but let out a long sigh, his expression was painful, and he made a face.
On the other side, Chu Jiayi looked at everything that happened in front of her. Although she remained silent, her heart was really shocked. She felt that all the concepts she had in her life had been overturned.
Zhao Junchen used his own money to help the Ministry of Household Affairs to provide relief to the people. How could it be done by a corrupt official? I am afraid that even those honest officials would not be able to do it.
However, those honest officials are not like Zhao Junchen, who can take out one hundred thousand taels of silver without blinking an eye.
Being able to take out one hundred thousand taels of silver shows that Zhao Junchen's reputation as a corrupt official is definitely well-deserved.
Therefore, Chu Jiayi felt that she could not see through Zhao Junchen more and more, and she became more and more curious about Zhao Junchen's thoughts.
With her mouth slightly open, Chu Jiayi was about to say something, but suddenly she thought of her identity and fell silent again.
However, the strange look on Chu Jiayi's expression could not escape Zhao Junchen's eyes.
"What's wrong Jiayi?" Zhao Junchen suddenly smiled and then asked: "Are you wondering why I, a corrupt official with a good reputation all over the world, suddenly did something good? Even at the cost of my own money?"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's sudden words, Chu Jiayi was startled and said quickly: "My servant dare not."
Zhao Junchen shook his head, smiled, and whispered to himself: "It's just hypocrisy."
While talking, Zhao Junchen stood up, wrote the word "hypocrisy", and said leisurely: "However, if this hypocritical word is taken apart, it turns out to be the word 'artificial', which is quite interesting. It can be seen from this that,
Regardless of whether it is true or false, what should be done must be done after all..."
What he said was meaningless. Xu Qingyan didn't understand what Zhao Junchen was saying. Chu Jiayi seemed to understand, but also didn't seem to understand, showing a thoughtful look.
Zhao Junchen didn't care about their thoughts and had no intention of explaining. His thoughts had already drifted to other places.
The Ministry of Household Affairs can't even get out tens of thousands of taels of silver now.
There are many reasons. Since Zhao Junchen became the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor Deqing has repeatedly withdrawn money from the Ministry of Revenue in order to save money in the internal treasury, which caused the Ministry of Revenue to have an extra expense. This is on the one hand.
On the other hand, under the management of Zhao Junchen, the Household Department was full of corrupt officials. Since Zhao Junchen became the Secretary of the Household Department and changed the accounting method of the Household Department, although Zhao Junchen no longer embezzled the banknotes of the Household Department, this
This group of corrupt officials has become even more unscrupulous.
Otherwise, how could the Ministry of Household Affairs, which is in charge of the world's money and food, be in such a financial straits now?
"Perhaps it's time for the Ministry of Household Affairs to reorganize..."