When Lao Zhu was unhappy, Liu Ji added: "Actually, Your Majesty, I would rather live in a newly built community than in these big houses. Living there is much better than these big houses."
Even if you get a bargain, you still behave well.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, the current Liu Ji is such a hateful villain.
You don't like the big villages you've been to several times. Do you like living together with others?
This kind of thing is just a ghost.
Before Zhu Yuanzhang could despise Liu Ji, Liu Song actually nodded and said: "Your Majesty, I have the same view as Mr. Liu on this point. If it weren't for other officials to enjoy the welfare policies of the imperial court with peace of mind, I actually want to In the community, buy a small house of 100 square meters."
After hearing what Liu Song said, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately realized that this community might be different from what he understood.
However, these issues can be left for later.
Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened again: "The imperial court is so kind to these officials, providing them with housing and food."
"Then you officials don't have to think about anything and just think about how to serve the court. Why are there so many people who are struggling to fill the gap and are corrupt and accepting bribes?"
"Since the benefits provided by the court are not effective, we think we should just stop them, right?"
The expressions of Liu Ji and Liu Song changed drastically at the same time.
They all stopped in unison: "Your Majesty, you must not do this!"
Seeing how anxious the two of them were, Zhu Yuanzhang sneered disdainfully: "Why, you two can't bear to part with the glory and wealth you have obtained now?"
Liu Ji did not dare to speak immediately, mainly because he knew that even if he said it, Lao Zhu would not believe it.
However, Lao Zhuque didn't know that for him now, things like mansions and delicious food really didn't matter.
What he really couldn't let go of was the right to rule everything in Yanjing.
Liu Song, however, did not have these worries. He shook his head and said directly: "Your Majesty, I am not reluctant to part with this. This house is already too big for me."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and said jokingly: "In that case, why did Aiqing stop me?"
"Your Majesty! I have said before that these things are nothing to me, but to those grassroots officials, they are quite important."
"Once the government cancels the welfare policy, at least 70% of officials will immediately become homeless."
"In order to survive, many of them may have to..."
Liu Song didn't say what he had to do directly, but Zhu Yuanzhang understood what he meant.
If an official can no longer survive, he will naturally find other ways to make money.
Seeing that Dean Zhu's temper had softened a bit, Liu Ji immediately took the opportunity to jump out and chime in: "Actually, Your Majesty really misunderstood. Although His Royal Highness's welfare policy cannot completely eliminate official corruption, it can greatly to reduce the occurrence of corruption.”
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang curled his lips, as if he didn't believe it, Liu Ji continued to analyze Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, according to our welfare policy in Yanjing, a ninth-grade household inspector can be allocated a room of 60 square meters.
The room, the monthly meal subsidy is one tael of silver..."
etc!
Before Liu Ji could finish speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him unhappily: "What is this meal subsidy?"
Although Zhu Yuanzhang could make a rough guess based on the name, he still had to ask clearly.
Liu Ji quickly explained: "Your Majesty, it is not convenient for us to distribute food directly to low-level officials. Therefore, we simply convert it into silver and distribute it on a monthly basis. Although this money is a meal subsidy for those officials
, but it’s up to the officials themselves to decide how to use it.”
Lao Zhu began to feel unhappy again. Although one tael of silver was not much, there were many ninth-grade officials in Yanjing. They were paid every month, which was also an additional expense.
Because he lived in poverty, Lao Zhu was quite sensitive and cautious about spending money.
It's all spent or not, and there's no way to get it back directly for the time being.
After feeling depressed for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Liu Ji to continue.
Liu Ji cleared his throat and continued: "In addition to meal subsidies, there are also..."
He kept talking about a lot of various benefits of officials, and then stopped.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's increasingly unkind eyes, he finally concluded: "Because of the various benefits provided by the imperial court to officials, if current officials violate the laws of the imperial court, even if they are not severely punished, they will not be treated in Yanjing."
Going down."
"Coupled with the fact that they cannot participate in the imperial examination within three generations, their family has almost completely lost the chance of promotion. After one or two generations, they may become ordinary people."
Finally, Liu Ji concluded: "Moreover, the benefits they enjoy can only be enjoyed when they are still personnel."
"If you lose your status as an employee due to corruption or bribery, all these benefits will naturally be cancelled."
"Although money is attractive to people, there are many people who will do anything for their own benefit."
"However, as long as those officials have a long-term perspective, they can understand that what the court gives them is a lifetime guarantee, and the little money they embezzled is nothing even if the court does not find out."
Liu Song nodded slightly: "Your Majesty, based on what I have seen and heard these days..."
Speaking of this, Liu Song hesitated again.
But he soon made up his mind again and said firmly: "The officials here in Yanjing are much more honest than the officials in Yingtian Mansion. No matter what the reason is, they are very careful even in their dealings with people.
.”
"In addition, the Kaipiai policy implemented by His Royal Highness the King of England has led to the officials in Yanjing being very motivated to do things."
Kaipi.
This is not the first time Lao Zhu has heard this word.
I heard it before when I was at the gate of Spectacle City and listened to two carriage drivers talking about the mountains.
Lao Zhu is very interested in this thing that can improve officials' enthusiasm for work.
However, those carriage drivers only had a partial understanding.
Now that Liu Song and Liu Ji, the first and second in command of Yanjing, were present, Zhu Yuanzhang could finally ask this question.
"This Kai... Kaipi, right? What exactly is it?"
Lao Zhu did not expect that after hearing his question, Liu Song and Liu Ji both looked embarrassed.
In the end, Liu Song was more honest: "Your Majesty, in fact, I have never understood what Kaipiai means."
Hearing his words, Lao Zhu's brows immediately raised.
Just when he was about to curse, he heard Liu Song say: "According to His Royal Highness, this should be a specific indicator of a certain thing. For example, Yanjing's goal this year should be how many buildings to complete. Set this goal in advance. And determine which department will complete the project."
"In this way, rights and responsibilities can be clarified, so that everyone knows what they should do. If you complete the Kaipi in advance, or exceed the Kaipi, there will naturally be corresponding rewards."
After Liu Song finished talking about the serious things, Liu Ji took the opportunity to add: "Your Majesty, I have never found this word in any classics, and I don't understand the true meaning of this word or where it comes from."
"Your Majesty, please punish me for your incompetence."
Otherwise, if someone like Liu Ji were an official, he would definitely be higher than Liu Song.
Liu Song explained it firmly, one means one, two means two, but Liu Ji sounded comfortable when he said it.
It turns out that you guys also know nothing, not His Majesty the Emperor alone.
Although what Liu Ji said was actually nonsense, to Zhu Yuanzhang's ears, these nonsense had a different flavor.
After the explanation was finally made clear, although Lao Zhu still felt uncomfortable, he was no longer as shouting and killing as before.
Although Liu Ji's high-profile explanation just now meant to put money on his face, Lao Zhu also knew that this was what happened.
After all, people like Liu Song are still in the minority.
Most officials are actually just normal people. If they don't live in these welfare houses, those ordinary officials will definitely not dare to live in them either.
Even those who dare to live there will definitely have to endure a lot of rumors.
Lao Zhu had not yet recovered from the surprise of this incident, but he heard Liu Song suddenly say seriously: "Your Majesty!"
As soon as he heard Liu Song's tone, Lao Zhu immediately started to roll his eyes.
After so many years as a monarch and minister, Lao Zhu also knew very well what kind of temper Liu Song had.
Once this guy talks in this tone, nothing good will happen.
Sure enough, I heard Liu Song say: "Your Majesty is the king of a country. It is said that a son with a lot of money cannot sit down in the hall. As the king of a country, how can you walk outside alone?"
"If anything unexpected happens to Your Majesty, I will tell you..."
One look at Liu Song's posture and he knew that there would be a long speech behind him.
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up suddenly: "Liu Aiqing, we just remembered that we still have some things to deal with."
"Ai Qing, you have been working all day. Take your time to eat and rest. I won't disturb you."
Seeing that Liu Song still wanted to open his mouth, Zhu Yuanzhang added: "By the way, this time I came out for a private visit incognito. Actually, I mainly went to investigate the situation in Datong Mansion."
"There are rumors in the court that on July 5th... no, the King of England sold grain for one stone and six taels of silver in Datong Mansion, and he had evil intentions to make money wantonly."
"The reason we went this time is to investigate this matter. Therefore, we must keep it a secret."
"If you let us know..." As he said this, Lao Zhu also made a beheading gesture.
When the subject of rebellion was mentioned, both Liu Song and Liu Ji remained silent. No one wanted to speak more about this matter.
Matters involving imperial power have been very sensitive from ancient times to the present, and people like them do not want to get involved casually.
Even Liu Song is no exception.
Seeing that Liu Song did not dare to speak anymore, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly walked out of the door: "Master Liu, there is no need to send me off, so as not to be seen as a flaw."
"I respectfully send you off to your Majesty." Liu Song bowed to the end.
It wasn't until Zhu Yuanzhang's figure completely disappeared that he straightened up again.
Go back to where you were and continue to eat by yourself.
The expression on his face was so calm that he didn't look like someone who had just met His Majesty just now and had run back and forth several times from the gate of hell.
Although Lao Zhu admires Liu Song, he really doesn't like the kind of environment Liu Song is in if conditions permit.
After all, I am now an emperor. Even if I don’t have to play music and dance, I still have to choose a place with better conditions.
Living in Liu Ji's house at least looks more comfortable than Liu Song's.
As soon as he got home, Liu Ji quickly ordered his servants: "Remove all these dishes and replace them with new batches."
"Withdrawing, wouldn't it be a pity?" Zhu Yuanzhang quickly stopped him.
Liu Ji quickly reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ear and carefully explained: "Your Majesty, we can't waste it. Although we haven't eaten these dishes, as long as they are taken away after being served, they will belong to the servants."
"When these dishes arrive at their place, not even a little bit of soup or water is left, so they will not be wasted at all."
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized: "So that's what happened."
Lao Zhu is a very principled person. A person without principles cannot be an emperor.
But at the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang was also a person who was good at listening to opinions and willing to change.
In a short while, Liu Ji's chef prepared a large table of delicious food.
After struggling for so long just now, Lao Zhu didn't eat much, and now his chest is touching his back.
Lao Zhu ate happily, but Liu Ji didn't dare to eat it.
They all helped Zhu Yuanzhang prepare the dishes first, and then took some time to eat a few bites by themselves.
During this period, Zhu Yuanzhang also sent someone to inform Queen Ma.
However, the news received was that because Lao Zhu had been away for too long, Queen Ma had already finished her meal and asked Lao Zhu to do what he wanted.
During the dinner, Zhu Yuanzhang also asked many questions related to Yanjing, and Liu Ji naturally did not dare to hide his answers one by one.
But the more he asked, the more confused Lao Zhu became.
One question has not yet been answered, and another whole-hearted question pops up.
Finally, Lao Zhu got tired of asking: "Forget it, what exactly is Yanjing City like? Let's see it with our own eyes."
"Starting from tomorrow, I will go on duty with you."
Liu Ji looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty, is this not good? We here in Yanjing..."
I felt Zhu Yuanzhang's cold eyes.
Liu Ji's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
The person in front of me is none other than the Daimyo Emperor.
Your Majesty has already made the request himself, how can he refuse?
I could only agree depressedly: "Since Mr. Chang is so interested, I will obey your order."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.
I thought it was Liu Ji who actually remembered him and the fake identity he used when he came to visit before.
Liu Ji carefully served Zhu Yuanzhang until Lao Zhu had eaten and drank enough, and then personally arranged a place for Zhu Yuanzhang to live.
Others don't know who Lao Zhu is, but Liu Ji knows it very well.
The guest room arranged before was obviously not suitable for Zhu Yuanzhang to stay in now.
Even though he heard that the Chang family was a couple, Liu Song didn't dare to believe it for the first time...
When he saw the graceful Queen Ma coming out of the guest room, Liu Song truly fell to his knees.
"As expected of Your Majesty, he even brought out the Queen during a private visit incognito."