For the first time, Liu Mingzhi established a relatively harmonious monarch-minister relationship with the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, and Liu Song took the three brothers Liu Chengfeng out from the back of the palace.
"See Your Majesty, long live long live."
Liu Chengfeng and his three brothers looked at Liu Song who was bowing and saluting. The words Uncle Song taught them on the journey flashed in their minds, and they hurriedly followed Liu Song's example and bowed.
"My son, my dear father, may you live forever!"
"No need to be polite."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Father!"
"My dear friends, these are my three dogs. You have seen them all, and those of you who have not seen them must have heard of them.
When he was in the Imperial College, he caused chaos in the Imperial College. He was not a peaceful master.
If you want to become talented, you need strict discipline.
It's just that I have just ascended the throne, and it is too early to establish the position of crown prince now.
Which of the three brothers is more suitable to be the prince, I was hesitant for a while.
Just as I am about to take control of the Northern Territory, I will let my three brothers supervise the country together on my behalf.
I also hope that all ministers will give your advice carefully and if there are any shortcomings, please point them out as soon as possible.
You three, why don’t you meet your ministers soon enough!”
"Junior Liu Chengfeng."
"Liu Chengzhi."
"Liu Chengqian."
"I have met you sirs."
"No courtesy, no courtesy. I will see the three princes. The three princes do not need to be polite."
Seeing the humble and polite appearance of the three brothers, Manchao Wenwu subconsciously stood up and returned the gift, not daring to accept the gift calmly.
"Don't dare, don't dare, this is the respect of the younger brothers."
Wei Yong waited for the three brothers to stand aside again, and then walked out holding the Chao Hut.
"Your Majesty, Chao Gang has just been stabilized, and you have to go to Northern Xinjiang in person. I am worried... worried..."
"Prime Minister Zuo, I understand your concerns. However, if things in Northern Xinjiang are unstable, the dragon will be unjust. If the dragon is unjust, how can we talk about unifying the world?
I have made up my mind to leave, and there is no need for you, my ministers, to give any more advice.
This time when I go north, I not only want to stabilize the northern border, but also accomplish the great cause of unifying the world.
While I am away from the court, all my ministers and ministers must carefully assist the three dogs in governing the country and the people.
If the three dogs have neglected their duties, you ministers do not need to be polite, you can directly advise them without guilt."
"this........"
Manchao Wenwu and Liu Chengzhi looked at each other, and for a moment no one knew how to agree.
When everyone present was undecided, Liu Mingzhi's eyes turned directly to Jiang Yuanming, the Minister of Household Affairs.
"Housebu."
Jiang Yuanming walked out holding the Chao Hut.
"I'm here."
"How close is the summer tax collection to the treasury now?"
Jiang Yuanming sighed with a complicated expression: "Report to Your Majesty, only 50%."
Liu Mingzhi frowned and looked at Jiang Yuanming with seemingly calm but oppressive eyes.
"Jiang Aiqing, in the past, at least 80% of the tax revenue was put into the treasury at this time every quarter. Why is it only 50% now?
But there have been droughts, floods, locust plagues, etc. natural and man-made disasters?”
"Reporting to Your Majesty, that's not true. According to the documents submitted to the Ministry of Household Affairs by officials from the Household Offices and Offices of various prefectures, there will be a bumper harvest of grain this summer, and the people will be rich after paying taxes.
Moreover, people in various state capitals have already paid taxes to the temporary treasuries of various state capitals.
But officials in various local governments...but..."
Liu Mingzhi looked at Xia Gongming's embarrassed expression and hesitated to speak. After thinking for a moment, he understood what was going on.
"Officials in various state capitals are still waiting to see whether my new emperor, who has rebelled and proclaimed himself emperor, will be wiped out by King Qin's army. Therefore, they use excuses to postpone the payment of taxes and wait for the restoration of the previous dynasty. They will make a decision after the situation stabilizes.
!
Is this what it looks like?”
Xia Gongming knew that Xiao Jiujiu in the hearts of officials from all over the country could not hide Liu Mingzhi's thoughts, but he did not expect that Liu Mingzhi would point out the reason in a moment.
At least, my guess is not much different from Liu Mingzhi's.
Although there are various excuses for state governments that delay the payment of taxes to the state treasury, some reasons can still be guessed after a little thought.
Seeing Liu Mingzhi staring at him calmly, Jiang Yuanming nodded silently.
"Your Majesty is wise, that's probably...that's probably the case."
The gloomy look in Liu Mingzhi's eyes flashed away, and he silently turned the ring on his thumb and wandered around the dragon platform.
"They all made wishful thinking, but unfortunately they are destined to be disappointed.
Fifty percent of the summer tax is not too small, is it 30 million taels?"
"Reporting to your majesty, during the three years of Emperor Cheng's reign, the highest tax for the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter in one year was 137.2 million taels. When your majesty first ascended to the throne, he also reduced the taxes of some barren prefectures.
, only in terms of summer tax, the difference is almost the same, more than 28.7 million taels.
It may seem like a lot, but the world is so vast. There are silver coins for disaster relief, emergency government treasury coins, officials' salaries, soldiers' pay, forging weapons and armor, forging artillery, spending on military affairs, private people digging rivers, digging wells, and repairing palaces...
.......etc.
There are so many places where money is needed.”
Liu Mingzhi was also an official in the Ministry of Household Affairs at the beginning, so he naturally understood Lao Jiang's difficulties.
There are indeed too many places where money needs to be spent in each of the six ministries and nine ministers.
Especially when it is taken from the people and used for the people, it is a huge expense.
More than 20 million taels of silver are really not worth sharing.
After silently making an estimate in his mind, Liu Mingzhi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Military Department!"
"I'm here!"
"Let's stop the artillery casting for the time being. Now that there are enough artillery, let's stop unnecessary consumption of silver."
Song Yu hesitated for a moment and nodded respectfully.
"According to the decree."
"Ministry of Industry."
"I'm here!"
"I have roughly visited the pavilions and pavilions in the palace. They are still in good condition and do not need to be repaired every year.
In addition to necessary construction, large-scale construction projects were carried out in various places, and the activities that wasted people and money also came to a halt."
"This... Your Majesty, it is not the minister who spoke rudely and cursed Your Majesty.
The construction of the imperial mausoleum will begin on the day His Majesty ascends the throne. This is a rule handed down from our ancestors.
If we stop the site selection and construction of the imperial mausoleum..."
"With the consumption of millions of silver, it would be too wasteful to start the construction now. All matters related to the imperial mausoleum have been stopped. Let's wait until the treasury is full."
"Yes, I obey your order."
"Housebu."
"exist."
"I still had some savings when I was in Northern Xinjiang. The expenses of the harem were provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Except for necessary things, the expenses of the palace were reduced to a minimum.
However, the expenses of the Li clan in the clan mansion remain unchanged from the past, and everything remains the same."
"According to the decree."
"Jiang Aiqing, I have cut so many expenses at once. It shouldn't be difficult for you to raise more than five hundred thousand dan, which will be enough for half a year's food and grass!"
Jiang Yuanming was stunned, lowered his head and made an estimate: "Reporting to your majesty, if it is just one person, it will be a bit difficult. With the military department and the staff cooperating, it is not too difficult.
After all, the current situation in various state capitals is complicated and unclear.
Without the cooperation of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, it would be difficult to rely solely on the veterans and the Ministry of Home Affairs."
"The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel."
"I'm here."
"Cooperate fully with the Ministry of Household Affairs in raising grain and grass. If officials from various prefectures and prefectures make things deliberately difficult, you and other three ministries can make their own decisions."
"I obey your orders."
"That's all for today's meeting.
I want to lead the expedition in person, so I will ask all my ministers to assist me in the affairs of the three dogs.
Retreat from the court."
"I obey the decree, long live long live long live."
Liu Mingzhi glanced at the three brothers who had been confused since they entered the palace, and looked at the backs of the officials leaving the Qinzheng Palace in an orderly manner, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Father...no...Father, we have never been to court, how can we supervise the country!"
Liu Mingzhi looked at Liu Chengzhi who stood up to ask him, and gestured to Liu Song.
"Xiaosong!"
"Master?"
"Take their three brothers to uncle Song Yu's house."
"yes!"
"You three young masters, please come!"
"Little Chengzi!"
"His Majesty?"
"Don't let me down with the reward from the inner treasury, go get to work!"
"We obey your decree and send you off to Your Majesty."