Wuying Hall, as one of the main buildings in Zijin City, is located to the west of the outer court and has more than 60 large and small rooms.
It was the place where the emperor usually summoned ministers in the early Ming Dynasty.
However, at this time, it became a temporary warehouse, like a vegetable market.
Seeing the carriages coming one after another, loaded with gold, silver, jewelry and various supplies, Zhang Yan and Queen Zhou were shocked and immediately started to call the palace maids and eunuchs to unload the carriages.
The whole dynasty is full of corrupt officials, and there are moths inside and outside the palace. Corruption has almost become a traditional practice.
In order to prevent himself from losing less money and food, Zhu Cixiang also racked his brains and brains.
As the emperor, it was inconvenient for him to supervise the inventory in person, and others were worried, so he had no choice but to ask his aunt Zhang Yan and his mother-in-law Zhou Wan to come to help.
After all, the two women would never join in with those eunuchs and maids to defraud him of his money. They didn't need to do anything. Just standing there was a great deterrent, making people afraid to do anything at will.
However, in fact, the two women personally directed the eunuchs to sort and sort them, and also directed the palace maids to count them, without giving any opportunity to take advantage of them, and they were so busy that they never touched the ground.
The convoy carried the goods from morning until dark before finally finishing the transportation.
Room after room was packed, and in the end, more than sixty houses were packed to the brim.
It was not until the early morning of the next day that the three types of gold, silver, salt, grain, etc. were roughly inventoried.
Qianqing Palace.
Although the two women looked exhausted, they could not hide the shock and excitement on their faces.
"Hong'er, this is the account book that has just been counted. The total amount of silver is more than 15.4 million taels, various grains are about 200,000 shi, and a hundred dans of coarse and fine salt."
Empress Zhou held the booklet in both hands and handed it to Zhu Cihong with a slight trembling.
Zhang Yan on the side was not much better, and she could no longer maintain her usual fengyi.
No wonder the two of them were so out of character.
It is true that Lao Zhu's family has been too poor over the years.
Zhang Yan was better off. Chongzhen was known to be very concerned about face. He would rather wear a patchwork dragon robe than cut down the cost of Cining Palace.
Empress Zhou was even more miserable. She was the mother of a country, but she didn't even have any decent gold and silver jewelry. No one would believe her if she told her.
Of course, the main reason why the two girls were so excited was that Chongzhen had always been worried about money and food, so much so that he was almost turning gray at such a young age.
And Chongzhen has always believed that the reason why the situation has deteriorated to this point is because there is no money in the treasury.
Therefore, in the eyes of the two women, now that they have so much money and food, the situation will definitely gradually improve.
How can they not be excited by this?
Zhu Cixiang took the booklet, and although he was excited, he was not too surprised.
Historically, Li Zicheng collected as much as 70 to 80 million taels in the capital, 90% of which came from distinguished eunuchs.
This time he confiscated almost 30% of the nobles. Except for the two royal relatives, the rest were all nobles who had been inherited for more than a hundred years. It was normal to get more than ten million taels of silver.
"Mother, aunt, you have really worked hard this time."
He knew that it was right to choose to let the two women help count.
There probably won't be many people who didn't commit corruption this time.
"If you don't work hard, you can contribute to Xun'er and Sheji. It's not too late for my mother and aunt to be happy!"
After Zhou Hou finished speaking, Zhang Yan also smiled and nodded.
The two women indeed thought so.
"Hong'er, apart from the gold, silver, grain and salt, the rest of the items have not yet been counted. They must be counted as soon as possible to make a record..."
"Mother, there is no need to worry about other things at this moment. You have been tired for the whole night, so you should go and rest first. After you have regained your energy, you can take your time to take stock."
Zhu Cihong saw the two women looking anxious and said with a smile.
But I understand their feelings. After all, until things are counted and recorded, you don’t know what is missing.
"Oh well!"
The two women didn't insist.
I'm used to pampering myself, but I was really tired last night.
After sending the two girls away, Zhu Cihong ordered people to summon Li Ruolian, Wang Dehua and others.
He took out a fraction of more than 400,000 taels and gave them to the people who were handling the errands this time.
Putting this money in the hands of eunuchs and maids is not much different from piling it up in the warehouse.
When the situation stabilizes in the future, corruption will definitely be eradicated. Isn't it possible that everything will be returned to his hands then?
So I don't feel bad at all.
What's more, now that he has offended the nobles and the civil servants are unreliable, if he doesn't win over the royal guards and eunuchs, he will really be alone.
After finishing these things, Zhu Cihong went to Jianji Hall.
"Your Majesty is here!"
He shouted, and all the distinguished nobles woke up from their dreams in shock, and stood up in a hurry to tidy up their appearance.
In order to make the house raid go smoothly, these nobles were kept in Jianji Hall and were not allowed to go anywhere except to their latrines.
"Kowtow to Your Majesty!"
"No gift!"
"My beloved sirs, have you ever discussed a good strategy to retreat from the enemy?"
Zhu Cixiang was in a good mood and his tone was gentler than ever before.
"I am incompetent, please forgive me!"
Everyone hurriedly knelt down to apologize again, cursing in their hearts. This little emperor was so shameless.
Use this excuse to detain them here.
"Well, it seems that talking on paper is useless. In that case, please come with me to test the soldiers in the Beijing camp before discussing!"
Zhu Cixi waved his hand.
Immediately, he led a group of nobles and went directly to the Beijing camp.
When they arrived at the school grounds, the soldiers from the Beijing camp had already assembled.
"Two princes, these are the most elite troops of our Ming Dynasty?
The victorious army that followed Taizu Chengzu in the past and fought in the north and south?"
Zhu Cixiang looked at the troops in the school field who were standing lifelessly and crookedly in tattered military uniforms. He turned his head and stared at the British Duke and others in disbelief.
Although he was mentally prepared, his heart still sank to the bottom.
These people are said to be armies, but they are similar to beggars fleeing for their lives. They are said to be beggars and refugees, and they all have weapons in their hands and carry flags.
All the nobles lowered their heads in unison, and the two princes were even more embarrassed and speechless.
"Okay! Then tell me how many soldiers and horses you have now?"
"Your Majesty, there are a total of 125,000 on the Beijing camp roster..."
"Actually?"
"Less than 20,000." Faced with Zhu Cixiang's cold gaze, the British father had no choice but to answer honestly.
Seeing that His Majesty's face was frighteningly dark, he quickly explained again.
"Your Majesty, the reason why the gap is so big is mainly due to the continuous deployment of external agents to suppress thieves over the years, coupled with the plague last year..."
"Fart, even if there is a plague and no matter how many external transfers are carried out, there will not be only these few soldiers left! Besides, are these fucking soldiers still considered?"
"The perimeter of the capital city wall is more than fifty miles. Do you think we can defend it with less than 20,000 remaining soldiers?"
Zhu Cixi finally couldn't help but roar.
The nobles all knelt on the ground, sweating profusely, and allowed Zhu Cixiang to roar and vent.
"The Beijing camp is the cornerstone of our Ming Dynasty, the biggest trump card in protecting our country, and it is also the biggest force in protecting your wealth, wealth, and wealth.
It is for this reason that I, the late emperors of the Ming Dynasty, have handed over the power of running the capital to you, because I believe that you can share weal and woe with the Ming Dynasty, and that future generations will share the wealth!"
"But how did you do it?"
"You are colluding with those civil servants. Those civil servants don't care how bad the capital camp is. How can you not care either?"
"I tell you, you are digging your own grave and bringing your own destruction. When the army of intruders arrives, what will you ask me to use to resist? And what will you use to ensure your prosperity, wealth, wealth and life?"
"That's all, that's all. The matter has come to this. It's useless to say more. I will move the capital to Nanjing and regroup."
"You just stay and wait for the intruders. Let's see if Li Chuang and his millionaires will continue to treat you well!"
In the end, Zhu Cixi waved his hand disheartenedly and turned to leave.
