Chapter 1001 Emperor Chongping: He is truly my good son-in-law
Daming Palace, inner study room
After a while, Li Zan and Qi Kun were led by the eunuchs into the inner study and bowed to the middle-aged emperor who was sitting behind a bookcase.
When the two of them returned from Beiping Mansion, they were both tired and dusty, but their faces were full of energy.
After the war, Li Qi and Li Qi were mainly engaged in the aftermath of the war in Beiping Mansion.
Emperor Chongping said: "The two beloved ministers are of equal height and Dai Quan is watching."
Li Zan said something to Qi Kun and was not surprised to see Jia Heng standing aside.
Emperor Chongping smiled slightly and said with relief: "Li Qing and Qi Qing are working very hard in Beiping."
However, Li Zan stood up from his seat, bowed his head and said: "The humble ministers are incompetent, the city of Juyongguan Pass was destroyed, the Jurchen cavalry wreaked havoc on Yan and Zhao, and the people were trampled under the iron hooves. It is the fault of the ministers."
"This is not a crime of war. The area from Ji Zhen to Xuanhua is already easy to attack and difficult to defend. What's more, the thieves were cunning and came with heavy troops." Emperor Chongping comforted him and said, "Okay, Dai Quan, help me.
Li Qing, get up."
When Li Zan heard this, he had no choice but to thank the Holy Grace.
Emperor Chongping said: "Yu Ye mentioned to me the other day that the northern border affairs need to be readjusted during this period. Does Li Qing have any other ideas?"
As the saying goes, listening to both sides will make it clear that Emperor Chongping also wanted to hear Li Zan's opinion at this moment.
Li Zan said: "I agree with what Duke Wei said about the border affairs and personnel adjustments in Ji Town, Hebei and other places. Previously, Duke Wei made an on-site inspection of the passes, forts and gates from Ji Town to Xuanhua. When I heard what he said, I felt that it hit the point.
, Northern Xuanda, Jizhou, and Peiping should all work together to prevent the Jurchens from entering the invaders again."
Emperor Chongping said: "This war has indeed been planned comprehensively on both the east and west fronts. Li Qing and Jia Ziyu have been working very hard on this."
"This is the responsibility of the minister. I dare not praise him as a saint." Jia Heng said loudly.
Li Zan said: "Your Majesty, the Shandong Admiral Lu Qi was transferred to the capital the day before yesterday. The ministers thought that they could select good generals to go to Shandong."
Emperor Chongping turned to Jia Heng and asked, "Ziyu, what do you think?"
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I think that Shandong is the key to defense and it is important to prepare for the enemy. I think that the election of a heavy-duty, capable and experienced general, and the navy to harass Liaodong, is the key to our Han Dynasty's counterattack against the Jurchens."
, I thought I should select a general with quick wit and spirit."
After hearing this, Emperor Chongping looked at Jia Heng and said, "Ziyu is not going to rush to Shandong to supervise the army after his trip to Jiangnan. Is there anyone he can recommend?"
After offering prisoners to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and taking the chieftain to Danbi, the monarch and his ministers were undoubtedly in a honeymoon period. Emperor Chongping did not beat around the bush and talked directly to each other.
"Your Majesty, Mu Sheng, the crown prince of Dongping County, is now a military aircraft driver. He works at the military aircraft station and can serve as the deputy commander-in-chief. He can also lead the army to patrol, conduct naval exercises, and also coordinate with Tianjin to defend the port." Jia Heng said calmly.
The deputy commander-in-chief is the deputy admiral, which is an additional title.
Emperor Chongping said: "Mu Sheng, I have the impression that he has been working hard in the military aircraft department in the past one or two years. It is appropriate to go to Deng to lead the navy. He is a young general and has the vigor of a young man."
He turned to Li Zan and said, "What do Mr. Li Ge think?"
Li Zan said: "We think that Mu Sheng, the crown prince of Dongping County, is suitable and can come out of the town as soon as possible."
"Does Li Qing have any recommendations for the candidate to be the admiral of Shandong?" Emperor Chongping asked again.
Li Zan said: "We have no candidates to recommend for the time being. Since Duke Wei oversees the army in Shandong and Tianjin, I wonder if Duke Wei has a suitable candidate?"
Because Jia Heng publicized the achievements of the two places on the Western Front, he had slightly more say in border affairs in the north. Moreover, Jia Heng once mentioned that he would rectify the military affairs of Shandong and Tianjin Guards. He just mentioned that he would be a mature and prudent general, so he was obviously confident.
.
Li Zan naturally caught this and reciprocated the favor.
Otherwise, if Li Zan recommends a candidate, it will be difficult for Jia Heng to refute.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "I have thought about it when I was in the north. The provincial armies in Shandong and Hebei need to be reorganized, especially in Shandong. In recent years, the soldiers of the government have been ineffective in suppressing the bandits, so the thieves and bandits have gathered in the mountains and forests.
, the white lotus demon deceives people's hearts and brings disaster to the countryside. Previously, Lu Qi went to Peiping to help but was too late, so I thought that no one without martial arts skills could go out to govern."
"Martial arts?" Emperor Chongping searched for suitable martial arts in his heart and said, "Now there is no martial arts that is willing to be released."
The day before yesterday, Shi Guangzhu, the former military governor-general, wanted to be sent abroad, and Prince Shangshu of Nan'an County recommended it, but Emperor Chongping somewhat forgot about it.
Jia Heng said: "Wealthy ministers do not shy away from relatives when promoting virtuous people. Shi Nai, the Marquis of Baoling, is a first-class Wuhou who often serves in the Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army. He is mature and prudent and has made military exploits. He can be the governor of Shandong and reduce the provincial army.
Rectify military affairs."
Emperor Chongping said: "Shi Nai, Marquis of Baoling?"
After thinking for a while, he said: "Shi Nai, the Marquis of Baoling, worked tirelessly last year to check the border in the northwest. After returning to Beijing, he worked in the Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army. Now it is appropriate to go to Shandong to go out of town. He and Mu Sheng are old and young."
The brothers Baoling Hou Shi Nai and Zhongjing Hou Shi Ding were both veterans of martial arts, and they were regarded as such figures in Emperor Chongping's heart.
Not far away, Qi Kun listened to Jia Heng recommending Shi Nai, and he couldn't help but frown, and his mind went back and forth.
The Duke of Wei recommended the historian's Baolinghou to go to Shandong? Is this another job seeking an official position for the in-laws of the Jia family?
The Duke of Wei State integrated the four families of Jia Shi, King Xue, Li Shouzhong was the governor of Anhui, Shi Ding was the governor of Henan, Wang Ziteng was the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu, and now Shi Nai was serving as the admiral of Shandong.
This is not to mention that Qin Ye is the minister of the Ministry of Industry, Jia Zheng is the general affairs secretary, Lin Ruhai...
No wonder some people in the capital say that, in addition to the three parties of Qi, Zhejiang and Chu, the Jia Party has taken advantage of the old power of Jia Shi Wang Xue and is even better than before.
But he also knew that this was inevitable. As Jia Heng returned with a great victory, it was obvious that he would be deeply involved in government affairs.
In fact, after a little tidying up, Jia Heng has grown into a towering tree. To some extent, it is even better than the Jia family after the Yuanchun Provincial Provincial Government.
The prince entered the palace, the two princes of the Shi family were sent out, Jia Zheng ordered academic affairs... The bed was really filled with wats.
Emperor Chongping said: "The matter is settled like this. The pirates on the south side of the Yangtze River must also be wiped out. This year, the customs customs will be rich, but the pirates are raging and plundering merchant ships at sea. If things go on like this, the country's tax revenue will inevitably be lost. We are planning to build
The naval division needs no delay."
The customs tax revenue is huge, and the current Han Dynasty undoubtedly cannot afford to lose this source of income.
Emperor Chongping said, looked at Jia Heng, and warned: "After Ziyu arrives in Nan Province, he will discuss with King Beijing to eliminate the pirates along the southeast coast as soon as possible, clean up the evil atmosphere, and restore peace to the sea."
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "I obey the order."
Emperor Chongping said: "Qi Qing, Li Qing, this is the memorial written by Gao Zhongping the day before yesterday. You two should take a look."
With that said, he picked up Gao Zhongping's memorial in his hand.
Dai Quan quickly bowed forward, took it with both hands, turned around and handed it to Li Zan.
Li Zan took the memorial and glanced at it quickly. Without saying a word, he just handed the memorial to Qi Kun aside.
But there was a shock in my heart, Gao Zhongping was going to implement a new policy in Jiangnan.
Qi Kun took the memorial and finished reading it. He frowned, raised his eyes to look at the emperor, and asked, "What is your Majesty's intention?"
Emperor Chongping said: "I have just discussed with Ziyu that we will try it out in Henan and Jiangsu in the north and south first to see the effectiveness of the whip method. If it is feasible, we can then spread it to the whole country. In addition, Ziyu also mentioned that people can be spread across acres and fire can be used."
The consumption was returned to the public, and the shortcomings of the one-whip method were eliminated by converting silver taels into silver coins and other measures. It involved so many innovations and considerations that I cannot describe them all in a few words."
As he said that, he looked at Jia Heng, his eyes were a little warmer, and he smiled and said: "Ziyu, Li Qing and Qi Qing will introduce each other, and we can write a memorial and regulations in the near future."
When Jia Heng heard this, his face straightened, he cupped his hands and said, "I will write a memorial when I get back."
The emperor is really not letting him go, he is determined to drag him into the trap of the reformists.
But now that the matter has come to this, he can only move forward. Otherwise, if he falls behind under the general trend, he will be limited to the military.
Jia Heng said, facing the eyes of Qi Kun and Li Zan, he began to introduce the set of policy proposals that he had just mentioned with Emperor Chongping.
In fact, whether it is Gao Zhongping's whipping method, or his proposal of apportioning farmers into acres, returning fire to the public, or abolishing the two reforms and reforming the Yuan, they should all focus on how to better collect taxes and reduce bureaucratic burdens.
It will not touch the interests of officials and gentry. Therefore, Zhang Juzheng's one-whip reform has the possibility of success no matter how much resistance there is.
What makes life most miserable for officials is that "officials and gentry work together to pay taxes", which means that officials and gentry are completely exempted from the privilege of paying tribute, and they need to pay taxes and silver to offset it. Under the current circumstances, this is undoubtedly a major event that shakes the foundation of rule.
.
Because scholar-bureaucrats were the foundation of rule, this policy undoubtedly shook the imperial examination system.
Therefore, the Yongzheng Dynasty's system of working as a farmer to farm the land was so successful that it was preserved by Qianlong, while the system of officials and gentry working together as messengers to pay grain was abolished by Qianlong.
After the pacification of Liaodong, reforms were deepened, and a variant of the system was implemented in which officials and gentry were all responsible for paying taxes, and the privileges of officials and gentry were restricted.
When Gao Zhongping cleared the land he owned, he only identified the person who had entrusted it to him, found out the hidden grain fields, and then levied taxes and levies based on the actual acres of land owned by the officials, minus the personal exemption limit. This was to identify tax evasion and tax evasion, and did not deprive the officials and gentry.
of corvee privileges.
Taking the Han system as an example, a scholar is exempted from all taxes and servitude himself, a scholar is exempted from all taxes and servitude, and he can bring two people with him, while a Jinshi can be exempted from four people. Other officials who become officials also have different degrees of exemptions according to their grades.
Li Zan's eyes flashed and he said: "Your Majesty, what Duke Wei Guo said is to check for leaks and fill in the gaps. Although a whip method is good, the fire consumption of casting silver cannot be ignored, not to mention that silver is expensive and grain is cheap, which makes the people miserable.
, Nowadays, by using silver dollars to levy taxes, it can be said that the disadvantages of the whip method have been wiped out, and the expenses of raising children and raising children are greatly reduced for ordinary people, and it can win the hearts of the people all over the world. This is virtuous government."
Not charging a poll tax is undoubtedly a virtuous policy, just like Kang Mazi's never increasing taxes, which can win over the hearts of the people at the bottom.
Qi Kun was also a little surprised in his eyes and said: "Your Majesty, this strategy is spread out and detailed. It is more mature than the one-whip method. I have no objection. It is just the title of Royal Silver, which needs to be discussed. I think it should be done."
If the Bank is supervised by the Ministry of Household Affairs and organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, if things go on like this, it will be inevitable for low-level ministers to fabricate corruption and abuses in the world again."
The one-whip method had actually been tried out for many years during Gao Zhongping's time as governor of Sichuan. Qi Kun had stayed in the Ministry of Household Affairs for such a long time, so he knew the benefits of this method. In other words, Emperor Chongping had already known the benefits of this method.
Not to mention, clearing the land can also identify hidden grain fields, expand the scope of taxation, and increase treasury revenue.
Mainly because of a great victory in the north, it became possible for this matter to come to fruition.
Jia Heng's expression remained unchanged as he listened to what Qi Kun said. He knew that Qi Kun would have objections to the Ministry of Internal Affairs' operation of royal silver coins and the minting of two yuan coins.
He opened his mouth and said: "The household department cannot lay out the silver number, otherwise it will be different from the local treasury. At that time, people may not dare to save money. Now it is called the royal silver number. When the people hear it, they will also believe in the Tianjia's sign."
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun subconsciously retorted: "What if some officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs issue banknotes indiscriminately and act greedily?"
Jia Heng said: "Mr. Qi Ge is overly worried. Banknotes are not being issued indiscriminately. They all have gold and silver as reserves. In addition, officials will be sent to audit the financial affairs, but it does not specifically involve the operation of the bank."
Qi Kun's expression paused, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Li Zan said: "Since the royal family can handle this bank account and local merchants can handle it, why can't the Ministry of Household Affairs handle it?"
Qi Kun also said: "The original ticket number of the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Jia Heng said: "Once the Ministry of Accounts is established, once the national treasury is in short supply, there is no guarantee that money will not be misappropriated from it in times of emergency. If things go on like this, it will inevitably affect the credit of the bank."
If you say something bad, the Tian family wants to lose face, and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue will not know.
Li Zan nodded, obviously aware of some bureaucratic habits.
Qi Kun looked silent and was speechless for a moment.
When Emperor Chongping saw that the two cabinet ministers had reached an agreement, he felt joyful in his heart. He did not take Qi Kun's words about the Ministry of Internal Affairs to heart, but said: "Then this matter will be agreed upon. The cabinet will draw up some plans in the past few days."
According to the regulations, we will first try out the one-whip method and the policy of dividing farmers into acres in Jiangsu and Henan provinces, and then the Ministry of Household Affairs can change the coinage to silver coins."
The administrative efficiency under the centralized system is undoubtedly very efficient. The cabinet ministers unanimously decide, and the rest is implemented by each ministry.
Jia Heng looked at the ambitious Chongping monarch and his ministers, his eyes flashed, and he felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
Compared with the emperor, Li Zan, Qi Kun and other monarchs and ministers, he seemed a little selfish.
However, after this incident, Gao Zhongping's achievements were no longer as outstanding as before. Especially a few months after the implementation of the Jiangsu New Deal, Li Shouzhong could go to the press and request for advancement in Anhui and other places, and then Zhejiang and Fujian.
In this way, even if Gao Zhongping came to Beijing to serve as a cabinet minister, he would not have the same prestige as before because he was not a whipping expert and had to work as a farmer.
As happened before, Gao Zhongping used the power of his victory to carry out the reform policy in full swing in the vast area of Liangjiang and three provinces. At that time, it was bound to cause uproar and chaos everywhere.
Then he still has to obey the overall situation, obey the emperor's orders, and go south to suppress the gentry?
Doesn’t this mean he’s doing dirty work?
When Emperor Chongping saw that the matter was finalized and it was almost noon, he felt a little hungry for a moment, so he smiled and said: "That's it for now. Ziyu and Qi Qing will go back and discuss it carefully, and come up with the charter. Dai Quan,
Let the imperial dining room prepare a luncheon for the two beloved ladies."
Dai Quan responded quickly and ordered the inner prisoner to prepare to go.
Jia Heng, Qi Kun, and Li Zan quickly thanked each other.
Everyone was having a banquet in the side hall of Hanyuan Hall. There were exquisite dishes on a lacquered wooden table, with a dazzling array of colors, flavors and aromas.
After Dai Quan poured the wine, Emperor Chongping picked up the wine cup, with a rare indifferent smile on his face, and said: "Now that the north has been decided, the country can also focus on cleaning up the bad governance. The three beloved ministers are all the kings of the country."
Dongliang, I need to toast my three beloved ladies."
"I don't dare." When the three of them heard this, their expressions changed slightly, and they were all startled. They quickly stood up, cupped their hands and saluted.
When the emperor proposes a toast, who dares to sit down and accept it calmly?
Of course, this move is more like Emperor Chongping's attempt to win people's hearts. It was originally a private banquet at this moment, but it did not damage his prestige.
On the day when Jia Heng's class teacher returned to Beijing, Emperor Chongping did not act like this.
That's because there is no reason for the father-in-law to toast his son-in-law, and now Emperor Chongping undoubtedly wants to urge Li Zan and Qi Kun, two important officials in the court, to unswervingly support the new policy.
Seeing the three people standing up humbly, Emperor Chongping didn't take it seriously and took a sip by himself. He felt his heart was so happy that he couldn't help but glance at the young man in python suit who was standing respectfully.
He is truly my good son-in-law.
Taking advantage of the power of victory, strict implementation of the New Deal, there should be a comprehensive plan for reform, otherwise it would not be possible. Gao Zhongping mentioned a whip method, and then he divided the land into acres, returned fire to the public, abolished the two reforms... It is simply shocking.
Dizzying.
Of all these, which one is the urgent and thought-out strategy? There must be a comprehensive plan.
As for why I hesitated and hesitated before.
I'm afraid that as soon as I was made a duke and became a princess and princess, I might have forgotten the old secrets in the study and wanted to protect myself wisely. How can this be done?
It can be said that Jia Heng was unaware of his "selfish" actions, which gave Emperor Chongping the impression that he had been given a title and began to think about enjoying wealth and wealth in peace, with his wife and children on the bed, and was unwilling to rush to the front line to resist civil servants.
The reform strategy mentioned just now illustrates that no one knows more about reform and innovation than I, Jia Heng, but I just said before that we should not act too hastily and wait. This can be said to be safe, but it also lacks the common sense.
Momentum of time.
Seeing the three people standing, Emperor Chongping called out: "My dear friends, please sit down and drink together."
Jia Heng, Qi Kun, and Li Zan quickly thanked each other, sat down again, and drank the wine in their glasses.
The emperor drank all the wine in one gulp, let alone his ministers?
Dai Quan and the two eunuchs filled the three glasses of wine again.
Emperor Chongping looked at Li Zan and Qi Kun and said: "If the New Deal can become popular in the world, the country's finances will be prosperous, the military will be vigorous, and the homeland of Liaodong will be recovered, then I, the Han Dynasty, will have the hope of reviving the country.
A hundred years later, you will have the dignity to meet my ancestors of the Han Dynasty."
At that time, he was undoubtedly the king of Zhongxing, and his reputation would be passed down to future generations.
At this moment, Li Zan was also stirred up by Emperor Chongping's toast. His elegant face was flushed with wine, and he said: "Since the Holy Emperor came to the throne, he has worked hard to govern and work hard at night. Now the country is booming, the barbarians are frightened, and the humble ministers think that the big man is a big man."
China's revival is just around the corner, and even if my ministers and others are shattered to pieces, they will help the Holy One to recreate a prosperous age."
A man dies for his bosom friend. Today the emperor held a small banquet and toasted with a glass of wine, which undoubtedly warmed his heart.
In fact, this is the PUA of the monarch and his ministers in the feudal era. The monarch showed a little warmth, and the ministers were already grateful and shed tears.
Emperor Chongping's cold face showed a look of emotion, and he said: "After I came to the throne, the great Han Dynasty was like a patient suffering from serious illness. Now it is thanks to the three beloved ministers who do not avoid missing stones and use their talents to show the signs of rejuvenation. With me,
Drink this cup to the full.”
As he spoke, he raised the wine cup.
Jia Heng's voice seemed to be choked with sobs as he advised: "Sir, drink less than two glasses of wine. Too much alcohol will harm your health."
Li Zan showed a touch of emotion on his face and said: "Your Majesty, please take good care of your body and drink two cups less."
"Your Majesty, the dragon body is the most important thing, don't drink too much." Qi Kun also advised with slightly red eyes.
Jia Heng looked at Emperor Chongping, whose sunken cheeks were red with alcohol, and sighed in his heart.
How much pressure has the emperor endured in the past? This victory can be said to have wiped away all the depression. It is estimated that he has been walking with ease during this period.
After all, the Jurchen army was defeated, Huang Taiji was bombarded, all the heads were taken to the capital, and the prisoners were sacrificed in the Ancestral Temple. It is no exaggeration to say that it was a great joy and a great sadness.
But if this continues, it will cause a lot of damage to the body and bones, and it will also shorten life span.
Emperor Chongping was obviously not good at drinking. After drinking two or three glasses, he became a little drunk. Li Zan, Qi Kun and Jia Heng finished their lunch and did not dare to eat too much.
In this way, in the afternoon, a banquet for Li Zan and Qi Kun, two cabinet bachelors, came to an end.
Qi Kun and Li Zan finished their lunch and took a carriage back home to rest.
Jia Heng and Dai Quan supported the drunken Emperor Chongping back to Kunning Palace after drinking two more cups.