While Zhu Chun was speaking, he regained his composure.
Only Chen Qiang, who was following suit, seemed thoughtful, bowing his head and saying nothing.
Although there are some obstacles to the new policies of the Left Governor's Office, the results are still obvious.
At least this year's summer grain growth has been significant.
This made Zhu Chun very happy.
At that moment, he ordered someone to make a register and submit it to the Ministry of Revenue as soon as possible.
The atmosphere inside the household department was very strange.
This mainly comes from Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs.
Many rumors have circulated among scholars, saying that Xia Yuanji accepted Zhang Anshi's benefits and promoted the land of the station for Zhang Anshi, thereby making a fortune.
There are many versions of this news, and it has noses and eyes, as if everyone has seen it with their own eyes.
Within the household, it was inevitable that some people would look at Xia Budang with strange eyes.
There is a strange atmosphere among the six ministries and nine ministers. Although they are not hostile to the New Deal, they never dare to speak out. The remaining people mostly avoid the New Deal like snakes and scorpions.
Thousands of years of old customs and traditions are no joke.
This is not even a matter of being complacent, but a mark that has been deeply imprinted in people's bones since childhood.
As for Xia Gong's "shamelessness", of course no one dared to say anything since he was a member of the ministry.
But the officials under this household gradually kept a distance from Xia Yuanji.
There is a saying that it is better to offend the superior than to ruin the reputation of the Qing Dynasty.
After all, if you please the superior, you may get temporary benefits, but if you want to consider the long-term interests of a solid camp and a smooth army, you must care about your own feathers.
In history, many so-called lucky ministers seem to have gained power suddenly and took advantage of this opportunity to rise to great heights, even below one person and above ten thousand people.
But how many of these people have a good ending?
On the contrary, those who have a good reputation, no matter whether they are suspected by His Majesty or the powerful officials in the court for a while, as long as their reputation is still there, even if they are dismissed from office, they can always make a comeback. Even if their ambitions are difficult to achieve in their lifetime, their families can continue. Everyone respects him.
After all, people should not abandon their own circle easily. Once they do, even if it is a temporary success, the consequences will be unbearable.
The various chief envoys have begun to submit this year's money and grain, and the Ministry of Household Affairs has also begun to usher in the busiest time of the year.
Since the Empty Seal Case, the imperial court has required the Ministry of Household Affairs and various chief envoys, prefectures, and counties to reconcile their accounts. How much money and grain have you collected, and how much grain has finally entered the treasury. Even the Ministry of Household Affairs has conducted an inventory, so that To know how much food your state should pay, all of these must match.
"Xia Gong..."
Zeng Guang, the right servant, came to Xia Yuanji's room and he saluted.
Xia Yuanji raised his head and nodded: "What's the matter?"
Zeng Guang was a little more distant from Xia Yuanji than before, but on the surface, he was still respectful.
"The Zuo Dudu Mansion has sent us the money and food account books."
Xia Yuanji glanced at Zeng Guang thoughtfully: "How about it?"
Zeng Guang looked like he couldn't say anything for a long time before he said: "The number is quite astonishing."
"Tell me something."
"The preliminary account books show that the business tax is about 790,000 taels, and there is also a lot of food, up to 4.2 million shi."
The commercial tax is already astonishing, 790,000 taels, which can be compared with the Taiping Prefecture last year. However, the Zuo Dudu Prefecture is many prefectures combined, and the New Deal has just started, but even so, this is an astonishing amount.
.
The collection of commercial taxes far exceeded the expectations of the Ministry of Revenue.
As for grain taxes, the growth has also been very obvious, increasing by three times.
Under the rule of the Zuo Dudu Mansion, it is already the richest area in the world, a land of fish and rice. It is no joke. Every time this land is divided, the land that can collect food suddenly increases. In addition, His Highness the King of Shu attaches great importance to water conservancy, and the production is greatly increased.
Under the premise, with such results, it can even compare with the Right Governor's Mansion.
But when Xia Yuanji learned this number, he sighed because he found that Zeng Guang was observing his reaction.
Xia Yuanji said: "Well, yes, this year the treasury... will finally have a surplus. How does Mr. Zeng view this?"
Zeng Guang smiled slightly: "The results of the New Deal are indeed amazing."
"Oh?" Xia Yuanji knew that Zeng Guang had something to say.
Zeng Guang said: "But...I heard...His Royal Highness the King of Shu implemented the new policy in a hurry, and it caused a lot of troubles."
Xia Yuanji said: "Yeah."
"Xia Butang..." Zeng Guang wanted to say something else, but when the words came to his lips, he stopped talking.
"Shilang Zeng has something to say, but it doesn't hurt to say it."
"Nothing." Zeng Guang shook his head and smiled slightly.
Xia Yuanji stared at Zeng Guang deeply: "Is there anything that needs to be avoided?"
"Xia Gong, there are many rumors outside." Zeng Guang thought for a while and said.
"Well, what about me?"
"yes."
Xia Yuanji said: "There's nothing nice to say."
Zeng Guang thought for a while and nodded: "Yes."
"Do you think what they said is correct?"
"Xia Budang is a gentleman, but..."
"You're just a beautiful woman, why should you be a thief?" Xia Yuanji asked with a self-deprecating smile.
Zeng Guang said nothing.
Xia Yuanji said: "We are ministers, and ministers should do their duty. As for whether a gentleman is a villain, it will naturally become clear over time. The public opinion of the moment is nothing. I am too lazy to defend myself, so
Or, say something like the world misunderstood me."
Zeng Guang sighed, but suddenly said: "Xia Gong really thinks that Zhili's tactics... are good for the world?"
Xia Yuanji couldn't answer for a while. He thought for a while: "What do you think?"
"These money and grain are indeed real. Increase production and income. There is no clearer thing in the world than an increase in money and grain. It's just... If you press hard against the foundation of the world, something big will happen."
Xia Yuanji said: "What do you mean by the foundation of the world?"
"Throughout the dynasties, those who have maintained the foundation of the world have always been scholars."
Xia Yuanji sighed: "What you are worried about is not unreasonable. It's just that the situation has reached this point. What can you do?"
Zeng Guang couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "Yes, what can I do, what can I do..."
Xia Yuanji said: "In any case, the Zuo Dudu Mansion... this time the money and food have increased significantly. Compared with last year, the money and food have increased several times. It is gratifying. The Ministry of Households still needs to make it known. The King of Shu's governance
Gong cannot be hidden."
Zeng Guang said: "I think... we should wait for the palace's decree."
Xia Yuanji said: "For such an obvious thing, Hubu has to pretend to be deaf and dumb."
"Xia Gong...don't you know that you are already at the forefront of the storm? If such an announcement is made again, how will the world view Gong Xia?"
When Xia Yuanji heard this, his face twitched, and he felt pain inside.
How do people in the world view themselves? The good reputation accumulated over decades is destroyed overnight.
The scary thing is that no matter what I do now, it is wrong. Any behavior that is reasonable will be regarded as flattering the emperor and colluding with the King of Shu and Zhang Anshi.
"But I am the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs." Xia Yuanji suddenly became furious and stood up: "When I am in my position, I always have to plan my own affairs. If I don't dare to do such a thing, I still need to consider how others will view this matter.
In vain, considering the fact that the money and food of the Zuo Dudu Mansion has increased greatly, then... Isn’t this old man a real villain? A gentleman is magnanimous, and a villain has a long relationship, so that’s how it should be done.”
Zeng Guang did not expect that Xia Yuanji would be furious.
There was a time when Xia Yuanji was an idol in many people's minds, and his reputation as a gentleman was as loud as thunder.
For Zeng Guang, the Shangguan in front of him was, to a certain extent, someone he could imitate.
But now, in Zeng Guang's eyes, Xia Yuanji's aura gradually disappeared. This feeling made Zeng Guang feel mixed emotions in his heart, and he couldn't help but feel sad and regretful.
He pondered for a moment: "Yes, I will take care of it now."
Zeng Guang agreed and immediately left the check-in room.
But he turned around and went to the household department to give Shizhong a room.
Although he works in the Household Department, he is actually not affiliated with the Household Department. Although he is called the seventh rank of the Household Department, he actually has great power.
On the other hand, if he feels that the imperial decree is unreasonable, he can even refute it.
In the Ministry of Household Affairs, if there are deficiencies in the department, he can even report them directly.
Liu Zhennan, the general manager of this department, was explaining something to several seventh-rank officials. When he saw Zeng Guang coming, he stood up and said, "Shilang Zeng..."
Zeng Guang smiled, but glanced at those few people.
This all gave Liu Zhennan a wink at the people in charge.
Zeng Guangcai said: "Has Liu Dushi read the money and food booklet of the Zuo Dudu Mansion?"
Liu Zhennan said: "I have seen it."
Liu Zhennan is very young. From the perspective of official position, he is far behind Zeng Guang. However, he also has a bright future in his career, and his duty is to supervise the household department. To a certain extent, he can be on an equal footing with Zeng Guang.
Zeng Guang said: "Xia Butang hopes to issue a document to inform all prefectures and counties to praise the Zuo Dudu Prefecture."
Liu Zhennan only raised his eyebrows and remained silent.
Zeng Guang said: "If such an official document is spread, how will the people in the world regard Mr. Xia? Now Mr. Xia is on the cusp of the storm..."
Liu Zhennan gave Zeng Guang a meaningful look: "What do you want me to do?"
"Refute this official document and just put it on the shelf." Zeng Guang said flatly.
Liu Zhennan shook his head and said: "The political achievements of the Zuo Dudu's Office are real. If it is rejected, what is the reason? And to seal such an official document specifically for this purpose, it is a bit of a fuss."
Zeng Guang said: "In urgent matters, follow authority."
Liu Zhennan said: "In my opinion, this is not necessarily bad."
"Um?"
Liu Zhennan continued: "It's better... just praise him properly."
"What do you mean?"
"Driving the tiger to devour the wolf." Liu Zhennan smiled and bowed his hands to Zeng Guang as a gift: "Mr. Zeng, the achievements of the left and right governor's offices cannot be concealed. Instead of doing this, it is better to pull aside and fight with each other. Now praise the left and right.
What's wrong with the Governor's Mansion?"
Zeng Guang put his hands behind his back and said thoughtfully: "You might as well speak more clearly."
Liu Zhennan lowered his voice: "The King of Shu is a clan member, and clan members are always unfavorable. No one can match him. Success is a clan clan, and failure is a clan clan. If this clan clan is too strong, His Majesty will inevitably become suspicious."
Zeng Guang smiled bitterly: "Can these alone drive a wedge between brothers? Liu Dushi, you will eventually..."
"Don't worry yet." Liu Zhennan said: "There are also left and right governor's offices. It is said that like invades each other. Both the left and right governor's offices will implement new policies. If the Ministry of Household Affairs greatly praises the left governor's office, the King of Shu and Duke Wei... you know
, Mr. Wei Guogong is a small-minded person, and he will retaliate for his anger. But now it seems that the King of Shu is also a man of strong temperament..."
Zeng Guang lowered his head, still speechless, and said after a long time: "The King of Shu and Duke Wei are probably not ignorant people."
"But what about the officials who control the Dudu's Mansion?" Zeng Guang said: "What is related to political achievements and the importance of the court is their future. If they use their own strength to drive away tigers and devour wolves, there will inevitably be resentments, and
Once resentment and rift arise, sooner or later the rift will get bigger and bigger, and eventually it will become irreparable. This kind of thing can only happen once or twice, but as time goes by, it will inevitably lead to enmity."
Zeng Guang raised his head and stared at Liu Zhennan.
Liu Zhennan smiled: "Those officials are quite dedicated in their work. Many of them are just civil servants. Now in order to obtain high positions, they work hard one by one and do anything to achieve political achievements. Such people
…What kind of virtue can there be?”
Zeng Guang said: "I understand..."
He said nothing more, just nodded towards Liu Zhennan and walked away quickly.
…………
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Zhu Zhanji was in Zhu Di's literary building, looking at this and touching that.
He was especially interested in a knife hanging on the wall: "Your Majesty, this knife is very old. Why is it hanging here?"
Zhu Di held the memorial in his arms and looked at it indifferently. He only moved his eyes and said, "This is the sword used by Emperor Taizu Gao during his lifetime."
"Then has he killed anyone?"
After hearing this, Zhu Di put down the memorial, looked up at his grandson, and said, "It doesn't matter whether he kills or not."
"Why?"
"Because you don't necessarily use a knife to kill people, the knife is just a sharp weapon, a tool for killing people. I leave this knife here just to see things and think about people, not to commemorate the bravery of Taizu Emperor Gao."
"Then besides a knife, what else can be used to kill people?"
"This..." Zhu Di said: "Everything in the world can be used to hurt people and kill people, so what matters is not these external objects, but..."
"What is it?" Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhu Di seriously.
Zhu Di said with a smile: "It's the intention to kill. Only when people have the intention to kill will they kill. As for what to use to kill, whether it is with swords, guns, swords and halberds, or other things, it is secondary."
"Then has the emperor ever had murderous intentions?"
"Of course."
"Who does the emperor have murderous intentions for?"
Zhu Di said: "A shameless person!"
After hearing this, Zhu Zhanji looked worried, lowered his head, and sniffed hard: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don't kill my uncle."
Zhu Di: "..."
Seeing that Zhu Zhanji was sad, Zhu Di quickly pulled him to his side, made him kneel down beside him, and touched his head: "You silly boy, why should I kill him?"
"But……"
"Okay, okay, you can meditate here by yourself. I still have a few memorials to read, and...if you like this knife, I will give it to you."
Zhu Di picked up the memorial and read it carefully.
At this time, Yi Shiha came in step by step: "Your Majesty, money and food from various places... have been sent by the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Zhu Di nodded: "Bring it to me and take a look."
Zhu Di only paid attention to three things. One was the Ministry of Personnel, which decided personnel matters, the second was the Ministry of War, and the third was the Ministry of Households' money and food.
Those who came out of Jingnan naturally understand the hardships when money and food are in short supply.
Yi Shiha winked, and several young eunuchs came with a large pile of memorials.
Zhu Zhanji said from the side: "Your Majesty, I will clean it up for you."
"Very good." Zhu Di said happily: "You are really my good grandson."
Immediately, Zhu Zhanji was cleaning up the memorials, while Zhu Di read them one by one.
He is not very satisfied with the money and food provided by most state governments.
In fact, he couldn't see where the dissatisfaction was before.
But after all, with the Taiping Prefecture to compare with, Zhu Di finally understood the real reason for his dissatisfaction. These prefectures were all wimps, wine-sacks and rice-sacks, corpses sitting on plain meals, and bird-people who came out in the sun.
But soon, Zhu Di's eyes were suddenly attracted by a memorial.
Zhu Di suddenly cheered up and looked cheerful.
He no longer looked at each line at a glance, but considered the amount of money and food inside word by word.
Zhu Zhanji saw that Zhu Di had a strange look, so he came over and said: "Left Governor's Mansion..."
"Yes." Zhu Di said: "This is the money and food provided by the King of Shu."
"Your Majesty, why have you been looking at me for so long?"
"Because the King of Shu has exceeded my expectations." Zhu Di smiled and said, "My eleventh brother is really quite capable."
Zhu Zhanji asked: "Did you get a lot of money and food?"
"Exactly." Zhu Di said: "It has increased several times compared to last year. It can be seen that... this new policy really has many benefits. Of course, the King of Shu has also worked hard and made great achievements. He has worked hard over the past year."
Zhu Di raised his head, glanced at it and said, "I heard that the King of Shu was in Suzhou a few days ago and got a little cold."
"My servant has already gone to inquire. They said it's not cold, just a little tired."
Zhu Di said seriously: "This is not a trivial matter. Give me some nourishing food."
Yi Shiha said: "I obey the order."
Zhu Zhanji said at this time: "Your Majesty, your uncle is a prince, so there is no need for nourishing food."
Zhu Di laughed: "You know what a bird is."
But after thinking about it, Zhu Di said seriously: "It's his business whether he lacks it or not. It's my business to give it to him. You have to understand that as an emperor, his words and deeds, or his likes and dislikes, are not just personal matters.
Temperament is so simple, you have to think deeply about it."
Zhu Zhanji said: "Oh, grandson understands, this is for others to see."
Zhu Di said: "Not necessarily. In short, you will understand later."
Zhu Zhanji said: "From then on, I will give my uncle nourishing food every month."
Zhu Di coughed, but then looked at Yi Shiha: "Where is the Right Dudu's Mansion? The nourishing food of You Dudu's Mansion, no, where are the account books of You Dudu's Mansion?"
………………
I recommend a book, "Zhenguan Leisure Son-in-law" by Big Eyed Little Goldfish.
I overslept during the day yesterday and updated too late. Sorry, I feel very sleepy now, woo woo woo.