Zhu Di pondered for a while and finally said: "In that case, as you said, money and food are a big deal. What is at stake is the country, the country, and the foundation of our Ming Dynasty."
He took the word "inheritance" seriously.
Zhu Di is not that kind of second-generation ancestor. He is an emperor who truly conquers the world. He knows better than anyone else that money and food are the most important thing in the world.
"Now, since rumors are spreading all over the world, it would be better to check out the situation of the Zhejiang Chief Envoy and the Taiping Mansion." Zhu Di continued: "Every minister has asked for help. They want to take on this important task, and they have
Why not? Then Yang Qing will be the leader, followed by Hu Qing and Xia Qing, to lead the household department to clear the accounts."
After Zhu Di finished speaking, he waved his hand and said, "That's it."
All the ministers were speechless and all bowed and left.
The next day, the newly published article in the Di newspaper became the emperor's order for the cabinet scholars Yang Rong and Hu Guang to join forces with Xia Yuanjiren, the minister of household affairs, and others to conduct a thorough investigation of the accounts.
Suddenly, there was an uproar again.
This incident was already very controversial, but the Zhejiang Chief Envoy gave many people hope.
To a certain extent, this was a reform movement by the Zhejiang Chief Executive under the pressure of the New Deal.
And the effect is good, which is very encouraging and inspiring.
The medicine of the New Deal is too strong.
The disease was so severe that no one could bear it, but no one could hide the condition. Therefore, sugar-coated medicines like Zhejiang Chief Minister's Office became the life-saving straw for many people.
At this time, Zhang Anshi suddenly criticized the Zhejiang Chief Envoy, which naturally aroused the dissatisfaction of many people.
It would be a good idea to investigate thoroughly now.
At least justice should be done to the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang Province.
So the next day, Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs, together with the great scholar Yang Rong, rushed to the Zhejiang Chief Envoy Office overnight.
Hu Guangze was responsible for contacting Taiping Mansion.
The reason why we mainly go to Zhejiang is because the accounts in Zhejiang are the first to be released, while the detailed accounts in Taiping Mansion have not yet been released.
Furthermore, some people were eager to clarify the accounts of the Zhejiang Chief Envoy. Under such circumstances, Yang Rong and Xia Yuanji were so fast that they summoned Jiang Xiu immediately after arriving in Hangzhou.
Jiang Xiu was in Hangzhou. He had already heard about the situation of the imperial court and was well prepared. He was waiting here and asked people to clean up in advance. When Yang Rong and Xia Yuanji arrived, he immediately assisted in person and presented all the accounts. He also respectfully invited the two
People go to the treasury to check one by one.
Hangzhou is a land of plenty, and Yang Rong and Xia Yuanji don't dare to neglect it. After all, they have official orders, so they naturally don't dare to just take a look at it.
After careful inspection, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"There is no problem. Every account is clear. The money and food have indeed increased significantly." Xia Yuanji looked at Yang Rong and said: "Mr. Yang, do you think there is any doubt?"
Yang Rong shook his head and said: "When I came here this time, I went through all the treasuries and accounts, and I can say that they are blameless."
"That's good." Xia Yuanji said: "Then, does Yang Gong agree that His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County's attack on Zhejiang Chief Envoy actually has... ulterior motives?"
Yang Rongdao: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wuhu County has made false accusations, and indeed he has wronged the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang Province."
Xia Yuanji looked at Yang Rong closely and said: "Then I want to sign my name to impeach Wuhu County Prince Zhang Anshi. Is Mr. Yang willing to sign his name together?"
Yang Rong thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you go back to the capital first and check the Taiping Mansion before making a final conclusion?"
"That's fine."
The two came and went like the wind.
Before leaving, Zhejiang Chief Minister Jiang Xiu and the local gentry in Hangzhou came to see him off one after another.
On this day, it was drizzling in the sky. In the drizzle, there were hundreds of people rushing to come.
Jiang Xiu, Yang Rong, and Xia Yuanji met Li.
Xia Yuanji wanted to say a few words of encouragement and comfort.
Then I saw someone sobbing behind Jiang Xiu.
He looked up and saw many local sages, all wiping away tears, like resentful women.
Xia Yuanji knew that these people seemed to be suffering, and he also knew... This was really forced to the point where there was no other way, so that now he had to come up with money and food, and that's why today the Zhejiang Chief Envoy's money and food increased by five
into the above situation.
At that moment, he sighed for a while and said to Jiang Xiu: "Just live your life and use it to the best of your ability."
He didn't say anything more and returned to the sedan chair.
Jiang Xiu then bowed down, looking sad, choked and speechless.
Xia Yuanji pursed his lips tightly, he was touched by such a scene.
He is a scholar and comes from a gentry family. He knows the shortcomings of these people, but he can also empathize with their difficulties.
This time, after having contributed so much money and food, he was criticized by Zhang Anshi. This kind of surprise, fear, and resentment were mixed together. How could anyone not feel this close to his own skin?
Immediately, the two of them returned to Beijing without stopping.
After arriving in the capital, they encountered trouble.
In Taiping Mansion, Hu Guang cursed every day.
When Hu Guang arrived at Taiping Mansion, Zhang Anshi also greeted him personally, and then... pointed to several warehouses. When the warehouse was opened, they were all filled with account books, layer upon layer, piled up like a mountain. Hu Guang was asked to clean them slowly.
.
This is obviously making things difficult for others.
It's intentional.
Hu Guang was worried about the general ledger given directly by Zhang Anshi, and he was also afraid that someone else would take it out of his hands, so he wanted to handle everything in detail.
But as it turned out, these account books were enough to make him and the household clerks he brought with him feel on pins and needles.
He had no choice but to check bit by bit, but the speed was much slower than that of Yang Rong and the others.
Yang and Rong returned to Beijing to reply and explained the amount of money and food to the Zhejiang Chief Envoy. The general meaning was that the accounts were clear and clear at a glance, and there were no false reports.
This time, the people of the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang Province were indeed not apportioned, and the amount paid this year was roughly the same as in previous years.
So the increase in taxes is indeed the result of hidden fields and some miscellaneous taxes that should have been paid now being paid.
At this moment, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Ever since.
Chao Zhong was boiling.
It can be said that the gongs and drums are noisy and lively.
Many people make a fuss about this.
Some people criticized Zhang Anshi for slandering the minister.
Some people ridiculed Zhang An for his jealousy.
But in Taiping Mansion, Hu Guang, who locked himself up and checked the account books, began to feel that something was getting more and more wrong.
This account... the more you calculate it, the more it gets, and it gets more and more!
Not only that, new accounts appear at any time.
He kept accumulating numbers, and this number... began to slowly exceed his cognitive scope.
So much so that Liu Tang, the head of the Household Department who came with him, also became suspicious.
Liu Tang finally couldn't help but said: "Mr. Hu...this...this is wrong."
Hu Guang looked a little bad and said: "Continue to liquidate, don't worry about it! Also, all accounts must be checked at the same time in the treasury to ensure that the accounts and the money in the treasury are consistent."
"But...but..." Liu Tang said with a bitter face: "But now it is already 32.5 million taels, but there are still a lot of accounts behind. I'm afraid this number alone is just...
Than..."
Hu Guang's face twitched and he glared at Liu Tang: "Over there in the treasury, check it out. Are there any problems?"
"There is no problem, everything is correct." Liu Tang said: "But if we continue to check..."
At this point, he lowered his voice: "Maybe... I need..."
"What do you want?" Hu Guang's eyes widened even more.
Hu Guang said with a depressed face: "Maybe... we are not here to check the accounts, but rather to show our merits to the Taiping Mansion."
Hu Guang's face twitched again, and he opened his mouth to say something to liven up the atmosphere, but his heart was heavy and the atmosphere was like death.
After a long while, he said with a stiff face: "When I come here with orders, I will check the accounts clearly. Hey, you should work harder."
"Yes, yes." Liu Tang said: "Mr. Hu, tell me... this number... will it... will it..."
"Oh, please stop talking." Hu Guang became anxious and scolded: "Do your own thing."
"Yes, yes, yes." Liu Tang did not dare to say any more and went to work obediently.
The number of accounts was too large, and they did not believe Zhang Anshi's fool's version of the report numbers, and would rather clean out all the original account books one by one.
Therefore, after more than a month of chaos and chaos, this settlement of accounts has barely come to an end.
I was just busy investigating, but I didn't know that there was already a serious commotion in the court.
The summer taxes of other chief envoys have also been settled one after another, and more or less, there has been an increase. The lowest one has also increased the amount of money and food by 20%.
Now both inside and outside the court, people were feeling proud and proud, as if they had let out a breath of bad breath.
Every day during the memorial, some people praised the achievements of Zhejiang Chief Envoy.
Obviously, the more Zhang Anshi criticizes something, the more people rush to praise it.
So, in Qixia, in the capital, and in many places, because of the emergence of the Di newspaper, a new profession appeared on the streets... newspaper readers.
After all, in this era, there are still many people who are illiterate, but when people have free time, they are inevitably bored.
This newspaper has also become an important channel for receiving information to some extent.
In Qixia, Zhang Anshi set a precedent and hired some people to read newspapers in various places in Taiping Prefecture. Those who read the newspapers were given some rice and meat every month to supplement their family income.
So slowly, under the influence of Taiping Mansion, a large number of such people appeared in the capital.
People listened to the newspapers and heard that they were full of news praising Jiang Xiu. One day they praised him for his graceful sleeves, and the next day they praised him for his outstanding achievements.
As for his official status as Prince's Young Master and becoming the number one chief envoy in the world, it is even more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
In Wenyuan Pavilion, the court meeting at the end of this month is about to begin.
Yang Rong and Jin Youzi were preparing to go to Chongwen Hall when they were waiting for the latest news from Di.
They have now developed the habit of reading the newspaper, and they feel uncomfortable without reading it for a day.
After reading it, Jin Youzi smiled and said: "Now this Jiang Buzheng is really in the limelight! Who would have expected that His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County would criticize him and actually make him famous. Look, today's newspaper
In it, there are articles praising him for taking away the king's worries and bringing peace to the people, and even said that this mere prince and young master are underachieving."
Yang Rong smiled and said: "Jin Gong is so envious. Could it be that he also hopes that boy Zhang Anshi will write an article to scold you?"
Instead of being angry, Jin Youzi said: "It seems that I am not so lucky. If His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County is really willing to scold him, I would be very happy."
Yang Rong laughed loudly, but suddenly took a deep look at Jin Youzi and said, "Mr. Jin, I understand this in a different way."
Jin Youzi raised his eyes and said, "I would like to hear the details."
Yang Rongdao: "Jin Gong, this Di newspaper was printed in Qixia. It can be said that it is closely related to Zhang Anshi. Although all articles need to be checked by the general affairs department in the palace, don't you think that this Di newspaper
There are articles praising Jiang Xiu every day, isn't it a little abnormal?"
"Logically speaking, Zhang Anshi also has some say. Even if some official articles of the imperial court have to be published, isn't it unusual to publish so many articles every day?"
Jin Youzi is such a smart person, he suddenly understood something.
He suddenly glanced at Yang Rong meaningfully: "Then what Mr. Yang means is..."
Yang Rong smiled and said: "Over the years, I have figured out one thing, and that is...those who want to take advantage of Zhang Anshi, apart from Your Majesty, no one in the whole world can really get any benefit from him.
Yes. Let’s go to court.”
Jin Youzi's face was stunned, but he immediately understood something. He shook his head and said: "Hey... Mr. Hu's account should be settled."
While talking, Jin Youzi hurriedly caught up with Yang Rong. The two of them entered the court without saying anything more.
At this time, in the Chongwen Hall, Zhu Di had ascended to his throne and was sitting steadily.
All the officials gathered and saluted together.
Zhu Di said: "Pingshen."
His eyes wandered around and he said slowly: "Hu Qing hasn't replied to the order yet?"
Yang Rong came out and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Hu has been ordered to inspect the Taiping Mansion. He has not returned so far. He is vacant today."
Zhu Di nodded, then, his eyes fell on Zhang Anshi and said: "Zhang Qing, can you read the newspaper?"
Zhang Anshi stood up at this time. In full view of everyone, Zhang Anshi said: "I have seen it."
Zhu Di said: "Commander Jiang, you have indeed wronged him."
"Yes." Zhang Anshi said calmly: "I use the heart of a villain to save the heart of a gentleman. I never expected that Ambassador Jiang not only had outstanding political achievements, but also had a breeze. Such a person can be called me.
The first chief envoy of the Ming Dynasty. This time, he was able to increase the amount of money and food by a full 40 to 50%, which is a great achievement that has never been achieved in ancient times. I... am willing to be inferior and feel ashamed."
Zhu Di: "..."
He felt that Zhang Anshi was a little different today.
This seems to be a bit exaggerated, right?
All the officials also looked at Zhang Anshi with strange eyes.
Originally, everyone wanted to use the reason Zhang Anshi criticized Jiang Xiu to severely humiliate Zhang Anshi.
But who knew this guy was shameless, turned around, and started bragging about Jiang Xiu too.
As a result, the original rhetoric seemed to have lost its purpose.
Everything I was ready to say was stuck in my throat, which made the ministers feel very uncomfortable!
I saw Zhang Anshi saying again: "I have heard from many people that Jiang Xiu has achieved such great achievements. Even if he is appointed as the crown prince's young master, he will not be able to do it. It is appropriate for such a person to be a minister, or even become a minister."
It is indeed a great blessing for the world that our Ming Dynasty has such a pillar of talent."
Zhu Di coughed and wanted to say, it shouldn't be so good.
But then Zhang Anshi said: "If everyone follows Jiang Xiu's example, without harming the people and increasing taxes by 40 to 50%, our Ming Dynasty will surely create the greatest achievements in the world. Even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors will be nothing."
.”
Zhu Di became more and more speechless, and couldn't help but said: "Okay, okay, you and he are officials in the same court, and both of you have contributed."
"Your Majesty." Zhang Anshi said seriously and sincerely: "Everything I said came from my heart, and it was the words of hundreds of officials and people. If your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can ask the officials if they and I are like this.
heart of."
All the ministers were surprised, but they all had to nod subconsciously.
Zhu Di could only say: "Well..."
Zhang Anshi continued: "I thought... such a person must be heavily rewarded. No amount of reward is too much..."
All the officials were really worried now, and they all looked at Zhang Anshi with strange eyes.
Although I feel that Zhang Anshi has spoken out everyone's feelings, there is always a... It seems that there is a feeling that people are not at ease everywhere.
Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty..."
The word Zhang Anshi has a long sound, just like killing a pig.
All the ministers were so frightened that they jumped up and their hearts thumped.
Zhu Di: "..."
Fortunately, at this time, someone broke Zhang Anshi's long voice.
However, a eunuch hurriedly entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, Hu Guang, the great scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, is here to see you."
This voice seemed to wake everyone up at once, and all the ministers breathed a sigh of relief silently.
Finally... Zhang Anshi can stop.
Especially Zhu Di. Zhu Di immediately said: "Quickly, please invite Hu Qing to see you. Haha, if you really say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be here."
Zhu Di's voice is as loud as a bell.
Hu Guang, who had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, heard the word Cao Cao. His heart skipped a beat and he rushed to enter the palace.
Zhu Di waited for Hu Guang to salute, and then said: "Hu Qing, why are you so negligent in checking the Taiping Mansion's accounts? More than a month has passed, and you are just now replying to the order?"
Hu Guang was extremely embarrassed. In fact, what Zhu Di meant was, I asked you to investigate Taiping Mansion, and you still investigated it in such detail. How come... Do you have to find something in Taiping Mansion? Do you want to find fault with it?
Hu Guang was really helpless and could only say: "There are too many accounts. I... I... it's really... really... I have no skills at all. Fortunately... I am lucky to have fulfilled my mission."
Zhu Di did not hesitate and went straight to the topic: "How is it? What are the results so far?"
No one noticed that Hu Guang's face was a little stiff. He tried his best to say in a calm voice: "There is no problem with the number, everything is fine."
Zhu Di was a little strange. He glanced at Zhang Anshi and didn't expect that Zhang Anshi was really well-behaved!
Zhu Di then asked again: "How much is the number?"
"Chen... Chen..." Hu Guang felt a little uncomfortable in his throat. He didn't want to say it, but he had to say it, so he had to bite the bullet and said word for word: "The total amount of silver tax and customs duties in Taiping Prefecture this year...
There are... there are... 59,437,000 taels of silver..."
As soon as these words came out, it was like a thunder, and the whole hall was immediately stunned into silence.
Many people thought they heard wrongly.
Zhu Di felt dizzy, as if his head had been hit hard by Hu Guang.
He blinked hard, as if this was the only way to get rid of the dizziness.