At this time, the East Palace was surprisingly quiet.
Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but sigh when he looked at the chaos in front of him.
This memorial, which was like a snowflake of mutual criticism, made him inevitably sigh.
When he was young, he was taught by many good teachers, and he always believed that what scholars pursue is the teachings of saints. But as a result, he ended up in a mansion, and the world's elites became such a mess!
They searched their minds and quoted scriptures one by one, just to find reasons for allocating more real estate to themselves.
It really makes people feel ridiculous.
But if you think about it in detail, is it really funny?
Zhu Gaochi is no longer the same Zhu Gaochi as before. Especially after this trip to Henan Province and Guanzhong, he began to think about problems from a completely new perspective.
So I waited for a few days, but it didn't look like it anymore.
The prince finally issued an edict and settled the controversy.
The size of the mansion is still divided according to the high grade, but the first grade is two acres, and the seventh grade is one mu and two acres, which directly minimizes the gap between them.
Once this edict came out, although not everyone might be convinced, it was generally acceptable.
During this period, Zhang Anshi came to the East Palace almost every day.
Zhang Anshi grew up in this East Palace since he was a child, and he is very familiar with every plant and tree here. However, more than twenty years later, after all, it still has a different flavor.
Zhu Gaochi dealt with the memorials in his hands and sometimes discussed them with Zhang Anshi.
However, one of the memorials made Zhu Gaochi frown slightly.
Zhu Gaochi not only had a son, Zhu Zhanji, but his second son, Zhu Zhanquan, was born to his concubine, and his third son, Zhu Zhanyong, was also born to the crown prince's concubine Zhang.
These two sons are also adults, and there are also many other minor sons.
Zhang Anshi had little dealings with Zhu Zhanqun.
However, Zhu Zhanyong, the third son born to his sister, is also a restless master. On weekdays, he even dares to tease his uncle Zhang Anshi. However, he is not the eldest son after all, so he is usually left alone. Zhang Anshi is too lazy to
To discipline.
Now many ministers have submitted reports, hoping that the prince can make plans early and choose fiefdoms for the second son Zhu Zhancui and the third son Zhu Zhanyong.
Obviously, these memorials are by no means groundless. The ministers of the Ming Dynasty were all fine people, and they were all very fine.
Nowadays, the prince has completely taken charge of the country, and has begun to separate houses to win people's hearts. Doesn't this mean that the new emperor is preparing to ascend the throne?
According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, once the new emperor ascends the throne, except for the future prince, it is best for the other princes to be sent to the vassal territory as soon as possible, so as not to stay in the capital and have long nights and dreams.
At the beginning, Zhu Di left the King of Han in the capital, which caused a lot of troubles. Having learned from this experience, it is even more necessary to send people away quickly, out of sight and out of mind.
Moreover, although this is just a mediocre memorial, in fact, it involves taking certain risks, because the old emperor is still there, and naturally he has not yet crowned Zhu Zhancheng and Zhu Zhanyong as kings.
Sun went to the feudal land, what does this mean?
But the bigger the wind and waves, the more expensive the fish. This is a well-known truth.
To a certain extent, such a memorial is actually closer to the future prince Zhu Zhanji. If Zhu Zhanji learns about this matter, he will inevitably favor the people who wrote the memorial and feel that these people are very sensible.
Naturally, these memorials obviously contain elements of opportunism.
From Zhu Gaochi's point of view, naturally there is no urgency in this matter now.
It's just...don't be anxious. Whether it's Zhu Zhancui or Zhu Zhanyong, they are still his sons. It is inevitable that they will be granted fiefdoms in the future. As a father, he must take precautions and choose some good vassal lands for his son.
, how can you not have such selfishness?
So after Zhang Anshi arrived today, Zhu Gaochi handed this memorial to Zhang Anshi.
After he finished reading, Zhu Gaochi said: "An Shi."
"Eh……"
"What do you think of this memorial?"
Zhang Anshi raised his head and said: "Your Majesty is still here, but this memorial is a bit taboo. I think it is more appropriate to leave it at home."
Zhu Gaochi smiled and said: "That's not what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is... the future..."
Zhang Anshi understood Zhu Gaochi's meaning, and said: "Now all the Western vassals have been divided up by the kings. Whether it is Java, Annan, Zhenla, Luzon... and further away, even Tianzhu
Someone has started to get involved, and if we continue to entrust it now, we may have to go further."
After Zhu Gaochi heard this, he thought thoughtfully. He pondered for a long time and said after a long time, "Is there no other good place to go?"
If it were any further away, it might be thousands of miles away. Thinking of this, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but feel distressed.
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Actually, it's not that there are no good places. This place is far away in the horizon but right in front of you."
Zhu Gaochi was stunned and just looked at Zhang Anshi intently.
Zhang Anshidao: "Joseon and Japan..."
After Zhu Gaochi heard this, he frowned and said: "This is the country that Taizu Gao Emperor has never conquered..."
Zhang Anshi said: "There is no talk of conquest. It's just to take some land and teach them to divide it into feudal vassals. It's a big place and can accommodate many princes."
Zhu Gaochi said with doubts: "I'm afraid that the other side won't agree. If the imperial court raises troops because of this, there will be something wrong."
Zhang Anshi thought for a while and said: "Whether you are willing or not, it is not certain. Why don't you just leave it to me and I will take care of it. Anyway, it is still early and there is no rush. The king of Korea and the king of Japan have always been docile.
, I think they will agree."
Zhu Gaochi pondered, and although he hesitated, he still nodded.
Obviously, both Korea and Japan are very close to the Ming Dynasty. If another railway is built in Korea in the future, it will be even closer. And Japan and the Ming Dynasty are across the sea, and they are not far away.
Consider it far.
What's more, the folk customs of these two places mostly use Chinese characters and their customs are similar to those of the Ming Dynasty. This is the same as Annan, so it is indeed a good place to go.
If he could spare some land to build a vassal for his sons, it would be obvious that the days to come would be easier for the Zhu Zhanchuan brothers than for their uncles and uncles.
It's just... Zhu Gaochi is still worried that the other party won't agree. If he doesn't agree, it won't be easy to force him.
However, Zhang Anshi said there was a way. Zhu Gaochi had always known Zhang Anshi's ability. Since he could tell it, let him give it a try first.
After a pause, Zhu Gaochi changed the topic and talked about another matter, saying: "You have to pay more attention to the matter of Yu Linwei. Don't think that His Majesty is now ignoring the government affairs, but he is keeping a close eye on this place."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this is probably the last test for my brother-in-law. In the coming year, my brother-in-law should show your Majesty my brother-in-law's skills, not under the Emperor Taizu Gao and your Majesty..."
…”
"Nonsense." Zhu Gaochi glared at Zhang Anshi and scolded: "How can I compare with Taizu and my father!"
Zhang Anshi said: "As a descendant, I dare not compare with him. This is filial piety. But from the perspective of Taizu Emperor Gao and His Majesty, especially now that His Majesty is old, for him, what he hopes most is
What I saw was that my own children and grandchildren were stronger than him."
Zhang Anshi became less taboo in front of his brother-in-law and said: "So at this time, it is not the time to hide and tuck in. Brother-in-law, it is time to give strong medicine."
Zhu Gaochi took a deep look at Zhang Anshi and then said: "I will take a look at your copy of the charter."
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Send it tomorrow."
Zhu Gaochi immediately said: "Hey, I really didn't expect that in a blink of an eye, my father is getting old, I am not young anymore, and you...are also so old."
Zhang Anshi said: "My brother-in-law is so good, how can he feel such emotion?"
Zhu Gaochi said: "It's just a matter of emotion. An Shi, you were so naughty when you were a child, but now you have become my right-hand man."
Zhang Anshi smiled.
But Zhu Gaochi immediately began to worry again.
Because, as Zhang Anshi said, Zhang Anshi's new regulations contain strong medicine.
In addition to the next step, the construction of railways will continue to increase. In addition, the laying of telegraphs will also start directly. Immediately afterwards, a large number of local officials will be rotated. Either they are sent to feudal towns or
Well, they were recalled to the capital and replaced by a large number of local railway officials.
Training courses for civil servants need to be established in various places. Once the recruited civil servants become the backbone, they will immediately study in the training courses and then be promoted to more important positions.
Those who graduated from the university or retired from the model camp were transferred to various prefectures and counties across the country to serve as civil and military officials.
In places where the New Deal has not yet been implemented, the land of the gentry is required not to exceed one hundred acres per household. If it exceeds, it will be forced to sell it at a low price. Next, there will be a land purge across the country.
Waterways all over the world need to be dredged, and all farmers who have been allocated land need to organize themselves to repair water conservancy.
Agricultural institutes, medical schools, veterinary clinics, water conservancy, land, education and other institutes are set up in each county.
Establish a unified tax agency that goes deep into counties and townships.
Completely abolish military households, no longer recognize Dan civilians, establish a judicial university, and begin to train specialized judges.
A new code of law was compiled, adding civil law and commercial law in addition to business laws.
Fight water bandits and bandits.
Each of these measures was implemented immediately after being announced. It was no longer the way it used to be, half-hidden with a pipa in hand.
Looking at this eloquent charter with a hundred thousand words, Zhu Gaochi obviously treated it with caution. He pondered for a long time, and there were many details in it. He had read it countless times and thought deeply about it for a long time.
But now, when he mentioned the ink pen, he still felt extremely heavy.
They say that to cure troubled times, strong medicine is needed.
But now that the world is at peace, it is not necessary to implement it thoroughly. Even in this situation, it is enough to rule the world.
To a certain extent, there are still many risks in directly administering such strong medicine.
This almost directly breaks many inertias that have existed for thousands of years, completely cutting off many groups that relied on past inertias for their livelihoods.
But after thinking for a moment, Zhu Gaochi finally drew a circle on this charter.
Then he handed it over to the accompanying eunuch and said, "Send it to the Supervisor of Ceremonies."
After the edict was issued, it was immediately distributed to all parts of the country through the Postal Service, and Dibao also began to publish it day after day.
The edict was read out in various ministries.
In response to this edict, there were many decrees distributed to various ministries.
As for the criticism and rumors, Zhu Gaochi ignored them, and he didn't even bother to let Jin Yiwei go find out.
He only issued an order to the factory guards and dispatched Tiqi to prevent unexpected events.
Such changes obviously have unprecedented effects.
At least in the capital city, it was like a meteorite suddenly falling in a pond, causing a thousand waves for a moment.
Within the capital, some people were wailing.
But Zhu Gaochi ignored it.
He even stopped going to see Hanlin and Yushi at all. He only summoned a few academicians and ministers from various ministries to discuss matters. After finalizing a matter, he directly taught them to follow it.
If it wasn't a necessary memorial, he wouldn't bother to read it.
Instead, they issued edicts one after another, which seemed a bit arbitrary.
But even so, there were still many things that came to his ears.
A scholar from Wenyuan Pavilion reported that the prefecture of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, refused to accept the officials assigned by the imperial court. Instead, he led local officials to write in tears, asking the prince to open up his voice... He also ordered the magistrates of the following counties to wait and not to communicate with the imperial court.
Officials were dispatched to deliver county affairs.
Jie Jin announced the time and looked up at Zhu Gaochi.
Zhu Gaochi just put his hands behind his back and walked a few steps. He now looked more and more like Zhu Di, especially when he was thinking, he walked carelessly, frowned slightly, and looked solemn.
Zhu Gaochi finally stood still and said: "This prefect is called Chen Zhong."
"yes."
"I have some impression of him."
Hu Guangdao: "This person is considered a good official and has a good official reputation, but... he is a bit pedantic."
Zhu Gaochi said: "I have also heard of his reputation..."
After a pause, Zhu Gaochi continued: "Order the Jinyi Guards to come and post it, and take the lock."
He spoke lightly.
Several bachelors were startled, and they all looked at each other. They all saw surprise in each other's eyes. Obviously, they did not expect that it would be so serious.
So, Hu Guang reminded: "His Royal Highness, he may be just confused for a moment, he only needs to issue an edict..."
Zhu Gaochi said calmly: "I know the situation in Taiyuan Prefecture. It has been suffering from disasters in the past few years. This person's official reputation is really good. Although the soldiers and civilians are hungry, there are not so many people dying of starvation, at least compared to those at the end of the Yuan Dynasty."
Ten rooms and nine empty rooms are better, and now only seventeen or eight thousand people die of hunger a year, but not to the point of bleeding..."
After a pause, he continued: "That's why he has a good reputation. Many soldiers and civilians praise him as the Qingtian. I'm afraid it's because of this that he dares to do this."
Hu Guang said without confidence: "Yes, yes, this person is indeed... sort of... sort of..."
Zhu Gaochi said: "Can it be regarded as the blue sky?"
"this……"
Zhu Gaochi said: "Thousands of people starve to death every year in Qingtian. The people have no clothes to cover and they have food to eat. In such a situation, the people still praise him. This shows how evil the old system has reached. And to maintain this old system
How cruel people are. The bad things in the world are caused by these so-called "gentlemen". I hope there will be less Qingtian like this and more talented people who govern the world. Now he is resisting the imperial edict and disrespecting him. This is
It is a heinous crime..."
After Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, he smiled coldly and continued expressionlessly: "Not only will Chen Zhong be locked up, but his family will also be locked up. All other prefecture and county officials who obeyed him will not be spared. Issue an imperial edict to punish the crime. The ones I want to punish today are these Qingtians."
Zhu Gaochi's words were not harsh, but had a chilling tone.
So much so that even Xie Jin and others began to feel that His Highness the Crown Prince was becoming increasingly difficult to understand.
The gentle and respectful prince in the past seems to have disappeared.
"Your Highness." Xie Jin frowned, seeming to think that the punishment was a bit harsh, so he said: "I'm afraid that if this happens, the soldiers and civilians of Taiyuan Prefecture..."
However, Zhu Gaochi did not let him continue and interrupted: "What the soldiers and civilians of Taiyuan Prefecture are thinking about today is not what I have to worry about now. What I want to worry about is how to teach this Taiyuan Prefecture. When will the soldiers and civilians be able to fill their bellies and buy one or two new pieces of clothing a year?"
Zhu Gaochi glanced at everyone before continuing: "You guys, don't always use etiquette and justice to satisfy the soldiers and civilians. You might as well think about how to feed them and teach them to clothe them. Ignoring starvation and not paying attention to reality, but just Thinking about the so-called reputation and morality, I would like to know, what is the use of these when everyone is dead?"
When Zhu Gaochi said it, there was an obvious hint of ridicule in his words.
After hearing this, Xie Jin hurriedly said: "I understand."
Zhu Gaochi put away the coldness on his face and then said: "When Chen Zhong is escorted to Beijing, he will be immediately punished for the crime of disrespect and executed. The rest of the people will not be sentenced lightly. If he does this again, he will be followed. This case is dealt with."
"yes."
Zhu Gaochi then said: "Next, anyone who violates the imperial edict or ignores the edict will be severely punished. That's it."
The academicians present were not sure whether they were shocked by Zhu Gaochi's decisiveness today, or whether they agreed with Zhu Gaochi's decision from the bottom of their hearts. They were almost silent at this time.
Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhang Anshi and said, "Zhang Qing seems to have something to say?"
Zhang Anshi said: "Your Highness, what I want to report is not the matter of Taiyuan Mansion, but the impeachment of the Supervisory Censor Wang Wenhongyou..."
When Zhu Gaochi heard about the impeachment, he frowned subconsciously.
He asked: "What to impeach and who to impeach?"
Zhang Anshi said: "Impeach Ying Tianfu..."
Zhu Gaochi said: "What happened to Yingtian Mansion?"
Zhang Anshi said casually: "As for the construction of the city gate, the construction of the city gate will greatly benefit the expansion of the capital, especially the Yulin Guard in the west of the city. A large number of craftsmen and laborers need to come in and out every day. As a result... Ying Tianfu turned a blind eye to this. , until now, we haven’t come up with a charter for opening the city gate!”
After a pause, Zhang Anshi continued plausibly: "Being so perfunctory and ignoring the people's livelihood is really a crime worthy of death. Therefore, this Wang Yushi hopes that the imperial court will issue a warning to Ying Tianfu and make improvements immediately. He has visited several sections near Yulinwei. For the city wall, we also put forward some suggestions for the new city gate... Please take a look at it."