If Chongzhen used a tone of firm approval in his imperial approval, although the southern ministers would use various methods to resist, they would have to be wary.
Moreover, if his attitude was firm, most of the southern ministers and northern ministers from humble backgrounds would support him. But he used a very active tone to submit it to the cabinet and the ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs for "detailed discussion". It turned out that he could
People who supported him did not dare to come forward to support him. A few days later, the cabinet and household ministers reiterated that Li Jing's suggestion must not be adopted. If it is adopted, it will not only fail to work, but will also cause riots in urban and rural areas in Jiangnan.
They also threatened him that most of the wealth now depends on Jiangnan. If Jiangnan is in chaos, the overall situation will be uncontrollable. These ministers were afraid that their reply was not strong enough, and they were also afraid that someone else would come out to support Li Jing, so they instigated several scientists
, Taoist officials jointly signed a book, lashing out at Li Jing.
"Li Jing studied at Imperial College and did not become an official. He made arrogant comments on the affairs of the imperial court in order to attract favors and fame. Seeing that Jiangnan was still a quiet land for the emperor, he was unwilling to accept it, so he proposed the theory of signing up for a wealthy right to lose his salary.
, if you want to practice the method of confiscating the property with your hands, you can use the method of confiscating the property with your hands - asking the owners to self-report their property for tax purposes, which is called "hand-reply". If the report is untrue, the property will be confiscated. This method first appeared in the Tang Dynasty, and also in the Song Dynasty.
It has been implemented...This is a chaotic government in a declining world, but you dare to show it before a saint. The villain is unscrupulous, and this is the end!"
After reading these sentences, Chongzhen shook his head gently, snorted from his nostrils, and unconsciously cursed in a low voice: "Such a foul-mouthed crow!"
Obviously, he looked down on these officials and disagreed with them when they said that Li Jing's suggestions were useless. After a pause, he continued to read the following paragraph:
"What Li Jing did to the rich was just to annex the small people. He didn't know that there were rich families in the counties and cities, and they were also the source of food and clothing for the poor. If he blamed the rich because of the military shortage, he would be punished for losing more, and if he disobeyed
Without his nationality, the Qin Shihuang could not do Ba Qing - that is, the Ba Qing widow. When the Qin Shi Huang was a wealthy widow, she was from Ba, and her name was Qing. The Han Wu Emperor could not do the divination. In the Western Han Dynasty, people got rich by running sheep herding.
As soon as this idea is proposed, the desperate scoundrels will join in and make trouble for the rich family, and the chaos will begin from then on. I beg Your Majesty to chop off Li Jing's head because he is a villain who is using his name to harm the country!"
After reading this fiercely worded memorial, Chongzhen was disappointed with their firm opposition to Li Jing's suggestion, but he admired the sentence "I don't know that there are rich families in the counties, but they are also the source of food and clothing for the poor."
He nodded and said to himself: "Yes, how can the poor live without the rich? Who will give them the land to plant?"
He stood up from the imperial court and walked around the Nuan Pavilion, thinking about what to do. After a while, he decided to leave the memorial in his memory and ignore it. Regarding Li Jing's suggestion, he fell into deep depression.
: On the one hand, he believes that this suggestion is indeed an emergency solution at the moment, but on the other hand, he is afraid that it will cause commotion everywhere in Jiangnan, just like what these officials say, "Desperate scoundrels join forces and make things difficult for the rich." Rich families
He is the backbone of the country, so how can he allow the unemployed to get into trouble with the big families? He decided not to consider Li Jing's suggestion, but to reconsider asking the royal relatives for help. He thought that even if other methods were feasible, they would be a long way off.
Unable to quench his thirst, the only thing he could do was to live "under the chariot hub" with the royal relatives. If he asked for money, it would be done immediately. But this was a big thing. He still hesitated, so he said to the eunuch waiting outside the curtain.
:
"Call Xue Guoguan, come Cheng Guoxiang!"
There were seven assistant ministers in the cabinet at that time. Chongzhen summoned Xue Guoguan and Cheng Guoxiang alone because Xue was the first assistant and Cheng was the second assistant. In addition, he had another consideration. Xue Guoguan was from Hancheng, Shaanxi and did not have many connections with big families in the south of the Yangtze River. Cheng Guoxiang Although they were from Shangyuan in the south of the Yangtze River, they were relatively poor. When the imperial court objected to borrowing military salary from the big families in the south of the Yangtze River, he was the only two people who refused to speak and attracted his attention. He hoped that they would express their gratitude to the emperor's relatives for help. Sponsor and make up his mind for him. The place where he summoned these two ministers today is in Hongde Hall, which is a side hall of Qianqing Palace. It is to the west of the main hall of Qianqing Palace, sitting north to south. The reason why he is not in Nuange, the main hall of Qianqing Palace. He summoned them here because he was upset when he saw the many documents piled up on the imperial desk where he worked every day. Before they could enter the palace, he ran out of the main hall of Qianqing Palace and came to Hongde Hall, where he sat silently on the Panlong Throne in the middle. Go up, lower your head and wonder.
After a while, Xue Guoguan and Cheng Guoxiang came in a hurry. They didn't know what important matter the emperor suddenly summoned them for, and they were in a state of confusion. When kneeling to the emperor, Xue Guoguan mistakenly stepped on the corner of his python robe and almost fell. Cheng Guoxiang's calves were trembling slightly, and he felt a little difficult to breathe. After being seated, Chongzhen sighed, walked around and said:
"I summoned the gentlemen, for no other reason than because of the recurring disasters, which have made it difficult for me to sleep and eat well. The severe storm and haze the day before yesterday was rare in many years. If God is such a warning, how can gentlemen teach me?"
Xue Guoguan stood up and said: "The principle of the Five Elements is quite subtle. The emperor works hard in the morning and evening, respects the heaven and the ancestors, and learns from the gods. The old saying goes: 'Do your best to obey the destiny.' The emperor is diligent and diligent, and the ministers perform their duties, that is, they have done their best. It is not difficult to restore Tianxin in human affairs. I hope Your Majesty will be lenient and cherish the Holy Sacrament."
Chongzhen said: "It has been thirteen years since I ascended to the throne. There has not been a day when I have not been cautious and fearful. I have gotten up early and gone to bed late. I always want to get things done. However, the situation is getting worse and worse, and disasters are becoming more and more frequent. God has no intention of turning back." Xiang, the national destiny is worried about the majestic barbarians. According to the theory of the disaster of heavy wind and haze, it was not only seen in the capital area, but also in the area of Daming Prefecture and Junxian County half a month ago. According to the report of the Minister Han Wenquan: On the 21st of last month, Daming Prefecture and Junxian County In other places, at first there was a black and yellow cloud in the northeast, and then it split into two directions: west and south. It spread all over in an instant, strong winds uprooted trees, and the day seemed to be dark. There were faint blue and white gas and red light in the yellow dust, which opened and closed. Hey. How can you not worry about the situation like this?"
Xue Guoguan then comforted him and said: "Although disasters have occurred repeatedly, thanks to the emperor's power, the bandits have been quite successful. Now after the battle at Manao Mountain, the thieves have fled to Xinggui Mountain, and there are not many left. It is the so-called 'fish swimming under the cauldron'" , it will be clarified one day. It shows that the heart of heaven is in chaos, and whether the destiny of the country is about to be prosperous. I hope that your majesty will comfort your holy heart and wait for the news."
Chongzhen smiled bitterly and said: "Yang Sichang has commanded well and has won consecutive victories. I am not happy about it. But Li Zicheng is still trapped in Shangluo Mountain. The thieves from the Revolution and the Left jumped to the east of Huguang, southern Henan, and western Anhui, and in Shandong, Bandits are rising everywhere in Henan and Hebei. The small ones occupy mountain strongholds, and the big ones are connected to counties across the state. How can I not be worried about a situation like this? In addition to the natural disasters in recent years, the heavy conquests, the people are dead and displaced, and people are confused. The current situation is called I worry day and night and have trouble sleeping and eating, but all the officials in the court are still worried. They can't share my worries on my behalf. One word of raising money makes everyone dumb, which is a huge disappointment to my daily expectations!"
Xue Guoguan understood that the emperor wanted to consult his opinion on the issue of salary. He lowered his head and remained silent, waiting for the emperor to speak out, so as not to cause trouble to him if it happened again in the future. Chongzhen saw his chief minister bowing his head and saying nothing.
, winked at the eunuchs on the left and right, and whispered:
"Currently, the military is in urgent need, and we cannot afford to be without pay for a day. The national treasury is in emptiness, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture - the Ministry of Household Affairs - has no plan. As my minister, do you have any good ideas?"
Xue Guoguan knelt down and said: "I have been discussing with Si Nong for days, but I have not yet come up with a practical solution. As the chief minister, I am the chief minister. At a time when the people are exhausted and their wealth is exhausted, I am wandering around in the middle of the night, unable to come up with a good plan for payment. It is really a crime worthy of death."
"
"Sir, get up."
After Xue Guoguan kowtowed, Chongzhen did not want to talk in circles with Xue Guoguan anymore, and asked straight to the point: "I want to honor the Qi Wan of the capital, honor the old Qi Wan, honor the old - Qi Wan and Qi Li have the same meaning, that is, the relatives of the emperor and the country.
"Xun" used to refer to a family that was awarded a hereditary title due to their ancestors' great achievements. What do you think of the help of the Jin gentry to save the current crisis?"
Xue Guoguan guessed in advance that the emperor would come up with this strategy. He also somewhat agreed with it in his heart, but he understood that the matter was of great importance and might lead to trouble later. He replied timidly:
"Qi Wan, Xun Ji, retired with the country, is not comparable to the family of ordinary officials. Let me think about it carefully. There are ministers who have been in the court for a long time. Please be aware of Qi Wan, Xun Ji's situation, and hope that the emperor will inquire about it."
Chongzhen understood what he meant, turned to Cheng Guoxiang and asked: "Mr. Cheng is a veteran of the court and has been in Beijing for a long time. What do you think?"
Cheng Guoxiang served as a public official in the early years of Chongzhen, and he was very thoughtful and made great achievements. He was famous for his daring speeches. Later, he saw that Chongzhen was suspicious and willful, and the courtiers were strife with each other. There were more and more ministers and ministers being convicted, so he was often afraid.
Incurring unexpected disasters, he remained silent and non-committal when things happened, or after waiting for his colleagues to make a decision, he just agreed, nodded and said: "Okay, okay." As time went by, it gradually became a habit. Because he did not make any opinions when things happened, had no power, and was aloof.
In addition to the sectarian struggle in the late Ming Dynasty, courtiers from all factions wanted him to stay in the cabinet to play a buffering role. Moreover, because he was older and more senior, he ranked only behind Xue Guoguan among the ministers.
Because the word "good, good" has become his mantra, his colleagues nicknamed him "Hao Hao Ge Lao". Before entering the palace just now, a cabinet secretary knelt in front of him and saluted, crying and saying that he would pick up his family
It was urgently reported that his mother had died of illness, and he was urged to go home at night. Cheng Guoxiang did not finish listening, and kept saying "Okay, okay". Then he realized that the Secretary of the Cabinet was asking for leave from him to attend a funeral and return home, and he said "Okay, okay"
, approved the word "Zhaozhun" on the handbook. At this moment, when the emperor asked, he instinctively warned himself: "I can't say it, but I can't say it!" Unconsciously, he broke out in sweat and lowered his head deeply. Chongzhen
After waiting for a while, unable to wait for his answer, he asked again:
"Would you rather ask Qi Wan for help or ask the wealthy gentry family in the capital for help? If you ask Qi Wan for help first, which family should you ask to set an example?"
Cheng Guoxiang knelt on the ground and said timidly: "Okay, okay."
Chongzhen asked: "What? Is it okay with you?"
"well."
“Who should I ask for help first?”
"Okay, okay." Cheng's voice was very low, as if he said it in his throat.
"What? What's good, good?"
"well."
Chongzhen was furious, slapped the imperial case, and sternly rebuked: "I am a high-ranking minister. When something happens, you are so confused. You only say 'good, good' without any explanation. It is a great burden for me to rely on you! The minister is like a corpse in this position."
, The political situation is not bad! I should have questioned you, but I think you have not made any serious mistakes on weekdays, so I will only remove you from my post and never re-employ you... Go down!"
Xue Guoguan saw that Chongzhen was furious and did not dare to plead for his colleagues. He also wanted to expel Cheng Guoxiang from the cabinet and replace him with someone who could help him in trouble, so he just kept silent. Cheng Guoxiang was so frightened that he trembled all over, kowtowed and thanked him, and staggered out. Return to
At home, his old disciples came to ask questions and said some words of comfort. Guoxiang did not dare to reveal a word of what the emperor said in Hongde Hall. When he mentioned the punishment of demotion, he only said "good, good". He was presented to the emperor that night.
When he was given the letter of dismissal, he kowtowed to the mountain and shouted long live. He quickly wrote a letter of thanks, copied it and handed it in personally. However, after sending the letter of thanks, he suddenly suspected that he had written a word in the wrong stroke, and day and night he was afraid that Chongzhen would find out.
This typo would give him a heavy responsibility, which would lead to restlessness, fear and suspicion, and his death soon after.
However, after Cheng Guoxiang withdrew from Hongde Hall, Chongzhen asked Xue Guo if he had recovered from his meditation. The state official saw that Chongzhen was very anxious and there was no one around him, so he quickly whispered:
"The method of borrowing is very good. If Qi Wan and Xun Jiu advocate and set an example, the Jin gentry in Beijing will naturally follow suit and provide money."
Chongzhen sighed and said: "This is a last resort, but I'm afraid there will be obstacles in its implementation."
Xue Guoguan bowed and echoed: "On the outside, the gentry is advocated by the ministers and ministers; on the inside, the Qi Wan, honoring the old, must be your Majesty's arbitrary decision."
"Look, who among Qi Wan can be an advocate?"
"Qi Wan is not comparable to a foreign minister, and a minister is not as clear-minded as the emperor."
Chongzhen asked again: "How about Wu Qinghou Li Guorui?"
"Wu Qinghou is relatively rich among Qi Wan, so it is best for him to advocate."
"Is there any other family similar to him?"
Xue Guoguan knew clearly that both Tian Fei and Zhou Hou's natal family were relatively wealthy, but he did not dare to tell them. He was because Wu Qinghou and the current emperor were relatives separated by two generations, and he heard that Chongzhen had done something for him when he was in Xinwang Mansion.
He was dissatisfied with Marquis Wu Qing and had always had a grudge in his heart, so he made up his mind not to reveal any royal relatives except Marquis Wu Qing's family.
"I don't know anyone else," Xue Guoguan said. "Just looking at the home pavilion of Marquis Wuqing, we know that he is very wealthy. His family originally had a garden, which was quite good at the scenery of forests and springs. Recently, a larger one was built outside the south city.
The water of the Sanli River flows into the garden. It is really a Qinghua garden. Entering the garden is like being in a resort in the south of the Yangtze River. This new garden has been under construction for several years and is still under construction. Some people say that he has hundreds of thousands of assets. Then
I'm afraid it refers to the property in the early years. If his family's Zhuangzi is scattered throughout Jifu today, and the business in Tianjin and Jiangnan is included, it must be far more than this."
Chongzhen said bitterly: "I didn't expect that I was scrimping on food and clothing and didn't dare to spend a single penny, but these relatives of the emperor would spend so much regardless of the country's difficulties!" After a moment, he said again: "Li Guorui is my cousin. If not today.
The treasury is in ruins, and I have no choice but to do it, and I can’t bear to force him to take out the money.”
"Which of the Qi Wan families is not closely related to the emperor? There must be one family who advocates it."
"What you are saying is that there must be a family to advocate for it. I have heard for a long time that when the ancestor of the gods was young, the Queen Mother Xiaoding took out a lot of money. Today, I have no choice but to let his family lose some money. After the world is at peace, I will pay him back. However,
It’s up to me to do this, and don’t make it public for now.”