Domineering Daming

Zhu Xu tapped his fingers on the table slowly, and said calmly: "I know all this, the current problem is that the royal family's annual salary accounts for more than one-third of the imperial court's tax revenue, the imperial court cannot make ends meet, and there are raging criticisms from the court and the public. You have to find a way for me to quell this kind of speech, and don't let the people all over the world regard my Ming clan as a blood-sucking insect attached to the court..."

The three of King Lu frowned. The emperor's words were not pleasant, which also indicated that he wanted to "solve" the problem of the clan's excessive salary, but this method was too terrible, and they dared not and could not accept it.

The three of them kept silent for a long time, they had nothing to say, and they didn't dare to do anything.

Zhu Xu inspected the faces of the three people for a while, then suddenly turned to the British Duke Zhang Weixian, and said, "How many honorable officials are there now? How about the annual salary?"

These are actually under the control of the clan's family, but the British Duke is the leader of these honorable ministers, and he knows some of them. He stood up and raised his body nervously, pondering for a while: "Return to the emperor, the current number of honorable ministers is about 16." , with an annual salary of more than 200 million."

Zhu Xu was a little surprised and said "Well", said: "That is to say, the combined annual salary of the clan, nobles and ministers is already half of the imperial court's tax. If other things are included, it may have exceeded... "

Zhang Weixian's expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank slightly.He had noticed this before, but no one mentioned it. Now that the emperor took the initiative to ask about it, he also realized that the annual salary was too heavy for the imperial court to bear.

"What do you think, is there any way?" Zhu Xu tapped his fingers on the table and asked in a slow tone.

Among the six people, some of their faces were as sinking as water, some were expressionless, and some of them changed their expressions. Everyone had their own thoughts, but none of them spoke.

The identities of the imperial family, nobles and ministers are too special, and they must be restricted. This "restriction" has caused these people not to be officials, to do business, or to have other livelihoods. They can only be wealthy idlers who are confined in the mansion.If this "wealth" is gone, then they will only be left with "leisure" and will be starved to death!

The corners of Zhu Xu's mouth turned up slightly, and immediately he said as usual: "If you don't speak, I will really not be able to pay you your salary in a few years. At that time, no matter how you look for me, it will be no problem. Tell me, Come up with a way, you can't wait until the court is completely out of money and food to find a way."

King Lu and British Duke looked at each other, both of them were frowning, their faces sinking like water.

The imperial family, nobles and nobles have experienced the previous blows, and their vitality has long been severely damaged, and they can no longer stand the toss. If the emperor cuts their salary, it is really difficult for them to continue to live.But according to what the emperor said, it is even more difficult for them to accept demotion!

The eyes of the six people flickered, and their hearts were churning endlessly.

Chapter 836

King Lu, King Jin, King Lu, Duke Ying, Duke Lu, and Duke Ding, all looked solemn and their hearts turned sharply.

The imperial family of Ming Dynasty, honored and honored ministers, has reached hundreds of thousands of people for more than 200 years. Although they have experienced the "confiscation" and "cleaning up" of the imperial court, this number alone is quite large, and the expenditure is even more. The specific gravity is also quite large - astonishing!

If the emperor is worried, it is right to make some changes, but the "relegation" has too much influence, and tens of thousands of people have to rebel.

But the emperor in front of him is not Wanli or Tianqi, and he can listen to the words of the ministers of the foreign court. If he insists on going his own way, they will not be able to stop him at all.

King Lu and the others hesitated for a while, looked at each other again, and finally looked at Zhu Xu, admonishing them: "Your Majesty, this is a big matter. I think you should be cautious and think twice."

Zhu Xu looked at the six people with a gloomy expression, and said, "This is the result of you thinking for a long time? Let me worry about your affairs for you, and you don't care about it yourself? When will you be like the adults in the outer court?" , learn to take credit for yourself, and blame yourself on others?"

King Lu and others could hear clearly that the emperor was angry and bowed slightly.

Zhang Zhiji, who had been silent all this time, suddenly raised his hand, and said: "My Majesty, I believe that the royal family and nobles should support themselves to reduce the pressure on the court."

Zhang Zhiji was originally in charge of the camp in the west of Beijing, and now he is stationed in Miyun. Mangui, who supported Tumubao, also defended the capital. He had just entered Beijing by order not long ago.

Zhu Xu looked at him with encouragement, and said, "Continue."

Zhang Zhiji was also quick-witted. Seeing Zhu Xu asked, he raised his hand and said, "The emperor is going south to recover a large area of ​​land, but there is a lack of people to guard it. I think that the clan and nobles are the most suitable."

In the Ming Dynasty, the imperial clan was kept in captivity, and the nobles and ministers were essentially vigilant against them, fearing that they would threaten the Zhu family's imperial power.

Zhang Zhiji's proposal made Zhu Xu's eyes brighten. If these clans and dignitaries are all sent overseas, they don't have to worry about them growing up, and they can also become the pioneers of colonization. It might be a good thing to kill two birds with one stone. .

Zhu Xu nodded approvingly, and said, "Although the details still need to be worked out, it's a good thing to have an idea."

Zhang Zhiji's face remained motionless, but he was quite excited inside, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Is there any more?" Zhu Xu looked at the others.He has a way, but what he said is different from what these people said.

King Lu came over with some understanding, pondered for a while, and said tentatively: "Your Majesty, now all parts of Daming are reclaiming wasteland. Can the clan participate in it and own a certain amount of land?"

"Okay." Zhu Xu said decisively, he is about to be demoted, are you afraid that you will be a bit weak?

King Jin did not reject this. He used to have tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land and many good shops. Seeing Zhu Xu's expression, his eyes moved slightly and said: "Your Majesty, I think it is possible to set up a royal firm, and the clan's mansion will be responsible for it." , the clan can also participate, and the profits will be given to the clan as annual salary, what does the emperor think?"

"Yes." Zhu Xu still said very directly, this can be regarded as a workaround for the ancestral system.

The British Duke Zhang Weixian frowned and looked up at Zhu Xu. He had already noticed that the emperor was clearly inducing them.

Ever since he handed over his military power, he has been outside the political situation, watching with cold eyes, and has a clear understanding of Zhu Xu's thoughts. It is obvious that the emperor is digging a hole for them. Although he doesn't know what is in the hole, nothing good will happen!

Dingguo Duke Xu Yunzhen had just become a nobleman not long ago, and he was still relatively young. Hearing the words of the two people in front of him, he wanted to express his desire: "Your Majesty, can you engage in other matters?"

Zhu Xu didn't have much impression of this person, so he smiled and said: "Scholars, farmers, businessmen, you have to take your time, you can't let go all at once, you can discuss it." If this is the case, it will completely break the "ancestral system".

Zhang Weixian looked calm and did not participate in the discussion, he was very disturbed.

But how could Zhu Xu let him go? Although this man lost his military power, his influence was not small at all.Zhu Xu looked at him and asked slowly, "My lord, what do you think?"

Zhang Weixian's expression moved slightly, he raised his hand, and said: "I think this matter needs to be discussed in detail by the cabinet and six ministries, and we should not act too hastily, we should implement it slowly."

Old fox!

Zhu Xu slandered, Zhang Weixian didn't say this, thought for a while, and said directly: "That's how it is, what was discussed just now, the clan government will discuss it carefully, and sort out the detailed items for me. About' The matter of condescending to a nobleman, British Duke, you have to do it, you must seriously discuss it, extensively solicit the opinions of princes and noble ministers, and report it to me as soon as possible, and I will let the cabinet discuss it again..."

Having said so much, Zhu Xu just wanted to be deposed and loosen the ties of the clan. It would be too wasteful to keep several 10 people in the house. Whether it is to reclaim wasteland or go to sea for trade, it is a choice.

"I obey the order!" King Lu and the others were quite excited. Anyway, the emperor was a little more tolerant of the clan, and life would not continue to be difficult.

Zhang Weixian raised his head, and took a deep look at Zhu Xu, but he still didn't dodge.

Zhu Xu looked at the backs of the six people and tapped his fingers on the table.

Let the air go first, and give these noble clans a time to adapt. Hundreds of thousands of clans cannot continue to be raised in captivity.Although the impact of demotion will be relatively large, the loosening should be enough to make up for it.

This matter is basically settled, the only difference is the details in the clear text - and no one can resist!

Zhu Xu stared at the empty outside, and said softly to himself: "Donglin, the clan, nobles and nobles are all settled, and the military and political reforms are needed next..."

Bi Ziyan saw that it was true, Zhu Xu was indeed clearing some obstacles and giving Shilin a passable step down.Sort out these "blocked" relationships before next year's big discussion.

These things are basically resolved, and the following is the reform and improvement of the military system and political system.

Cao Huachun watched from the side. No one understood Zhu Xu's mind better than him. After waiting for a while, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Lu will arrive in Beijing tomorrow, and Mr. Cao is estimated to take two days."

Zhu Xu nodded silently, remained silent for a while, and said, "Well, keep an eye on the outside."

At this time, troubles are most likely to occur. He wants to control the situation and complete his established reform plan.

"Yes." Cao Huachun said.

After Zhu Xu said this sentence, he took the notebook on the table in his hand and continued his work.

In the cabinet, Bi Ziyan and Fu Changzong are facing each other and are discussing the financial situation for next year.

Fu Changzong held a small notebook in his hand, and said: "Although the disarmament will be carried out next year, the expenditure will not be reduced for a while. It is estimated that the silver will be more than 2000 million, the immigration expenditure will be more than 700 million, and the support from the Ministry of Industry is estimated to be 400 million. The above, the other five are more than 300 million. Other than that, the expenditure is relatively fragmented. The lower officials have listed the list, and there are all kinds of more than 600 million. Last year's shortfall, next year's shortfall will be more than 2000 million silver, and more than 1000 million shi of grain..."