Fenghou

Zhou Kuan laughed, "So I want to ride in a carriage with Xu Xiangguo. Xu Xiangguo confused the emperor's private treasury with the inner treasury. Our inner treasury and Lin'an's inner treasury are not the same thing."

Xu Xiantu's old face turned hot, and he said apologetically, "Please advise Zhou Xiangguo!"

"The emperor's internal treasury was originally called the government treasury. Together with the temple treasury of our internal affairs hall, they were both called the national treasury. Why should we divide the emperor's treasury and the imperial treasury? This is because the financial rights of the two sides are different. Like many normal expenses, non-wartime Military salaries, official salaries, court and local government funds, as well as imperial palace expenses, education expenses, expenses for helping orphans and widows, and normal bridge and road construction. It will be implemented, but the annual expenditure budget will be reviewed by the emperor.

The expenditure of the inner treasury must be approved by the emperor. It is mainly used in three aspects, half of the war expenditure, various major projects and sudden major disasters. , Xu Xiangguo should understand! "

"Now I really understand that they are actually the treasury, but the financial rights are different."

"That's right, that's what it means!"

"But when I audited the account yesterday, I found out that there is still the emperor's salary. What does this mean?"

Zhou Kuan laughed and said: "This is our characteristic. Does Xu Xiangguo think that the palace expenses are all the palace expenses? In fact, it is not the case. The food and clothing of the officials and his family are borne by themselves. What clothes the queen buys, What kind of jewelry to use is her private matter, and the court cannot interfere, as do other concubines and children. In a word, the official family and his family do not need to be supported by the court, so the official family must have a salary. Otherwise, what will he use to support the family? "

Xu Xiantu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he nodded and said, "I understand, but isn't eight hundred guan a month too little?"

Zhou Kuan squinted his eyes and said with a smile: "The official family has other income!"

"Can Zhou Xiangguo reveal a thing or two, in case I make mistakes due to ignorance!"

Zhou Kuan said in a low voice: "Half of the Zheng family's property belongs to the emperor, and Liu Dajiang is an imperial businessman who does overseas trade for the emperor, and there is nothing else. By the way, there are also Yi Anya and Qingfeng The teahouse is related to the queen."

Xu Xiantu nodded again and again, "Thank you for telling me, I will remember!"

The first thousand and 510 chapters and six palace meetings

Lu Xiu is also trying to adapt to the status of queen, but her husband told her not to be too deliberate, just live the same life as before.

Chen Qing returned to the inner palace, as usual, he first came to his inner study, he walked into the room, Yao Mei hurriedly stepped forward to take off his outer robe.

"How is the little one?"

Yao Mei gave birth to a son, named Chen Xiang. The little guy had a loud voice, cried fiercely, and was very troublesome, requiring two wet nurses to take care of him.

"He fell asleep when I came, hey! Sleeping now, he's going to make trouble again in the middle of the night."

"Why don't you just leave the study here! Concentrate on taking the children there."

"I have two wet nurses! More than anyone else, I don't care what I do with the study?"

Although Chen Qing had ascended the throne as emperor, his living habits could not be changed. He didn't like eunuchs, and he didn't like other court ladies casually entering his inner study.

Chen Qing nodded, and didn't try to persuade him any more.

His six women, except for his wife Lu Xiu who was named Empress, Zhao Qiaoyun and Zhao Yingluo who were named Concubine De and Shu, Yu Ying who was named Zhaoyi, Yu Lian who was named Zhaorong, and Yao Mei who was named Zhaoyuan.

According to the etiquette system, out of the nine concubines, he still lacks the sixth concubine, as well as Jieyu, beauties, talented people, etc., and he will not consider it for the time being.

At this time, Lu Xiu came over with a maid, and Lu Xiu took the iced lotus seed and mung bean soup, and the maid waited outside the study. Seeing the Queen coming, Yao Mei saluted quickly and also retreated.

Lu Xiu put the lotus seed and mung bean soup on the table and said with a smile: "Although Yu doctor Liu said that you can't drink ice water when you just come back from outside, I don't think it's a big problem to have a cup once in a while."

Chen Qing was overjoyed, and quickly took a couple of sips of the iced drink. The heat disappeared, and he signaled his wife to sit down.

Lu Xiu sat sideways, took out a booklet and handed it to her husband, "Husband, take a look!"

"What is this?" Chen Qing asked after taking the brochure.

"These are the sixteen maids I selected from more than 1000 palace maids, and I want to arrange them as talent."

Chen Qing looked at the brochure, and said calmly: "You put so much thought into this kind of thing?"

"Husband is the emperor now, not the envoy of Xuanfu of Sichuan and Shanxi."

Chen Qing waved his hand and said, "I'm afraid you have misunderstood the emperor, thinking that all emperors are the 72 concubines of the Sixth Court of Sangong?"

"I know my husband doesn't want to marry more, but the imperial concubine is also a way to win over a wealthy family!"

"Let's talk about it later!"

Chen Qing threw the brochure on the table, "I'm not interested in these maids for the time being."

"All right!"

Seeing that her husband was a little unhappy, Lu Xiu got up to leave.

At this time, Chen Qing thought of something and said: "The lady said last time that she wanted to help the widowed elderly and orphans. I am considering re-establishing the Futian Courtyard and the Kindergarten in the Song Dynasty to accommodate the widowed elderly and orphans. In addition to the burden of the government, the court is also ready to accept External donations, all the money is used to help the elderly and orphans, all states and counties in the world also have to set up Futian homes and sales homes, what the Song Dynasty can do well, we must do better."

"How much does my husband think it is more appropriate for us to donate?"

"Donate [-] guan in the name of the two of us!"

"It's absolutely fine. I happen to have [-] coins in Sichuan-Shaanxi No. [-] Cabinet Shop. I'll go and give the receipt to my husband."

"Don't worry, give me time in the evening."

……

Early the next morning, Chen Qing held an internal affairs meeting in the side hall of the Liangyi Hall of Taiji Palace. Generally, internal affairs are held by the rotating prime minister who is in charge of affairs, but the emperor Chen Qing can also hold the meeting. Once he holds it, it is a small court meeting. , not only the seven prime ministers, but also more than a dozen senior officials will also participate.

In the side hall, the ministers were all discussing in low voices. The draft of today's meeting was sent to everyone yesterday, and everyone prepared it last night.

At this time, a guard shouted: "His Majesty the Emperor is here!"

The ministers got up one after another, and saw the emperor Chen Qing walking quickly from the side passage, the pace was very fast, and there were no court ladies or eunuchs behind him to support him with fans or umbrellas.

This is the typical style of King Yong. Everyone secretly smiled bitterly. They are already emperors, but nothing has changed yet.

Everyone bowed and saluted together, "See Your Majesty!"

"Ministers, please sit down, please feel free!"

All participants are important ministers, and they all have their own seats, which has been passed down from the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Everyone sat down, Chen Qing said with a smile: "Today's agenda was distributed to everyone yesterday, and we will discuss three things today. Young people, this has been a tradition since the Qin and Han Dynasties. I believe everyone will agree that there may be some details that we need to discuss again. First of all, age. Some ministers suggest that they should be over 60 years old. The reason is that they can still do things in their 50s. The minister suggested over [-] years old, after all, the human life expectancy is not long, so I considered a compromise, to see if everyone can accept it?"

There was silence in the hall, and Chen Qing continued with a soft throat: "My plan is to give food at the age of 50 and food at the age of 60. The widowed and lonely old people over the age of 50 will be given two buckets of rice and a catty of salt every month, and a piece of cloth every year." At the age of 60, you can enter Futianyuan. If you don’t want to enter Futianyuan, and you have relatives to rely on, the imperial court will subsidize [-] yuan a month.

As for orphans, the age of 17 is the limit. Under the age of 17, they have to live in a nursery school. The imperial court is responsible for their food, lodging and clothing, and arranges for them to study and learn skills. No objection? "

Chen Qing looked around and nodded, "If there is no objection, then follow this plan!"

At this time, Xu Xiantu raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

"Xu Xiangguo, please tell me!"

"In the regulations issued by His Majesty yesterday, there is an article about accepting donations from the people. Can Your Majesty elaborate on it?"

Chen Qing nodded, "In fact, there have always been private donations. In order to obtain honorary officials, many big households use the method of donating food and money. It's just that they have been donating to the government before, but not this time. This time, they set up a separate organization , but this institution can’t touch the money, the money is stored in the counter. But the institution has the power of approval and supervision, so it is better for it to be affiliated with Yushitai.”

"Then how should the donations from the people be used?" Xu Xiantu asked again.

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "Xu Xiangguo was worried that the money donation and the government appropriation would be repeated, but it was not the case. For example, if a disabled child was abandoned by his parents, the court would definitely not allow it. If the parents were to be held accountable, then this abandoned child Of course he can't be considered an orphan, even if the nursery takes him in, he can't support him. At this time, he can apply for the donated money.

If this is not clear enough, let me give another example, such as some non-government-run Futian homes and sales homes. We want to support them, but how?I feel that it is more affordable to use donated money to subsidize. In a word, the meaning of private donations is to pick up the leftovers and make up for the gaps. They will do what the government can't do. "

Xu Xiantu nodded, "Thank you Your Majesty for your explanation, I understand!"

Chen Qing glanced at everyone, and then said: "Then the first bill is decided in this way. The Internal Affairs Hall is responsible for drafting the details and implementing them as soon as possible. Let's talk about the second bill, which is about dealing with the threat of war in the north."

There was a murmur of discussion in the hall.

Jiang Yanxian said loudly: "Everyone, please be quiet and listen to Your Majesty!"

The hall fell silent again.

Chen Qing then slowly said: "Everyone may feel strange, isn't the Kingdom of Jin destroyed? Why is there still a war?

The threat of war I am talking about refers to Xiliao, the new Liao Kingdom founded by Yelu Dashi in the Western Regions. If Xiliao keeps looking westward, then we don’t have to worry about it, but it’s a pity that the people of Xiliao want to go home. I started to look east again. I have received a message from the flying eagle in Ganzhou. The envoys from Gaochang Huihe are about to arrive in the capital. They are here to ask for help. I hope everyone understands that if Gaochang Huihe comes to ask for help, it means that the war is not far away from us. . "

The first thousand and 510 chapters and seven Liao exploration

After the discussion was over, Xu Xiantu was invited to the Imperial Study Room, which occupies a large area behind the Liangyi Hall. Xu Xiantu walked into the Imperial Study Room, bowed and said, "Your Majesty!"

Chen Qing smiled and said, "Xu Xiangguo, please sit down!"

Xu Xiantu sat down, and Chen Qing asked, "Is your family still used to the weather and soil here in Jingzhao?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have gotten used to it. In fact, the minister and his wife are from Kaifeng Prefecture. Kaifeng Prefecture is very similar to Jingzhao Xiaxia. We are more used to it. Instead, we have not adapted to the high temperature and sweltering heat in Lin'an. Summer is like a steamer."

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said, "Actually, although the summer in the north is very poisonous, squatting in the shade will make you feel much cooler."

The two exchanged a few words of pleasantries, and Chen Qing said, "Today's discussion, I think there are some things that have not been fully explained. Xu Xiangguo, who is in charge of the household department, must still have ideas!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, when I was humble in Bianliang, I was in charge of the Nursing Home and Futian Home for a while, and I can see many disadvantages in it."

"Then tell me, what disadvantages did you see at that time?"

"In fact, Bianliang is fine. The imperial court is watching. The main reason is that the local states and counties are in chaos. One is that the accounts are chaotic, and the fraud is serious. The number of people is falsely reported, and the donation is false. Basically, every county has more or less problems."

Chen Qing nodded, "In the past, Futian Temple's financial resources were mainly three yuan, allocated by the imperial court, donated by benevolent people, and provided by land. The managers were all monks from the monastery. The main root of the chaotic management was the lack of separation of financial and administrative powers, managing money and managing affairs. They are all from the same group, so it’s no wonder that they are not chaotic, but you said that everything should be directly managed by the court, which is unrealistic, and should still be managed by the local government. As long as there is an assessment of the chief officer, I believe the chief official will not do it for embezzlement. Some small cheap and lost the future.

I mainly want to talk to you about donating money. Yongguo has always been very strict with honored officials, and it is not so easy to get. Landlords and businessmen want to live in a larger space, want to take concubines, and want to see officials without kneeling. You have to fight for honorary officers. The most direct way to obtain honorary officers is to donate money and food, usually to the local government, but later gradually discovered that the problems inside are too serious. Most of the donations are in the name of running schools. But in fact, less than [-]% was used for running the school, and it was all misappropriated. The best way to prevent these disadvantages is to separate the administrative power from the financial power, so that the donated money cannot be obtained by the government. "

"Your Majesty intends to directly collect these donations under the newly established official signature?"

"I'm thinking of using the counters in every county in the world. These counters have donation accounts opened by the Salesian government office. Donors hand over the money to the counters, and then use the counters' receipts to the government. Both parties report to the government. , Finally, the imperial court collects and audits separately, and when the money is in place, the Ministry of Officials will award honorary officials to the donors, so that the donated money can be concentrated in the hands of the newly established Salesian Office, and can be truly used for charity.”

Xu Xiantu nodded again and again, "Using the cabinet shop is a very clever way."

Chen Qing said slowly: "The cabinet workshop is a good thing. We have a deep understanding. In the past, salaries were distributed layer by layer and exploited layer by layer. A soldier's salary of three renminbi a month may only be left with renminbi. It is often not possible to get it for several months, and it is a big problem to support the family. Ten years ago, we started to use the cabinet to distribute the military salary. The soldier’s military salary can be collected directly from the cabinet. Go directly to the counter to get it, the morale of the Western Army is generally very high, and this is the reason."

"My minister also has experience. The salary of my minister is to go to the counter to get it."

Chen Qing nodded, "In the future, the Ministry of Household Affairs should use the counters as much as possible. Since everyone is opposed to using Huizi and Jiaozi, we must make full use of the counters. For example, businessmen now carry counter tickets when they go to other places to purchase transactions. , This is very convenient, and the imperial court will also use the cabinet workshop to allocate money to the prefectures and counties in the future."

"My minister understands what His Majesty means!"

Xu Xiantu resigned and left. Chen Qing pressed his head and was silent. He was not only thinking about Futian Courtyard these two days, he was also thinking about the cabinet workshop. According to his request, the first cabinet workshop in Sichuan and Shaanxi has been renamed Yong As the only official cabinet shop, Jingguifang has rapidly spread to all counties. At the same time, the other two cabinets, Wanbao Cabinet and Jiangnan Cabinet, are also expanding rapidly. They cannot reach every county, but At least one branch should be set up in the county where the capital of each state is located.

These counters absorb the spare money of the people, give a little interest, and then give the money to the merchants to do business, earning the interest difference, which is similar to the banks of later generations.

But its biggest role is to turn dead money into living money. When money flows, commodities flow, and social economy can develop rapidly. Therefore, the national policy adopted by Chen Qing is to do something and not do something.

To make a difference is to do everything possible to increase food production, reduce diseases, increase population, widen and level official roads, dredge rivers, develop inland waterway shipping network and linkage of river and sea shipping. And check points, the gates of the city are not closed day and night, and the commercial tax has been canceled for five years.

All businessmen are regarded as common people, and like other common people, if a businessman wants to live in a big house, take concubines and have more children, and obtain a status that does not pay homage to officials, he either needs to be admitted for meritorious service or donate money to obtain honorary officials.

While thinking about it, Yang Tai reported at the door: "Your Majesty, General Neiweizhong is asking to see you!"

After Chen Qing ascended the throne, Wang Tao, the capital of the internal guard, served as the military envoy of Guangnan West Road, and led [-] troops to sit on Guangnan West Road. .

The new leader of the inner guard is the leader Zhong Huan. Although he is young, he is very accomplished and has made many major contributions. In terms of contribution, no one in the inner guard can match him.

And Chao Qing, who was admitted to the imperial examination at the same time as him, also served as the Shao Yin of Jingzhao Mansion. From the rank of fifth rank, he was the youngest fifth rank official.

After a while, Zhong Huan hurried into the imperial study room, bowed and saluted, "My minister sees Your Majesty!"

"General Xiaozhong excused himself, what do you need to report?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have discovered a suspicious caravan, suspected to be spies from Xiliao."

Chen Qing nodded, and the spies from Xiliao finally appeared, indicating that Yelu Dashi was determined to expand eastward, but it was not surprising.

In fact, it may not be a bad thing for Xiliao to look east. When the Western Army enters the Western Regions, there will be a chance to rebuild Beiting Dufu and Anxi Dufu.

"How did you find out?"

"I know an old Sogdian man named Antu. When His Majesty came back, I reported it."

"It's been several months, hasn't he returned?"

"He had already gone back, but he came back again because of the spies from Xiliao. They met a caravan in Zhangye. Antu recognized the leader of the caravan as a tax official from Xiliao. Turn around and return to Jingzhao to report to us."

"Not bad!"

Chen Qing praised repeatedly, and then asked: "Have you found this scout from Xiliao?"

"I found it. They bought a store in Xianyang County, which specializes in selling goods from the Western Regions."

Chen Qing nodded, "Still follow the old method, monitor them, don't startle them, and see what kind of intelligence they collect!"

"Wei Chen understands!"

At this time, Chen Qing thought of another thing, and said to Zhong Huan: "If you have time, go find the chief manager of the Yongjing Cabinet Workshop, they seem to have encountered a trouble."

"Follow the order!"

Zhong Huan saluted and retreated.

Chen Qing walked to the big wall with his hands behind his back, and looked at the huge map of the Yong Dynasty on the wall. This is his empire map. Liaodong has been pacified, and it can extend northward to the Arctic Ocean, including Sakhalin Island and the entire Siberia.

To the east, Ryukyu Island has been included in the territory, as well as the Little Liuqiu Islands to the north, and to the south, there is an additional island in the Southeast Asia, which is his Yongnan Xuanfu envoy.