The Ming Dynasty started with caution

There are too many people in the royal family who are in vassal state. These people all rely on the Ming Dynasty's endowment to support them. Every time they go to vassal state, there will be a lot of people, and everything is under the control of the court.

Not to mention that since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, princes who have become vassals still need to be supported by the court.

Just talking about the brothers of Emperor Hongzhi, there are King Xing, King Qi, King Yi, King Shou, etc. There are many brothers, and it is a huge expense to pay for each one.

The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Household Affairs did not need to do anything else in order to prepare for the feudal lordship and build up labor services for them.

Therefore, Emperor Hongzhi had to be ruthless and curb the growth of extravagance.

Ma Wensheng, Secretary of the Ministry of War, said: "I think there is one more thing. After the vassal king came out of the capital, he was greedy and greedy. He was even more greedy than a tiger and a leopard. Wherever he went, he plundered the people's wealth and wealth. This time, the longevity king came to the vassal. I sincerely request that the Metropolitan Procuratorate supervise it. The censor accompanied him to supervise his conduct."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded, with a stern look in his eyes: "Just follow these specifications."

Emperor Hongzhi did not think much of his family affection for these brothers.

He has lived with eunuchs since he was a child and has never enjoyed wealth. And none of his brothers grew up surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs.

Therefore, when he issued this order, Emperor Hongzhi did not waver at all.

The place where King Shou established his vassal was Sichuan, which was not as cold as the north. Of course Emperor Hongzhi would not allow so many Zhao Houzhu quilts.

Zhu Houzhao followed his father's call and came to Nuange. When he entered the door, he knelt down obediently on the ground.

Emperor Hongzhi said with a stern voice: "Do you know your guilt?"

Zhu Houzhao had an expression on his face: "When did I commit a crime again?" "I don't know."

"Did you do that thirty taels of silver for a quilt in the market?!" Seeing his lack of remorse, Emperor Hongzhi became angry and wanted to go down and kick him to wake him up.

Zhu Houzhao said with a smile: "My son did it, but it was my father who taught me to do this."

Shameless!

The cabinet ministers headed by Liu Jian were embarrassed to stand with him and looked away. Emperor Hongzhi blushed: "Where do you have the face! When did I allow you to do such a thing!"

"My father taught me that in order to be a king, you must first save the people. Now that the weather is cold, the people have no warm quilts to cover them. Countless people have frozen to death in their dreams. My sons and ministers should make more quilts. Just let them have a quilt to cover them." Zhu Houzhao blinked innocently.

Liu Jian made no secret of his disappointment in the prince. In front of Emperor Hongzhi, he sighed and shook his head.

Your Highness is really a piece of rotten wood that cannot be carved into stone.

How can ordinary people afford thirty taels of quilt?

Xie Qian also smiled, but Li Dongyang listened attentively without expression.

Emperor Hongzhi was so angry that he didn't know what to say: "How stupid! A person who can spend thirty taels of silver to buy a quilt will freeze to death and starve to death?"

The Dog Emperor didn't understand. Zhu Houzhao sneered: "The imperial court opens a warehouse every year to provide food relief. It is better to let the gentry dig out money to feed the people. The ministers make quilts worth thirty taels of silver, which are naturally sold to the gentry and cloth mills." Then hire people to work long-term in the mills, and they will receive wages, which will give them money to buy cotton-padded jackets, rice, noodles, and meat. In this way, the people will have money to survive the winter, and the court will not have to spend money. "

Liu Jian and others' eyes suddenly lit up!

When did His Highness become so thoughtful?

Emperor Hongzhi was speechless and felt that what Zhu Houzhao said made sense.

Based on just one-sided words, Emperor Hongzhi naturally would not believe Zhu Houzhao's words: "How are the people in the capital today? I heard from the factory guard that there are many refugees coming from Jingxiang this year, and the governor of Shuntian Prefecture has nothing to do. How can you just be a mere one?" Can it be solved by being quilted?”

"If your father doesn't believe it, just change your clothes, and I will take you out of the palace for a walk, and you will know." Zhu Houzhao couldn't wait to prove it to Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi was full of disbelief.

When there was silence, Li Dongyang pondered for a moment, then stood up and said: "Yesterday, when I was going to court, I found at the east gate of the market that all the refugees there had disappeared. I heard that they were all employed by a cloth shop on the outskirts of the city. Later, I went to pay a private visit. There were indeed many refugees in that cloth shop."

Liu Jian and others were already shocked.

Li Dongyang always thinks things through and always does things impeccably, so they naturally believe him.

I couldn't help but think deeply that it could actually solve the problem of refugees in the capital.

But Emperor Hongzhi thought about it and felt something was wrong. He looked at Zhu Houzhao and said sternly: "Where did you get the cloth shop? Where did you get the manpower to manage it?"

"If you go back to your father, it's all arranged by Ning Guogong." Zhu Houzhao said truthfully.

Emperor Hongzhi looked at him: "Is there anyone else?"

"No more." Zhu Houzhao's eyes showed an innocent look.

"Please step back and go back to the East Palace to study."

"Father, please praise me before leaving." Zhu Houzhao said eagerly.

Emperor Hongzhi glared at him.

Zhu Houzhao said obediently: "My son has gone to study..."

After Zhu Houzhao slowly exited, only Emperor Hongzhi, three cabinet members and Ma Wensheng were left in the Nuan Pavilion.

Emperor Hongzhi sighed and said: "Thirty taels of silver, after all, the wool comes from the sheep."

"With all due respect, if you want fish and meat, it is also the money of the gentry. Since Emperor Wen's easing of business taxes, the gentry has accumulated more and more silver. Now, it is time for the frontline troops to pay their salaries again. If the court opens a warehouse to provide food relief, it can return the money." Do you have enough money to support the military pay of the nine sides? I think what the prince said is a good idea. "Besides Liu Jian, Ma Wensheng is the most outspoken official in the court.

Li Dongyang said: "I agree with the Ministry of War!"

Emperor Hongzhi wanted to reprimand Duke Ningguo, but he could only let it go for now.

Coming out of the warm room, Zhu Houzhao was extremely excited and felt proud. This time, his father did not scold him for the first time.

The trap set by Lao Gao was solid!

Zhu Houzhao was finally sure at this moment that the seemingly not very smart man like Master Yan must have been famous in the capital thanks to Lao Gao.

There are ten talents in the world, eight of which belong to me, one to Lao Gao, and one to everyone else in the world. Forget it, since Lao Gao is also quite smart, I will give Lao Gao one more.

In mid-November, the plum blossoms on the branches of the corners of the wall bloomed alone in the cold.

It's winter now, and the heavy snow outside the window is falling like dandruff, condensing into a white snow on the eaves.

Early in the morning, Yan Chengjin asked the kitchen to cook a warming pear, wolfberry and bird's nest soup, and everyone in the mansion wore a warm new cotton-padded jacket.

Morning exercise is a daily must for the Yan family.

The servants lined up in the yard, and Yan Chengjin did not see He Neng: "Where is my long-time servant?"

Chunxiao whispered: "Master, I'm afraid Brother He has caught a cold. He has been coughing and is resting in the room."

It is normal to catch a cold and get sick in this kind of weather, and Chunxiao didn't care much.

Of course, they don't know how terrible the consequences of a small "cold" may be.

Yan Chengjin knew it, and unconsciously took a step back to keep a safe distance from her, "Didn't my master buy a cotton-padded jacket for everyone? How did he catch a cold?"

"Brother He was reluctant to wear it, and his clothes were a little thin, so he caught a cold." Chunxiao said.

People like He Neng who have experienced the hardships of life understand how important every stitch is, and they are very frugal in food, clothing and daily expenses, and live cautiously.

Yan Chengjin asked someone to call a doctor, and went to He Neng's room, shouting from three meters away: "This young master is here to see you, are you okay?"

The door creaked open, and He Neng curled up in the quilt, trembling in front of the door, breathing out white air, and pleaded: "Young master, I can't practice today, young master, please don't deduct my money."