Han Shizu

Chapter 566 Changes in Financial System
In the Kunming Hall, Concubine Fu Hui, who had a swollen pregnant belly, was sitting with Empress Dafu, talking about something intimate.

"You are first pregnant, you should take care of your baby, the autumn is getting stronger, the weather is getting colder, you should pay attention to your diet, and don't catch a cold!" Da Fu, as usual, tirelessly told his sister.

"Yeah!" Concubine Fu Hui responded softly, and then murmured softly: "She is also pregnant, but she will go out of the palace as usual, endure hard work, but ignore the royal blood in her belly, and earn a lot of fame!"

Hearing what my sister said, Da Fu certainly knew what Xiao Fu was talking about, and sighed: "You're going to listen to those gossips again!"

Xiao Fu's tender lips pursed, and he said: "During this time, people inside and outside the palace are spreading the word that Concubine Gao is filial, the Queen Mother also praises her, and the officials love her too, but they think she is contrived!"

Dafu heard it and couldn't help but look at his sister more.Since her pregnancy, Concubine Fu Hui's temperament has changed significantly, becoming more sensitive and sentimental. Of course, part of the reason is that the emperor is cold-hearted, especially compared with Concubine Zhexian and Concubine Gao.

The queen probably understood her younger sister's mood. She was not angry, but just caressed her hand, and said in relief: "You! After the death of King Linqing, Mrs. Gao lost her father after all. It is understandable for the officials to feel pity for her. But you can't, Then in the palace, behind the scenes, mixing up those right and wrong, keeping the palace in order, raising children for the official family, spreading branches and leaves for the royal family, is the most important thing!"

Little Fu frowned slightly, and said to Big Fu: "I just don't want to listen to those people's rumors, saying that although my sister is a queen, the longest official family in the palace is the noble concubine, and the official's favorite is also the noble concubine."

"During this time, officials rarely come to my sister's side!"

Seeing this, the big talisman couldn't help but shook his head, and nodded on the forehead of the small talisman: "Don't think about these things in your head, there are a lot of right and wrong in the deep palace, don't worry about it. I seldom take it into consideration, I know you are lonely, so come to my side more often if you have time. I will also tell him at the official house, let him take time to go to Chunlan Palace to accompany you."

"Sister, that's not what I meant." Xiao Fu was also clever, and couldn't help but say.

Raising her hand to stop her, the big talisman looked like a big woman, and said in a warning tone: "The official family is grand, with the world in mind, and hard work in state affairs. It's hard work. You and my sister are honored to serve you. You should be more considerate and serve with all your heart. Don't use this jealousy to trouble the official! If your words today are heard by the official, he will be unhappy!"

Seeing what Da Fu said, Xiao Fu didn't dare to talk back, and obediently responded: "Yes!"

The two sisters talked about some happy topics again, such as the emperor summoning his father, King Wei, and Fu Yanqing, the envoy of the Tianxiong Army, to the capital.
Dao Xiaofu looked tired all the way, and just now he took the initiative to ask someone to carefully serve him back to the palace.After Xiao Fu left, Empress Fu couldn't help sighing, the younger sister who was well-behaved and quiet at the beginning, now also has a heart to fight for favor.

However, the beautiful face of Fuhou couldn't help feeling a little unhappy. The words her sister said had some influence in her heart, and it was impossible that there was no grudge at all.Gao Guifei has been fighting with her for more than a day or two.

Taking a deep breath, Empress Fu summoned her servants, and between her phoenix eyebrows, she showed majesty, and ordered: "Pass on my words, all the supervisory bureaus in the palace, let those in charge strictly restrain the subordinates, and if there are any gossips or disturbances." Those who live peacefully in the palace will be punished severely without mercy!"

In the Han Palace, Liu Chengyou was inspecting the Sansi yamen when he was suddenly resentful of his daughter.The third department is in charge of the finances of the whole country, and Xiang is the most important place of the imperial court. After checking, the details of the imperial court's revenue and expenditure since this year.

It can be said that spending money is like running water, and the cost of conquering the Huaihe River and imperial Shu Dynasty accounted for more than half of it, not counting the subsequent rewards and aftercare.The large-scale restructuring of Hedong is far from enough to rely solely on the local treasury, and Tokyo has supported a batch of finance and taxation.The rest of the consumption of soldiers, official salaries, and military equipment is also a big part.

In the past few years, the money and food accumulated by the imperial court have been almost exhausted after repeated major actions.However, today's big man is no longer like in the early years, with a lot of income. The most important thing is that the share of local taxation to Tokyo has greatly increased.

"Your Majesty, this is an official who has been transferred from the Third Division and is going to be sent to the local area to clean up the finances!" Xue Juzheng, the envoy of the Third Division, submitted a list.

"Oh, let me take a look!" Liu Chengyou took over Yulan, there were quite a few people, more than twenty people: "How did you arrange it?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, ten of them were sent to Guanzhong, and the rest were sent to Hebei. These people have been working in the government office for many years, are familiar with the tax system and government affairs, and have experience in financial management. They are all capable of doing things!" Xue Juzheng reported.

"Who is the most outstanding person?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Zhang Mei, who is responsible for planning affairs, is a shrewd and capable man, good at writing and planning. He started as a small official and was picked up by the prince. During the Huainan War, he planned food, grass and military supplies. He responded to all affairs in an orderly manner, with few mistakes!" Xue Juzheng replied, The words were full of admiration: "This time I will be sent to Guanzhong, and Yan Zhuanyun will make them work hard!"

Liu Chengyou suddenly became interested, raised his finger and said, "I want to meet this person!"

In a short while, a middle-aged official with a calm demeanor in a scarlet robe came in to pay homage: "Chen Du Zhi Ji Zhang Mei, I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"Be flat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Mei straightened her body, bowed her quilt slightly, and waited for inquiries.

Liu Chengyou took advantage of the situation and sat down, waved his hands, and looked at this person. He was calm, steady, neither humble nor overbearing. His first impression was very good.

Scanning the list, Liu Chengyou asked: "Do you know the duty of the imperial court to send you to Guanzhong?"

"Return to Your Majesty, assist Yan Gong, the southwestern transshipment envoy, and clean up Guanzhong's finances and taxes!" Zhang Mei said.

"Do you know what the court's purpose is?" Liu Chengyou stared at him.

Facing the Emperor's Hushi, Zhang Mei showed no timidity, and replied in a deep voice: "For many years, local finances and taxes have been different, each specializing in its own business. This cleanup is to inherit and proclaim the imperial tax law, eliminate corruption, and unify Guanzhong's finances. , increase the income from the court, and supply the southwestern military supplies!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was noncommittal, raised his eyelids, and said, "It's too condescending to only use you as the transit envoy of Binzhou. In this way, since you did a good job in planning for the Huai army, I will give you another opportunity to show off." Given the opportunity, I will be promoted to the Southwest Grain Envoy, specializing in Southwest military supplies!"

Zhang Mei was taken aback, Xue Juzheng hurriedly reminded: "Don't thank you yet!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"The southwestern frontier army was prepared by me to conquer Shu. It is related to the general strategy of the army and the country. It is an important task for you. You should do it well. If you supply it, there will be no shortage. I hope you will continue to work hard and give full play to your ability, so you will not be indifferent to me. Entrustment and expectation!" Liu Chengyou said.

Zhang Mei didn't see any excitement, she seemed introverted, she just replied solemnly: "I must keep your Majesty's teachings in mind, fulfill my duties, and live up to my mission!"

Different from the hidden and secret preparations before the expedition to the Huaihe River, Liu Chengyou's plan to conquer Shu was made with great fanfare and known throughout the city.On Fengxiang's side, Xiang Xun reorganized his troops and adjusted his defenses, and there was a lot of commotion.

When the news reached the Kingdom of Shu, the Chengdu court was obviously taken aback. Just as Liu Chengyou had expected, the Lord of Shu, Meng Chang, had sent more troops to Qin Feng from home to hoard food, grass and military equipment to strengthen the defense.Li Tinggui, who was defeated in Donghe Village, Meng Chang not only did not punish him, but also issued an edict to comfort him, retaining him in Fengzhou, and let him lead the army to guard against him.

"Xue Qing has sent out all the capable officials of the Third Division this time!" Liu Chengyou looked at Xue Juzheng.

Xue Juzheng replied: "It is time for the local government to employ people, and the Third Division trains and trains them. This is exactly the plan for this. I only hope that they can be diligent in the king's work and live up to the entrustment!"

"What's the situation in Hebei?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"The preparations for the Transshipment Office have been completed!" Xue Juzheng responded quickly: "Mr. Li has been in office for many years, and he is quite famous. He has rich experience in political affairs. With Mr. Li here, we can expect nothing!"

Not long ago, Liu Chengyou issued an edict to set up a transshipment department in Hebei, with Li Gu, the former magistrate of Hengzhou, judge of the Chengde army, and Hebei transshipment envoy, fully responsible for the financial transshipment of the Hebei states and the supply of the northern army.

"I naturally believe in Li Gu's ability. He has been working hard for the country in Hengzhou these years, but it is not easy!" Liu Chengyou said: "I will reward you now!"

"Your Majesty is sympathetic, how can the ministers not spare no effort to repay it!"

"Under the Southwest Transit Department, how are the soldiers?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

"Xiangdujian reorganized and trained the soldiers and horses, and [-] soldiers were laid off, and they were transferred to the transfer department for use!"

Liu Chengyou nodded and said: "Fiscal reform will definitely benefit people, and money will touch people's hearts. If there are no soldiers, it is not easy to carry out official duties with only officials. In this way, the soldiers of the Transshipment Department in Guanzhong will fill the gap. two thousand!"

"Yes!"

"There is another matter that I need to ask His Majesty for instructions!" After pondering for a while, Xue Juzheng cupped his hands and said.

"Say it!" Liu Chengyou asked.

"When the late prince was in office, he tried to formulate methods such as 'saving consumption', 'saving money', 'removing', and 'raising estimates' to increase income and ease the financial constraints of the court. At that time, financial planning was difficult, and in order to relieve the national crisis, Therefore, it has become a bad government and has been complained by scholars, farmers, businessmen and commerce. The ministers and others propose that it should be abolished immediately to show the virtue of the emperor!" Xue Juzheng suggested.

As mentioned earlier, when Wang Zhang was in power, he formulated many methods of accumulating money for the Hanting's bleak finances.For example, "consumption saving", the old system, autumn and summer seedling rent, the people's tax is one dendrobium, don't lose two liters, which is called "sparrow mouse consumption".Customized by Wang Zhang, if you lose one dendrobium, don't let it lose two buckets, which is called "consumption saving".

Since Liu Chengyou succeeded to the throne, although he has repeatedly issued imperial edicts to reduce taxes, he has never seen this "consumption saving" system.The rest, such as "Shangmo", are all changing ways to increase taxes to generate income.At the beginning of the country, it did relieve a lot of pressure for the operation of the court, and Wang Zhang also bore a lot of infamy for the emperor of the Han family.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said directly: "It's my negligence. The people have suffered for a long time. For this kind of bad government, let's all be exempted!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Xue Juzheng was not surprised by the emperor's decision at all, and he said: "The common people will be delighted to hear about it, and thank Your Majesty for his kindness!"

"If they don't scold me in their hearts, I will be satisfied!"

Before he knew it, Liu Chengyou paid more and more attention to his reputation.

(End of this chapter)