The Soul of the Han Dynasty in the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 710

Zhang Fengyi had frequent contacts with General Zhenglu, so he naturally got to know him better and deepened his relationship.

Seeing the fierce "Red Banner Army" defeating the Jiannu and Tartars, of course I felt a sense of identity in my heart.

He has served as an important minister of the imperial court for many years, so he doesn't know how bad the situation in Ming Dynasty has become.

He believes that the hard-won Ming Dynasty must carry out drastic reforms, and a powerful minister like Zhang Juzheng, Jia Nengchen, must appear to be able to carry out the reforms.

A powerful minister like the General Zhenglu is not only talented and able to provide peace to the people and support the army, but also kills and decisively holds the military power without being foolish and loyal. The only hope for the rejuvenation of the Ming Dynasty can only be placed on him.

Therefore, Zhang Fengyi strongly supported Huang Han's attack on Shanxi merchants to arrest corrupt officials for money and food. This time, he went to Beijing to face the saint to prepare for Huang Han's absolution.

Seeing the Son of Heaven's inquiry, he unhurriedly took out a confession of Fan Yongdou and his son, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that even if the Great General Zhenglu ransacked the families of those Shanxi merchants and wiped out their clans, it would not be too much. The crimes are too numerous to list.

They not only smuggled materials to make huge profits, but also provided Dongnu with information on Daming, and even bought Dongnu to assist Dongnu in capturing our Daming city, causing tens of thousands of deaths and injuries to the people of Daming.

There are so many merchants in Zhangjiakou, so the business is prosperous. There are so many grains, materials, funds and silver hoarded in the city. The slaves and invaders have not attacked this prosperous place close to the side wall several times, because they have a tacit understanding with Shanxi merchants. "

The emperor was shocked and said: "There is such a thing? Does Aiqing have any real evidence?"

Zhang Fengyi said: "Your Majesty, the old minister has several testimonies in his hand, the culprit is a big family of Shanxi merchants, the old minister can read the confession of the number one traitor and traitor, Fan Yongdou, to His Majesty and all your lords."

When Zhang Fengyi finished reading the confession of Fan Yongdou and his son, the irritable Chongzhen was already furious. He said: "Such a treacherous and evil person should spend [-] knives at Ling Chi, and those ministers kneeling outside the Meridian Gate have all lost their minds." Is it? To complain for such scum!"

Zheng Guochang said without losing the opportunity: "Your Majesty, most of those ministers complained about their injustice for their own pockets, not for the sake of bringing the world back."

Chongzhen was so angry that he ran away, and said in his mouth: "Damn it, it's too hateful, I can't bear it anymore if I turn black and white upside down!"

At this time, Liang Tingdong resolutely raised the flames and reported: "The life of the collaborators and profiteers is comparable to that of princes, and some rare treasures have been copied from their homes. Your Majesty will know that those people deserve to die after looking at those good things."

Chongzhen said: "I would like to see what kind of rare treasures those merchants have seized, and let them bring them in. I and all my lovers will have a good look at them."

At this time, the guards who presented treasures to the emperor were waiting outside the main hall. When the eunuch came to pass the news, they immediately carried all the things they brought into the main hall in pairs and unfolded them one by one.

After a while, the hall of the platform exuded a jewel-like atmosphere, and all the important officials were amazed. Some handicrafts made of precious jade even Chongzhen thought they were so ingenious.

Wen Tiren, who was mature and mature, looked at the rare treasures in the hall, and said with a smirk: "The general who conquered the captives is very generous, how much money should he get for this attack? The adults should have a saying when they return to Beijing this time." Bar!"

Zhang Fengyi said unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, the general who confiscated the Shanxi merchants gained a lot of property, and was finally able to barely meet the basic survival needs of nearly 400 million hungry people in Shanxi and Xuanda.

Considering that there are still many hungry people in Henan who need money and food from the imperial court to resettle them, the general who conquered captives squeezed out 100 million taels of silver and handed it over to the veterans to bring it back to the capital and hand it over to His Majesty for disposal. "

The emperor and important ministers understood the meaning of Zhang Fengyi's words. Huang Han kept the benefits of copying away the benefits of Shanxi merchants, and the imperial court did not need to worry about relocating millions of soldiers and civilians in Shanxi and Xuanda.

In order to keep the emperor from getting into the details, he gave 100 million taels of silver and dozens of treasures as hush money.

Chongzhen hesitated at this moment, and promised to accept 100 million taels of silver and then pursue the actions of the general Zhenglu in Shanxi, so it was unknown, but what if he didn't recognize Huang Han's behavior?
Can the imperial court provide money and food to relieve millions of hungry people until the autumn harvest?
Jianslavery ravaged Daming for half a year. During this period, military expenditures and food expenses were like running water. Cheng Guoxiang, the Minister of the Household Department, was already poor and crazy. Some time ago, he had to worry about how to resettle the three or four million hungry people mentioned in the Memorial of the General Who Conquered.

Although Cheng Guoxiang in history once held the money bag of Ming Dynasty, he was an honest and honest official. After he became an official, he lived in Nanjing and lived in poverty. Of course, he had nothing to do with Shanxi merchants.

This is not a lie. To be an official in Ming Dynasty should be corrupt. Otherwise, if you live on your salary, you will be poor. Hai Rui is the most representative example.

At this time, Cheng Guoxiang heard that not only did he not need to help the hungry people in Shanxi, but he still had 100 million taels of silver to take away, so he immediately stood up and said loudly:

"Your Majesty, the veteran believes that if the court pays more money and food, it can save the people from danger. Naturally, thousands of people will be able to live. The general's kind deeds can be tolerated even if they go too far. After all, the credit far outweighs the fault."

Wen Tiren also saw that the emperor was in a dilemma, and said to him, "Your Majesty, even if there are many innocent merchants from Shanxi who are affected by Chiyu, what's the problem?
Those who make big things don't care about small details. When the court was in urgent need of money and food, the general who conquered the captives decisively confiscated the property of merchants to benefit the country and the people. The old minister implores your majesty not to pursue responsibility! "

He Ruchong also commented: "Your Majesty, you don't need to worry about the excitement of the crowd, as long as you publish the actions of a few traitorous Jin merchants in the mansion newspaper, those adults who still try to complain for Jin merchants will die down."

Li Ruolian sent 50 taels and an expectation of 100 million taels of silver.Zhang Fengyi brought another 100 million, and the rare and rare treasures presented should be able to earn no less than 100 million taels.

With these silvers, next year's finances are sure to be quite ample, so Chongzhen finally chose to compromise, saying:
"Since that's the case, let's do it this way! You love ministers will have to persuade those hundreds of ministers who are petitioning outside the Meridian Gate."

At this time, Wang Chengen, who stood silently listening to the performance of several important ministers, said:

"Your Majesty, there is no need to advise those ministers, they have already dispersed at this time. They should have learned that General Zhenglu had held the ironclad evidence that Shanxi merchants colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, so they retreated in spite of the difficulties."

How is this going?For a while, the important ministers in the hall talked a lot.

The officials discussing matters on the platform are old fritters who have been in the officialdom for decades and have experienced big waves. How could they not know that there are many ministers who are petitioning outside the Meridian Gate? How could they have trouble with Shanxi merchants?

Wen Tiren has nothing to do with Shanxi merchants, and he judges others by himself, thinking that it is unrealistic for all the ministers who are petitioning outside the Forbidden City to retreat in spite of difficulties.

(End of this chapter)