My uncle's name is Zhu Di

Chapter 32 His Majesty's Excalibur

The money collected will be distributed to officials?When did I agree?
Zhu Di's face was gloomy. At this time when he was most short of money, how dare this kid Xu Jingchang be generous?I am very angry now.Not surprisingly, even Zhu Di was offended.

Fortunately, Empress Xu explained that Zhu Di didn't make trouble, so I just quietly watched your performance!

At this time, Jian Yi, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, took a step forward. He didn't want these people to quarrel with Xu Jingchang.

"Xu Tongzheng, the salaries of hundreds of officials are also determined by the Taizu Emperor Gao, and they are not allowed to be changed at will."

Xu Jingchang said: "That's right, that's why I mean that the salary will not be increased, and subsidies will be given. For example, Yingtian's various expenses are relatively large, and we can issue a Yingtian subsidy specially for officials in Beijing. If the food price is too high, Food allowances will be issued. For officials over 30 years old who need to support their families, housing allowances will be issued.”

"By the way, there are also those imperial officials. They are all dragons and phoenixes. They have excellent grades in the imperial examination. However, their grades are low and their income is not high, so they can get academic allowances. And if they have served the country all the year round and have never made mistakes, they can be paid. Loyalty allowance."

Xu Jingchang talked eloquently, making the officials present jealous.

Xu Tongzheng, you look handsome today!

Yang Rong, Xie Jin, and Yang Shiqi, the cabinet members who were born in the Imperial Academy, blushed when they heard that they were given academic allowances. What we want is not money, but face.

After ten years of cold windows, the toad palace won the laurel in one fell swoop.

Let people know that there is really Yan Ruyu in the book, and there is really a golden house.

This time Xie Jin stepped forward directly, "Heavenly officials, humble officials think Xu Tongzheng's words are reasonable. Since ancient times, Beijing officials have not been easy. Without Bai Juyi's ability, how can they live in Chang'an? If they can't live in peace, how can they serve the country? Let the officials seek money and profit in private, it is better to let the court distribute subsidies to replenish the officials, and relieve the worries of the big guys, this is also the heart of the emperor to love his ministers, and the great virtue of my emperor's benevolence."

He really deserved to be a famous talent in the world, and what he said was nice.

Jian Yi frowned, "Xu Tongzheng, even if he didn't violate the precepts of the ancestors, he increased so many allowances in one go, and all of them came from the Jubaomen tax card. How can he have so much money?"

Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "This is a trade-off between the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Households. The Ministry of Officials can ask all the officials to see which ones are the most urgent and how much expenditure is needed, and then discuss with the Ministry of Households how much money can be squeezed out. As long as they discuss That's right, submit it to His Majesty for a ruling."

Jian Yi thought about it for a while, and found that Xu Jingchang's method was really safe and feasible. He thought for a while, and then said to Zhu Di: "Your Majesty, peace has been difficult for four years, wars have been fought, people have been displaced, and prices in the market have fluctuated. In the era of Hongwu, I also think that the allowance can be paid appropriately, if it is not appropriate, it will not be too late to abolish it."

After Jian Yi finished speaking, Xie Jin immediately stood up, "My minister seconded the proposal."

After a little hesitation, many courtiers stood up from behind, many of them were officials in blue robes. In the end, even the Minister of Shangshu had to stand up and reconsider together.

Facing the unanimous courtiers, Zhu Di didn't have much to say at this moment.

His father had a headache when faced with this situation, so he had to abolish the Ministry of Education.

"In that case, let's discuss."

Zhu Di said again: "Xu Jingchang, all the ministers are retreating, you stay here, the queen will ask you to have a family banquet."

All the ministers resigned one after another, Xu Jingchang could only stay, and the Han King Zhu Gaoxu followed. The eunuch took them to a side hall, and Xu Jingchang only had a general idea of ​​the palace.

"This doesn't seem like a place to eat."

Zhu Gaoxu, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke, "Indeed, this is the place where the king was beaten last time."

Hearing this, Xu Jingchang turned his head subconsciously and was about to run, but unfortunately before he could go half a step, the Han King Zhu Gaoxu was like an iron tower, blocking Xu Jingchang in front of him.

"Little cousin, I think you won't be able to get away with today's beating. Come in with me."

The tall and burly Zhu Gaoxu grabbed Xu Jingchang, who was underage, like an eagle catching a chick, and almost took Xu Jingchang to the side hall.

Looking inside, there are still water and fire sticks on both sides, and there is a large black area on it. Could it be the blood stains left by beating Zhu Gaoxu?

Could this be the torture chamber in the palace?
Xu Jingchang was terrified, at this time someone shouted, "Xu Jingchang, you are so brave, you dare to spend even my money?"

Zhu Di asked sharply, next to him was Empress Xu, but her aunt is not so amiable now

"What's the matter with you kid? You just offend the courtiers, why are you still offending His Majesty?"

When Xu Jingchang saw that he couldn't escape, he could only shake his arms to let Zhu Gaoxu let go.

"Your Majesty, I have been wronged to death. I will never do things that benefit the country and the people. I am too tired and sad."

Zhu Di laughed angrily, "You boy asked me to allow you to collect taxes, and the collected taxes were used to buy off hundreds of officials. I will be a passing god of wealth, and you still make me appreciate you, don't you?"

Xu Jingchang said: "Your Majesty, you have wronged the minister. This matter needs to be carefully dismantled."

Empress Xu sighed, "Your Majesty, let him speak and see if it makes sense?"

Zhu Di nodded, and Xu Jingchang analyzed: "Your Majesty, the so-called approval of officials to bring souvenirs to Beijing, when Xia Shangshu and I collected taxes, we found that some people can bring in goods worth thousands of taels of silver at a time, and some people simply let their family members take them. His famous post is to help merchants to escort them. In fact, this kind of benevolent policy has long been out of the original intention of Emperor Taizu. He has become a fig leaf for some capable officials, colluding with merchants, and making a fortune. few."

Zhu Di's brain power is not too weak, and he quickly understood the mystery.

"This is the reason why most of the officials fully support the subsidy you mentioned. Some people who have made a lot of money don't dare to stand up at this moment, for fear of being accused of colluding with businessmen and harming the public and private interests?"

"Your Majesty is holy!" Xu Jingchang flattered him a little against his will.

But Zhu Di was still angry, "You explained for a long time, I asked you why you want to be so generous to the emperor?"

Xu Jingchang said: "Your Majesty, collecting taxes is a very offensive thing. If you don't benefit others, there will be voices of opposition from all over the place. Just by secretly restricting the situation, this matter can be messed up."

Hearing this, Empress Xu spoke first, "Your Majesty, Jing Chang is right, our Daming's salary is indeed low. Since you came to the throne, you have to win people's hearts. This is also a virtuous policy."

With Empress Xu's words, Zhu Di finally eased up a lot, "Even if what you said is reasonable, I can't work hard in vain."

"Why is it all in vain?" Xu Jingchang looked around.

Zhu Di simply hummed: "Tell me, this place is very reliable."

Xu Jingchang thought in his heart that you said so, and the leak was your fault.

"Your Majesty, the Jubaomen tax card is just the beginning. If it is really feasible, His Majesty can set up as many tax cards as possible in other important places. At that time, the courtiers will have no way to object. And the tax rate is still a tool in His Majesty's hands." If you want to encourage grain merchants to transport grain, your majesty can reduce or exempt taxes, if you want to restrain the powerful, you can levy more taxes, rob the rich and help the poor.

"I handed over the sharp blade to His Majesty, but His Majesty was suspicious of me. I am ashamed and angry now. I don't want to be an official anymore. I ask Your Majesty for permission. I want to retire."

"You don't become an official until you are seventy!" Zhu Di said angrily, "You still feel wronged, don't you?"

"I don't dare, thunder, rain and dew are all God's grace! It's just that I don't have enough virtue, so I want to go home and study behind closed doors."

"No way!" Zhu Di yelled angrily, "Don't even think about running away, kid. You have to take on the errands of the Secretary of General Administration."

At this moment, Empress Xu coughed and said, "Your Majesty, only by distinguishing rewards and punishments can people be convinced. My nephew has worked so hard for the good of the court, and His Majesty still doesn't understand. Jingchang, like his father, is the most benevolent and kind. Yes. My stupid brother!"

Empress Xu's cry made Zhu Di confused, "I know, I know all this, look at Jingchang, in front of the super-rank Marquis of Wuyang, and from the first-rank Prince Taibao, or Da Jiuqing One of the co-administrators, if he continues to be promoted, I'm afraid it will not be suitable."

Empress Xu snorted, "Then the official can't be promoted, can't you get him some money?"

Zhu Di said bitterly: "It's not like you don't know how poor I am."

Empress Xu pondered for a while, and then said: "I remember Zheng He told His Majesty a few days ago that overseas places admire the scenery of the Celestial Dynasty. If they can send fleets to trade, they will definitely make money and fill the national treasury."

Zhu Di said: "It's not that the horoscope has not been written yet, the fleet is gone, and the goods have not been found. Anyway, after waiting for a year or two, I will have more money. I plan to reward you, my precious nephew, not good enough!"

Only then did Empress Xu nod her head, "Okay, let the child go back, he turned pale from fright, Your Majesty, this is also your nephew."

"Yes, yes, ours, ours."

(End of this chapter)