Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 24 There is Xu Pu in the article, and Hongzhi can prosper

The world belongs to the Zhu family, and Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang hated corrupt officials.

It's just that the Zhu family's descendants can't live up to their expectations. The imperial power is not as good as that of the previous generation. No matter the foreign relatives group or the noble group, they all lost to the calculating civil official group.

Taizu of the Ming Dynasty stipulated the salary standards of officials: "The monthly salary of the first grade is 87 stones, the monthly salary of the first grade is 74 stones, the monthly salary of the second grade is 61 stones, the monthly salary of the second grade is 48 stones, the monthly salary of the third grade is 35 stones, and the monthly salary of the third grade is 26 stones. [-] stones of rice...the regular ninth grade monthly salary is five stones and five buckets of rice, and the ninth grade monthly salary is five stones of rice." Therefore, the civil servants used this to complain decently that "the official salary has been so thin since ancient times, and there has never been anyone like this."

It is estimated that a stone of rice can feed an adult man for a month, so the Dai Lu of the Ming Dynasty really could not allow officials to live a life of luxury.

It's just that through the efforts of generations of civil servants who are proficient in calculations, they already have the ability to change all this.

Especially after the Civil Fortress Change, the Civil Service Group snatched the military power of the Beijing Camp from the Xungui Group, and then completely suppressed the Xungui Group.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang set the official salary of the Ming Dynasty as a permanent system, it is not easy for the civil official group to abolish this ancestral system and raise their own salary, and the salary increase does not conform to the honest and honest personality they created.

However, while the civil official group is fighting for the right to speak of the civil official group, it is also constantly reaping benefits for itself, trying to make up for the gap in income between itself and the previous dynasty.

For example, in the name of "Zhi Tang Yin", they openly withdraw money from their own yamen, and they can also ask for silver from the imperial court in the form of "offering silver from Zaoli, grooms, etc.", and even Beijing officials will send people to Yangzhou to transfer back the money, etc. .

In addition, different amounts of tax-free land were set up for scholars and officials with above-mentioned honors, which caused the officials and gentry to escape from military service and steal the country's grain tax revenue.

So far, the wages are still the wages set during the Hongwu period, but all kinds of subsidies are available, and the most important income is "charcoal warning, ice warning and other warning".

In terms of gray income, the Ming Dynasty has long been the best in the past, and the civil official group has become a greedy group.

Now seeing that Zhu Youtang, who has just ascended the throne, is honest and easy to bully, he resolutely added "Enthronement Grace", and deliberately added "Suiwei Yongzhi", really wanting to turn the country's finances into the private treasury of civil servants.

Zhang Sheng, who was wearing a fifth-rank official uniform, felt Zhu Youtang's anger, and also felt that the Ministry of Rites did not behave properly, but it seemed rather tricky.

His teacher Liu Jue was forced to leave by Wan An and Liu Ji, and because of his aloof personality, he never belonged to any camp.After seeing that Zhu Youtang turned out to be the heroine who had been dormant all this time, he also decided to help Zhu Youtang well.

After some thought, Zhang Sheng put forward his own opinion and said: "Your Majesty, Taicang is full of abundance today. I think that the suggestion of the Ministry of Rites can be adopted to bestow grace on the throne, but if you want to delete it, it will be permanent!"

"Master Zhang, isn't this your banker, don't you feel bad?" Zhu Youtang raised his head and glanced at the entrance hall bathed in the sun, and joked with a half-smile.

Zhang Sheng mistakenly thought that Zhu Youtang was dissatisfied with this proposal, so he just thought about it to no avail, and finally shook his head lightly and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me for being stupid! If Your Majesty thinks that the amount of reward is too much, you can reduce it, but it is too late now. It has to be given!"

"Master Zhang, how about giving me money?" Zhu Youtang asked seriously, not wanting to make the civil servants too happy.

Zhang Sheng couldn't help but smiled bitterly, then shook his head gently and said: "It's not right! Today's treasure bills are getting cheaper and cheaper, if His Majesty uses the treasure bills as a gift, the civil and military of the Manchu Dynasty will inevitably say that His Majesty is wrong behind his back, it's better not to reward him! "

"If treasure money doesn't work! Huh? I thought of a good idea!" Zhu Youtang was also thinking seriously, and suddenly a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind.

Seeing Zhu Youtang's appearance, Zhang Sheng couldn't help but think of the situation of revising the "Edict of Enthronement" earlier, and immediately realized that the emperor's student had another trick.

As night falls, the city of Beijing is lit up with thousands of lights.

The Xu Mansion study located in Huaishu Alley is spacious and bright, and the front hall of the study is filled with a faint tea fragrance. Xu Pu is sitting on the main seat to entertain a burly visitor.

Since the death of Emperor Chenghua, the number of officials visiting his door has obviously increased day by day. Now even if Xu Pu is in the third rank, he has already surpassed the chief assistant Wan'an and the second assistant Liu Ji.

"Hehe... Xueshi Xu, I am honored to hear a piece of news from the palace today. His Majesty has agreed to add more cabinet ministers!" Ni Yue, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, straightened his waist, but took the initiative to reveal it.

He and Xu Pu are from the same township in Nanzhili, but Xu Pu entered the officialdom nine years earlier than him, and his official career went smoother than him, so he also took the initiative to join Xu Pu's faction
Xu Pu picked up the hot tea that the housekeeper had just brought over, raised his two bushy eyebrows slightly and said, "Brother Shunzi, where did you get the news from?"

"Zhang Sheng!" Ni Yue glanced at the door and gave the answer in an inscrutable manner.

The source of Xu Pu's news is very reliable, even if he squeezed the lid of the tea and poured it lightly, he said triumphantly: "Wan An flatters the upper and lower, and Liu Ji is a cotton wool. If the old man enters the cabinet smoothly this time, he must promote the reform of the imperial court. It’s a waste of the old man’s lifelong learning!”

"It's a blessing for Ming Dynasty to have Bachelor Xu in the imperial court, Hongzhi Zhongxing can be achieved!" Ni Yue knew that Xu Pu was a very proud person, so he complimented him authentically.

Xu Pu was not overwhelmed by the news, he took a sip of tea and said, "Your Majesty ordered the cabinet to be filled, and then there will be a court push, so the old man has to deploy in advance!"

Tingtui was originally presided over by the emperor, but since Yingzong, since the emperor lived in seclusion, if there was a vacancy of ministers, Jiuqing would hold a meeting and push.

The same is true, if Xu Pu wants to get a ticket to the cabinet, he must win enough votes, and then he can successfully enter the cabinet by way of court recommendation.

"With the prestige of the public today, who can compare with the officials of the Manchu Dynasty? The entry into the cabinet is none other than the public!" Ni Yue believed that Xu Pu's entry into the cabinet had no suspense, and he seemed very sure and authentic.

Xu Pu pinched the lid of the tea and poured the tea lightly, and found that this was really the case.

With his status and reputation today, none of the ministers in the court can match him, and entering the cabinet can be said to be a final matter.

After joining the cabinet, if he wants to kick Wan An and Liu Ji out of the court, then he will sit on the coveted throne of the chief minister of the cabinet, and then he can justifiably lead the officials.

"Bachelor Xu, isn't it inappropriate to make the grace of enthronement permanent?" Ni Yue thought of what he was promoting, and could not help dissuading him worriedly.

Xu Pu was the one behind the enthronement enthronement, he sipped his tea calmly and said, "What's wrong?"

"Except for the enthronement favor bestowed by Emperor Taizong, all the emperors of this dynasty have not had this rule. Now that the generous rewards and the advocacy of permanent system may cause His Majesty's dissatisfaction!" Ni Yue hesitated, and then expressed his scruples.

Xu Pu knew his student very well, but he put down the teacup in disapproval and said, "This matter is done! Don't say that Your Majesty agrees or disagrees. The news has been spread. The civil servants of the Manchu Dynasty have no reason to object. Your Majesty will definitely adopt this policy. !"

Ni Yue couldn't help but smiled bitterly, he dared Xu Pu to push himself to block the gun, and he didn't care if His Majesty would hate him or not.

Xu Pu noticed Ni Yue's reaction, and comforted him: "The old man watched His Majesty grow up. His Majesty has always been kind, and he can listen to our minister's advice! Granting the enthronement will help His Majesty to disturb people's hearts. The policy of loyalty to the emperor is now set as an eternal system, not only will this dynasty praise you, but future generations will also remember your achievements!"

"I hope so!" Ni Yue also knew that this was indeed something that could last a lifetime, so his expression softened immediately.

Just as Xu Pu sent Ni Yue away from his hometown, his good friends of the same year, Li Min, Minister of the Household Department, and Li Si, the Left Minister of the Household Department, came to the door one after another, and Dang even warmly entertained him.

Although his status cannot be compared with Wan An and Liu Ji, he has already woven a solid network of relationships through fellow villagers and the same year over the years, and even presided over the Chenghua 11th and Chenghua 17th year examinations.

With his current status and influence in the Great Ming Dynasty, he can already be regarded as the leader of hundreds of officials, and he will shine in the morning of the new dynasty.

Since tomorrow is the first morning court for the new monarch, the capital city tonight seems to be undercurrents, and various forces have gathered together to plot something.

(End of this chapter)