I'm really not doing business

Chapter 463: The way of heaven favors good people, and the world is turning like a wheel.

No matter how determined the Ministry of Revenue is to implement the Banknote Law, the Ming Dynasty currently does not have the necessary soil to implement the Banknote Law. In the matter of promoting the Banknote Law, the Ministry of Revenue has shown an enthusiasm that is inconsistent with conservatives.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should promote banknotes instead of banknotes at the post stations scattered on the official roads. Compared with banknotes, banknotes are easier to prevent counterfeiting and are less likely to be counterfeited." Zeng Shengwu, Minister of the Ministry of War, proposed. From my own point of view, acceptance bills or banknotes are more suitable for Ming Dynasty.

To be honest, Zeng Shengwu was not optimistic about the credibility of the imperial court. The hasty launch of the banknote method would definitely cause a huge uproar in the end and make the imperial court lose face. It was not too late to issue it overseas and explore ways to explore.

The banknotes mentioned by Zeng Shengwu originated in the Northern Song Dynasty.

As early as the early Northern Song Dynasty, there were banknote shops in Chengdu, Sichuan that specialized in cash custody business for merchants carrying huge sums of money. Merchants who deposited silver or copper coins would receive a banknote made of paper and stamped on it. There are saddle seals and saddle stitches to prevent counterfeiting. When the banknote is accepted at a bank check shop, a 3% storage fee is required.

This kind of paper money is not a kind of Ming Dynasty treasure note, but more like a mutually recognized contract, or a kind of accounting currency.

During the Jingde reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, Zhang Yong, the magistrate of Yizhou, rectified the banknote shops, eliminated lawbreakers, and left them exclusively run by 16 wealthy merchants. At this point, the operation of the banknote shops was brought under the supervision of the imperial court.

Zeng Xingwu believes that this is the best way at the moment. The bank note is a contract check, and its contract is between both parties. It is not like the treasure banknote. The amount and style of issuance are all decided by the court. It can only be done from top to bottom. , that is not a contract, it is oppression.

"The Ministry of War really has a good plan. The Ministry of Industry casts Tongbao and stamps silver coins, so forget it. Does the Ministry of War intend to reach into the Ministry of Household Affairs?" Zhang Xueyan said with an extremely ugly face when he heard this.

Zhu Yijun was actually reading a memorial written by Zhang Juzheng, "General Commentary on Currency", which talks about the changes in currency.

During the Jiading period, exchanging one new banknote for two old banknotes was equivalent to owing half of the goods to the people. During the Jiaxi period, exchanging five new banknotes for old banknotes meant that the people were owed four times the goods. This is Zippe!

This is the conclusion Zhang Juzheng came to after reviewing all the banknote techniques from the Northern Song Dynasty to the Hongwu Period.

The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household had a quarrel in the Wenhua Hall. The three assistant ministers of the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng, Wang Chonggu, and Wang Guoguang, turned into a master pretending to be confused. Wan Shihe looked at His Majesty without saying anything or standing up to mediate. , allowing the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Households to make noise in the Wenhua Hall.

After a clear accounting of the expenses, it aroused the admonitions of the officials of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and various public opinions on the abolition of the post stations emerged one after another. The post stations with serious losses should be abolished to reduce the burden on the court.

Is there any difference between the imperial court using a little paper and ink and unredeemable banknotes to exchange goods and commodities for the people, and the immortal's Midas touch? The more paper money is issued, the more debt will be owed, and the court can arbitrarily never pay off this debt, or even abolish it directly.

There is a fundamental problem here. The imperial court is a powerful force and can breach the contract without any loss. Merchants have no way to sue for demands, so it is better to use the civil information bureau among the people.

But the station is still losing money, and the 3% storage fee for the acceptance bill is the best way for the station to be responsible for its own profits and losses.

Zhang Juzheng enacted the "Regulations on Providing Posts" in the third year of Wanli, which implemented a strict system for allocating post stations, and abolished the permanent system of official qualifications. No private person is allowed to steal the public gate, and he can only use it by himself, and he is only allowed to bring one attendant. In the fourth year of Wanli, the money and food consumption of the post station was reduced to 2187832 taels, saving 94 silver. The number of post stations increased from 337 to 403.

The Japanese country lacked smelting technology. Although there was enough silver, the silver dug out would flow to the Ming Dynasty in transactions. Because of the backward mining, smelting, and minting technology, the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes could be recognized in the Japanese country.

Paper money is the loan from the court to the people. This statement originated from Xu Heng's "Chu Coin Notes", which said: With the capital of counting money, paper and ink, I can exchange the goods of the people all over the world; printing is easy, and the life is endless. Inexhaustible. The world's so-called gods turn rubble into gold, so how can they go beyond this?

Zeng Shengwu looked a little helpless. In the past, when Tan Lun was here, how could the Hubu dare to slap the Bingbu like this? Now that the Great Sima was seriously ill, Zeng Shengwu, the newly appointed Young Sima, could only bite the bullet and said: "The management of the post station of the Ministry of War is leaking everywhere. The Ming Dynasty Baochao Bureau has been in bad condition since the 26th year of Hongwu's reign! My child! Everyone knows that treasure money is worse than toilet paper!”

In the third year of Wanli, the post station's annual consumption of money and food was as high as 3.13 million silver. Officials who were not on official errands, scholar-bureaucrats with honors, and various people who traveled around ignored the quota and arbitrarily requisitioned the post staff. With chariots and horses, officials at all levels issued indiscriminate inspections.

During the period from Song Gaozong to Song Lizong, a total of more than 23.43 billion Jiaozi were issued!
(Source of historical data, quoted from: "Research on the Evolution of Monetary Thought in the Two Song Dynasties")
Since the Central Plains had officials in the early Northern Song Dynasty, it has completely become a sharp knife for peeling downwards. This is also the reason why the Central Plains does not recognize Baochao. From the Northern Song Dynasty to the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the knife of Chaofa was used again and again. Cut to the common people.

Banknotes are debts and credibility. Fluctuations in the value of banknotes endanger the country's trust. In the hinterland of the Central Plains, it is not appropriate to promote banknotes prematurely.

As for the biggest problem with banknotes, the credibility problems caused by the arrogance of never paying off or even directly abolishing them, Ming Dynasty didn't care, because it was a Japanese country.

However, Zhang Juzheng strongly supported the banknotes going overseas, especially since he chose the first place where the banknotes would go, which was the Japanese country.

The problem of losses on Guandaoyi Road.

Zhang Juzheng divided currency into three stages. The first stage is commodity currency, which uses a specific commodity as a medium of exchange. The oldest in the Central Plains is shell coins.

These are typical commodity currencies.

This kind of commodity currency is still used overseas. In Virginia and Maryland in eastern North America, tobacco is used as currency; while the Viceroyalty of Peru uses a kind of shell beads as currency, 6 The total value of a shell with white beads or 3 black beads is one real silver coin. Interestingly, the Viceroyalty of Mexico uses corn as currency.

In the Ming Dynasty, there were various mountain people who could obtain "horse cards". Horse cards represented official status. Horse cards could be used to arrange posts at the inns. This was how various mountain people poached the court.

After commodity money, there is money law, that is, metal coinage.

The Central Plains began to mint various copper coins from the pre-Qin Dynasty, to the later five-baht coins, and now to the current Wanli Tongbao. Gold, silver, and brass are natural currencies and are widely accepted and recognized. The lack of metal coins is not only This is reflected in the Ming Dynasty and the entire world. The coins of European and Western countries should start with Rome. There is no silver in the silver coins of Rome. This is also a widely circulated joke in Europe and the West.

"I heard all the plans made by the Ministry of War in the Ministry of Household Affairs! Aren't you just jealous of the countless profits made by the Civil Credit Bureau every year? With the way the post station is leaking from all sides, who would be willing to use the imperial court's post station to accept the money? Hand over the money to the post station If you want to take it out in your hand, it will be as difficult as going to heaven!" Zhang Xueyan immediately attacked the management of the station.

Banknotes are closely related to the credibility of the court. Once the credibility is lost, banknotes become a pile of waste paper.

Zeng Shengwu smiled and said: "Who let the banknote law be corrupted?"

Zeng Shengwu's attack power was fully maxed out. How could Hubu, who was so corrupt at a hundred steps, have the nerve to mock the military department's fifty steps!
At any rate, the organizational structure of the post station is still there, and dozens of new ones have been added in the past two years. With the implementation of the "Regulations on Giving Posts", the operation of the post station has gradually turned into a benign one. The Baochao Bureau of the Ministry of Revenue does not even have a yamen. Well, most of the promotions in the Baochao Bureau are held by doctors concurrently. How dare you say that the Ministry of War is not managed well?

After metal coinage, there is the banknote method, that is, credit banknotes, or bond banknotes.

Zhang Juzheng took charge of it, and he actually implemented it.

Zhang Juzheng's history is so deep that he asked someone to check the number of coins issued in the Southern Song Dynasty. Compared with Kublai Khan's 3618 million coins, the Southern Song Dynasty issued 1000 million coins during the reign of Gaozong, 3400 million coins during the Xiaozong period, and 3.7 during the Ningzong period. During the reign of Lizong of the Song Dynasty, a total of 19.29 billion coins were issued.

A series of words related to money, such as bribery, poverty, credit, expensive, gambling, gifts, fees, etc., are all next to the word shell. In very ancient times, the Central Plains used shell coins as general equivalents, such as "Salt and Iron Theory·" "Wrong Coin" said: Xia Hou used Xuanbei. "Shangshu Pan Gengzhong" says: Shellfish are water insects. The ancients used their shells as goods, but now they use them for money.

The post stations on the Guandao Post Road are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, so the right to issue accounting currencies such as acceptance bills, which are checks, is in the hands of the Ministry of War. The Ministry of Households should be in charge of money and food, but now everyone is poaching the Ministry of Households. corner!

The answer given by the court was to tighten the issuance of horse tags, and include the implementation of the compliance regulations into the examination results. What is wrong must be paid back, which is equivalent to sealing the ribbon, and not stealing the public for private purposes. This has indeed made the wounds of the post smaller.

Your own household department can't defend its own territory. Do you blame the military department for grabbing the territory? The emergence and business model of the Civil Trust Bureau made the Ministry of War's eyes brighten. There was a big problem that had always troubled the Ministry of War, and the wise men of the Ministry of War finally found a way out.

For example, there is a permanent system of official body qualifiers. Some people hold qualifiers, even things left by their grandfather's grandfather. Logically speaking, qualifiers should be used and disposed of. When a certain errand is completed, qualifiers should be taken back. , but this kind of bad thing will benefit everyone within the bureaucracy, so naturally no one will care about it.

The ceremonial officials at the Wenhua Palace are all just watching the fun. As long as they don't do anything, they just make a few noises. Didn't you see that His Majesty on the platform is watching the fun with great interest?

"Hmph! I don't think anyone will use the post's acceptance. He is crazy if he dares to use it! It's good to deposit it in, but you can't take it out. When the time comes, you will have no way to ask for it. Besieging the post is another disobedience. I don't think any merchant Dare to take such a risk!" Zhang Xueyan immediately changed the direction of his attack. The acceptance bill of the post was not recognized by the public at all.

Zeng Shengwu immediately said loudly: "Pilot, do you understand the pilot? There is no decree that can be rolled out all at once! From the tax inspection office to the tax inspection institute, tax inspection matters are from Nanya to Nanzhili, Zhejiang, Huguang, Fujian didn't happen overnight, it was achieved step by step! Only after Yi Mu established his trust did Shang Yang's reforms come into effect. Credibility and mutual trust were built up bit by bit!"

The greatest pleasure of being a political official is watching the quarrel between the imperial ministers. Zhu Yijun did not stop the fight. He even wanted to shout loudly, "Let's fight! Let's fight!"

What is more interesting is that the Spanish Governor-General of Mexico also issued banknotes. In order to raise war funds, the Mexican Governor-General issued banknotes indiscriminately and paid military salaries. This led to several major changes in the Mexican Governor-General. Now the Mexican Governor-General prefers to use corn as currency. For currency, they are unwilling to use banknotes.

The Japanese invasion has lasted for more than 20 years. From top to bottom, the Ming Dynasty has been gnashing its teeth against the Japanese invasion. Especially the hatred of the Jiangnan scholar-bureaucrats towards the Japanese invasion is no longer known to everyone. Successive governors of Fujian and Zhejiang have made many similar remarks Yu Yongqing's remarks about the Japanese invasion.

The exchange of commodities requires general equivalents to participate in measuring value.

Zhang Juzheng carefully studied the mining and smelting of Japan. He briefly summarized the reason for the backwardness of coinage technology, which was the lack of firewood, whether it was firewood or coal.

After Zhu Yijun finished reading the memorial, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Husband finally calmed down. The Ministry of Husband lost completely, mainly because of the fact that the Ministry of Hu's Ming Dynasty treasure money was not recognized even by the Ministry of Hu's.

"The Ministry of War has drawn up the rules and let's see." Zhu Yijun saw the result and announced the result as a referee. He decided to try it out using the accounting currency of the acceptance bill to explore the path of Ming Dynasty's treasure money.

For the first time, Zhu Yijun felt a little unconfident about himself. In his lifetime, could the Ming Dynasty really move from metal coinage to credibility currency?
"I have already prepared a memorial." Zeng Shengwu is good at planning and then taking action. Since he launched it, it was naturally not to fight with the Ministry of Revenue, but to prepare for it. Your Ministry of Revenue secretly implemented the banknote method, and even carried out the plan with His Majesty. Slander, how could the Ministry of War not have any preparations?
Zhang Juzheng handed the memorial to Feng Bao. He opened the copy, thought for a moment, and wrote the floating note.

The Ministry of War is extremely well-prepared. The pilot project starts with coal-silver convection. In fact, it is coal, mainly coke. The technology of burning in earth kilns is already very mature. Similarly, burning in earth kilns is also the main source of pollution. The Ministry of Industry was recently investigated by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The officials followed and scolded him. After depositing silver at Huitongguanyi in Songjiang Prefecture, you can obtain a bill. You can directly accept the coke at Xishan Coal Bureau, and then go south from Chidao to Tongzhou via the Grand Canal, or go out to sea from Tianjin Wei and ship to Nanya, which is frozen in winter. At that time, you can take the Guandaoyi Road to the Mizhou City Bosi Shipping Station to go south.

Zeng Xingwu believes that in the next five to ten years, the salt-silver convection will be completely replaced by the coal-silver convection. This does not mean that the southern salt will no longer move northward, but its scale will be much smaller than the coal-silver convection, even in Woma. Only after Gangkai Mining has achieved results will the economic cycle be completely established.

There is a lot of resentment in Nan Ya. Many people in Nan Ya believe that Bei Ya is also a negative asset and needs to be actuated. Specifically, there have been discussions in the past dynasties about moving the capital back to Nan Ya, and the rich mineral deposits in the north will be effective. Reduce this resentment.

"Your Ministry of War has been planning for a long time! It has been planned for a long time!" Wang Guoguang, as a cabinet minister, after reading the memorial, finally stopped asking Zhang Xueyan to charge into the battle and spoke directly.

It seems that the defense is somewhat broken.

"Not long after, from the day I came to Beijing from Sichuan to be a minister, I came to Beijing from Sichuan Yanshui Mayi. I was thinking about how this good inn has been losing money. Since ancient times, on this golden bridge and silver road, it is a wonder in the world that an inn can lose money. The post station connects the world and connects the department stores. "Not long after Zeng Shengwu said this, it was six years ago. In the third year of Wanli, Zeng Shengwu was promoted to the right minister of the Ministry of War. He had been preparing for this since he returned to Beijing from Sichuan.

Zeng Shengwu said with great certainty: "Since ancient times, only strong men can do business. Bandits who block the road and rob are everywhere. These post soldiers are the best source of soldiers."

Zhu Yijun approved Zeng Shengwu's memorial. The Ministry of War had really planned it for a long time and was well prepared. It needs to supplement the "Giyi Regulations". The regulations on the management of silver coins and the acceptance of physical goods (coke) have been studied very clearly. During the trial implementation, modifications will be made if problems are encountered.

Contradictions explain everything one after another. No system is perfect from the design point of view. It is all gradual and spiral. This is called reform and innovation in etiquette.

The Ministry of Finance's intention to promote the banknotes failed again, and they only received permission to issue banknotes at the Nagasaki Governor's Palace.

Wang Daokun, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, reported on the construction progress of Youlong and Feiyun. If according to the current situation, the three-year construction is expected to be completed, it can be completed half a year in advance. Youlong and Feiyun will definitely be launched as scheduled, which is more convenient for the construction industry. The biggest headache for everyone is the problem of Xishan Coal Bureau.

"Your Majesty, this production capacity cannot be reduced, and there must be no pollution. It will be better to wait until the Suiyuan Chi Road is repaired and the coal from Datong, Guihua, and Shengzhou can be smoothly delivered to Beijing." The attitude of the Ministry of Industry is particularly tough, and it will be discussed later on reducing production. The plan is just three words, impossible!
When the price of coal rose from six cents per catty to two hundred cents per catty, it was not the Ministry of Industry and Technology that was held accountable, but the Ministry of Industry. Even if the emperor forcibly ordered it, the Ministry of Industry would say that Xishan Coal and Steel took a long time to develop. The kilns are rich in craftsmen. The Ministry of Industry has implemented the strategic adjustment of fine steel and coal, improved equipment levels, done a good job in energy conservation and emission reduction, and done a good job in pollution prevention and control to provide power for the Ming Dynasty's economic cycle.

If the emperor asked again, the Minister of Industry could only say: Stop talking, stop talking.

"The Ministry of Industry has difficulties. I have to cope with the situation. I can only do it reluctantly. The Jiefuan Institute has obtained a cotton mask. After the court meeting, everyone should take some back. This Suiyuanchi Road should be repaired as soon as possible. That's good." Zhu Yijun did not force the Ministry of Industry to reduce production. Daming needs coal.

The Ministry of Household Affairs reported on the issuance of Yanxinglou tickets, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate found a group of corrupt officials, mainly in Nanya, Zhejiang and other places. This place is rich in wealth and is the most prone to corruption. There are sixty-four people in total. The specific experience is The person in charge is Li Le, the prefect of Yingtian. Yingtian Prefecture is Nanya, one of the two capitals. Li Le is almost certain to be the next governor of Yingtian.

Because the current governor of Yingtian, Pan Jixun, strongly requested to go to Suiyuan to serve as governor. This was a flat transfer, more like an exile. Pan Jixun wanted to control the Yellow River.

Pan Jixun, who invented the sand flushing method with water beams, knew very well that sand flushing with water beams would treat the symptoms but not the root cause. To make the Yellow River clear, soil erosion must be controlled in Suiyuan.

In terms of Pan Jixun's qualifications, he came to Beijing from Yingtian and was at least a young Sikong. However, Pan Jixun gave up on his own progress and wanted to transfer from Nanyaping, the richest city in the south of the Yangtze River, to Suiyuan, a remote place with no shit. Just to control the Yellow River.

"Governor Pan serves the country and the people. It is appropriate for Governor Suiyuan to be promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Industry and go there." Zhang Juzheng, as the official of the Ministry of Personnel, invited Pan Jixun to a higher official in the capital. When he meets in the future, he will call him Pan Butang.

It is possible that Pan Jixun returned to Beijing as Shao Sikong at least, and waited for the chancellor's absence, but Pan Jixun chose Suiyuan. Pan Jixun was also the staunchest supporter of the Ming Dynasty. He once discussed the possibility of the complex with Tan Lun in depth. Huang He Damn it, this turbid dragon can only be captured in the Hetao!
The first chief envoy to Suiyuan was Sanniangzi. It was a helpless move by the imperial court to fulfill its promise. No one was available. Before there were mines in Womagang and Shengzhou, the Ming Dynasty could not even find officials willing to go to Suiyuan. When several people arrived, Pan Jixun took the initiative to go there, just to regulate the Yellow River, and played an exemplary and leading role.

Scholars in the Ming Dynasty were not all scheming, bad people who would do whatever it took to get promoted.

"What do Wang Cifu think?" Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Chonggu.

Wang Chonggu immediately bowed his head and said: "Pan Budang is a righteous man in the world."

Wang Chonggu agreed to the major personnel appointments proposed by Zhang Juzheng. Pan Jixun, the minister of the Ministry of Industry and Governor of Suiyuan, also expressed great appreciation for Pan Jixun's character. A righteousness in the world means that the right path in the world is subject to vicissitudes of life.

The existence of people like Hai Rui and Pan Jixun raised the average moral level of Ming Dynasty bureaucrats.

Wang Chonggu saw that everyone had finished discussing important matters and said, "A strange thing happened recently."

"In Shicheng County, Ganzhou Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, there was an oil seller named Jin Xiao. As his name suggests, he was quite filial and made a living by selling oil. One day, the oil seller went out of his house and felt anxious. When he went to the toilet, he found something wrapped in a white cloth. He was overjoyed to have thirty taels of silver. Jin Xiao took the silver and returned home happily, saying to his mother that he had found a fortune and found a lot of silver."

"When I heard about it, I was immediately surprised and said, why did you do such a bad thing? Could it be stealing? Jin Xiao explained in detail the origin of the thirty taels of silver. When I heard the reason, I advised Jin Xiao to find the owner and return it, and said: This rich and poor man It all depends on fate. If you are destined to enjoy it, if you are not born into a family that carries oil poles, you may not be rewarded for your hard work, but suffer disaster instead."

Zhu Yijun heard this and said with a smile: "I am a sensible person. This person who lost his money must be as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. Thirty taels of silver is not a small amount."

Thirty taels of silver is enough to buy several yellow-flowered girls.

Wang Chonggu continued: "No, Jin Xiao is a filial man. He listened to his mother and went to find the lost owner. This is bad."

"Why is this broken? It's not unknown to pick up gold, Jin Xiao has peace of mind, and the owner is found again, why is it broken?" Zhu Yijun asked doubtfully, how do you think it is a good thing?

Wang Chonggu shook his head helplessly and said: "This owner is not a kind person. The owner took back the silver package. He was afraid that Jin Xiao would ask for the reward, so he came up with a plan. He said that there was fifty taels of silver in his pocket, and Jin Xiao kept it in vain. Twenty taels later, the owner was so angry that the neighbors came to watch. "

"Your Majesty, this county is full of neighbors. If Jin Xiao takes the initiative and hides the twenty taels, then Jin Xiao won't have to be a human being in the future. He will be poked in the spine and scolded when he goes out. Moreover, Jin Xiao is an oil seller. , this reputation is ruined, Jin Xiao has no choice but to leave his hometown with his old mother to make a living elsewhere. "

"It is said that Jin Xiao argued loudly, but the owner refused to let go. The noise attracted the fireman in the Qiao Tower. The fireman invited the Yamen servants. The Yamen servants took him to the Shicheng County Yamen. The county magistrate Chen Zhen was in the eighth year of Wanli. Forty-five people in the second class have just taken office, and this is also the first time they have been promoted.”

"The neighbors all want to see how Xinzhi County will impose penalties."

Zhu Yijun sat forward and asked, "How did County Magistrate Chen decide?"

Wang Chong, the ancient god, said: "The magistrate Chen asked the owner, how many taels of silver did you have in the silver cloth? The owner said fifty taels. The magistrate Chen immediately understood and said: The silver you lost is fifty taels. What he picked up was thirty taels, and it’s not yours.”

"The owner was shocked and said quickly: I would rather just take these thirty taels."

"Chen Zhixian said sternly: If Jin Xiao wanted to rely on your money, why not take it all? But he only hid less than half, and he was found out by his own family to get into such noisy matters? The money was broken off and Jin Xiao took it to support his mother; Go and find your fifty taels!"

"Good judgment." Zhu Yijun highly approved of Chen Zhixian's judgment.

Jin Xiao is not ignorant when he picks up gold, but the owner rake it up, and the magistrate can clearly distinguish between right and wrong. Since the number does not match, naturally you cannot claim it falsely. Since you have lost fifty taels, go find it yourself.

Wang Chonggu's face became serious and he said: "Your Majesty, Chen Zhen's treatment is not just that. After Jin Xiao took Yinliang to support his mother and left, the magistrate Chen tied up the owner."

"The law of the Ming Dynasty, false accusations are counterfeit. The owner of the property is falsely accusing Jin Xiao. According to the Laws of the Ming Dynasty and the Huidian of the Ming Dynasty, anyone who robs people's property during the day will be punished with a hundred rods and three years in prison. Those who calculate the amount of stolen goods will be punished with theft." Those who commit crimes of the second degree and who hurt others will be punished by death, and their punishment will be reduced by one degree."

"Therefore, the owner should receive a hundred rods and three years' imprisonment."

"The purpose of daylight is not to differentiate between yin and yang and dusk, but to emphasize broad daylight and blatantness, which is why the punishment is so severe."

Zhu Yijun frowned slightly, then relaxed and said: "The punishment is not excessive."

Wan Shihe further explained: "To seize something by surprise is called robbery, and to obtain it with force is called snatching. The owner of the property is talking about everyone, it is robbery. It seems to be a trivial matter. Chen Zhen seems to be a bit too intimidating and punishing. He has a kind and forgiving heart, but he should be dismissed after being falsely accused."

"My lords, if that Qiaolou fireman hadn't noticed and invited the yamen servants, what would have happened to Jin Xiao who was timid and fearful and admitted the matter? Is the oil stall in his house worth twenty silver? If he can't afford to pay, just pay. Come on, will anyone buy his oil in the future? Can Jin Xiao still stay in Shicheng County? These days, people are moving to other places, that is, they are in exile."

It seems that the punishment is a bit too severe, but in fact, if you think about it carefully, if Jin Xiao confesses, his family may be ruined.

"If our Ming Dynasty were all officials like Chen Zhen, it would be better. Most of them are doing it to save trouble. The place is convenient, but this and Xini are just indulgent. Who will dare to pick up gold in the future? What happened in other places? When it comes to things like this, you will stick to the old routine, which will only cause more trouble," Zhang Juzheng said with deep feeling.

Chen Zhen's threats and punishments have reached the ears of the Minister of Punishment, and even brought it to the Wenhua Palace for discussion. It is a troublesome matter for officials like the county magistrate.

In order to save trouble and thin the mud, the local government will definitely encourage this kind of arrogance. In addition, a large amount of silver flows into the Ming Dynasty. People's hearts are not ancient, rituals and music are broken, and it is just like this, little by little.

The way of heaven favors good people, the natural public order and good customs are completely destroyed, and the world is turning like a wheel.

(End of this chapter)