My Ming Dynasty, I have the final say

The news that Jiannu was going to plunder North Korea again came back to Shuntian. From the emperor to the cabinet to the six ministries, the reaction was surprisingly unanimous - ok, got it.

Then, there is no more.

Regarding this rebellious son of North Korea, senior officials in the imperial court now have the same view as the emperor: Back then, your father gave you money and effort to help you drive away the gangsters who broke into your house. Now it is time for you to repay your father and attract good firepower.

Whose son is he whether he dies or not?

Today's Ming Dynasty doesn't care about North Korea at all, and can't even understand its own affairs.

Now the top priority in the Ming Dynasty is concentrated on one person, Bi Ziyan.

The implementation of the New Deal requires the cooperation of three departments: the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Department of Branches.

Bi Ziyan was an economic genius. His reforms must first start from what he was good at and use changes in the economic system to create an opportunity for the officials to rectify their governance.

Otherwise, if the government cannot be rectified, let alone reform and strengthen the country, it will be good if it can continue as hard as it was in the late Wanli period.

Rectifying officialdom is not just about fighting corruption and promoting integrity.

This is a matter that involves all aspects of talent discovery, appointment of people, supervision of affairs, assessment of responsibilities, etc., and anti-corruption is only a simple part of it.

This is not something that can be completely renewed by just shouting a few slogans and writing a few memorials.

This requires an actual implementation process.

Now, Bi Ziyan has decided to walk the same path that Zhang Juzheng and Wang Guoguang took back then.

And to do this, you must first go through the procedures.

As a result, it was decided that Bi Ziyan, the chief minister of the cabinet, would submit a letter and invite internal discussion.

In the first year of Tianqi, May 21st, Wuwu day.

It is suitable for getting married, meeting relatives and friends, traveling, moving, and collecting money.

Avoid mourning, going to bed, and committing suicide.

The chief officials of the six ministries and nine ministers, plus the chief minister of the cabinet, Bi Ziyan, and the assistant minister of the cabinet, Han Xu, discussed state affairs with the emperor in Xiyuan.

Yes, Han Xu finally saw the emperor again after many days.

Looking at the emperor reading the memorial behind the long book case, Han Xu felt a little sore in his nose.

This emperor doesn't take these ministers who care about their lives very seriously.

In today's court, the old people are no longer there, but there are new people.

"Since these six volumes of accounting were determined by you and Zhou Yingqiu based on the documents left during Zhang Jiangling's reform in the past, it is up to you and Zhou Aiqing to explain it to all the ministers."

Putting down the notebook in his hand, Zhu Youxiao looked at Bi Ziyan and asked.

The science students were a little dizzy when they looked at the order of the accounts.

"The minister obeys the order."

After hearing the emperor's question, Bi Ziyan stood up from his chair and cupped his hands.

"For discussion, sit down and talk."

Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and motioned for Bi Ziyan to sit down.

It would be very taxing on the knees to stand up every time. Ming Dynasty currently lacks financial talents, so we can't be tired.

"In the past, Zhang Juzheng served as the chief assistant of the cabinet and also the minister of the Ministry of official affairs. After passing the six-account method in the legal class and clearing up the world's money and food, he became a leader in politics and people."

"I have a shallow knowledge and can only follow the rules and regulations. Please do this."

With that said, Bi Ziyan began to explain to everyone present what the six-book accounting method was.

The cabinet held a "wai book" that recorded the flow of money and food between the central court and local governments.

The Ministry of Accounts holds a "General Ledger" that records all money and grain income.

The chief envoy and the officials at lower levels of the prefecture and county hold in their hands a "Fish Scale Book" and an "Inner Book" that records the circulation and collection of money and grain within the province.

The Du Branch Secretary takes another "Du Branch Book" that records the entry and exit of money and grain, and a "Kanhe Book" that records the delivery vouchers.

Although his current policy is adjusted based on Wang Guoguang's policy, as a person who could reorganize the imbalanced revenue and expenditure caused by the eunuch party in the late Apocalypse during the Chongzhen period, Bi Ziyan's ability is sufficient. of.

The "Du Zhi Memorial" he left behind influenced the subsequent financial policies of the Qing Dynasty, and many specific implementation items were an important basis for Yongzheng's governance.

After Bi Ziyan finished speaking, Zhou Yingqiu took out another memorial, "Regulations on Account Examination", and told everyone about the practical application of the examination method.

The governor and the yamen in charge of finance should keep a record of the incoming and outgoing money and grain, and send them to the branch office and the household department for verification.

When combined with the voucher, the specific content, time, person in charge, etc. must be clearly stated.

Then the two ministries will send the verification results to the Ministry of Personnel for the Ministry of Personnel to examine the merits of the officials and select the best and appoint them, while the bad and corrupt will be dismissed.

If the accounts finally delivered are not consistent with the accounts in the hands of the ministries, then don't blame the officials for being ruthless.

"My dear friends, what do you think of this method?"

After Zhou Yingqiu finished speaking, Zhu Youxiao looked at everyone present and asked.

"..."

After hearing the emperor's words, everyone present fell silent.

The two men had been prepared for their collaboration.

And look at this familiar scene, the three parties of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Du Branch Office cooperated. Isn't this the lineup of Zhang Juzheng's reform?

After being silent for a while, Han Xu, an assistant minister of the cabinet, spoke up.

"Isn't it a bit cumbersome to keep accounts like this?"

Han Xu had a copy of Bi Ziyan's memorial in his hand. He looked at it for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out.

But his first feeling was that keeping accounts like this was a waste of manpower.

Moreover, it is indeed not easy to be corrupted.

"It should be cumbersome to prevent corruption."

After hearing what Han Xu said, Dong Ying, the minister of household affairs sitting opposite him, raised his voice.

“Every money and food in and out must be deposited in two or even more account books. If there is a borrowing, there must be a loan. If there is an out, there must be an in. The in and out must be equal. Only in this way can we ensure that the state’s money and food will not go into private pockets. "

"However, this accounting method is quite complicated. If you don't study it carefully, I'm afraid it will be difficult to master. If you want to promote it in the world, I'm afraid many people will have to study it carefully before taking office."

At this time, Han Xu was also considering the direction of implementing policies.

"Han Fu is worrying too much."

Hearing Han Xu's words, Bi Ziyan smiled.

"When the branch office checked the government's financial accounts, it was easy to hire some accountants who were proficient in accounting. If the local government follows the law, there would be no difficulty."

"Ah."

After hearing Bi Ziyan's words, Han Xu fell silent and said nothing more.

He couldn't think of any reason to stop it.

"The original intention of this law is to prevent local officials from engaging in malpractice for personal gain. However, once this law is enacted, officials from all parties will inevitably move around frequently."

Suddenly, Xu Guangqi, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, spoke up.

"But if officials from all sides work together to balance the accounts, won't they still be able to deceive the superiors and misappropriate the court's money and food?"

"Xu Aiqing is worrying too much. My imperial study is only so big. There are about ten people discussing politics, and everyone has their own calculations. If local officials can really settle so many accounts, communication between the top and bottom will be smooth."

Showing a cheerful smile to everyone, Zhu Youxiao said.

"Then I should send the Tiger Guards to the local area, and bring the person who can handle so many accounts to the capital, so that I can take a good look at what he is capable of."

When Zhu Youxiao spoke, he had a smile on his face.

But the people present were not human beings. The emperor's words clearly meant that if the local government could really achieve this level, it would be time to mobilize the army to quell the rebellion.

"Your Majesty's words make sense."

After frowning and thinking for a while, Xu Guangqi cupped his hands and answered.

"I have another question. This method should be tried out in Shuntian Prefecture first, and then promoted throughout the world."

"Or, directly promulgate it to the world?"

Xu Guangqi’s question is whether to pilot it first and then implement it, or to implement it directly.

"First pilot, then implement." Before the emperor could say anything, Bi Ziyan spoke up.

"After sorting out the accounts of Shuntian and surrounding prefectures and counties, we can generalize it and implement it throughout the world."

With that said, Bi Ziyan added one more thing.

"The same is true for the examination method."

As Bi Ziyan finished speaking, the hall fell into silence.

Looking at Bi Ziyan's serious face, Zhu Youxiao felt a little emotional.

The Ming Dynasty has no shortage of loyal ministers.

"As soon as Master Bi's plan comes out, all the nobles, officials, powerful men, gentry, and influential families in the world will hate Master Bi."

"If this is the case, if Master Bi becomes an official in the future, he may even be inferior to Zhang Jiangling."

How many people are lying on the giant body of Daming to suck blood.

How many people are greedy for power and wealth under the banner of Ming Dynasty?

Now, you want these people to stop sucking blood. When the emperor trusts you, there is nothing they can do.

But what if you wait until you die?
Zhang Juzheng is a lesson learned from the past.

Destroying someone's wealth is like killing one's parents.

This is sworn hatred.

"The ancients have a saying: think of danger, think of change, think of retreat."

"In the past, Haigangfeng once commented on Zhang Jiangling, saying that he was good at planning for the country, but poor at planning for his own life."

Looking at Bi Ziyan, Zhu Youxiao asked quietly.

"I wonder if Bi Aiqing has thought about retreating?"

"I don't dare think about retreating."

After hearing the emperor's question, Bi Ziyan quickly stood up from his seat, knelt down in the middle of the hall and said.

The emperor was asking him if he had thought of a way out and if he was afraid.

"The king of heaven and earth is my teacher. You are great, and Your Majesty is the king. If you entrust me with important tasks, I will do my best to serve you."

"Master of the Lord of Heaven and Earth."

Hearing these words, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but look back.

The decoration here was left over from the time when Jiajing was practicing Taoism in the past. Above his dragon chair, there was a plaque with the words "Heaven and Earth, Lord, Personal Master" written on it.

"There are three roots in ritual: heaven and earth, which are the foundation of life. Ancestors, which are the foundation of humanity. Kings and teachers, which are the foundation of governance."

"Without heaven and earth, evil is born? Without ancestors, evil is born? Without kings and teachers, evil is governed?"

"Three of them will die, and there will be no peace for others. Therefore, etiquette serves the heaven above and the earth below. Honoring the ancestors and honoring the emperor and teachers are the three foundations of etiquette."

This sentence is from the Book of Rites, and of course he has read it.

And Bi Ziyan's meaning is also very simple. Thunder, rain and dew are all your kindness.

If he, the little emperor, were to abandon him in the future just like Wanli did back then, he would have no complaints.

"Heaven overthrows it, and earth carries it. Your parents and teachers, your king, are kind to you, nurture you, teach you, and protect you."

Looking at Bi Ziyan, Zhu Youxiao spoke up.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty, since I am your lord and your father, how can I not protect you?"

With that said, Zhu Youxiao looked at everyone in the hall.

"Let's do this. I promise today that Master Bi will be pardoned as long as he is not a rebel."

"I thank your Majesty for your kindness."

After hearing the emperor's words, Bi Ziyan's eyes widened instantly.

What the emperor means is, let go and do it, I believe you.

"I remember that in the past, my great ancestor sent guards to important officials in the imperial court."

Ignoring what Bi Ziyan said, Zhu Youxiao suddenly turned to look at Liu Shimin and asked.

"Your Majesty, it's the Iron Army."

After hearing the emperor's words, Liu Shimin immediately replied.

This has to be mentioned in the 23rd year of Hongwu.

This year, a major event occurred in the court. Zhu Yuanzhang gave each of the meritorious officials in the court 112 soldiers as attendants, called the Iron Book Army.

In the same year, a small incident also happened in the court.

Zhu Yuanzhang promulgated the "Record of Revealing the Traitors" and executed Korean Duke Li Shanchang, Ji'an Marquis Lu Zhongheng and others, which was known as Hu Prison in history.

The appearance of the Iron Ce Army relieved the surviving ministers.

It's over, and I can live a stable life for a few years without worrying about getting too close to others and being exterminated.

However, in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, the sudden death of Prince Zhu Biao made Zhu Yuanzhang lose his mind.

A bigger case than the Hu Weiyong case and the Li Shanchang case, the Lan Jade case against the Huaixi Group happened again.

But this time, except for the Huaixi Group, all the nobles who were surrounded by the Tie Ce Army survived.

It can be said that the Tie Ce Army is the real gold medal for the Ming Dynasty to avoid death.

"The imperial edict was passed to Cao Wenzhao, and two hundred capable people were selected from the Huben Guards to form a cabinet guard. Each round of a hundred people, they would be replaced every ten days, and they would take turns guarding the chief minister and assistants. Money and food would be borrowed from the internal funds."

"Your Majesty, this?"

Liu Shimin was shocked when he heard the emperor's words.

The emperor is going to restore the iron army system of Zhu Yuanzhang in the past.

Looking up and seeing the emperor's serious face, Liu Shimin responded quickly.

"The slaves obey the order."

"Your Majesty, I would never dare to accept this honor."

When he heard that the emperor wanted to send personal guards to him and eliminate the name of rebellion, Bi Ziyan quickly bowed his head and said.

The Tie Ce Army was given to nobles. He was so strict that he could enjoy this.

"I'm worried that someone will take the risk and let Master Bi get stabbed five times in the back, killing himself."

Looking at Bi Ziyan on the ground, Zhu Youxiao said word by word.

"If something happens, it will be too late to regret it. You still have to take precautions in advance."

"Your Majesty, minister, minister."

Looking at the emperor's sincere eyes, Bi Ziyan had tears in his eyes and had thousands of words in his heart, but could not say a single word.

The emperor's love for him was beyond words.

The emperor made it clear that taking people from the Huben Guards among his four personal guards was not surveillance, but real protection.

"Master, please calm down."

Reaching out to help Bi Ziyan who was kneeling on the ground, Zhu Youxiao looked at the people present and said.

"For the New Deal, I rely on all of you dear ministers."

"I will serve with my life."

After hearing the emperor's words, everyone who had already stood up quickly knelt down and promised.

What the emperor said to Bi Ziyan today was also said to everyone present.

As long as you work hard, you will never be treated badly.

As this political debate came to an end, and with the emperor's hammer blow, Bi Ziyan's power and responsibility became even greater.

And when Bi Ziyan returned to the cabinet and Xiu Mu returned home, the people in the capital were even more surprised by the 100 Huben guardsmen in neat military appearance who followed him on the side of his official sedan.

The emperor's personal army and his bodyguards, how many years has this not happened in the Ming Dynasty?
After Zhang Juzheng's death, the Emperor of Ming Dynasty had not trusted a minister like this for many years. (End of chapter)