Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Chapter 79: Their respective positions ( more updates, please subscribe!)
Zhu Yunwen, the wise king of the Ming Dynasty, was in mixed feelings. He originally thought that he would become the master of this imperial city, but now he could only wear court robes and come to court early.

This is in accordance with the court's procedures. Not to mention the princes who have left Beijing, even some officials who have left Beijing have the opportunity to meet the emperor.

"Sun Chen, please report!" Zhu Yunwen held up the memorial and knelt down, saying with a serious face, "In the Tang Dynasty, the annual salary of a prince was 100 dan in ancient times, and 2,400 dan in the Song Dynasty. In the Tang Dynasty, the annual salary of a county king was 700 dan and 60 hectares of land. In the Song Dynasty, the annual salary of an inspector was 1,200 dan of millet and 2,400 strings of cash."

Zhu Yunwen's words left many court officials puzzled, but they still had to continue listening patiently.

Zhu Yunwen continued to report, "I think that the Emperor Ming has never treated the royal family so well! Although I am not talented, I know the difficulties that the Emperor's grandfather went through in starting his business and the hardships that people's livelihood suffered. I hope that the Emperor will show his kindness and reduce my annual salary to 2,000 dan."

Zhu Yunwen's words made all the civil and military officials in the court look at him sideways, and they couldn't help but talk about it in a low voice.

The official salaries of the Ming Dynasty were the lowest in all dynasties, and the salary structure and payment method were also more complicated.

The current official system of the Ming Dynasty is divided into nine ranks and eighteen levels. After experiencing a "salary increase", many civil and military officials feel dissatisfied and still feel that it is too little.

Officials of the first, second, third and fourth ranks, from 1,000 dan to 300 dan, with each rank decreasing by 100 dan, were all given 300 guan of banknotes. The fifth rank was 220 dan, with each rank decreasing by 50 dan, and the banknotes were all 150 guan of banknotes.

The sixth rank is 120 shi, and the junior rank is reduced by 10 shi, and the banknotes are 90 guan. The seventh rank is 90 shi, and the banknotes are 60 guan. The eighth rank is 75 shi, and the junior rank is reduced by 5 shi, and the banknotes are 45 guan. The ninth rank is 70 shi, and the banknotes are 30 guan.

Even though there are some other subsidies, they are pitifully small, and civil and military officials have long complained about the low salaries.

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely kind to his family, but he was extremely stingy to his subjects.

After a moment of silence, Old Zhu slowly spoke, "Prince Wulin is loyal to the emperor and the country, and is truly a role model for the royal family. I approve your request and reduce your annual salary from 6,000 dan to 2,000 dan!"

Zhu Yunwen was stunned. Didn’t they say that even if he reported it now, his grandfather would not approve it?
How could it be approved directly? My annual salary has been reduced even though I haven’t even taken up my fiefdom yet?
Zhu Yunwen was stunned for a moment, and then he could only grit his teeth and swallow his blood, "Sun Chen obeys the order!"

Since his elder brother was going to be a vassal, Zhu Yunhuan, the crown prince, naturally had to come to the court. He stood at the head of the class with an expressionless face, as if he had no sense of existence.

However, after hearing Zhu Yunwen's wise and righteous request, he could not help but be moved and admired. If he had not been in the court, he would have been moved to tears while holding his second brother's hand.

However, a member of the royal family who was also in the court became furious. The vassal king, Prince of Jin, Zhu Gang, who had not yet been enfeoffed, wanted to kill Zhu Yunwen.

If you, the King of Wulin, want to please the Emperor and the Crown Prince, that is your business. Why do you have to petition for a reduction in your annual salary on such an occasion? Where does this put us, the princes who receive 50,000 annual salaries?
Playing dumb, Zhu Gang made a quick decision and pretended he didn't hear anything.

The annual salary of 50,000 dan, treasure notes and other supplies were plenty, but Zhu Gang often felt that it was not enough. If it was reduced further, he would definitely be even more stretched.

Seeing that his third uncle was about to close his eyes and rest, Zhu Yunhuan could only pretend not to see it. This scene was not unexpected.

Not everyone can be loyal to the emperor and the country. It's okay to say nice words, but it's not okay when it harms one's own interests.

There is no rush to reduce the supply to the royal family at this moment, and the most important thing is that Zhu Yunhuan does not need to force himself to take the lead.

The situation is good now. Zhu Yunwen has come forward and the final decision will be made by Zhu Yunhuan. Zhu Yunhuan is still a good man in the royal family and he cannot be blamed for this matter.

Old Zhu ordered Zhu Yunhuan to send Zhu Yunwen out of the city, and the new generation of King of Wulin was about to set off for Hangzhou, without even having to say goodbye to Lu.

This was also a routine practice. If an official was summoned by Zhu, he would leave the palace directly. If he was not summoned, he would kowtow outside the Meridian Gate and leave the capital.

Zhu Yunhuan and Zhu Yunwen also remained silent all the way, as there had long been a rift between the two brothers.

After leaving the city, Zhu Yunhuan spoke, "When you go to Hangzhou, remember to let me know if anything happens."

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will do my duty."

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "Remember not to have too much contact with civil officials, and don't have too much contact with local gentry. You are also a member of the Zhu family, and the civil officials in Eastern Zhejiang still have some influence in the court. It would be bad for you to get involved, and it would bring shame to the royal family."

Zhu Yunwen was stunned for a moment. The Zhejiang East Civil Service Group was previously headed by Song Lian, Liu Bowen and others, but he always felt that after the Hu Weiyong case, the Zhejiang East Civil Service Group had been almost eradicated.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "You have always liked reading, so pay more attention to the articles written by northern scholars. I also know that you will definitely say that the articles written by northern scholars are not well-written and lack literary talent, but in my opinion, the southern scholars are good at writing and can write more beautifully, while the northern scholars write simple and profound articles and are better at the content of classics."

I don't know what Zhu Yunwen was thinking, but he was very respectful on the surface and said, "I know."

"Your teacher Huang may be good at studying, but don't count on him for advice. He is not Zhang Zifang or Zhuge Wuhou." Zhu Yunhuan said again, "If anyone makes noise in front of you, arrest him immediately and report to the capital."

Zhu Yunwen immediately became serious, "I understand."

Of course you have to understand that the people around you were basically arranged by the Crown Prince Zhu Yunhuan.

Zhu Yunwen was also somewhat bored, and said, "Okay, I've said what I need to say. Let's just leave it at that, you be a wise king, and I be the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, that's all." Zhu Yunwen bowed respectfully, and suddenly said, "I don't mean to harm you."

Zhu Yunhuan laughed and said, "I didn't mean to harm you, but I have to fight for it. It's useless to say this now. I won't go against the fourth and fifth brothers. After all, they are my brothers."

After saying this, Zhu Yunxun solemnly said to the people around him, "You must serve the King of Wulin with all your heart and soul. If you hear anyone being disrespectful, I will kill them without mercy!"

Seeing the guards kneeling down, Zhu Yunhuan looked at Guo Zhen seriously, "You will personally escort King Wulin to his fiefdom. You don't need to rush back to the capital to report after you arrive. First, urge the construction of the palace, second, pay attention to the gentry in Hangzhou, and third, remember to drill the Hangzhou garrison. Be on guard against Japanese pirates and clean up the navy. Do you understand?"

Guo Zhen immediately knelt down and accepted the order, "I will obey your orders."

Zhu Yunwen left Yingtian Prefecture with a group of people. If nothing unexpected happened, he would come back to pay homage once a year at most.

Zhu Yunhuan was not in the mood to be melancholy. After seeing Zhu Yunwen off, he rushed back to the palace without stopping. He had other things to do.

Learning and getting in touch with more political affairs and understanding some key information and figures are the focus of his work during this period.

When Zhu Yunhuan put down the memorial in his hand, Zhang Fusheng stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the coffin of the Marquis of Xiping will be able to return to the capital in ten days."

This is also a big event. After more than two months of journey, Mu Ying's coffin is about to return to Beijing.

His funeral, posthumous title, etc. also need to be decided.

Zhu Yunhuan said, "Order the officials of the Ministry of Rites to draft funeral rites and set them according to the royal rites."

Zhang Fusheng lowered his head and looked submissive, but he was a little surprised. He originally thought that Xiping Hou should be posthumously conferred the title of Duke, but the Crown Prince wanted to bury him with royal rites, which means he should be buried at the same level as the King of Zhongshan and the King of Kaiping.

Mu Ying's coffin was sent back, and the funeral, posthumous title, etc. were naturally arranged by Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yunhuan did not even have much say in the matter.

However, considering Mu Ying's status and achievements, Zhu Yunhuan did need to pay tribute to him. He did not plan to send someone over, so it would be better for him to go there in person.

"Oh, it's bound to be another sad day." Zhu Yunhuan couldn't help but worry, "It's obviously his birthday."

Old Zhu’s birthday is September 18th of the lunar calendar. Around the time when Mu Ying’s coffin was sent back, that was Old Zhu’s birthday.

According to the rules, a big birthday party must be held, but now no one dares to mention it, and Lao Zhu has no intention of holding a big birthday party. It's not because of frugality, but mainly because he is not in the mood.

Before Zhu Yunxun could think about anything more, Zhang Fusheng came over again to report, "Your Highness, Jinyiwei Commander Jiang Li wants to see you."

"Xuan."

He was used to it. Although he was only a crown prince who did not need to observe government affairs and was still in the learning stage, Zhu Yunhuan had already felt the busyness of government affairs.

Be it the Cabinet or the Grand Council, Zhu Yunhuan would definitely not mention it now.

The reason is very simple. Old Zhu will definitely not allow it.

He abolished the power of the prime minister and highly centralized the imperial power, and finally got the power in his hands. If Zhu Yunhuan mentioned the decentralization at this time, he would definitely be severely punished.

It seems that there are more things to do in the future. Zhu Yunhuan does not intend to settle for pleasure, and some experiences of later generations can also be used as reference. However, he also understands that some systems and policies cannot be directly transferred to the current Ming Dynasty.

Those policies that have been proven to be effective in later generations may not necessarily be in line with the current national conditions of the Ming Dynasty.

There was still a lot to do, and Zhu Yunhuan took note of it silently.

Jiang Li entered the palace and saluted, "I am Jiang Li from the Jinyiwei Command Center, and I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Long live His Royal Highness."

Zhu Yunxun didn't waste any words and asked directly, "What do you want?"

Jiang Li replied, "Your Highness has previously ordered me to collect and investigate illegal activities of the royal family and officials. I have found some evidence and am here to report back."

Seeing Zhu Yunhuan nod, Zhang Fusheng immediately stepped forward and took the memorial that Jiang Li was holding high.

Zhu Yunhuan opened the memorial and took a look at it. He couldn't help but say, "The crimes committed by the royal family and nobles are more serious than I thought. It seems that they are going to kill someone."

The kneeling Jiang Li trembled slightly, then became excited. The Jinyiwei had a chance to recreate the situation where the imperial guards were everywhere and the whole country was shaken.

Zhang Fusheng lowered his head and dared not reveal any expression. He had been serving His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for some time. He knew that this prince was never a merciful person and was decisive in killing!
(End of this chapter)