Saving the Ming Dynasty: I can exchange bodies with Chongzhen

Chapter 3 The most important thing is to make money
Swap bodies?

Chongzhen's eyes flickered. Although he didn't know what "don't talk nonsense" meant, he still keenly felt that it was not a good word.

"I..." His suspicious nature came back again, and he kept clenching and unclenching his fingers.

be terribly upset.

He murmured, "What should I do? Why should I believe him just because he said he would save the Ming Dynasty?"

But now that the Ming Dynasty is on the decline, he can no longer support himself.

a long time,

Chongzhen gritted his teeth and said, "I want to see what you can do about the Ming Dynasty's fall."

"How can I believe that you are not a demon? Are you deceiving me?"

"Whether it is a magic or not, you will know tomorrow morning." Zhu Changgan: "When the time comes, I will call you, and as long as you agree, I will exchange bodies with you."

After ending the call, Chongzhen sat down on the ground. Only then did he realize that his entire back had been soaked without him noticing.

I just watched the scene of the country’s demise, and it felt like a lifetime ago.

Seeing Wang Chengen coming to support him, he could no longer control himself and grabbed his hand, saying in grief: "My dear friend, the Ming Dynasty is destroyed, and I am the culprit!"

"Your Majesty, what are you doing? The imperial physician will be here soon."

"No, I don't need it. I'm not sick." Chongzhen drove everyone out and muttered, "I just want to be alone for a while."

"Am I really the ruler of a ruined country?" I don't believe it... I want to see what you can do. "

……

The next day,

The bell and drum department then struck drums and rang bells, and the palace gates opened.

When civil and military officials entered the court, civil officials entered through the Zuoye Gate and military officials entered through the Youye Gate.

After entering the palace, the ministers had to line up according to their rank south of the Jinshui Bridge.

"Pah~pah~"

The yellow silk whip made a loud noise when it was waved, making people quiet down.

Chongzhen suddenly woke up from his drowsiness, "Is it time to go to the morning court? What time is it? Daban, why didn't you wake me up?"

The reign of Chongzhen was a model of diligence, forming a two-fold extreme from the reigns of Jiajing and Wanli. One was that he never missed a day of court attendance except on the day the country was destroyed.

Another is not attending court for 24 years.

"Your Majesty, you were not feeling well yesterday, so I wanted to let you sleep a little longer." Wang Chengen had been waiting outside for a long time. Upon hearing this, he came in to help Chongzhen change his clothes. "Your Majesty, don't worry, there is still time."

After the whip was blown, the ministers had to cross the bridge one by one, and then walk all the way to Taihe Gate and Danchi, and stand facing each other on both sides of the Imperial Road and wait.

During this period, there were censors supervising and recording was made.

So I can't walk fast.

When Chongzhen was fully prepared and arrived at the imperial gate, the bell and drum department began to play music, followed by five umbrellas and four round fans.

When ascending the throne, Chongzhen's vision suddenly went dark. If Wang Chengen hadn't helped him, he would have almost fallen down.

After some greetings,
The morning begins.
The first stage is generally to receive officials entering or leaving Beijing.

……

At the same time, Zhu Changgan in Prince Xiang's Mansion had just woken up. After paying his respects to his father, Prince Zhu Yiming, he came back to eat something.

I looked at the time and the sun was about to rise.

"Are you ready to exchange bodies with Chongzhen? (Note: During the exchange, the other party can choose whether to continue to listen to the original body's voice)"

"Ready!"

Zhu Changgan called Chongzhen, "Hello, Chongzhen, can you hear me? If you can, please respond."

Chongzhen was listening to the discussion below during the morning court session. He was startled when he heard the voice in his ears. He glanced at the dignitaries in the court and whispered, "You can hear it."

"Switch bodies soon, get ready."

Chongzhen hesitated again, "I want to ask you one more question, how are you going to save the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Changgan was somewhat speechless. This was the final step. "Just tell me whether you want to save the Ming Dynasty or not?"

"Yes, but... you have to tell me how to save the Ming Dynasty?"

"Let's not talk about other things for now. The most important thing for Daming right now is that it has no money. The first step I will take when I go there is to get money."

"Then how are you going to get the money..."

But before he could finish his words, his consciousness suddenly fell into darkness.

"I..." When Chongzhen opened his eyes again, he found the maids standing around him, and his eyes widened suddenly, "Where is this?"

"Sir, is this in the Prince Xiang's mansion?"

Chongzhen suddenly stood up and rushed to the door. He looked at the red walls and glazed tiles that were completely different from those inside the imperial city. He then looked at the table and saw the rice porridge that he had already finished.

The feeling of fullness in the stomach.

After being stunned for a long time, he exclaimed: "Prince Xiang's Mansion? Is there really such a magic?"

How come I had already exchanged bodies with Zhu Changgan before I even finished asking?

His face turned blue with anger.

"Huh" Chongzhen was stunned for a moment, as if he could choose to hear the sound made by his own body.

……

On the issue of exchange, Zhu Changgan had absolute control. As long as Chongzhen said so and the other party agreed, the exchange could be implemented.

Suddenly, a light flashed.

Zhu Changgan found himself sitting on the throne, and below him was a sea of ​​civil and military officials, all wearing court robes.

Oh wow ~ they've been switched?
at the same time,

A series of information prompts appeared in front of Zhu Changgan, which only he could see.

"Name: Zhu Changgan"

"Main quest: Save the Ming Dynasty Completion: 0/10000"

"The National Fortune of the Ming Dynasty: -10086. (The National Fortune is directly proportional to whether the people can live and work in peace and contentment. If the National Fortune is negative, natural disasters and man-made calamities will continue.)"

"The Ming dynasty has been extended: 0"

「Life Bonus: 0」

「Fund Reward: 0」

「Other rewards: 0」

Zhu Changgan touched the dragon throne and couldn't help feeling a little excited.

Wang Chengen, who was standing aside, was a little far away and did not notice the abnormality of "Chongzhen" just now.

As usual, he stepped forward and said, "The big ones will announce it, and the small ones will present it."

It’s the old rule that major issues are discussed directly in the court, and minor issues are directly reported to the emperor.

Today's morning court has just passed the first stage, which is to receive people entering and leaving Beijing.

The second key part of the morning court session is to deal with urgent matters at the border.

newcomer,

Zhu Changgan has only one trick. Before I figure it out, I will just watch you perform.

Minister of War Yang Sichang: "Your Majesty, the thief Zhang Xianzhong has captured several cities in a row. I request to increase the troops again. In addition, the "suppression funds" have not arrived yet. The soldiers are short of funds and have no fighting spirit. Zhang Xianzhong's troops are becoming more rampant."

Prime Minister Wen Tiren narrowed his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, there are no soldiers available in any place right now. I wonder if we can send the Brave Guard Battalion to suppress the bandits."

Liu Zunxian, the Minister of Works, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the silver needed to build the defense of the capital is not in place, so the Ministry of Works cannot start construction. Winter is about to come, and stones and wood cannot be brought into the capital."

It can be seen that the important border affairs have not been explained clearly.

The court will automatically enter the third stage: dealing with important internal affairs of the court, which is the "reporting matters" stage.

"cough!"

Every official would cough before reporting on something.

It is called "cleaning", which actually also means saying hello, so as to avoid confusion and embarrassment caused by two people leaving work at the same time.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Xue Guoguan, stood up first and said, "Your Majesty, Suzhou Prefecture Procurator Zhou Zhikui and scholar Lu Wensheng sued Zhang Pu and Zhang Cai for "forming a clique and acting arbitrarily", "holding power arbitrarily", "forming a clique and defying the will of the emperor", and slandering the Ming Dynasty. However, the Imperial Censor Ni Yuangong and the Deputy Envoy of the Sea Route Feng Yuanfeng protected them..."

Immediately, an official said sharply, "Your Majesty, the Fushe Society is a place for students to study. How can you talk about "forming a clique and acting arbitrarily" or "holding power arbitrarily"?

"A traitor looks like a loyal person, and a flatterer looks sincere. How could Your Majesty allow traitors like Xue Guoguan and Wen Tiren to control the court for eight years? I think this is Wen Tiren's selfish revenge!"

"..."

The court officials below were arguing fiercely, but Zhu Changgan didn't say a word and just looked at them.

This left everyone, including Wang Chengen, a little puzzled.

Liu Yuliang, the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, frowned, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? You haven't said a word in such a long time?"

"I don't know. I heard that he had a hysterical attack yesterday. He was crying and laughing at the same time and talking to himself in the Qianqing Palace," said Xue Guoguan, the Left Vice Minister of Rites, in a low voice.

The officials were talking to each other.
Zhu Changgan looked at each of the people below and remembered them in his heart.

At the same time, we are also quickly sorting out the current situation of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Changgan didn't say anything, but looked at someone.

The Prime Minister Wen Tiren, who was standing at the front of the court and looked calm and composed, was stunned and silent. Apart from the military and political matters he just said a few words, the disputes in the court seemed to have nothing to do with him.

This character occupies a lot of space in the Biographies of Traitorous Ministers in Ming History.

Chongzhen was a stubborn and suspicious person. During the 17 years of his reign, there were as many as 50 cabinet ministers, who were replaced frequently like a revolving lantern.

Only Wen Tihen was able to hold the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet for eight years and was quite favored, which led to the "Wen" phenomenon, which is intriguing.

The so-called "encountering Wen", "Wen" is a homophone of "Plague", which means that Emperor Chongzhen was deceived by Wen Tihen, just like "suffering from plague".

Wen Tiren was a notorious villain, but he was favored by the emperor, which caused an uproar in public opinion. Folk songs spread all over Beijing, saying "Emperor Chongzhen was defeated by Wen."

The two words "suffering from plague" can show how powerful Wen Tiren was.

He first joined forces with Zhou Yanru to squeeze his competitors Qian Qianyi and Qian Longxi out of the central government and brought them into disgrace; then he drove his partner Zhou Yanru out of office, and finally he became the top leader of the cabinet - the prime minister.

Chongzhen was such a suspicious person, but he could rely on him so much, which shows that he was very capable.

It’s a pity that I didn’t take the right path.

Zhu Changgan then looked at Wen Tihen's confidants, including Liu Yuliang, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Xue Guoguan, the left vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, and others.

In addition, there were a group of civil officials from the Donglin Party who were spitting all over the place.

He speaks eloquently and has brilliant literary talent.

Zhu Changgan shook his head and said, "They are a group of smart and capable people!" Huh?
This sentence stunned all the civil and military officials in the court. They stopped arguing and looked at the emperor.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

"I'm tired. If there's nothing else, let's adjourn the court!" Zhu Changgan waved to all the civil and military officials in the court. At this time, Wang Chengen had come over and supported him.

All the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

It was not until "Chongzhen" disappeared behind the screen that everyone looked at each other.

"This is weird. This is the first time that His Majesty has left court so early in all these years."

"Yes, is he really sick?"

"Your Majesty..." Suddenly one of the ministers reacted and knelt down abruptly, "Your Majesty, why are you so lazy and leaving so early?"

……

Xiangyang Palace,

"Shameless! Extremely shameless!"

Chongzhen looked at the time and raised his eyebrows, "You've left the court so early. You've completely disgraced our ancestors' etiquette and laws."

"So, do you still want to revive the Ming Dynasty? Save the Ming Dynasty and save the world?"

"So lazy and self-deprecating!"

"Shameless..." Chongzhen's eyes were blazing with anger, and he stared at a couplet posted in Zhu Changgan's room like nails: Life is all about diligence, without which nothing can be gained.

He rushed forward and tore down the words.

"Swish, swish..." It was torn into pieces.

"I am the Holy King. Is this how he acts as a Holy King? Is he saving the Ming Dynasty or destroying it?"

Since Chongzhen came to power, he was determined to emulate Taizu and never missed court or left early.

I worked hard every day and did not dare to slack off in the slightest, only thinking about reviving the Ming Dynasty.

That is why he was called the "Holy King" by many people.

But when Zhu Changgan attended the morning court for the first time, he actually... left early.

"My ten years of hard work were wasted in one day at the hands of this shameless man!"

Chongzhen's face turned purple. Zhu Changgan's action undoubtedly threw the royal reputation, which Chongzhen cared about most, to the ground.

The servants and maids in Prince Xiang's mansion were so frightened that they ran away and dared not get close.

……

With the help of Wang Chengen, Zhu Changgan finally found where he lived. "Is this the Palace of Heavenly Purity?"

He had no psychological burden about leaving early, because what he wanted to save was the Ming Dynasty, not Chongzhen's face.

Besides, face is given by others. The Ming Dynasty is about to perish, so what is the use of face?

Are you waiting to use it when you're hanged on a crooked tree?
"Bring some paper to me."

"Yes!" Wang Chengen quickly placed it from under a table and then waited on the side.

Zhu Changgan waved his hand and said, "You go out too. I want to think about something by myself."

"My Lord, what about your body?"

"It doesn't matter!"

After Wang Chengen walked out of the hall, looking back every few steps, and closed the door, he was still worried and stood at the door.

Inside the hall, Zhu Changgan looked at the white paper.

From the factional strife among the officials in the court that lasted less than an hour, it was clear that the entire court had collapsed.

They are all arguing and discussing, but no policy can be implemented.

Wen Tihen, Xue Guoguan, Min Hong and those members of the Donglin Party were by no means mediocre in terms of talent, but all their energy and attention were devoted to party struggles.

All means are aimed at guarding against attacks from political enemies and consolidating one's own position.

……

Zhu Changgan hesitated for a while and wrote down the most important question, which was just one word.

"money"

If Chongzhen's useless words in the court can be compared to cancer.

The financial collapse of the Ming Dynasty was like the rupture of a large blood vessel.

If one of them was not handled properly, the Ming Dynasty would have collapsed.

That is why Zhu Changgan told Chongzhen that the first step to saving the Ming Dynasty was to get money.

"Otomo, come in for a moment."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengen walked in quickly and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you want me to do?"

"How much money do I have left in my treasury?"

"Your Majesty, you just asked yesterday, three thousand six hundred taels."

"Only three thousand..." Zhu Changgan's mouth twitched, "Okay, you go out first."

The "Jiashen Chronicle" said that when Li Zicheng retreated to Shaanxi, he escorted more than 30 million taels of silver from Chongzhen's treasury. This is not even a fraction of it.

Where does the money come from?

From the nobles? From the officials? From the eunuchs? Or from the gentry?

Just as Chongzhen said before his death, all civil servants in the court can be killed.

Now what if we confiscate the property of these nobles and civil servants, kill them, and replace them with another group?
Unless you don't want to live anymore.

The deepest and darkest conspiracy of the Ming Dynasty: If the emperor suppresses civil officials, he will drown.

Even Zhu Houzhao, the Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty during his youth, who had personally taken a knife to kill people in the frontier, died from falling into the water despite his physical fitness.

The same thing happened to Emperor Tianqi. He was just boating on a lake, but the boat capsized even though there was no wind.

Although he was rescued, he fell seriously ill.

The similarity is that the emperor used the power of the Ming Dynasty eunuchs and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to suppress civil officials. During these two periods, the eunuchs and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were also at their most powerful.

Once is a coincidence, but twice?

Is it still a coincidence?
What’s more, the Chongzhen Dynasty was already full of holes and leaks.

Not to mention that the court politics and military power were not in the hands of the emperor, now even the Western Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were not in Chongzhen's hands.

For example, if Chongzhen had a hysterical attack in the palace last night, all the nobles, civil and military officials outside would have known about it without waiting until dawn the next day.

Kill one group and replace another? Confiscate their property?

Bullshit!

Perhaps the emperor died for unknown reasons before the decree was drafted.

It has even been leaked that this group of civil servants will support a new emperor to ascend the throne tomorrow.

……

What about borrowing money?
Borrow money from all the nobles and civil and military officials in the court.

Chongzhen had thought about borrowing money or getting donations from the nobles, but hundreds of thousands of taels of silver was harder to take from the nobles and civil and military officials than to kill them all.

From the people?
Is it easy to take the common people’s money?
If it were easy to obtain, why would there be so many peasant uprisings and wars everywhere?

The grain that the common people collected was not enough to feed themselves, and they still had to pay three additional taxes, so they had no choice but to rebel. A few years later, Li Zicheng led millions of refugees to Beijing, which was the best proof of this.

What about the eight “imperial merchants” in Shanxi?

These traitors and smugglers are profit-driven and only care about their own families. They are traitors to their country. If we just confiscate their property and exterminate their entire families, we can at least get a few million taels of silver, right?

Yes, but it can also easily cause unrest.

First, the Later Jin had been in collusion with them for so many years. These eight "imperial merchants" supplied various resources to the Qing Dynasty. If they were suddenly destroyed, the Later Jin would certainly use this as an excuse to launch another attack on the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, they have been smuggling for so many years, and their assets must have been transferred in a very scattered and secretive manner.

If you are not well prepared, you may not be able to seize much property.

Furthermore, there were many people in the court who colluded with the "Eight Imperial Merchants". Otherwise, how could they have been able to do military supply business with the Qing Dynasty so safely for so many years?

Without the help of officials in the court and military generals outside the court, it would have been impossible to do it.

If we touch these eight families, just like touching the nobles and officials in the court, it is possible that the emperor will fall into trouble again before the money is received.

Even if he hadn't fallen into the water, once the search and confiscation began, the nobles and officials would be angered and would collectively resign. The court would come to a complete standstill and the Ming Dynasty would also have died.

Although there are some historical memories from previous lives, the current situation in the Ming Dynasty has become extremely rotten.

It was extremely difficult to save the Ming Dynasty in the late Chongzhen period.

But it’s difficult, not that there is no chance!
The tolerance for error is extremely low.

"Be steady, be accurate, and be ruthless."

Zhu Changgan threw the words with money on them into the brazier and shouted to the outside, "Wang Chengen."

"Your Majesty, the eunuch is here!" Upon hearing this, Wang Chengen hurriedly pushed the door open from outside.

"Get me something to eat. Also...Wen Tiren shouldn't have left yet, right? Let him stay for a while."

Only after you are full can you sharpen your knife to kill pigs and sheep.

Make money!

Wen Tiren had just left the court, but had not yet walked far when he was soon called over by Wang Chengen.

"His Majesty!"

"Lord Wen, I thought hard last night and came up with a solution that can temporarily solve the problem of money and grain."

"Oh, I wonder what your majesty is thinking..."

"I want to borrow money from the royal family. The Ming Dynasty is in turmoil. In the past, more than half of the land tax in the Ming Dynasty was used to pay the salaries of the royal family.
The salt and tea taxes and customs duties of various provinces almost all fall into their hands. They are richer than me. I wonder what Mr. Wen thinks of this?"

"Huh?" Wen Tiren was stunned.

The princes and vassals are still asking the national treasury for money every day. Does the emperor want to borrow money from them?

……

……

ps: [Three Taxes], a levy on land tax in the late Ming Dynasty to raise military expenses to resist the Later Jin Dynasty and suppress peasant uprisings, is a collective name for the three taxes: Liao Tax, Suppression Tax and Lian Tax.

　The content is suitable for one big chapter, so I won’t divide it into chapters and will just post all 4,000 words at once.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)