Daming heir

There was really nothing the court officials could do to stop it.

They can stop Zou Xueyu's Zhili Governor's Yamen from auditing accounts from the first year of Hongwu on the court.

But they had no way to stop the corruption cases that Zou Xueyu discovered while tracing Hongwu's accounts from 24 years ago to the present.Similarly, once it is discovered that officials who have resigned or been transferred elsewhere are involved in these cases, Zou Xueyu's Zhili Governor's Yamen also has the power to continue investigating.

Since the Governor's Office of Zhili has frequently launched attacks, the boundaries of the 18th Prefecture of Zhili Road are now filled with wailing, and countless families are hanging on the beams.

With the concerted efforts of the tax bureau's tax soldiers, the exchange of gold and silver prices has been fully implemented throughout Zhili Road.

When the Ming Dynasty Silver Bulletin petitioned the imperial court to implement a unified gold and silver price ratio throughout the country, and it was quickly recognized by officials headed by the cabinet, this system was immediately announced to the imperial court in the form of an imperial edict from the emperor. Tell the world.

In this regard, the Ming Dynasty had a fixed and unified economic system.

Under the general trend, even if some people in Zhili Province tried to save their family businesses that were about to go bankrupt, they were unable to do anything.

The merchants outside Zhili Road, with the keenest sense of smell, began to enter Zhili Road in large numbers.

At this time, these businessmen will naturally not have much sympathy for their colleagues in Zhili Road who have suffered heavy losses. At this time, they will only think about getting ahead of everyone and buying up the names of their colleagues in Zhili Road. industry.

Zhu Fang looked at the people in front of him and felt that his methods in recent years were still too merciful.

According to the results discussed by the few people in front of them, none of the people involved in this incident in Zhili Road could escape.

Compared with these people, I am still too kind.

Zhu Xiang was silently thinking about whether he should complain to his ancestors after returning to the Ancestral Temple today.

I am the kindest child in Lao Zhu's family.

At this time, Zhu Gaochi said: "The 18 prefectures of Zhili Province account for more than half of the national commercial tax. If they are managed well, the people of Zhili Province will be the richest in the Ming Dynasty. But in these years, the government has deceived The superiors, while the inferiors were levied violently. The people's purses were empty, and the imperial court did not receive any benefit, but the final infamy was still paid to the imperial court."

"It is the nature of businessmen to pursue profits." Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs, said without changing his expression, with a hint of sarcasm between his brows: "Businessmen only took the opportunity to communicate between the two places, and they all became the richest people in the world. Such a situation , I, Ming Dynasty, must correct it."

Zou Xueyu, who is in charge of Zhili Road, also echoed: "We must make producers rich and let people buy more things with the same money. Only in this way can the Ming Dynasty be considered prosperous."

What does prosperity look like?

In the past, when a country's treasury was full, its people lived and worked in peace and contentment, no one picked up lost things on the road, and thousands of nations came to visit, it could be considered a prosperous age.

But now.

Zou Xueyu believes that just because the country is rich and the people have enough to eat, it cannot be regarded as a prosperous age.

Only when people have more money to buy more things can they be considered wealthy.

Full stomach?

That's nothing more than a country's obligation to its people.

After all, the people also paid for it.

Zhu Yunxi looked around and saw that the courtyard at the foot of Jubao Mountain was silent, with exquisite shrubs and green plants everywhere.

Unique Jiangnan garden construction techniques.

In the faint corners, you can see some maids hiding, waiting for the call at any time.

He said in a low voice: "The Secretary of the Salt Transport Envoy of the Huaihe River... I have been studying history for a long time. I know that in the Han Dynasty, salt and iron were government affairs. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, all kinds of wastes were prosperous. It was difficult for the court to take care of everything, and because of the nine-sided All we can do is to leave the matter of salt production to the private sector with the guidance of salt.

Now that the Zhili Road complies with the Hongwu New Deal, can there be any changes in the Lianghuai Salt Affairs? "

If we talk about where the merchants in Zhili Road are the richest.

Suzhou Prefecture does not count, nor does Songjiang Prefecture.

Only the salt merchants in Huai'an Prefecture and Yangzhou Prefecture were the richest.

The famous Yangzhou Shou Ma was also due to the money in the hands of countless wealthy salt merchants on the border between the Huaihe River and Huaihe River.

Zou Xueyu remained silent on this.

Although he is now the governor-general in charge of Zhili, in his plan, he currently has no plans to take action on the Lianghuai Salt Affairs.

Zou Xueyu's current plan is to take back the power of the local government of Zhili Province, suppress those greedy businessmen, and then truly carry out his own work to benefit the people of Zhili Province.

Xia Yuanji glanced at Zou Xueyu, who was sitting opposite, and knew what the governor was thinking.

He thought for a while, but then said: "Last year, His Highness visited the north to renovate the area in Shanxi Province. In the third year of Hongwu, Shanxi merchants started to implement the Kaizhong system. They only enjoyed the emperor's favor, but did not want to be loyal to the country. Shanxi Dao Jin In the business case, the Ministry of Household Affairs counted the goods, and the total amount exceeded 5000 million taels.

The Lianghuai Salt Service is related to people's livelihood, and is comparable to that of Shanxi merchants.How much profit can be gained from the DPRK?How many people can eat enough salt?According to the official's opinion, the world's salt affairs should be returned to the country as soon as possible. "

"Let's check them all together."

Zhu Yunxi spoke softly, but looked at Zou Xueyu, who was silent.

Zou Xueyu knew that this burden was truly placed on his shoulders.

He stood up.

"The minister takes orders."

……

Zhili Road finally launched a vigorous rectification campaign.

Led by the Zhili Governor's Yamen, the three law departments are united, and the tax office, Daming Bank, Daming Commercial House, Jinyiwei, and dozens of Yamen handle the case together.

And because Zou Xueyu, the governor-general of Zhili, was busy with many affairs, the investigation and handling of the commercial tax of the 18th Prefecture of Zhili Province since the 24th year of Hongwu was left to the hands of King Zhu Xi of Qin.

After Zhu Ping took over the errand, the first thing he did was not to unify the thoughts of so many people in the yamen, say a few words of encouragement, and promise a few tempting benefits.

He just summoned a few people from the governor's office and the tax office.

Wearing the luxurious and majestic uniforms of the Ming Prince, Zhu Ping looked majestic. He just sat there with an expressionless face, showing that he was not angry and powerful, making people afraid to look directly at him.

"I won't say anything else, and you all know it."

"I only want to say one thing."

"I won't investigate cases, but you will. You won't kill people, but I will."

"So, you can go and investigate. If the case is confirmed, I will go and kill people with a knife."

"This king has finished speaking, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhu Ping's words were full of murderous intent, but there was not much expression on his face.

It was really too late last night to chat with the ancestors of Lao Zhu's family. Now Zhu Ping just wanted to put the matter on these people as soon as possible so that he could go back and find a place to sleep.

Huaigong, the clerk of the Zhili Governor's Yamen, was also present today.

"My lord..."

Guan Huaigong stood up, cupped his hands and clasped his fists in front of Zhu Xi, who was about to stand up and leave.

Zhu Xi couldn't help but rolled his eyes.

But he was already standing in front of him, so Zhu Ping could only raise his head and ask, "Is there anything else I don't know about?"

Guan Huaigong sorted out his thoughts and asked in a low voice: "Where should the scope and personnel involved in the investigation of the commercial tax accounts of the 18th Prefecture of Zhili Province starting from the 24th year of Hongwu, which His Highness mentioned, be traced back to?"

Zhu Ming raised his eyebrows, stood up, put his hands in the gold belt around his waist, and glared at Guan Huaigong.

"What is your name and what is your official position?"

Guan Huaigong stood up and nodded: "My subordinate Guan Huaigong is currently the secretary of the Zhili Governor's Office."

"What grade of official is this?" Zhu Xi murmured in a low voice, shook his head and said in a deep voice: "I have just said that, you just have to investigate, no matter who you find, where you find, if you need to do something If you lose anyone, just tell me, and I will kill someone for you."

Zhu Ping's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Guan Huaigong couldn't help but shrink his head.

Zhu Ping held back his breath and walked up to Guan Huaigong.He still put his hands on his hips, glared and said in a deep voice: "Have a good time, go and investigate, find out more people, I will ask for a good official position for you."

Guan Huaigong immediately bent down and lowered his head.

The sleepy Zhu Ping had already passed by him.

……

Zhili Road Suzhou Prefecture, the prefect's Yamen.

The prefect's Yamen, located on the banks of the Suzhou River, was surprisingly quiet today.

There was not a single common person in sight on the street outside the government office.

At the end of both sides of the road, there were a small number of Jin Yiwei officers and soldiers wearing Feiyu uniforms, as well as tax soldiers wearing Taotie uniforms.

The soldiers in front of the government office were also squeezed at this time and huddled in a corner.

No one dared to meet the eyes of the Jin Yiwei officers and soldiers.

Everyone seems to think that anyone who is looked at by Jin Yiwei will most likely be sent to Jin Yiwei's prison in the next moment.

Now, no one dares to look at the tax soldiers, because no one knows whether they have made any mistakes in taxation in the past if they are targeted by these tax soldiers.

These tax soldiers are now even more feared than the Imperial Guards.

The Jin Yiwei are in need of their lives, while the tax soldiers are in need of both lives and money.

Many families were destroyed at the hands of tax soldiers.

There was silence outside the government office, and there were only a few footsteps in the government office.

Guan Huaigong entered the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty less than two years ago. It was only because he felt that the future was the study of mind, so he was able to serve as an official in important places such as the Governor's Office of Zhili.

The biggest difference between Guan Huaigong and the previous Xinxue officials is that Guan Huaigong believes that being an official can be for one's own benefit. After all, a person must have a full stomach first.

But apart from these, we must not forget to serve the people as an official.

In the past few years, the salaries of officials in the imperial court have indeed been very low, but the government offices have a lot of money, and the daily food and clothing expenses can be said to be borne by the government.

There are carriages to go in and out, a fixed place to live, and no worries about food and clothing.

This is already the greatest pursuit of all living beings, and anyone with an official status can have it.

But there are always some people who still want to ask for more.

This is what Guan Huaigong cannot tolerate.

When it came to business taxes, Guan Huaigong felt even more stupid about these local officials.

Bearing the risk of being traced by the court at any time, he also had to help his merchants conceal the true business tax amount.

Just like the Suzhou prefect in front of me.

There was a hint of sarcasm on Guan Huaigong's face: "A total of 57 taels of silver in arrears of commercial taxes have been concealed. I wonder what the prefect has to say about this?"

The Suzhou prefect was calm on the surface, but he was already panicking in his heart.

The eyes of the Jinyi guards and tax soldiers around him could almost pick out all the flesh and blood from his body.

"I have only been serving as the prefect of Suzhou for three years!"

The prefect of Suzhou defended himself.

The business tax of 57 taels of silver was not caused by him alone.

He spoke again: "Your Majesty only allows you to trace the commercial taxes since the 24th year of Hongwu. Why do I feel that these 57 taels have been calculated since the first year of Hongwu!"

Snapped!
There was a clear crisp sound in the main hall of the government office.

The Suzhou magistrate's eyes were full of fear, and he covered one cheek tightly with his hands.

His eyes were fixed on the petty official coming out of the Zhili Governor's Yamen in front of him, his face full of shock.

How dare he!

How dare you slap yourself in the face in public!
Guan Huaigong sneered twice, holding his right arm with his left hand and turning his wrist gently.

"Xiaguan didn't dare to disobey the Holy Will. The investigation was only about the concealment of business taxes that started in the 24th year of Hongwu. But I couldn't help but kept checking, and all the past accounts were found. This can't be regarded as Xiaguan's disobedience to the Holy Will, right? .”

The Suzhou magistrate's eyes moved rapidly, trying to change the current situation.

Guan Huaigong took a step forward and looked down at the Suzhou magistrate who was slumped in a chair.

"Actually, the lower officials can understand the prefect's difficulties. After all, as an official, everything costs money, but you should not prey on the common people, let alone take advantage of the court's money.

The money in the pockets of those merchants is probably more than the money in the Suzhou government office's warehouse.

You are the prefect, in charge of Suzhou Prefecture. You know countless ways to get more benefits from the people, but you don’t know how to get more money from those profiteers? "

"What do you want to do?"

The prefect of Suzhou let out a sigh of relief.

Guan Huaigong shook his head: "You shouldn't ask this. You should ask me what you should do."

The Suzhou prefect suppressed the anger in his heart.

He gritted his teeth and said, "What should I do now?"

Guan Huaigong straightened up and took two steps back, with a smile on his face.

"1507 million taels of silver, I believe the governor can come up with it."

"It's obviously 57 taels!"

The Suzhou magistrate glared angrily at Guan Huaigong, who suddenly increased the price by 100 million taels.

However, Guan Huaigong turned a deaf ear and said as if he was minding his own business: "That seems to be right. Yesterday, we found out how much the Suzhou Mansion can offset the debt?"

On the side, the director of the Suzhou Prefecture Tax Division stepped forward and whispered: "A total of 97 taels."

Guan Huaigong clapped his hands and looked at the Suzhou magistrate: "Then let's put together a total of 100 million taels of silver. I believe that the governor can hand over this money that should belong to the imperial court to the lower official this month. .”

100 million taels was the entire wealth of the merchants and gentry that Suzhou government participated in to drive up the price of silver and continued to exploit the common people through the expropriation of silver.

The prefect of Suzhou breathed heavily.

He knew exactly what this number meant.

As long as he really collects the 100 million taels of silver and does not need the court to convict him afterwards, he will die outside the Yamen for no reason one day.

At this time, Guan Huaigong continued: "The Palace Master may not know that His Highness King Qin originally wanted to visit Suzhou Palace in person."

"I agree! The full amount of 100 million taels of silver will be delivered before the end of the month!"

Without any hesitation, the Suzhou prefect agreed with anger on his face.

Those people might just kill him.

But the King of Qin could kill his entire family.

Which one is light and which one is serious can be distinguished by everyone.

A smile appeared on Guan Huaigong's face, he took two steps back and glanced across the Suzhou magistrate's yamen.

"Let's go, we still have to go to Songjiang Mansion."

………………

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