Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 242 Financial Budget After Wealth
The beheading of Liu Daxia did not arouse public support in the capital. After all, the regime of the Li Dynasty was easily overthrown by the army of the Ming Dynasty. This is something that the people of the capital are proud of.

In particular, the right and wrong of this incident are almost clear at a glance. Liu Daxia's approach may be in line with the "aesthetics" of the Peace School, but he has violated the law by concealing Annan's files.

Now that Annan's war has come to an end, things have proved that Liu Daxia's actions this time are indeed detrimental to the country and the people, and now it is his own fault to be pushed to the guillotine.

Just like that, the Zhuhe faction seemed to have evaporated from the world, and they didn't even fart on Liu Daxia's affairs, and they didn't even know Liu Daxia at all.

The sky in the capital has always been gloomy. It seems that there are countless secrets hidden here, or maybe a new storm is brewing.

Liu Daxia's death is not the end, but the beginning of another storm.

Although the Zhuhe faction headed by Qingliu chose to give in to Liu Daxia's matter, this was actually a tactical retreat for them, and a seed had been silently planted in this incident.

Whether Liu Daxia was pushed to the guillotine or Zhang Zhen's remonstrance slowly subsided, it was not because this group of people had forgotten, but because they were waiting for a suitable opportunity.

The battle of courts has never been about the gains and losses of one city and one pool, but a long process of fighting.

Just like how the gang of Qingliu dealt with Wang Yue and Wang Zhi back then, they didn't jump out after Wang Yue and Wang Zhi destroyed the Manduhai base camp, but slowly cleaned up Wang Zhi and Wang Yue afterward.

Now the whole capital has not complained for Liu Daxia, and no one has named Zhang Zhen, but it seems very abnormal.

In fact, Zhu Youtang has already smelled something different, but he can only be more vigilant, but he still needs to be distracted to govern the country well.

Even a high-ranking emperor, in fact, sometimes has no choice.

The last time he knew that there was a force that transferred Liu Daxia's hidden Annan files, but when he just wanted to uncover the mastermind behind the scenes, he discovered that the secret service agencies Jinyiwei and Dongchang were not as omniscient as the later generations said.

I have to admit that in fact, later generations have exaggerated the ability of Jin Yiwei and Dongchang to collect information.

On the [-]th day of the twelfth lunar month, a sun-watching ceremony was held as scheduled.

The civil and military officials seemed to be in harmony. After bowing respectfully and kneeling to the emperor in the Fengtian Hall, they went home to enjoy the half-day holiday.

Under Hongzhi's iron-fisted governance, all the yamen in the capital are now operating efficiently, and now officials who dare to be lazy and play tricks are slowly being cleaned up, and the capital is now in good order.

Due to the increase in holidays of officials in Ming Dynasty, many officials began to explore their hobbies instead, and the number of officials who like fishing in their free time increased significantly.

It was winter, and the roofs and trees of the Forbidden City were covered with white snow, and those few vigorous ancient pines were covered with snow.

Palace Houyuan, Yujing Pavilion.

After offering sacrifices to Emperor Zhenwu in Qin'an Hall, Zhu Youtang seemed in a good mood today, so he came to this pavilion to enjoy the snow scene of the Forbidden City.

There is no wind today, so if you look down from above, although you can't have a panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City, you can still see the excitement of the East and West Palaces.

Concubine Bei is ready to go practice arrows with her bow, Qingyue goes out to Renshou Palace to play mahjong, Fan Jinling is practicing dancing in her own courtyard, and the sound of piano and pipa can be heard from the East and West Palaces.

In fact, Zhu Youtang rarely stayed in the Forbidden City during the day, but when he was sitting here now, he realized that his harem was full of fireworks.

It's just that God didn't take special care of him because he was a time traveler. Even though he tried his best to toss his woman every night, no one's stomach moved.

Facts have proved that not all efforts are rewarded, and not all hard work is rewarded.

But after all, I am still a human being, and it seems that there is no need to be too anxious about this matter now. The great man said: The sharp edge of a sword comes from sharpening, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold.

Just when he was thinking wildly, a noble figure came to the palace, as if there was a new scenery here.

Appearing here is the current empress of Ming Dynasty. Although she is only a girl of sixteen or seventeen years old, she has a delicate face, fair skin, eyes that are not suitable for her age, and a well-developed body. An air of a queen.

Although the two accompanying ladies could also be called beauties, compared to the queen in front of them, they could only serve as green leaves.

"The concubine pays homage to Your Majesty!" Empress Chang Yourong, after learning of Zhu Youtang's whereabouts, also came here from Kunning Palace, she saluted politely.

After these days, she also slowly entered the role of queen.

While learning the methods of managing the harem from the Queen Mother, she also knows how to please Zhu Youtang, and is working hard to be a qualified queen.

Zhu Youtang was satisfied with the cautious queen, so he smiled slightly: "If the queen has nothing else to do, sit down and enjoy the snow with me here!"

"The concubine obeys!" Chang Yourong couldn't help secretly happy when he saw that Zhu Youtang stayed in the palace during the day and even invited himself to accompany him.

A woman is a person who pleases herself, and whenever she meets Zhu Youtang, she dresses up seriously, striving to present the most perfect side to today's world.

Wearing an ancient double butterfly cloud-shaped thousand-water skirt slightly mopping the floor, although the body is tightly wrapped, but the whole person's temperament is presented, which can easily arouse the desire of men to conquer.

The sky is beautiful, today is a sunny day suitable for enjoying the snow.

Zhu Youtang sat here drinking the freshly boiled tea, looking at the picturesque world in front of him, he suddenly felt unreal.

Even as an emperor, it is impossible to really have too much, but living in the Forbidden City and Xiyuan is undoubtedly a very happy thing.

Sitting in this position at this moment and admiring the snow in the Forbidden City, even in later generations, how many people can be as carefree as him?
"The concubine also likes to come here for a while when she is free recently. It's really good to watch the snow here!" Chang Yourong noticed Zhu Youtang's comfort and said with a slight smile.

Knowing that Chang Yourong's hands were cold, Zhu Youtang gently held her cold hand and said, "Although it's good here, it's not good to sit for a long time. You are weak, so be careful not to catch a cold!"

"Since your Majesty cares about me, my concubines won't stay for long, and my concubines also wear thick clothes." Chang Yourong felt the warmth in Zhu Youtang's hands, and also felt Zhu Youtang's concern, and couldn't help feeling a surge in his heart. warmth.

Zhu Youtang saw that Chang Yourong was indeed wearing a lot of clothes, women in this era are all dressed tightly, and even he can only know how good their figures are at night.

Just thinking that tonight is the woman in front of Lin Xing, the lower abdomen can't help but feel a little hot.

Although there are more and more women, each has its own swing, and the queen is probably the most sensitive one.During the day she is clearly a high and mighty queen, but at night she always looks like a wronged girl.

"Your Majesty, there are fewer government affairs in various places now, do you want to rest for half a day today?" Chang Yourong asked curiously when he saw Zhu Youtang's relaxed appearance.

Zhu Youtang looked up at the distant sky and shook his head bitterly: "It is true that there are fewer local government affairs now, but we need to start next year's financial revenue and expenditure, and I will hold a supreme meeting later."

"My concubine doesn't understand government affairs, but I always feel that His Majesty is very powerful, and His Majesty will definitely be able to govern this country well!" Chang Yourong realized that the man in front of him was a very good monarch, and sincerely praised him.

Zhu Youtang turned his head to see the admiration in Chang Yourong's eyes, but he sighed softly: "Actually, what I did was just so-so! When I first came to the throne, many courtiers were against me. Anyway, I am more down-to-earth. It's just that the people below Slowly everyone obeys me, and my heart is not at ease."

"Isn't it good to be obedient?" Chang Yourong asked in confusion.

Zhu Youtang swallowed back the words that came to his lips, but deliberately kept suspense and said: "Since you are the queen, you will gradually understand this matter in the future."

Being in this era, especially sitting in the highest position, allows him to see many things.Now this court is amiable, but it can't be taken lightly.

Chang Yourong's pretty face was full of puzzlement, but she could only nod her head lightly. I'm afraid I'll have to explore the answer to this matter slowly in the future.

Xiyuan, Imperial Study Room.

Since it is now in the middle of winter, the floor heating here has already started to work.The two dragon pits outside have already burned charcoal fire, and through the underground tunnel, heat is continuously being transported to the ground here.

When the two cabinet elders and the six senior officials walked in, they immediately felt warm and felt very comfortable.

Zhu Youtang likes to stay on the attic, condescendingly inspecting the ministers present, and slowly began to understand the nature of these officials, but his own nature was also exposed in their field of vision.

"Your Majesty, please use tea." Han Youying liked the present day very much, and respectfully brought a cup of hot tea.

Zhu Youtang took a sip of the teacup, and straight to the point said to the courtiers below: "Which aspect should the imperial court reduce expenditures and focus on next year, let's all discuss it here!"

Although the whole country has not fully implemented the clearing of the land, and it will take at least another year for Huguang to clear the land, but the number of new fields in various places has increased sharply.

After all, it is an agricultural society, and now with the large increase of arable land, the grain tax of Daming has exceeded 2000 million shi from more than 3000 million shi in one fell swoop.

Prime Minister Wang Yue's salt administration has gradually achieved results. Since the nine borders entered a period of peace, a large amount of surplus salt can now be converted into silver, which has greatly increased the cash income of the imperial court.

In addition, the income of the Shibo Division and the Tea Horse Division also increased. In addition, the army led by Wang Hua completely captured the treasure house of the Li Dynasty.

Even excluding next year's cash income, the amount of freely disposable silver has reached 300 million taels, so that Ming's finances have reached the most lavish period.

In fact, there is no strict financial budget in this era, but Zhu Youtang is sitting in this position now, so it is natural to deal with financial issues more scientifically.

"Your Majesty, now that the war in Annan is over, and the southern Jiangxi area is already at peace, please abolish the Gannan Guards!" Liu Jian, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, came out and solemnly stated his position immediately.

Zhu Youtang frowned slightly, realizing that he had given these Qingliu too much freedom, and he really dared to think and do anything.

If the Ming army started to downsize just after a slight improvement, not to mention that it violated its own ruling philosophy of strengthening the army and strengthening the country, this kind of behavior of hiding everything would definitely affect the morale of the army.

At this moment, he knew that handing over the country to these gangs of Qingliu might reduce the catastrophe of a sudden collapse, but the dynasty was actually swallowing a slow poison.

As soon as the words fell, Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department, immediately objected in a clear-cut manner: "Liu Shilang, don't you know which main force broke Shenglong City this time? Now the Southern Jiangxi Guard has the best combat power. The Annan Great Victory has made such great achievements, how can there be any reason to abolish it? Once the Gannan Guard is abolished now, it will definitely make all the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty feel cold, and who will be willing to work for the court in the new army formed in the future?"

"That's right! Even if the imperial court wants to cut expenses, it should cut what should be cut instead of chilling the hearts of the meritorious soldiers." Li Si, Minister of the Household Department, knew that Liu Jian's proposal was a nonsense, so he immediately expressed support for Wu Yu.

Liu Jian frowned slightly, but he was unwilling to back down and said: "Now Annan has been flattened, and southern Jiangxi has set up many counties for self-government, so it is difficult for big bandits to come out of the area. The abolition can save a lot of money every year. Why not withdraw it?" ?”

"Liu Shilang, the terrain in southern Gansu is complicated. Now that the Gannan Guards are here, we can bring peace to southern Jiangxi. If the army is disarmed for the sake of some money, once the local bandits regenerate, how much will the court spend?" Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department The thinking is clear, immediately refute.

Zhu Youtang was very satisfied with the right servant of the household department, who was very important, so he said lightly: "Part of the Gannan Guard will stay in the North Vietnam, and the Gannan Guard who will remain in the original station is only a thousand people. Even if it is abolished, it will save money." It’s only a few dollars, so there’s no need to discuss this matter again.”

"Observe the decree!" Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and others saw that Zhu Youtang had made a decision, and immediately bowed their hands in a polite manner.

Wan An felt uncomfortable with the "stabbing head" Liu Jian, and deliberately gave him a warning look, and at the same time coughed lightly to attract the other party's attention.

It's just that cutting expenses is a job that offends people after all, such as cutting the suzerain's Lumi directly offends the suzerain, so everyone started to observe each other this time.

Zhu Youtang took a sip of tea lightly, and then asked helplessly: "Since you don't want to mention how to cut expenses, then think about what you should focus on next year?"

"Your Majesty, the population of the capital has reached one million, but every inch of land in the city is expensive, and it is difficult for ordinary people to gain a foothold in the capital. I think that we should spend 200 million taels to build an outer city, so that the people of the capital can have a place to live." The right servant of the household department Wu Yu seemed very active, and immediately went out to ask.

Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and other officials could not help but nodded slightly. Now the population in the city has indeed increased greatly. If an outer city can be built, it will indeed effectively relieve everyone's housing pressure.

"No! There are frequent disasters in the area today. The construction of the outer city should be put on hold in advance, and water conservancy should be the most important thing." Liu Jian, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, was polite and objected.

(End of this chapter)