I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Chapter 55 Weighing
"Dividing the clan into big clans and side branches will divide the entire clan and reduce resistance to policy implementation. In addition, as far as I know from investigations, currently those side branches and lower-level clans receive no more than three taels of support from the big clan each time. Six renminbi, and some people even need to rely on borrowing to survive.”

"And the standard of the imperial court's payment of silver and Lumi is based on the standard of the fifth-rank Fengguo lieutenant, which is seventy-two six cents and four cents."

When Yan Song said this, he deliberately paused, and everyone present understood what he meant.

Jiajing behind the bead curtain coughed twice, and said, "I have some papers handed over by the feudal lord here, please take a look."

Upon hearing this, Lu Fang quickly took the memorial from Jiajing and distributed it to all the elders present.

Yan Song put on his presbyopic glasses, quickly read the content of the memorial, and then said: "Your Majesty, the content of these memorials is not credible! If nothing else, just take Hui Wang as an example. 12 mu of land was acquired, and the people were displaced, which almost sparked a civil uprising!"

Xu Jie was also very angry after reading the memorial, and followed up: "These vassals still have the face to tell how miserable their families are in their letters. Even a small Pingliang mansion is full of white jade corridors and yellow brick shops. With the wealth of King Hui, King Gui, and King Zhao, it will only get worse!"

After reading the contents of the memorial, Zhang Juzheng immediately called the subordinate officials and asked him to find out the records of the salary and Lumi distributed to the clan by the imperial court every year.

"Look, a large part of the salary and lumi issued by the imperial court every year is taken away by King Hui, King Gui, and King Zhao." Zhang Juzheng flipped through the records and said in a deep voice.

"According to the officials in charge of this matter, they always take the most part on the grounds that there are many children in the mansion. The rest of the clan dare not speak out. Who is to say that they are the most powerful?" Can't help but comment.

"As for these few, there are countless wives and concubines and children below, and the number may even have reached the point of thousands! And these children have automatically obtained the lowest title since they were born, that is, Fengguo Lieutenant, enjoying the fifth-rank treatment, and the imperial court Seventy-two six cents and four per cent are distributed to him every year.

"And the number of the clan is increasing, so it will be an astronomical figure!" After reading these, Yan Shifan couldn't help feeling very tricky, and said in a low voice to Jiajing behind the bead curtain.

"I don't know if you still remember the method that Zhang Cong (cong) once implemented?" Jiajing, who was sitting behind the bead curtain, said slowly.

"Zhang Cong, courtesy name Bingyong, was a Jinshi in the 16th year of Zhengde. He served as the chief assistant of the cabinet three times.

"Zhang Cong? Your Majesty means that according to Zhang Gelao's suggestion, only eight persons should be conferred in each generation of feudal lords?" Seeing Jiajing suddenly mentioning his idol, Zhang Juzheng's eyes lit up, and after a little thought, he gave answer.

"That's right." Seeing that Zhang Juzheng guessed what he was thinking, Jiajing was in a good mood.

"It's a pity that we only need to bribe the Ministry of Rites to give more certificates. This policy has existed in name only." Yan Shifan also sighed helplessly.

"Since it is a good policy, it should continue to be implemented. Is there any reason for someone to die? Yan Song, I will leave this matter to you. If there are more names issued by the Ministry of Rites, you can deal with it directly without reporting to me. !” Jiajing, who was sitting behind the bead curtain, ordered so.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." After hearing Jiajing's words, Yan Song bowed and saluted.

"Since it is necessary to reduce the expenses of the imperial family, to what extent do you think the reduction should be appropriate?" After one problem was solved, Jiajing immediately raised another problem.

"Returning to Your Majesty, I feel that the expenditure of Dazong should be reduced by at least half, and he should be allowed to control his birth and reduce the number of children. As for those side branches, the original treatment should be properly maintained, and they should not be allowed to lose their jobs, right?" Yan Song. After thinking for a long time, he slowly opened his mouth.

"No, the number of those side branches adds up to a lot, and the annual cost of money is also an astronomical figure. I feel that the salary should be reduced appropriately." After listening to Yan Song's speech, Gao Gong disagreed.

"It's understandable to reduce the expenses of those big clans, but those side branches only rely on the little salary and Lumi issued by the court to support the family. His Majesty the Emperor Taizu stipulated that the clan is not allowed to engage in other affairs. If you do this, Didn't he cut off his way of life? What a treacherous person!" After hearing Gao Gong's words, Yan Shifan couldn't help but angrily said.

"Who are you scolding? I am also thinking of the national treasury, His Majesty, and my country!" Gao Gong responded, poking his neck.

"Stop arguing." Seeing that these two were about to quarrel again at the cabinet meeting, Jiajing hurriedly stopped them.

"What the elder Xiaoge said just now reminded me that it was precisely because the Emperor Taizu stipulated that the clan should not engage in other affairs, so that he could only live on the salary and salary issued by the court. Having nothing to do all day long, can't they just keep giving birth? I think we should find something for them to do."

"Your Majesty means..." Yan Song sensed Jiajing's meaning from the words, but he didn't dare to break it.

"What I mean is to abolish this regulation, so that the clan can take part in the imperial examinations, and can also freely engage in occupations such as scholars, farmers, businessmen, etc. This is like letting the imperial court pay for them to support them, while the salary and Lumi will be given out for one year as usual. What do you think?" Jiajing took a panoramic view of the expression on Yan Song's face, and said loudly.

"No, Your Majesty. This is a rule set by His Majesty the Taizu Emperor himself, and it is strictly forbidden to change. Besides, if the clan chooses a career freely, it may lose the royal face!" Xu Jie jumped out immediately when he heard Jiajing's words. , Dissuaded Jiajing, followed by Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, kneeling on the ground together.

"Is there anything in the world that remains the same? There is a way to say that if you change, you will be successful, if you don't change, you will stagnate, if you change, you will prosper, if you don't change, you will decline, if you change, you will live, and if you don't change, you will perish! You don't need to persuade me anymore, I have made up my mind. "Jiajing didn't look at the few people kneeling on the ground, but said to himself, his words were full of irrefutable meaning.

"In addition, my Daming's title will no longer be hereditary, it will gradually decrease, and those who have made merit will be able to retain it." After saying this, Jiajing suddenly added another sentence.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, none of them dared to object.

"Okay, that's all for today's cabinet meeting, Mr. Xu Ge, read it to me."

"Yes." After Xu Jie said, he took the paper from the subordinate staff who was in charge of recording.

"Firstly, the clan is divided into major clans and side branches. For the big clan, half of its expenses will be cut, and the side branches will be given a year's salary and Lumi as appropriate, and they will be allowed to work freely.

"In addition, the old policy of Zhang Cong and Zhang Ge was reactivated. Each generation of feudal lords can only seal eight people, and the rest will not be included in the roster, and they will not be able to receive money and food! This matter is in charge of the cabinet chief assistant Yan Song, and my title of Daming is not the same. No matter how hereditary it is, it will gradually decrease, and only those who have meritorious service can be retained."

"Your Majesty, I have finished reading." After Xu Jie finished reading what was recorded on it, he handed it back to the subordinate staff.

"Okay, that's about it. After your cabinet drafts it, send it to the Supervisor of Ceremonies. After the Supervisor of Ceremonies approves it, you can directly promulgate it. After Jiajing saw that there was no deviation in the recorded content, he nodded and ordered: .

"Okay, I'm a little tired too, the meeting is over!"

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)