Daming: Mixed in Dangzhi County, Beiping

Chapter 424 Guo An: Your Majesty, your salary is really low.
Seeing Zhu Di respond to him, Zang Shiwen felt happy and screamed directly.

"Your Majesty, it's really not enough!"

"not enough?"

Zhu Di was furious, "How can it not be enough?"

Zang Shiwen said: "Your Majesty, since September of the 20th year of Hongwu, Emperor Gaozu ordered to adjust the salary of officials to a monthly salary system, and at the same time, the two items of lumi and salary notes were adjusted to one item of lumi.

Although this matter makes me, a Ming official, feel better.

However, Wei Chen, as a fourth-rank official of the Ming Dynasty, could only receive 24 shi of food every month.

At the end of the year, although they were given three kilograms of salt, they had to collect eight buckets of rice for salt and grain.

Your Majesty, if you want to be a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, your monthly salary is only 24 shi of food.

The officials' children, family members, and servants of the fourth rank and above are not allowed to open shops in the market, make money and make debts, or go out to trade salt or sell goods.

Your Majesty, only 24 shi of food are not enough for a humble minister..."

As Zang Shiwen cried, all the officials in the palace looked deeply convinced.

Those monthly stipends are indeed not enough for them.

Zhu Di shouted angrily: "You are greedy. 24 shi of grain is enough to feed a family of four for a year. How many people can your family have?"

Even if there are 40 people in your family, they are still full. Why do you, a thief official, have any dissatisfaction? "

Zang Shiwen said: "Your Majesty, the ministers are dignified officials of the fourth rank. There are elders in the family and younger ones below.

In addition, Wei Chen's family has studied sages and sages for decades, so they can enter the court and work hard for the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world. There should always be a few servants at home to do some groceries. In addition, although the capital is large, it is not a suitable place to live...

Wei Chen also wants to buy some snacks, clothes, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, melons and fruits for his wife and children at home... Wei Chen also wants to buy some pens, inks, paper and inkstones...

Your Majesty, with only those 24 stones of grain, how can a humble servant be enough? "

Zhu Di's face darkened, "Is it really not enough?"

All the officials around him couldn't help but think of something, and their expressions changed drastically.

Zang Shiwen seemed to have not noticed anything yet, and nodded hurriedly and said: "Your Majesty, during the Hongwu period, Luo Furen, a bachelor of Hongwen Hall, was honest and upright throughout his life, but so what?
Emperor Gaozu went to visit Luo Xueshi, but Luo Xueshi could only live in a dilapidated house of two or three rooms on the outskirts of the capital. The dignified scholar was actually carrying a bucket and painting the walls...

Your Majesty, how ironic is this?

He is a dignified bachelor of Hongwen Hall, a virtuous minister of the Ming Dynasty, but his life is so shabby and embarrassing..."

Zhu Di fell silent for a while. He knew about Luo Fulen, the bachelor of Hongwen Hall.

Zang Shiwen said again: "Your Majesty, the ministers and others have studied sages' books diligently and become virtuous and loyal ministers in the court, but they live in such poverty, while those cunning and cunning merchants can live a life of fine clothing and fine food. How is it unfair?"

"unfair?"

Zhu Di's expression narrowed slightly, "The Ming Dynasty's salary has been fixed for decades, why do you still choose to be an official instead of doing business?

How come you become an official and complain instead?
Also, among your family members, because you are an official, which one is not respected by the local officials and gentry, and is almost worshiped?
In fact, all members of your family can be exempted from taxes? …

Since you are envious of merchants, why don't you resign and become a merchant instead of uniting with the Zhang family to harm the people? "

Zang Shiwen was startled and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, I am a scholar, how can I be that cheap businessman?"

Zhu Di said angrily, "I think you are a thief official who is greedy for fame and money. You are still making excuses when you are about to die!"

After finishing speaking, before Zang Shiwen could speak, Zhu Di looked at the officials still standing in the hall.

"Do you think these thieves should be killed?"

Hope suddenly ignited in Zang Shiwen's heart, and he quickly looked at some officials he was friends with on weekdays.

However, what made him despair was that these people who were usually close friends with him turned their heads and refused to look at him.

Some other officials were filled with anger, "Your Majesty, Zang Shiwen, as the imperial censor, colluded with the evil gentry in Jiangning, deceived the superiors and deceived the inferiors, exploited the people, and was greedy. He has betrayed the divine grace and should be killed!"

Zang Shiwen's eyes widened and he said with disbelief: "My colleagues, Zang has never offended you all on weekdays? Why did he kill you so painfully?"

"As a censor, but he knows the law and breaks the law. He accepts such bribes. He deserves to be killed!"

"It is a shame for our officials to corrupt the censor in such a way!"

"Humph!"

Zhu Di snorted coldly and waved his hand.

"Take all these traitorous officials into custody, confiscate their homes, interrogate them one by one, and kill their families. As for the clan members who have committed crimes, all of them will be killed. The rest of the innocent people will be exiled to the Japanese country!"

"According to the order!"

A group of Han generals took the order, directly dragged Zang Shiwen, Lu Zhen and others, and walked out.

Zang Shiwen, Lu Zhen and other officials immediately tried their best and wailed: "Your Majesty, please spare your life! Your Majesty..."

Unfortunately, Zhu Di was extremely disgusted with officials like Zang Shiwen and Lu Zhen who colluded with the evil gentry and exploited the common people.

Therefore, his eyes were indifferent and unmoved.

After the palace became quiet, all the courtiers were stunned for a moment, and then they all praised Zhu Di.

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Originally, these courtiers had already prepared that Zhu Di would use this matter to kill the entire family of Zang Shiwen, Wen Wen, Lu Zhen and other officials, and implicat them.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Di only killed the chief culprit, and the rest were exiled to the Japanese country.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Di was much kinder than Zhu Yuanzhang.

"When I first came to the throne, there was such a rogue official right under my nose. How can I have the dignity to say that I am wise?"

"My dear fellows, Zang Shiwen's monthly salary of 24 dan is not enough to support his family. I wonder if yourselves can afford it?"

"Reporting to your majesty, Zang thief is greedy by nature and it is not enough!"

"Exactly, Your Majesty, the salary I receive is enough to support my family!" A group of officials quickly laughed and said, wishing they could make an oath.

"That's enough!"

Zhu Di nodded slightly.

All the courtiers could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It seems that His Majesty, who likes to curse, is not a murderous person.

the next few days.

The common people and merchants of the entire capital discovered that many officials from the surrounding prefectures and counties had been arrested at once.

At the same time, some notorious gentry had their homes confiscated and their families exterminated, and their heads were rolling.

soon.

Notices were posted in the court to inform the people of the crimes committed by these officials and gentry.

Immediately.

The whole capital was shaken.

All the people, while praising the emperor's sage, also scolded the officials.

It was not until Zang Shiwen, Wen Wen, Lu Zhen, Zhang Xixian and other officials and gentry were beheaded in public, and their clansmen were all exiled to the Japanese country one by one, that the people in the capital calmed down.

Within a few months of taking the throne, Zhu Di had already dealt with so many corrupt officials. In the court, the first fire was extremely strong, and his prestige was directly raised.

……

Guo Mansion.

Zhu Di lay leisurely on the soft chair and said with hatred on his face: "We didn't expect that the Zhang family, a mere wealthy family, could cling to so many court officials and use so many officials to do so many evil things. Things are coming!”

On the side, Guo An was also full of surprise.

"Wei Chen didn't expect that so much of the land in Jiangning County would be occupied by the Zhang family?

How audacious this person is to do such evil things at His Majesty's feet! "

Zhu Di nodded slightly, and then said: "Guo Qing, I copied 20 acres of fertile land from the Zhang family. Do I need to make up [-] acres for you?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Guo An was not polite and said hurriedly with gratitude on his face.

"..."

Zhu Di was stunned for a moment and didn't say much.

Subsequently.

Thinking of something, I couldn't help but ask leisurely: "Man perishes for money, and birds perish for food! Guo Qing, is it true that your monthly salary of 24 dan cannot support a family of a fourth-grade official?"

Guo An glanced at Zhu Di in surprise, realized something, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, 24 shi of grain is enough to feed 40 people for a month.

If you have a smaller family, you can still sell the grain and buy some other items, which is enough for a family of ten to live comfortably for a month...

Of course, if you can become a fourth-grade official, your family will definitely prosper.

As long as they give a little greeting to the government in their hometown, they don't have to live on monthly salary at all.

Moreover, officials of this level receive a lot of tribute every year..."

Zhu Di was stunned for a moment and regretted a little. He had never thought of these things before.

Immediately, he couldn't help but said bitterly: "Then why do these corrupt officials still want to be greedy for money? Huang Kao has killed so many corrupt officials, but they still can't kill them all?"

Guo An said helplessly: "Your Majesty, this is human nature!"

"human nature?"

Zhu Di was slightly startled.

Guo Andao: "Your Majesty, people have different pursuits.

Among the officials, one is an official with a clear reputation, or an official with great ambitions.

Another type of officials like money, power, and a more comfortable life...

Your Majesty, those officials studied hard from childhood. How could they persist in studying if they were not tempted by money and power?

And when they finally gain fame, become officials, and gain control of power, how can they not be greedy for money?
As long as those subordinates find an excuse to show them some respect... Or maybe those wealthy gentry find an excuse to cling to them?
How could these officials not be dragged into the water? "

"..."

After thinking quietly for a long time, Zhu Di said with a complicated expression: "Guo Qing should be honest with us. No one has ever said these thorough words to us."

Guo An chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, because I have nothing to hide from Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di nodded slightly and asked: "So, the reason why those corrupt officials are corrupt is not because of the small salary given to them by our Ming Dynasty, but because of their nature!"

Guo An was startled and said quickly: "Your Majesty, I would like to say something disrespectful. The salaries of those officials are really low!"

"Ok?"

Zhu Di stared.

Guo An continued: "Your Majesty, think about it, when you were still in Prince Yan's Mansion in Peking, how much salary could an ordinary scribe in Prince Yan's Mansion receive in a year?
How much is the annual holiday fee?Year-end awards?There are also New Year gifts...

And how much salary can a fourth-rank official in the court have? "

……

(End of this chapter)