General Constitution of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 68 Xia Yan's Last Chance
"Perhaps, the uncle is watching the government in the Imperial Academy, so it should be clear how the country's deficits have been over the years."

Ning Jue dropped the firewood in his hand.

The so-called Imperial Academy is actually the secretariat of the cabinet, and the financial revenue of the entire Ming Dynasty will eventually be collected in the Imperial Academy.

When it came to the court's revenue and expenditure, Zhang Juzheng couldn't help acquiescing to Ning Jue's statement in his heart.

"Emperor Xiaozong began to fast and sacrifice excessively. After the father of the dynasty first succeeded to the great rule, the country saw a slight revival. After the year of Renyin, things have been overwhelmed."

"Everyone in the world praises Emperor Xiaozong as a virtuous lord through the ages, but now he is a sycophant and abolishes governance. What Zhang sees is actually not the case."

As the proud son of the Hanlin Academy, Zhang Juzheng naturally has great ambitions.

But when Zhang Juzheng saw the income and expenditure over the years with his own eyes, Zhang Juzheng still had some things to say in his heart.

Emperor Xiaozong, known as the Holy King, reigned for 18 years, and spent more than 1000 million taels of silver on fasting and offering sacrifices in Mount Tai and Wudang alone. Jiajing did not necessarily spend as much as Xiaozong.

The grain in Taizhou warehouse went from more than 20 million 2000 million shi in the 500th year of Chenghua to the first year of Zhengde, and even the money for the funeral of the late emperor was gone. Zhu Houzhao got married, and the household department could only take out 30 taels of silver.

On the contrary, when Liu Jin was in power, the country’s financial revenue and expenditure eased a little. However, in the 15th year of Zhengde, King Ning fought several battles with the border.

It was not until the seventh year of Jiajing that Jiajing reduced the deficit to 11 taels of silver. This year, Renyin became a watershed in the Jiajing Dynasty. Since then, the annual deficit has been more than one million taels all year round.

Zhang Juzheng reported to Ning Jue the income and expenditure of the court in recent years with a heavy tone.

"So Uncle still thinks that the discussion of Hetao is really for regaining Hetao?"

"Last year, the household department only received a total of 220 million taels, but its expenditure was 3607 million taels. The internal and external household departments still owe the world 1407 million taels of silver."

"It's all like this. Your Majesty, Xia Yan, and Zeng Mian dare to discuss the recovery of Hetao. What are they planning?"

"It's nothing more than that His Majesty has had enough of living a tight life. He doesn't want to save money anymore, but wants to increase revenue."

It's okay if Ning Jue didn't say it, but when Ning Jue said it, Zhang Juzheng admired Jiajing more and more, he raised his hand above his head and sighed:

"Your father's plan is unprecedented in ancient times."

"The Hetao discussion was originally a nonsensical discussion. In the end, Shijia gave up on Xia Yan, but the gentleman didn't lose anything. He only paid the price of saying that the Ministry of War strictly forbids the matter of searching for Taoism. Zhang admires it."

Zhang Juzheng was keenly aware of the hidden murderous intent in the Hetao Discussion.

This matter was originally concocted by Zeng Mi out of thin air, no matter whether it succeeds or not, Jiajing will not lose the slightest bit.

Cheng Ze took advantage of the potential to open up reforms, even if the Southeast Shijia tried their best to resist, they were able to turn around and deal with Xia Yan. After all, there are too many opportunities that can be found with just a word of mouth.

In December of the 24th year of Jiajing, Xu Jie was promoted to the position of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Officials, and in April of the following year, Xia Yan's father-in-law Su Gangmi recommended Zeng Mi to be transferred to the Tripartite General Administration, and a big net that Jiajing carefully woven for Xia Yan was opened. .

I don't know if a third person has read Su Gang's secret letter, but after Xia Yan's death, this secret letter was recorded in the annals of history.

But the only answer to Zhang Juzheng was Ning Jue's sigh.

Zhang Juzheng's name goes down in history, but in essence Zhang Juzheng is still a scholar-bureaucrat who was born and raised here.

"Brother Ning, why are you sighing?"

Ning Jue smiled wryly: "If the sea ban is not opened, the Hetao will not be restored. If the Hetao is not restored, the northern captives will not be peaceful. If the northern captives are not peaceful, the world will be in trouble."

"Since Xiaozong's reign, Hetao has become more and more corrupt. The people of Hetao are all looking forward to the king's master's heavenly soldiers. What is the crime of the people?"

Zhang Juzheng was silent for a long time, until this moment, Zhang Juzheng realized why he was always ashamed in front of Ning Jue.

Because Ning Jue's foothold has never been above the temple, but the common people in the world.

Compared with the lives of hundreds of millions, what is the momentary victory or loss in the temple?One ear of nine bulls!
"Zhang is ashamed, dare to ask Brother Ning what he plans to do next?"

Ning Jue's tone suddenly changed.

"Zhengdan Dynasty, let's discuss Hetao again!"

Although Jiajing does not go to the court to watch affairs, Jiajing still has to show his face at the court meeting of such a major festival as Zhengdan. This kind of court meeting often does not mention government affairs, but the officials pay New Year's greetings to the emperor and praise the peace of the world.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the court will discuss Hetao again. This is no longer a matter of giving eye drops to the emperor and his ministers.

Thinking of this, Ning Jue couldn't help getting a little excited.

Jiajing lost face, Shijia lost face, this time it must be my turn!
"Brother Ning, this..."

"I've made up my mind, uncle don't persuade me any more."

Hearing the words, Zhang Juzheng stood up and turned to Ning Jue, and then left Ning Jue's house.

After walking out of Ning Jue's house, Zhang Juzheng remembered that he hadn't told Ning Jue that he had been transferred to the East Palace servant.

It's just that when Zhang Juzheng wanted to turn back and ask Ning Jue if there was anything he needed his help with, Zhang Juzheng hesitated.

After all, Ning Jue had just been fined, wouldn't it be a good idea to tell others that he was promoted?
I just help out as usual, why tell Brother Ning that Brother Ning owes me favors, everyone is for the sake of the common people, so why bother about it.

Thinking of this in his heart, Zhang Juzheng shook his head, and then left.

After Zhang Juzheng returned to his home, he looked at the "On Current Politics" on the desk and thought for a long time, then threw it into the brazier beside him.

The court of Ming Dynasty is obviously not as simple as Zhang Juzheng imagined.

Zhang Juzheng is about to re-examine his ideals and ambitions.

..............................

Qingning Palace the next day.

When Zhang Juzheng relayed to Zhu Zaiyu the communication with Ning Jue yesterday.

Zhu Zaiyu couldn't help but feel sad for a while.

"In Master Ning's opinion, the Hetao Discussion should be the last chance Father Huang gave Xia Yan?"

The only answer to Zhu Zaiyu was a sigh.

For Xia Yan, Zhu Zaiyu's feelings are complicated.

Once upon a time, Xia Yan was flawless in Zhu Zaiyu's heart, but everything that happened after Xia Yan's death gradually overturned Zhu Zaiyu's cognition.

"A total of 2000 taels of silver is needed for the double set." Zhu Zaiyu subconsciously stated the entire budget for the double set.

Ning Jue didn't even need to calculate this account.

Because Zeng Mian and Xia Yan had already made up their minds.

Daming couldn't afford this money even if he didn't eat or drink for ten years.

Zhang Juzheng sighed.

"My uncle has been the county magistrate in Fujian for six years. When I calculated this account, I am afraid that my uncle has already thought of where to get the money."

"It's a pity that Xia Ge doesn't want to continue to settle this account."

Zhu Zaishun's brows gradually furrowed.

"Mr. Zhang, would you like to help Master Ning?"

Zhang Juzheng was shocked when he heard the words.

"Zhang is willing to do his best!"

"Three days later, the stove will be sacrificed in the palace, and the Jiuqing Wuyi Hall of the cabinet will discuss matters in the hut. This is the last court meeting before the year. According to the regulations, the ministers of the Eastern Palace need to observe the government." Zhu Zaiyu's expression gradually eased. down.

"Mr. Zhang will inform the emperor in advance, so that the father can make some preparations when he arrives at Zhengdan."

According to the custom, the next meeting of the court officials will have to wait until after the Shangyuan Festival, so the Jiajing Dynasty also finalizes the revenue and expenditure of each ministry on this day every year, and the cabinet, ministers and supervisors are already preparing for the day of the new year. The royal meeting.

While Zhang Juzheng was discussing with Zhu Zaiyu how to "vaccinate" Jiajing and the cabinet, Ning Jue also began to prepare the memorial book of Zhengdan Dynasty at home.

(End of this chapter)