King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Chapter 161 Lao Zhu’s knife can kill people at any time

Ru Taisu stood there for a long time.

Suddenly he took a deep breath, bowed and said: "Your Majesty! It is really difficult for me to clear the land! I ask your Majesty to choose another good minister to use! I am willing to resign and go into seclusion!"

The words fell.

Everyone showed understanding expressions.

everybody knows.

Zhu Tan was able to be so successful in Qingzhang's land in Yanzhou and Qingzhou because he had conquered Yanshenggong's family.

And how many untouchable characters are there in the country?
Even Ru Taisu himself was trapped in it and couldn't extricate himself!

The so-called character of the civil servants of the Ming Dynasty meant that they could talk back to the emperor and confront their superiors.

But their biggest weakness is that they will never betray their own class in this life!

As for Ru Taisu, this is the choice at this time.

I would rather lose my official position and go into seclusion than trick everyone for the sake of the imperial court!

Ru Taisu finished this sentence.

I felt relieved, and all the bones in my body were three pounds lighter.

Resigning and going into seclusion is also a way out.

At least, you no longer have to bear such tremendous pressure.
At home, I entertained my grandchildren and tended to a few flowers and plants. I still had hundreds of acres of farmland at home, and the court exempted me from corvee service. I only had to pay some land taxes. In any case, my life was still very comfortable, and it was better than the harsh conditions we have now. I'm always on tenterhooks, and every now and then, I even have to be dragged out to beat him with a stick. It's so good!
however.

After hearing what Ru Taisu said.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled coldly.

"Ru Shangshu, if you are willing to do simple things, you can sit back and enjoy the results, and let the high officials and generous salaries in the court support you all day long!
If you don't want to do difficult things, just resign and go into seclusion!
If all the officials in the Ming Dynasty were like you, it would be so comfortable!

We know whose interests are to be touched by clearing the land in the whole country!
To put it bluntly, he is a local tycoon, a gentry in the world, and a powerful relative!
In order not to offend them, you would rather betray the emperor and the court!

What’s the use of having an official like you! "

The words fell.

The sound is like thunder.

The entire hall echoed with Zhu Yuanzhang's angry shouts!
Ru Taisu fell to his knees after being scolded by Zhu Yuanzhang and did not dare to refute.

next second.

Zhu Yuanzhang's cold voice sounded again.

"What a shirking Ru Shangshu! Let's give you some dignity! Give you death!"

In a word.

The dignified Minister of Household Affairs, Ru Taishou, was sentenced to death before the stick was even applied to his body!

soon.

Two big Han generals walked in.

Dragging the pale-faced Ru Taisu out of the hall.

Fengtian Temple at this time.

It's so quiet that you can hear the sound clearly even when a pin is dropped.

Since the Guo Huan case.

The emperor has not killed anyone for several months.

Killing such a person suddenly still gave people a big impact!

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted as he watched Ru Taisu being dragged out.

"Where is the original name of Li, the Minister of Rites?"

After Li Yuan's name was called by Zhu Yuanzhang, he couldn't help but tremble.

He said in a trembling voice: "Chenchen is here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the world's finances and cannot be left unattended! You should go to the Ministry of Revenue to be the Minister first! The affairs of the Ministry of Rites will be managed by Wang Chong, the Minister of Rites!"

The words fell.

Li Yuanming's face turned bitter.

If on a normal day, Zhu Yuanzhang would transfer him from the humble Ministry of Rites to the powerful Ministry of Household Affairs, he would still be very willing.

But now it is obvious that the Ministry of Revenue is going to do something to offend the world's wealthy gentry. If you let him go at this time, isn't this a trap?
Co-author, Ru Taisu would rather resign and go into seclusion than accept the job, now it falls on her?

but.

If he doesn't obey the order, Li Yuanming also knows what the consequences will be.

Ru Taisu who was dragged away is a lesson from the past.

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "Don't feel wronged. You were among the people who made bets that day!"

Li Yuanming had a bitter look on his face.

I thought that the matter of standing up for the Kong family would be over after receiving the imperial cane.

Who would have thought that His Majesty would still remember it.
Without any choice.

Li Yuanming had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "Master, accept the order!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

"In addition to clearing the land of the whole country, we think that the issue of the officials and gentry serving as corvees in the vassal land of King Lu is also very reasonable!
Duke Yansheng is still very enlightened!
Under his leadership, all the gentry in King Lu's domain actually took the initiative to serve as corvees!

We take it for granted!
The imperial court gave preferential treatment to scholars and had already given quotas for junior students to ensure that they had enough to eat and clothing to wear!
For ministers who achieve high status and are well-respected, they will also be given money and land, so that they can take care of their food and clothing, and at least live better than ordinary people!

In this case, why should we be exempted from corvee?

Time to wear casual clothes!

The Ministry of Household Affairs will come up with a charter!

How much should officials and gentry in the world deduct from their corvee service?

It should not be too heavy, as it goes against the original intention of this dynasty to treat scholars and gentry preferentially!

But it should not be taken too lightly, lest the gentry in the world are willing to contribute to the court but have no way to serve the country!

understand? "

The words fell.

Some people had expressions of disgust on their faces.

Does that mean Duke Yansheng is highly enlightened?
I heard that His Highness King Lu not only seized all the Kong family’s fields, but even invited Kong Kezhong, the head of the Nankong family, to come over for a chat!

If Kong Xixue is even slightly dissatisfied, I am afraid that the Northern Kong family of the Kong family will be replaced by the Southern sect!
Do they dare not be enlightened?

As for everyone else in Qingzhou and Yanzhou, seeing that the Kong family is so honest, who dares to say anything?
Naturally, they all joined in the corvée service!

at this time.

Everyone felt heavy in their hearts.

In fact.

In both the Tang and Song dynasties, gentry had to perform corvee service.

During the Tang Dynasty, all people, whether gentry or civilians, had to pay service fees, and the state hired soldiers or purchased labor.

During the Song Dynasty, there were methods such as recruiting (hiring people to serve), assisting (subsidizing those who enlisted), and volunteering (buying land for serving) to perform corvee service.

But in any case, there has never been a provision exempting gentry from corvee service.

As for the Yuan Dynasty, it was because of the implementation of the tax farming system, that is, no matter how excessive the local landlords and officials were, the court only collected what it should collect.

As long as that part is received, the court will not care.

In this case, the officials and gentry, as tax collectors, will not only pass the tax on to the people, but will also increase the tax like crazy, super double it, and take advantage of the people, but they will never pay even half of the tax themselves.
That's another matter.

now.

The emperor finally canceled the exemption of gentry from corvee service.

This means that everyone has one less privilege!
Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "After this year, it's time for us to end things with Yuanting!
There are so few people left who don’t even have a capital city. They have no fixed place to live, no food and clothing, and they dare to call themselves emperors and claim to be Zhonghua Zhengshuo!

What a joke!

You should still do your duty and be a good person! Don't miss the important event of the imperial court's Northern Expedition! "

The words fell.

All the ministers in the court said in unison: "Ministers, please obey the order!" Yanzhou.

Lu Wangwei.

Originally, the day Guo Ying received Zhu Tan's jade talisman, she couldn't wait to help Zhu Tan with military affairs.

Halfway through, I changed my mind.

The nephew entrusted such a huge responsibility to himself.

Over the years, I have fought a lot of wars, but I have had very little time to train. It would be safe to prepare carefully before going.

Guo Ying prepared for some time.

I have read a lot of books on military training, such as "The Law of Sima", "Li Weigong's Questions", "General Martial Arts", etc.
Only then did he finally come to the gate of King Lu's military camp with the token jade charm given to him by Zhu Tan.

The five thousand men and horses of King Lu's guard, plus the five thousand men of Andong's guard on the coast.

That's all the martial arts of nephew Zhu Tan.

In fact.

Guo Ying couldn't understand this.

Why must so many guardsmen be laid off?
Not to mention anything else, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Lu Wangwei alone have more than 20,000 troops!

All of them have been abolished!
These soldiers themselves have no consumption.

On weekdays, just let them cultivate the fields.

There is absolutely no money to be spent on it, so why must it be abolished?
not to mention.

At this time, the combat effectiveness of the guardsmen was also quite good. At least the guardsmen from Qingzhou and Yanzhou had gone to Mobei to fight, and many of them had rich combat experience.

It is indeed a pity to abolish them now and turn them back into farmers completely.

Moreover, Guo Ying also heard that his nephew implemented a recruitment system in the now rebuilt Luwangwei.

These soldiers need money for food and sleep, money for weapons and armor, and even they themselves need to receive a lot of money every month!
Although Lu Wangwei only had 5,000 people, his monthly consumption was as high as 15,000 taels!

It is said.

The ordnance consumption of Lu Wangwei has not yet been taken into account. If all were taken into account, I am afraid that the money spent would be even more!
The 12 taels of gold in Guo Ying's hand seems to be a lot, but if it is really used to support these soldiers, I am afraid that it will be completely consumed in just over a year.

This is without fighting.

If a war breaks out, it would be even more astonishing to include the transportation costs of logistical baggage, food and fodder, as well as the pension costs of soldiers.

Guo Ying felt a headache just thinking about it.

Ugh.
What's wrong with my nephew?

soon.

Guo Ying led his men on horseback to the gate of the military camp.

A group of sergeants immediately appeared at the door and stopped Guo Ying and others.

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

Guo Ying looked at the group of sergeants in front of him. He saw that they were neatly dressed, well-equipped, and well-built. Even their energy and energy were different from those of ordinary sergeants. They gave people the feeling of being elites who had fought in hundreds of battles, which made his eyes light up.

Guo Ying said calmly: "I am Guo Ying, Marquis of Wuding. I have been entrusted by His Highness King Zhu Tan of Lu to take charge of King Lu's Weiyi affairs!"

As he spoke, Guo Ying flashed the jade talisman in his hand.

The sergeants did not immediately let Guo Ying enter the barracks.

The leading captain said neither humble nor arrogantly: "We don't recognize this jade talisman! Please wait here for a moment. After we report it to the commander, let him make a decision!"

Next to Guo Ying, a sergeant said angrily: "How brave! How respected is the status of Marquis Wu Ding! How can I wait for you outside the military camp with a small guard commanding me?"

The captain snorted coldly.

"Without orders from above, even the emperor would have to wait here!"

The words fell.

The sergeant beside Guo Ying was extremely angry when he heard this and was about to reprimand him.

Guo Ying waved her hands and said: "Shut up! The military camp has military camp rules! Don't you understand this? Go in later and get 20 military sticks!"

The sergeant was stunned by Guo Ying's words.

In any case, these 20 soldiers were beaten solidly.

Guo Ying snorted and smiled at the soldiers guarding the camp: "Don't worry, I will wait here with peace of mind!"

In the military camp.

Command the envoy Zhao Quan's camp.

Next to him, Chen Qin was smiling and said: "Commander Zhao, I heard that the Ministry of War is going to transfer you back to serve as the Minister of War! Congratulations, you are transferred from Wu to Wen, this is a high promotion!"

Zhao Quan also said with a smile on his face: "Thank you very much, brother! However, I have already pushed him."

Chen Qin was stunned when he heard this and almost jumped up!

"How could you push back? This Ministry of War is so good! It is better to be in charge of the country's military affairs and have great power than to manage this small military camp of 5,000 people!"

Zhao Quan shook his head and said: "I really can't bear to part with these good men. What's more, I promised His Royal Highness King Lu to train these soldiers no matter what. Now that the soldiers haven't been trained yet, why do you have the nerve to leave?"

Chen Qin snorted coldly!
Are you reluctant to part with these good men, or are you reluctant to part with the salary of the commander of King Lu's guard?
A minister of the Ministry of War, a mere third-grade official, only received a salary of 420 stone a year!
Buying a house in Yingtian, hiring some servants, and having a family, eating and drinking, can only lead a life of poverty.

But here, Zhao Quanquan is the commander of King Lu's guard, but he has a salary of 500 taels of silver a year!

He is more than twice as tall as the Minister of War, who is also a third-grade officer.

And if the battle is won, there will be rewards of varying degrees according to the regulations set by His Royal Highness King Lu.

It is estimated that the money received will be even more by then.

No wonder this old boy didn't go.

Chen Qin couldn't help but sigh.

If your Ministry of War wants to transfer people, please show some sincerity.
If you give him a chancellor of the Ministry of War, can he still be tempted?
Now Zhao Quan is a third-grade commander. He was transferred back to the Ministry of War and given a third-grade minister. It is strange that he is willing to go back!

Or you could just issue an imperial edict.
In this way, he would not dare to resist the decree.

It just happens that it’s just a Ministry of War document.
Alas, what a confusion!
On the other side, Zhao Quan glanced at Chen Qin.

Are you, the deputy commander, crazy about wanting to get a higher position?
The Minister of Household Affairs is a third-rank official, and he is now a third-rank official like me. Why should I go back?

What's more, now, the annual salary of Lu Wangwei is as high as 500 taels of silver.

This is silver
It is much more cost-effective than the Ming Dynasty treasure notes plus rice received by officials in the imperial court.

Don't say you're just trying to level yourself.

Even if you were given the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, you wouldn't be able to go!
Chen Qin looked at Zhao Quan and suddenly said angrily: "Commander Zhao, you can't always occupy this position? You have to let your subordinates improve, right? I have been the deputy commander for more than two months. Got it!"

Zhao Quan was stunned when he heard this.

Is this human language?
I want to make progress too much.

After serving as deputy commander for more than two months, do you want to be promoted to commander?

Zhao Quan sighed and said: "Young people should guard against arrogance and impatience. How old are you, why are you so anxious? Don't worry, I am 42 years old this year. If you become an official, I will definitely recommend you to be the commander of King Lu's guard!"

Hearing this, Chen Qin almost jumped up in excitement!
This old man is shameless!
You actually want to stay here until retirement? Then wouldn’t it mean that I would never get ahead?

Chen Qin said angrily: "Commander Zhao! Aren't you kidding? When His Highness King Lu asked me to come to King Lu's Guard, he would definitely not always let me be the second-in-command in the military camp!"

When Zhao Quan heard this, his eyes lit up.

He smiled and said: "Deputy Commander Chen, don't worry! His Royal Highness King Lu told me this! I will definitely not let you be the second-in-command of the military camp forever. Maybe good news will come soon!"

Chen Qin suddenly became happy again when he heard this.

Could it be that Zhao Quan was just joking with himself.

Although he declined the job of Minister of War.

But are there other positions waiting for him?
His Highness King Lu has other plans for him?

This is quite possible!
After all, I have been following His Royal Highness King Lu for a long time and is his confidant.

After all, the top leader of this military camp has to rest assured that his closest confidants are responsible.
The more Chen Qin thought about it, the happier he became.

Suddenly, outside the camp, a sergeant walked in.

"Master Commander! There is a man named Wudinghou Guo Ying holding a jade talisman. He is waiting outside the military camp at this time!"

(End of this chapter)