Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 80: Why is there so much discussion?
Although Wang Zhizhen "obeyed the order" to rest for a while, the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot were not idle.

Before going to sleep, Zhu Changluo also learned about what happened in the Confucius Temple.

A very natural approach.

He doesn't need to care too much about these things, nor does he need to find out who is the mastermind behind them.

It's not really a commotion at all. It's just moral kidnapping in the brewing stage.

With the previous drama of "overbearing imperial power", the civil officials in the court would not do anything positive in the short term. Shen Shixing's earnest reminder through secret revelations is proof of this.

This time, it depends on which places use the transportation of autumn grain as an excuse to cause trouble.

Silent all night.

After dawn, like yesterday, the Qianqing Gate was crowded with people.

The level, power and reputation of the people here this time are far beyond what those people were yesterday.

Those who are here today are those who are qualified to participate in the court recommendation, plus Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian.

The process was the same as yesterday. The emperor first talked to them one by one.

The first one is Yanshenggong.

Claiming to be the direct descendants of Confucius, they have enjoyed a transcendent status in every dynasty.

The reason is that the emperor needs civil officials to assist him in governing a unified world. How he treats the Kong family symbolizes how he will treat officials and gentry all over the world.

Whether meritorious officials can live with the country in the same year or not will motivate military generals to decide whether they are willing to work for the emperor. The continued grace and honor of Duke Yansheng will also affect the gentry's views on the big boss of the dynasty.

Even the Mongols who ruled the Central Plains had to uphold this symbol, so that there were two holes standing side by side in the north and south.

To this day, the so-called 64th generation grandson of Confucius, Kong Shangxian, sits in this position.

I say “so-called” because I’ve seen articles about genetic testing before…

Of course, we still have to treat this "symbol" with a smile: "I heard that when Duke Yansheng inherited the title, he vowed to live up to his ancestors' teachings, the country's grace, and his studies. Seeing him today, I find him to be very generous. I heard that Duke Yansheng brought your son to the capital this time?"

Kong Shangxian knelt respectfully in front of Zhu Changluo, as per the ancestral teachings that the ruler should be the ruler and the subject should be the subject.

"I am unlucky. Both of my sons died young without heirs. Now I have adopted my cousin's son Yinzhi as my youngest son. He is already ten years old. I studied in the capital when I was young. Now I am nearly sixty years old. I wish to stay in the capital from now on, study and spread the truth while raising my youngest son. I hope Your Majesty will grant my permission."

"That's fine." Zhu Changluo nodded. "Then I'll leave everything in Shandong to your brother Kong Shangtan?"

"……Yes."

Kong Shangxian was a little surprised to hear the emperor repeat his oath and clearly point out his brother's name.

This is the emperor who has prepared carefully.

Zhu Changluo chatted with him for a few words, but he didn't mention the fact that the candidates gathered in the Confucius Temple yesterday.

What good could the Kong family be? Kong Shangxian's father, Kong Zhengan, was the grandson of Li Dongyang and the son-in-law of the notorious Jianchang Marquis Zhang Yanling.

His wife, Kong Shangxian, was the granddaughter of Yan Song.

With his extraordinary status, he was always able to marry into the court's dignitaries, but if the situation was not right, things would change very quickly.

It is said that when Yan Song was about to fall, he went to the Kong family for help, but the Kong family asked him to sit on a bench outside the hall and refused to meet him. This left behind the allusion of the cold bench.

How smoothly did he later turn to the New Dynasty?
How much land does the Kong family own in Shandong now?

After Kong Shangxian, Zhu Changluo paid attention to three cabinet ministers one by one, and then the two ministers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, and then it was Zhu Guozuo's turn.

"I heard that the Grand Master likes wine?"

Zhu Guozuo was a little embarrassed: "I... do like good wine, but I dare not delay..."

"It wasn't a big deal if you weren't the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan before." Zhu Changluo looked at him meaningfully. "After the announcement of your ascension to the throne, you have been criticized a lot. You should pay more attention. The three cabinet ministers are all quite old. Among the six ministers, you are the only one who graduated from the Imperial Academy."

"I understand! I thank your majesty for your grace. I will be careful and disciplined and will not interfere in state affairs for even a moment!"

Zhu Changluo was telling the truth, not just empty talk. As for Zhu Guozuo, Zhu Changluo also pointed out the impact he knew would be caused by the absence of exemption in the edict of ascension.

Then came the other nine ministers, other senior officials of the Censorate, the six vice ministers, and the six chief secretaries.

Among these people, Zhu Changluo chatted with two of them.

One was He Shengrui, the newly promoted Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, and the other was Wang Dewan, the Chief Censor of the Ministry of Engineering, who was reinstated.

Both of them can be said to have directly received the grace of Zhu Changluo.

Zhu Changluo said to He Shengrui, "After the Huangji Gate is rebuilt, there will be no major construction work on the three palaces and two gates in the short term. After the Huangji Gate, I have another important task for you. Rebuilding the Huangji Gate is a piece of cake for you. In the Ministry of Works, get familiar with the river during this period of time."

He Shengrui had not expected that the emperor would think so highly of him, and he replied excitedly: "It is fine for me to supervise the repair works, but for the river channel... I am afraid that I cannot handle such a big responsibility."

The emperor only needed to say explicitly that he wanted him to go to the Ministry of Waterways, and the position of Chief Waterways Officer was indeed held by a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Works.

Shuen was promoted to the position of minister, which meant he was already one of the important officials in the court, and Zonghe went even further.

"Just show your practical and capable management spirit. I know you are a good person, so you will have nothing to worry about."

Wang Dewan's "Gatling" was fully revived, but he did not change his nature towards Zhu Changluo who had given him grace, and he even became more excited.

"Your Majesty, we cannot delay the three palaces and three gates. This is something that everyone in the court and the country is looking forward to. In addition, the ascension edict has been announced to the world. We are impressed by your Majesty's personal example and strict frugality, and we are also worried about the hardships of the common people..."

"…Today is a banquet, not a meeting. If you have something to report, we can discuss it at the court tomorrow."

It was said that no business would be discussed, but just like after the banquet yesterday, the three cabinet ministers and nine officials were retained.

In the Yangxin Palace, everyone stayed in Lurenzhai.

This time, Zhu Changluo arrived quickly.

After all the ministers paid their respects, they were given seats.

Zhu Changluo started by saying, "Yesterday, I heard from the cabinet minister that the imperial edict on the ascension to the throne did not mention the exemption of officials. Some officials have just told me about this. Tomorrow is the court meeting, and I want to hear what you think first."

Shen Yiguan was the Prime Minister, and he just said: "I will do my best to appease the government and the people, and share the difficulties of this time."

Shen Shixing sighed and said, "I have revealed all my sincere thoughts in secret."

Wang Xijue made the decision, "This is the first court meeting in many years. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. You can follow the old rules and only present a few important matters. I will discuss our opinions on how to deal with it. If Your Majesty thinks it is acceptable, we will present them one by one tomorrow. Your Majesty, don't worry. Tomorrow's court meeting must not be chaotic and disruptive to the court etiquette!"

Before Yingzong, due to Zhu Yuanzhang's diligence and the good abilities of Zhu Di and his two generations of grandfather and grandson, a lot of things were actually discussed at the court meetings.

Because Yingzong was young when he ascended the throne, there was a practice of only selecting a few matters and having the cabinet draft them first to teach Yingzong how to answer them.

This marked the beginning of the establishment of the cabinet ministers' power to draft documents, and also the beginning of the Ming Dynasty gradually becoming more ceremonial and allowing all officials to meet the emperor.

After the three cabinet ministers finished speaking, the others remained silent for the time being.

Zhu Changluo said, "I have always heard that it is easier to stop the people from speaking than to stop the river, and it is better to open it than to block it. I want to know now, why is there so much discussion in the court and the public when the edict of enthronement did not mention the exemption? Lord Shen, why are you trying so hard to appease them?"

Shen Yiguan was directly named. He could only look at the emperor and then said, "First, in the past, when a new emperor ascended the throne, he would grant amnesty and exemptions. This is the emperor's father's grace to the world to show that the new dynasty must be benevolent. Second, there have been years of wars, major construction projects in the two palaces and three halls, various levies, natural disasters and military disasters. Previously, the tax collectors were a disaster for the local areas. Although the facts of the provinces are different, they all have a lot of arrears. Third, the surrender of prisoners is imminent, and the three armies are waiting for rewards. The ceremonies have been one after another, and huge amounts of money have been spent. In the blink of an eye, it is the end of the year again. Border pay and official salaries, none of them can be reduced. The edict of enthronement did not mention exemptions, so the court and the people are naturally worried that the court will be in financial difficulties, or even have to levy more taxes."

Zhu Changluo nodded, "I see. Grand Minister of Agriculture, you are in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. If you grant us grace and forgive many of the arrears, what will the financial situation be like next year and the year after?"

Chen Qi stood up upon hearing this, feeling a little timid. "To be honest, Your Majesty, it depends on which taxes are exempted. Based on past years, even with many exemptions, there won't be much fluctuation in taxes, and the land tax should be higher. As long as there is no more war that urgently requires food and wages, the Ministry of Revenue can still find a way."

"Even if it is exempted, will the land tax be higher?"

"...Many prefectures and counties have debts from previous years. Every year, part of the tax is collected to make up for the debts from previous years, and part is the actual payment this year. If the debts are forgiven, the actual payment will be higher."

"Those are just figures in the accounts," Zhu Changluo said calmly. "Putting aside the figures from previous years and this year, the problem with the court's finances is whether to exempt or not?"

Shen Shixing's face changed, and he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the exemption is not for financial reasons, but for the people's will."

"If it is for the benefit of the people, why has no one ever petitioned to exempt some of the gold and silver?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of many ministers in the hall changed suddenly.

(End of this chapter)