The Ming Dynasty started with caution

If it is implemented forcefully, it is not impossible.

The cabinet unanimously approved it, and with the approval of Emperor Hongzhi Zhu, the decree will be issued soon.

Officials may not resist government orders, but they will secretly take action against the people.

The implication is that the Shoujing philosophy can save money for the court, but the people will suffer.

According to what Yan Chengjin knows, Emperor Hongzhi is a very frugal person, and 80% of them will agree. This Jiang Mian is not only knowledgeable about government affairs, but also good at scheming.

"Master Jiang is worthy of being called Zhuge Liang of Nanjing."

Jiang Mian did not dare to look down on Yan Chengjin: "In the matter of Prince Ning's son, I promised Prince Ning to impeach him, but I have decided that Lord Yan's residence should be an upright person, so I will leave it at that."

Yan Chengjin secretly complained that King Ning treated the people of Nanchang as his own people and bribed many honest officials.

Liu Jian looked solemn and said: "Let's inform Your Majesty first about this matter and see how we decide?"

Soon, the six people came to Dongnuan Pavilion.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Hongzhi hesitated for a moment and ordered someone to go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to get the salary account book.

Comparing the salary expenditure in the thirteen years of Hongzhi, I was shocked.

Wang Qiong saw his expression changed drastically and said hurriedly: "Since the restructuring, the salary has indeed increased by more than half."

Cutting off the palace officials and maids will not save much money.

The salary received by ten eunuchs is not as good as that of a seventh-grade official.

Jiang Mian said: "When I was in Nanjing, I was thinking about the expenses of the imperial court. It would be most effective to reduce the salary by only 10%. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

A reduction of only 10% will not only greatly reduce treasury expenditures, but will not cause resistance from officials.

Emperor Hongzhi asked: "Does the cabinet all agree with this policy?"

Yan Chengjin shook his head: "I don't agree with this. Sir Jiang's move may increase the treasury, but it will make the administration unclear and increase the burden on the people."

Although it is a small reduction of 10%, it does not hurt the overall situation.

But he didn't want to lose even one percent.

You may not care if someone else gives you a dollar, but if you lose a dollar, you will feel resentful.

I can understand Jiang Mian's efforts to save the royal family money, but I don't agree with it.

"Yes, I don't agree with it either." Wang Qiong said.

Don't even think about asking those monkeys to reduce their salaries.

When there were different opinions, Emperor Hongzhi still paid attention to Yan Chengjin's opinion: "Let's discuss it later."

…

Shanxi, Datong Prefecture.

While Zhu Junzhang was feeding the pigs, he saw the butler walking in hurriedly: "Master, the gentry has come to collect a debt."

Several potbellied gentry walked into the palace.

Yang Dongjia covered his nose: "This is the palace, how is it different from a pig pen?"

This is the most desolate palace they have ever seen. The palace is empty, with few servants, and is full of dregs.

Even the air was filled with a strong smell of pig manure.

Shopkeeper Zhang of Fugui Restaurant kept fanning it with a folding fan, trying to cover up the smell with fragrance, "The King is over there."

Rumor has it that there were many servants in the previous dynasty’s palace.

In order to raise money to raise pigs and save food rations, they all dispersed.

"That prince, I don't have much money, so the silver you borrowed..."

"Yes, Your Majesty, you are unwilling to mortgage the land to us. We are also in a dilemma."

They didn't want to lend money to Zhu Junzhang either.

But the skinny camel was bigger than the horse, so the prince even asked and didn't dare not borrow it.

And if you become prosperous in the future, there will be opportunities for chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven.

Zhu Junzhang picked up the tea cup and said seriously: "As a prince, I will not owe you any money. When my son returns from his studies, he will be rewarded by the court."

He also wanted to mortgage the land and even sell it to the gentry, but he didn't dare. Since deposing his father's throne as acting king, he has been cautious in everything he does.

For fear of being accused of preying on the common people, borrowing money from the gentry and having IOUs written on them are not included in this list.

Now, the hope of the palace lies in Zhu Chongyao's hands.

His son has gone to write letters.

…

Cabinet, palace corridor.

Just as Jiang Mian was about to walk into the small courtyard where the room guard was staying, he was stopped by the young eunuch in the corner: "Master Jiang, there is a memorial here."

Jiang Mian flipped through it and saw that it was a memorial from the Chief of Ceremonies. He was suspicious: "This is a memorial from the eunuch guarding the house. What are you doing for me?"

"Eunuch Xiao said that he didn't dare to look at it. My slave sent it to you."

Jiang Mian took a look and saw that it was the guarding eunuch who discovered a large number of coal mines in Datong.

But these coal mines were on official land granted to Yan Chengjin by the imperial court.

"Is Xiao Jing so afraid of Yan Chengjin?"

Jiang Mian then thought about it, came to the cabinet, and handed the memorial to Liu Jian: "Mr. Liu, if there is a huge mining tax included, why worry about the national treasury having no money."

Liu Jian looked at the place name. Isn't this the land that His Majesty gave to Yan Chengjin?

I read the description of the guard eunuch Zhang Zhen, saying that the mine veins are so big that I don’t know how many miles deep they are, and the coal is as good as gold and stone, so it is high-quality coal.

Datong actually contains such rich coal mines!

The five pavilion elders came to the Fengtian Hall and met Emperor Hongzhi together. Liu Jian's voice was a little excited: "Your Majesty, there are mineral veins in Datong, Shanxi Province. They are rich for miles and are as good as gold and stone."

Emperor Hongzhi laid down his memorial and found out that there were coal mines in Datong, Shanxi, but they were mined sporadically and not on a large scale.

"I don't know how far?"

"Your Majesty, please read the notes of the eunuch Zhang Zhen."

Xiao Jing secretly spat Zhang Zhen, this is Yan Chengjin's land, isn't it causing trouble for us?

What if Yan Chengjin puts the blame on him?

At this time, the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Yan Chengjin held a memorial in his hand.

It was the censor of Datong who reported that the guarding eunuch discovered a large number of coal mines on his territory.

Please beg the court to mine it to pay taxes.

"Has the guard eunuch sent back the notice?"

Zheng Qian nodded and said: "It was passed to the Chief of Ceremonies, who in turn gave it to the Cabinet Master Chiang."

Jiang Mian?

It seemed that Xiao Jing had some idea in his mind and did not dare to offend him, so he was the eunuch who could survive to this day.

He begged the court for these lands because he knew there were coal mines.

However, His Majesty has not summoned him yet.

Wenhua Hall,

The seven princes were waiting for Yan Chengjin to arrive. Zhu Chongyao looked solemn. He received a letter from home today and his father urged him to ask for help from His Majesty quickly.

After the banquet, he walked up to Yan Chengjin and said, "I beg you, Master Yan, to give our family a way out."

"What is your dream?"

Yan Chengjin asked seriously.

Zhu Chongyao was stunned. He had never heard of this word before. He looked at the prince with confusion. Zhu Houzhao was overjoyed: "Your ambition."

"To establish a destiny for the people of the vassal state, to inherit the title in the future, and to be a wise king in the vassal state, Master Yan agreed to help the students beg for help?"

Yan Chengjin shook his head: "You don't need to change the fiefdom to continue the Daiwang Palace. I have a way. I wonder if you dare?"

Zhu Chongyao bowed and asked for advice: "Master Yan, please speak."

"What if it takes your life?"

Zhu Chongyao was stunned, then bowed and said: "As long as we can continue the Daiwang Palace."

"Although Datong is poor, the taxes are enough for the royal palace's expenses. The summer tax of more than 16,000 dan has not been paid to the palace, but is in the hands of the guarding eunuch Zhang Zhen."

"What do you mean, Master Yan?"

"You beg the imperial court to abolish the eunuchs and tax supervisors in various places."

Zhu Chongyao was stunned for a moment. The guarding eunuchs and tax supervisors were the emperor's eyes and hands everywhere.

It is tantamount to cutting off the emperor's hands and feet.

Zhu Houzhao suddenly became interested: "This really means beheading, Lao Gao, didn't you just say you were giving me a way to live? Why did you give me a way to die?"

"Your Highness, don't talk too much." Yan Chengjin said disgustedly.

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