Flowers on the other side [Comprehensive Red House]

Chapter 803 The Carpenter Emperor 58

Ye Xianggao followed behind Liu Yixiu and said, "Your Majesty, the old minister agrees to open the sea. But now the imperial court has lost the huge sea ships that San Bao eunuch used when he went to the West. Now we can start building sea ships. It will take a year or two or even longer. There are also goods that are going to go to the West, which require a lot of money. The most important thing is that it may take two or three years to return.”

The implication of Ye Xianggao's words is that opening the sea ban is something that cannot quench the thirst of the near water.

Zhou Jiamo glanced at Ye Xianggao, "Your Majesty, the old minister agrees to ban the opening of the sea. The imperial court needs to buy copper ingots from Fusang, and also needs to buy grain from Nanyang. Make early preparations for opening the sea, even after three or five years. Well, now is the best time to do it.”

The British prince interjected abruptly, "Your Majesty, since some merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang have gone overseas, and the imperial court is facing critical difficulties, should they send officials to discuss with these merchants?"

Everyone present focused their attention on the face of the British prince.After this discussion, I am afraid that there will be no maritime merchants? !But no one dared to take the lead to deny the British Duke's words.

The imperial court has banned the sea for many years, and these maritime merchants should be ransacked by the imperial court.

Zhu Youxiao motioned to Liu Shimin, and Liu Shimin immediately took a sandalwood box from the shelf behind him and put it in front of the emperor.

"Here are the materials of several maritime merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Zhang Qing, Huang Qing," Zhu Youxiao stroked the sandalwood box, feeling a lot.

"If I ransacked those sea merchants and exterminated their families in one fell swoop, they haven't committed the heinous crime of treason against the enemy like Shanxi merchants. But letting them go lightly is obviously a contempt for the laws of the court. You three, look at this matter How should I deal with it?"

"Bang when" a big thunder hit the heads of these important ministers, and some officials who got the profit from the maritime merchants immediately lowered their heads pretending to be nonchalant, but they were thinking about how to send someone to send a letter to the south of the Yangtze River immediately.

Zhu Youxiao still stroked the sandalwood box calmly, waiting for the result of the discussion between Zhang Wenda and Huang Kezuan.Liu Shimin approached the emperor quietly and whispered something in Zhu Youxiao's ear.

Zhu Youxiao nodded with a smile, "Let Zou Yi and Luo Sigong arrange the manpower."

Liu Shimin bowed and went out immediately.

The officials here are somewhat nervous, who is the emperor trying to arrest?Whose house are you going to copy?Dongchang and Jinyiwei did it together, which shows the seriousness of the situation.

Zhu Youxiao tapped on the wooden box with a smile on his face, and said frightening words lightly.

"There is also a list of some courtiers in this wooden box who got their profits from the sea merchants. It is not clear how these courtiers of mine took dry shares from the sea merchants and how much money they got.

But it doesn't matter, there will be a record in the general ledger of the maritime merchant.

The people involved in the incident should not take chances and send people to Jiangnan to deliver the letter when they leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation. I say this now because I want to give everyone here a chance to make corrections and save themselves and their families.

That is the person who gets the profit, and before the Xiaochao meeting tomorrow, he will tell me the total amount of money he has received over the years.Of course, the illegal income must be handed over to the Ministry of Household Affairs within the prescribed time limit.Otherwise, the crime can only be judged by the law of the state. "

Zhu Youxiao became serious as he spoke.

"I confiscated the family, but I will not exterminate the family, but I will exile the whole family of rebellious officials who do not receive my love. For the third generation, no, for the fifth generation, no scientific research is allowed, and intermarriage with innocent civilians is not allowed."

The British Duke followed immediately, "Your Majesty is wise."

Ding Guogong asked, "What about the local officials who participate in the dividend distribution of maritime merchants?"

"My Dongchang and Jinyiwei will take care of it. The so-called Skynet is not leaking, and it won't miss anyone."

Fang Congzhe's hands began to ooze cold sweat.I don't know how many years I have received dividends from maritime merchants.Apart from silver taels, he didn't know how many things he got in total.In addition to him, many officials in Jiangsu and Zhejiang can also receive "filial piety" from maritime merchants.

After discussing for so long, Zhang Wenda and Huang Kezuan finally reached a consensus.

"Your Majesty, there are two ways to deal with the veteran. One is to confiscate the family and exterminate the family, and the other is to let those maritime merchants cooperate with the court."

Huang Kezuan has been working with the emperor on the research and development of new artillery these days, and he has grasped a little bit of Xinjun's way of doing things.He will never be merciless towards the treason of the enemy, but if it can be beneficial to the court, after "handing in" enough benefits, the emperor can be lenient.

His Majesty has already expressed the attitude of letting go of the past when the money is handed over to the sea merchants for the distribution of dividends. The rest is how to "cooperate" with the sea merchants and get more money from the sea merchants.

Gong Nai opened his mouth, "Your Majesty, whether you are a maritime merchant or an official, if you violate the laws of the court, you should be punished."

Huang Kezuan asked: "And then? The sea merchants have been wiped out. Who will go to the West to sell silk, tea, and porcelain for the court? Who will go to the East to buy copper ingots for the court? Who will go to Nanyang to buy rice for the court? The north is getting colder and colder. Often when there is dryness and coldness in the north, waterlogging will occur in the south the following year.

After continuous drought, locust plagues will appear.

We are now focused on how to stabilize the people, how to save enough silver to build artillery, and eliminate the increasingly powerful slaves. "

Zhou Jiamo added: "Most of the officials staying in the court are imperfect in one way or another. We can only walk with the light first, and correct a mistake when we encounter it, so as to ensure that the court has enough. manpower."

Gong Nai is jealous of evil, he poked his neck and said: "How can the court hide traitors? Your Majesty, how can officials be allowed to use silver to atone for their crimes?"

Zhu Youxiao had been studying with him for many days, so he knew his nature long ago.When mentioning him as the servant of the Ministry of Rites, he once said to Zhou Jiamo: "Zhou Qing, Gong Xiaoyu is the teacher of two generations of emperors, and his talent is enough to be the servant of the Ministry of Rites. What I am most worried about is that he will be the sacrificial wine of the Imperial Academy. Those supervisors have taught him the same."

Now that he was in a fit of madness, he had no choice but to comfort him with a smile and said: "Gongqing, are there any of these important ministers here, including me, who have not violated Ming's laws 100% at all? Absolutely.

But the truth is really out of ten.

But on the other hand, if the court is full of gentlemen like you, then what will I use to feed the people, and where will I get enough money to kill Jiannu? "

Gong Nai blushed, and wanted to continue arguing with the emperor, but Bi Ziyan held him back.

"Your Majesty, all the ministers are incompetent, and let Your Majesty be humiliated by profiteers and villains."

The ministers who knew how to look at each other immediately stood up and said in unison: "Your Majesty, they are all incompetent ministers."

Zhu Youxiao also stood up, and said sincerely to everyone: "Sit down, all ministers. It is not a day's cold to freeze three feet. The so-called upper beam is not straight and the lower beam is crooked. It will lead to the embarrassing situation for us monarchs and ministers today. Letting go of the past is to save enough face for Lord Shenzong, and it is also to reverse the current unfavorable situation.

Your Excellency, the Ming Dynasty Hall will one day be as you wish it to be. "

Although Gong Nai was upright, he was not so stupid that he didn't understand. When he saw the emperor talking to him like this, he understood that it was to give face to himself as the emperor's teacher. He immediately bowed his hands to the emperor apologetically, and then sat back silently.

Li Ruhua, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, suggested: "Your Majesty, in violation of the sea ban, all the illegal gains should be handed over to Taicang. But in extraordinary times, we can only use extraordinary methods. The old minister suggested that [-]% to [-]% of the illegal gains should be taken. Then as long as the maritime merchants can cooperate well with the imperial court, the past will be forgotten."

Wang Yingjiao and Bi Ziyan, servants of the household department, immediately supported Li Ruhua's proposal.

Cui Jingrong and Wang Zaijin of the Ministry of War immediately expressed their support.In their hearts, it doesn't matter how your household and criminal departments treat maritime merchants, as long as they can get money to calm the crisis in Liaodong.

Wang Zuo, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, was also looking forward to Yinzi until his eyes turned green.Too many places need silver.Guangzong's mausoleum is in urgent need of silver, the three ruined halls will have to be rebuilt sooner or later, and the imminent nine-side ordnance needs to be renewed every year...

Sun Ruyou, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, bowed his head, neither agreeing nor disapproving.

Gong Nai glanced at Sun Ruyou and said, "Your Majesty, I agree with Li Shangshu's opinion."

Zhu Youxiao said very bachelorly: "If you disagree with Li Shangshu's opinion, please raise your hand and explain the reason."

He looked around and saw everyone, then nodded with a smile and said: "Since everyone agrees, let's discuss whether it is [-]% or [-]%."

At this moment, the report of the eunuch on duty came from outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Liu Shimin walked out quickly, and then came back quickly, "Your Majesty, Liaodong inspector censor Zhang Quan sent an urgent military report eight hundred miles from Liaoyang, and the soldier who sent the letter said that Jiannu's 10,000+ army besieged Shenyang and Fengji."

"Tell the soldier to go to the palace."

The messenger soldiers of the Babaili Emergency Military Report have specific attire.When passing through the post station, any post station will leave everything behind, and first serve the soldiers who deliver the letter to eat, drink and change horses.It's better to say that the distance is a little closer, but sending such military newspapers back from a place a little farther away will exhaust the soldiers who deliver the letter to death.

The soldier staggered into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, knelt down and handed the military report to Liu Shimin, then kowtowed.Carefully added a sentence.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang and several general soldiers are waiting for a reply."

"Okay. I got it. Thank you for your hard work." Zhu Youxiao took over the military newspaper that Liu Shimin and Cui Jingrong had checked and checked, and said to Liu Shimin, "Reward him with 20 taels of silver, a new military jacket and a pair of new military boots, and take him down. Have a good rest. When tomorrow comes to rest, I still have something to ask him."

When the soldier heard that the emperor had rewarded him, he immediately kowtowed again and followed Liu Shimin down.

Zhu Youxiao read the [-]-mile urgent military newspaper sent by Liaoyang, and then passed it on to Cui Jingrong, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, Duke Ying, Duke Ding, and Marquis Taining. , The feeling of finally waiting for Lai Jiannu's reaction.

Next year's budget is very important, but the military situation in Liaodong is even more important.The important ministers in the Hall of Mental Cultivation began to discuss whether to send more troops to Liaodong to rescue Shenyang and Fengji.

Zhu Youxiao didn't want to waste time on this matter. He said decisively: "In the spring and summer of this year, Xiong Tingbi sent people to harass Liaodong, making Jiannu unable to farm well. In summer and autumn, Jiannu treated Fengji and Shenyang separately. The use of troops did not take any advantage. Without Shanxi merchants to send supplies to Jiannu this winter, Jiannu must not have enough food this winter.

Therefore, Jiannu may come out in full force this time, and even if we send all 30 forbidden troops to Liaodong, field battles will definitely not be Jiannu's opponent.In addition to taking 30 soldiers for nothing, and sending military supplies and food to Jiannu again, there is no positive effect. "

Cui Jingrong asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, then Liaodong will not send an army to rescue?"

"No."

Zhu Youxiao's crispness once again refreshed his image in the minds of important ministers.God, the Son of Heaven is not afraid of the reputation of losing the Liao land.Because everyone here understands the reason why the emperor said not to send an army, but not sending it means that the emperor will take responsibility and infamy for the loss of Liaodong.

Ye Xianggao praised in his heart: "Sure enough, he is responsible. But such a bad reputation should not be borne by the emperor himself."

It's a pity that I am just an ordinary cabinet minister, and I am not qualified enough to bear such a big decision for the emperor.Turning his head and stretching his neck to look at Fang Congzhe, Fang Congzhe's old god is there, and he doesn't know where his soul is wandering.He had no choice but to wink at Cui Jingrong and the British Minister sitting across from him frequently.

Cui Jingrong and Zhang Weixian understood what he meant, but the emperor had already finished talking, so what should the courtiers do?The historians who didn't read the notes on the daily life of the records are all writing in a hurry.

Only Huang Kezuan knew what the emperor was planning.The other one is the Marquis of Taining who guessed a little bit of the emperor's mind.The emperor had to wait for the production of large quantities of new artillery before using troops against Liaodong.

These two bastards gritted their teeth and refused to speak out. They didn't want to be included in the ranks of those who couldn't keep secrets and would no longer be reused by the emperor.

So the Hall of Mental Cultivation fell into an unprecedented silence.

Zhu Youxiao saw that everyone was silent, so he put the military newspaper in the important file.Zhou Jiamo's eyelids twitched wildly, and he couldn't hold back his words.

"Your Majesty, the urgent military report for the eight hundred miles in Liaodong should be dealt with first."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, "Zhou Qing is right. Liu Shimin passed on the decree for the bachelor's degree."

Gong Nai stood up and introduced himself, "Your Majesty, is it possible for me to draw up a decree?"

Of course it’s fine, the Guozijian Jijiu with great literary talent, and the minister of the Ministry of Rites drafting decrees are even higher than the level of serving a bachelor.

Zhu Youxiao signaled Liu Shimin to prepare things, and said to Gongnai himself: "Gongqing, when Wang An went to Liaodong, I ordered Wang An to bring a decree to Xiong Tingbi, the governor of Liaodong, and Zhou Yongchun, the governor. Judging from the military newspaper of patrol censor Zhang Quan, Xiong Tingbi also conveyed my will to Liaoyang City.

In view of the disparity in field strength between the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty and those of Jiannu, if Liaoyang City rashly sent troops to rescue Shenyang, those soldiers who rescued them would be giving military merit and supplies to Jiannu.Once the Liaoyang City after the empty city was occupied by Jiannu, it would do no harm to Shenyang Fengji.

So they just need to defend Liaoyang City and starve away the Jiannu who came to look for food for the winter.

During this process, the screening of spies, martial law and other matters can be done according to Xiong Feibai's instructions. "

Gong Nai nodded to show that he understood what the Son of Heaven meant, and after thinking for a while, he picked up a pen and finished writing the imperial decree.Who will be sent to deliver the decree?People can be selected from the Supervisor of Rituals, from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of War.

Ye Xianggao stood up and proposed: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the Metropolitan Procuratorate send a censor to deliver the decree."

Regarding military affairs, it is inappropriate for officials of the Ministry of Rites to pass on the decree.Send the eunuch of the Ritual Supervisor to pass the decree, and worry that it will be bad if he lifts himself too high when he goes to Liaoyang; if the fourth-rank Lang of the Ministry of War or the fifth-rank Yuanwai Lang goes there, it is very likely that the first-rank officials will crush people to death, Hou Shilu, Tong Zhongkui, Liaoyang General Soldier, and Zhang Liangyu, who supported the Liaodong battlefield, had to give up command.Only the Metropolitan Procuratorate sent an ordinary seventh-rank censor to go there, and with Zhang Quan, the patrol censor, there would be nothing that would affect the situation in Liaoyang after the edict was delivered.

Zhang Wenda immediately wanted to understand Ye Xianggao's meaning. This is what the chief assistant should think of, and it is the old man seeking the country. He immediately expressed his approval: "Your Majesty, the old minister thinks Ye Ge's proposal is very good."

Zhu Youxiao also understood what the two of them meant.

"Ye Qing and Zhang Qing are well thought out. The Metropolitan Procuratorate will send the censor to deliver the decree. British lord, send [-] imperial cavalry to escort the censor to Liaoyang. Go early and return early. Today's budget meeting will be here first. Let’s continue after tomorrow’s Xiaochaohui. If any of you have received bonuses from the sea merchants, don’t forget to count the silver and receive a list of gifts and give me a copy before tomorrow’s Xiaochaohui.”

The other courtiers followed the emperor's conclusion and saluted and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Only Fang Congzhe stayed at the end and did not leave with the other courtiers.

Most of the people were not surprised, only Ye Xianggao looked back at Fang Congzhe and nodded encouragingly.Fang Congzhe felt sour in his heart, as expected, he was not as good as Ye Xianggao.

Seeing that Fang Congzhe stayed, Zhu Youxiao motioned him to follow him to the study of Qianqing Palace.Fang Congzhe followed the emperor's footsteps very gratefully, so that he could avoid the records written by the official historian in the daily life notes.

"Your Majesty, the old minister deserves death." Entering the inner study of Qianqing Palace, Fang Congzhe immediately knelt down and pleaded guilty.

"Oh, Fang Qing, get up. I know you are doing it for your children and grandchildren. But if your children and grandchildren don't live up to their expectations, what's the use of saving money? The dandyism you cultivate will inevitably end up destitute in the end. If your children and grandchildren live up to their expectations, you will use them too." There is no need to leave money for them."

Fang Congzhe was ashamed.The son I raised is a dude, and I can't mention it.After all, there is a shadow official, and he can get rid of it.Speaking of which, he is of the same type as the first emperor, and he is in his forties, but he spends all day working hard on female sex.

But even if it is a dude who can't be mentioned, parents would not want to see him starve to death after his death, wouldn't they?Always calculate and prepare in every possible way, and try to leave enough food and clothing for our children and grandchildren.

"Fang Qing, because the maritime merchants still have accounts to check, so you can hand over as much as you want to the Ministry of Households. You can get things done early to avoid being impeached."

Fang Congzhe bowed his head in embarrassment: "Old minister, thank Your Majesty for your kindness."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, "No matter what your reason is, this is the last time. I don't want your reputation to be ruined, so you have to fight for it."

Fang Congzhe was told that he wished he could find a crack in the ground, so he folded his fists and bowed to the ground.

"Your Majesty, the veteran is still returning to his hometown after returning to his official position."

"Fang Qing, what can you do when you go back to your hometown? I'm thinking of how hard it has been for you to be the chief assistant for the past six or seven years, so I will keep you in the cabinet to balance the cabinet ministers. After the salary increase next year, you will earn a lot every year. The son is like that, you restrain him from going out to cause trouble, and educate your grandson well. But there is one thing, please remember it well: you can’t receive anything other than salary. Do you understand?”

Fang Congzhe felt that the person in front of him was no longer a young emperor, as if his elders were teaching him how to be a father and a grandfather.He understood that the emperor was thinking about the stability of the court and himself, so he said in shame: "The old minister will never do it again."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Fang Congzhe's hunched back, alas, the retribution for not raising his son well.

Thinking that he has struggled to maintain the normal operation of the imperial court in the past few years, he can't bear to blame this poor man.He is not capable of being a cabinet minister or chief assistant, but he is not the one who wants to be the chief assistant.He was just a victim who was pushed out to balance the power of the parties during the party struggle.

Although he has always been impartial and impartial since he came to power, his cowardly character caused him to lack decisiveness in situations, and he hoped too much that all parties would act like a gentleman and take the initiative to make concessions...

The key is his close relationship with Qi Shijiao, the actual leader of the Qi Party. First, his position was questioned by the ministers, and then because of Zhao Xingbang, who was in the military department who urged Yang Hao to march after the defeat of Sarhu, he couldn’t help himself in the end. involved in partisan struggles.Having to rely on Qi Dang and others to balance the party struggle in the court can be said to be a wrong step.

Thinking of Ye Xianggao's ability, Zhu Youxiao was very worried that he would make him stand up and become an obstacle to his actions after he took power.He had no choice but to hold his nose and keep Fang Congzhe as the nominal chief assistant, against Ye Xianggao who was already on the verge of being a hidden chief assistant.

Oh, it's hard!Without ten or eight years, it is impossible to become a real son of heaven.

Duke Ying, Duke Ding, and Marquis Taining left the Hall of Mental Cultivation together, the smiles on their faces could hardly be concealed.These nobles have spent a lot of time in the past, wanting to mix shares into the sea merchants to make some money.Unexpectedly, those maritime merchants who have the backing of civil servants are so lofty that they never ignore them.They have also thought about using some means against the maritime merchants, but often they are caught by the civil servants and impeached so dizzy that they have to withdraw their coveting of the maritime merchants.

Now the emperor wants to take back the treatment of civil servants sharing profits from maritime merchants, hahaha, you have to withdraw as much as you have gained in these years!

It's a joke when you can't retreat.

Back at the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies, Ding Guogong measured a "seven" with his left hand and an "eight" with his right hand.The Duke of England and Hou Taining immediately nodded understandingly and returned the same gesture.When discussing again tomorrow, they all insisted that [-]% of the profits of the sea merchants in these years should be received in Taicang, so at least [-]% of the profits can be transferred to Taicang.

It's really time for the gentleman to get sick and the villain to complain.

The three of them reached a consensus, and the Duke of England personally went to the barracks to pick out the Baiqi who would escort the censor to Liaodong, and then called his daughter to the study when he returned home. .

"Girl, I think the Son of Heaven is a wise king with great ambitions."

Zhang Yan nodded, "He is really willing to leave the second emperor in the Huangji Palace. Father, if there are gods, will Shenzong be revived by the late emperor?"

The British Duke smiled and scolded his daughter, "You are not allowed to speak like that. The Son of Heaven speaks to his father and grandfather, and as courtiers, we must not be disrespectful at all times, otherwise it will be a great crime to talk about it in the future."

"I'm just going to say a few words at home."

British public face, "I'm used to it at home, and I don't know if I get into trouble in the future."

Seeing that her father was serious, Zhang Yan immediately stood up and admitted his mistake.

The British Duke sighed, "Girl, be careful that the boat can sail for thousands of years. Is it rare in ancient times that the boat capsizes in the gutter? When there is love, the peaches that have been gnawed are given to the king. It can be said that there is a king in his heart. If you eat something delicious, you think about the king. Once the friendship is exhausted and you don’t like it, it is a ready-made crime of disrespecting the king. Do you understand?"

"My daughter understands, she won't talk nonsense anymore."

Seeing that his daughter was holding her mouth shut, the British public waved her hand and asked her to go back to the backyard.Looking at his daughter's young, slim and energetic back, he couldn't guess what kind of palace life waiting for his daughter in the future.

The author has something to say: I was able to finish writing early on Sunday, so I will update it in advance