In the morning of the next day, the old eunuch stood up as usual, waved his whisk, and shouted: "There is something going on!"
Although the officials below are used to such a scene, since the emperor asked the ministers if they have anything to report, even if there is nothing, they must do everything possible to find something to report. Otherwise, given the emperor’s character, wouldn’t he think that people like them just take money and don’t work?
Therefore, since Lao Zhu, there has been an extremely strange scene in the early morning. The morning court, which was supposed to be a time to discuss important national affairs, turned out to be like a vegetable market. Most of the discussions were about trivial matters, and there was very little time for discussing important matters.
But the attitude shown by the emperor is that the more things he reports to the emperor, the more he will value him. No matter whether these things are important or trivial, they all have to wait for the emperor's approval.
When all the officials saw this, they all took a deep breath. The emperor's operation was something they never expected, but it did not prevent them from waking up immediately. Of course, the purpose of serving as an official is not to benefit one party. The first thing an official thinks of is always to climb up. Even they themselves don't know why they have to climb up at all costs, it seems like it is their instinct.
And if you want to be promoted, the best shortcut is to win the heart of the emperor. Now that there is such an easy way to please the emperor and leave a good impression in the emperor's mind, who would be willing to lag behind?
As a result, the early dynasty of the Ming Dynasty began to become involution. Today you report one thing, and tomorrow I will report two, or even three. No matter what, you have to compete with others, and you have to be the best in this matter. And other officials are not fools. The other party will naturally report more things next time in order to come out on top.
But although the Ming Dynasty was great, how could there be so many important things that needed to be reported to the emperor in the morning?
As a result, the weight of officials reporting matters became less and less. In the end, even the things that were heard in the market were written down in the memorial and presented to the emperor.
According to normal people's thinking, Lao Zhu should deeply hate such things. But the fact is exactly the opposite. Not only did he not get angry, but he listened attentively and decently every time, and even continued to encourage the officials who reported these trivial matters. As a result, everyone is rushing to present the memorial in the morning, but there are only a few really important things.
Therefore, the moment the old eunuch finished speaking, there were several officials holding memorials who wanted to stand up and use their trivial matters to continue to increase their presence in front of the emperor.
Lao Zhu waved his hand to stop a few people, then sat on the throne and solemnly announced.
"Today, I have a decree to make."
The few officials who took the first two steps looked at each other awkwardly and had to stand back in their respective positions, quietly waiting for the emperor's instructions.
But the expressions of the six ministers and other senior officials standing at the front suddenly became solemn. The emperor rarely announced his decree in the morning, but every time it was a major event that shocked the court. Reconnecting with the fact that the prince had announced an increase in the salary of hundreds of officials a few days ago, they had already made some guesses.
Several ministers glanced at each other subconsciously, and they all understood that whether they would be happy or sad would depend on the emperor's decision at the next moment.
Lao Zhu sat at the top, so he could clearly see the small movements of the six ministers. However, he ignored them and recalled: "In the early years of Hongwu, when the Ming Dynasty was just established, the world was in ruins, and countless people were in urgent need of recuperation. Therefore, in order to rest with the people, I often issued decrees to reduce or reduce taxes in various places, so that the national treasury was not rich. "
"The Emperor is kind, and the people will always be grateful for His kindness~"
The emperor is so boastful, wouldn't it be too indifferent if the officials didn't rush to compliment him and congratulate him?
However, Lao Zhu did not take Baiguan's flattery to heart. He continued: "The national treasury is not rich, so I can only give you a small salary. In order to allow the officials to support their families, I allow the officials and gentry not to pay the salary."
When the officials heard what the emperor said, their hearts suddenly jumped, and they all looked at the emperor in surprise. "Aren't you talking about increasing salaries? Why are you talking about officials and gentry not paying their dues?"
The expressions of all the officials became bad one after another. Although the welfare of not receiving food was not of great benefit to them, when the salary was not much, mosquito legs were still meat no matter how small they were. Moreover, the more the salary is low, the more officials value this benefit.
What is the emperor's intention now when he mentions that the officials and gentry do not pay food? Could it be that this matter has angered the emperor and he wants to take back even this benefit?
Lao Zhu paused for a moment, his eyes constantly scanning back and forth among the officials.
All the officials who met the eyes of the hands could not help but lower their heads to avoid the emperor's gaze. No one dared to look at the emperor at all.
"Take it back, take it back, it's better than losing your life."
However, all the officials couldn't help but complain about the prince. Why do you want to increase your salary after a good performance? Now it's better. Not only has there been no increase in salary, but the benefit of not being paid is gone. It's really a loss for both my wife and my army.
Lao Zhu continued: "Today, the Ming Dynasty has achieved peace and prosperity, and the national treasury has gradually become abundant. Therefore, I have decided to take back the rule that the officials and gentry do not pay food. From today on, the officials, gentry and the common people will pay food as one."
The officials in the Fengtian Hall suddenly felt bitter in their hearts. They were really afraid that something would come to them, and the emperor really took back the food they refused to pay. Not even letting go of this benefit, it’s really...
However, no matter how dissatisfied they were, no official dared to raise objections in front of Lao Zhu.
In the eyes of later generations, the extremely difficult situation for officials and gentry to pay for their food was solved in one sentence by Lao Zhu, in an understatement.
Lao Zhu waited for a moment and saw that the officials were silent, and his expression turned gloomy.
Du Ze, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, saw this and immediately screamed secretly. Thunder, rain and dew are all your kindness, but silence in response is also opposition. This is seeking death!
So he quickly said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
When the others heard Du Ze's words, they immediately reacted and hurriedly worshiped in unison: "My Emperor, Holy Ming~"
Lao Zhu's face became a little better and he continued: "However, the prince reported that the current salary of all officials is so low that some officials have difficulty even supporting their families. Is this really the case?"
Damn it, who dares to answer this? All the officials looked at each other.
Finally, Du Ze spoke up and said honestly: "It is true that as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, I have a monthly salary of sixty-one dollars, which is enough to support my family. Those who only have five dollars and six dollars a month Officials of the eighth or ninth grade can really only take care of themselves."
Lao Zhu's calm eyes immediately glanced at Du Ze, and after staying there for a moment, Lao Zhu looked away. The reason why Du Ze was let go was because Lao Zhu saw what he had learned earlier. In addition, Lao Zhu was planning to announce an increase in salary.
Du Ze lowered his head and became nervous. After a while, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Father, I think it is urgent to increase the salary." Seeing the officials in front of his father, Zhu Biao didn't even dare to breathe. Afraid that things that had been discussed with his father might change again, he immediately said respectfully.
A smile gradually appeared on Lao Zhu's face, he nodded and said: "In view of the fact that the officials and gentry paid the grain, part of the income was missing. In addition, because the salary reported by the prince is too low, I have decided to increase the salary of all officials by twice as much from now on."
The surprise came too suddenly. All the officials looked at the emperor sitting on the dragon throne and couldn't believe their ears.
An increase in salary is enough to make all officials happy. Even if it is only an increase of 10% or 20%, all officials will be very happy. But they never expected that it would be doubled.
How much is twice as much? Du Ze ignored the sweat on his forehead and his eyes were bright. With his current monthly salary of sixty-one dollars, if it were doubled, it would be one hundred and eighty-three dollars. In other words, starting from next month, he will be able to get a monthly salary of 183 guan?
This is much more than the little income you would get if you didn’t pay for the food!
"The emperor's holiness is unparalleled. Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!" Yu Xin, the Minister of Household Affairs, immediately knelt down in joy.
Immediately afterwards, uniform voices shouting "Long live forever" came from the Fengtian Palace.
"His Royal Highness, you are a thousand years old~"
All the officials thought that this was Zhu Biao's contribution. After paying homage to the emperor, they all knelt down to Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao's prestige among the officials has increased to a higher level. No one dares to disrespect him and no one dares to disobey him. No matter who in the future can get a salary twice as high as now, he will have to thank Zhu Biao for his kindness.
Lao Zhu was also happy that the officials transferred their gratitude to Zhu Biao. He quietly waited for the officials to pay their respects to Zhu Biao before he gestured to the old eunuch.
The old eunuch immediately came forward with an imperial edict, opened it in front of everyone, and read:
"The emperor is destined to be transported by heaven, and the edict says..."
The content of the imperial edict, of course, is to increase the salaries of hundreds of officials.
Just when the officials thought that was the end, as the old eunuch continued to read, everyone discovered that the content of the imperial edict was not just an increase in salary.
"I think about the suffering of hundreds of officials who have to rent a house, and also the human feelings of being far away from their parents, wives and children..."
It was only after the old eunuch finished reading out the imperial edict that the officials discovered it. It turns out that the emperor not only increased his salary, but also built a mansion in the capital to reward the honest and upright officials among them. They even broke the previous rule that officials could not bring their families with them, allowing them to bring their parents, wives and children to live with them, so as to avoid the pain of missing their relatives.
With such great kindness from the emperor, what else can the officials say?
Just kneel down and that’s it!
"I would like to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your kindness. Long live my Emperor!" Most of the officials in the Fengtian Palace burst into tears of gratitude and couldn't help but burst into tears of emotion.
Even for a minister like Du Ze, who had a mansion in the capital as a reward from the emperor, his salary was enough to support his family. But when I saw the emperor making this decree, I couldn't help but be moved.
