Daming Palace, inner study room
After a while, Li Zan and Qi Kun, led by the inner eunuch, entered the inner study and bowed to the middle-aged emperor sitting behind the desk.
When the two of them returned from Beiping Mansion, they were both tired and dusty, but their faces were full of energy.
After the war, Li Qi and Li Qi mainly dealt with the aftermath of the war in Beiping Mansion.
Emperor Chongping said: "The two beloved ministers are of equal height and Dai Quan is watching."
Li Zan said something to Qi Kun and was not surprised to see Jia Heng standing aside.
Emperor Chongping smiled slightly and said with relief: "Li Qing and Qi Qing are working hard in Beiping."
However, Li Zan stood up from his seat, bowed his head, and said: "The humble ministers are incompetent, the city of Juyong Pass was destroyed, the Jurchen cavalry wreaked havoc on Yan and Zhao, and the people were trampled under the iron hooves. It is the fault of the ministers."
"This is not a crime of war. The area from Ji Zhen to Xuanhua is already easy to attack and difficult to defend. What's more, the bandits were cunning and came with heavy troops." Emperor Chongping comforted him and said, "Okay, Dai Quan, help me. Li Qing, get up."
When Li Zan heard this, he had no choice but to thank the Holy Grace.
Emperor Chongping said: "Yu also mentioned to me the other day that the northern border affairs need to be readjusted during this period. Does Li Qing have any other ideas?"
The so-called "listening to both sides" means that Emperor Chongping also wanted to hear Li Zan's opinion at this moment.
Li Zan said: "I agree with what Duke Wei said about the border affairs and personnel adjustments in Jizhen, Hebei and other places. Previously, Duke Wei made an on-the-spot inspection of the passes, forts, and gates from Jizhen to Xuanhua. When I heard his words, I felt that they hit the point. , Xuanda, Jizhou, and Peiping in the north should all work together to prevent the Jurchens from entering the invaders again."
Emperor Chongping said: "This war has indeed been planned comprehensively on both the east and west fronts. Li Qing and Jia Ziyu have been working very hard on this."
"This is the responsibility of the minister. I dare not praise him as a saint." Jia Heng said loudly.
Li Zan said: "Your Majesty, the Shandong Admiral Lu Qi was transferred to the capital the day before yesterday. The minister thought that he could select good generals to go to Shandong."
Emperor Chongping turned to Jia Heng and asked, "Ziyu, what do you think?"
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I think that Shandong is the key point of defense, and it is important to prepare for the enemy. I think that the election of a heavy-duty, capable and experienced general, and the Navy is even more important to harass Liaodong, which is the key for our Han Dynasty to counterattack the Jurchens." , I thought I should select a general with quick wit and spirit."
After hearing this, Emperor Chongping looked at Jia Heng and said, "Isn't Ziyu going to Shandong to supervise the army after his trip to the south of the Yangtze River? Is there anyone he can recommend?"
After offering prisoners to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and holding the chieftain to Danbi and others, the monarch and his ministers undoubtedly reached a honeymoon period. Emperor Chongping did not beat around the bush and talked directly to each other.
"Your Majesty, Mu Sheng, the crown prince of Dongping County, is now a military aircraft driver. He works at the military aircraft station. He can be the deputy commander-in-chief, and also be the governor of Denglai. He can also conduct naval exercises, and he can also coordinate with Tianjin to defend the port." Jia Heng said calmly.
The deputy commander-in-chief is the deputy admiral, which is an additional title.
Emperor Chongping said: "Mu Sheng, I have the impression that he has been working hard in the military aircraft department in the past one or two years. It is appropriate to go to Denglai to lead the navy. He is a young general and has the vigor of a young man."
He turned to look at Li Zan and said, "What do Mr. Li Ge think?"
Li Zan said: "We think that Mu Sheng, the prince of Dongping County, is suitable and can go to Denglai to leave the town."
"Does Li Qing have any recommendations for the candidate to be the admiral of Shandong?" Emperor Chongping asked again.
Li Zan said: "We have no candidates to recommend for the time being. Since Duke Wei oversees the army in Shandong and Tianjin, I wonder if Duke Wei has a suitable candidate?"
Because Jia Heng promoted the achievements of the two places on the Western Front, he had slightly more say in border affairs in the north. Moreover, Jia Heng once mentioned that he wanted to rectify the military affairs of Shandong and Tianjin Guards. He just mentioned that he would be a mature and prudent general, so he was obviously confident. .
Li Zan naturally caught this and reciprocated the favor.
Otherwise, if Li Zan recommends a candidate, it will be difficult for Jia Heng to refute.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "I have thought about it when I was in the north. The provincial armies in Shandong and Hebei need to be reorganized, especially in Shandong. In recent years, the soldiers of the government have been ineffective in suppressing the bandits, so the thieves and bandits have gathered in the mountains and forests. The white lotus demon deceives people's hearts and brings disaster to the countryside. Previously, Lu Qi went to support Peiping but was too slow to arrive, so I thought that no one without martial arts can go out to treat the situation."
"Martial arts?" Emperor Chongping searched for suitable martial arts in his heart and said, "Now there is no martial arts that is willing to be released."
The day before yesterday, Shi Guangzhu, the former military governor, wanted to be sent abroad, and Nan'an County Prince Shangshu recommended it, but Emperor Chongping had forgotten it.
Jia Heng said: "Weak ministers do not shy away from relatives when promoting virtuous people. Shi Nai, the Marquis of Baoling, is a first-class Wuhou who often serves in the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies. He is mature and prudent and has made military exploits. He can be the admiral of Shandong and reduce the provincial army. Rectify military affairs."
Emperor Chongping said: "Shi Nai, Marquis of Baoling?"
After thinking about it, he said: "Shi Nai, the Marquis of Baoling, worked tirelessly last year to check the border in the northwest. After returning to the capital, he worked in the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion. Now it is appropriate to go to Shandong to go out of town. Together with Mu Sheng, one is old and the other is young."
The two brothers, Baoling Hou Shi Nai and Zhong Jing Hou Shi Ding, were both veterans of martial arts, and they were regarded as such figures in Emperor Chongping's heart.
Qi Kun listened to Jia Heng's recommendation of Shi Nai not far away, and couldn't help but frowned, his mind going back and forth.
Is this Duke of Wei recommending the historian's Baolinghou to go to Shandong? Is this another job seeking an official position for Jia's in-laws?
This Duke of Wei integrated the four families of Jia Shi Wang Xue, Li Shouzhong was the governor of Anhui, Shi Ding was the governor of Henan, Wang Ziteng was the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu, and now Shi Nai was serving as the admiral of Shandong.
This is not to mention that Qin Ye is the minister of the Ministry of Industry, Jia Zheng is the general affairs secretary, Lin Ruhai...
No wonder some people in Beijing say that, in addition to the three parties of Qi, Zhejiang and Chu, the Jia Party has taken advantage of the old power of Jia Shi Wang Xue and is even better than before.
But he also knew that this was inevitable. As Jia Heng returned with a great victory, it was obvious that he would be deeply involved in government affairs.
In fact, after a little tidying up, Jia Heng has grown into a towering tree. To some extent, it is even better than the Jia family after the Yuanchun Provincial Provincial Government.
The prince entered the cabinet, the two princes of the Shi family were sent abroad, Jia Zheng ordered academic affairs... The bed was really filled with wats.
Emperor Chongping said: "The matter is settled like this. The pirates in the south of the Yangtze River must also be wiped out. This year, the customs customs have been rich, but the pirates are raging and plundering merchant ships at sea. In the long run, the country's tax revenue will inevitably be lost. We are planning to build The Marine Division needs no delay."
The customs tax revenue is generous, and the current wealthy man undoubtedly cannot afford to lose this source of income.
Emperor Chongping said, looked at Jia Heng, and warned: "After Ziyu arrives in Nan Province, he will discuss with King Beijing to eliminate the pirates along the southeast coast as soon as possible, clean up the evil atmosphere, and restore peace to the sea."
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "I obey the order."
Emperor Chongping said: "Qi Qing, Li Qing, this is the memorial written by Gao Zhongping the day before yesterday. You two should read it."
With that said, he picked up Gao Zhongping's memorial in his hand.
Dai Quan quickly bowed forward, took it with both hands, turned around and handed it to Li Zan.
Li Zan took the memorial and glanced at it quickly. Without saying a word, he just handed the memorial to Qi Kun aside.
But there was a shock in his heart. Gao Zhongping was going to implement a new policy in Jiangnan.
Qi Kun took the memorial and finished reading it. He frowned, raised his eyes to look at the emperor, and asked: "What is the intention of the emperor?"
Emperor Chongping said: "I have just discussed with Ziyu. We will try it out in Henan and Jiangsu in the north and south first to see the effectiveness of the one-whip method. If it is feasible, we can then spread it to the whole country. In addition, Ziyu also mentioned that people can be spread across the land." , returning fire to the public, converting silver taels into silver coins, and other strategies to eliminate the shortcomings of the one-whip method, which involved so many innovations and considerations that I cannot describe them all in a few words. "
After saying that, he looked at Jia Heng with a warm look and said with a smile: "Zi Yu, Li Qing and Qi Qing will introduce each other, and we can write a memorial and regulations in the near future."
When Jia Heng heard this, his face straightened, he cupped his hands and said, "I will write a memorial when I get back."
The emperor really won't let him go, he is determined to drag him into the trap of the reformists.
But now that the matter has come to this, he can only move forward, otherwise under the general trend, once he falls behind, he will be limited to the military.
Jia Heng said, facing the eyes of Qi Kun and Li Zan, he began to introduce the set of policy proposals that he and Emperor Chongping had just mentioned.
In fact, whether it is Gao Zhongping's whipping method, or his proposal of dividing people into acres, returning fire to the public, or abolishing the two reforms and reforming the Yuan, they should all focus on how to better collect taxes and reduce bureaucracy.
The interests of officials and gentry will not be affected. Therefore, Zhang Juzheng's one-whip reform has the possibility of success no matter how much resistance there is.
What makes life most miserable for officials is that "officers and gentry work together to pay taxes", which means that officials and gentry are completely exempted from the privilege of paying tribute, and they need to pay taxes and silver to offset it. Under the current circumstances, this is undoubtedly a major event that shakes the foundation of rule. .
Because scholar-bureaucrats were the foundation of rule, this policy undoubtedly shook the imperial examination system.
Therefore, the Yongzheng dynasty's system of serving farmers as farmers was a great success and was retained by Qianlong, while the system of officials and gentry working as errands to pay grain was abolished by Qianlong.
After the pacification of Liaodong, reforms were deepened, and a variant of the system was implemented in which officials and gentry were responsible for paying taxes, and the privileges of officials and gentry were restricted.
When Gao Zhongping cleared the land he owned, he only identified the people who had entrusted it to him, found out the hidden grain fields, and then levied taxes and levies based on the actual acres of land owned by the gentry, minus the personal exemption limit. This was to identify tax evasion and tax evasion, but did not deprive the gentry. of corvee privileges.
Taking the Han system as an example, a scholar is exempted from all taxes and servitude himself, a scholar can be exempted from all taxes and servitude except his own, and he can bring two people with him, while a Jinshi can be exempted from four people. Other officials who become officials also have different degrees of exemption according to their rank.
Li Zan's eyes flashed and he said: "Your Majesty, what Duke Wei Guo said is to check for leaks and fill in the gaps. Although a whip method is good, the fire consumption of casting silver cannot be ignored, not to mention that silver is expensive and grain is cheap, making the people miserable. , Nowadays, the use of silver dollars to levy taxes and servitude can be said to have wiped out the disadvantages of the whip method, and by dividing every child into an acre, the cost of raising children is greatly reduced for ordinary people, and it can win the hearts of the people all over the world. This is virtuous government."
Not charging a poll tax is undoubtedly a virtuous policy, just like Kang Mazi's never increasing taxes, which can win over the hearts of the people at the bottom.
Qi Kun was also a little surprised in his eyes and said: "Your Majesty, this strategy is comprehensive and detailed. It is more mature than the one-whip method. I have no objection. It is just the title of Royal Silver, which needs to be discussed. I think it should be If the Bank is supervised by the Ministry of Household Affairs and organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, if things go on like this, it is inevitable that the corrupt practices of the Salt Department and Weaving will happen again in the world."
The one-whip method had actually been tried for many years during Gao Zhongping's time as governor of Sichuan. Qi Kun had stayed in the Ministry of Household Affairs for such a long time, so he knew the benefits of this method. In other words, Emperor Chongping had also known the benefits of this method for a long time.
Not to mention, clearing the land can also identify hidden grain fields, expand the scope of taxation, and increase treasury revenue.
It was mainly a big victory in the north that made it possible for this matter to come to fruition.
Jia Heng listened to what Qi Kun said, his expression unchanged. He knew that Qi Kun would have objections to the Ministry of Internal Affairs' operation of royal silver coins and the minting of two yuan.
He opened his mouth and said: "The household department cannot lay out a silver account, otherwise it will be different from the local treasury. At that time, people may not dare to save money. Now it is called the royal silver account. When the people hear it, they will also believe in the Tianjia's sign."
Upon hearing this, Qi Kun subconsciously retorted: "What if some officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs issue banknotes indiscriminately and act greedily?"
Jia Heng said: "Mr. Qi Ge is overly worried. Banknotes are not being issued indiscriminately. They all have gold and silver as reserves. In addition, officials will be sent to audit the financial affairs, but it does not specifically involve the operation of the bank."
Qi Kun's expression paused, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Li Zan said: "Since the royal family can handle this bank account and local merchants can handle it, why can't the Ministry of Household Affairs handle it?"
Qi Kun also said: "The original ticket number from the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Jia Heng said: "Once the Ministry of Accounts is established, once the national treasury is in short supply, there is no guarantee that money will not be misappropriated from it in times of emergency. If things go on like this, it will inevitably affect the credit of the bank."
The Tian family wants to lose face if they say something bad, but the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs will not know.
Li Zan nodded, obviously aware of some bureaucratic habits.
Qi Kun looked silent and speechless for a moment.
When Emperor Chongping saw that the two cabinet ministers had reached an agreement, he felt joyful in his heart. He did not take Qi Kun's words about the Ministry of Internal Affairs to heart, but said: "Then this matter will be agreed upon. The cabinet will draw up some plans in the past few days." According to the regulations, we will first try out the one-whip method and the policy of dividing people into acres in Jiangsu and Henan provinces, and then the Ministry of Household Affairs can change the coinage to silver coins."
The administrative efficiency under the centralized system is undoubtedly very efficient. The cabinet ministers unanimously decide, and the rest is implemented by the ministries.
Jia Heng looked at the ambitious Chongping monarch and his ministers, his eyes flashed, and he felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
Compared with the emperor, Li Zan, Qi Kun and other monarchs and ministers, he seemed a little selfish.
However, after this incident, Gao Zhongping's achievements were not as outstanding as before. Especially a few months after the implementation of the Jiangsu New Deal, Li Shouzhong could go to the press and request to advance in Anhui and other places, and then Zhejiang and Fujian.
In this way, even if Gao Zhongping came to Beijing to serve as a cabinet minister, he would not have the same prestige as before because he was not a whipping method and had to share his family.
As mentioned before, Gao Zhongping used the power of his victory to carry out the reform policy in full swing in the vast area of Liangjiang and three provinces. At that time, it was bound to cause uproar and chaos everywhere.
And then he has to obey the overall situation, follow the orders of the emperor, and go south to suppress the gentry?
Doesn’t this mean he’s doing dirty work?
When Emperor Chongping saw that the matter had been finalized and it was almost noon, he felt a little hungry for a moment, so he smiled and said: "That's it for now. Ziyu and Qi Qing will go back to discuss it carefully and come up with the charter. Dai Quan , let the imperial dining room prepare a luncheon, and give the two beloved ladies a good time."
Dai Quan responded quickly and ordered the inner prisoner to get ready.
Jia Heng, Qi Kun, and Li Zan quickly thanked each other.
Everyone was having a banquet in the side hall of Hanyuan Hall. There were exquisite dishes on a lacquered wooden table, with a dazzling array of colors, flavors and aromas.
After Dai Quan poured the wine, Emperor Chongping picked up the wine cup, with a rare faint smile on his face, and said: "Now that the north has been decided, the country can also focus on cleaning up the bad governance. The three beloved ministers are all the pillars of the country. , I would like to propose a toast to my three beloved ladies.”
"I don't dare." When the three of them heard this, their expressions changed slightly, and they were all shocked. They quickly stood up and bowed their hands.
When the emperor proposes a toast, who dares to sit down and accept it calmly?
Of course, this move is more like Emperor Chongping's attempt to win people's hearts. This moment was originally a private banquet, but it did not damage his prestige.
On the day when Jia Heng's class teacher returned to Beijing, Emperor Chongping did not act like this.
That's because there is no reason for the father-in-law to toast his son-in-law, and now Emperor Chongping undoubtedly wants to urge Li Zan and Qi Kun, two important ministers in the court, to unswervingly support the new deal.
Seeing the three people standing up humbly, Emperor Chongping didn't take it seriously and took a sip by himself. He felt his heart was so happy that he couldn't help but glance at the young man in python suit who was standing respectfully.
He is truly my good son-in-law.
Taking advantage of the power of victory, strict implementation of the New Deal, there should be a comprehensive plan for reform and reform, otherwise it would not be possible. Gao Zhongping mentioned a whip method, and then he divided the land into acres, returned fire to the public, abolished the two reforms... It is simply shocking. Dizzying.
Of all these, which one is the most urgent and thoughtful strategy? There must be a comprehensive plan.
As for why he was hesitant and hesitant before.
I'm afraid that as soon as I became a duke, and became a princess and princess, I have forgotten the past in the study and wanted to protect myself wisely. How can this be done?
It can be said that Jia Heng was not aware of his "selfish" actions, and gave Emperor Chongping the impression that he had been given a title. He began to think about enjoying wealth and wealth in peace, with his wife and children on the bed, and was unwilling to rush to the front line to resist civil servants.
The reform strategy mentioned just now illustrates that no one knows more about reform and innovation than I, Jia Heng, but I just said before that we should not act too hastily and wait. This can be said to be safe, but it also lacks the common sense. Momentum.
Seeing the three people standing, Emperor Chongping called out: "My dear friends, please sit down and drink together."
Jia Heng, Qi Kun, and Li Zan quickly thanked each other, sat down again, and drank the wine in their glasses.
The emperor drank all his wine in one gulp, let alone his ministers?
Dai Quan and the two eunuchs filled the three glasses of wine again.
Emperor Chongping looked at Li Zan and Qi Kun and said: "If the New Deal can be widely spread in the world, the country's finances will be prosperous, the military will be vigorous, and the homeland of Liaodong will be recovered, then we, the Han Dynasty, will have the hope of rejuvenation. A hundred years later, you can still have the dignity to meet my ancestors of the Han Dynasty."
At that time, he was undoubtedly the king of Zhongxing, and his name would be passed down to future generations.
At this moment, Li Zan was also stirred up by Emperor Chongping's toast. His elegant face was flushed with wine, and he said: "Since the Holy Emperor came to the throne, he has worked hard to govern and work hard at night. Now the country is booming, the barbarians are frightened, and the humble ministers think that the big man is a big man." China's revival is just around the corner, and even if my ministers and others are shattered to pieces, they will help the Holy One to recreate a prosperous age."
A man dies for his confidant. Today the emperor held a small banquet and toasted with a glass of wine, which undoubtedly warmed his heart.
In fact, this is the PUA of the monarch and his ministers in the feudal era. The monarch showed a little warmth, and the ministers were already grateful and shed tears.
Emperor Chongping's cold and hard face showed a look of emotion, and he said: "After I came to the throne, the great man was like a patient suffering from serious illnesses. Now it is thanks to the three beloved ministers who do not avoid the target and use their talents to show the signs of rejuvenation. With me, Drink this cup.”
As he spoke, he raised the wine cup.
Jia Heng's voice seemed to be choked with sobs as he advised: "Sir, drink less than two glasses of wine. Too much alcohol will harm your health."
Li Zan showed a touch of emotion on his face and said, "Your Majesty, please take good care of your body and drink two cups less."
"Holy Dragon Body is the most important thing, don't drink too much." Qi Kun also advised with slightly red eyes.
Jia Heng looked at Emperor Chongping, whose sunken cheeks were red with alcohol, and sighed in his heart.
How much pressure has the emperor endured in the past? This great victory can be said to have wiped away all the depression. It is estimated that I felt like I was wandering when I walked during this period.
After all, the Jurchen army was defeated, Huang Taiji was bombarded, all the heads were taken to the capital, and the prisoners were sacrificed in the Ancestral Temple. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was a great joy and a great sadness.
But if this continues, it will cause considerable damage to the body and bones, and also shorten life span.
Emperor Chongping was obviously not good at drinking, and he became a little tipsy after just two or three drinks. Li Zan, Qi Kun and Jia Heng finished their lunch and did not dare to eat too much.
In this way, in the afternoon, a banquet for the two cabinet bachelors Li Zan and Qi Kun came to an end.
Qi Kun and Li Zan finished their lunch and took a carriage back home to rest.
Jia Heng and Dai Quan supported the drunken Emperor Chongping, who drank two more cups, and returned to Kunning Palace.
(End of chapter)
