"Dividing the clan into the main clan and side branches can divide the entire clan and reduce resistance when implementing policies. In addition, according to my investigation, the side branches and lower-level clans currently receive no more than three taels of support from the main clan each time. Six pieces of silver, and some people who are in need even need to borrow money to survive.”
"The imperial court's standard for distributing salary silver and lumi is based on the standard for a fifth-grade Fengguo lieutenant, which is seven taels, six cents and four cents."
When Yan Song said this, he paused deliberately, and everyone present also understood what he meant.
Jiajing, who was behind the bead curtain, coughed twice and said, "I have some discounts here handed over by the vassal king. Take a look."
After hearing this, Lu Fang quickly took the memorial from Jiajing and distributed it to the elders present.
Yan Song put on his reading glasses and quickly read the contents of the memorial. Then he said: "Your Majesty, the contents of these memorials are unbelievable! Don't mention anything else, just take King Hui as an example. He forcibly occupied Henan. We acquired 120,000 acres of land, displaced the people, and almost triggered a civil uprising!"
Xu Jie was also quite angry after reading the memorial, and followed up by saying: "These feudal princes still have the nerve to tell how miserable their families are in their letters. Even a small Pingliang mansion is full of white jade corridors and yellow brick pavilions." Land, the wealth of King Hui, King Gui and King Zhao will only be even greater!"
After Zhang Juzheng read the contents of the memorial, he immediately summoned his subordinates and asked them to find out the records of salary and lumi distributed by the court to the clan every year.
"You see, a large part of the salary and rice issued by the court every year are taken away by King Hui, King Gui, and King Zhao." Zhang Juzheng looked at the records and said solemnly.
"According to the official in charge of this matter, they always use the excuse of having many children in the house to receive the largest share. The rest of the clan dare not speak out. Who is the most powerful one?" After reading it, Gao Gong also asked. Couldn't help but comment.
"As for these few, they have countless wives, concubines, and children, and the number may even have reached the point of being estimated in the thousands! And since their birth, these children have automatically obtained the lowest title, that is, Fengguo Lieutenant, and enjoy the fifth-grade treatment. The imperial court They are given seven taels and six cents each year.
"And the number of people in the clan is increasing, and if it accumulates like this over time, it will become an astronomical figure!" After reading this, Yan Shifan couldn't help but feel very troubled, and said solemnly to Jiajing behind the bead curtain.
"I wonder if you still remember the method Zhang Cong (cong) once implemented?" Jiajing, who was sitting behind the bead curtain, said slowly.
"Zhang Cong, courtesy name Bingyong, was a Jinshi in the 16th year of Zhengde. He served as the chief minister of the cabinet for three times. During his tenure, he eradicated corruption, cleaned up farmland, and vigorously rectified the official system. He died of illness in Wenzhou in the 18th year of Jiajing.
"Zhang Cong? Your Majesty means that according to the suggestion made by Mr. Zhang Ge, only eight people will be granted to each generation of vassal kings?" Seeing Jiajing suddenly mentioning his idol, Zhang Juzheng's eyes shone, and after thinking for a while, he gave the answer got the answer.
"That's right." Seeing that Zhang Juzheng guessed what he was thinking, Jiajing was in a good mood.
"Unfortunately, in the end, it was only necessary to bribe the Ministry of Rites to give more ultimatums. This policy has existed in name only." Yan Shifan also sighed helplessly.
"Since it is a good policy, it should be continued. How can anyone stop the government? Yan Song, I will leave this matter to you. If the Ministry of Rites issues more ultimatums, you can handle it directly without reporting it to me. !" Jiajing, who was sitting behind the bead curtain, ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Yan Song bowed and saluted after hearing Jiajing's words.
"Since the clan's expenses are to be reduced, to what extent do you think it should be appropriate?" After one problem was solved, Jiajing immediately asked another question.
"Returning to Your Majesty, I feel that the expenses of the large clan should be cut at least in half, and they should be allowed to control their fertility and reduce the number of children. As for the side branches, the original treatment should be appropriately maintained, and they should not be left without a job, right?" Yan Song After thinking for a long time, he slowly spoke.
"No, the number of those side branches adds up to a lot, and the amount of money spent every year is also an astronomical amount. I feel that the treatment should be appropriately reduced." After listening to Yan Song's speech, Gao Gong did not agree.
"It's understandable to reduce the expenses of those large clans, but the side branches only rely on the little salary and lumi distributed by the court to support their families. His Majesty the Emperor Taizu stipulated that the clan is not allowed to engage in other affairs. If you do this, Didn't you cut off other people's livelihood? What a traitor!" After hearing Gao Gong's words, Yan Shifan couldn't help but said angrily.
"Who are you scolding? I am also thinking about the treasury, your majesty, and the country of Ming Dynasty!" Gao Gong responded, frowning.
"Stop arguing." Seeing that these two were about to argue again at the cabinet meeting, Jiajing quickly spoke up and stopped them.
"What Mr. Xiaoge said just now reminded me that it was precisely because Emperor Taizu stipulated that the clan could not engage in other affairs, so he could only live on the salary and rice issued by the court. The clan disciples are well-dressed and well-fed. They have nothing to do all day, so they can only keep giving birth? I think we should find something for them to do."
"Your Majesty means..." Yan Song noticed Jiajing's meaning from his words, but did not dare to reveal it.
"What I mean is to abolish this provision, so that the clan can participate in the imperial examinations, and can freely engage in professions such as scholars, agriculture, industry, and commerce. This is better than asking the court to provide money to support them, and the salary and lumi will be paid as usual for one year. What do you think?" Jiajing said loudly, taking in the expression on Yan Song's face.
"No, Your Majesty. This is a rule set by His Majesty the Emperor Taizu himself, and he has strictly ordered not to change it. Besides, if the clan is free to choose a profession, it will probably lose the royal face!" Xu Jie looked horrified when he heard what Jiajing said, and immediately jumped out. , to dissuade Jiajing, followed closely by Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, kneeling on the ground together.
"Is there anything in the world that remains unchanged? As the saying goes, change leads to improvement, change leads to blockage, change leads to prosperity, change leads to decline, change leads to survival, change leads to death! There is no need to persuade you, I have made up my mind. "Jiajing did not look at the people kneeling on the ground, but said to himself, his words full of an irrefutable meaning.
"In addition, the title of Ming Dynasty is no longer hereditary and will gradually decrease. Only those with meritorious service can retain it." After saying this, Jiajing suddenly added.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Seeing that the emperor had completely made up his mind, several people did not dare to object anymore.
"Okay, that's all for today's cabinet meeting. Mr. Xu Ge, please read it to me."
"Yes." Xu Jie said and took the paper from the hand of the subordinate responsible for recording.
“Firstly, the clan is divided into the main branch and the branch. For the main branch, half of its expenses are cut, and the branch is given a year’s salary and lumi as appropriate, and is allowed to engage in free occupations.
"In addition, the old policy of Zhang Cong and Zhang Ge was reactivated. Each generation of vassal kings can only grant eight people. The remaining people are not included in the roster and are not allowed to receive money or food! The chief minister of the cabinet, Yan Song, is responsible for this matter. My title in Ming Dynasty will not be changed. No matter how hereditary it is, it will gradually decrease and only those who have meritorious service can retain it."
"Your Majesty, I have finished reading." After Xu Jie finished reading what was written on it, he handed it back to his subordinates.
"Okay, that's about it. After your cabinet has drafted it, send it to the Supervisor of Ceremonies. After the Supervisor of Ceremonies approves it, it will be promulgated directly. After seeing that there was no deviation in the recorded content, Jiajing nodded and ordered .
"Okay, I'm a little tired too, let's break up the meeting!"
"yes."
