In the not-so-empty Qianqing Palace, Chen Yi's sincere voice echoed.
Anyway, after all the words were said, Shen Shangshu didn't care so much.
Facing Yu Qian's meticulous face, Shen Yi sighed and said.
"In addition to what I just said, Yu Shaobao should know that in recent years, the court's military expenditures on the border have been increasing almost year by year."
“Even if we don’t count the expenses of the Northern Expedition and last year’s War of Oara, the imperial court’s military expenditure on the border each year exceeds one million taels of silver alone. This does not include various kinds of silver, rewards, and salt. "
"And this is just cash. The court has to allocate additional funds for the grain, fodder, bean feed, winter clothes, weapons, armor, and equipment for the border officers and soldiers."
"All of this, taken together, is equivalent to nearly half of the imperial court's annual income, all spent on the border."
"For several years, some ministers in the imperial court have believed that border military expenditures are too high and have advocated reduction. Especially after the Battle of Oara, the national treasury was almost empty, which made both the government and the public very dissatisfied with the expenditure of border troops."
"Don't talk about building new towns on the nine sides. If this continues, I don't know whether next year's military expenses can be fully allocated."
Yu Qian opened his mouth, but found it difficult to refute.
Because Shen Yi was right, after Yongle, the imperial court's military expenditures remained high. Even when there was no war, military expenditures exceeded one-third of the imperial court's annual revenue.
After the orthodoxy, it increased year by year, reaching nearly half of the national treasury expenditure.
Against this background, persuading the imperial court to continue to increase investment in border military expenditures is not an easy task.
This is not just a problem for one yamen in the Ministry of Revenue, but it infringes on the interests of all yamen.
What's more, the completion of the Nine Sides will not take one or two years. It will take at least three to five years before it can initially take shape.
Before that, the imperial court’s annual investment would only be more, not less.
Of course the courtiers know the importance of border defense, but, as Shen Yi said, it is impossible to abandon all other government affairs just because of border defense.
All the money and food are invested in Jiubian. What will happen to the officials' salaries, what to do with the projects in various places, what to do if the people are affected by disasters, what to do if there is a civil uprising that needs to be suppressed?
Moreover, although Shen Yi said it euphemistically.
However, Yu Qian was also a person who had been in the officialdom, and he quickly heard that there was something more to Shen Yi's words.
That is, once the construction of the Nine Borders really starts, in the next few years, the government's focus will be on border affairs and military affairs.
This situation is obviously not something most civil servants who are better at civil affairs would like to see.
The pressure from all parties has piled up, and it seems that the Ministry of Revenue is opposed, but in fact, the proposal to build nine sides at this time has touched people from all walks of life.
Yu Qian said nothing, but Zhu Qiyu shook his head slightly and said.
"I just said, let's not mention the Jiubian matter, why are you arguing again? But since it is brought up, let me ask, how much money will the Ministry of Revenue allocate to the border army next year?"
Chen Yi was stunned and suddenly felt a little bit dumbfounded.
You cleared yourself up with just one sentence, as if the two of them were willing to quarrel.
However, the Holy Emperor has privileges.
Shen Shangshu pondered for a moment and could only speak cautiously.
"Your Majesty, it's just summer now. The Ministry of Revenue formulates the budget for the second year at the end of each year, so..."
"So it's just that it hasn't been decided yet?"
Chen Yi nodded. Although he felt that the emperor's words were disturbing, he made up his mind and covered his money bag. No one could do anything about it.
When Zhu Qiyu on the throne saw this, he couldn't help but smile and said.
"The end of the year is the end of the year. However, since the beginning of the orthodoxy, the imperial court has been constantly quarreling with each other. After the Battle of Oala, the losses of the border troops were very serious. It is not appropriate to reduce the regular funds at this time."
"I don't ask for anything else. Next year's border army's regular silver will be no less than the orthodox thirteen years. Isn't this too much?"
Wow, the emperor really didn't mention Jiubian?
Shen Shangshu looked at Yu Qian suspiciously and was a little confused when he saw that he was ignoring him again with a dark face.
Could it be said that this time Yu Qian's nine-sided strategy was not discussed with the emperor in advance?
Out of the instinct of the Minister of the Ministry of Finance to make a cut when money is offered, Shen Shangshu felt that the emperor's request could still be negotiated.
But when he looked up at the emperor's half-smiling face, he suddenly felt that it was better not to push the envelope too far.
So, Shen Shangshu hesitated and said.
"Since His Majesty has a decree, I will do my best to ensure that the regular funds of the border troops will not be reduced next year."
Out of caution, Shen Yi didn't give a guarantee in the end.
But what surprised him was that the emperor did not embarrass him, but nodded slightly and said.
"That's good. In that case, Mr. Shen, please step aside first. Mr. Yu and I still have something to say."
Until he stepped out of the gate of Qianqing Palace, Shen Yi was still a little confused.
What was the emperor's intention in calling him here this time?
Could it be that just to see him quarrel with Yu Qian?
Shaking his head, Shen Shangshu decided not to think too much. Anyway, once the money bag was protected, everything would be fine.
Other things have nothing to do with him.
So, Shen Shangshu, who was very happy, walked out of the palace while humming a little tune.
Some are happy and some are unhappy.
The Minister of the Ministry of Finance, who had no money to spend, left happily, but the Minister of the Ministry of War, who had no money to spend, was still in the palace dejectedly.
After Shen Yi left, apart from the maids and chamberlains, only Zhu Qiyu and Yu Qian were left in the Qianqing Palace.
It was obvious that Yu Qian was a little unhappy.
He didn't know whether it was simply because his proposal was frustrated, or because of Chen Yi's words just now, which made him feel that it would be much more difficult for Jiubian to pass the court meeting than he thought.
Looking at the slightly frustrated Yu Qian, Zhu Qiyu still had a gentle smile and said, "Sir, do you know why I didn't speak for you when Mr. Shen was here just now?"
Yu Qian cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is the emperor, and you should consider everything. The Ministry of War has difficulties, and the Ministry of Households also has difficulties. Your Majesty has to drink a bowl of water to keep it level. I naturally understand this."
This was said in a tactful but polite way.
Zhu Qiyu shook his head, and the expression on his face became serious, and said.
"Not only because of this, sir's nine-sided strategy will be beneficial to Sheji in the long run."
"However, what I want to tell you, sir, is that not everything that is beneficial to the imperial court can be done or accomplished."
"What's more, once Mr.'s idea is implemented, it will almost require the power of the imperial court to implement it. It is not easy to pass the imperial consultation."
Yu Qian was silent, of course he understood the truth.
However, he still felt very sorry in his heart. Jiubian's strategy was for the long-term peace of the border.
Therefore, Yu Qian has always believed that as long as a complete border defense line can be built, let alone a few years, even if the court has to live another ten years of hard life, it will be worth it.
But it was obvious that there were only a few people in the court who thought like him.
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Qian decided to try again.
In his opinion, perhaps his strength is not enough, but if there is the emperor's full support, there is still hope to pass the court meeting.
However, before he opened his mouth, the emperor seemed to see through his thoughts and shook his head directly.
"This matter involves too much. Even I cannot be an enemy of all civil and military officials at the same time. I can only guarantee that the border army's regular funds will not be reduced next year. Therefore, sir, if you really want to put the nine-border strategy into practice , in the end you still have to rely on yourself..."
