The days seem to pass very slowly, but they also seem to pass very fast. Snowflakes are flying outside the window, and the fire is rising in the Wenhua Hall, as warm as spring.
In the morning, all ministries reported recent government affairs to the emperor as usual.
"The governor of Henan reported that this summer's drought in thirty-three prefectures in Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi has been smoothly over. More than 70% of the people have been resettled and returned to their hometowns. The autumn grain has been collected and transported to the capital. The governor of Shandong reported that since the beginning of autumn, Twelve prefectures and counties in Shandong experienced continuous rain, damaging crops, and the damage statistics have been completed..."
"The Municipal Shipping Department reported that it has been half a year since the Zhangzhou Prefecture Port was built. The Ministry of Household Affairs calculated at the end of the year that there were thousands of foreign merchant ships berthed at the port. According to the joint report of the Zongren Mansion and Huangdian, forty-six ships were approved at the beginning of the year. Forty-one of the caravans have returned, and the remaining five have not yet returned. According to the report from the Municipal Shipping Department, the total transaction volume of each merchant ship and caravan was 8.91 million silver. There was a difference in commercial tax payment. There is a difference in the amount of 674,000 taels of silver..."
What is different from usual is that this morning, in addition to repeating the old tune and counting the recent disasters in various places, the Ministry of Revenue also disclosed the transaction amount and commercial tax payment at Zhangzhou Prefecture Port for the first time.
However, these words immediately sparked a wave of discussion among the ministers present. The maritime trade policy has been implemented for nearly a year, and many people have heard that it is in full swing.
However, although sea trade is different from mutual trading, after all, the power to approve and issue imperial merchants is still firmly controlled by the imperial store. Therefore, those who can really participate in sea trade are except those under the control of the Zongren Mansion controlled by Zongxue disciples and The caravans formed by private merchants were some of the local families that survived the suppression of Japanese pirates. To put it bluntly, they were some local families that had only engaged in private trade before and had not been involved with Japanese pirates.
In addition, there are some businessmen who take great risks for smuggling. After the expansion of maritime trade, a large amount of smuggling occurred. However, this kind of smuggling is different from border smuggling. Smuggling to various parts of Mongolia, except In addition to affecting the normal trade of the imperial court, it will also increase the power of the grassland tribes and may threaten the border defense.
However, smuggling in sea trade does not have this problem. Therefore, relatively speaking, the court's handling is relatively flexible. To put it simply, it is to fatten up and then slaughter. Whenever smuggling merchants are found, the government's handling is simple and rough. They ransacked their homes and then released them, consuming all the wealth they had worked so hard to accumulate, but they didn't punish them too much.
In the past six months, the imperial court has accumulated a lot of gold and silver just by relying on this method. Of course, compared with the regular imperial merchant trade, these are just a small amount.
For most officials, although they have heard about the situation of sea trade, they have no resources and are waiting to see. Therefore, they really don't know what kind of profits sea trade has created.
It is precisely because of this that when Shen Yi announced this figure, they were even more shocked. More than 600,000 taels may not seem like much, but you must know that the official operation time of the sea trade has only been more than half a year. , if calculated based on this figure, the business tax for a whole year would be nearly one million taels.
This figure is not terrible. You must know that the original annual income of the imperial court was only about three million taels. In other words, the revenue from commercial taxes from sea trade alone can account for the previous One-third of annual income?
I have to say, this is really terrible!
On the other hand, seeing the expressions of other ministers, Shen Yi couldn't help but feel proud. However, compared with other ministers, he was not so optimistic.
Because it is meaningless to simply use the amount of silver to calculate annual income. The imperial court collects taxes in kind, that is, grain, cloth, fodder and other items. The prices of these things will fluctuate. In fact, Shen Yi has noticed that It turns out that with the development of sea trade, prices in various parts of Fujian have begun to gradually rise. This is not a good phenomenon.
Of course, it’s not too serious yet, so it can be ignored for the time being. If you just look at the income from sea trade, it is indeed quite a lot. However, there are many reasons for this. For example, it contains a lot of silver coins that were ‘ranchaised’. In fact With the measures taken by the court, the number of smuggling merchants has begun to decrease, and their methods have become more covert. It is conceivable that the income from this part will become less and less.
In addition, because sea trade has just begun, most of the imperial merchants are still paying commercial taxes honestly. However, when the commercial taxes on sea trade are much higher than ordinary commercial taxes, it is inevitable that Some people are cheating. In fact, Shen Yi has noticed some clues from the accounts reported by the Shipping Department. However, these are not suitable to be discussed in court. Therefore, Shen Shangshu plans to talk to the emperor after going to court. Communicate privately.
However, just when he was thinking like this, he suddenly realized that something was wrong. As usual, after a discussion, the emperor should say something to stop it. But this time, he waited for a long time, but did not wait for the emperor's response. sound.
So, Chen Yi raised his head and took a look, only to find that at some point, the emperor was leaning on the throne and seemed to be... asleep?
At the same time, the eunuch Huai En next to the emperor also realized this. He took two steps forward and called out a few words. Then, the emperor opened his eyes in confusion and looked at the people who were still discussing below. situation, he waved his hand and said.
"I understand. I'll handle it as appropriate. You can just hand over a memorandum later. I'll be here early this morning."
As soon as these words came out, a group of ministers below immediately looked at each other, feeling very surprised.
You know, after the Ministry of Revenue, there are still many things waiting to be reported? Is this morning over like this?
However, since the emperor had spoken, they naturally could not say anything more. So, with the sound of "retreat from the court", the ministers dispersed in twos and threes, but the important ministers present did not leave.
Obviously, this morning's court meeting was different from the past. Not only Shen Yi noticed the emperor's appearance just now, but also basically all the other ministers standing in front saw it.
Moreover, the emperor has been very diligent in his administration since he came to the throne. Although it was said that the daily dynasty was changed to three-day dynasty, there was basically no sign of slackness.
The more this is the case, the more unusual today's situation becomes. Therefore, after retreating from the court, all the important ministers in the court stayed and waited outside the palace. They each handed in greeting cards one by one.
Not long after, Wynn came over with two eunuchs, so everyone present immediately gathered around. After everyone saluted, Wynn said.
"Your majesty has read the post asking for greetings, and ordered our family to come to deliver the message. Please rest assured that the holy bow is well. It's just that I was delayed a little late in handling government affairs yesterday, so I am just sleepy this morning. There is nothing else. .”
"That's good..."
After hearing this, everyone present was relieved, but there was still a hint of sadness between the eyebrows.
However, since the oral order had been delivered and Wynn came in person, they could not continue to argue, so they had to bow their hands and return to the Yamen to do their business.
However, having said that, in the next few days, no matter whether it was the morning or regular dynasty, the emperor ordered the emperor to avoid the dynasty, and he did not summon any ministers. Even if the person delivering the order each time was Huai En himself, it was still unavoidable. Make people in the court panic.
In the lobby of the Ministry of Justice, Yu Shiyue frowned and watched as his request to summon Zha Zi was rejected again, and he finally couldn't sit still.
Unlike other ministers, although the emperor has not been in court or seen ministers in recent days, Yu Shiyue, as the minister of the Prince's Mansion, can still enter the palace, but the place he can go is limited to the East Palace.
And this was exactly what made him feel uneasy, because the emperor was not just missing his ministers. In the past few days, even the prince who went to pay his respects was blocked, and the same was true for the cabinet. His memorials were either left unpublished, or the chief ceremonial officer approved them on his behalf.
This situation is really abnormal. No matter how you look at it, you feel like something is going to happen...
After walking around in the lobby for a few times, Yu Shiyue finally made up his mind, ordered someone to prepare a sedan, and planned to go out to find out the news.
However, before he could go out, someone came to report, saying.
"Sir, Wang Shangshu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs has arrived and is getting off the sedan outside the door."
Wang Wen?
Yu Shiyue let out a long breath, straightened his clothes, and led the people out to greet him.
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel came in person, and the officials below were naturally trembling. However, Wang Wen obviously had no intention of paying attention to these people. He met Yu Shiyue outside and greeted each other. The two of them forced out a smile, and then We arrived at the front hall together.
After sitting down, Yu Shiyue tacitly pushed away the rest of the crowd. Wang Wen also put away his smile and spoke directly.
"Yu Xingbu must already know why Wang is here today, right?"
Yu Shiyue nodded silently, but did not speak.
Seeing this situation, Wang Wen showed a trace of worry on his face and said.
"His Majesty has been ill for a long time this time. Ever since His Majesty suddenly withdrew from the court in the morning more than half a month ago, no minister in the court has been able to see His Majesty these days. To be honest, Wang's heart is... I always feel a little uneasy.”
Although Yu Shiyue had the same idea, this matter was a bit sensitive after all, so he considered it carefully before speaking.
"Your Majesty must have only been ill occasionally. Although His Majesty has not seen foreign ministers in recent days, everything in the palace is in good order. We have not seen anything unusual when we go in and out of the East Palace. Eunuch Huai'en has always been here to deliver orders. , therefore, I think it’s nothing serious, it’s just that His Majesty is ill and needs to rest..."
As soon as these words came out, Wang Wen's face suddenly became a little ugly, so he thought about it again and again, and finally seemed to have made up his mind and said.
"Has Yu Xingbu not noticed that Eunuch Shu Liang from Dongchang has not appeared during this period of time? Moreover, it is said that the Supreme Emperor has left Nangong twice in recent days, saying... to visit His Majesty!"
After the words fell, Yu Shiyue immediately cheered up. Wang Wen's words seemed to be somewhat inconsistent, but the connection between the two had to lead to speculation.
There are several great officials around the emperor, and among them, the one who appears the most in front of the ministers is naturally Huaien. However, in terms of the most trusted one, it must be Shu Liang, the eunuch of Dongchang. However, in recent days, many people have come forward to convey orders. All of them were Huai En, but Shu Liang, the eunuch who was supposed to be in and out of the palace frequently to do business, disappeared without a trace, which I have to say was extremely strange.
At this time, the Supreme Emperor was not staying peacefully in the Nangong. It is hard not to think that there are eunuchs who are exercising power and deliberately concealing the situation in the palace. After all, the ministers cannot enter the palace. It is extremely abnormal for the Supreme Emperor to enter the palace.
Yu Shiyue was silent. After a while, he finally spoke.
"So, what does Master Tianguan want Yu to do when he comes here?"
As he spoke, Yu Shiyue looked at his copy of Zhazi, which was also rejected, shook his head and said.
"I'm afraid it won't work if I go to the palace for an audience. In the past few days, all the ministers in the court have submitted memoranda asking for an audience, but all of them have been rejected without exception. Lord Tianguan should know this."
Wang Wen's face was a little gloomy, and he was obviously in a bad mood. However, he quickly recovered and said.
"I know about this, but we must find out what is going on in the palace as soon as possible, so I'm here to ask Yu Xingbu for help."
"I?"
Yu Shiyue frowned, looking a little confused.
Wang Wen nodded and said.
"According to the news from the Ministry of War, Yu Shaobao will arrive in the capital at noon tomorrow. Therefore, I would like to ask Yu Xingbu to go there in person, explain the current situation in the capital to Shaobao, and ask him to come to the palace in person to see him. .”
"When the time comes, I will personally wait outside the palace. Yu Shaobao's trip to the capital lasted a long time and achieved a lot of results. It is reasonable and reasonable. His Majesty should personally summon him when he returns to the capital. Moreover, Your Majesty is so trustworthy. Yu Shaobao, you and I both know well in our hearts that if Yu Shaobao personally invites you to see me, but His Majesty still doesn’t see you, then I’m afraid something really happened.”
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly dropped, Yu Shiyue remained silent, and after a while, he nodded and said.
"Don't worry, Lord Tianguan. I will personally go out to the city to greet you tomorrow, and I will tell Yu Shaobao everything I need to say..."
"That puts me at ease."
Wang Wen breathed a sigh of relief. Now that the matter was over, he was not in the mood to stay here any longer, so he quickly stood up and left.
Not enough. Just when he was about to leave, Yu Shiyue's voice suddenly rang again, and said in a slightly heavy tone.
"If... Yu Shaobao cannot enter the palace to see His Majesty tomorrow, what are Master Tianguan's plans?"
After hearing this, Wang Wen paused and was silent for a moment. He turned around and looked at Yu Shiyue, with a trace of determination in his eyes, and said.
"If Yu Shaobao really learns about the current situation in Beijing, and if the situation really occurs as Yu Xingbu said, then tomorrow... Wang will not be alone!"
