"Your Majesty, recently the royal officials in the DPRK and China have impeached Liang Chengda, Li Zhixiao and others for being domineering and harming loyal people, and demanded heavy accountability from the imperial court."
Xue Ji looked embarrassed and said softly.
Like Zhao Rushu, he was once considered to be Shi Miyuan's party member. Now that Zhao Rushu has taken the blame and resigned, and Liang Chengda and others have been impeached, they are also uneasy.
"These people impeached by the officials should be investigated by Dali Temple. Those who have committed extremely evil crimes and preyed on the common people must still give an explanation to the people of the world."
Zhao Hong pointed to the pile of memorials on the table and smiled softly.
"Xue Qing, Hu Qing, here are some tips to impeach you, saying that you are attached to Shi Miyuan, corrupt and perverting the law. Do you want to take a look?"
To add insult to injury, Zhao Hong hated such a person. These people whom Yan Guan impeached were all Shi Miyuan's party members. But it is still necessary to beat these people and eliminate the culprits.
"Your Majesty, you are aware of this!"
Xue Ji and Hu Ju were so frightened that they quickly fell to their knees and kowtowed.
"Get up. I will not pay attention to these memorials. As long as the Qing family remembers, they must love themselves and work loyally in the future."
Zhao Hong was gentle and kind and motioned for the two of them to get up.
Under Zhao Kuo's rule, Shi Miyuan was in power, and there were not many clean officials in the civil and military affairs of the dynasty. If we really checked, I'm afraid the court would be empty.
Xue Ji was used to being cowardly and submissive under Shi Miyuan. It was not easy for him to take the initiative to speak up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Xue Ji and Hu Ju stood up tremblingly, both with sweat on their foreheads, and returned to their chairs to sit down.
"Starting from the first year of Xingqing, the court will clarify the administration of officials and strictly prohibit corruption. Dear lords, this is my decree. I strictly order all state governments to strictly prohibit corruption and bribery. We will write off the past things. But from now on. , if you do it again, I will never forgive you lightly!"
Zhao Hong looked at Xue Ji and Hu Ju who were wiping away their sweat and said seriously.
"I obey the decree!"
Several ministers, including Zhen Dexiu, stood up and bowed together.
It seems that strict control of corruption is the first fire in the new dynasty.
"Dear dear friends, I grew up in the market, ranging from princes and nobles to traders and pawns. In my spare time, I gathered to fight tea, cocks, and crickets. For the so-called reputation, I was competitive and gambled. , the malaise is prevalent among the younger generation."
Zhao Hong spoke with stern eyes.
"There is nothing wrong with raising crickets and pets, drinking tea and drinks, and keeping your mood up. However, if gambling is prohibited and promotes the trend of extravagance, it is absolutely not allowed. Mr. Xue, ladies and gentlemen, do you know what to do?"
"I obey the order!"
All the ministers knew it well and nodded in agreement.
It seems that this ban on tea fighting, cock fighting, and cricket fighting should be the second decree of the imperial court.
"The second is foot binding. Willow-waisted lotus steps are delicate and pitiful. It's all bullshit! It squeezes and deforms human bones, causing excruciating pain and making it difficult to walk fast. How cruel? What kind of perverted beast passed this rule down?"
Zhao Hong's expression immediately darkened.
"My dear fellows, do you have any good suggestions regarding these shortcomings?"
Zhao Hong kicked the ball to several ministers.
He can't do everything in detail, otherwise he will die of exhaustion.
"Your Majesty, the imperial court can issue a decree that strictly prohibits tea fighting, cock fighting, cricket fighting, and foot binding. Violators will be punished by law!"
Jin Dexiu spoke first.
Of course, a Neo-Confucian master who cultivates his moral character cannot get used to such bad habits as fighting with crickets and binding feet.
He is not that perverted beast, and of course he will not support these bad habits.
"Your Majesty, I think it is better to formulate punishments and impose heavy penalties. For example, those who bind feet will be charged a heavy "foot-binding" tax. The same goes for those who fight cocks and crickets. Offenders will not be allowed to participate in the imperial examination for several years, and will not be allowed to serve as officials, etc."
Xue Ji thought quickly and immediately added a lot.
"Your Majesty, the law prohibits it, and violators will be severely punished. I second the truth and Prime Minister Xue!"
Fearing that the emperor would think him a perverted beast, Hu Ju quickly followed.
"Your Majesty, I second the proposal to Prime Minister Xue and Duke Zhen!"
Xuan Zhen nodded in praise. Anyway, he is not a pervert, nor is he a beast.
No need to ask, this is the second fire of the emperor's New Deal.
"Okay! The ministers will discuss it, think more carefully, draft a plan as soon as possible, publicize it in the newspapers, and promulgate it to the world as soon as possible."
There is strength in numbers, especially those involved in political affairs. They are all good at serving as officials and governing the people, and their wisdom should not be underestimated.
"My dear friends, our Song Dynasty has many shortcomings. Huizi has devalued, prices have skyrocketed, and the people are miserable. I want to implement the New Deal on Jiangnan East Road and train a new army to serve as a model for this place."
Zhao Hong looked at the four humerus ministers and frowned.
Shi Miyuan has been in power for nearly twenty years. He has monopolized the government and has great power. However, he always surrenders and compromises with Jin, making the people miserable. Shi Miyuan came to power and printed a large number of new huizi. Instead of exchanging gold, silver, and copper coins, he only exchanged new huizi for old huizi, and discounted the old huizi by half. As a result, there were too many parties, the currency value dropped, prices soared, and people were in dire straits. During the Jiading period, the Song and Jin Dynasties used troops, and the Southern Song Dynasty issued Huizi banknotes, amounting to 140 million yuan.
A rough estimate is that the number of old and new huizi in circulation on the market is about 167 million yuan.
"Your Majesty, I am afraid that the only way to do this is to change the old and new huizi into three-year boundaries. However, the proliferation of huizi in our dynasty is the result of years of troubles. It will probably take more than a year and a half to get rid of the accumulated disadvantages." "
Xue Ji shook his head, his face full of wrinkles and a sad look.
"'Shengti' means that too many banknotes were issued in the Southern Song Dynasty and the banknotes depreciated. The method of 'shengti' was used to stabilize the currency value, withdraw banknotes, and reduce the circulation of banknotes. The specific method is to reserve copper and iron coins, and when the price of banknotes is reduced, use official Money is used to buy banknotes, gold, silver, government land is used to redeem banknotes, and securities such as official certificates, tea coins, and salt coins are used, and officials and nobles are even sold to redeem banknotes, etc.
To put it bluntly, printing too much money leads to inflation, so the banknotes have to be withdrawn to stabilize prices.
In the final analysis, it is the stubborn disease of "three redundancies" and years of war that has impoverished the country.
"Xue Qing, Zhen Qing, next year will be the world change. You must make preparations first. The quality of the new society must be guaranteed, set laws, get rid of counterfeit coins, and prepare for next year's world change."
Zhao Hong also frowned and spoke in deep thought.
In the Song Dynasty, paper money Huizi had a "border exchange" system. The term of use of Huizi is three years, which is called "one realm". After it expires, you have to go to the government office and exchange the old banknotes for new ones. When exchanging, the officials will inspect it once, which is called the "outer field"; after entering, they will inspect it again, which is called the "inner field". The banknotes will be exchanged for new ones only after confirming the authenticity twice.
All the ministers received the order, but they all had frowns on their faces.
How easy is it to get rid of the proliferation of paper money?
The emperor's third fire may not burn easily.
"My lords, Jiangnan East Road is implementing the New Deal. Who do you think can take over as Jiangnan East Road's pacification envoy, and who can be appointed as the general leader?"
Since Jiangnan East Road was chosen as the first choice for implementing the New Deal, officials must be dispatched to ensure the implementation of the New Deal.
Several ministers looked at each other and remained silent.
The New Deal will be implemented on Jiangnan East Road. Needless to say, there will be land annexation and official corruption. Anyone who goes to Jiangnan East Road will risk the disapproval of the world and become the target of public criticism.
Several people thought about it and felt that no one was qualified.
Of course, they would never recommend themselves.
"What do you think of Wang Gang, the governor of Shaoxing Prefecture?"
Zhao Hong no longer hesitated and made a decision.
New people, new style. Don't use it if you doubt it, don't doubt it if you employ it. I had dealt with this gentleman in Kuaiji, Shaoxing, and felt that he had some talent.
"Your Majesty is a wise man. Wang Gang is well-read and well-remembered, and has a distinguished official reputation. He is worthy of this post."
Sure enough, the four of them looked at each other, and Xue Ji immediately started to play.
"Your Majesty, Wang Gang is worthy of this position. I second my opinion!"
"I second the proposal!"
Several others expressed their opinions together.
"Since you have no objections, the matter has been settled."
Zhao Hong nodded and then said:
"Hu Mengyu from Dali Temple is loyal and honest, has a rich resume, and is courageous in taking charge. He can be the commander-in-chief of Jiangning. What do you think?"
"Hu Pingshi is a leader in the court and is worthy of this appointment."
Zhen Dexiu spoke first. He and Hu Mengyu had a close friendship. Hu Mengyu was courageous, upright and honest, and was actually a court official.
The emperor has good taste!
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Xue Ji also followed suit.
Hu Mengyu, who had nothing to do with him, had no need to offend the emperor.
Hu Mengyu of Dali Temple was appointed as the general commander of Jiangning, and there was no one to restrain him. This is a hot potato, a job that offends others, as long as it's not you.
"Let Wang Gang, Hu Mengyu, and the Kuaiji Magistrate and County Board of Directors come to the palace to meet the Holy Spirit. I want to talk to them and examine it personally."
Thinking of the ten-year agreement with Wang Gang, Zhao Hong couldn't help but smile knowingly.
As for this board of directors, it can manage Kuaiji County in an orderly manner. It seems that it is a talented person who can be reused.
New laws are earth-shattering, but places that have not implemented new policies must remain stable. Allowing the board of directors to serve as the prefect of Shaoxing can also maintain the consistency and continuity of Shaoxing government orders.
"Your Majesty has ascended the throne and it is the New Year. Do you want to grant amnesty to the whole world to show the emperor's favor?"
Xue Ji asked as usual.
Ancient emperors often pardoned prisoners in the name of showing kindness. For example, when the emperor ascends the throne, changes his reign title, establishes a queen or crown prince, or encounters a major natural disaster, pardons are often issued. Generally, when a new emperor ascends the throne or there is a major celebration in the palace, a group of criminals will be pardoned and the whole world will be granted amnesty.
I think Zhao Hong's ascension to the throne will be no exception.
"Amnesty for the whole world is a beautiful thought!"
Zhao Hong was startled and smiled coldly.
"Isn't it a blasphemy to justice and the law to grant amnesty to the world and let the criminals go free? If that were the case, wouldn't those victims and their families be in tears? Instead of pardoning the criminals, it would be better to give some to the families of the victims. Comfort. Putting the cart before the horse, I don’t know what to say!”
Zhao Hong thought for a moment and then continued:
"What do you think of exempting the victim's family from paying taxes for two years?"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
All the ministers nodded in agreement.
The world belongs to you, old man, and of course you will do what you say.
However, the emperor's ruthlessness was extraordinary.
"Your Majesty, I have something I want to say, whether I should say it or not?"
Xue Ji stood up again unconsciously.
"Xue Xiang, sit down and just say what you have to say!"
Zhao Hong waved his hand and motioned for Xue Ji to sit down.
"Your Majesty, the New Year is approaching, and the 20th of the first lunar month is the Queen Mother's birthday. I wonder what your Majesty's plans are?"
Xue Ji said cautiously.
"Your Majesty, we in the Song Dynasty govern the country with filial piety. Your Majesty has been honored as the emperor of the Song Dynasty. You must not act on your own initiative and let the people of the world criticize you, thereby delaying the great events of the world."
Compared with Xue Ji's caution, Zhen Dexiu is much more direct.
"Your Majesty, think twice!"
Xuan Zhen and Hu Ju both bowed their hands in salute.
"That's what the ministers said. The past is in the past, and people always have to look forward."
Zhao Hong nodded and thought:
"Now is the period of the late emperor's funeral. At that time, the ministers can wish the Queen Mother a birthday, but it should not make too much noise. As for the Queen Mother, I will go there myself."
The prime minister can punt a boat, and as an emperor, he must be able to cruise an aircraft carrier.
Thinking back to it, it seems that Yang Guizhi was not invited to Empress Dowager Yang's birthday last year. And it seems that Yang Guizhi was not invited to his birthday.
"Your Majesty, what should we do with the Queen Mother's two nephews Yang Gu and Yang Shi? Do we want to be added as county kings?"
Zhen Dexiu frowned and continued to report.
This pair of dandies are plotting against each other, so they should end up in the East Market. Where can they be promoted?
"You have no joke. Let Yang Gu be the military governor of the Fengguo Army, and Yang Shi be the military governor of the Baoning Army. Let them stay in peace and not cause trouble."
Speaking of the Yang brothers, Zhao Hong couldn't help but think of Yang Yi. I don’t know if she is in the palace at the moment?
