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"Unlucky timing?"
Zhao Junchen’s explanation was vague, but Emperor Deqing’s political sense was still extremely keen. After just a moment of confusion, he immediately understood what Zhao Junchen meant and said: “You mean...the two previous times the imperial court forced hundreds of officials to use What about exchanging salary rice for salary silver?"
Zhao Junchen sighed again, nodded and said: "That's it. In order to raise military rations for the war between Shaanxi and Gansu, the imperial court forced all officials to exchange their salary rice for salary silver. They no longer issued salary rice, but asked all officials to Using salary money to buy rice from the private sector did alleviate the shortage of military food at that time...
However, private food prices have repeatedly hit new highs and changed every few days. There is also a considerable gap between the market price and the actual price. Naturally, the salary money received by officials has depreciated a lot...
In this way, all the officials felt that they had suffered a loss and felt resentful in their hearts. However, for the sake of the overall interests of the imperial court, they naturally did not dare to say anything. But at this time, Song Huancheng fainted from hunger in public in the Rites Yamen, and naturally some people would take advantage of this opportunity. If you vent your dissatisfaction and anger, the impact of this incident will be much greater. "
When Emperor Deqing heard this, he couldn't help but snorted, and his expression became more and more unhappy. He just felt that the officials were indifferent and only cared about his own petty gains and could not see the big picture at all.
At the same time, because of Emperor Deqing's gloomy face and unhappy heart, as the saying goes, "living the Qi and nourishing the body", the power of the emperor that he had cultivated for many years after ascending the throne could not be suppressed.
The two people at the same table, "Uncle Huo" and "Xiao He", had heard the conversation between Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen. Although it was surrounded by clouds and mountains, they also felt that the identities of Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were unusual. He couldn't help but start to be careful with him, and now he noticed the power exuded by Emperor Deqing. He was even more cautious and fearless, and he no longer showed the casualness and talkativeness before.
However, after Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment, he said something more embarrassing to Emperor Deqing.
"This is only the main reason. In addition, there are some secondary reasons... As you just said, people always worry about inequality rather than scarcity. Since the victory of Shaanxi and Gansu, the imperial court has generously rewarded The three armies and military attachés all received generous rewards, and the civil servants were inevitably a little bit dissatisfied...
In addition, it was His Majesty's birthday at the end of the year, because envoys from all countries were coming to the DPRK, and they also had to celebrate the great victories in Shaanxi and Gansu. In order to show the majesty of the Celestial Empire, the imperial court deliberately made grand arrangements and showed off its wealth! But as the ostentation got bigger, too much money was spent. Some officials saw that the court was spending money like water, but they did not take advantage, and they became even more resentful...
well! All in all, if Song Huancheng fainted from hunger in public at the Rites Yamen, it would not have had much impact if it had happened at other times. However, the combination of various things that have happened recently has left many people psychologically unbalanced and affected It's just a little bigger...
In recent times, some officials have been keen to discuss this matter, complaining that the imperial court has indeed treated hundreds of officials badly. This kind of public opinion has not stopped yet. "
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Emperor Deqing finally couldn't hold it in anymore. He slammed the table and shouted angrily in a low voice: "Is it true that the imperial court has raised a group of resentful women who care about everything? Just because of these trivial things, they dare to be upset. Resentment? Do they still have the word "loyalty to the emperor" in their hearts? At the end of the year, didn't the imperial court reward them with double stipends? How dare they not be satisfied? "
When Zhao Junchen saw Emperor Deqing's anger, he coughed lightly, and then deliberately turned his head and glanced at "Uncle Huo" and "Xiao He" at the same table. The meaning was obvious - many words could not be said when outsiders were present. To put it bluntly, Emperor Deqing must not reveal his identity.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's hint, Emperor Deqing finally calmed down a little. After slowly exhaling, he closed his eyes and remained silent.
However, Zhao Junchen looked at the change in his demeanor and found that Emperor Deqing had calmed down his anger and was now listening carefully to the discussions among the tea guests around him, hoping to take the opportunity to understand the views and positions of all walks of life on this matter.
Obviously, after Emperor Deqing noticed the resentment of hundreds of officials, he also began to pay attention to the changes in people's hearts.
If Song Huancheng fainted from hunger in public, not only caused resentment among officials, but also changed public opinion, then Emperor Deqing would have to seriously consider increasing the salaries of officials.
But in Zhao Junchen's view, the word "public opinion" is the most fickle in the world.
There is no other reason. Most people in the world are ignorant and do not have a strong ability to distinguish. Therefore, "public opinion" can easily be guided by people with good intentions, and it has never been particularly difficult to manipulate public opinion.
Take the tea guests in the teahouse today as an example. Most of them are from the middle and lower classes of society. They usually have awe and hostility towards court officials. If they were asked to express their opinions, they would definitely think that the official salary would be higher than the salary. The lower the better, I wish all the court officials were as poor as myself.
But at this moment, all the tea guests have just listened to the story told by Mr. Zhang. This story is a collection of the collective wisdom of the "Storytellers Guild". It can be said that it has a strong sense of immersion. The protagonist is Song Huancheng who is so loved. For an upright official who was loved by the people, most of the tea drinkers forgot about class differences and began to complain about the low salary of officials.
In fact, similar situations are common in later generations. Just throwing out a few stories at random can make countless working-class people feel sorry for the difficulties of capitalists.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing listened quietly for a long time, only to find that when the tea guests in the teahouse were discussing, most of them supported the imperial court's increase in salary for hundreds of officials, and believed that the imperial court should not allow upright officials like Song Huancheng to be punished. Grieving, it's as if the official salary increase will really make corrupt officials disappear.
Noting such "public opinion", Emperor Deqing's expression became increasingly gloomy and unhappy.
Due to Emperor Deqing's stinginess and ruthlessness, he was not willing to easily raise the salaries of officials under any circumstances, but if both the official sentiment and the people's sentiment were so inclined, he would have to seriously consider it.
Of course, it was just "serious consideration" and it was difficult for him to make such a determination.
*
Seeing that Emperor Deqing was silent, the other three people at the same table were also silent for various reasons. After being quiet for about a cup of tea, Zhang De hurriedly entered the teahouse and came to Deqing. Emperor Qing's side said that the road outside the teahouse had been restored to smooth flow, so Emperor Deqing could leave here and return to the palace.
After Emperor Deqing heard the report, he immediately stood up and left without stopping at all. He obviously didn't like his situation in "Zhang's Tea House" today, and Zhao Junchen quickly followed.
However, after Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen returned to the carriage, Zhang De quickly drove the carriage toward the Forbidden City.
As the carriage drove slowly, Emperor Deqing finally spoke again, raised his head and asked Zhao Junchen: "Does the Ministry of Household Affairs have enough money to raise salaries for hundreds of officials now?"
After Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment, he shook his head and said: "You also know the situation of the national treasury. There is definitely no room left to increase the salaries of officials. As for the salary... As you said, people always do not worry about the lack of money. The problem is uneven. If the salaries of Beijing officials are raised, local officials must not be left behind. Then the officials will also have to raise their salaries, and then the military attachés and military households...added together, it is an astronomical figure. In recent years, the Ministry of Household Affairs has Although they are a little more affluent, they are unable to bear such pressure, at least in recent years... Even if they can barely raise some salaries for officials, the amount will definitely be very small, and will only attract ridicule from all walks of life, both in the government and the public, so it is not as good as Simply don’t add it.”
Zhao Junchen arranged the scene of "Zhang's Teahouse" today to pave the way for future salary increases for all officials. However, according to Zhao Junchen's idea, this matter should have been first raised by Prince Zhu Heyu after he returned to the capital. He himself immediately stood up to express his support, and then he could use this incident to enhance the reputation of Crown Prince Zhu Heyi and himself among the officials, but he could not let Emperor Deqing make the decision on his own initiative. What happened today Everything that happened just planted a seed in Emperor Deqing's heart.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen naturally said at this time that the Ministry of Revenue had no spare capacity to increase the salaries of officials, but he also left a tail, saying that it was only "incapable of doing anything in recent years."
On the other side, as expected by Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing's expression immediately flashed with relief after hearing Zhao Junchen's answer - he was originally unwilling to increase the salary of all officials, and Zhao Junchen's answer also made him Good reason.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing quickly put on a look of incomprehensible sadness, nodded and said: "Yes, this kind of thing can affect the whole body at a moment's notice. You must think carefully about it. How can it be so easy? The officials only focus on their own little benefits, and the people are even more ignorant, blind, and easily aroused by others. They think that the increase in salary is just a matter of my words. But how can it be so easy to govern such a huge country? Humph! I Who can understand the suffering?"
Seeing Emperor Deqing looking for him to get off the stairs, Zhao Junchen quickly sighed and said, "Yes, although you are the master of the world, you still have to worry about the whole country. Only a holy master like you can take on this task." Others don’t have such a heavy burden, they just know how to stand and talk without backache.”
Emperor Deqing snorted again, but his expression finally softened.
Then, after Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, he ordered: "Some matters are not suitable for a big fight, nor for me to personally send people to come forward. Otherwise, it will only cause more criticism, so I leave it to you to deal with...
The storyteller who appeared in the teahouse today and other storytellers in the capital, please send someone to warn them not to spread the story of Song Huancheng to the people in the future. Otherwise, if it causes a change in people's hearts, it will be The monstrous words confuse the public! "
After Zhao Junchen nodded in agreement, Emperor Deqing added: "There is also Song Huancheng. After I heard his deeds, I found him to be a good minister who was loyal to the country. I should give him a reward and stop Youyou from talking. This saves some officials from always using this person's affairs to stir up trouble and create evil...
Therefore, I plan to give him a good job! Among all the major yamen in the capital, your household department is the most lucrative, so I want to transfer him to the household department. However, there are currently no vacancies in the household department, so I need you to make arrangements and make one available as soon as possible. I will assign Song Huancheng to the position of Doctor of the Household Department in a few days!
In this way, I can also let all officials know that I will never treat my loyal ministers badly! "
Hearing what Emperor Deqing said, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but his expression froze.
Although Song Huancheng was an upright official with noble character and worthy of respect, he was also as smelly and hard as a stone in a latrine. Even Prince Zhu Heyu's solicitation of Song Huancheng was dismissed, and such a person was allowed to enter the house. How could he accept Zhao Junchen's bribery and control if he served in the ministry? I'm afraid that the entire Hubu Yamen will be in trouble.
But when things got to this point, Zhao Junchen could not refuse Emperor Deqing's proposal, so he had no choice but to agree with a grimace, feeling that he had shot himself in the foot.
Seeing the change in Zhao Junchen's expression, Emperor Deqing naturally understood Zhao Junchen's thoughts, but he did not expose it, but there was a smile on his face, and he seemed to be in a better mood.
*
However, today was destined to be an eventful day, and Emperor Deqing's slightly improved mood did not last long.
After about half a stick of incense, Zhang De finally drove the carriage back to the side entrance of the Forbidden City.
Then, after Zhao Junchen helped Emperor Deqing get out of the carriage, he found that Wu Xinquan, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, was standing in front of the palace gate anxiously waiting for Emperor Deqing to appear. It seemed that something was urgent.
After Wu Xinquan saw Emperor Deqing appear, he immediately hurried to Emperor Deqing and whispered: "Your Majesty, you are finally back! Just an hour ago, an urgent memorandum was sent from Luoyang. Because it is so important, you must make the decision yourself."
After saying that, Wu Xinquan presented a memorial to Emperor Deqing with both hands.
Emperor Deqing was stunned for a moment and didn't even bother to go back to the palace to change clothes. He immediately reached out to pick up the memorial and read it.
A moment later, Emperor Deqing's expression changed drastically. He threw the memorial to the ground and said angrily: "What audacity! How audacious! Is there anyone in the world who can give me peace of mind!?"
After saying that, Emperor Deqing ignored the people around him and immediately returned to the palace angrily.
Wu Xinquan and Zhang De were both frightened by Emperor Deqing's performance. They quickly picked up the memorial that Emperor Deqing had left behind and followed Emperor Deqing quickly.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but think deeply.
"Wu Xinquan said it was an urgent report from Luoyang...could it be a matter between the Crown Prince and Prince Fu? A few days ago, I arranged for Li Chuanwen and Xiao Wenxuan to rush to Luoyang to assist Zhu Heyu. If there were changes in Luoyang, the mansion should now More detailed information has been received!”
While thinking about it, Zhao Junchen stood there and waited for a moment, but found that after Emperor Deqing entered the palace, he did not summon him to continue accompanying him. Obviously, he did not intend to involve himself in this matter.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen no longer waited outside the palace, quickly found his sedan chair, and quickly returned to the Zhao Mansion.
Just as Zhao Junchen expected, the Zhao Mansion had received more detailed news from Luoyang at this time.
It turned out that when Prince Zhu Heyu was investigating the case in Luoyang, he actually had a bloody conflict with Prince Fu's Mansion, and several royal guards and palace guards died. Later, Prince Zhu Heyu transferred Luoyang garrison to suppress everyone in Prince Fu's Mansion and forcibly imprisoned them. He killed King Fu himself, and also used severe torture to extract confessions from many clan members of King Fu's lineage!
The nature of this matter can be said to be extremely serious, and it will definitely cause shock to the government and the public once again. It is no wonder that Emperor Deqing was furious!
Zhao Junchen is now an ally with Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, but when he received the news, he did not show any panic at all. Instead, he had a smile on his face.
"It seems that the plan to tame Prince Zhu Heyu is ready for the next step!"
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