Human nature is profit-seeking.
In the end, Zhu Youjian still underestimated the shamelessness of corrupt officials.
Under Zhu Youjian's secret instructions, Zhu Dingguo took the lead and arrested nearly 10,000 officials. Accounting for nearly one-tenth of the country's officials.
Especially in Shanxi Province, almost all officials were arrested. Many generals were taken away directly from the Ming Dynasty Royal Military Academy.
Suddenly, everyone in the Ming Dynasty officialdom was in danger, and memorials to impeach Zhu Dingguo came one after another.
The chief assistant Shi Yulai led a group of civil and military ministers and health officials to kneel down at the gate of the palace, begging Zhu Youjian to deal with the marquis of Zhenguo.
These officials were very smart and kept silent about Zhu Dingguo's arrest of corrupt officials. Instead, he wrote a letter saying that Zhu Dingguo was lawless and killed Zhangjiakou officials without authorization.
.....
On the contrary, the Jiangnan area fell into a strange calm. After years of suppression by the Eunuch Party, the Donglin Party could only stick to Jiangnan.
"Hahaha, it seems that His Majesty is ready to take action against Wei Zhongxian. It seems that His Majesty will find the Donglin Party to enter the capital soon." In an unknown restaurant in Suzhou, Qian Qianyi couldn't bear it after learning that the imperial court was vigorously cleaning up corrupt officials. He opened his mouth and laughed.
"Teacher, why do you see it?"
"You don't understand, this world needs us to govern after all. Zhu Dingguo seems to be killing corrupt officials, but in fact he is trying to eliminate Wei Zhongxian's power. Look, how big the cleanup is now..."
....
"Your Majesty, it's not good, Shi Min came and asked for his resignation..." Wang Chengen came over in a panic to report.
"Please resign, okay, I will give him my permission."
Zhu Youjian was furious when he heard Shi Minlai's move.
Resigning can be said to be the ultimate move for a civil servant.
Resigning was not their purpose, their purpose was to force the emperor to compromise.
Under normal circumstances, it is often a few famous officials who take the lead.
If the emperor does not agree to their request, a large number of officials will join the procession of resigning.
The large-scale resignations of officials showed disappointment with the court on the one hand.
On the other hand, it was a naked threat to the emperor.
Do you agree or not? If I don’t agree, I’ll give up my business. Who will manage your world for you?
"This bastard Shi Minlai can really cause trouble for me."
Zhu Youjian couldn't help but cursed.
If it were other emperors, it might not be easy to handle this matter, but Zhu Youjian didn't care.
Reading historical novels over the years is not for nothing.
The best way for officials to resign is to agree to their resignation, but before resigning, you must first settle the accounts. Get out of here when you figure it out.
It’s hard to find a three-legged toad, so why is it still hard to find someone who wants to be an official?
Human nature drives profit.
These officials are used to living a life of superiors, how could they be willing to become ordinary people?
Not to mention, how many of these officials can withstand investigation?
We cannot be merciful towards such corrupt officials. Otherwise, they will just slap their noses in their faces.
"Ask Li Zhong to lead the people to assist the secret guards in raiding the Shi Mansion. Then Shi Minlai will be charged with corruption. The others who have resigned have all agreed, but before they get out, they must settle the accounts clearly and arrest anyone who is involved in corruption or bribery. Catch those who are derelict in their duties..."
"By the way, go find Wei Zhongxian..."
.....
"Eunuch, Eunuch, what did your Majesty say?" Seeing Wang Chengen coming out of the palace, Shi Minlai hurriedly asked, and handed over a banknote.
"Shi Minlai, what are you doing?" Wang Chengen grabbed the banknote from Shi Minlai's hand.
"10,000 taels, Shi Minlai, you are so generous. Your income is only more than 1,000 shi a year, how can you get 10,000 taels?
It seems that the news from Jin Yiwei is good, you really..."
Shi Minlai made His Majesty dissatisfied. Naturally, Wang Chengen would not make His Majesty unhappy just for a mere ten thousand taels.
What's more, he is not short of money, and His Majesty hates corrupt officials. Naturally, Wang Cheng'en will not displease his master for temporary gains.
"Your Majesty has a decree. Anyone who resigns will be allowed. However, before the handover, it must be verified by Jin Yiwei and Dongchang. Anyone who is corrupt will be arrested. Those who derelict in their duties will be arrested..."
"The ignorant king is in power..." Before Shi Minlai could finish speaking, he was tied up by the Jin Yiwei next to him, and a smelly sock was stuffed into his mouth.
"Master Wang, I remembered that the Ministry of Rites still has something to do, so I will go back first."
"Yes, yes, our Ministry of War still has to prepare for the conquest of Jiannu. I'll take my leave now."
...
In the blink of an eye, all the civil and military officials in front of the palace were walking and running.
Those who submitted their resignations before also hurriedly asked for them back.
But will Wang Chengen do what the other party wants?
The reason why these officials dared to do this was because they believed that His Majesty would not protect Zhu Dingguo, but now Shi Feng was in trouble.
And if he couldn't stand the investigation, he would naturally have no choice but to go back and talk about it.
As for Shi Minlai, everyone can only pray silently, and your majesty will give him a pain.
It's not that they feel very good, it's just that the Jinyiwei's prison sentence is too terrifying.
What if Shi Nuanlai can't resist biting people?
I still have an old man above me, a young man below me, and three concubines in the middle waiting for my comfort. How could I...?
.....
"Your Majesty, what do you want from me?" Wei Zhongxian asked cautiously in the longevity palace.
"Taxation is the foundation of the country, and commerce is developed in Jiangnan and other places.
However, officials were corrupt and commercial taxes accounted for less than one-tenth of the national treasury. In addition, the landowners and gentry often delayed tax collection, which was why the court's finances were so difficult. "
Taxation is the foundation of the country, but the Ming Dynasty was also weird enough. It only punished those wealthy households who delayed paying taxes.
The punishment is small, and the landlords and squires are also powerful people, so the fight is just a formality. Even if the fight is real, how can it fall on the wealthy landlords?
This time, Wei Zhongxian came here and planned to lure Wei Zhongxian, a scoundrel, to Jiangnan.
Why was Wei Zhongxian able to squeeze the Donglin Party out of the court, which no other party could deal with?
It's all about that rogue energy.
Although Zhu Youjian disagreed with many of his practices.
But I have to admit it.
The best way to deal with those high-sounding people is to release the scoundrel Wei Zhongxian.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will take Dongchang to the south of the Yangtze River to collect taxes for Your Majesty."
Wei Zhongxian is a smart man and knows his own value very well.
Before Zhu Youjian finished speaking, he had already guessed Zhu Youjian's purpose.
Although Wei Zhongxian knew that when he went south, His Majesty would definitely further clean up his power in the court, Wei Zhongxian had no choice.
I am just a eunuch, so all my power comes from His Majesty. If you want the other party, Your Majesty only needs to open your mouth.
What's more, now that all military power in the world is in the hands of His Majesty, how dare I disobey His Majesty's orders?
.....
