The rest of the people also agreed that those who can become second-grade officials cannot be pedantic people. Even if there are some with upright character among them, they will not be unreasonable and flexible.
Whether it was for disaster relief or for military needs in the north, the Ming Dynasty could still squeeze out the crowds. The consequences of this were far less than the negative impact of the court borrowing grain from aristocratic merchants. This is why the Ming Dynasty was so poor. Never thought about the reason for this.
Otherwise, as long as you have this idea, you will have no choice but to face the merchants of the imperial family, not to mention more than one million stones, even two to three million stones.
Zhu Biaogang was about to explain that borrowing grain was not the main purpose. It was mainly to cultivate the trust of scholars, farmers, industrialists and other classes in the court. With trust, shared development can be achieved in the future. Investment in government bonds, banknotes, etc. must be promoted by the state in the beginning. , but what is the use without the participation of all strata of society?
The purpose of this matter is to let everyone in the world know that as long as the imperial court can return this food and grass within the time limit, not to say that everyone can trust it, but at least it will make a good start. In the future, even if you direct and act yourself, you can make this Believe it or do it reliably.
Everything is difficult at the beginning. The most difficult thing about this matter is to convince the officials. Zhu Biao is just one person and he can't control everything. In the end, it is up to the officials to implement it. If they don't cooperate, there will be nothing to discuss. .
Before Zhu Biao could speak, the superior Zhu Yuanzhang said directly in a deep voice: "How can we achieve great things by looking ahead and looking behind? We asked the prince to do this. If anyone has any objections, let them come to the court tomorrow morning. But the matter has been decided. Jiangnan The food of the family must be put into the hands of the people. We have sacrificed the face of the court to get the food. If anyone dares to confiscate the family and exterminate the family, there will be no mercy!"
The people below had no choice but to agree, but they all knew that this must be the idea of His Royal Highness. His Majesty always pays attention to rules in doing things, and there is no way he would even think of borrowing food. This shows how deep the influence of the Crown Prince is on His Majesty.
But this matter is only good for them. If they have a daughter in the harem and give birth to a prince, and the country is stable, they don't have to bet on everything to ruin their family because of the dragon's power. They only need to take good care of the father and son. .
Zhu Biao felt warm in his heart when he saw that his father had directly taken over the matter. Although he was famous far and wide, he would inevitably be criticized if such things were spread. The imperial power could not block the public opinion in the world. , it will only spread faster as it gets banned.
Zhu Yuanzhang is different. Not everyone dares to say that Emperor Taizu expelled the barbarians, restored his clothes, and reopened the sun and the moon. In the face of his achievements that shine through the annals of history, all his mistakes are just small details, and no one is qualified to accuse him. What.
Otherwise, his methods of purging officials were much crueler than those tyrants in history, but who would dare to say anything in later generations? Even foreign kings like Kang and Qian had to bow three times and kowtow nine times in front of the Xiaoling Mausoleum to offer sacrifices.
Zhu Biao did not stand up and say anything. Time will prove everything. Policies that seem bad today may not be able to shine in the future. When the time comes, everyone will only praise the Holy One as worthy of being the Holy One.
After Zhu Yuanzhang has spoken, no one can say anything more. At most, the imperial censors will go crazy tomorrow morning, but after all, they are not of high rank, and they will be done with just crying and hitting a pillar. This is why Zhu Yuanzhang Will always pamper them.
Now that it is a foregone conclusion that he will get more than one million shi of grain for free, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance is in a better and better mood. With his pockets bulging, he speaks forcefully. He licks his face and asks, "Do you still need to pay back this grain?"
The expressions of the rest of the people were also a little strange. They were both happy about the windfall and a little ashamed. They all moved away from the Minister of Hubu, but they looked at the prince longingly, hoping that the food would not have to be returned.
Zhu Biao shook his head with a smile and said directly before they could laugh out loud: "Of course I have to pay it back, within three years and there must be interest."
The face of the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue suddenly turned red: "No, they are all citizens of the Ming Dynasty. The imperial court is lending them food to give them face. There is no such thing as interest. Your Highness, don't worry, I will go and talk to them."
Zhu Biao looked helplessly at the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue. This man was personally promoted by Lao Zhu. He was honest but not pedantic. He had done well in local and state capitals. Lao Zhu was quite relieved to entrust him with the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue.
Zhu Biao said: "Zhao Shangshu, the court's credibility is very important. Since we have discussed the matter when borrowing grain, we must not regret it, otherwise we will lose both our wife and our troops, and the court's finances should be much better in three years." "
Zhao Wenjing, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, shook his head and said: "Your Highness, it's not that I am shameless. In this time when people everywhere in the world are asking for food and there is never enough. In the past few years, the Ministry of Revenue has been making as much porridge as there is food. Although the food harvested next year will not be enough." The tax will be higher, but there will be more places to use it.”
Zhu Biao still said firmly: "The purpose of borrowing food is firstly to meet urgent needs, and secondly to establish the credibility of the court. This is crucial. The Ministry of Household Affairs must prepare the budget well. This is especially critical this first time. There must not be any Negligence, I will personally inspect it when the time comes."
The Minister of Household Affairs reluctantly agreed. He really didn't know what credibility a court with the power of life and death needed. If he had that time, he might as well feed the soldiers and the people and live a peaceful life.
Now that the general matter has been decided, the rest of the details will be reported after they return home. Zhu Yuanzhang is too lazy to keep them for dinner. The order is not enough for the two of them. After the ministers have retired, he is preparing to deliver the memorial. Then I heard the announcement that the Queen had arrived.
Zhu Yuanzhang leaned back in his chair and smiled. He was too busy these days and always reviewed memorials until very late, so he never went to Kunning Palace. Zhu Biao quickly stood up and went out to greet his mother.
When Zhu Biao walked out of the palace, he saw Empress Ma leading Yun Jin over. The palace ladies behind were carrying food boxes. Zhu Biao bowed and said with a smile: "It's just the right time for my mother to come here. I and my father haven't eaten yet." Woolen cloth."
Queen Ma came closer and said, "Business matters are important, but you have to eat after you're done, otherwise you won't have the energy to handle tomorrow's official duties."
Zhu Biao followed him in with a smile. Comrade Zhu was still sitting on the chair. Queen Ma came into the room and saluted: "I have brought food to your majesty. Please treat your majesty as a dragon."
Lao Zhu laughed happily and waved a few times to ask the serving ladies and eunuchs to leave. Then he stood up and took his queen to sit aside: "My sister still feels sorry for me. Why did you come here just when you were hungry? I seem to be smelling It smells like sesame seeds."
Zhu Biao opened the food box next to him. Inside was freshly baked sesame cakes and duck blood soup, as well as several plates of side dishes and white rice. Lao Zhu liked to eat sesame cakes, but Zhu Biao preferred to eat vegetables.
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