Soon the matter was almost settled. It was not a complicated matter at all, it was just a matter of not being willing to give up the face. As for the merchants who would take effect, there were already ready-made merchants.
After all, no one can escape fame and wealth. Even when Zhu Biao did not loosen the shackles of business, no one with some status would buy property and establish a business in order to make money and make money, so that the whole family would not be left with nothing.
Except for those Qingliu censors, no one in the civil and military circles of the Manchu Dynasty really expected that little salary to support their families. It was very common for them to promote their servants to trade and make money.
Originally, under the policy of suppressing business, these were nothing. However, as the status of businessmen increases and the more resources they have at their disposal, the situation of government control of business may change.
Therefore, Zhu Biao does not want government officials to collude with businessmen. At least there must be a red line on the surface, and at least there must be some taboos, so that future generations can handle this kind of thing justifiably if necessary.
The name is justifiable, and it seems to be of no use in many cases, but when needed, it is the general trend of Haohao Tangtang.
Half a month later, Zhang Guanglie, the Minister of Dali Temple, impeached King Chang Yuchun of Kaiping and Prince Li Zhen of Qiyang. The political envoy Chen Youzong connived at collusion between his family and merchants, buying expensive and selling shops at low prices. A ban on salt and iron was issued. Merchants used their power to despise local officials and bullied the people to annex land and buy land by force.* The good people are slaves, which makes the local people boil with resentment.
The Holy Emperor was furious and imprisoned the two kings in the palace. He ordered the pro-military Duwei Mansion to arrest and imprison the family members involved in the case, and ordered the three halls of the Criminal Department of Dali Temple Yushitai to conduct a joint trial.
Within a few days, the evidence was conclusive, and the imperial decree confiscated Kaiping King Chang Yuchun's salary for three years, and removed him from the post of governor of the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince Taibao of the Zhu Kingdom. He was ordered to sit behind closed doors to reflect on his faults and was not allowed to leave without permission. He was also deprived of the title of Prince Li Zhen of Qiyang. Go to the post of Dr. Ronglu of Youzhu Kingdom...
Dozens of family members of the royal family were involved in the case. The leader was beheaded, and the rest were exiled to Yunnan and Guizhou. The merchants involved in the case were punished by family members, but young children were spared. Local officials who turned a blind eye to their power were dismissed from office for life.
The emperor's order shocked the whole country. The most important relative of the emperor in the Ming Dynasty was actually punished in this way. Everyone thought that the emperor was indeed ruthless and ruthless.
Li Zhen was fine, but Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong were at the top of the military, and their subordinates had countless old friends. Within just a few days after the order was issued, all the generals and other local guards who received the news came to plead for mercy.
Including Xu Da, Li Shanchang and others who had always kept a low profile and did not interfere in political affairs. The generals in the capital were so angry that it was needless to mention that they made noises every day and did not change their nature even after being beaten with a royal stick.
The morning court meetings for several days were disrupted, and Zhu Biao was blocked every day. Apart from being able to relax for a while in the Jinshen Hall, there were many followers of his sect asking to see him, asking him to lead everyone in the performance.
Not only Wu Xun, but also many civil servants advised him privately, and most of the court was in chaos. Although Zhu Biao was well prepared, he was still surprised by Huaixi Wu Xun's unity.
But then he thought about it and realized that most of these people were not interceding for Chang Yuchun and Li Zhen, but were helping him. The common people in the world lived in peace, and the merchants were close to making huge profits, so they all wanted to take a bite.
If even Chang Yuchun and Li Zhen couldn't eat a bite of meat, then they couldn't even drink the soup. Therefore, they had to ensure that the people above them could eat meat before they could follow them to drink the soup.
Hu Weiyong was overjoyed and took advantage of the opportunity to recruit many civil and military officials. Many Huaixi military officers who originally looked down on him began to recognize his status.
Interest is such a powerful force that it can unite all people with the same interests, even if you don't like those you hate.
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"Eunuch Liu, please tell me again. We have to see His Highness the Crown Prince today no matter what."
"Generals, please don't embarrass me." Liu Jin stood in front of the Wenhua Hall with an embarrassed look on his face. His figure was not thin, but he looked particularly delicate in front of a group of broad-shouldered generals. It's the same as the palace gate.
"Why is it so embarrassing? We often come to see His Highness. Is it possible that the present is different from the past? Father-in-law, please go and report it."
In the palace, Zhu Biao was playing chess with his teacher Song Lian. The general affairs envoy Chen Youzong, no, it should be said that the former general affairs envoy Chen Youzong, was watching the chess game. He had been dismissed from his official position because he protected the merchants from doing whatever they wanted, and he was now considered a white man.
Voices from outside the palace door came from time to time. Zhu Biao frowned and put down the white chess piece he was twisting with his fingertips. Song Lian also put down the chess piece and said with a smile: "If you don't want to see me, why not send it away."
Zhu Biaoqin is good at chess, calligraphy and painting, not bad but not very good. After all, he doesn't have that much free time to study chess records and practice calligraphy and painting. Old Master Song is undoubtedly a master of chess. There are not many people in the capital who can be better than him in chess. It's just Just coaxing his apprentice to play.
"We still have to see you." Zhu Biao stood up and stretched. Song Lian and Chen Youzong both turned their eyes away from him, allowing him to relax his muscles comfortably.
"Has anyone found you at your door?"
"Of course there is, and there's no way to shirk it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the leisure to go to the palace to play chess with His Highness." Old Master Song was very calm: "The Imperial College has expanded its recruitment, and I have found many good talents. I really don't want to send him to the palace to play chess with you." I am wasting my energy on such unnecessary things. After seeing His Highness, no one will bother me when I get back."
In Vanity Fair, there are fewer people as you go up, so it is inevitable that everyone has some favors. The old master is honest and self-sufficient, but he still owes favors. There are always a few people who cannot be ignored no matter what.
"Okay, it's almost time. I'll take my leave now."
Zhu Biao bowed slightly: "Then I won't see you off, sir. I'll pay you a visit in a few days."
Song Lian stood up and saluted: "The old lady has made a lot of pickles, which are quite delicious, so she was thinking of letting His Highness try them some time."
Chen Youzong saw Zhu Biao off, and when he came back, he bowed to wait on him instead of sitting down to accompany him as usual. Zhu Biao knew clearly that this was a subtle expression of dissatisfaction. No wonder, he had been cautious all his life, but because of something he had never done, Being dismissed from office is a bit sad no matter how you say it.
"Is there any gossip among the clan?"
Chen Youzong smiled bitterly and said: "Several clan elders have written letters to scold me. The common people... the humble ministers don't know how to defend themselves. They just want to leave Beijing and return to the clan temple to plead guilty in the past few days as if there is nothing else to do."
After saying this, he secretly cursed himself. It would be too much to call himself a grassroots citizen at this time. At this age, he has to think about his children as well as himself. How could he speak so carelessly?
Zhu Biao pretended not to hear, and Chen Youzong continued: "In both the government and the public, we are all loyal to His Highness. When we return home, we will make sure to restrain the clan members and straighten out the clans in Jiangnan, so that they will not know the so-called misdeeds and become dirty." Your Highness’s reputation.”
He tried to make up for it half-jokingly: "This depends on His Highness's kindness. Otherwise, if I go back like this, no one will pay attention to me."
My daughter is a good wife in the East Palace, and she has entered the palace to serve early. She has good qualifications and has always been obedient and sensible. As long as God bless her, she will have a son and a half, and she will be a concubine in the future, and she will live a life of glory and wealth.
My son has also entered the fifth rank. He has a bright future, but he can't let it be delayed by his own anger. Hey, he keeps saying that thunder and rain are God's blessings every day. How come he forgets when it really falls on him? He is really old. .
Seeing Chen Youzong adjust his mentality quickly, Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction. Whether he promotes you or deposes you, he just wants to see your ambition.
Chen Youzong is a capable confidant, but in recent years he has been too smooth, especially after Yan Donglai left the capital. He became the leader of the East Palace Party members, and the prime minister, the six ministers, the Marquis Wu Xun, all respected him three points, that is, Lao Zhu, For the sake of my son, I will give him three points of face.
In such a situation, even a saint would inevitably have troubles in his mind. If his mind is confused and his position is uneven, something could easily happen. Zhu Biao noticed this very keenly.
Therefore, Chen Youzong was not informed in advance, and he only met him today after he was dismissed from office, just to see if he could still correct his position.
Of course, he also wanted to warn the Jiangnan aristocratic family. In officialdom, Chen Youzong was not as influential as Chang Yuchun and Li Zhen, but Chen Youzong was very famous among the aristocratic families along the coast of Jiangnan.
………………
(End of chapter)
