What's the meaning? I just want you to work for nothing.
Anyway, the salary arrears have been owed for more than two hundred years, and this time is not far behind.
As for whether the other party would rebel or something... You must know that his father and great-grandfather dared to default on the soldiers' pay for the border army for several years, let alone some common people? Besides, he was the emperor who conquered the Tatars in the north and rebelled against the refugees in the south during his tenure. Would he be afraid of this?
What kind of waves can they make?
Zhu Changxun felt at ease.
Faced with the questioning from Li Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, who hurriedly arrived, he seemed to be very comfortable.
At this time, Li Ruhua still had a glimmer of hope and gave the emperor a step forward:
"Although the water conservancy project costs a lot of money, the results are outstanding. If the project is successful, the Ming Dynasty will last forever. As for the wages, it can also protect the people's livelihood and live a stable life... Your Majesty did not see the person who asked for the allocation of silver taels to be used as wages. Note? Or was the Supervisor of Ceremonies negligent and did not issue it? "
If it is unintentional, then approve it quickly! If you are intentional and listen to what he said, you should get off the donkey.
However, when Zhu Changxun heard this, he said casually:
"I saw it, but there's something unclear, so I'm still thinking about it."
"I was moved by the kindness and kindness of Mr. Yan Ge who gave money to the people who worked in the corvee. However, the treasury is not rich. I still remember that Mr. Ge stopped me from using troops because it was difficult for the treasury to support such expenses. How can we be so squandered now? If there is any danger and the treasury is too empty to support it, wouldn't it be a delay? It will also lose the original intention of Mr. Ge to govern the world. I can't decide, so I'm still thinking about it."
There was no sincerity in his words, and he even used Yan Chenhao's original words as a shield.
There was a hint of sarcasm in the words: At first you didn't let me use troops and said it was a waste of money, so now I will use this to prevent you from spending "unnecessary" money.
In Zhu Changxun's eyes, this is indeed unnecessary.
After all, in the eyes of him and some pedantic veterans, corvee has been the obligation of the people since ancient times. What kind of money should be paid?
Otherwise, how can we reflect the privilege of scholars like them who are exempt from corvee? How can it reflect the emperor's control over his people?
Of course, they won't think about riots or anything like that.
Li Ruhua looked ugly and said in a deep voice, his dissatisfaction and anger could be heard in his tone:
"The chief minister also considers the people's livelihood! It should be noted that in every dynasty, there are people who rebel because of corvee work. This move of the chief minister can not only benefit the people, but also prevent them from becoming rebellious due to being overburdened. Now the people are praising it. It can be seen that The correctness of his strategy!”
Praise from the people?
Hearing Li Ruhua's words, the emperor felt a little jealous, and suddenly the idea of not approving became stronger.
"For a mere amount of money, you have to rebel against your father? Where is your loyalty to your emperor? It's okay not to keep such a person." Zhu Changxun smiled coldly:
"The Ministry of War and the Fifth Army Commander's Office are already discussing the deployment of troops. I want to see who has the courage."
Li Ruhua couldn't help but choked when he heard this.
The emperor's nonsense actually made him speechless for a moment. He could see that the emperor was completely unreasonable now.
Perhaps, this is the only way left.
The angry expression on his face suddenly disappeared. He knelt down on the ground, took off his official hat and placed it in front of him. Then he sighed and said:
"Your Majesty, I am old and have been feeling weak recently. I would like to ask your Majesty to allow me to retire and return home."
When Zhu Changxun heard this, his eyes suddenly condensed.
This is threatening to resign and retreating in order to advance!
After all, Li Ruhua had been in a high position since the Wanli period and had served as the Minister of Household Affairs for more than ten years. In terms of qualifications, he can even be compared with several cabinet ministers in the cabinet, and can be called the first person below the cabinet ministers.
Especially since he has been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for many years and has no equal in financial affairs. If he leaves, there may be a certain degree of financial chaos in a short period of time.
Ministers of this level, even the supreme emperor, have to sell their face. Even if they make no big mistakes, the emperor will not easily dismiss them. Otherwise, it will be easy to alienate the ministers in the court.
Even if he really wanted to resign, the emperor had to keep him again, let alone resigning now? Such a heavyweight minister could really force the emperor to make concessions.
However, this strategy probably had little effect on an emperor like Hongwu.
For Emperor Wuxing...
At least at this moment, his thoughts are:
How dare you threaten me?
Ah.
Zhu Changxun's expression changed and he had already made a decision.
Li Ruhua, on the other hand, maintained his saluting posture and remained motionless, waiting for the emperor's reply.
Although Wuxing had previously imprisoned Yan Guan in court, after all, he was a minor official of the sixth or seventh rank, and the weight of a minister of the second rank was completely different. Moreover, he was justified in asking anyone about this matter. The emperor was in a wrong position, and it was even more impossible for him not to accept it.
Of course, this trick cannot be used too many times. It is originally about using one's weight in the emperor's heart as a bargaining chip to gain compromise. If it is used too much, the emperor will definitely be dissatisfied.
This was also the first time that Li Ruhua was so angry and forced him to resign.
In exchange for this compromise, he lowered his favorability in the emperor's heart. This is his plan. Anyway, he is not too far away from becoming an official, so he just regards it as his final contribution to the people.
However, for a long time, he still did not wait for the emperor's reply.
Sweat rolled down his face, and he had a bad feeling in his heart. He couldn't help but raise his head and met Zhu Changxun's eyes.
There was a little bit of...contempt in that look?
"allow."
The emperor on the throne sneered.
…
The news that Li Ruhua took the initiative to become an official and was approved by the emperor spread throughout the court at an extremely fast speed.
Everyone who heard it was surprised, and even doubted whether they heard it correctly.
Such an old man was exempted, and the emperor did not even try to retain him once.
This is really rare.
"I misjudged my weight in His Majesty's heart and my own status."
Li Ruhua smiled bitterly. His meticulous hair in the past was a bit messy now, and his snow-white hair was fluttering in the wind, looking particularly lonely under the sunset.
In front of him stood many courtiers who were seeing him off.
This veteran minister had devoted himself to the Ming Dynasty for decades and had an excellent reputation in the court and was admired by everyone. Although the emperor clearly showed his displeasure with him this time, everyone still saw him off spontaneously.
After a final farewell, Li Ruhua said loudly:
"Everyone, please say goodbye! The affairs of the court and the world all depend on you!"
The courtiers all held their hands together, and the sound of farewell resounded throughout the land.
A smile appeared on Li Ruhua's face, and his colleagues' farewells gave him some comfort.
At the same time, some tears fell down. Obviously, leaving the capital like this was not in line with his wishes.
This veteran who had devoted himself to the Ming Dynasty for decades did not get a decent ending after all.
He glanced back at the capital one last time, turned around, and was about to board the carriage. He paused in the air, then turned around and whispered to Yan Chenhao:
"Chief Assistant...you must be careful."
(End of chapter)
