Hu Xi, like Wang yesterday, was so angry that her face turned red.
But when the word "Er Chen" is used on Hu Hui, it does not unfairly accuse him at all.
He was a Jinshi appointed by Jianwen, so it didn't matter, after all, other Jinshi from Jianwen Dynasty also surrendered.
The problem is that other Jinshi of the Jianwen Dynasty did not follow Taizong's order and went out to hunt for Jianwen for more than ten years.
Therefore, Zhu Qiyu called Hu Hui the second minister. From a factual point of view, there is no problem at all.
The other ministers in the West Flower Hall quietly moved their steps and took the initiative to distance themselves from Hu Hui.
Now that the emperor has officially established his authority, even the Shangsheng Emperor and the Queen Mother have completely compromised. Except for a veteran of the Six Dynasties like Hu Xi, how could any minister dare to compete with the emperor.
In a few days, the orthodox era will come to an end.
On the first day of the new year, the Zhengdan Dynasty will mark the official beginning of Jingtai Zhongxing.
The ministers present also hope to see a new atmosphere in the new dynasty. Next, as long as Princess Qi successfully gives birth to a legitimate son, the entire Jingtai Dynasty will be completely stable. With their worries out of the way, the ministers could devote all their energy to cleaning up the mess of the two emperors Xuanzong and Zhengtong.
Therefore, Hu Hui was now in a situation where he was unjust and had few helpers. The ministers all wanted to let Princess Xi and Prince Xi leave early and be quiet.
Seeing that Hu Xi was choked and speechless, Zhu Qiyu continued to explain: "As for the issue that Uncle Zong said about making the Wang family his queen, I will tell you this.
I ascended the throne as emperor because the Ming Dynasty was about to end, and I had no choice but to be elected by the ministers to temporarily take the throne.
You see, it's a temporary one. After the Supreme Emperor returns to Beijing, I will still return the throne. When the time comes, I will retire as King of Qi and return to Shandong to become a vassal.
This is why I have always lived in Prince Qi's Mansion instead of the Imperial Palace. I don't deserve to live in Qianqing Palace, and the Wang family doesn't deserve to live in Kunning Palace.
I temporarily take the throne because the situation is pressing and I have no choice but to do so. Now that the Wang family has to temporarily take over the position of queen, I would like to ask, is she also forced to do so?
The Ming Dynasty now has two queens, who are enough to perform the duties of queens. I don't understand why Wang is definitely needed as queen? What irreplaceable role does she play in Ming Dynasty? "
When the ministers heard this, they all nodded. Wang Wen also stood up and advised: "Uncle Grand Master, what the Holy One said is the most reasonable word. Uncle Grand Master also knew the situation at that time, and the Holy One's temporary succession to the throne was the only option to save the Ming Dynasty.
The Holy One has ascended the throne, his name is just and right, and his principles can be explained wherever he goes.
But why is it necessary for Princess Xin to temporarily take over the position of queen? "
As soon as Wang Wen finished speaking, other ministers echoed his words.
Hu Hui finally understood. He couldn't explain the truth, and he couldn't compare with his voice. The emperor gave the reason for not making Wang the queen, and he was honest and upright. In addition, everyone else echoed the words without any sign of reluctance. What else can you say?
Hu Ming had no choice but to bow her hands to the emperor: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was reckless."
Zhu Qiyu replied coldly: "Uncle Da Zong, Tumu Fort was defeated, the Ming Dynasty was almost destroyed, and the Supreme Emperor was at fault. As the five ministers appointed by Xuan Zong to assist the government, you can't escape your involvement no matter what.
I will leave you some dignity, so I will not take away your title of Crown Prince or Tutor. You can become the Minister of the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing, and be appointed as the Bachelor of Dongge University in Nanjing. "
When Hu Hu heard this, her whole body was burned to the point of almost bursting into tears.
After bowing to the emperor, Hu Hu turned around and wanted to retreat.
Zhu Qiyu didn't care about Hu Hui's rudeness, but he still stopped Hu Hui and added: "Uncle Zong, please leave Beijing the day after tomorrow. But before leaving Beijing, I will give you, the uncle, one last errand: Go to the palace to visit the King of Soochow for me. If there is anything missing from his place, let the Ministry of Rites report it immediately."
Hu Bi was startled, gritted his teeth and accepted the order, and left the Xihua Hall in despair.
After sending Hu Xi away, Zhu Qiyu leaned on the soft couch and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Now there are no more naysayers. In a few days, the Orthodox Dynasty will become history.
Zhu Qiyu rushed to complete the gathering of power before Zhengdan and beat the buzzer. After entering the Jingtai Dynasty, it was time to focus on internal affairs reforms.
"This is the last court meeting in the 14th year of Orthodoxy."
Zhu Qiyu smiled at everyone with relief.
Wang Wen was very straightforward. Without any explanation, he knelt down and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and I am willing to assist Your Majesty in making Jingtaizhong prosperous."
Only then did the other ministers react, and they knelt down and shouted, fearing that it would be too late to express their loyalty.
Zhu Qiyu ordered everyone to stand up with a smile on his face, and then said: "I want to announce two new policies."
The ministers immediately responded in unison: "I respectfully listen to the holy teachings."
Zhu Qiyu praised in his heart: The ministers are really becoming more and more knowledgeable. In the past, I only knew how to train my beloved concubines, but I didn't expect that ministers could also be trained. Look at how good it is now. The king and his ministers are united and can work together.
So Zhu Qiyu took a sip of tea and said to everyone: "The Lumi Granary in the East City will be greatly expanded. It will also be divided into a silver warehouse, a Caoliang warehouse, a white granary, and a sundries warehouse.
The amount of white grain applied for by the five prefectures of Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou, Jiaxing and Huzhou was reduced from 200,000 shi to 150,000 shi.
These white grains were transported to the capital and divided into three parts, 30,000 shi for the inner court and 20,000 shi for Guanglu Temple. The remaining 100,000 stones were used to pay salaries to the civil and military ministers, nobles, and relatives of the emperor in Beijing. "
After Zhu Qiyu finished speaking, he could not hear the reaction of the ministers. Looking carefully again, he saw that the ministers were all looking at him blankly.
Zhu Qiyu had no choice but to ask: "You still think that the inner court needs a bit too much? In a few years, I can reduce the inner court's expenses again."
After hearing this, the ministers came back to their senses. The main reason is that this is the first time for everyone to see such an emperor. How can he chop at himself with the sword of reform all day long?
The grain and rice shipped to Beijing are divided into Caoliang and Bailiang. Bailiang is high-quality rice produced in Suzhou, Songjiang and other five prefectures. If the imperial court squeezes for half a day, it can squeeze out at most 200,000 dan from the five mansions every year.
At least 150,000 shi of these white grains must be given to the inner court first.
Now the emperor changed it as soon as he came up and reduced the tax collection quota by 50,000 shi to reduce the burden on Suzhou and other five prefectures. Of the remaining 150,000 stones, a large portion was taken out and distributed among the civil and military officials.
The most important thing is that the emperor himself did not want a single stone.
Now the ministers have long known that the 50,000 shi of white grain distributed by the inner court and Guanglu Temple will never reach the emperor's hands, and the emperor never eats food from the inner court.
Chen Xun, as the Minister of Household Affairs, stood up and replied: "Your Majesty, this is very inappropriate. How can a minister eat the best white grain, but the king and father do not use a stone?
What kind of decency is this? Aren’t we becoming rebellious officials and traitors without a father? "
Zhu Qiyu smiled and waved his hand: "Just take what I give you. As for me and my concubines, just eat the Jingxi rice grown by myself."
Don't worry, dear friends, I will not wrong myself. "
After hearing this, the ministers dared to accept it with peace of mind. There are also vast areas of rice fields in the Xishan Mountains of Beijing, which are irrigated by the clear springs flowing from Yuquan Mountain. The rice fields they produce are also renowned for their high-quality rice.
Well-informed ministers have also heard that the entire Yuquan Mountain and its surrounding farmland have been transferred to the name of Prince Qi's Mansion. Now the Yingzhou guards have been stationed and inspecting the surrounding area, and after the Chinese New Year, the emperor will move there for a long time.
It doesn't matter, just live here. The emperor cared so much about his ministers that he gave most of the white grain that was given priority to the royal family to the ministers.
Such a good emperor, doesn't he just want to live more comfortably? With such a small wish, the ministers can't bear to stand up and argue again.
Besides, since the emperor lived far away, the ministers would be less restrained and their psychological pressure would be much less.
You must know that when the Supreme Emperor was in power, he was quite ruthless and would throw ministers into prison at every turn. Many people still have psychological shadows to this day.
(End of chapter)
