What made Zhu Houzhao most happy about the opening of the sea was not actually convincing anyone else, but Wang Shouren who was making a splash in Fujian. For other officials who have made meritorious service, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will reward them according to the existing system. Wang Shouren is an exception. Fengxi has reported in detail what he did in Fujian. Zhu Houzhao planned to promote him personally. Lan
Before he went to Fujian, he was participating in politics. The imperial court did not fix his rank. The original director of the Ministry of War was the lowest rank among the ministers of each ministry (i.e., Langzhong, Yuanwailang, and Chief), with a rank of six.
In other words, he is the sixth grade.
Looking at it now, promotion is certain, but where to be promoted, Zhu Houzhao is really a little confused.
On the one hand, Wang Shouren in history was very accomplished when he was the magistrate of Luling County, but his military ability was also very outstanding. To put it bluntly, he was truly capable of governing the country with literary skills and being able to stabilize the country with military force.
Therefore, Zhu Houzhao not only wanted him to take care of the people's livelihood, but also wanted him to come to Yang Yiqing's side to participate in complex matters.
In fact, it was not difficult to choose, but Yang Yiqing was also a very capable person, and there were trustworthy generals such as Zhou Shangwen and Yang Shangyi in the northwest, so why bother with one more person?
If Wang Shouren can govern the place, it will be a blessing to the people. In the final analysis, resumption is not just for the sake of resumption, but for the sake of the people. Lan
This matter was difficult to resolve for a while. Later, because of the Spring Festival, many government affairs were delayed. The matter of Wang Shouren's promotion was planted in Zhu Houzhao's heart, and he never let it go completely.
Needless to say, there were tedious and boring sacrificial activities during the Spring Festival. The emperor did not have a serious harem, so he just watched a few plays with the Queen Mother Zhang, and that was about it.
However, after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, officials began to report to the emperor, requesting the people to select and canonize the queen as soon as possible.
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Because the emperor is already sixteen years old.
According to the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty, one must get married at this age.
The minister didn't mention it last year because the old emperor passed away after all. But now that the reign name has been officially changed to Zhengde, we still have to do what needs to be done.
Without heirs, there is no way to pass on the imperial power. This is a major event that affects the country and the country. Lan
Even Queen Mother Zhang mentioned it several times.
As a later generation, Zhu Houzhao did not realize the importance that the ancients attached to the issue of "royal heirs", so he ignored it a little. Even the left deputy censor Zhang Mao directly raised this issue when he was still in the Palace of Qianqing and the ministers were meeting the emperor.
He said, "Today, the people are prosperous and the city is prosperous, and the Spring and Autumn Period are prosperous. Why do you want the Kunning Palace to be empty for a long time?" I heard that Your Majesty has been working hard to govern the country day and night, and has not been close to women so far. Don’t you know that having many heirs is also a sign of prosperity? '
Zhu Houzhao was confused by his question. His words seemed to mean that he was not interested in women.
Considering that he would have conflicts with these ministers on too many issues, such as this, Zhu Houzhao tried his best to follow their wishes. The queen would marry anyway.
So he smiled helplessly, "I will urge you to get married when I get here. Okay, this matter will be handled by the Ministry of Etiquette and the Qintian Supervisor together. After the candidates and dates are determined, a formal report will be made. That's it. , Mr. Zhang, are you satisfied?"
The emperor agreed, and Zhang Mao had nothing to say. The old man stuck his buttocks out and stepped aside. Lan
Zhu Houzhao also made a joke and said: "Wenwen Township, Heroes' Tomb, if I don't come to court early from now on, don't look for me, look for Mr. Zhang."
The ministers laughed lightly.
However, Zhang Mao became anxious, "I have the great Ming Dynasty in mind when I tell you about the issue of your heir. If Your Majesty is nostalgic for Wenwen Township, I will tell you again."
"It's a beautiful idea, but I won't give you this chance."
These words were a bit roundabout. The cabinet, military aircraft department and the chief officials of various ministries thought for a while before they understood what Yang Nu meant by these words.
Han Wen cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty's diligence in governing the country is comparable to that of the wise emperors of ancient times. Even Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty must not be as good as our emperor!"
"Let's stop joking. Let's get down to business." Zhu Houzhao stood up, "During the Spring Festival last year, I and the cabinet mentioned the so-called three-year plan and annual policy goals. Now it is the beginning of the year again, and last year was The government's policies must be summarized, and the government affairs of the first year of Zhengde must be carried out. That's why so many people were gathered at Qianqing Palace today." Lan
"I'll give you some ideas, and then you will elaborate on them. First, in March this year, when the spring flowers are blooming, we will hold a big court meeting. First of all, many of last year's results should be achieved, such as how many redundant officials have been abolished in the Ministry of Personnel, and how many redundant officials have been eliminated. How much food has the ministry received and where has it been spent? Secondly, this year, this year the complex package will officially enter the implementation stage."
"As I said earlier, the key to re-assembly is cavalry. Yang Yiqing told me that by giving him 50,000 cavalry, he could ensure a successful re-enablement, but I... did not agree to it."
When the ministers heard this, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Because there are 50,000 yuan there, plus 20,000 yuan from Datong Zhou Shangwen.
This kind of cavalry could only satisfy him during the prosperous Han and Tang Dynasties and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. Emperor Sui Yang's conquest of Goguryeo was a nationwide mobilization, but using national power in that way... the current situation in the Ming Dynasty was not enough.
Of course, if you insist on pulling a broken horse and pairing it with a soldier, which together can be called cavalry, then just ignore it.
Apart from anything else, the food rations are terrifying. Calculating the average, an ordinary soldier's daily ration is about three kilograms, and it cannot be less than two kilograms. A strong war horse needs to eat hay and concentrate, which is about 20 kilograms a day. Lan
After a rough calculation, the additional 50,000 cavalrymen would need 500,000 dan of food and 3 million dan of fodder for a year.
The contradiction between man and land in the Ming Dynasty was already prominent. How many people would starve to death if 500,000 shi of food were extracted from somewhere.
In addition, there are soldiers' pay and various supporting saddles, steel knives, etc., which are really too expensive.
When Yue Fei killed two thousand iron pagodas, Wanyan Wushu felt so distressed that it felt like he had lost his own flesh.
"I will give him another 20,000 at most." Zhu Houzhao was more realistic. "The training will be organized in the first two years and implemented in the third year. If the conditions are met, it can be implemented in the second year. So I plan to train another 10,000 cavalry in the court this year. "
It is easier for the ministers to accept such figures. But it's still a huge sum of money.
Gu Zuojin reported: "As for the silver, the Shaofu also has a slight surplus."
Hearing these words, Min Gui became anxious, "Your Majesty has long had an imperial edict that the silver earned by the Young Mansion is taken from the people and used for the people. Young Situ, do you want to put Your Majesty in an unjust place?"
Gu Zuo was puzzled, "These silver taels are used to train the Ming army. Every soldier of the Ming Dynasty is a citizen of the Ming Dynasty. I wonder why the Great Sikou thinks that spending money like this is not for the people? Your Majesty is not using it for large-scale construction projects, but for Why not build a strong army?"
Zhu Houzhao stopped the quarrel in time and said, "Don't say a few words. Today I will only mention principles and not argue. The matter of retaliation is a crucial matter for you and I, the emperor and our ministers, in the past two years. Since it costs a lot, then we must do it." It was accomplished in one battle. Send a decree to Yang Yiqing and ask him to come to Beijing at a selected date to discuss matters together."
On the other side,
Mei Kejia and Gu Dayong entered Beijing together.
They walked very carefully along the way, basically notifying the government along the way to send troops to protect them. Because they were rich, they couldn't afford any mistakes.
Fortunately, in the peaceful era, the road was relatively safe, and protected by the royal guards and officers and soldiers along the way, the journey was smooth and safe. Lan
Zhu Houzhao originally thought that there would be no shortage of silver coins because he thought that after the sea opened, Mei Kejia and the Shipping Department would have income.
But he didn't expect a windfall.
After arriving in the capital, Gu Dayong mobilized people from the East Factory through the Supervisor of Ceremonies to closely guard all the money. After making arrangements, he obeyed the order and entered the palace.
They played a surprise trick with the emperor,
It was not until the report was made in person that Gu Dayong revealed the matter of the silver coins.
Zhu Houzhao was slightly shocked, "Two million and four hundred thousand taels? How did you get it?"
This is a huge amount of money. With this money, whether it is to expand the Yuan Racecourse or purchase grain, there will be no shortage of silver on the northern border in the first year of Zhengde. Lan
Mei Kejia followed up and explained that there were about eight families, each with 200,000 yuan, plus the 800,000 taels sent by Mei Jijie.
"You guys didn't wantonly plunder the people, right?"
Gu Dayong quickly lowered his head, "I know best that Your Majesty loves the people like his own son, so how could you find a way to die? The origin of this money is not earned by this servant, but taken from the hands of those merchants, but they are sea They have been trading and smuggling for many years, and the court spared them, so they should pay a sum of money."
Zhu Houzhao felt a little more at ease after hearing this, "As long as you are not plundering from poor people, I will remember your great contribution. Da Yong, you have been diligent this year. Now that the New Year has just passed, what reward do you want?" Come out and I will add joy to you."
"It is your duty as a slave to work hard for your Majesty. I dare not think of a reward."
Zhu Houzhao glanced at Liu Jin.
Liu Jin said: "Your Majesty is happy and wants to reward you, so just go ahead and continue to serve your Majesty well in the future. Besides, you should be rewarded for your merits. This is your Majesty's rule." Lan
"Okay, don't scare him." Zhu Houzhao thought for a while, "I originally wanted to keep you in the palace, but the fact that you are in Zhejiang is handled well. So I can't touch you in terms of position. You Go to Zhejiang, which is the key in the past few years, no matter how hard you work."
"But you handle too much silver. I don't want to see you and Wei Bin end up in the same end, so I will reward you with ten thousand taels of silver. I rarely reward people like this. The first reason is to reward, and the second is to fear that you will often I can't resist temptation, so the more important meaning of this reward is to love and protect you. What can you buy for ten thousand taels? Isn't it enough? In the future, you must also remember that as long as you make meritorious deeds, the money will be indispensable to you. Just don't take it when you shouldn't. of silver."
"You are all people around me, and you all know my temper. If I don't bark, you don't want to take it. If you really don't take it, I will give it to you. No matter what others say, I am such a man."
The emperor was full of personality, and Liu Jin, Gu Dayong and Mei Kejia were shocked when they heard it.
"I thank your Majesty for your kindness! I will remember your Majesty's words. From now on, I will definitely take Wei Bin as a warning and wholeheartedly manage Zhejiang's money for your Majesty!"
"Shop Manager Mei, I won't reward you with ten thousand taels of silver. You are richer than me."
Zhu Houzhao's words were a joke, but Mei Kejia did not dare to accept them, "Your Majesty is the emperor and is rich all over the world. This villain's life belongs to your Majesty, not to mention the family wealth?"
"Don't say that, as if I am like a gangster who robs people and property." Zhu Houzhao clasped his hands behind his back and thought of a good idea, "We have known each other for several years since the eleventh year of Hongzhi. You have worked really hard these past few years. , now the big thing has begun to happen. Shall I... give you an official position? "
