The Fengtian Temple fell into absolute silence. Except for the still burning ambergris, even the sound of breathing became much softer.
For many years, really for many years, no one dared to go to court even after the emperor scolded him for being 'unbridled'.
Excluding the previous important ministers such as Min Gui and Zhang Fuhua, Li Mengyang is the first official in the court and below the third rank in several years.
Because Zhu Houzhao understands them, and they also understand Zhu Houzhao. This emperor does not like civil servants forcing him to do things. To put it bluntly, he is too wise to refuse admonishment, and his literary talent is enough to cover up his mistakes.
However, as the protagonist, Li Mengyang did not show fear. He only felt that the difficulties of the sects and vassals must be solved. If it were not for this public spirit, he would have a better choice in Japan.
Everyone present also understood this.
That’s why I say that I am worthy of being called Li Mengyang.
I don’t know how long it took, but the emperor on the dragon throne suddenly spoke out.
"It seems that my cultural heritage of the Ming Dynasty is still there and has not been cut off."
There was no anger in his words, and some other ministers also relieved their tension.
"Your Majesty." Yang Yiqing said: "Li Mengyang made outrageous remarks, but I feel that what he said is not completely unreasonable. There are more sects in the world, but the money and food are fixed. Some places are already overwhelmed and the people are displaced. Your Majesty can Do you still remember those letters from Xie Yuqiao, the governor of Huguang, asking for food?"
"Remember. Huguang was originally the granary of the world, but now it is short of food year after year. It is really strange."
Yang Yiqing has been planning for Huguang for a long time.
"Your Majesty, I would like to send an official from the cabinet to investigate the food shortage in Huguang and make it known to the world."
The emperor asked: "Is the investigation of Huguang related to what Li Mengyang reported?"
"related!"
"What's the matter?"
Mr. Yang Ge said loudly, "Huguang has the most vassals!"
Just this simple question and answer seems easy, but saying it is more difficult than climbing to the sky. Now Li Mengyang has climbed over this mountain.
People in the past planted trees and people in the future took advantage of the shade. Many people immediately knew what to say.
Wang Bing was also impatient and said: "In addition to Huguang, there is also Henan. It's not that the kings of Henan violated the laws of the court. It's because the burden on Zonglu is too heavy. The ministers are in the cabinet. I have also heard that the rice grain left in Henan is not enough for the vassal. The matter of salary and salary is like this in the Central Plains, so it is not surprising that such a thing would happen in frontier wastelands like Gansu."
Zhu Houzhao continued to listen to them.
At the same time, Han Wen, who had been away for a long time, also walked in quickly with his two servants bowing their heads.
"Did you figure it out?"
"If I reply to Your Majesty, I can roughly outline the number. I am not familiar with the ministry, so I ask Your Majesty to punish me."
Zhu Houzhao ignored the nonsense and asked directly: "How much?"
"The imperial court needs to spend more than 2.6 million shi in Zonglu every year. As for the lack of Zonglu, it has become more and more serious since the Cheng and Hong years. Those who can make a big impact are unless the princes favored by the late emperor, most of the remaining ones are not enough."
"Then what if we want to make up for all the salaries of the sects and vassals in the world? How much is needed?"
"Due to the short time, I didn't have time to conduct a detailed inspection, but it is roughly estimated that 1 million stone tax grains are still needed."
"Does the household department have it now?"
"Yes. In recent years, there is not much left in the household department. There are still more than 1.3 million shi of grain storage left."
Don't underestimate this number. It is already a great achievement to be able to make a balance instead of a deficit.
Mainly because sea trade has helped a lot in the past two years.
Moreover, Zhengde did not go to war for two consecutive years for three and four years, and the financial situation did greatly improve.
However, if this money is given away, it will really be a scam for the treasury.
Zhu Houzhao sighed, "The imperial court always owes people money. I'm afraid that's not a good thing..."
"Your Majesty!!" After Han Wen turned aside, Wen Tingxin, the minister of household affairs, said hurriedly, "The problem of refugees in Huguang has not been solved, and ten months ago, droughts were reported in Shandong and Shaanxi. As usual, your majesty will allocate grain for disaster relief. In recent years, the imperial court should also issue another official salary. From this point of view, the imperial court will always owe money to people. It is just a choice between money owed to the clan and money owed to the victims. "
This guy is really good at attacking people's hearts.
Wang Hao, who had not spoken for a long time, smiled and said: "I have heard a saying since I was a child. Since ancient times, a foolish king has collected the wealth of the world, so there is always no shortage of money. A wise king has hidden wealth among the people, so there is always a shortage of money. Your Majesty is worried about it now. This is a trouble for the Mingjun. I would like to thank Your Majesty for your love for the people and your actions for the sake of all the people in the world!"
Wang Bing kept saying, "Damn it, you pretend to be so noble, but your flattery is even more disgusting and disgusting than us."
"...This is one. Second, the court's money is not enough to spend, so there are only two ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. One of the strategies to increase revenue is to open up the sea and the other to clear the country. Both of these are already being done. The key is to reduce expenditure. . Veteran minister believes that His Majesty and everyone here were shocked by the number of vassals just now. What is even more shocking is, what will the ancestry be after a hundred years? Where will it come from?
Nowadays, the king is wise and the ministers are virtuous, and everything in the world is renewed. Zonglu can still afford it. Even if he makes up for what he owes, he can grit his teeth and get through this year. However, as the old saying goes, if you don't plan for the eternity, you can't plan for a moment; if you don't plan for the overall situation, you can't plan for a region. Since Your Majesty is the king who will carry on the past and usher in the future, you should plan for the future of our Ming Dynasty! "
"I have understood what Mr. Yang Ge, Mr. Wang Ge, and all the ministers and ministers mean. The court will one day not be able to afford this Zonglu! Ah..." The emperor pinched his waist and shook his head as if mocking himself. He smiled and said, "Don't say it will happen one day. Even today, I still owe a lot of money to my relatives. But I have to live this life forever, so be it, Mr. Yang Ge."
"The old minister is here."
"You are responsible for the affairs of Huguang. Huguang does have many sects, but it seems that it will not reach the point where it is today. Send someone to take a look, and send someone capable."
Yang Yiqing's mind suddenly moved, "Your Majesty, isn't there someone right in front of you?"
Li Mengyang's body tensed up, now, has the fortune turned?
Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment, wondering whether Mr. Ge was still Mr. Ge.
Li Mengyang is indeed very suitable, because after this battle, Li Mengyang became famous. Based on his reputation among scholars, he is the least likely to make peace with the vassal king. Now he estimates that he will not disregard himself even if he dies. reputation.
It would be most difficult for the vassal kings in Huguang to hunt him.
For Zhu Houzhao, appointing Li Mengyang can also win the hearts of scholars. After all, when reaching out to Zongfan, it is best for the scholar-bureaucrat to retain his heart.
"Li Mengyang, are you willing to go?"
"My lord, I will obey the imperial edict!"
"Okay." Zhu Houzhao felt comfortable. After all, it would be a good thing to add some trouble to these princes. In any case, he could get some land, money and food.
Of course, he won't do what Zhu Yunwen did to cut down the vassal, and he doesn't want to kill the sects all over the world, which will destroy his own foundation. He just wants to spend less money, so he wants Li Mengyang to give some instructions in private. On this occasion There are still too many people and it’s not suitable.
After suppressing these thoughts in his mind, Zhu Houzhao continued: "Back to what Mr. Wang just mentioned, we must plan for the future. Our ancestors handed over the country to my hands. I can't just watch it become difficult to continue after a hundred years and remain indifferent. Zong Lu There needs to be an explanation for the matter. The imperial court can still afford to have 3,000 people, but if this continues, there will be 30,000 or 100,000 people. If this issue needs to be solved, how should you solve it?"
In fact, all the ministers had their own ideas in their hearts. What Zhu Houzhao had to do was to draw them out!
So he asked directly: "Li Mengyang, your official position was not prominent in the past, but you should also know my rules. When you ask a question, you must have a solution. What do you think?"
Li Mengyang clenched his fists inadvertently.
Sunlight streamed in from the door, forming a square frame of light in the hall. He knelt in the interplay of light and shadow, with court officials on both sides beside him. When he raised his head, he saw the most powerful person in the world today.
As the emperor asked these words, all the light seemed to fall on him.
Slowly, slowly... I saw him pressing his hands on the ground and kowtowing to the emperor. The 'bang' sound seemed to hit everyone's heart.
"You humble minister, be brave! Your Majesty should not regard one family as a family, but should regard all the people in the world as your subjects..."
(End of chapter)
