Zhu Yuanzhang had a bad temper, and Gu Zhengchen had seen this.
Accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. This is usually a reminder to the courtiers of other emperors, but when it comes to Lao Zhu, it is a true portrayal...
Gu Zhengchen glanced at Zhu Biao and Queen Ma and felt much relieved. With these two people here, at least Lao Zhu would not lose control.
Seeing this, Zhao Xun had no choice but to continue counting the copper coins, then put them in front of Gu Zhengchen, said a word, continued to count the copper coins, and then put them down: "This is the ninth day, two hundred and fifty-six copper coins..."
Gu Zhengchen didn't speak, just watched quietly.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were full of banter, and Zhu Biao was very worried. Only Queen Ma seemed to understand first as she looked at more and more copper coins.
Zhao Xun's movements became slower and slower. This guy was not very good at mathematics, so Gu Zhengchen had no choice but to say: "On the thirteenth day, four thousand and ninety-six copper coins should be given."
The two boxes of copper coins have bottomed out and are not enough.
Zhao Xun looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, who said with a gloomy face: "Go and bring the copper coins again!"
The eunuch brought over four more boxes of copper coins. However, after the thirteenth day had just been settled, on the fourteenth day, three boxes were empty. On the fifteenth day, there were not enough.
"Carry more copper coins and ten boxes!"
Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe in evil.
Zhu Biao's face finally turned solemn as he watched boxes of copper coins being moved over and started to pile up.
Queen Ma turned pale and clearly saw the horror behind the problem.
When the seventeenth day was counted, Zhao Xun looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a bitter face: "There is no more copper coins in the inner treasury..."
"Then let the Ministry of Revenue bring the copper coins over!"
Zhu Yuanzhang also saw that something was wrong with the problem, but for the sake of face, he had no choice but to continue.
Yan Xizhe and Lu Xi, the ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, were alarmed. The emperor wanted a large sum of money, but he didn't even mention the purpose and just moved it. How could this be done?
Seeing something was wrong, Yan Xizhe and Lu Xi quickly asked the Prime Minister Hu Weiyong. Hu Weiyong didn't know the reason. He looked at the two nervous ministers and was confused: "Why did the emperor use the Ministry of Finance's money?"
Lu Xi was filled with bitterness: "The servant didn't explain clearly. He only held the waist card, used the internal guard, and was carrying the copper coins. Mr. Hu, the household department is already in difficulty right now. If the emperor embezzles it, it will be even more difficult next year. …”
Yan Xizhe felt his chest was tight.
Zhu Yuanzhang was a very powerful emperor. He often crossed the line with the Ministry of Household Affairs and did not follow the rules and procedures. It's just nonsense to send people to move money without going through the minister, or even saying hello.
Being the Minister of Household Affairs is really frustrating.
When Hu Weiyong heard that the amount of copper coins being transported was huge, he became anxious: "As the Prime Minister of Zhongshu, I would be derelict in my duty if I cannot persuade Your Majesty to act according to the rules."
When Yan Xizhe and Lu Xi saw Hu Weiyong rushing to Huagai Hall to ask for an audience, they stayed in Zhongshu Province to wait for news.
Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless and his hands were shaking slightly.
The scene in front of him has destroyed Zhu Yuanzhang's understanding of the matter. The originally insignificant and inconspicuous small number can be collected by even the 20th generation, not to mention the 30th generation!
The eunuchs and maids who originally laughed at Gu Zhengchen were also dumbfounded. The money was too much to count. It seemed to cost hundreds of thousands of copper coins. Even if it was packed in a box, the Kunning Palace might not be able to accommodate it.
Zhu Biao opened his mouth, unable to say anything in shock.
It was indeed one copper coin, two copper coins, and four copper coins at the beginning. These were all extremely inconspicuous and insignificant amounts, but in the blink of an eye, they became hundreds of thousands. According to this trend, by the 30th, wouldn’t it be How many millions of copper coins do you want?
Even if we get all the copper coins from the Ministry of Household Affairs, it won't be enough.
Queen Ma glanced at each box, took a deep breath, grabbed Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, and said softly: "Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, so don't worry about them."
Zhu Yuanzhang felt that his palms were sweating. He looked at Gu Zhengchen, who was still kneeling, and his tone became softer: "Get up and talk."
Gu Zhengchen stood up.
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and asked the chamberlain to return the money to the household department. Then he sat behind the desk, took a sip of tea, and then looked at Gu Zhengchen: "On the thirtieth day, how much is it? Have you calculated it?"
Gu Zhengchen borrowed paper and pen, made some calculations, and then said: "On the 30th day, it was more than 536.87 million. Adding the previous numbers, the total exceeded 100 million."
Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and fell into deep silence.
One hundred thousand, one billion!
One field is equivalent to one hundred hectares. Even if all the land in the Ming Dynasty is cultivated, I am afraid that there will not be one billion one hundred hectares of fields! According to estimates from the Ministry of Household Affairs, the current number of acres in Ming Dynasty is only three million hectares!
If such rewards continue, then all the fields in the Ming Dynasty will be concentrated among the royal family members. This process is likely to be much faster than Gu Zhengchen calculated.
After all, Gu Zhengchen calculated that it would double from the beginning, but now, he has more than a dozen sons. When his sons get married and have children, the number of grandchildren will more than double the number of sons!
I care about my children and give them land. Is it wrong?
No, I was not wrong!
What is wrong is the way of giving, the amount of giving, and enjoying the amount of giving to others!
Gu Zhengchen told himself through this incident that even if it is a small number, if the multiple is not controlled, it will cause disaster.
It seems that I need to seriously consider the lord's land, rewards, and future salary issues!
The imperial court is the imperial court, the vassal king is the vassal king, and the clan members are clan relatives. It is impossible for the clan members to hold more acres and more people than the imperial court. That will inevitably cause trouble!
Either the vassal town is separatist or it is rebellion, there is no other possibility.
What I want is for the country to last for thousands of years and the inheritance to be immortal. I don’t want the Ming Dynasty to perish in the 20th or 30th generation!
It's not too late yet!
Zhu Yuanzhang thought a lot, opened his eyes, his thoughts slowly receded, and looked at Gu Zhengchen: "I was reckless. You are right. If you write a letter in the future, I will think twice before you act. The dishes are all served, Zhao Xun, go Bring two jars of wine."
Seeing that the emperor was in a good mood, Zhao Xun quickly sent someone to prepare.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and said with a smile: "You have to remember to get closer to Mr. Gu in the future. Although his ideas are weird and unpredictable, they are extremely practical, enlightening and thought-provoking."
Zhu Biao solemnly said: "My son, please keep this in mind."
Seeing this, Empress Ma called several people to sit down and said with a smile: "I have always heard them say that you are wise, and I finally saw it today. You have solved a hidden danger in the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty is happy today. You should have a few more drinks." .”
Gu Zhengchen rubbed his sore legs and thanked Queen Ma: "Fortunately, the Queen sent me the futon, otherwise my legs would have suffered."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Gu Zhengchen who was complaining and said casually: "Stop complaining. Today you have solved a knot in my heart. Just as the queen said, you have eliminated a hidden danger that threatened the Ming Dynasty. Tell me, what do you want?" This is your reward."
