Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up, and their breathing became a little faster.
If you go by what the young man said, it is definitely a matter of thinking about what others think and being anxious about what others are worried about, which is a great achievement.
Everyone started discussing, and various repeated strategies were proposed.
It wasn't until the sky got dark that everyone stopped discussing, and there was already a thick pile on the table.
Seeing this, the young man said in a deep voice: "Everyone, the meeting time is set on the day when the gentry and wealthy businessmen pay back their money, and it is set at the Xuanwu Lake outside Taipingmen.
The place is big enough and close to the palace. The noise is loud enough that the palace can hear it, making it easy to attract the emperor.
After you go back in the evening, read more books and find some strategies from past dynasties. Based on the pros and cons, we will optimize and adjust them and strive to achieve perfection. Let's all go! "
After everyone got up, they greeted the two people in the first seat, and then left in groups.
After a while, the older young man in the first seat whispered: "Tianru, what we did before was to stay away from the capital, but now is it too dangerous to face the emperor directly? If the emperor is angered, it will be over. !”
"Brother Laizhang, we seek wealth through danger. With our reputation and the people we have made friends with, the emperor will not kill us.
Besides, we are just admonishers, we are dedicated to the imperial court, what are we afraid of? "
"Having said that...but...hey, that's all!"
The older young man sighed. They had known each other for several years and knew his temper. The matter had been decided and there was no way to change it. He could only take one step at a time!
Amid the caution of all parties, three days passed by in a flash.
At dawn, groups of motorcades came towards the palace, the leaders of which had expressions of pain on their faces.
It took me a whole morning to complete a thorough inspection.
"Your Majesty, the wealthy businessmen and gentry have already paid back the amount. Judging from the current situation we have, these wealthy businessmen and gentry have paid in full!"
"It's honest!"
Chongzhen was also surprised by this result.
"Summoning, 1. Anyone who takes the initiative to pay bribes will not be allowed to participate in the scientific examination for thirty years. Anyone who violates the rules of asylum will be punished with the same crime!
2. Within ten years, children of the three ethnic groups who violate the laws of the Ming Dynasty will be punished by three levels of punishment;
3. Starting from today, all taxes and business taxes for these wealthy businessmen will be increased by 30% for ten years. "
The gentry and wealthy businessmen who were waiting for the results outside the imperial city collapsed instantly when they heard the news.
After working hard for so many years, the patron who had finally fed him was cut off. The hard-earned money was used to benefit the court. Not only was he in vain, but he also lost all his capital.
Chongzhen's move was to do the opposite. The laws of the Ming Dynasty had severe penalties for corruption. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, those who had embezzled sixty taels would be punished by peeling off the skin and making straw. However, there was not much punishment for those who paid bribes.
Now he focuses on punishing those who pay bribes so harshly that they dare not pay bribes. In this way, there will be less corruption.
The wealthy merchants and gentry cried, but the common people laughed.
"Hahaha, the result of this treatment is too comfortable. No bribes can be given. The wealthy businessmen will only have a few more coins, and they will not even have the chance to participate in the scientific examination."
"Yes, but our children have unlimited possibilities. Not to mention passing the imperial examination, even if they pass the college examination, they may also become a county school teacher.
Although he is still not a good person, at least he is an official, not a official.
Then you can be promoted through assessment every three years, and the possibility of being an official is less than 1%. "
"Yes, Hai Qingtian Hai Rui failed several scientific examinations, became a county magistrate, and finally became the censor of Zuo Qiandu, etc. After his death, he was given to the crown prince as his Taibao!"
"You are daydreaming about Qingtian. There are very few outliers in the officialdom like Hai Qingtian. If you were like him, you would have been killed by others long ago.
Besides, how many people in the Ming Dynasty did not hold official positions? Go to the Imperial College and see! "
"Even if you can't follow the path of Hai Qingtian, you can enter the shogunate of high officials, serve as the staff of high officials, and those who are closer to the water will win the moon and gain the appreciation of high officials.
Even if you can't be an official, it is easy to become a wealthy businessman. "
…
While the people were talking, at the Xuanwu Lake a few miles away from the palace, young people came from all directions, and within half an hour, hundreds of people gathered.
"My dear brothers, Your Majesty has been rectifying Nanjing recently..."
A young man in white clothes stood on a few desks, roaring vigorously, causing the faces of the people below to turn red, and they would yell from time to time.
The situation here was naturally reported to the Jinyi Guards at every level. Naturally, Li Ruolian did not dare to neglect and quickly entered the Dongnuan Pavilion.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards have just come to report that there are scholars gathered at the Xuanwu Lake outside Taipingmen! The number of people is quite large. The report just now said that there are already six to seven hundred people, and they are still gathering!"
Listening to Li Ruolian's report, Chongzhen frowned. Since the Song and Yuan Dynasties, literati had begun to form associations, and the court did not prohibit this aspect.
It reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty, with at least hundreds of organizations, such as Zheng Ji's West Lake Literary Society, Qi Jiguang's West Lake Society, etc., but there had never been so many people gathering.
It was a bit strange for the literati to gather at this juncture. After thinking about this, Chongzhen said softly: "Have you found out which collective they are from? What's the reason?"
"I have already arranged for someone to check, it will take half an hour!"
"Buy a boat, let me go and see what the fuss is about!"
"I'll get ready now!"
Two quarters of an hour later, a two-story boat slowly approached the gathering place on the shore.
At this moment, the shore is crowded with people. In addition to the people from the poetry club, there are also many ordinary people who are attracted.
On a high platform made up of several tables by the lake, a young man in Tsing Yi looked full of excitement.
"Brothers, fellow citizens, since Your Majesty came to the throne, you have killed too many corrupt officials.
The case of the former General Soldier of Xuanfu, the Shanxi case involving the Eight Great Locust Bounty, the Shaanxi and Shaanxi Weisuo case, the clan case, and this time in Jiangnan, at least 10,000 corrupt officials were killed
…
To increase the salary of officials, I believe that few people who have read the books of sages and have gone through many examinations are willing to be corrupt. Corruption is because they cannot meet the needs of life..."
…
On the flower boat, Chongzhen listened to the young man's advice and shook his head, his eyes full of disappointment.
Most of these methods have been used in the past dynasties, such as the supervision system, high salaries, etc., and a few are innovative, such as official property disclosure, assessment and evaluation system, appointment system, rumors and interviews, real-name reporting rewards, etc.
I thought I could come up with some brilliant ideas, but they turned out to be either clichés or empty talk and unrealistic.
Just as he was preparing to go back, a guard in casual clothes entered the boat, whispered a few words to Li Ruolian, and then handed him a stack of paper.
Li Ruolian quickly scanned the contents on the paper, with a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty, it has been found out!"
"So fast?"
"Your Majesty, these people are under the supervision of Jin Yiwei!"
