The holiday regulations of the Ming Dynasty are: one day off for bathing on the fifth day of each month, five days off on the Zhengdan Festival, and two and a half days off on the Winter Solstice starting from noon.
Coupled with the Emperor's Longevity Festival, everyone has about fifty days of "statutory" holidays a year.
But that was not the case last year. Last year I almost went crazy.
Now the emperor said: "Xiu Mu must be implemented well from this year, and no one is invincible. In addition, all the ministers also know that I am not not diligent in my work, but I am really diligent and you can't stand it. Now there is a national policy meeting , the regular court meetings are becoming less and less frequent. In my opinion, the New Year's Eve court meetings should continue as usual, and the regular court meetings should only be held on the seventh, thirteenth, and twenty-fifth of each month, so that the ministers can meet the saints after taking a bath. It is enough every day. I get up before dawn, why not take good care of my body and mind, and go directly to the Yamen to do my errands."
All the important ministers of national policy looked at each other.
The emperor has really changed. He now takes the initiative to take a good vacation.
In this way, wouldn't other court counselors be able to meet with the Holy Spirit up to five times a month? I don't know if they think it would be better not to rush to court, or if they think it would be better to see the emperor himself from time to time.
"The burden and pressure are all on you." Zhu Houcong said with a smile, "Of course, I will not be like last year. If there are no major matters that must be discussed in this national policy meeting, I will not call you to come every day. . I am telling you this today. In accordance with this order, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will make some adjustments to the attendance check and the sick leave and personal leave procedures that have been in place in the past. If you miss the holiday due to something else, If you have to work as an errand, you can record it and get some extra allowance."
Yang Tinghe's heart suddenly trembled, but Wang Qiong had already said with joy: "I accept the decree."
"Let's start with the court counselors." Zhu Houcong looked at them. "If other capital officials, local officials or even civil servants have to form a rule, a lot of extra money and food will be needed. Since the court counselors enjoy extra allowances, if they cannot perform their duties well, It is no wonder that other low-level officials participated in the impeachment. Although I have reduced the number of regular court visits, I will not read the memorial less."
The other people only looked at Wang Qiong.
After Yuan Zonggao left, although Sun Jiao became the head of the country, Wang Qiong, the official minister, has gained a seemingly insignificant power today.
However, if court officials work overtime, they will receive additional allowances. How to certify, calculate, and distribute this allowance is all decided by the Ministry of Personnel.
High-ranking officials may look down on this allowance, but there are many poor court officials who will care. Moreover, this will naturally involve normal attendance. If you don't ask for leave but are put on duty late or put on duty too early, doesn't that leave something in the hands of the officials?
Wang Qiong has been in a crisis of "taking office". I am afraid that he will carry out the emperor's will without any compromise.
"Then it's the choice of the Minister of Rites." Zhu Houxuan looked at the seat vacated by Yuan Zonggao, "This year there will be my wedding ceremony, provincial examinations, and next year there will be the general examination of the Ministry of Rites. In the other three years, the social sciences of the national policy will also need to be dealt with. Uncle Da Zong supervises with all his heart. For this position... I think it would be best to choose one from among the others."
Everyone understands: After all, the candidate for the queen has been decided. What if a new person comes to be the Minister of Etiquette, and the draft starts again? Related to this year’s wedding, there are also new treatments for state relatives...
Naturally, the cabinet ministers, Wang Qiong, the Minister of Personnel, and Yang Tan, the Minister of Hubu, didn't care. The other nine ministers began to get jealous.
Although Wang Shouren is already at the rank of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of War and is somewhat competitive, he is the Minister of Etiquette in charge of the scholars in the world!
He knew the situation, so he didn't argue at all.
Zhu Houcong looked at them and saw that they were still thinking, and continued: "The resettlement of the three camps still requires the attention of the Chief Sima. The Chief Sikou had previously asked Yingnan to supervise the case, so he was replaced by Zhang Qing, and then he will be promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment."
Zhang Zilin looked at the emperor's smiling face and immediately left the table and knelt down: "I obey your decree, thank you for your kindness!"
Yang Tinghe couldn't speak, so he recommended Zhang Zilin. After the election of Minister of Punishment, he, a minister who seemed to have benefited, could not express any more opinions.
Other cabinet ministers could not speak either, because Zhang Zilin had taken a small step forward because of his merit: among the six departments, the importance of the Ministry of Rites was not only higher than that of the Ministry of Punishments, but also higher than that of the Ministry of War.
Even Wang Qiong can't speak: can't you tell? This promotion was directly appointed by the emperor, and Zhang Zilin had eliminated any offense he had caused in the emperor's mind. The past that the Qian Ning Jiang Bin case affected Wang Qiong, Chen Jin and others was wiped out, and Yuan Zonggao, who had given up joining the cabinet at the time, had just passed away and took over Yuan Zonggao's position.
"As for the new law in Guangdong, it will be discussed after the new Minister of the Ministry of Justice is finalized." Zhu Houcong looked at them with a smile, "Is this the end of today's national policy meeting?"
Just a grace, a legitimate promotion.
The efficiency was extremely high, and the emperor was ready to stand up and go back.
But so many important ministers know that many people's visits and requests during the Chinese New Year were in vain.
The vacant position has essentially become the Minister of Justice, so the resumes of many people may not match.
His Majesty is indeed no longer in a hurry, but his skills have become more sophisticated...
…
Zhu Houcong devoted his attention to another aspect.
Of course, it's not night yet, and it's not a national matter.
But the Beijing Camp and the New Law.
In Zhu Houcong's thinking, there is no need to communicate with the Ministry of War and national policy officials for the time being.
Because it is considered a family matter.
Why are relatives honored? Because even if they broke the law, they could only be dealt with personally by the emperor and the clan.
Why are ministers special? Because they are the emperor's slaves, only the emperor has the right to punish them.
Today Guo Xun met his long-lost old comrades: Wei Bin and Gu Dayong.
"Thank you, Eunuch Wei!" Guo Xun figured it out later, and there was Cui Yuan's advice. "If Eunuch Wei hadn't knelt for several hours in front of Qianqing Palace that day, there would be no situation today. Now that Your Majesty has enabled Wei Eunuch, Eunuch, it can be seen that Eunuch Wei has made great contributions!"
Wei Bin has aged a lot in the past six months, but he still looks decent.
So he said: "Master Marquis, we don't know what His Majesty's orders are, so please don't ask."
Guo Xun was slightly embarrassed: Is it so obvious? I did not say anything.
There are only three of them waiting here, so I really don’t know why His Majesty asked them to come.
I thought I would wait here for a long time for the national policy meeting in the imperial study room, but the emperor came over soon.
Zhu Houcong still said simply: "Although the suppression of the bandits was ugly, after all, you dared to go to the battlefield. Now that you are able to go to the battlefield, I will promote you to the admiral of the Shenji Camp. In addition, since I gave you a banquet last time, most of the We have already sent our heirs and stewards to the capital. After listening to my words, you and your family, who are interested in making military achievements, can also send one of your heirs and stewards to the capital."
Guo Xu was overjoyed: "Thank you for your grace."
"Two things, let's do them separately." Zhu Houxuan looked at him with a smile, "Notifying these families is one of the things. In addition, last year, I asked Wei Bin and the others to sort out the honorable ministers who were dismissed for various reasons. List of descendants. You send people to tell them: do you still want to carry the sword and go into battle to restore the glory of your ancestors? If you are willing, I will give you a chance to take it with you."
Guo Xun was so excited that he was shaking all over. How much grace was this given to him? Those people must be willing to fight! And those who now have titles and are still willing to fight will all have him, Marquis Wuding, as the core.
"I will live up to your Majesty's expectations!"
"Go ahead."
Wei Bin and Gu Dayong stayed.
Zhu Houcong looked at them.
After ascending to the throne and fighting for their lives and Guangdong and Guangxi, their savings over the years after becoming eunuchs were probably really wiped out.
There was a mole in the palace during the Sun Jing Sect Incident. The last time Wei Bin knelt down for several hours, it was really a matter of life and death.
If Zhu Houcong insists on killing them, it will definitely be a dead end.
Did he know that the emperor needed thousands of gold to buy horse bones, or could he only live towards death?
It doesn't matter, at least they did show complete surrender and have been very quiet and low-key during this period.
"You also know what my temper is. Do good things for me, and I will protect you in your old age."
"I thank Your Majesty for not killing me."
Zhu Houcong ignored the fact that his sobs were somewhat genuine: "I have harmed people in the past, so I will try to accumulate some virtue when I get older. Gu Dayong, I order you to go to the main town of Huguang. In addition to paying attention to the Huguang vassal king, you should cooperate with the Ministry of Works in the investigation." Floods in Huguang and water conservancy. The main thing on weekdays is to go to Haosheng to take care of the fields in my dormitory. Don’t let the palace be abandoned. Have you heard about the Salesian House? "
Gu Dayong nodded: "Your Majesty is as benevolent as the sea. Everyone in the palace weeps and prays sincerely for Your Majesty every day."
"We should also set up one at the palace. There are many floods in Huguang, and there are also many orphaned children. Huang Jin brought out a godson, and I will send him to Huguang to teach these children something. When I go to Huguang, don't We must treat our tenant farmers harshly. The purpose of the Salesian Hospital is to support orphaned children. There is no need to be anxious, and you must not accept a young child who is being sold."
"Please remember this, slave, and you will definitely not act greedy for merit."
"In the matter of Kangling, you have also done your last bit of loyalty to the emperor. Huguang is the place where my dragon thrives. If you can replace me in Dobudeze in Huguang in your later years, not only me, you will also have thousands of people in Huguang." Thank you." Zhu Houcong looked at him solemnly, "I hope that after you take over Huguang, one day the Ming Dynasty will also be able to say that Huguang is familiar with the world."
Gu Da sincerely knelt on the ground and said: "Originally, I could only guard the tomb of the Emperor Xian for Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty still trusts me, and even entrusts me with important tasks, I will change my mind and repay him with death!"
"It's good if you don't think you have to worry about it when you get old." Zhu Houcong smiled slightly and said, "After you go, make a good apology to the Marquis of Zhenyuan and tell him my oral message: Jiang Bin humiliated you and I have already killed him. Su heard of you. After guarding Huai'an for ten years, you are known for your innocence and caring for the soldiers. I originally wanted to call you back to the capital to supervise the first battalion. However, if I want to make Huguang a land of hidden dragons, I still need you to guard the land and bring peace to the people for me."
"This slave takes the order."
Zhu Houcong nodded: "You should also prepare and set off as soon as possible."
In the end, only Wei Bin was left.
"You are the smartest."
Wei Bin knelt down when he heard this: "Old slave is scared."
"So the task I give you is the heaviest." Zhu Houxuan stared at him, "With your mind, qualifications, and experience, what I want you to do still requires you to think more about it and come to me for advice."
"...Please give me your Majesty's orders."
Zhu Houcong took out a seal box and a booklet: "Within three months, you have to discuss with the various honorary families who have no intention of military merit to establish this Huang Ming Ji. Tell them that if they want to make money, they should not violate their ancestors." Train your servants to do business. They will set prices and branch out businesses, and they will all participate in Huangmingji. For this opportunity, more or less, it all depends on them."
Wei Bin took it solemnly, thought for a while and then asked: "Your Majesty, Ruoxun Qi suspects that Your Majesty is trying to seize property again after cleaning up the official store of the Imperial Store..."
"So your task is the heaviest." Zhu Houcong said calmly, "I am just giving you a chance, and I will not force anyone. The main office of Huang Mingji is in the capital, but the first branch will be in Guangzhou. You have to go too. Guangzhou Prefecture.”
Wei Bin was shocked and couldn't help but raise his head to look at the emperor: "Your Majesty, the merchant houses of the coastal provinces..."
"That's why I say you are the smartest and have the heaviest task." Zhu Houcong laughed, "There are still sea bans. Except for me, Emperor Mingji, who can see the light of it? If they have grievances, let them hold it back first. There are pirates. , let Guangdong Haiphong Road suppress it."
"...Your Majesty, the proceeds will be used as internal funds and the profits will be distributed to the Xunqi family. Over there at the Ministry of Household Affairs..."
"I have my own concerns, and the Ministry of Revenue won't have anything to say."
"... I understand. I will go back and study the charter first. If there is anything unclear, I will come back to see your Majesty."
Zhu Houcong nodded: "Go ahead, I will transfer two people from the inner department to assist you. They have all learned some of my strategies."
Wei Bin finally knew that the emperor had never stopped thinking about the new laws in Guangdong and had been preparing.
As for the two Salesian homes in Beijing’s Huangzhuang and Huguang’s Anlu Qiandi Wangfu, the young children they will train in the future will also be put to good use.
These little eunuchs and maids in the palace are afraid that they will all have sons of great ability after marrying novices.
After kneeling down to thank the young emperor, Wei Bin looked at him deeply.
After the arrogant and domineering ministers of the Zhengde Dynasty, the emperor spent more than half a year to completely suppress the arrogance and mentality of the ministers, and now he began to show kindness and give them a completely different way out.
Using the emperor's servants to subdue those unmotivated relatives and leading them to make money to continue to win over these people is actually related to the new law in Guangdong and the future situation in the southeast.
This task on him is indeed the most important.
On the first "working day" of the new year, Zhu Houcong arranged these things first.
With those memorials remaining, he returned to the imperial study: "Huang Jin, listen to the three accompanying bachelors discussing whether the vote is drafted. If there is no dispute, I will approve it. If there is any dispute, keep it first and show it to me later. .”
The stage of making his own comments and seeing the reaction has passed. Now the internal affairs department will have a copy of these memorials, so he can take his time to see the effects.
Being an emperor really shouldn't be so tiring and urgent.
To put it bluntly, many of his measures are of course just a means, but in fact if they are retained a generation later, I am afraid it will be a big problem, such as the rule that concubines and concubines can be selected from wealthy families.
So, wouldn’t it be funny if people died from overwork?
Still have to learn to adjust.
So he planned to take Lin Qingping to the flower viewing hall to enjoy the flowers.
(End of chapter)
