The new year is approaching.
There were a lot less wars in the Ming Dynasty, but the government affairs were not less.
In recent days, Zhu Yuanzhang has not been in a good mood.
As soon as the accounts of this household were cleared, all kinds of problems that were not noticed before were revealed.
"Su Jing, Su Jing, what kind of tax audit are you doing? It's useful, but it just makes me upset!"
Zhu Yuanzhang sat on his office chair, looking at one fold after another, and summoning the heads of various departments one after another.
Almost no one is okay.
In Su Jing's words, numbers don't lie.
The account department has a large number of accounts accumulated over the past year, and they are all intertwined.
Even if someone falsifies it, it is not a simple matter to falsify all the data related to it.
Zhu Yuanzhang also saw the internal affairs of Ming Dynasty more clearly.
Zhu Yuanzhang always thought that if he caught him like this, there would definitely not be any big problems below.
But he really didn't expect that there were many more problems than he thought.
Household Department.
Yang Siyi, as the Minister of Household Affairs, was also frightened at this moment.
Although he is the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, there are too many things found in this year-end account review and audit.
There are also many officials involved.
So much so that Yang Siyi now, in addition to working in the household department, would just thank customers behind closed doors after returning home.
When he went to court, he was even more afraid to speak.
When colleagues greeted him, they walked away quickly, not daring to talk more.
Afraid!
If you do this kind of offending thing too often, you will feel panicked.
But Yang Siyi knew very well that he had to continue doing this without any discount.
Even though the Accounts Department is checking the accounts, there is still someone from the Audit Office watching the real accounts.
This is a department that Zhu Biao specially recommended to Zhu Yuanzhang to set up according to Su Jing's idea.
In the Inspection Office, there is no hierarchy for internal officials and they report directly to Zhu Yuanzhang.
All accounts can be checked at any time without any obstruction.
It can be said to be a department chartered by the imperial power.
At this time, the Ming Dynasty was filled with complaints.
There are quite a few people implicated.
And because tax issues are mostly related to money and food, money and food are related to corruption.
What Zhu Yuanzhang hated most was corruption.
There are more and more prisoners in the prison cells of the Criminal Department every day.
Even though I have applied for expansion before, it is still not enough.
"Chongpachi, calm down."
In Fengxian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was just about to send several officials to prison when Queen Ma rushed over in a hurry.
Originally, Empress Ma would not interfere in government affairs, but recently Zhu Yuanzhang has dealt with too many officials.
If this continues, it is hard to say whether the huge machine of Ming Dynasty will be able to spin up.
"Sister, why are you here?"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Queen Ma, quite surprised.
It's freezing these days, and there's still a long way to go from Kunning Palace to Fengxian Palace.
"If I don't come back, you will arrest all these ministers!"
Queen Ma looked at Zhu Yuanzhang angrily and said.
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said: "Sister, don't worry about this. These ministers, one by one, simply don't take me seriously. They must be punished!"
Speaking of these things, Zhu Yuanzhang became angry.
Queen Ma immediately said: "Chongba, do you know how many ministers you have dealt with these days?"
“There’s almost no room in the prison of the Criminal Department!”
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said: "It's okay, sister, I have already thought about it. I want these officials to work in chains. The guilty will be punished, but they must continue to bear their responsibilities."
Good guy!
Anyone who comes here can only call him good guy!
It is already the limit for a ruthless capitalist family to force the horse to run without giving it hay.
When I arrived at Zhu Yuanzhang's place, I just had to work in shackles.
Reform-through-labor prisoners don't do this either.
"Chongba, don't you think there's nothing wrong?"
After listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Queen Ma didn't know what to say for a moment.
We can only ask Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang replied: "What's wrong? Being an official is not for them to enjoy happiness. My not killing them is already the greatest gift to them."
This is Zhu Yuanzhang's philosophy. In his heart, all officials and ministers of the Ming Dynasty are retainers of his Zhu family.
Except for the Zhu family who can enjoy it, everyone else should be like cattle and horses.
Officials should work diligently, without asking for anything in return, and keep giving.
Those who are corrupt should be killed, and those who make mistakes should be punished.
As for the relatively low salary?
Although Su Jing also mentioned this issue, Zhu Yuanzhang disagreed.
I don’t know how many people in the Ming Dynasty still don’t even have enough to eat.
With a salary, it’s pretty good.
"Chongba, everything is too much and too little is not enough. These ministers are also human beings and will make mistakes. Some things cannot be made into a trivial matter because they involve too many things."
Queen Ma persuaded patiently.
Regarding the situation of the punished ministers, Queen Ma also found someone to do some brief research.
Although some of them made big mistakes, many of them were actually affected.
For example, negligence or joint liability, etc.
"Sister, I know you have a good heart, but the way of governing a country requires strict punishment. If you make a mistake, you should be punished."
Zhu Yuanzhang explained.
It was only Empress Ma who received this kind of treatment. If it were anyone else, Zhu Yuanzhang would not even be able to explain a single sentence.
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of letting the officials go, Empress Ma immediately said: "Chongba, tolerance is also very important in the way of governing a country. You can listen to my advice. You can punish, but for some things that are not so serious, verbal punishment is enough." That’s it.”
"None of the wise kings in history were cruel. Only when you treat your ministers with kindness can your ministers serve the country better."
Queen Ma directly taught Zhu Yuanzhang how to govern the country, but Zhu Yuanzhang really listened to Queen Ma.
"Okay, I listen to you, sister, just think they are lucky."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and did not continue arguing with Queen Ma.
The ministers of the Ming Dynasty were really grateful to Queen Ma. No wonder they cried so sadly when Queen Ma passed away.
Queen Ma is really interceding for them and protecting their lives!
"Speaking of which, Mr. Su's method of tax review is really quite effective. All officials in the Ming Dynasty are in awe of it."
Queen Ma changed her subject.
She has always been generous with her praise for Su Jing.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "That's right, I didn't think so before, but after what happened in Qingzhou Mansion, I realized that Su Jing's talent is really not just talking."
"His methods of governing the country are all very practical. I don't know how he came up with them."
Zhu Yuanzhang valued practical ability the most. Su Jing before was only appreciated, but now Su Jing is valued.
Empress Ma smiled and said: "Mr. Su is a scholar of heaven. He is sent by God to help you. You have to thank God."
"God?"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked up, then shook his head and said, "Sister, I don't believe in God, but Su Jing is worthy of my trust."
As the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that he could decide everything.
No matter what kind of danger he encounters, he can believe in himself.
It is his will that man can conquer heaven.
As soon as she said these words, Queen Ma's expression changed slightly. She looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "Chongba, something is wrong with you now. Mr. Su is still in Laizhou Mansion. Why can't you wait for him to join the court as an official? "
Zhu Yuanzhang looked a little embarrassed and explained forcefully: "I was giving Su Jing face. He wanted to enter the court and become an official to display his ambition. I gave him this stage to show his talents."
Empress Ma covered her mouth and smiled, but did not expose Zhu Yuanzhang.
Her purpose of coming today has been achieved, which is to stop Zhu Yuanzhang's butcher knife.
Officials of the Ming Dynasty could not be killed like chickens by Zhu Yuanzhang.
The accounts of the Household Department and the audits of the Audit Office have never stopped, and all the officials are trembling with fear all day long.
And Su Jing, who came up with this thing, was also on the list of officials who hated him.
Even when Zhu Yuanzhang asked Li Shanchang to implement it, he was talking about what Prince Zhu Biao meant.
But no one is stupid, how could Zhu Biao suddenly come up with such a novel thing.
The only possibility is that it is Zhu Biao's teacher, Su Jing.
Prime Minister's Mansion.
Li Shanchang is very idle now, or in other words, he takes the initiative to make himself idle.
Except for the affairs of the people's newspaper, he basically dealt with specific matters.
Delegate power.
In other words, stay away from power so that Zhu Yuanzhang will be less suspicious of him.
Since the last incident in Qingzhou Prefecture, all the officials of the Huaixi Group felt threatened by Su Jing, and unconsciously hugged him tighter.
All of this was seen by Zhu Yuanzhang.
As the leader of the Huaixi Group, Li Shanchang naturally understood that he could no longer control the government like this.
"Wei Yong, I have nothing to do here. You can just be busy with your own affairs. There is no need to come here specially."
Li Shan took a long sip of tea and said to Hu Weiyong who was carefully making tea in front of him.
Hu Weiyong immediately said: "Prime Minister, Weiyong is just along the way. Besides, this is not a strenuous matter."
"Wei Yong, you just can't lie."
Li Shanchang looked at Hu Weiyong and said with a smile: "Your yamen is far away from mine, so how could we come along?"
"The Prime Minister has a keen eye. Naturally, Wei Yong's little thoughts cannot be hidden from the Prime Minister."
Hu Weiyong handed the brewed tea to Li Shanchang again.
It's a well-known fact that things go smoothly but not smoothly.
Hu Weiyong said this just to hide his clumsiness and make himself look stupid in front of Li Shanchang.
When facing the leader, you have to let him point out his mistakes.
This is the most important thing you should do as a subordinate.
Of course, Li Shanchang could see through Hu Weiyong's thoughts at a glance.
But what if you see through it?
Still useful!
"Tell me, what's the matter?"
Li Shanchang spoke calmly.
Hu Weiyong said: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, the Account Department has been doing an accounting recently, and the Audit Office has been keeping a close eye on it. Many colleagues have been found to have problems. Weiyong has a subordinate who is also involved. This... "
"What about you? Are you involved?"
Li Shanchang directly interrupted Hu Weiyong's words, and his expression became a little serious.
Hu Weiyong immediately said: "No, although he is my subordinate, he does not have any professional contacts, and his affairs have nothing to do with me."
"That's good."
Li Shanchang nodded and regained his calm expression.
Hu Weiyong asked carefully: "He has a good relationship with me, can this matter..."
As an official in the government, no matter whether you are a superior or a subordinate, you can never be alone, there are always some connections.
Hu Weiyong was here to plead for mercy.
"Don't think too much, Weiyong. At this time, doing nothing is the wisest choice."
Li Shanchang stared at Hu Weiyong and warned.
"Wei Yong understands."
Hu Weiyong nodded immediately and said nothing more.
Li Shanchang said calmly: "Wei Yong, do you think I'm a little unreasonable? I didn't even ask anything and just told you to leave me alone."
"As Prime Minister, I can still protect someone if I want to."
After hearing this, Hu Weiyong immediately said: "Wei Yong doesn't dare. The Prime Minister's move must have deep meaning."
Li Shanchang said calmly: "It's not that I don't help, but that I helped you, and you will be the one who will suffer from it in the future. Can you understand? Weiyong."
Hu Weiyong thought for a while, shook his head and said, "Please let me know, Prime Minister."
Li Shanchang said: "Let me ask you, His Majesty's current attitude towards Su Jing is definitely to push Su Jing to the court and become a key figure, right?"
"Yes, Prime Minister, this Su Jing will be the opposite of the Prime Minister in the future."
Hu Weiyong replied.
Li Shanchang nodded: "Yes, then why does Your Majesty want Su Jing to sing opposite me?"
Hu Weiyong was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly understood: "Prime Minister, Weiyong understands. Now, Your Majesty, for you, Prime Minister..."
Halfway through his words, Hu Weiyong took it back.
Some things are hard to say.
Li Shanchang said calmly: "Your Majesty is suspicious of me."
"Wei Yong doesn't dare to speculate."
Hu Weiyong immediately knelt down towards Li Shanchang, his head lowered so that his expression could not be seen.
Li Shanchang waved his hand and said: "Wei Yong, get up. It doesn't have to be like this. This is not something that cannot be said. What I want to tell you is that no matter who the prime minister is, he will not change this matter. Now, you understand."
No matter who the prime minister is, he can't change Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion.
Because what Zhu Yuanzhang is suspicious of is not people, but power!
The prime minister has too much power, and Zhu Yuanzhang is an extremely power-hungry person.
The prime minister himself was the source of Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion.
This is also the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang later abolished the prime minister, power!
Li Shanchang continued: "I can help you now, but every time I do something, His Majesty will have more thoughts in his heart, and these thoughts will also be added to you in the future."
The more Li Shanchang does in the position of prime minister, the more it shows that the prime minister has great power.
In this way, Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion will become even greater!
Hu Weiyong looked shocked. In fact, this matter is not difficult to think of, but he is not in Li Shanchang's position after all, and there are some things that he cannot experience personally.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for saying it clearly. Weiyong understands!"
Hu Weiyong saluted respectfully and expressed his heartfelt thanks.
(End of chapter)
