Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 48: The World Turned Upside Down!

At the third刻 of 辰时 (around 8:45 AM), the Beijing branch of the Great Ming Bank opened its doors on time.

Wei Wenjiang, the 通政使 (Commissioner of Transmission) of the 通政使司 (Office of Transmission), who was first in line, was personally greeted at the entrance by He Yong.

After Wei Wenjiang entered the Beijing branch, he instructed his family's servants to drive the carriage to the treasury while he waited to exchange for Baochao (precious notes).

Wei Wenjiang fully learned from yesterday's lesson. This time, he prepared a full three thousand taels of silver!

He wanted to exchange enough money for the next few months all at once.

But unexpectedly, He Yong's first sentence stunned him.

"Lord Wei, I'm sorry."

"His Majesty issued an order yesterday that from now on, each person can only exchange for five hundred strings of notes per day."

"So today, we can only exchange five hundred strings of notes for you. If you need more, please come back tomorrow."

"What?!"

Wei Wenjiang was dumbfounded and anxious: "How could this be? Yesterday, everyone could exchange notes freely!"

He Yong still smiled: "This is a new order issued by His Majesty last night, and it is officially implemented today."

"This is also to allow more people to exchange for the new Great Ming Baochao. Please understand, Lord Wei."

"This…"

Wei Wenjiang was very unwilling, but he could only grit his teeth and take the five hundred strings of Great Ming Baochao, and move the unexchanged silver back home.

Wei Wenjiang was really conflicted.

From initially resisting the exchange of Great Ming Baochao, to rushing to exchange Great Ming Baochao, and finally feeling angry and unwilling because he couldn't exchange Great Ming Baochao.

It only took a few days to go through all these mental journeys.

After Wei Wenjiang walked out of the Beijing branch with a dark face, the official who was second in line walked into the Beijing branch happily.

Beginning to experience the same mental journey as Wei Wenjiang.

And it was precisely because of Zhu You樘's (the Hongzhi Emperor) regulation that some bold and shrewd commoners also exchanged for some Great Ming Baochao.

After these bold commoners exchanged for Great Ming Baochao, they exchanged it at a high price to some officials who were eager for notes.

So that the common people of the Great Ming actually exploited the officials of the Great Ming once.

……

Forbidden City.

Imperial Study.

Wang Zhi hurriedly walked into the Imperial Study and found that Grand Secretary Liu Jian was in the Imperial Study discussing matters with Zhu You樘.

So Wang Zhi stood quietly aside, waiting for Zhu You樘 and Liu Jian to finish their discussion.

Zhu You樘 glanced at Wang Zhi without speaking. He was listening to Liu Jian's report.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Ying, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, passed away in Beijing a few days ago."

"After discussion, the Ministry of Rites decided that Zhang Ying's posthumous title should be Zhuangyi."

Zhu You樘 nodded: "Approved. Grant Zhang Ying the title of Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and bury him well."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Jian noted it down and continued to report.

"Zhang Ying's death, coupled with the beheading of Ma Wensheng, the Minister of the Ministry of War, has now left two ministerial positions vacant."

"In my opinion, the position of Minister of the Ministry of War can be held by Liu Daxia, the Vice Censor-in-Chief."

"Liu Daxia is pure, self-disciplined, upright, honest, easy-going, likes people's good deeds, and forgives people's shortcomings."

"He has also served as the Principal and Vice Director of the Department of War, the Right Administration Commissioner of Yuezhou, and has also dealt with the grain and salary issues of Xuanfu. He has rich experience."

"The position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice can be held by Peng Shao, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief."

"Peng Shao is upright and unyielding, adheres to principles and is selfless, and has many beneficial policies."

"He has served as the Principal of the Ministry of Justice, the Vice Commissioner of the Sichuan Provincial Surveillance Commission, the Left Administration Commissioner of Yuezhou, and the Governor of Ying Tian."

"Peng Shao is experienced, handles affairs steadily, and should be the best candidate for Minister of the Ministry of Justice."

Zhu You樘 nodded as he listened.

Zhu You樘 didn't know Peng Shao, but he was very familiar with Liu Daxia.

It was previously said that Wang Shu, Ma Wensheng, and Liu Daxia were collectively known as the "Three Gentlemen of Hongzhi".

Now that Ma Wensheng has been exterminated by Zhu You樘, and Wang Shu is still serving as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but has not been approved to join the cabinet.

Plus this Liu Daxia, Zhu You樘 has gathered the Three Gentlemen of Hongzhi.

Zhu You樘's biggest problem now is that he doesn't have his own confidants in the court.

Huai En, Wang Zhi, and Mou Bin all belong to the factory guard special forces, and Gao Shun is a military commander.

All his subordinates are military generals, not civil officials, so he is completely clueless about the appointment of officials in the court.

Zhu You樘 finally agreed to Liu Jian's proposal.

"Liu Daxia and Peng Shao? Okay, I approve."

Liu Jian took two steps forward: "Your Majesty, I think Liu Daxia can also join the cabinet…"

Zhu You樘 waved his hand, and Liu Jian closed his mouth knowingly.

"Alright, I think it's enough to have the four of you in the cabinet. There's no need to recommend anyone else."

Liu Jian was helpless, and his hope was shattered once again.

He could only accept the order with cupped hands: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Grand Secretary Liu, if there is nothing else, please step back."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."

After Liu Jian stepped back, Zhu You樘 looked at Wang Zhi.

"Speak, what is it?"

Wang Zhi walked a few steps quickly, stood in front of Zhu You樘, and respectfully cupped his hands: "Reporting to Your Majesty, it's about the new Great Ming Baochao from the Beijing branch."

"Hmm?"

Zhu You樘 perked up a bit.

"After the Beijing branch opened today, in addition to the officials in Beijing, several commoners also exchanged for Baochao."

"Then these commoners sold the Baochao to the officials at twice the actual face value, profiting from it."

"Your Majesty, do you want to stop this trend?"

Zhu You樘 was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly.

"Hahaha, good, wonderful!"

"I didn't expect the newly issued Great Ming Baochao to be recognized by the people so quickly."

"Why stop such a good thing?"

"The officials of the Great Ming have been exploiting the people for a long time. What's wrong with letting the people exploit the officials of the Great Ming?"

"It's just that we need to pay attention and not let the rich merchants in Beijing take advantage of it and profit from it."

"Yes, your subordinate understands."

Zhu You樘 waved his hand, and Wang Zhi quietly took his leave.

……

Another day.

After queuing for three hours, the Great Ming Baochao of the Beijing branch was once again exchanged.

Yu Zhen, a director in the Ministry of Public Works, who had not been able to exchange for Baochao for three consecutive days, completely collapsed!

He walked out of the Beijing branch, muttering curses in his mouth.

"Why am I so unlucky! The Baochao has been exchanged by others again!"

"There are only 50,000 strings of notes a day. Where do others get so much silver to exchange for the full 500 strings of notes each time?!"

"If I can't exchange for Baochao, what will my family eat? What will they use?"

Yu Zhen was really anxious. He felt very panicked because he had not been able to exchange for Great Ming Baochao for many days in a row.

At this time, a commoner dressed in short clothes came to his side and lowered his voice: "My lord, do you want to exchange for Hongzhi Baochao (precious notes)?"

Because the biggest difference between the new Great Ming Baochao and the original Great Ming Baochao is that the era name on it has been changed from Hongwu to Hongzhi.

So the people gradually used Hongzhi Baochao to refer to the new Great Ming Baochao to distinguish it from the previous Great Ming Baochao.

Yu Zhen frowned and nodded: "That's right, so what?"

The man showed a mysterious smile: "If your lord wants to exchange for Hongzhi Baochao, please come with me, and I will definitely satisfy your lord."

After speaking, the man walked towards a nearby alley.

Yu Zhen was suspicious, but he really had no other choice.

So he took his servants and followed him with half belief and half doubt.

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