Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

The world belongs to the Zhu family, and Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang hated corrupt officials deeply.

It's just that the descendants of the Zhu family are unable to live up to their expectations. The imperial power is getting worse with each generation. Both the relatives group and the noble group have all been defeated by the civil servant group who are skilled in calculations.

Taizu of the Ming Dynasty stipulated the salary standards for officials: "The first-grade monthly salary is eighty-seven stone, the first-grade monthly salary is seventy-four stone, the second-grade monthly salary is sixty-one stone, the second-grade monthly salary is forty-eight stone, and the third-grade monthly salary is 48 stone. Thirty-five stones, from the third-grade monthly salary to twenty-six stones... The ninth-grade monthly salary is five stones and five buckets, from the ninth-grade monthly salary is five stones." So the civil servants used this to complain in a decent way, "Since ancient times, the official salary has been thin. There is nothing like this.”

It is estimated that one stone of rice can feed an adult man for a month, so the Dai Lu of the Ming Dynasty really could not allow officials to live a life of fine clothing and fine food.

It's just that the calculating civil servant group has already had the ability to change all this through the efforts of generations.

Especially after the Tumu Fort Incident, the civilian group seized the military power of the Beijing camp from the Xungui Group, and then completely suppressed the Xungui Group.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang set the official salary of the Ming Dynasty as a permanent system, the civil servant group could not abolish this ancestral system and increase their own wages. In addition, the salary increase was not in line with the image of honesty and integrity they had created.

However, while the civil service groups are competing for the right to speak among the civil service groups, they are also constantly benefiting themselves and trying to make up for the gap in income between themselves and the previous government.

For example, you can openly withdraw money from your own yamen in the name of "Zhitang Yin", or you can also ask for silver from the court in the name of "exchanging silver from Zaoli, horsemen, etc.", and even the officials in the capital who eat salt will send people to Yangzhou to transfer it back, etc. .

In addition, various amounts of tax-free land were set up for scholars and officials with academic titles and above, which led to officials and gentry groups openly escaping from service and stealing the country's grain tax revenue.

At this point, wages are still the wages set during the Hongwu period, but various subsidies are already available, and the most important income is "charcoal warning, ice warning and bie warning".

In terms of gray income, the Ming Dynasty has long surpassed previous dynasties, and the civil servant group has become a greedy group.

Now seeing that Zhu Youtang, who had just ascended the throne, was honest and easy to bully, he resolutely added the "enthronement grace" and specially added the "sui as permanent system". He really wanted to turn the country's finances into the private treasury of the civil servant group.

Zhang Sheng, who was wearing the uniform of a fifth-rank official, felt Zhu Youtang's anger and felt that the Ministry of Rites' matter was really unreasonable, but it turned out to be more difficult.

His teacher Liu Jue was forced to leave by Wan An and Liu Ji, and because of his aloof temperament, he never belonged to any camp. After seeing that Zhu Youtang turned out to be the dormant hero, he decided to assist Zhu Youtang.

After some thinking, Zhang Sheng put forward his own opinion and said: "Your Majesty, Taicang is rich today. I think we can adopt the advice of the Ministry of Rites and grant the throne grace, but we must delete it and make it permanent!"

"Master Zhang, don't you feel sorry for your silver coins?" Zhu Youtang looked up at the entrance hall bathed in sunlight and joked with a half-smile.

Zhang Sheng mistakenly thought that Zhu Youtang was dissatisfied with this proposal, but after thinking to no avail, he finally shook his head gently and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me for being stupid! If Your Majesty thinks that the amount of the reward is too much, you can reduce it, but as of now, it is It has to be given!"

"Master Zhang, how about giving me some money?" Zhu Youtang asked seriously, not wanting to make the civil servants too happy.

Zhang Sheng couldn't help but smile bitterly, then shook his head gently and said: "That's not right! Today's treasure money is getting cheaper and cheaper. If Your Majesty uses treasure money as a gift, the civil and military officials in the court will inevitably blame Your Majesty behind your back. It's better not to reward him!" "

"If treasure money doesn't work! Huh? I actually thought of a good idea!" Zhu Youtang was also thinking seriously, and an idea suddenly flashed in his mind.

When Zhang Sheng saw Zhu Youtang's appearance, he couldn't help but think of the earlier revision of the "Edict of Accession", and immediately realized that the emperor's student had another evil idea.

As night falls, the city of Beijing lights up with thousands of lights.

The Xu Mansion's study room located in Huaishu Hutong is bright and bright. The front hall of the study room is filled with a faint fragrance of tea. Xu Pu is sitting on the main seat to entertain a burly visitor.

Since the death of Emperor Chenghua, the number of visiting officials has obviously increased day by day. Now, even if Xu Pu is ranked third, he has already surpassed the first assistant Wan'an and the second assistant Liu Ji.

"Haha... Bachelor Xu, I was fortunate to learn a piece of news from the palace today. Your Majesty has agreed to add more cabinet ministers!" Ni Yue, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, straightened his back and revealed it proactively.

He and Xu Pu were from the same hometown in Nanzhili, but Xu Pu entered the officialdom nine years earlier than him, and his official career was smoother than him, so he also took the initiative to join Xu Pu's faction.

Xu Pu picked up the hot tea just delivered by the butler, raised his thick eyebrows slightly and said, "Brother Shunzi, I wonder where you got the news?"

"Zhang Sheng!" Ni Yue glanced at the door and gave an enigmatic answer.

Xu Pu was a very reliable source of information. Dang even held the lid of the tea and poured the tea in his hand and said proudly: "Wan'an flatters the superiors and bullies the subordinates, and Liu Ji is like cotton wool. If I successfully enter the cabinet this time, I must promote the reform of the imperial court." What I have learned all my life is in vain!”

"It's a blessing for the Ming Dynasty to have Bachelor Xu in the imperial court. Hongzhi and ZTE can be successful!" Ni Yue knew that Xu Pu was a very proud man, so he complimented him authentically.

Xu Pu was not dazzled by the news. He took a sip of tea and said: "His Majesty has decreed to replenish the cabinet, and then there will be a court recommendation, so I have to make arrangements in advance!"

Originally, the emperor had been presiding over the tingpin, but since the beginning of the Yingzong period, since the emperor lived in seclusion, if there was a vacancy among ministers, the nine ministers would hold a meeting to recommend the ministers.

The same is true. If Xu Pu wants to get a ticket to the cabinet, he must win over enough votes, and then he can successfully enter the cabinet through recommendation.

"With Gong Jin's reputation, who among the officials in the entire dynasty can compare with him? It is none other than Gong Jin to join the cabinet!" Ni Yue concluded that there was no doubt that Xu Pu would enter the cabinet, and he seemed very sure.

Xu Pu held the tea lid and poured the tea lightly, and found that this was really the case.

With his current status and reputation, no minister in the entire court can compare with him, and entering the cabinet can be said to be a certainty.

After joining the cabinet, if he wants to kick Wan An and Liu Ji out of the court, then he will sit on the coveted throne of chief minister of the cabinet, and then he can legitimately command all officials.

"Xu Xueshi, this time the enthronement will be made permanent. Isn't this inappropriate?" Ni Yue thought of what he was promoting and couldn't help but worry to dissuade him.

Xu Pu was the driving force behind the throne. He calmly took a sip of tea and said, "What's wrong?"

"Except for Taizong's gift of enthronement, none of the previous emperors of this dynasty had such a rule. Today's generous reward and the promotion of a permanent system may cause dissatisfaction to His Majesty!" Ni Yue hesitated for a moment, then expressed his concerns.

Xu Pu knew his student very well, but he put down the tea cup disapprovingly and said: "This matter is done! Regardless of whether your majesty agrees or not, the news has been spread out. The civil servants in the court have no reason to object. Your majesty will definitely adopt this strategy. !”

Ni Yue couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking that Xu Pu would push himself out to block the gun, regardless of whether His Majesty would resent him or not.

Xu Pu noticed Ni Yue's reaction and comforted him: "I have watched your majesty grow up. Your majesty has always been kind and can listen to the advice of our ministers! Granting the throne favor will help your majesty calm people's hearts. This is The policy of loyalty to the emperor is now made permanent. Not only will this dynasty praise you, but future generations will also remember your achievements!"

"I hope so!" Ni Yue also knew that this was indeed something that could last a lifetime, and his expression immediately softened.

Xu Pugang had just sent his fellow countryman Ni Yue away, but his friends of the same year, Li Min, the Minister of Hubu, and Li Si, the left minister of the Hubu, came to visit and entertained him warmly.

Although his status cannot be compared with Wan An and Liu Ji, he has built a solid relationship network through his fellow villagers and contemporaries over the years, and even presided over the examinations in the 11th year of Chenghua and the 17th year of Chenghua. .

With his current status and influence in the Ming Dynasty, he can be regarded as the leader of hundreds of officials and will shine brightly in the morning of the new dynasty.

Since tomorrow is the new king's first morning court appearance, the capital city tonight seems to be undercurrent, and various forces have gathered together to plot something.