Chapter 2357 The Emperor in Trouble

Hu Shanxiang has recently taken a liking to growing flowers and plants.

Growing flowers and plants may seem simple, but you have to spend time watering them every day, or even fertilizing them, and pruning branches and leaves is even more common.

There are many flowers and plants in Kunning Palace, and there are special eunuchs and palace maids serving them, which can be regarded as a formal profession.

There is nothing to do with flowers and plants in winter, so Hu Shanxiang just inspects them.

Duanduan led Yumi and followed her around. The two children did not have much patience and looked for small insects everywhere.

"Sister, there are insects here."

Yumi squatted on the ground, picked up the body of a black insect excitedly and cheered to Duanduan.

Duanduan frowned at the insect and said, "It's dead, throw it away."

"No!"

Yumi thought that the corpse of the insect was his trophy, so he stood up shakily and ran towards Hu Shanxiang in front.

"Mother, insects!"

Hu Shanxiang was looking at a pot of dead flowers, her face was calm and a little melancholy.

Hearing the child's happy voice, she smiled slightly, and then saw Quewei coming in.

"My queen, His Majesty wants the princess and the prince to go out, as if they are leaving the palace."

Hu Shanxiang's smile faded a little, and she asked, "Where are they going?"

This question was a bit beyond the rules, and Quewei said in embarrassment, "I don't know, but I asked them and they said that Xinghe Bo was there too."

Hu Shanxiang felt relieved and turned to the two children and said, "Your father wants to take you out of the palace to play."

Yumi didn't understand, but she was also very happy to hear about playing.

...

"The princess is very much like an elder sister."

After seeing the emperor, the nanny holding Yumi put him down, and Duanduan led him over to pay his respects.

Fang Xing admired Duanduan very much, and Zhu Zhanji saw it in his eyes. He had some thoughts in his mind, but he couldn't say it out.

When the group left the palace, Yu Jia and Shen Shitou were already waiting.

A carriage that looked very ordinary was the means of transportation for Duanduan and his brother, but Yumi was a little at a loss and wanted to find Hu Shanxiang.

"Be good, brother. Let's go hunting and bring some good food for mother."

There were more and more people on the street, most of them were going in and out of the shops on both sides, and the sound of bargaining was endless.

There were pedestrians on the left and right, and ox carts and horse carts were driving slowly and orderly in the middle, and no one's car was seen rushing around.

Most of the people looked good. Although some people were seen wearing patched clothes from time to time, they were no longer naked. In the cold winter, the people could wear cotton clothes and smile.

Zhu Zhanji looked at this scene and said with emotion: "I think of the Qingming Shanghe Tu, which is so prosperous and fascinating. Now the Ming Dynasty is thriving, but it still needs to benefit the people. Some people have proposed to reduce the grain tax next year. What do you think?"

"The grain in warehouses everywhere is piled up like a mountain. This is a good thing, but we must pay attention to the scale."

"What do you mean?"

"It should be gradual or persistent. For example, reduce the grain tax by 10% this year, half next year, and 10% later. This is better."

Fang Xing's words were more obscure, but Zhu Zhanji understood.

"Are you worried that the people expect this every year?"

"Yes."

Fang Xing's previous life was a standard petty citizen mentality, so he knew the people's thoughts very well.

"People have to live even without benefits, but once they are given benefits, and they are given for a few years, and then they are not given again, or they are reduced a lot, they will be dissatisfied, and even shout and curse. If someone incites them, they will even make trouble."

"But this benefit was not available before, why are they dissatisfied?"

Zhu Zhanji suddenly realized as he spoke: "Yes, the emperor used to take me out of the palace, but later I didn't go out for half a year, and I complained at that time."

This metaphor is not appropriate, but it also shows Zhu Zhanji's nostalgia for Zhu Di.

All the way to Fangjiazhuang, there was an old man patrolling with his hands behind his back. This is the job of the idle old men in the village. They patrol in shifts and stop strangers to ask questions. It is a line of defense on the periphery.

This old man had seen Zhu Zhanji,

so he knelt on the spot.

Yu Jia went over to help him up and whispered, "Don't talk too much, or your whole family will be executed!"

The emperor's private departure from the palace must not be spread widely. When that happens, all the ministers will make remonstrances together, and there will be countless more eyes watching in the future, and the palace will really become a cage.

Fang Xing said disapprovingly, "Just don't say anything when you go home, otherwise I will directly deduct your family's benefits."

The farmers in Fangjiazhuang will get some benefits every year, mostly various things from the master.

Although they are not short of money now, once others have it and their family does not, they will lose face.

The old man was not afraid of Jia Quan's threat at all, and had been pretending to be stupid. At this moment, he listened to Fang Xing's words and hurriedly agreed.

This is why the county magistrate is not as good as the current one. The old man knew that Fang Xing could protect himself, so he was not afraid of Jia Quan.

"Duanduan!"

The unexpected arrival of Duanduan and Yumi made Zhang Shuhui a little nervous, but Wuyou was very happy.

"I'll take you to see the big dogs."

Children always like to show off their families. Wuyou now wants to see if the two big dogs can scare Yumi to tears, so he is very enthusiastic.

Fang Xing and Zhu Zhanji are walking in the farm. Jia Quan and his men are protecting them on both sides in the distance, ready to separate any farmers who appear at any time.

The ground is frozen solid, and it is hard to walk on it.

Zhu Zhanji walks slowly with his hands behind his back, his eyes solemn: "Some people say that it's time to take action against the nobles."

Many relatives are guilty of wrongdoing, and the evidence can be found just by taking action. But unless the emperor dislikes him, the evidence will be buried in the pile of old papers forever and never see the light of day.

"Whose idea was it?"

Fang Xing felt that the timing of this suggestion was too subtle and seemed to be forcing the emperor.

Zhu Zhanji said calmly: "It's a big deal to touch the gentry, so should the idle and lawless relatives be touched? This is because they want me to lose my car to protect the handsome man. I guess it's a bit coquettish. I think the gentry If you suffer a big loss, you should find someone to accompany you to the killing field. It’s an interesting suggestion.”

His relatives were the emperor's staunchest supporters, so before Zhu Zhanji exposed his attitude, Fang Xing couldn't speak and could only remain silent.

Zhu Zhanji also knew this well, so he said to himself: "Xun Qi used to be the pillar of the country, at least Wu Xun was, but firearms have gradually come to replace swords and guns, but I dare not put these firearms into the defense Leave it to them, after all... their family is in the front, and the country is in the back, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep well!"

"The martial arts students are slowly taking control of the Ming Dynasty's army. If they kill decisively, I should take advantage of the fact that there is no external threat to clean up those martial arts heroes. But after they are all heroes or heroes, I can't help but say nothing. !”

Fang Xing nodded and expressed sympathy.

Many people in the family are just waiting to die, such as the two princes of the Xu family.

"But if they put it on top, how can the one below get up?"

Zhu Zhanji seemed a little embarrassed: "Although the Ming Dynasty is not small, I don't want to see more and more honors and relatives. Every year, I have to grant some land, and it must be the best, otherwise some people will say that I mean."

"This time, most of the honorable relatives took the initiative to hand over the donated fields, which makes me speechless."

It was necessary to take the initiative, and those relatives gritted their teeth for this, but under the threat of the emperor, they could only swallow it with blood.

Zhu Zhanji didn't seem to know about this. He said quietly: "If the Ming Dynasty is a wooden tower, I am the top of the tower, and below are the important ministers and relatives. If there is less land, what can they do?"

"Business."

Fang Xing suggested irresponsibly.

Zhu Zhanji said angrily: "Which of those secretly honored relatives is not in business?"

"Then the title and salary will decrease gradually. Unless the descendants have made meritorious deeds, they will slowly dissipate."

Fang Xing felt that hereditary titles were the most ridiculous thing. Heroes and good men often turned out to be heroes and bastards in real life.

Therefore, the best way is to reduce the title gradually and slowly buffer it. Several generations have enjoyed the support of the Ming Dynasty. No matter how great the credit is, it should be enough.

Zhu Zhanji kicked a stone away, and then couldn't help but move his right foot on the ground.

"This matter puts me in a dilemma, but compared to the entire Ming Dynasty, Xunqi is just a corner. Alas! How difficult it is!"

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