Chapter 691 790 Salary and Finance

The next day, the Palace of Heavenly Purity in the Forbidden City.

Emperor Longqing was summoning Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin. Not long after the two arrived in the cabinet, they were brought here by the eunuchs in the palace.

For this summons, Emperor Longqing ordered the Imperial Household Department to move all the memorials impeaching the King of Liao that had accumulated in the past few days here.

"What is going on in the court now? The ministers are very idle, their eyes are fixed on the affairs of the King of Liao, and they don't care about their own official duties?"

Emperor Longqing spoke to the two cabinet ministers.

Chen Yiqin lowered his head. Although the cabinet did not delay official business, the emperor's words made sense.

The ministers were all thinking about how to write impeachment memorials, so naturally they had less time to think and handle government affairs.

Chen Yiqin was silent, and Li Chunfang, as the chief minister, naturally had to take over.

"Your Majesty, we dare not delay official business for a moment, but the King of Liao has committed too many illegal things, which makes people angry, so my colleagues wrote the memorial overnight, hoping that Your Majesty will severely punish the King of Liao."

Li Chunfang said that the ministers wrote the memorial at night, at home, and when they were resting, so they did not delay the government.

"Okay, let's not talk about this. Take a look at the memorials sent to the palace these days."

Speaking of this, the Emperor Longqing said angrily, looking at the memorials piled up like a small mountain beside him: "Those officials can't tolerate a royal family member?"

"Your Majesty, the matter of the King of Liao has been clearly stated in the memorials. The King of Liao has caused chaos in Jiangling Prefecture, and the local people have been angered by him. It has reached the point where he must be dealt with.

When the news was passed back to the capital, all officials were terrified. They really didn't expect that there would be such evil things, so the public sentiment was surging.

Please consider the people, severely punish the King of Liao, and restore peace to the local area."

Speaking of this, Li Chunfang knelt on the ground and said while crawling.

Li Chunfang knelt down, and Chen Yiqin followed him to kneel down, "Please punish the King of Liao severely, rectify the royal family, and let the people of the world bathe in the emperor's grace."

There were many royal families in the Ming Dynasty, and there were also many cruel people like the King of Liao.

Chen Yiqin felt that the case of the King of Liao could be used to severely punish the royal family members who were doing evil in various places, so that they would commit fewer sins earlier, which was what scholars should do.

"Regarding the King of Liao, I have read the memorials sent by the imperial envoys in the court, and I am also at a loss as to how to deal with it. What is the cabinet's suggestion?"

Although Emperor Longqing had some ideas in his mind, he could not say them out loud. It would be better for others to say them, and then he would follow the trend.

The Qianqing Palace was discussing how to deal with the King of Liao, and in the cabinet, Wei Guangde frowned as he looked at the petition submitted by the Ministry of Revenue.

As the end of the year approached, the court's finances became increasingly difficult, but under such circumstances, the inner court handed a note to the Ministry of Revenue, requesting the purchase of colored gemstones, pearls and other items within three days.

Ma Sen, the Minister of Revenue, was of course extremely reluctant. After discussing with the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, he submitted a petition, describing the financial pressure of the Ministry of Revenue, and admonishing that a number of gemstones and pearls were purchased last year. It was impossible for the inner court to lack treasures, and he resolutely refused to accept it.

Among these ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, Gao Yao is undoubtedly the most outstanding. He managed the Ministry of Revenue in the late Jiajing period in an orderly manner and even accumulated a little.

Of course, this accumulation was squeezed out of the deficit finance, and the purpose was naturally to prepare for emergencies.

However, even so, the operation of the Ming Dynasty court was maintained.

And this Ma Sen has also made some achievements. Although he is not good in Wei Guangde's eyes, he is straightforward and at least not a flatterer.

In the past two years, he has successively replaced Emperor Longqing and the eunuchs in the palace two or three times, just to spend less money.

But doing so all the time is not a long-term solution. Sooner or later, he will be disliked by the emperor and end up being dismissed from office.

Wei Guangde also knows that under the current situation, Ma Sen really has no choice.

The Ministry of Revenue should have silver, but it dare not take it out easily, which is all for emergencies.

Why Gao Yao was able to squeeze out silver from the Ministry of Revenue was actually tacitly approved by Xu Jie, Yuan Wei and others.

The health of Emperor Jiajing was deteriorating, and the court accelerated the construction of the imperial mausoleum and prepared money for his funeral.

Some things dare not be said, but the people below must do it.

But the current situation is different from the past. Ma Sen is still saving money for the Ministry of Revenue, but he can't explain what he is going to do.

Wei Guangde did not vote on Ma Sen's memorial, but planned to hand it over to Li Chunfang later, and let him decide what to do.

Petition is to tell the emperor that you know something, and the cabinet does not need to vote.

But Wei Guangde felt it necessary to let other cabinet ministers know about the current situation of the Ministry of Revenue.

At least, there was nothing wrong with Ma Sen's tenure. When the emperor was really dissatisfied with him and wanted to punish him, the cabinet ministers had to come out and say more good things to save him.

He didn't know that Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin were coming out of the Qianqing Palace at this time, and they had previously told Emperor Longqing about the current situation in the court and analyzed the possible impact of different punishments.

Emperor Longqing's indecision was vividly displayed at this moment.

He wanted to seize this opportunity to solve a vassal king once and for all, but he was worried about his reputation. Although Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin had analyzed the impact, he was still undecided.

"Come on, go to the cabinet to summon Wei Guangde to the emperor."

When you are undecided, consult someone, listen more, watch more, and think more before making a decision.

Wei Guangde just learned that Li Shoufu was summoned to the palace. He was still waiting for someone to come back, so he sent the petition of the Ministry of Revenue to him for him to see, and then the eunuchs in the palace arrived.

"Your Majesty wants to see me? Aren't the Prime Minister and the Second Minister there?"

Wei Guangde was stunned when he heard the oral instructions conveyed by the young chamberlain, and then hurriedly followed him out of the cabinet and headed to Qianqing Palace.

Although Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin left first, their legs and feet were no match for the little chamberlain, so they were caught up halfway.

When they were about to return to the cabinet, the two of them were still discussing whether to go back and give Zhang Juzheng, Yin Shizhen and others some relief. They saw Wei Guangde following a young chamberlain out of Wenyuan Pavilion.

When the three of them met and greeted each other, Chen Yiqin knew that Emperor Longqing was looking for Wei Guangde to make up his mind.

Previously in the palace, the two people had sensed that the emperor was determined to eliminate the country and would not consider selecting another person to inherit the Liao vassal.

This was a good thing, and the two of them naturally tried their best to promote this matter, but Emperor Longqing did not issue the decree immediately.

With the little chamberlain present, it was naturally difficult for them to tell Wei Guangde what had just been said in the palace. Chen Yiqin just moved his lips and said the word "except for the country". As for whether Wei Guangde could understand it or not, that was all he could do. It depends on God’s will.

Of course Wei Guangde saw Chen Yiqin's mouth opening and closing as if he was saying something, but he didn't hear the sound.

Looking at the young chamberlain next to him and the fact that they had just come out of the palace, Wei Guangde knew that Chen Yiqin was conveying something to him.

Following the young chamberlain, he hurried to Qianqing Palace and moved his mouth imitating Chen Yiqin's, trying to guess what he meant.

After several attempts, he was able to guess the secret. After all, the biggest focus in the court now was the affairs of the King of Liao.

"Extermination of the country? Your Majesty really has this intention?"

Chen Yiqin and the others came out of the palace, and when they saw him, they said the word "Exterminate the country", which naturally reminded him.

In the previous two cabinet discussions on the Liao Palace, no one mentioned "eliminating the country", and only Emperor Longqing could bring it up.

Wei Guangde had this preconceived notion, so when he met Emperor Longqing, his mood was already settled.

After Wei Guangde entered the palace to salute, Emperor Longqing, as before, pointed to the pile of memorials and talked about the affairs of the King of Liao, and finally asked: "Shan Dai, you have known me for many years, and I have always trusted you. What can you tell me? Tell me, what do you think is the best way to deal with the King of Liao?"

Emperor Longqing asked the question straight to the point, which surprised Wei Guangde a little.

"Your Majesty, are you asking what crime I think the King of Liao deserves?"

Wei Guangde asked cautiously.

Emperor Longqing frowned at first, then nodded, "That's exactly what I mean."

"I have read the memorial of Hong Chaoxuan earlier. It can be said that I deeply hate the crimes committed by the King of Liao. If he were an ordinary noble, he should be killed."

Wei Guangde replied.

"But he belongs to the clan and is the vassal king."

Emperor Longqing still frowned and said.

"It is for this reason that I spoke separately.

The crime of the King of Liao deserves to be punished, just because of the clan relationship. His Majesty can be spared because of family ties, and the death penalty can be avoided. The crime of living cannot be escaped. He should be imprisoned in the high walls of Fengyang, and he will never be able to escape. "

Wei Guangde continued.

"Being deposed and imprisoned, is this what you mean?"

Emperor Longqing frowned, and then said: "Yes, the high wall is a place that all clans are afraid of, and this punishment is already very severe.

At the beginning, King Hui chose not to go to that place even if he died because he received the order from his father. "

Emperor Longqing was impressed by the high walls of Fengyang. When he was still in Yuzhuan, during the most difficult time, he thought about whether his final destination would be there.

In particular, his right to inherit the great treasure should be higher than that of his brother King Jing. If the younger brother becomes the emperor, it will be difficult for him to do so.

Moreover, at that time, the relationship between his family and Yan Shifan was on fire. Even if King Jing didn't do anything, Yan Shifan would never let him go.

Unless he retreats bravely and leaves the capital to become a feudal lord before the crown prince decides on the candidate.

Fortunately, despite his hesitation, he finally got his father's decision to let King Jing take over the feudal clan.

"I understand what you mean, and it resonates with my heart."

Emperor Longqing finally showed a smile on his face, although he seemed a little disappointed.

Seeing this, Wei Guangde's heart moved.

"Eating the emperor's salary and being loyal to the emperor are what a minister should do."

Wei Guangde opened his mouth, but then he said: "I heard that His Majesty gave the Ministry of Household Affairs an order to purchase colored gemstones and pearls within three days?"

"Huh? How do you know? Mason went to the cabinet?"

Emperor Longqing's decree to the Ministry of Household Affairs was notified directly from the inner court. It was said to be a decree, but it was not an imperial decree because it did not go through the cabinet and the Sixth Section.

"The Ministry of Household Affairs submitted a petition detailing the revenue and expenditure of this year."

Hearing what Wei Guangde said, Emperor Longqing didn't know what the Ministry of Finance was thinking. Didn't he just lay out the accounts and say that the Ministry of Finance had no money and wanted to disobey the order?

Thinking that a few months ago he had to replace his tents, purchase gold and wood, and prepare to repair the palace, but the Ministry of Revenue had refuted it, and he became more and more dissatisfied with Ma Sen's attitude.

"I'm giving you shame by rejecting you several times in a row."

Emperor Longqing thought bitterly at this time, and had already buried in his heart the desire to find an opportunity to deal with Ma Sen.

However, when punishing the minister, one must have a good reputation. He cannot use this incident to punish Ma Sen, otherwise in the next moment the memorials will flood the Qianqing Palace, all of which should be scolding himself and the eunuchs around him.

Emperor Longqing loves face, and of course he doesn't want to be criticized.

Although he doesn't have to read it, the insults are piled up there. You can pretend not to see them, but you know in your heart that it's quite annoying.

"His Majesty."

Seeing the emperor's bad face, Wei Guangde sighed in his heart. Even if he didn't say this today, he would know it in the afternoon or tomorrow, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I think the Ministry of Revenue has been empty this year, and it really can't take out the money.

However, I thought of something."

After speaking, Wei Guangde did not continue speaking immediately, but looked around.

Emperor Longqing summoned him today, but did not dismiss the eunuchs around him.

It seems a bit embarrassing to say that the removal of the country is good for the court, and it must not be heard by those eunuchs. Who knows if it will spread out.

For such things, the fewer people know, the better.

If it spreads, the emperor and his face will not look good.

Emperor Longqing knew in his heart that Wei Guangde wanted to say something confidential, which was not convenient for people around him to hear, so he nodded and said: "You go out first, and you are not allowed to come in without being told."

"Yes."

Teng Xiang, Meng Chong and others bowed to receive the order, and then quickly left the palace and closed the door.

"Shan Dai, if you have anything to say, just say it now."

Emperor Longqing said, "There is no need for so many rules between you and me, the emperor and his subjects. I know you, just speak freely."

"Your Majesty."

Wei Guangde bowed and said, "I wonder what your Majesty thinks about the reduction of the feudal system?"

Wei Guangde and Emperor Longqing were used to talking about everything they knew, so Wei Guangde threw a bomb directly.

The reduction of the feudal system was a very serious political event in the Ming Dynasty. At the beginning, Emperor Jianwen was opposed by the Zhu family for his harsh reduction of the feudal system, and Prince Yan Zhu Di took the opportunity to rebel successfully.

During the whole process, all the feudal princes who led troops, except the King of Liao, almost did not take any action.

And the action of the King of Liao was just to gather his troops, and he did not take military action against Beijing, although military pressure existed.

Emperor Longqing rolled his eyes. He didn't understand why Wei Guangde suddenly turned the topic to the reduction of the feudal system. The current situation was completely different from that of Emperor Jianwen.

"Taizu divided the land and made his uncles kings, and sent them to various parts of the country to guard the borders, which was of course a good thing."

This matter cannot be said to be wrong, but only right.

"If that's the case, why did they reduce the power of the vassal states in the first place?"

Wei Guangde smiled and continued: "In fact, enfeoffment of vassal kings is conducive to national stability, but it is not conducive to centralization, and will further weaken the emperor's control over local prefectures.

Even now, in Yunnan, except for the governor and other important officials who are appointed by the court, most of the local officials are from the Mu Palace."

"It's different now."

Emperor Longqing frowned and said.

"It's different now. The power is not as great as before, but the financial burden on the court is more terrible than the division of power."

Wei Guangde immediately took over.

"Emperor Taizu was wise and powerful, but he did not expect that the court's finances would be unable to make ends meet due to the sharp increase in rice subsidies.

I have carefully read the petition from the Ministry of Revenue. If the rice subsidy system during the Hongwu period is maintained, the Ministry of Revenue will not lack money to buy gems and pearls for Your Majesty, but..."

Wei Guangde paused when he said this.