Chapter 718 817 Banknotes

Li Chunfang said that the system established by the Xuande Dynasty was actually a policy formulated by Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty after Zhu Zhanji pacified the Han Dynasty to resolve the covetousness of the imperial family members for the throne.

In order to prevent the princes from using marriage to expand their sphere of influence and endanger the stability of the imperial power, strict restrictions were imposed on members of the royal family to enter officialdom and get married.

Lumi, who later made generals and lieutenants, was also a way to appease the clan whose interests were harmed.

In fact, although hundreds of officials keep saying that the ancestral system is immutable, since Zhu Yunwen's death, the system set by Lao Zhu has been continuously modified since Zhu Yunwen, and today many of them have changed.

The system in the middle and late Ming Dynasty actually gradually stabilized during the Xuande period.

Zhu Zhanji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, did several major things during his reign. One of them was to depose the Han King Zhu Gaoxu and the Jin King Zhu Jiyi, suppressing the covetousness of the royal family members for the throne.

The second was to seize the escorts of the vassal kings from various places, and completely castrate the Ming Dynasty vassal princes from the princes who guarded the country's borders into useless wood who only knew about pleasure.

Later, an edict was issued, confirming that the descendants of the clan were prohibited from entering official positions and marriages in the royal palace were not allowed except for the conferment of Beijing positions.

This series of decrees to stabilize the imperial power aroused great dissatisfaction among the princes, and they had to use "preferential treatment" to the clan to quell this dissatisfaction.

Does Zhu Zhanji see the crisis brought about by the reproduction of the clan?

This is unknown, but if he were in his position, his top priority would definitely be to ensure the stability of the imperial power, so his choice was to treat the headache and the pain.

After all, it was too short a time before Chengzu Zhu Di rebelled and proclaimed himself emperor. Encouraged by his success, many vassal kings were indeed ready to make a move at that time.

Wei Guangde knew that Li Chunfang's support for the Lumi quota he proposed for each feudal prince's palace and the "salary reduction" idea proposed by Zhang Juzheng had already been supported by Li Chunfang, and judging from the attitudes of Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhen, they seemed to be very moved as well.

But it's strange that they don't have quotes to express their attitude.

Just when he was planning to leave the office later and ask them about it, Chen Yiqin said at this time: "Shandai and Shuda's method can definitely alleviate Lumi's problem, but in the end it only treats the symptoms but not the root cause.

On the contrary, it would be good governance to let the Ministry of Rites card a card, exchange money for titles, and reduce the number of people in the clan as much as possible.

I think that before implementing the method of philanthropic loans, it is best to try it first to see how many clan members are willing to transfer their citizenship, and then introduce the distribution of Lumi according to grades, and finally let the Ministry of Household Affairs set a quota.

Only in this way can the drag on Lumi's finances be minimized. "

"There are tens of thousands of people in the clan now. Even if we pay according to the salary of civil servants, if we really count, the expenditure on Lumi is an expense that the court cannot bear."

Yin Shizhen finally spoke.

Obviously, they all support the method of reducing Lumi's expenditure, but considering the huge number of people in the clan, they feel that it should be done step by step.

Especially if the number of clans can be reduced by half when calculating the quota, it can save the court a lot of money.

Relatively speaking, Zhang Juzheng's method is more mature and can be quickly written down after cabinet and ministry discussions.

After all, the grades corresponding to clan titles are clearly stipulated by the imperial court, but some of them treat the symptoms rather than the root cause.

The biggest problem of the clan is that it reproduces too fast, and the Ming Dynasty's annual income has not changed much.

"My uncle's method will definitely be opposed collectively by the clan, and we will have to find ways to appease him. But what kind of preferential treatment can the court give?"

Chen Yiqin also said, "That's why I said that this matter needs careful planning. All things considered, it is unlikely that many people will be sent to Fengyang."

"Then when everyone goes back, think again about what was proposed today, and it would be best to write a charter.

We will discuss this matter in a while, check each other's omissions and fill in the gaps, and report to His Majesty after the plan is completed.

Before the final charter is finalized, please be careful not to reveal even half of what happened today. "

Li Chunfang said finally.

Today's discussion of the clan in the cabinet is actually due to chance. The opinions of Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng are reasonable to a certain extent, but implementation is another matter.

Of course, such a big policy change cannot be written down in a short time.

It's better for everyone to think about it again, improve one or two things, and then come together to discuss it.

When Wei Guangde left the cabinet, Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhen soon appeared beside him.

"Shan Loi, if your method spreads, the people in the clan will scold you to death."

Chen Yiqin smiled.

He said this, but there was no trace of nervousness on his face. In fact, they, the senior officials of the imperial court, really didn't take the clan members seriously.

In other words, princes and princes can make them more polite because they are closer to the emperor.

The generals and lieutenants below are just like that.

Although he also has the right to submit memorials, the emperor usually doesn't pay much attention to them.

"Haha, the good loan is also for the imperial court. Your Majesty will understand."

Yin Shizhen just smiled and said casually, "But I probably scolded you more for your uncle's suggestion.

We still have to compromise on our small salary. It is estimated that many clans will not accept it, and there may be a lot of trouble. "

"Let's not talk about it anymore. Yesterday you went to Beijing Camp to watch the drill. What was the result?"

Chen Yiqin changed the topic and asked about the parade drill.

"Brother Zhengfu, are you planning to ask right here? Should you set a table for me so we can talk while drinking?"

They had already reached the palace gate and were about to leave the palace. Wei Guangde asked with a smile.

"Okay, come to my place, we'll drink and talk."

Chen Yiqin was not hypocritical. It was just a banquet. They did this kind of thing often. The three of them took turns to host the banquet and talked about business while drinking.

"It's strange that His Majesty didn't ask Shandai to ask about this matter today?"

Yin Shizhe said.

Wei Guangde was actually also surprised. According to the rules, Emperor Longqing should have summoned him to the palace to meet him today. Emperor Longqing's attitude towards the grand review was very positive.

"In the morning, Duke Cheng entered the palace. I guess Your Majesty has learned something from him."

Chen Yiqin said, "I heard it from a attendant in the Silijian, and I don't know anything else."

The next day, Wei Guangde came to the cabinet from home to start working. Not long after, he was summoned by the eunuchs in the palace to the Qianqing Palace to see the emperor.

It was no surprise that Emperor Longqing summoned him to meet him today because of the previous grand review rehearsal. It was obvious that he repeatedly asked about some details.

Wei Guangde knew that the emperor probably got the general idea from Zhu Xizhong yesterday. Zhu Xizhong probably didn't understand some questions, so he didn't explain them clearly, which led to the summons today.

After he answered questions and resolved doubts for Emperor Longqing, he was about to resign when Emperor Longqing suddenly picked up a memorial from the imperial desk and handed it to him.

"Shandai, take a look."

Wei Guangde was curious, but he still took the memorial from the eunuch.

This was a memorial submitted by Zheng Dajing, a member of the Ministry of Personnel, and it was sent directly to the emperor through the channels of the six departments, so it was not sent through the cabinet, but directly from the Ministry of Ceremonies.

As for the content of Zheng Dajing's memorial, Wei Guangde just frowned and didn't say much, because what he discussed in the memorial was the Ministry of Revenue.

"Our country is prosperous through trade. Wherever there are goods and ships, there are customs and taxes. The ministers are specially ordered to supervise them. It is to take the slightest business of merchants to support the country, and the intention of emphasizing the basics and suppressing the end is also carried out. In recent years, there are ministers in charge who are clean and clear, and benefit the country through trade, but there are also those who abuse power to do private things and violate the law. The annual revenue of each banknote customs is not small, but the power is entrusted to one person. It is easy for him to take advantage of the profit and power." After reading the memorial, Wei Guangde looked at the emperor with some confusion. He didn't know what he wanted to do by showing him this memorial? Take it back to the cabinet and let the cabinet ministers discuss and come up with a charter or something? "Among the officials, I often hear that you are good at managing money. The first thing I thought of was to ask your opinion on this banknote customs." Emperor Longqing saw Wei Guangde finish reading it and spoke to him. Wei Guangde's heart tightened. Emperor Longqing asked him, this is not easy to answer. Because what Zheng Dajing said in this memorial was about the business of monopoly, which actually meant that the court set up banknotes in various places to collect taxes, but there were a lot of goods on the merchant ships, and many of them were valuables.

The tax collection at the banknotes was based on the value of the goods judged by a person in charge, and then taxed accordingly, which was very easy to give rise to greed and disregard the law.

Wei Guangde himself had taken a merchant ship and led a caravan on an official ship, so he knew the shortcomings of the banknotes.

The words of Emperor Longqing just now made Wei Guangde think more. Was this a warning to him?

"Your Majesty, I think the problem mentioned in this memorial is exactly the shortcomings of the banknotes in various places."

Wei Guangde thought about it before answering. Some things cannot be fooled by pretending to be confused, and Emperor Longqing is not as easy to fool as Emperor Chongzhen.

At least, the East Factory and Jinyiwei of the Longqing Dynasty are still working diligently and responsibly, and the flies and dogs in the banknotes can be easily investigated clearly.

"So, you also think it is inappropriate for the banknotes to rely on only one person in charge to judge the commercial tax?"

Emperor Longqing asked again.

"Your Majesty, what is mentioned in this memorial is a fact, but the arrangement for the local election of an official to exercise the power of mutual supervision can only be said to be suitable for the banknotes in Jiujiang, Suzhou, Yangzhou and other places that are closer to the city.

As for advocating that the court appoint a person with good reputation and talent to supervise the collection of taxes at the customs, it is also worth discussing. Good reputation and talent are difficult to judge, and there are many people who take advantage of the opportunity to exploit loopholes."

Wei Guangde replied.

"What if I send eunuchs to the banknotes in various places to supervise?"

When Emperor Longqing heard this, he immediately said the supervision method he thought of.

But when Wei Guangde heard this, he couldn't help but be shocked. If the eunuchs went to the banknotes in various places to supervise, it was unknown how many incidents would arise.

You know, wherever there is money to be made, the emperor will want to get involved and save money for the inner court, and the banknotes are the place where the taxes and silver from merchants traveling from south to north are collected, which can be said to be a mountain of gold and silver.

However, in the past, to be precise, before the 27th year of Jiajing, the emperor would have sent internal officials, but the situation is different now.

Perhaps because he was afraid of being poor, Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang came up with the Ming Baochao to replace gold and silver to fill the treasury after the founding of the country, so from the official level, the legal currency of the Ming Dynasty should actually be Baochao.

However, this thing has long become waste paper because of its random printing, and the people have re-used gold, silver and copper coins.

However, when the banknotes were first established, because Baochao still had some status, the tariffs collected were gold, silver and Baochao at a certain ratio, and the name of the banknotes came from this.

Even now, the banknotes will collect a certain proportion of Ming Baochao, which is a system established earlier and is also to maintain the dignity of the court, otherwise Ming Baochao will really become straw paper for wiping ass.

Because merchants need treasure notes to offset taxes at the customs, they can be exchanged for some things.

Initially, the Chaoguan was managed by the Chaoguan Yushi specially set up by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. It was only transferred to the Ministry of Household Affairs during the Zhengtong years. Each Chaoguan was managed by the chief officers sent by the Ministry of Revenue, and most of the tax money collected by the Chaoguan went into the emperor's internal funds.

However, in the Jiajing Dynasty, the Ministry of Revenue was financially tight, so after many arguments with Emperor Jiajing, they finally reached an agreement in the 27th year of Jiajing, which was to divide the income from banknotes in half.

However, from beginning to end, Chaoguan was managed by civilian officials, and the inner court did not intervene.

As for the management of banknotes, everyone with a discerning eye knows that this is a cash cow, especially the Suzhou banknotes, which is the familiar Xushuguan. It has become the highest tax bank in the country, and has become a cash cow for the Beijing Ministry of Household Affairs.

In the late Jiajing period, whenever the officials in the capital could not pay out their salaries, they would have to pay for their money. Sometimes they even had to temporarily borrow the money that should be included in the internal funds and then return it later.

Although it has now reached the Longqing Dynasty, the imperial court's finances have not improved, so if the emperor sends his ministers to supervise it, it will be difficult to misappropriate the banknotes.

"Your Majesty, when the Bank of China was first established, it was always managed by the Ministry of Revenue, and it was managed well. I'm afraid there is no need to send ministers to supervise it.

Regarding what Zheng Dajing reported, I thought that the "Censor of Chaoguan" could be re-established in the Metropolitan Procuratorate to supervise Chaoguan in various places. On weekdays, local prefectures and counties can send people to supervise. "

At this time, Wei Guangde could not care less about the distance between Chaoguan and the county. If local officials were working hard, it was the first priority to dispel the idea of ​​the emperor sending ministers to intervene in Chaoguan.

"That's it."

Emperor Longqing said casually, "Then you take this memorial back to the cabinet, and the cabinet will convene the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Metropolitan Procuratorate to discuss it, and then submit the regulations."

After Emperor Longqing finished explaining, he asked Wei Guangde to withdraw from Qianqing Palace if nothing happened.

Watching Wei Guangde leave, Emperor Longqing sat on the throne for a long time before giving instructions: "It has been reported that Chen Hong came to see me. He said he was tinkering with something fun. Why hasn't it been delivered to him after so long?"

Of course Wei Guangde didn't know what happened after he left. Even if he did, he would never know the emperor's thoughts because he never mentioned it to anyone.

Wei Guangde took the memorial back to the cabinet. Instead of returning to his room, he went directly to the Chief Assistant Li Chunfang and informed him in detail about what Emperor Longqing had told him.

After reading Zheng Dajing's memorial, Li Chunfang frowned.

Wei Guangde knew that he must have the same thoughts as him, complaining that Zheng Dajing was too meddlesome and sent him directly to the imperial court for whatever he was doing.

If before the emperor saw it, they could still tamper with the ticket to cover it up.

But now the emperor took it out to talk to him alone, obviously noticing this.

"I guess His Majesty was dissatisfied with the misappropriation of customs duties by the Ministry of Finance at the end of the year, so he made the plan to dispatch ministers."

Wei Guangde said bluntly that he knew that today might make the emperor unhappy, but there was nothing he could do about it because he was a civil servant.

"How do you think it's appropriate?"

Li Chunfang did not immediately summon others to discuss the matter, but asked.