Chapter 302: Taking Stock of the Guard Stations Across the Realm

Now the four Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat were each the head of their own faction, and since they all had supporters behind them, it was only natural that they would seek benefits for those supporters — that was plain to see.

And money was always a very, very important matter.

First, they could let a little slip through their fingers into their own homes — sums ordinary people wouldn't dare dream of — and that counted as securing benefits for their subordinates too.

Second, this money could be put to work. Aside from raking in money, what was the most important thing for an official?

Why, getting promoted, of course.

To get promoted, you had to accomplish things; to accomplish things, you needed money. This was an eternal, unchanging truth.

So before this money had even arrived, the four of them had already begun scheming over it. The reason was simple: if they didn't scheme for it now, once the money fell into someone else's hands, it would be too late to scheme then.

Thus the atmosphere within the Grand Secretariat had turned rather strange — Han Kuang and the other three seemed to have returned to the days of mutual wariness and mutual entanglement.

As for whether this money could actually be obtained, they weren't worried about that at all. The reason was also simple: this money was guaranteed to land in their hands.

Why did they think that way?

Because they knew the hereditary nobles and imperial kinsmen no longer had the strength to resist. With Your Majesty coordinating on one side and themselves on the other, these nobles and kinsmen could only obediently cave in.

Things indeed unfolded exactly as Han Kuang and the others had predicted. With the nobles and kinsmen in that state, the next question was who would collect this money.

There were two offices qualified to handle this matter: one was the Shuntian Prefecture, and the other was the Ministry of Revenue.

As for the Shuntian Prefecture, its standing was somewhat insufficient — after all, not every noble or imperial kinsman was in the capital. They also had lands back in their hometowns, and the Shuntian Prefecture's reach couldn't extend that far.

If it were handed to the local prefectural and county offices, that seemed like the most appropriate approach.

As for the Ministry of Revenue collecting it directly, that didn't conform to regulations. However, judging by Xu Guangqi's eager, raring-to-go manner, he clearly had no intention of letting this opportunity slip by.

And so the struggle began — each of them mobilized their connections and started plotting over this matter.

Within the Western Park.

Zhu Youxiao casually set down his teacup and said slowly: "Take all these routine memorials away; reading them gives me a headache."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, signaling Chen Hong to clear the things away.

Chen Hong hastily had someone remove them — he too could see His Majesty's displeasure.

Among these routine memorials, few discussed real matters of substance; most dealt with trivial trifles, yet what was hidden behind them was by no means small.

Everyone had their eyes on the land tax, but Zhu Youxiao had no intention of handing the tax collection over to them.

If all the tax collection were handed to local officials, wouldn't that be exactly the same as the current situation?

Stuffing a meat bun into a dog's mouth — you'd have to be a ghost to get it back.

As for letting the Ministry of Revenue collect it directly, Zhu Youxiao didn't want to do that either. The reason was simple: he wanted to use this matter to accomplish something else.

This was only a beginning, not an end.

Letting out a soft sigh, Zhu Youxiao stood up and said: "Summon Zhao Bingzhong to the palace!"

Hearing this, Chen Hong said: "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go at once."

Zhao Bingzhong of the Office of Transmission — this man was someone whom ordinary people in the Great Ming dynasty currently did not dare provoke.

Compared to the Censorate, the Office of Transmission was now even more feared, its reputation chasing right on the heels of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

No one knew when they might be impeached before the Office of Transmission; no one knew when they might be secretly schemed against. By the time the Office of Transmission arrived at your door, you still wouldn't even know what had happened.

So now, whenever people saw someone from the Office of Transmission, they would take a detour, terrified of being sought out.

Chen Hong didn't know what business His Majesty had with Zhao Bingzhong, but it certainly wasn't anything good.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao summoning Zhao Bingzhong truly wasn't about anything too major — and it genuinely was a good thing.

It was just that once this matter got moving, it might make quite a stir, which was why Zhu Youxiao had called Zhao Bingzhong over to privately brief him on some things.

Zhao Bingzhong arrived quickly — the Office of Transmission wasn't far from the Western Park.

But when Zhao Bingzhong arrived, he was somewhat out of breath, clearly having walked the whole way at a rapid pace.

"No need to be so hurried; there's nothing major." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhao Bingzhong and said slowly.

"Your Majesty's affairs are all major affairs; your subject dares not delay even a moment." Zhao Bingzhong hastily bowed in salute as he spoke, his expression solemn, his tone earnest.

"Enough, sit down and speak." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

After Zhao Bingzhong sat down on the stool Chen Hong had brought over, Zhu Youxiao said slowly: "I called you here today because there's a matter I want you to handle. The Office of Transmission has spread its net quite wide now, and I know you're very busy, but this matter still must be entrusted to you."

"You must remember one thing: this matter can only be carried out in secret — no word of it may leak out."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject will surely handle it well." Zhao Bingzhong said.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile: "With this matter entrusted to you, I am naturally at ease. When you return, have your people look into the situation at the various guard stations across the realm. First take stock for me — see how much land they've encroached upon over the years and what misdeeds they've committed. That way, when the time comes to make a move, we'll have a pretext."

"I've also reviewed the Office of Transmission's files — there aren't many impeachments on this front. I don't believe the Great Ming's military has already reached a state of perfect peace and harmony. Clearly, after all these years, they've all colluded from top to bottom — no one is willing to step forward. When everyone is the same, there's no distinguishing black from white. But since they won't come forward, you can go — investigate thoroughly again. Do you understand?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject will arrange personnel as soon as he returns and will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty." Zhao Bingzhong hastily said.

"Oh, right — you may continue to make use of the people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. When dealing with military men, be careful — don't let someone come at your subordinates with a blade. Do pay attention to your safety." Zhu Youxiao added another instruction.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject knows how to proceed. Your Majesty's concern is felt deep in the hearts of everyone in the Office of Transmission." Zhao Bingzhong said.

"Enough, no need for such words. Go now — handle the matter well, and then report back." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your subject takes his leave." Zhao Bingzhong acknowledged, then bowed and withdrew.

After Zhao Bingzhong had left, Zhu Youxiao let out a soft sigh.

After pondering for a moment, Zhu Youxiao turned to Chen Hong and said: "Transmit my decree to the Grand Secretariat: tomorrow morning, convene the six ministry Ministers and Vice Ministers, along with the heads of the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review, to enter the palace for deliberation."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go at once." Chen Hong hastily acknowledged.

"Wait," Zhu Youxiao reached out and stopped him. After thinking for a moment, he added: "At the same time, summon all hereditary nobles and imperial kinsmen with the rank of Marquis or above to enter the palace, to participate in the deliberation together."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged once more, then turned and walked out.

The imperial decree was quickly transmitted, and it immediately caused an uproar.

The Emperor summoning people for deliberation was nothing new. Whether he called the Grand Secretariat or summoned everyone together, that was all normal; but summoning hereditary nobles and imperial kinsmen for deliberation — that was a rare occurrence.

Still, everyone understood that a resolution on taxing the manor estates was likely about to be reached — naturally, no one thought this matter would fail.

Though some still harbored illusions in their hearts, all intelligent people knew that taxing the manor estates was already a done deal.

The next morning, civil officials and meritorious nobles and their kin all entered the palace.

The civil officials were led in by Han Kuang, while the meritorious nobles and their kin were naturally led in by Zhang Weixian, Duke of Ying.

Only after everyone had entered the palace and taken their positions did Zhu Youxiao emerge from behind.

The ministers dared not be remiss, and all performed the ritual salute together.

"Beloved ministers, no need for ceremony!" Zhu Youxiao sat on the dragon throne and lightly raised his hand.

After everyone had risen, Zhu Youxiao spoke: "I have summoned you all today, and I imagine you all know well the reason why."

"Originally it was merely Duke Cheng's drunken words, and I did not take it seriously. But who would have thought it would stir such an uproar throughout the court and the realm, setting public opinion ablaze. I have summoned you all today precisely to deliberate properly on this matter."

"The day before yesterday, the Duke of Ying came to me, saying this was the loyalty of his fellow ministers, and that if I did not consent, I feared losing the people's hearts. This is also my concern—let all of you deliberate on it."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao's gaze fell upon the side of the meritorious nobles and their kin.

The reason was simple—this matter was theirs, and it was only fitting that they should speak first.

But something no one expected happened: Li Zhizao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward first.

Li Zhizao took a step forward and said: "I report to Your Majesty—your servant has something to say."

Zhu Youxiao had not expected Li Zhizao to step forward.

The faces on the side of the meritorious nobles and their kin immediately turned somewhat unpleasant.

But since the man had already stepped out, they could hardly shove him back. So Zhu Youxiao said: "What does my beloved minister wish to say?"

"I report to Your Majesty—your servant offers congratulations to Your Majesty." Li Zhizao spoke with a brilliant smile on his face.

"The Great Ming has stood for over two hundred years, and many among the meritorious nobles and their kin have committed unlawful acts—their sons and brothers galloping through the pleasure quarters, even being cursed as parasites of the state. Yet judging from this affair, on matters of great right and wrong the meritorious nobles and their kin are no less worthy than their ancestors. This heart of loyalty to the sovereign and service to the state is truly admirable." Li Zhizao spoke in a torrent of words.

His central theme was but one thing: flattery.

Li Zhizao practically exalted the meritorious nobles and their kin to the heavens. He gave vigorous praise to Duke Cheng's conduct, and at the same time offered very high commendation for the political atmosphere of harmony between sovereign and ministers in the court.

"This is Your Majesty's achievement—Your Majesty's virtue towers as high as heaven, truly a model for all sovereigns!"

Zhu Youxiao sat on the dragon throne watching Li Zhizao, whose mouth was flecked with spittle, and sighed helplessly in his heart—truly, one could kill without a blade!

It appeared to be praise, but in reality it was placing the meritorious nobles and their kin over a fire to roast.

When it had already been said to such a degree, how could you still have the face to take back your words?

After Li Zhizao, Cui Chengxiu also stepped forward, followed by a bout of fawning praise, and he also made pointed mention of the matter of the Marquis of Xining—it was practically a veiled threat.

The faces on the side of the meritorious nobles and their kin grew even uglier.