Chapter 628: The Colonial Conglomerate

Zhu Youxiao had always maintained a very clear line of thinking regarding the management of the Imperial Household Department.

The Imperial Household Department would one day become a behemoth. Since he knew its potential and the scale it would grow to reach in the future, Zhu Youxiao naturally would not grant it too much power. Especially with domestic authority — he absolutely could not allow the Imperial Household Department to get its hands on too much of it.

Later, once they went abroad, the Imperial Household Department would form a massive conglomerate — or rather, organize a massive conglomerate — whose basic definition would be a colonial group for overseas expansion backed by the Ming government.

Led by the Imperial Household Department, in alliance with the Ming military, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Office of Transmission, and other agencies, it would invite wealthy merchants, gentry, nobles, and imperial relatives from all over to buy shares and jointly carry out overseas colonization.

An organization of such scale and such function naturally needed its own intelligence apparatus. It was just that the time was not yet right.

Once the Joseon matter got underway, this intelligence apparatus would also be put on the agenda. Of course, this time when attacking Japan, the Imperial Household Department would also give their full effort.

In this regard, the Imperial Household Department had a natural advantage — after all, with two gold cakes hanging on their chests, using money to pave the way made things considerably easier.

"So what did you find out?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhao Changgeng and asked in an unruffled tone.

"To be frank with Your Majesty, your servant found nothing at all." Zhao Changgeng said helplessly.

"What do you mean by that?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhao Changgeng, asking with some confusion.

"This matter was assigned by Your Majesty, so the people handling it naturally gave their all and did an excellent job. Your servant exhausted all his efforts and still could not find a single flaw."

Zhao Changgeng did not hide anything, saying directly: "So your servant just helped tidy up the loose ends and did some odd jobs on the margins."

"They had previously sent people out to spread the word everywhere, but the local commoners did not put much faith in it — you could say they were half-believing, half-doubting. Your servant made use of their willingness to believe rumors and had people publish the truth in the form of rumors."

"Unexpectedly, the effect was quite good. But we did run into some trouble along the way. As the saying goes, three men make a tiger — as the news spread, it started to get distorted."

"Fortunately, the people at the Office of Transmission reacted quickly and stopped it in time. This time when I return, I am prepared to request punishment — your servant overstepped his authority."

Looking at Zhao Changgeng, who wore a wry smile, Zhu Youxiao said: "Indeed, you overstepped. But since you are already prepared to turn yourself in, I will say nothing more. Let it be handled as it should be."

"As for other places, do you know anything?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhao Changgeng and asked once more.

After hearing this, Zhao Changgeng thought for a moment before saying: "What I know is not much. It seems that this time the Office of Transmission and Eunuch Chen have joined forces to go through the entire six northern provinces."

"I hear strict orders have already been sent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard offices everywhere — anyone who knows and does not report, or anyone who colludes with the guilty, will be dealt with according to the Guard's own regulations. Those Embroidered Uniform Guard officers are nearly going mad now, seizing records openly and covertly everywhere. It's said to be quite frightening."

"Eunuch Wang on our side at the Imperial Household Department said that with such a large-scale mobilization of these people, it's inevitable that those at the bottom will pay lip service while acting otherwise and do things that harm the common folk. When that happens, what gets hurt is Your Majesty's sacred reputation. So Eunuch Wang had us keep a close watch — not just on the various localities, but on the Embroidered Uniform Guard as well."

"Actually, only after going down to the grassroots did I realize how much importance the higher-ups placed on this matter. The Southern Provost Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already sent out many people — besides supervising the various localities, they have also secretly dispatched quite a few spies."

"The Office of Transmission is the same — on one hand supervising the localities, and on the other hand keeping an eye on the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Liu Xian stood beside Zhu Youxiao, his expression somewhat strange.

He had not expected the Emperor to have made so many arrangements, and with the people involved watching each other back and forth, he felt this was somewhat improper.

As Emperor, one should trust one's ministers. But Liu Xian also knew these ministers were not necessarily worthy of trust. With so many people monitoring, objectivity and fairness could be guaranteed to a large extent.

But there was one issue Liu Xian was still worried about — the problem of administrative costs.

The term "administrative costs" had already been in use in the Ming for quite some time. Its meaning was simple — the time, manpower, and other costs required to accomplish a task.

This time, His Majesty had not only mobilized local officials, but also the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Office of Transmission, the Eastern Depot, the Censorate, and even the Imperial Household Department — the scale was considerable.

In this matter, the administrative costs were rather high. Not to mention anything else — just the manpower costs and travel allowances alone were no small sum. One could well imagine how enormous the expenditure for this affair was.

Liu Xian felt a pang of heartache.

"What do you want to say?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Liu Xian, whose face showed visible pain, and asked with a smile.

Liu Xian stepped forward with a wry smile.

He had not expected that even such a subtle expression of his would be noticed by His Majesty.

Liu Xian could only say: "What your servant worries about is money. If things continue like this, the expenditure will be considerable."

"Don't worry, it can all be earned back." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, speaking in a casual tone.

Zhu Youxiao never cared about the money spent in this regard.

Spent was spent — no big deal. Besides, through confiscations and the like, the money would all come back. It was not a problem at all.

"It is the Ming's own money after all, and in the end it is still depleted." Liu Xian said helplessly: "If these administrative costs were used on other matters, they could certainly achieve great results."

After speaking, Liu Xian let out a helpless sigh.

"So you think this should not be done?" Zhu Youxiao said with some hesitation.

"No." Liu Xian immediately turned serious, saying directly: "This matter shows Your Majesty's deep foresight, and your servant also believes it should be done this way. Only thus can fairness and justice be ensured as much as possible, allowing the common people of the realm to feel the Emperor's grace."

"This land survey is unprecedented since the founding of the Ming — or rather, it has never been done in any dynasty in history. Your Majesty's great boldness and great ambition can be said to surpass all of antiquity."

"Moreover, this matter is very important to the Ming itself. Finding out how much land there is, how many people are paying taxes, how many are evading taxes — this is very important to the Ming. Abolishing the tax-exempt privileges of certain people is also very important."

"Your servant understands all of this. It is just that I still feel some heartache over the expenditure. I hope such matters can be fewer in the future, so the money can be used where it ought to be."

"What you look at is the long term," Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "You understand the principles, so I need not say much more. Today I want to tell you one thing — every gain comes with a loss; if you want returns, you must pay."

"This is a chronic ailment that has plagued the Ming for over two hundred years. If I do not gouge it out, my heart will not be at ease. But chronic ailments — how easy are they to cure?"

"Spending a bit more money and a bit more time is the best approach. Do not focus so much on curing the ailment that you neglect the body — otherwise, even if the ailment is cured, the body will be harmed, and the loss will outweigh the gain."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant understands." Liu Xian said hurriedly.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, stood up, and said: "Since we have figured out what is going on, let us be on our way. Let Minister Zhao do his business well."

Zhao Changgeng beside him said nothing, not quite knowing how to respond.

There were many rumors about the current Emperor — both good and bad — but people like them did not believe much of it.

Still, in the Emperor's presence, they knew not to speak carelessly. If one truly offended His Majesty, the consequences would be dire.

Zhu Youxiao indeed did not linger further. Once he understood what was going on, he had no more interest in watching.

Back at the inn, Zhu Youxiao sent someone to inquire about the news and check whether that shop assistant had been spouting nonsense — he even had Embroidered Uniform Guard personnel verify it.

It was quickly confirmed that the information was accurate.

Zhu Youxiao then set his mind at ease and continued his wandering.

The capital, the Ministry of Revenue office.

After a busy half-day, Zhang Yu finally stood up and stretched his limbs, hearing his body emit crackling sounds.

"If this keeps up, this body of mine will rust." Zhang Yu said with some helplessness.

Since graduating from the Imperial Academy, the students of their cohort had indeed received many benefits — for instance, they enjoyed the Emperor's trust, and many had been placed in very important positions.

Over these past few years, it hasn't all been smooth sailing, but quite a few people have already risen to high positions.

As one of the outstanding graduates of that year, Zhang Yu was also a focus of everyone's attention.

After all, right from the start, he had already connected himself with the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Everyone knew that Zhang Yu's meteoric rise was only a matter of time.

But no one expected that in the following years, Zhang Yu would grow quiet, moving between various government offices—he even served at the Shuntian Prefecture, went out as a county magistrate for one term, and later came to the Ministry of Revenue as a Bureau Director.

This left people puzzled, and they thought Zhang Yu must have offended someone.

Yet everyone knew that Zhang Yu was Han Kuang's grandson-in-law. The two families had remained close all these years, but he was never seen to receive any promotion from his relative, the Chief Grand Secretary.

This left people baffled, and no one dared to offend him anymore.

Fortunately, Zhang Yu's abilities were outstanding—wherever he went these years, he managed to achieve solid results.

At the same time, some people felt indignant on Zhang Yu's behalf. With his accomplishments and capability, setting aside other positions, a Vice Minister post in one of the Six Ministries was a sure thing. But now Zhang Yu was still just a minor Bureau Director at the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhang Yu, for his part, seemed perfectly content with his lot, not caring about any of it.

Stretching his limbs, Zhang Yu smiled and walked out, humming a little tune as he went.

Looking up and seeing someone approaching, Zhang Yu smiled and asked, "Do you know what the cafeteria is serving for lunch today?"

"Potato stewed chicken, braised eggplant, red-braised pork, and a plate of meatballs. The soup seems to be seaweed and egg drop soup." The man had been somewhat annoyed at being grabbed by Zhang Yu, but when he saw who it was, his face broke into a wide smile.

This man was in his thirties, with a pair of handlebar mustaches. Now, like Zhang Yu, he was a Bureau Director at the Ministry of Revenue.

He was thin and wiry, with a somewhat shifty look about him—the whole person just didn't seem like someone trustworthy. Whenever he saw people, he kept his head lowered, his eyes darting around furtively, as if scheming about something unsavory.