Chapter 51: Integrity Bonus

"Henceforth, within the realm, private money shops are forbidden. Any discovered shall be punished by the extermination of nine degrees of kinship."

Ignoring the officials' faces, which looked as wretched as if their parents had just died, Chongzhen continued: "The salaries of the realm are indeed somewhat low.

The civil and military officials serve the nation, yet the realm cannot merely demand your service while treating you shabbily." Chongzhen paused briefly, then went on: "We have several matters for you, ministers, to discuss further and decide upon a proper framework.

First, a pay raise. We wish to increase the salaries of all officials of the realm.

As for the specific amount of increase for each rank, the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel shall later produce a proposal. It must ensure that officials of every rank can, without resorting to corruption, support a household of ten without falling into hardship.

Second, an integrity bonus. Our intent is for the Ministry of Personnel to open accounts at the Great Ming People's Livelihood Bank.

From the day an official takes office, a monthly integrity bonus of varying amounts shall be deposited into this account. When the official retires in old age, the sum may be withdrawn in one lump sum.

If any corruption occurs in the interim, not only will this integrity bonus be forfeited, but the offender himself shall be flayed and stuffed with straw.

This integrity bonus, like the salary, shall be graded by official rank; We are inclined to set it at ten percent of the monthly salary.

Third, the matter of officials' retirement. Henceforth, those who serve as officials of the realm, within three degrees of kinship, shall not engage in commerce, nor conduct business under another's name.

However, considering the livelihood of officials after they retire and return home, a portion shall be deducted from their monthly salary, and the national treasury shall supplement it with an equal sum of silver, to be deposited into a retirement account at the Great Ming People's Livelihood Bank.

After the official retires, he may draw a portion each month until his death."

As soon as Chongzhen's words fell, the assembled ministers below knelt and cried out: "Your Majesty is benevolent! Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

After all, this touched upon every official's own vital interests. Since the Emperor was preparing to raise the butcher's knife against corruption, just like the Hongwu Emperor, the founding ancestor, these officials had only two paths to choose from.

Either get lost, or disobey, continue being corrupt, and the consequence would be that after the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigated, the entire family, young and old, would share in the misfortune.

The stick just now had indeed hurt badly, but this sweet date was sweet enough.

Even though they could not engage in commerce and dared not be corrupt, their salaries had gone up, and they no longer had to fear being unable to maintain their livelihood, where one man held office and the whole family starved.

Chongzhen's next words delighted these officials, who had been tormented to the brink of death, even more: "Although We grew up in the palace, We also know that officials' lives are not easy. After all, aides and attendants are all paid for out of one's own pocket.

We intend to set fixed quotas for the attendants of officials at each level, to be hired with silver from the national treasury. The Grand Secretariat shall submit a memorial on this matter together with the previous items."

Only after Chongzhen signaled the dismissal of the court did the assembled ministers gradually disperse. However, the grandees of the Grand Secretariat and the Six Ministries all went together to the Grand Secretariat to discuss how to implement the Chongzhen Emperor's decrees.

Wen Tiren, being the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, was the first to speak: "Everyone understands His Majesty's intent, yes?"

Seeing everyone indicate their understanding, Wen Tiren continued: "This Majesty of ours is not like the previous ones, who would accept whatever anyone said. He is decisive and resolute, no less than the Hongwu Emperor.

To put it more plainly for this official, if you obediently listen and handle affairs, His Majesty is not stingy with rewards and honors. Those craftsmen who made cement are the best example.

From the founding of the realm until now, when has there ever been any baron or viscount? If His Majesty says there shall be, then there shall be.

If anyone is still calculating with their little abacus in their heart, that is also easy to handle. Lord Huang and Censor Chen are still hanging above the Meridian Gate."

As a member of the eunuch faction, Shi Fenglai never considered himself part of the eunuch faction. He felt he was of the Emperor's faction, wholeheartedly loyal to His Majesty, and should not be called a member of the eunuch faction.

Hearing Wen Tiren speak thus, Shi Fenglai said: "The Chief Grand Secretary speaks most rightly. We should serve His Majesty with all our hearts."

After a pause, Shi Fenglai added: "All of His Majesty's decrees today are interlinked, one ring after another. But in my humble opinion, the root lies in this Great Ming Royal Bank. I wonder what everyone else thinks?"

Guo Yunhou, the Minister of Revenue, however, said: "Others all wish for their own authority to be as great as possible, but this official now finds it excessive. Who truly understands this bank matter His Majesty spoke of?

If it is like a money shop, then it is merely a large money shop. Why did His Majesty first establish this so-called Royal Bank, and then separately establish some People's Livelihood Bank?

If it is different from a money shop, how does it operate?"

Wen Tiren, however, said: "In this old man's view, His Majesty's intent is to separate the printing of treasure notes from the operation of these money shops.

The printing matter is easy to handle; simply find more craftsmen and those from the money shops to manage it. As for the operation itself, this old man also has little clue."

Shi Fenglai, however, said: "This old man only has a smattering of knowledge regarding these money shop matters. It is nothing more than depositing and safeguarding silver, which can be withdrawn in a different location, but the safekeeping fees are also not low.

As for the intricacies within, perhaps Lord Guo might present his waist token at the palace and seek instruction directly from His Majesty."

Guo Yunhou smiled bitterly: "Now that His Majesty's celestial might is unfathomable, how dare this humble official go to the palace and court ill fortune? What if His Majesty deems us so utterly incompetent—then what use would he have for us?"

Shi Fenglai, however, said: "It is no matter. This matter was raised by His Majesty, so presumably His Majesty has some ideas in mind.

Why not have Lord Guo enter the palace to seek guidance? If Lord Guo is afraid in his heart, there is truly no need.

This old man is willing to accompany Lord Guo into the palace to have an audience with His Majesty. What say you?"

It turned out Shi Fenglai was also playing his own little scheme. He felt he had no idea what the Emperor saw in Wen Tiren to suddenly promote him by leaps and bounds to Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, while he himself?

When Huang Liji was in power, he was the Second Grand Secretary; Huang Liji fell, and he was still the Second Grand Secretary.

He might as well use this opportunity to show his face more before Chongzhen, and appear more eager to handle affairs than Wen Tiren. He was not afraid that the Emperor would not form an opinion of Wen Tiren.

Guo Yunhou was overjoyed upon hearing this and said to Shi Fenglai: "Many thanks, Grand Secretary Shi!" In his heart, he secretly felt grateful to Shi Fenglai for extending a helping hand.

Wen Tiren, however, said: "Entering the palace is not urgent. There is another matter that requires Lord Guo's attention."

Guo Yunhou asked: "Please instruct me, Chief Grand Secretary."

Wen Tiren said: "Since His Majesty wishes to give us a pay raise, Lord Guo will need to gather the archives within the Ministry of Revenue and calculate the monthly living expenses for a family of ten, as well as the monthly expenditures of officials at each rank.

We can then use that as a basis to submit our memorial."

Upon hearing this, Guo Yunhou smiled bitterly and said: "To be frank with the Chief Grand Secretary, the Ministry of Revenue has no such archives on these matters. If we wish to gather them, we must request them from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Presumably, they have archives there."

Although Wen Tiren had only recently taken over the Grand Secretariat, he had long anticipated this. He said to Guo Yunhou: "Forget it. This old man will thicken his face and go see Tian Ergeng about this matter."

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(End of Chapter)