Chapter 182: Next Year, I Shall Spend One Million

After the evening meal, Zhu Youjian came to the Hall of Earnestness.

Gao Shiming, Wang Tiqian, and Tian Ergeng had already taken their granted banquet early and were waiting here.

The three men were seated at their respective desks on the lower side; seeing His Majesty enter, they rose in turn to salute.

Since the grand court assembly, not only may civil officials sit during deliberations — inner court servants now have a seat as well.

This is not merely a mark of favor, but a consideration of practical efficiency.

For no other reason than this: the young emperor's commands are truly too numerous and too dense; without a desk to make prompt notes, relying on memory alone, one simply cannot retain them all.

Zhu Youjian swept his eyes over the three men, dispensed with pleasantries entirely, and called names directly:

"Companion Gao, three matters."

Gao Shiming hurriedly lifted his brush, held his breath, and looked toward Zhu Youjian.

"First: my privy purse currently holds one million six hundred seventy thousand taels."

"Of that, six hundred seventy thousand taels shall be kept in reserve; the remaining one million taels I intend to disburse in full next year."

Zhu Youjian's voice was steady and clear.

"This sum is to be allocated roughly as follows:"

"For new policies in the inner palace and the Depot and Guard — one hundred thousand taels."

"For new policies in the capital — one hundred thousand taels."

"For new policies in Northern Zhili — three hundred thousand taels."

"For auditing pay in Ji-Liao, reforming the household registration system, and other restructuring of old policies — two hundred thousand taels."

"For pressing tax arrears in every province of the realm — two hundred thousand taels."

"Lastly, I shall keep one hundred thousand taels in hand for unforeseen needs."

Here he paused, giving Gao Shiming a moment to record.

"The above is only my general thinking; the detailed rules may be adjusted."

"You shall take the lead on this matter. Consult with Yang Jingchen and Li Guopu, and set the reward scales for all items of the new policies."

"The overarching principle is one alone: the greater the benefit produced for the dynasty, the higher the reward. Once settled, present it to me promptly."

Gao Shiming's brush flew like the wind, rapidly jotting down several key words on the paper.

Only when Zhu Youjian had finished did he raise his head, ponder a moment, and confirm:

"Your Majesty, this slave will confirm once more."

"The purpose of this measure is to rouse the civil and military officials' enthusiasm for the new policies, and moreover, to distribute the benefits seized from the old policies in a reasonable manner into the hands of the meritorious officials who carry out the new policies?"

Talk of benefits and incremental gains still requires a veneer of high-sounding rhetoric in the outer court, but in these inner court discussions, it is already thoroughly blunt.

"You have understood correctly," Zhu Youjian nodded.

This was one of his many improvements to the Great Ming's working methods.

Now, whether it is the committees, the secretariat, or the Depot, Guard, and inner palace, after he issues an order, they all carry out a confirmation of purpose, a confirmation of method, and a confirmation of difficulties.

Do not guess at the sovereign's intent; do not play word games. Upon receiving an order, clarify it thoroughly at once.

Then produce a first draft, align it a second time, revise it step by step, and only at the end form the final draft, which is submitted to the relevant personnel for review; if there are no problems, begin execution.

Gao Shiming pondered another moment, then pursued further: "This slave believes this matter could perhaps run in parallel with the 'red-mark' rewards, yet cannot run entirely in parallel.

"Some minor achievements, even if they do not qualify for a red-mark reward, should still be measured and rewarded, for only thus can the hearts of lower-ranking officials be stirred."

"Quite right." Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction. "That point is most apt."

Zhu Youjian reflected a moment, then added:

"You may also extend this point more broadly. If among old-policy officials there are those who perform outstandingly, they too may be rewarded as circumstances warrant. We must avoid the entire old-policy apparatus sinking into lifelessness and mere muddling through."

Gao Shiming thought one last time and gave a deadline: "For this matter, the Directorate of Ceremonial will require about fifteen days before it can submit the first draft of the plan."

Zhu Youjian nodded and continued: "The second matter is relatively simple."

"Have Cao Huachun select from the eunuch corps those who ranked at the top in the last assessment, and send them to join the border inspection and pay assessment that Huo Weihua is organizing."

"Give them additional travel stipends, and instruct them to keep their hands clean for me. Those who can bring back valuable intelligence shall be promoted to study at the Inner Palace School."

Gao Shiming stopped his brush and made another round of confirmations, which need not be detailed here.

"The third matter is simpler still." Zhu Youjian, reaching this point, could not suppress a private chuckle before he spoke.

"Did I not today chop a corner off the imperial desk?"

"Have someone handle that desk corner, and tomorrow, with great fanfare, deliver it to Huo Weihua's residence."

"As for that imperial desk, there is no need to replace it either. Have the edges smoothed down, and continue using it for future meetings."

On this, Gao Shiming had nothing more to confirm. He rose, cupped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty is so benevolent and magnanimous — the hearts of all under Heaven will surely turn to you."

Zhu Youjian laughed aloud, neither confirming nor denying. He then looked toward Wang Tiqian:

"Companion Wang, two matters on your side."

"First: the matter of corruption — you must keep a close watch on it."

"I intend, when spring opens next year, to select a few typical cases and execute one to warn a hundred."

"From among the new-policy people, the old-policy people, and also my original followers from Prince Xin's residence — find me a few individuals from each."

Wang Tiqian considered, then said cautiously: "Your Majesty, among the new-policy people, as things stand now, everyone is behaving very obediently; I fear they will not be easy to find."

Zhu Youjian's brow furrowed: "Keep watching for now. If after two or three months none can be found…"

"Then insert a few with prior records into the new-policy apparatus in Northern Zhili."

"When the numbers grow large, there are bound to be some whose heads are not quite clear."

Wang Tiqian's heart chilled; he cupped his hands and accepted the order.

"Second: the surveillance of the various officials… the investigations must continue," Zhu Youjian went on.

"Members of the Grand Secretariat, the Governor-General of Northern Zhili, the Provincial Administration Commissioners of all thirteen provinces of the realm, the local officials of Northern Zhili…"

"There is a reason I have released so many official posts in such a short span of time."

"Those with schemes in mind will certainly be moving about busily right now."

"Seize this chance to update that 'Chart of the Hundred Officials' Factions' you submitted."

"If this is done well, I cannot openly reward you — but privately, I will bestow rewards myself."

Wang Tiqian immediately straightened and said solemnly, "How could this subject ever work merely for rewards?"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "Your refusal is your affair. My giving is my affair."

Only then did he turn his gaze to Tian Ergeng, who commanded the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"When we dispersed just now, you said the Embroidered Uniform Guard is short-handed. What is the situation?"

Tian Ergeng cupped his hands.

"Replying to Your Majesty, as Your Majesty instructed, the Embroidered Uniform Guard must select youths of clean family background to manage the radio stations and to plant men across the Nine Frontiers."

"Now, with so many matters underway, the Guard's overt manpower is sufficient — but when it comes to finding youths of clean background, we truly fall short."

"This subject petitions that we no longer confine ourselves to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's own guard stations, but instead screen clean youths from all eighty-seven guard stations in the capital region, taking those who are literate, can ride, and are versed in martial skills, to fill the ranks of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Let the quota first be set at one thousand men. This subject can offset this number by purging the old and weak from the Embroidered Uniform Guard's own quota."

"Old Tian does things reliably indeed." Zhu Youjian nodded approvingly. "Such foresight carries a hint of your ancestors' style. Approved. I grant it."

He shifted tone. "In addition, there is one more matter for you."

"From the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Armor Factory, and the Armory Bureau, find skilled craftsmen of every trade and send them into the palace. Smelters, carpenters, blacksmiths, glassworkers — leave no trade out. For each, pick the three or five best men."

At these words, the hall fell instantly silent.

Gao Shiming and the other two raised their heads together, their eyes carrying alarm and unease.

Gao Shiming opened his mouth as if to speak, then forcibly swallowed his words.

Seeing this, Zhu Youjian suddenly caught on and burst out laughing. "Ha ha ha ha — you think I intend to play at the 'Hundred Crafts' game? Set your minds at ease. If I sank into such diversions, the Sword of the Son of Heaven would not spare me."

The worry on the three men's faces eased somewhat, but plainly they were not entirely reassured.

Zhu Youjian shook his head and, without further explanation, continued.

"A third task for you. Have the banner officers in charge of the radio stations in each region seek out the best local farmers. Give each man five taels as a resettlement fee, and summon them all into the palace for me."

Having said all this, Zhu Youjian paid no further heed to their reactions and clapped his hands. "Very well, that is all. Dismissed! Dismissed!"

With that, he swept his robe sleeves and strode briskly away, turning back toward the Warm Pavilion.

Only Gao Shiming, Wang Tiqian, and Tian Ergeng remained where they stood, looking at one another in bewilderment.

A moment later, Gao Shiming and Wang Tiqian exchanged a glance, and each saw in the other's eyes a knowing smile.

The two chuckled softly, said nothing, cupped their hands, and went their separate ways.

Tian Ergeng alone was left — and that chuckle from the two men made his hair stand on end.

All the way home, he kept wondering whether the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Eastern Depot had reached some tacit understanding.