Chapter 91: Reputation the Furnace, Greed the Coals

Once Wang Tiqian had made up his mind, he no longer hesitated.

He cleared his throat and spoke in a grave tone: "These past few days, this slave has dispersed all his mounted guard officers throughout the capital, investigating openly and secretly, and much has been learned."

"Since Your Majesty rebuked the hundred officials for corruption at the court assembly, the various ministers in the capital have reacted in different ways."

"There are those who have shut their gates and refused all visitors, strictly guarding their households — such as Xue Guoguan, the Chief Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Justice, who turned away every person bearing gifts at his door. This has become a much-discussed topic of refined conversation for a time."

"There are also those who maintain their old ways, outwardly complying but inwardly defying, still receiving and sending off guests as before, only conducting their affairs more discreetly than in the past."

"Furthermore, many among the former eunuch faction are deeply fearful and restless, seeking connections and new paths everywhere. However, when they approached the residences of several Grand Secretaries, the gates were all shut against them."

At this point Wang Tiqian paused and added: "A portion of them also came to this slave's residence, or to the residence of Tian Ergeng, Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

He made a casual point of it: "All those who came to this slave… this slave likewise shut the gate and refused to see every one of them."

"Finally, a considerable number of people all flocked to the residence of Chen Jiuchou, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who previously served as acting Minister of Justice. This Minister Chen turned away virtually no one who came."

"As for the rest, they are linking up with one another, either through the ties of examination masters and their disciples, or through bonds of shared native place, coming and going with great frequency."

"The confusion and clamor at each residence is too much to recount one by one. This slave has already compiled it into a volume and presents it for Your Majesty's imperial perusal."

With that, Wang Tiqian reverently drew a thin booklet from his wide sleeve and passed it up via Gao Shiming.

Zhu Youjian took it and leafed through it carefully.

The booklet was compiled in extraordinary detail.

Although the content of the secret talks in each residence could not be known, it had been precise down to: on a certain day at a certain hour, what person carrying what items, entering through which gate, going to which residence to pay a visit, and how long they stayed.

The corner of Zhu Youjian's mouth curved into an almost imperceptible arc.

On the whole, his anti-corruption slogans had some effect, but as expected, not much.

As for officials forming connections and factions among themselves… he found that entirely normal.

Where human feeling lies, where profit leads, even a sage cannot escape it.

This realm under heaven, in the final analysis, is a world composed of people.

Where there are people, there are human feelings and worldly obligations, there are disciples and old associates, there are fellow provincials and colleagues.

To expect the court to be filled entirely with pure, solitary ministers who form no cliques and join no factions — that is a fool's delusion.

He was not Chongzhen, who would naively believe that absolute solitary ministers existed in the world, and then fly into a rage upon discovering the true face of his "solitary ministers."

Forming factions — that was not a major problem.

As long as they were not allowed to form a combined force in their core interests and thinking sufficient to oppose imperial power, then it was harmless, and this very faction-forming might even be turned to his use.

With a snap he closed the booklet, let his gaze fall upon Wang Tiqian, and spoke with a note of precisely measured approval in his tone.

"Tiqian, you have indeed deeply grasped Our heart."

Zhu Youjian's tone was warm, like a spring breeze turning into rain.

At these words, Wang Tiqian slid once more from the brocade stool, prostrated himself on the floor, and his voice now carried a hint of a sob: "To share Your Majesty's burdens is this slave's bounden duty!"

Zhu Youjian raised the booklet in his hand and passed it to Gao Shiming at his side.

"Companion Gao, update all the information in this booklet onto the floating records of the hundred officials."

"Intelligence that Tiqian sends in hereafter, after We have reviewed it, shall also be handed to you for consolidation and updating."

"This subject obeys the decree." Gao Shiming bowed and received it.

Zhu Youjian spoke again: "Take this booklet, and from the sections concerning corrupt transactions, erase the specific names, leaving only the offices and the nature of the matters, and make a separate extract."

"Then, together with Xue Guoguan's memorial, send it to Guopu and Jingchen for their review."

Zhu Youjian paused, then said: "And convey Our oral decree along with it."

"Since We intend to combat corruption, We must first know how corrupt the realm is today. Otherwise, what are we combating? Where do we begin? To what extent do we go?"

"At present, among the Six Ministries, the circuit inspectors, and the provinces, what are the usual customary amounts? And what are the non-customary amounts?"

"If we are to combat corruption, which offices and which individuals should we begin with, in order to startle the mountain and shake the tiger — to achieve twice the result with half the effort?"

"What level of salary do officials at each rank require to maintain a decent standard of living?"

"How great is the shortfall in the salaries currently disbursed by the court? If we were to make up the full amount, how much additional silver would the imperial treasury have to spend in a year?"

"Also, are our Great Ming's laws for punishing corruption now too harsh, or too lenient? Do they need to be revised?"

Zhu Youjian thought for a moment and added: "That is all for now. Have them think through these questions one by one, write them out clearly, and then submit their proposals!"

"This subject obeys the decree." Gao Shiming again acknowledged the order.

Only then did Zhu Youjian turn his gaze back to Wang Tiqian.

"Tiqian, the reason We summoned you to the palace today was not originally for this matter."

With that, he gestured toward Gao Shiming: "Explain to Tiqian the full circumstances of Our plan to repair the capital's roads and have the hundred officials donate their salaries."

"Yes."

A moment later, Gao Shiming had concisely finished the account.

Wang Tiqian knelt on the floor and remained silent for a moment.

He could scent, behind this charitable act that appeared to benefit the state and the people, a hidden and unusual edge.

He raised his head and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty… does Your Majesty feel that the plan for officials to donate their salaries is feasible, only that… each person should contribute according to his ability?"

At last, a trace of a satisfied smile appeared on Zhu Youjian's face.

"Precisely. However, what each person's 'ability' amounts to — that will require you, Tiqian, to help determine."

"We shall issue a decree: all officials donating their salaries shall deliver the silver to you for collection."

Wang Tiqian's heartbeat began to quicken.

He hesitated a moment, then boldly added one more line: "This slave wonders… what should this 'ability' be? Should it be to exhaust one's full ability, or… only half?"

He clenched his teeth, and without waiting for Zhu Youjian to question him, steeled his heart and continued:

"Take Tian Ergeng, Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard — his family fortune is said to be two hundred thousand. A while ago, to share Your Majesty's burdens, he 'modestly contributed' seventy thousand, leaving over a hundred thousand remaining. With such family assets, what ability should he exert?"

As his words fell, Wang Tiqian pressed his head deeply to the floor, his forehead tight against the cold gold brick.

He was gambling!

Gambling that what the Emperor wanted was not the Depot and the Guard, but the "Depot" versus the "Guard"!

In the hall, a deathly silence fell.

Wang Tiqian felt his own heartbeat roaring in his ears like a war drum.

At his temples, cold sweat beaded out, drop by drop.

He did not know how long it lasted — it felt as long as a century.

Zhu Youjian suddenly smiled.

"Tian Ergeng's grandfather was a Minister of War under the previous dynasty. He crushed the Green Barbarians and awed the northwest. The Shenzong Emperor bestowed many rewards upon him, accumulated over many years. For him to possess such family assets is not all that remarkable."

Wang Tiqian's heart sank.

Yet Zhu Youjian's next sentence fell upon his ears like celestial music.

"However… Tiqian, you do indeed understand my heart deeply."

Though the tone carried obvious appreciation and a hint of amusement.

Zhu Youjian stepped out from behind the imperial desk and personally helped Wang Tiqian to his feet.

"This matter does not demand that each man exhaust his full strength — I only wish to see the measure of each man's heart."

His voice carried a faint, cool edge.

"I will have Xue Guoguan take the lead. At every newly built intersection in the capital, a stone stele of merit shall be erected."

"The names, offices, and sums of gold and silver donated by every contributor shall be engraved upon them, one by one."

"Those who donate more silver will naturally receive more gratitude from the people of the capital."

He paused, patted Wang Tiqian on the shoulder, and said, word by word:

"However, every single donation must have its name left upon the stele."

"Such a virtuous act that blesses the common people must assuredly let those who gladly donate be inscribed in history. Do you understand?"

In that instant, everything became crystal clear to Wang Tiqian!

This was never about the money!

This was not for wealth — it was truly a forging of hearts! Using reputation as the furnace and greed as the charcoal, what was smelted out — loyalty or treachery — would be clear at a single glance!

Once on this merit stele, those who donated much would indeed have demonstrated their loyalty, but they would also have laid bare their family fortunes under the broad light of day — no different from confessing their corruption to the Emperor and handing over a pledge of allegiance.

And those who donated little would indeed have preserved their wealth, yet they would have handed others the pretext of disloyalty, faithlessness, and deceiving their sovereign! These men might keep their money, but they might not necessarily keep their power!

How much one should donate did not wholly depend on the size of one's family fortune, but on whether one's heart was truly aligned with His Majesty!

"This slave… this slave understands!" Wang Tiqian cupped his hands. "This slave will see this matter handled cleanly and thoroughly!"

"Good." Zhu Youjian nodded with satisfaction. "Once this matter is settled, you may enter the palace every day at the hour of the snake. By then I will have finished reviewing the memorials, and it will be just the right time to hear you speak of affairs in the capital."

Enter the palace every day at the hour of the snake!

Wang Tiqian let out a long breath of relief. It seemed his gamble had paid off — though he still did not know exactly which step had done it.

His fingers trembled slightly within his sleeves from sheer excitement, yet his face strove to remain calm. He merely bowed deeply.

"This slave… will serve Your Majesty unto the last drop of his strength!"

Zhu Youjian rubbed his chin, as if suddenly recalling something, and asked offhandedly, "How much do you know of the affairs of the noble houses in the capital?"

Wang Tiqian's heart tightened. With a touch of trepidation, he said, "In reply to Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot's energies were previously concentrated mostly on the Donglin factional struggles and rooting out remnants of the eunuch faction. Only recently have they turned to matters of civil official corruption and faction-forming. As for the noble houses… I fear our information is not as thorough as it is for the civil officials."

"No matter." Zhu Youjian smiled. "This afternoon I shall summon the Duke of Ying to the palace and have him take the lead on this matter of noble contributions. Incidentally, I will also have him recommend some sons of the noble houses to enter the palace and accompany me in practicing mounted archery and martial arts."

"It is only that the Duke of Ying is advanced in years, after all. His eyesight may be somewhat dimmed, and when he looks at men and affairs, he is bound to misjudge on occasion."

"That is where you, Tiqian, must help me keep a watchful eye."

"You will also compile a set of materials. For each noble house in the capital — their approximate family assets, which of their sons stand out, which are talents fit for use, and which are wastrel good-for-nothings — draw up a list and submit it to me for my perusal in a few days."

The Ming nobility had long been marginalized in the political arena. Wang Tiqian felt no psychological burden about this matter and immediately cupped his hands to accept the order: "Yes, this slave receives the decree. A preliminary register can be submitted by roughly tomorrow."

A faint smile crossed Zhu Youjian's face. "Very well, that is all. Go and attend to it promptly."

"This slave takes his leave." Wang Tiqian, body bent, retreated from the great hall step by step.

Inside the hall, Zhu Youjian rubbed his chin, his gaze deep and distant.

Was money really so important?

On the surface, yes.

But from the perspective of the state, the ability to mobilize resources, the degree to which talent could be organized, the inclination of the people's hearts — these things were all far more important than mere money.

Confiscating estates was the crudest method. It yielded only a one-time cash flow and would provoke fierce backlash.

Only by skillfully exploiting the stains upon these eunuch-faction men and corrupt officials — hammering at them repeatedly, holding them in check repeatedly — could one wash and sift from among them a batch of iron-hard imperial partisans who would truly serve him and dare not harbor second thoughts.

But then again… how exactly was he to use these noble houses of the Great Ming?

The hysterical approach the historical Chongzhen had taken — driving them to hang themselves while crying poverty — was absolutely unworkable.

Were there some more civilized, more courteous methods by which he could sweep the wealth they had accumulated over two hundred years into this movement to save the nation from ruin and ensure its survival?

These people were, after all, shareholders of the Great Ming, more or less. He could not just watch them clutch their mountains of gold and silver as the ship went down with all hands.

Enough. No point overthinking it. He would act as he observed, feeling his way across the river by touching the stones.

"Companion Gao, serve the meal!"

(Chapter 92: The Old Money Nobles of the Great Ming (+2K))