Chapter 22: Facts are verified and words are straight, stones from other mountains

This is the excellent experience of the past life—pilot.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng's steps are too big, not to mention the hesitation of the two palaces.

And if it is really spread out, the administrative power of today is simply not enough to support it.

How many dissatisfied officials will cause how much trouble is also difficult to estimate.

Being overwhelmed, it is a waste of time.

Even if it is forcibly promoted, it will lead to public anger, and the subsequent backlash, I am afraid that only people will be left—at that time, someone's end will be too miserable, Zhu Zhu Yijun is not willing to do so.

The pilot is much more controllable, boiling frogs in warm water.

The few big guys who can speak in the Great Ming Dynasty, whether it is Gao Gong, Zhang Zhang Juzheng, or himself hiding behind the scenes, all support the Single Whip Law.

A mere Shuntian Prefecture, making some trouble is within the acceptable range, and there is no energy to gather and jointly submit a petition, crying at the gate.

There are also those who claim to resign and return to their hometowns, riding a raft to the sea, etc., and they can't raise much momentum.

If you don't do it, there are plenty of people who will do it. Even if it is difficult to find honest officials, I don't believe that honest officials in a prefecture can't be found.

Sure enough, when Imperial Consort Li heard this, her eyes immediately shone with brilliance, and she was clearly moved—these two days, she had been scolded by the honest officials for the Single Whip Law.

Her son's method is indeed the best of both worlds.

It not only reduced the scope of the Single Whip Law and reduced the intensity, but also saved expenses for the palace and watched the effect under her nose.

The expenses in the palace are not small.

Since there is no place to open source, she doesn't mind cutting expenses. Her two sons haven't married yet. If the people below empty the inner treasury, it would be a failure as a mother.

She thought about it, and still said with the heart of checking for omissions: "Shuntian Prefecture has nothing to say, but this Needlework Bureau, why is it not Feng Zhang Daban who leads this matter? He is also the head of the Ceremonial Seal."

Zhu Zhu Yijun's expression shook. Good, it's time to slander again.

He looked at Feng Bao behind him who was ignorant and didn't know what would happen.

He said softly to Imperial Consort Li: "Mother, Feng Zhang Daban is the head of the Ceremonial Seal and concurrently manages the Eastern Depot. There are also the Imperial Horse Supervisor's inner guards, and the inner treasury, all of which have to pass under his nose. I am afraid he is too busy to attend to it."

"Moreover, even if Zhang Zhang Daban manages this matter concurrently, Feng Zhang Daban can also manage it. After all, Zhang Zhang Daban was appointed as the supervising eunuch by Mother, but every time he does things, doesn't Feng Zhang Daban also ask about it personally?"

This Feng Bao, his power is too heavy, and he can't get rid of the deep-seated ills in the palace, and he also violates Mother's employment. Mother, be accurate in looking at people.

Sure enough, Imperial Consort Li fell into deep thought.

After a long while, she nodded: "What my son said... is indeed reasonable."

Zhu Zhu Yijun breathed a sigh of relief. This is the benefit of Imperial Consort Li's soft ears. Whoever slanders is useful.

Imperial Consort Li asked again: "This is the first, what about the second?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun only mentioned one just now, which shows that there are other ideas.

Zhu Zhu Yijun continued to say: "Mother, the so-called 'performance' is the second."

The two palaces are afraid of damaging the holy virtue, so let's give grace.

Imperial Consort Li wondered: "Performance?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded: "This Single Whip Law is too cruel. Mother also knows that the officials of our dynasty are sluggish and mostly live by corruption."

"If you add burdens rashly and forbid corruption, I am afraid they will have no way to live."

"Maybe there will be trouble."

Originally lying flat and not working, life is good.

Now get a Single Whip Law, not only let people work, but also not let corruption? Unreasonable!

Cry at the gate! Must cry at the gate!

Imperial Consort Li nodded: "I am worried about this. Even according to Jun'er's idea, only Shuntian Prefecture is taken for the time being, but looking at the meaning of the Cabinet, it will eventually be spread out in the future."

Zhu Zhu Yijun understands the leader's mind very well, seeking stability.

Boiling frogs in warm water is just a smooth start. Once spread out, when it reaches the critical point, it will eventually be connected, holding the Single Whip Law to oppose the Single Whip Law.

He explained: "My son means, since I am afraid of trouble, it is better to divide it."

"The Cabinet's Single Whip Law, the excellent will be promoted, the qualified will be kept, and the unqualified will be dismissed, simple and cruel."

"But Mother, there are many officials in this world. How many are excellent? How many official positions can be left for promotion?"

"I am afraid that most of them are between qualified and unqualified?"

"If most of them only increase power and responsibility, and cannot receive holy grace, I am afraid there will be resentment and heavy resistance."

"According to my son's idea, the officials of our dynasty, it is rare to be qualified, so it is better to give some real benefits and reward some silver."

"Those who are unqualified, take three times as the upper limit, and then dismiss them, leaving some room."

"In this way, it can not only have more legal income, moralize those corrupt officials who are hesitant, but also make the two not work together, urging the hundred officials to do their best."

"The white face is sung by the Cabinet, and Mother plays the red face of compromise, which can also show Mother's benevolent and holy virtue."

Zhu Zhu Yijun said it in one breath, and his mouth was a little dry.

After this set of patches, the Single Whip Law, although still not perfect, can alleviate most of the resistance.

Increasing legal income is imperative.

High salary cannot raise honesty, but if even the basic living needs cannot be guaranteed, it will definitely be corrupt—expecting everyone to be a born saint is unrealistic.

While ensuring basic survival, hanging a sharp sword on the head, carrots and sticks, and grace and power, is the correct policy.

Blindly giving grace is helping the tyrant.

Blindly pressing hard will only be countered.

A Single Whip that is not dialectical will sooner or later die.

As for why it is performance, not added to the salary itself?

One is to show contrast and inspire people, and the other is naturally to facilitate dynamic adjustment at any time and do some articles—this power must be firmly held in his hands.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked back at Imperial Consort Li who was thoughtful. She was clearly listening, and he couldn't help but nod secretly.

Imperial Consort Li naturally understood.

Not only did she understand, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt it was wonderful!

In this way, the holy virtue she was most worried about would not be damaged.

I have done this to this point, if you don't do your best, can you blame me?

Not only that, but she can also get a good reputation among the clear stream. After all, the court officials who want to do things and don't want to be corrupt are really hungry.

The only drawback is...

"Then will the Ministry of Revenue be willing to pay for this reward?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Mother, the performance of this year's pilot, our palace will pay."

Imperial Consort Li opened her mouth: "Ah?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun explained: "Mother, the 100,000 taels from the Ministry of Revenue this time, we don't want the money in name, but put it in the Ministry of Revenue, and use the name of the inner treasury as 'performance'."

"There are 28,963 officials in the dynasty, and Shuntian Prefecture, plus the Needlework Bureau, is no more than 800. These 100,000 taels as performance, and the priority to make up for the arrears, are more than enough."

"Gao Gong doesn't give this money? The palace's expenses, Gao Gong can still connect the group of officials to block it, but if it is the source of benevolent government, the hundred officials will inevitably stand on Mother's side. Gao Gong alone, even if he is determined, can't stop it."

"Using it to give us grace is better than Gao Gong taking it to buy people's hearts."

The inner court wants to send money to court officials, this kind of person, no one can stop it.

However, he reserved something in his words. After all, this number did not calculate the officials, otherwise it would expand tenfold.

But it is still the same sentence, eat one bite at a time, he is not a god, and he can't take care of everything.

The annual salary of the Great Ming Dynasty is more than 1.3 million taels of silver. Less than 50% of the actual issuance in previous years. Do the officials at all levels not want to pay their own people?

No money!

Without improving the tax law, or even measuring the fields, these are treating the symptoms but not the root cause!

However, no matter what tax law or new policy, it requires the cooperation of the entire bureaucratic system. How can you do a good job with the insects?

Rectifying the administration requires money, and making money requires rectifying the administration, which forms a paradox.

Zhu Zhu Yijun now wants to open a gap in this paradox.

Use low costs to slowly promote administrative reform, and then use the results of administrative reform to promote new policies, thereby forming a virtuous cycle.

Of course, there is no need to tell Imperial Consort Li about this.

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw that Imperial Consort Li didn't answer, and continued: "In this way, it is our reputation, and it can also allow Mother to win a game in Gao Gong."

"Anyway, if the Single Whip Law is not easy to use, we won't pay it next year. If it is effective, the silver saved by the inner treasury in a year is more than 100,000 taels."

"After the Single Whip Law is effectively spread, not to mention the silver saved by cutting expenses, there will inevitably be no lack of open-source means in the future. At that time, we will discuss how to spend it with the Ministry of Revenue."

"We will never lose."

A tribute tea has more than 30,000 taels of tricks. Even if the Single Whip Law only has 30% of the anti-corruption effect, saving 10,000 taels, then the remaining gold, millet, silk, tea, wax, and pigments, each saving some, is more than 100,000 taels.

What if there is not even 30% of the anti-corruption effect? If you don't give face like this, why don't you kill people?

There is no need to calculate political accounts with deep palace women. Calculating economic accounts vaguely is the right medicine. Promoting the Single Whip Law is good for all parties.

He looked up at Imperial Consort Li again, but still saw no reaction.

Zhu Zhu Yijun really didn't know that Imperial Consort Li was really speechless this time.

She didn't understand, let alone disagree, she was just surprised.

Her own son... is simply a born emperor!

Chest has strategies, multi-planning and decisive! These are the words that linger in her mind.

A woman from a civilian background, she doesn't understand these twists and turns, but she has also seen the late Emperor handle political affairs.

Which time is not full of worries and sighs.

She has never seen such a method of antelope hanging horns, which simply amazed her.

This feeling, she only saw in those cabinet ministers, just like Yan Song of the year, and Xu Jie later.

The rest, such as Li Li Chunfang and Gao Gong, are not ranked!

This talent and power, in a trance, has the style of Shizong. Is this intergenerational closeness?

The difference is that Shizong uses power to control subordinates, while her son uses it to discuss major policies with herself.

From this moment on, she finally believed that what her son said that day that he saw the late Emperor in the dark must be true.

The late Emperor manifested! The ancestors manifested!

This seedling, if taught well, becomes an enlightened monarch... In the future, there will be a few more lines of her deeds in the history books.

Inadvertently, the eye sockets were a little moist.

"Mother? Mother?"

Imperial Consort Li came back to her senses.

Seeing Zhu Zhu Yijun calling her, she hurriedly turned her face away, pretending that nothing happened and said: "This matter is not up to us, it still has to be discussed in the Cabinet."

Not to mention that her decree was rejected.

Even if the Emperor issued a decree, without the Cabinet's ticket, it would be a middle decree, and the process would be illegal.

Gao Gong acted fiercely, and it was not impossible to go his own way and ignore her—Imperial Consort Li only thought that the Single Whip Law was proposed by Gao Gong.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was full of confidence: "Mother, don't worry, I also told Zhang Gelao Gao about this method. Gao Gong also gave many suggestions on the omissions. I think he will convince the Senior Zhang Gelao, so Mother doesn't need to issue a decree."

"By the way, Mother, don't tell anyone that it is my idea. After all, my son is still young..."

Gao Yi is a very useful excuse, Zhu Zhu Yijun naturally created it out of nothing.

However, he is not lying to Imperial Consort Li, he just intends to convince Gao Yi first, and then let Gao Yi come forward.

Gao Yi, a moral gentleman, is best convinced by the righteousness.

Imperial Consort Li looked at his high-spirited appearance, her eyes full of gratification.

……

Emperor Longqing Year 6, June 7th.

At this time, it was only three days away from the ascension ceremony, and there were more busy figures in the Forbidden City.

But none of them could affect Zhu Zhu Yijun.

He was still developing in an orderly manner, strengthening his body, caring for his oral cavity, pleasing the Li family, and accumulating prestige.

In the morning, when Zhu Zhu Yijun went to the Zhao Wenhua Hall for daily lectures, there were two fewer attendants.

Ma Ma Ziqiang and Tao Tao Dalin, the Junior Zhan Shi of the Zhan Shi Mansion and the Reader of the Hanlin Academy, went to prepare the etiquette for the ascension ceremony with the Ministry of Rites, as well as the posthumous title of the late Emperor, so the daily lecture side could only ask for leave.

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't have a deep impression of these two people, and didn't take it to heart.

After meeting each other, Zhu Zhu Yijun skillfully walked to Gao Yi, grabbed Gao Yi's hand, and walked inside.

"Come, give the teacher a seat." Saying that, he turned his head to look at Gao Yi again, "Teacher, which article are you talking about today?"

Gao Yi no longer resists this set of chain moves.

He answered naturally: "Your Highness, it is the Zi Cai and Zhao Gao articles of the Book of Documents."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded, helped him sit down, and then returned to the desk and sat upright.

He intended to show a certain intelligence, and the recitation progress of the Book of Documents was also very fast.

In the past six or seven days, he had already finished learning the Book of Shang and had already reached the Book of Zhou.

There were even lecturers who deliberately flattered him, boasting outside that the Crown Prince read ten lines at a glance and never forgot.

In fact, this progress can only be considered slightly fast. For him, reciting two or three articles of 200 words a day is not hard at all. In his previous life, he could recite seven or eight poems a day at the age of seven.

Gao Yi sat on the low stool with half his buttocks, and his heart was also quite proud.

Who doesn't want the students they teach to never forget and draw inferences from one instance?

At the moment, the Crown Prince followed the lecturers to recite the classics, and stopped reading, and was proficient in less than two times.

Entering the lecture and explaining the meaning, he also understood it, and often had different realizations about the different explanations of the lecturers, extending to his own conduct and governance.

A smart student, a student who respects the teacher and respects the way, a monarch who is benevolent and filial, almost meets all of Gao Yi's wishes.

Gao Yi looked at Zhu Zhu Yijun who was reciting, or meditating, or suddenly enlightened on the imperial desk, and stroked his beard unconsciously, revealing a smile.

Such a school is simply an enjoyment.

It was not until a lecturer whispered in his ear that he realized it was noon and the daily lecture was over.

Gao Yi hurried to get up and took two steps forward: "Your Highness, today's daily lecture, let's stop here."

The rest of the lecturers got up and saluted together.

Gao Yi was ready to leave.

But he heard the Crown Prince's voice from above: "Teacher, stay."

"Today's daily lecture, I have some insights, Teacher might as well have a meal with me, so as to correct me."

Gao Yi was stunned.

Participating in meals has always been a treatment for court officials who enjoy great glory.

When the late Emperor was alive, only Gao Gong enjoyed it.

Now that it fell on his head, he was a little at a loss for a moment.

He hurriedly arched his hands, just wanted to refuse, and met the Crown Prince's expectant, harmless eyes.

Gao Yi's refusal words changed shape ghost-like to his mouth: "Your Highness has the heart to study, how dare this humble official not obey?"

Then he was dragged by Zhu Zhu Yijun and brought to the side room for meals.

"Teacher, I am in the mourning period, and what I use is slightly light. Teacher, don't mind." Zhu Zhu Yijun apologized.

Gao Yi didn't care. He had long passed the age of gluttony.

Being able to participate in meals, even if it is gnawing on grain grass, he can enjoy it.

"Your Highness, don't fold this humble official. The monarch's grace is vast, and this official is ashamed."

Although he said so, he only took it as polite words. The palace is extravagant, and no matter how much the mourning period is, how bad can it be?

But until he looked at the imperial meal being served, he was a little astonished.

The lunch used by the Crown Prince actually had only eight dishes.

Gao Yi came from the imperial examination, and naturally read the "Nanjing Guanglu Temple Records". In the past, Taizu was simple, and lunch had 24 dishes.

Even if you take the recent one, when the late Emperor mourned for Emperor Shizong, lunch was as many as 27 dishes.

Now this Crown Prince is actually simple to this point?

Is it deceived by the inner officials!?

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw Gao Yi's concerns and explained warmly: "Teacher, don't worry, reducing the imperial meal is my meaning."

To tell the truth, with so many dishes, he couldn't finish them, so why waste them.

Having been in a high position for many years, he had long lost his obsession with this gluttony. The six dishes and one soup in the canteen were satisfied.

He continued: "The late Emperor's bones are not cold, just vegetarian food, how can I express the sorrow in my heart?"

"Furthermore, the teachers have said that the people's livelihood is withered today, the people are suffering, and there are often people who are not full."

"I, as the monarch and father, how can I let the people suffer alone and be extravagant?"

"In this way, I can accumulate some blessings for my father, and express the heart of suffering with the people."

"It made Teacher laugh."

Gao Yi listened to Zhu Zhu Yijun's shy and detailed explanation, and only felt a blockage in his chest.

He didn't want to think about whether this Crown Prince had the component of showing off.

As an old-fashioned scholar, he watched a monarch do this.

No matter for what reason, it is a lucky thing.

It is better than Emperor Shizong, who kept saying that there are only eight sets of clothes in the four seasons, but was extravagant and regarded the people as grass.

Gao Yi hurriedly lowered his head to cover his emotions: "The people are suffering, it is the Cabinet's sin, it is this official's sin."

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "The ten thousand parties have sins, the sin is in my body."

Yesterday, he just accepted the urging to ascend. At this time, it is not a big deal to not follow the ritual system and say a word of "I".

He looked at the side hall, Zhang Hong's godson, and Jiang Jiang Keqian standing on the side, and winked back and forth.

The two knew how to drive away the left and right, and stood far away.

Zhu Zhu Yijun reached out to ask Gao Yi to sit down, sincerely and earnestly: "Teacher."

"For twenty-nine years, the country has not seen the real politics of loving the people. Heavy taxes and levies, rotting flesh and blood on the border defense; fields, salt, tea, and wine, exhausting the brain and marrow on the whip."

"The rushing is only like an enemy, who is the parent? Making our people suffer and have no appeal."

He paused and sighed: "Teacher... it is my sin, it is my Zhu Ming royal family's sin." ===== CHAPTER 23 =====