It's not that the two of them were frightened by the shocking data on the piece; But they probably guessed what the emperor wanted them to do, and the two of them were frightened.

The matter of arrears of taxes and preferential exemption of officials and gentry are the two taboos of the Ming Dynasty, unless it is the kind of person who really has the mind to serve the country and the people, he will touch it;

And Zhang Pu? As far as his control of the imperial examination is concerned, it can be seen that he is really for the country and the people? If this is really the case, doesn't he know how serious the harm to the country is to cut off the normal scientific research path of others?

As for Wu Changshi, not to mention. In the original history, for the sake of power, he even did things to poison Zhang Pu and try to replace him, so it can be seen that he can really serve the country and the people?

And both of them are in the officialdom, how can they not know that if they touch these two things, then what will happen to them next?

Emperor Chongzhen kept looking at the two of them, and when he saw their expressions change, he knew what they were thinking, and immediately sneered in his heart, aren't you the leader of the Fushe and the leader of Qingliu? Just now I swore that I would serve the country and the people, and I would be loyal to the king and serve the country, so this thing is for you to do!

In fact, when Wen Tiren was the first assistant, he was already aware of the harm of the Restoration Society to Daming, so he wanted to rectify the Restoration Society at that time. However, the power of the Restoration Society is too great, even if Wen Tiren is the first assistant, there is nothing he can do, not only can he not restrain the growth of the Restoration Society, but even his brother Wen Yuren was listed by the magistrate behind the Restoration Society and arrested in prison.

At this time, when Emperor Chongzhen saw that Zhang Pu and Wu Chang had finished reading it, he lowered his head and was still pretending to watch the recital, so he sighed lightly and said; "When I went out this time, I really realized what it is to have no rooster crow for thousands of miles, and the white bones are exposed in the wild! Qing and the others may not know, but looking at this situation, I am deeply saddened. Behind every white bone, how many tears of relatives are missing? Behind every broken wall, how many people's homes are ruined? I just heard that you are all thinking about relieving the people's worries, and I believe that Qing and the others must be very sad when they see each other, right? ”

When Zhang Pu and Wu Changshi heard it at this time, they finally knew why the emperor praised the two of them from the beginning of their meeting, it turned out that he had buried a pit to make them jump, and he couldn't help but be very speechless in his heart.

But for the two of them, don't say that they are now in front of the emperor, even if they are not in front of the palace, they must at least show sadness for this kind of thing, and behave for the country and the people, because this is the basis of their fame. The so-called Qingliu leader, the righteous man and gentleman of the Ming Dynasty, must have such a performance!

Therefore, no matter what they thought in their hearts, they all expressed their stance to Emperor Chongzhen together, and they were indeed very sad.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he made a serious face, pointed to the music in their hands and said: "The reason why there is such a tragic situation is because the imperial court has no money and food, and in the face of natural and man-made disasters, there is no way to provide disaster relief. And if these arrears, as well as those other preferential exemptions, can be paid to the imperial court, I believe that the people will not have such a tragedy again. ”

Speaking of this, he saw that Zhang Pu seemed to want to speak, so he sneered in his heart, and took the first step and said: "Therefore, Qing and the other two are young and promising, and they have a sharp spirit, I also saw it just now, and heard the hearts of the two Qing, loyal to the monarch to serve the country, for the country and the people, this matter is not handed over to Qing and the other two to do, I feel that I have buried talents!" ”

Zhang Pu and Wu Changshi heard the bitterness in their hearts, and they knew that the emperor would say so. However, these two things really can't be done!

Thinking so, they glanced at each other, and when they saw that in each other's eyes, they didn't mean to agree first, and they knew that the other party actually wanted to take it by themselves. But is it possible? Who is stupid?

So, they turned their heads to look at Emperor Chongzhen again, and in a hurry, they wanted to speak and excuse themselves.

However, Emperor Chongzhen still didn't give them a chance to speak, and said in a cold voice: "I know that this matter is very difficult, and I am afraid that it will provoke the retaliation of some bad officials. But don't worry, with me, no one can touch you, and I still have this responsibility. Of course, you must not live up to my expectations, and you must also take responsibility. Otherwise, the lessons of the past have just been learned at the beginning of the year. ”

What he said is a lesson from the past, referring to the fact that at the beginning of the year, many officials did not go to court because they were sick. At that time, Emperor Chongzhen severely punished a group of people, and even Fang Fengnian, an assistant minister of the cabinet at that time, did not escape, and even demoted many levels to become a Texas prefect.

Zhang Pu and Wu Changshi naturally knew these things, but compared to doing those two things, they could immediately measure the gains and losses in their hearts, and they would rather not be officials for the time being than offend so many colleagues.

Thinking so, the two of them glanced at each other again, and they both saw the meaning in each other's eyes.

However, without waiting for them to make excuses, Emperor Chongzhen's tone was a little colder, and he said coldly: "I believe that Qing and the others should not disappoint me. Otherwise, just now in front of me, lies and deceived me, what loyalty to the monarch to serve the country, for the country and the people, and to die with all his might, it is all a lie. Those who committed the crime of deceiving the king, the head that had just been taken off the head of Zhengyangmen City was the end. ”

Speaking of this, he softened his tone a little and said: "Qing and the other two are both pillars of the Ming Dynasty, I believe that it is impossible for me to have the audacity to coax me in person, right?" ”

"It's over, it's over, it's all over!" When Zhang Pu and Wu Changshi heard such an obvious threat, they secretly complained in their hearts, and even their intestines were repentant. If I had known this, I should have been more reserved at that time!

Emperor Chongzhen had already said it so obviously, and the two of them had no choice but to agree at this time. Otherwise, it is not a question of whether there is an official to do it, but a question of whether a small life can be saved!

The most important thing is that if they don't agree, it is the crime of bullying the king, and if they don't agree, they will take off their heads and hang them on Zhengyangmen, and at the same time, tell the world, saying that the two of them are deceitful and famous, and they say that they want to serve the country and the people and be loyal to the country, but if they really want to do things that are loyal to the monarch and serve the country and the country, they are afraid and dare not dare. This is completely different from the image they have worked so hard to create before.

Is this still a clear stream? Or a gentleman? Bah! I don't know what those gentry will think, but the vast majority of the people will see their truth. From then on, it is their deception that will leave a name in history!

In this way, is it unjust to die, willing to be unwilling?

Zhang Pu and Wu Changshi are absolutely unwilling to touch these two things whenever there is a way to go. However, now Emperor Chongzhen does not give them any other choice, either they are beheaded for infamy, or they can only take these two things.

After Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, he kept staring at the two of them. After a while, he noticed that the spirits of the two people seemed to have shrunk a little. Then, I heard the two of them say one after another: "Weichen will obey his will and dare not disobey!" ”

"Eating the king's lu, loyal to the king's business, this is the duty of the minister, Your Majesty has a will, the minister will do his best, go to the soup and go to the fire, and it will be completed." Since Zhang Pu agreed, his words were very beautiful, "Urging the arrears can have immediate results, for the sake of the court, for the people, the minister is willing to accept this matter!" ”

When Wu Changshi heard this, he immediately wanted to scold, okay, you Zhang Pu, you still want to be shameless, didn't you say that you would listen to the emperor's orders, why did you grab one yourself?

Checking the preferential exemption limit of the official gentry and making up for the arrears is, of course, more serious than the collection of arrears. After all, although most of those who owe endowments also have official gentry backgrounds, some of them are still rich peasants after all. However, the verification of the preferential exemption of officials and gentry is aimed at Ming officials, and the degree of difficulty can be imagined!

At this time, Wu Changshi regretted it again, he knew that if this was the case, he should have taken the first step.

Thinking like this, he was naturally unwilling, so he hurriedly followed: "Your Majesty, Wechen has a little experience in collecting tax arrears, and if Wechen does it, it should be able to see immediate results!" ”

"......" Zhang Pu was speechless for a moment when he heard this, and when he looked at Wu Chang out of the corner of his eye, he really wanted to scold, and he was embarrassed, he could say such words, this was obviously a robbery!

Naturally, he would not give up, so he immediately followed suit, saying that he also had experience in this area.

The two of them quarreled in front of the emperor, and the more they argued, the more fierce they became, and the smell of gunpowder slowly came out.

Emperor Chongzhen may not know that they are so noisy, but in fact, they don't want to check the preferential treatment of the gentry. Hehe, he is a self-proclaimed righteous gentleman and the leader of the country's clear stream, but he has such a face!

After arguing for a while, feeling that their relationship was completely broken, Emperor Chongzhen interrupted their quarrel with a cough.

I saw him smile and said, "Qing and the other two are so positive, I am very relieved." In that case, then that's fine......"

After all, it is still necessary to be judged, Wu Changshi and Zhang Pu heard that the emperor was going to decide, and they couldn't help but immediately hold their breath, waiting to hear how the emperor decided.

“…… Qing and the other two are responsible for the verification of the preferential exemption of the gentry in their respective regions and the collection of arrears. ”

Hearing this, the two of them couldn't help but be stunned, but they didn't expect the result of the fight was that neither of them was better than the other, and they both took two things together.

In this way, Zhang Pu couldn't help but hate Wu Chang to death, he wanted to rob him, otherwise, he would only go to collect the arrears.

And Wu Changshi naturally hates Zhang Pu, if you don't rob me, I will be so unlucky?

Emperor Chongzhen didn't care what the two of them were thinking, so he continued: "Qing and the others are both from Jiangnan, and they are very familiar with Jiangnan, and Jiangnan is a major tax place in the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Zhang Qing inspected Yingtianfu, Zhenjiang Mansion and Yangzhou Mansion, while Wu Qing inspected Changzhou Mansion, Suzhou Mansion and Songjiang Mansion to supervise these two matters. Before next year's summer grain harvest, we must give me a result. ”

Speaking of this, he said in a soothing tone: "As long as I do a good job, I will promote Qing and the other two as governors, and then expand the scope to share my worries!" ”

They had only been in the rank of sergeant for a few years, and if they had been qualified normally, it would have been impossible for them to be promoted to governor so quickly. You must know that the governor is a high-ranking official of the Ming Dynasty and a feudal official.

However, if there is a bit of a choice, neither Wu Changshi nor Zhang Pu wants to be the governor so soon. It's really an errand that will offend too many people. I don't know anything else, even the network of contacts they have built up through the Restoration Society will fall apart because of this.

And the resumption of the society, in fact, is the two of them, especially Zhang Pu, who can have the foundation of today's life, and it is the biggest political resource he has obtained. This network of contacts not only allows him to be the governor, but even the first assistant in the cabinet, which is not a problem.

Thinking of this, Zhang Pu was even more sad in his heart, why did the emperor choose himself to do this? Could it be because he and this thief both taught the prince? Think about it! Otherwise, if it was just a matter of resuming the society, the emperor might have asked himself a long time ago, instead of waiting until now.

Thinking about it like this, Zhang Pu couldn't help but regret it a lot, if he knew that this would be the case, he would not have taken advantage of the emperor's absence in Beijing to promote public opinion, and let his virtuous name spread to the queen, and he would not have taught the prince, and there would be no today!

The reputation is too good, and sometimes, it's not a good thing!

Emperor Chongzhen didn't care what the two of them thought, for him, this matter was a win-win.

The two of them, go to their lair, where they have the best reputation, check the preferential and exemption limits of the official gentry, and collect the arrears, they will inevitably have a bad relationship with the official gentry who originally supported them. In this way, even if you don't go to the Restoration Society, I believe that the Restoration Society will not have the energy it used to be.

The second advantage is that if they can really do this, they can collect taxes and verify the preferential exemption quota of the gentry, which will be of great benefit to curb the land annexation and financial crisis in the late Ming Dynasty.

The two of them, if they can break the game, then they will promote it nationwide, even if they don't use the methods of later generations to make money, they can also meet the needs of the Ming Dynasty.

However, Emperor Chongzhen felt that it was impossible to succeed with a high probability. The two of them will definitely have difficulties when they go to Jiangnan.

In this regard, Emperor Chongzhen will help them, and it is best to succeed. If it doesn't work, then Emperor Chongzhen will come forward in person, or choose someone else to come forward and continue this matter.

Looking at the development of the situation, if there is a fierce trouble, Emperor Chongzhen doesn't mind flipping the table, at least he already has the capital to flip the table at this time. Simply implement the principle of "officials and gentry as one errand and one as one food".

However, this is also different from that of the Manchu Dynasty, and the reason why the Manchus were able to launch this was because of the heads of the gentry and their masters. Their master can get money if he doesn't do anything. In place of them, the gentry became the new highest-ranking parasites in the common people.

After the matter was decided, Emperor Chongzhen did not give the two of them a chance to move their minds, so he immediately made it clear to the world and appointed Zhang Pu and Wu Changshi as the Jiangnan Inspectors, full-time to verify the preferential and exemption limits of the gentry and to collect the arrears. Suddenly, the entire officialdom of Daming was a sensation.