"For the silver." Empress Dowager Li heard Zhang Fan say this. His face was full of doubts. Also frowned. "What's wrong. Could it be that the Taifu is worried that the court will not be able to come up with it, which is not better than silver. Although it is said that Empress Dowager Li understands. Today's imperial treasury can have such a large income. In fact, most of it is due to Zhang Fan. However, as a superior person, it is natural to have a sense of superiority. Besides. The country is hers now. Even Zhang Fan is just a person who "works" for him. So. Empress Dowager Li did not show any concern about Zhang Fan's words. On the contrary, there is a sense of superiority mixed in with it.

"Weichen naturally didn't mean that." Zhang Fan said. Although facing such a slight accusation from the Empress Dowager Li. However, Zhang Fan did not have the slightest intention of panicking. Although Weichen is not on duty in the household department. I don't know how much tax the imperial court can collect every year. Approximate numbers though. Wechen can still estimate it. Today's imperial court. Don't say half a million. Even five million can be obtained. ”

For Zhang Fan's words. Empress Dowager Li smiled again. But then. The smile turned into a puzzle: "Why did the Taifu say that he came for the silver." ”

"Actually. The reason why Weichen said this. I also want to save money for the imperial court. Zhang Fan said with a smile.

"Save money. How to save. Heard Zhang Fan say this. Empress Dowager Li couldn't help asking. "Could it be said that it is impossible to let the court allocate less silver? In case there is not enough silver. The major event of water control has been delayed. How this matter is good. ”

"Nope. The Queen Mother misunderstood. Wechen didn't mean that. Zhang Fan hurriedly explained. Water control is a top priority. How could Weichen not know. I wouldn't do such a thing on such a big thing. ”

"That being the case. Where does Taifu's so-called saving money come from? Empress Dowager Li saw Zhang Fan answer. I couldn't help but be even more confused.

"Queen Mother. Things that used to control water. Wechen has also encountered it. I don't think the Queen Mother won't know. Zhang Fan said. Weichen, please ask the Queen Mother. In the past, when the water was controlled. but all the money needed. In the end, the court allocated as much as it wanted. ”

"Is this ......" Zhang Fan asked. So that the Empress Dowager Li will be speechless for a while. It's not because she doesn't know. But she knew it very well in her heart. Zhang Fan's words are not wrong at all.

As has been mentioned many times before. The Ming Dynasty was a dynasty of natural and man-made disasters. Man-made disasters are put aside. Natural disasters are annoying enough. And in the past. If you encounter such a thing as water control. Naturally, the imperial court attaches great importance to it. Wait until you have reported the amount of money you will need below. The court will immediately transfer the silver. And it's all at once.

Then this time Henan is an example. It costs 500,000 to control the water. It will also cost 500,000 to rebuild. Then the imperial court will inevitably allocate this million taels one time.

But. In reality, the situation is a little different. Actually every time. The court will put some more silver on top of this amount. Million. It's generally 1.2 million. One-time payment.

Why. It's too simple. Because there are countless corrupt officials below. There is no time for the silver to be put on the road. It's likely that it's going to be a lot less. And wait until the money arrives in the place. In the hands of local officials who passed by. Then I don't know how many more can really be used for water control. In the end. Even if the imperial court wants to liquidate. There is no way to do it. Management is chaotic. A lot of them are nameless and reaching out for money. After that, I didn't even know who had taken the money away in the first place. Ultimately. Although angry. But that's all it can be.

And for so many years. This happens all the time. No matter what the court comes up with. It's all about treating the symptoms but not the root cause. Maybe it worked at the time. But wait until next time. People are coming up with ways to deal with it again.

And what was said earlier. One million to one and two million. Actually, if you can get things done for two million. Tobe Shangshu is going to be thankful.

Zhang Fan said. Empress Dowager Li also fully understood what he meant.

Taifu said. The mourners understood. Empress Dowager Li's brows tightened. Said softly. "Just. This kind of thing. What's the use of knowing. It's not that the mourning family doesn't want to. When Taifu just mentioned this matter just now. The mourning family really didn't think of it for a while. It's really because it's no surprise to this kind of thing.

"Actually, before. The mourning family agreed that Zhang Aiqing tried the "Examination Law" in this water control matter, and there were also considerations in this regard. The biggest part is that I want to make the most of it. Don't let the money be taken away by those wicked people. Now Taifu replied to this matter. Taifu's kindness can be understood. But the mourning family really doesn't know what else to do now. ”

"The mood of the Queen Mother. Wechen can understand one or two. Zhang Fan said. Wechen also understands. If Mr. Zhang's "Examination Law" is implemented. There must be benefits to this. If anyone dares to be greedy in the future? As long as the time of the final review. It's all at a glance. No one can escape.

"Still. Wechen was still a little worried. Wechen is not saying that the "Examination Law" is not good. On the contrary, I think this method is indeed shrewd. It's just that. This time is the first time after all. And it's a trial again. A lot of people below who don't know. I don't know what this method can do. Some even feel. This is another method that the imperial court came up with. Except for a different name. The same method as before is to change the soup without changing the medicine. In this way. They are not afraid of it. Naturally, they will not stop being greedy.

"And wait until the final inventory. Although it is able to find out the greedy people one by one. But at that time. The flood control has also ended. All the money that should have been spent has been spent. And. Even if you find out those corrupt officials. It is not certain whether the silver will be able to come back. Wait until that time. Late. And not to mention the serious losses of the imperial court. Even Lord Zhang's "Examination Method" is effective. But it will also be attacked by the officials in the court. It's really inappropriate. ”

"Hmm." After listening to Zhang Fan's words. Empress Dowager Li bowed her head and thought for a while. "What Taifu said is indeed true. Merely. The mourning family really can't think of it. Is there any way to fix this. ”

"Queen Mother." At this time. Feng Bao on the side spoke. Mrs. Zhang spoke. I think I've already figured out a way. ”

"That's right." Empress Dowager Li heard him say this. Also raised his head. looked at Zhang Fan. Asked. "I don't know what tricks Taifu has."

"I don't dare to do it well." Zhang Fan said. "But Wechen did come up with some solutions."

"Hurry up and let the mourners hear." Empress Dowager Li hurriedly said. Obviously. After hearing that Zhang Fan had a way. She was desperate to know.

"In the opinion of Weichen......" Zhang Fan said. Is this something possible? In the past. Where did the flooding occur. When the imperial court sent someone to control the water. Naturally, the silver was to be put down. But in the past. The way for the court to allocate money down. It's really inappropriate. Let's talk about this time. A total of one million taels of silver was needed for Henan's flood control and reconstruction. And the imperial court must have allocated this million taels one time. Wechen thinks. This is clearly to tell the corrupt officials. Let them be covetous.

"Wechen means. Can it be. It only takes 500,000 to control the water in Henan. And according to Master Pan's recital. Although the flood in Henan hurt the lives of the people. But the water is quite strong. More than 10 states and counties were affected. And the damage was bad. In addition, it is still the season of water. According to Master Pan's estimate. This is the time to cure the water. It will take a month or two to do so.

"Then the court will first allocate 500,000 taels of silver. Let it be used locally for water control. When the water is almost over. Another 500,000 will be allocated for reconstruction. That's it. That's all the money given. If it is not enough. The court could then ask why this was so. And so it goes. If anyone dares to be greedy. The problem is immediately apparent. It was also possible to stop the momentum in time. I don't know what the Queen Mother thinks. ”

"Well......" Empress Dowager Li listened to Zhang Fan's words. It's a serious thought. A long time passed. She didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao: "Zhang Aiqing." Feng Bao. Talk about it. How is Taifu's method? ”

"Queen Mother." The first to speak was Zhang Juzheng. "Wechen before he came. Taifu mentioned this matter to Weichen. Weichen is also thinking. I think this method should work. ”

"The slave also agrees with what Taifu said." Feng Bao didn't say anything. It's just that I agree.

But now. Even these three people, who were the most trustworthy in front of Empress Dowager Li, agreed with one method. But Empress Dowager Li is still thinking about it.

"That's what I said. However, the mourning family is still a little uneasy. Empress Dowager Li said hesitantly. As a matter of fact. Taifu's method. The emperor had also inadvertently mentioned it to the mourning family before. But before the mourners spoke. The emperor himself vetoed this method.

"It's not anything else. Merely. If the money is not set aside all at once. It's always going to make people feel. The imperial court is somewhat lacking in confidence. Or maybe they don't pay attention to water control. And so it goes. I'm afraid that the local people will complain. And local officials will also think that this is an excuse made by the imperial court because of the lack of silver. That's it. The matter of water control is a bit troublesome. ”

Hear here. Others naturally understand. It turned out that Empress Dowager Li was worried about this problem. And actually. Zhang Fan raised the matter with Zhang Juzheng before. And Zhang Juzheng was also a little hesitant. That's what he's thinking about.

Now. Since Empress Dowager Li has already proposed it. How should this be solved?