Chapter 774: The New Official Takes Office (II)

As soon as the day dawned, the following was clear, saying that the sects invited by the adults yesterday came.

Shen Mo let them lead them to the front hall, as for tea and snacks, with Wang Qiming here, he didn't have to worry about it. After reading the documents for a few more minutes, he got up and came out to meet them.

"Hahaha, the servant is in office, he is busy with official business, and he has been waiting for you for a long time" Shen Mo smiled, turned out from behind the screen enthusiastically, and said: "Forgive forgiveness." ”

Several clans hurriedly got up to greet each other, and the first one hurriedly said: "My lord is busy, and I am already grateful." ”

"Where and where are ......" Shen Mo asked them to sit down, and he also sat in the right seat, and asked with concern: "After going back yesterday, are you okay?" ”

"It's okay, it's okay, fortunately, thanks to the adults who stopped me, I didn't hurt many people......" The old clan sighed, and the young man next to him said with hatred: "Although our clan is not as good as it used to be, we can't be bullied like this, this matter must let the emperor know that the dragon sons and grandsons of the old Zhu family have been bullied, what has been bullied?" ”

Shen Mo glanced at him, and said in his heart that this person really couldn't figure it out. Yesterday, Zhou Yushi was relieving the siege for himself, and he was reasonable, and he had the obligation to block this scene for him. This sect is still shouting for revenge in front of itself, it is really a monk who scolds the bald man in front of him, and he is not happy.

The old clan also knew that the officials and officials protected each other, not to mention that the imperial history of the city patrol was still to help Shen Butang, so he took over the conversation and said: "The ministry said yesterday that if the six of us come to the yamen, we dare not discuss with each other, let's listen to the ministry, what is the real chapter, we can't let the dragon sons and grandsons of the whole world starve to death, right?" ”

"Several princes, as well as the princes, have all said that they will help us say a word at the meeting." Someone on the side helped: "The fatal "Regulations" were made by the emperor, but those who violate the ancestral system will be benevolent and will give us a way to live." ”

Shen Mo didn't speak yet, they chattered first, the clan is such a group of people, you must not respect it, you don't know who you are. He didn't laugh or say anything, but let them talk happily.

Seeing that Shen Butang's face was not very good-looking, the old sect's expression darkened, and he stopped everyone's words and said, "Everyone, let's listen to what the adults say." ”

"You all said it well, as a great sect uncle, of course I would like to see it, and all the clans in the world can be satisfied." Silent and said as usual: "But it is obviously impossible - the standard of the clan was set in the early years of the dynasty. During the time of Emperor Taizu, there were only 58 people in the Zhu clan in the country. But today, how many people have surged, have you ever thought about it? ”

The crowd shook their heads, how did they know this? But Shen Mo knew: "I ordered someone to consult the Yellow Book of Jade and transcribe the results to everyone." He nodded, and an official came up with a stack of papers and handed them out to the six.

Several clans took a look at it, and they were really shocked, only to see that it was written: 'As of the forty-fifth year of Jiajing, there are a total of 18,203 members of the royal family. Among them, there were 30 princes, 203 county kings, 200 princes, 41 eldest sons, 438 Zhenguo generals, 1,070 auxiliary generals, 2,137 Fengguo generals, 3,927 Zhenguo lieutenants, 2,108 auxiliary lieutenants, 1,280 Fengguo lieutenants, 4,300 untitled knights, and 275 Shuren. There were also 2,167 princesses, county lords, county lords, and county monarchs. According to the standard of the clan Lu, the prince Lu rice is 10,000 stones, the county king and princess are 2,000 stones, the town general and county lord are 1,000 stones, the auxiliary general and county lord are 600 stones, the town country lieutenant and the county lord are 400 stones, the auxiliary country lieutenant is 300 stones, and the Fengguo lieutenant is 200 stones, and the annual Lu rice is more than 12 million stones. ”

"During the Hongwu period, the total amount of tax grain in the country was 17 million stones, and the expenditure of rice in the clan was only 400,000 stones, which can be described as a drop in the bucket. However, by the time of the Jiajing period, the total amount of tax grain in the country was about 24 million stones, and the expenditure of rice alone in the clan had reached half of the national tax revenue. In addition to this, they shall give money, brocade, silk, silk, leno, winter cloth, and summer cloth...... The rest of the expenses are even more numerous. Shen Mo said in a heavy tone: "It's not that the country doesn't want to raise the clan like it used to, but it really can't afford it."

In front of the detailed and authoritative figures, the clans were speechless. Shen Mo continued to say earnestly: "Besides, the country has always treated you well, all the clan relatives who are registered with jade, each of them has a field under their name, the most is more than 1,000 hectares, and the least is more than 80 acres...... Eighty acres, he is a medium-sized landlord, not to mention fine clothes and food, but his life is comfortable enough. All of these lands add up to more than 4 million acres, most of which are not subject to taxes. As he spoke, he raised his head and looked at a few people with blazing eyes: "In addition to your clan relatives, there are also relatives, nobles, meritorious heroes, internal servants, and temples, all of which have a large amount of land that does not need to pay taxes. With less than half of the land and paying the taxes of the whole country, the small people have long been overwhelmed and have abandoned their land and fled. ”

"The tax money collected by the imperial court could only barely meet the expenses, but because the number of clans swelled too quickly, from the original insignificance, it accounted for more than half of the tax revenue, and the result was that the country could not cope with it at all, and the annual shortage of tax and grain has exceeded more than 10 million stones, and the whole country will not be able to sustain it...... You are all clans in the capital, and you have seen the embarrassment of the life of the Beijing officials, right? Shen Mo said with red eyes: "How many people want to secretly do some small business outside, and how many people dare not take their wives and children to take office?" And how many people's mothers have no meat to eat all year round? In order for the imperial court to squeeze out money to defend against the Mongols, everyone is suffering, but what about our clans who have no worries about food and clothing? Not only did he not pay a penny in taxes, but he also cut a little money for the court to raise birds, buy dogs, and visit kilns, so he made trouble on Yousi all day long, and kept saying that there was no way to live? His tone became more and more stern: "Is there really no way to live?" Then let you exchange with the people who are struggling to make a living, who is willing, please raise your hand"

In the face of intuitive numbers and simple truths, their complaints and grievances all seemed pale and hypocritical, and they could only repeat in a low voice: "What Emperor Taizu has set is an ancestral ...... that has been difficult for thousands of years."

"If Emperor Taizu is alive, he will see that his country has become like this." Shen Mo said mercilessly: "The first one to open the knife is his dragon son and grandson" One sentence blocked them speechless.

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Shen Mo is well versed in the way of negotiation, and knows that blindly being strong cannot make a deal, and the combination of rigidity and softness is the king. So he sighed lightly and said in a softened tone: "Don't blame me for being too serious, it's too cruel to the truth." I am in charge of the Zongren Mansion, and I can be regarded as your mother's family, so I can't help but tell you the truth......" His gaze swept over everyone: "The two regulations that were tried this year were really damaged, and the ones who were really damaged were the Yuanzhi clan and the low-level nobles. Those princes and princes, princes and princes, were not involved. If their interests are not harmed, it is impossible for them to charge into battle in person, and at most they can do a few books and say a few words without pain, how effective can they be? I'm not optimistic. After a pause, he said, "The ministers of the imperial court who eat only will not be affected in any way, but will benefit from it, and they will all actively support this change." Why did the imperial history of the city patrol dare to order people to beat people that day, didn't he see that the government and the opposition had long been angry with us, so he dared to take advantage of the situation? ”

The clans were silently said to be extremely sad, and the lights in their hearts were extinguished one by one, leaving only the last bit of light left: "The emperor is merciful today, is he also indifferent?" ”

"These days, all kinds of rumors are endless. The emperor has heard a lot, and sometimes he can't help but feel compassion. Shen Mo first raised his head and then said: "But the current situation is that the Beijing government is short of rice, the guards are short of monthly food, all sides are short of military salaries, and the famous province is short of salaries If this continues, the country is in danger and the emperor is merciful, but he is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty after all, and he has to take care of the country first......

The hearts of the people are cold, and they are the ones who deserve to be sacrificed the most?

"You don't have to be too uncomfortable," Shen Mo comforted at the right time: "The imperial court is just a little more appropriate, and in addition, clean up the fraudulent land, for the Lu rice that should be issued, there will still be a lot of money, and for your land, it will still be protected." As for me, I will also help you try my best to ensure that you can have no worries about food and clothing, and you are still the most carefree nobles in the Ming Dynasty. ”

Several clans originally came to negotiate, but when they came, they realized that they were too far away from this Shangshu master, and they were stunned by him, and they only nodded.

Seeing that it was noon, Shen Mo ordered someone to call a table from Guanyun Tower, asked Wang Qiming and another Lang Zhong to accompany them to drink and eat, and told Wang Qiming to prepare some valuable gifts after eating and send them back. He himself said that he was unaccompanied, left the yamen, and prepared to have a simple meal outside, and then went to the Hanlin Courtyard in the afternoon.

Who knew that his palanquin had just left the yamen when he was stopped. It turned out to be the new celebrant in charge of Yin Masen, and without saying a word, he had to invite him to dinner.

Although Shen Mo didn't want to get too close to the lieutenant, he couldn't offend the head of the great eunuch, so he had to follow his sedan chair and circle around the Forbidden City, until he reached the Shicha Sea, and then stopped in front of a house.

Silently got out of the sedan chair and looked at it, and said to Ma Sen, who was smiling on the side: "Do you have to run so far to eat?" ”

"That's how sincere it looks." Ma Sen smiled and said, "Please come in the ministry." ”

Shen Mo frowned and said, "If I'm not mistaken, this seems to be the house of the demon Xiong Xian, when did it change to a wine shop?" ”

"Hello memory." Masson blinked, "If you go in, you'll know." ”

At this time, the door opened, and he looked at the familiar eyes that opened the door, and suddenly understood, so he stopped saying no more, and did not let Hu Yong and others follow, so he was alone and followed Ma Sen into the door.

As soon as you enter the courtyard door, you will see the gilded agarwood signboard, the three big characters of 'Immortal Residence' on it, and then look at the Xiaoxiang curtain hanging on the lattice window to block the sun, the eight immortal tables, official hats and chairs in the door, and even the curved leg shelf for placing potted flowers outside the house, all of which are made of pineapple wood, revealing a rare rich atmosphere in the world.

Shen Mo understood more now, but he didn't break it, and followed Ma Sen into the hall, and saw the magnificence of the decoration inside. Not to mention anything else, just looking at the tortoiseshell, rhino horn, ivory, luodian, Burmese jade wine glasses, and those antique calligraphy and paintings on the wine cabinet, even if it is a pompous hotel, it can't afford it.

And although there are several tables in this restaurant, only one of them is sitting on the brocade robe man, who is eating there, and when he sees Shen Mo coming in, he laughs and says, "Jiangnan, I can't think of it." ”

Shen Mo pretended to be surprised, opened his mouth wide and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty......" Hurry up and pay respects.

"Don't salute, I'm not in the palace, I don't wear a dragon robe, and I don't think I'm the emperor." Long Qing smiled and groaned: "Here is where they are cultivating for me, and they have nothing to do to come out to relax." You treat me as a friend, come and eat with me. As he spoke, he quickly pointed to the side and said to the eunuchs dressed as Xiao Er: "These slaves and maids can't be on the stage, so they don't dare to sit." ”

Meng Chong, who was serving the food, said with a smile: "Master, what you said, where have you ever seen Xiao Er as an accompaniment?" As he spoke, he brought up a plate of hot donkey intestines, and said, "A portion of braised donkey intestines, guest officer, you use them slowly......" Obviously, in order to let the emperor experience the pleasure of going to the restaurant, they are playing role-playing.

"It's better to come early than to come by chance, come and taste my great love together" Long Qing patted the table and asked Shen Mo to sit down and eat together.

Shen Mo had no choice but to be smart, and sat down with half of his buttocks, and Long Qing let him go slightly, so he rained down his chopsticks and fired at the plate of donkey intestines. After a while, he ate a hearty meal, patted his stomach comfortably, and said: "People say that the dragon meat in the sky is the meat of the donkey, and the meat of the donkey is low, and I also say that the intestines on the donkey are the best." "It was a pleasant thing that the eunuchs hadn't seen for a long time.

Meng Chong stammered: "Long live the Lord is rich all over the world, it's not easy to eat donkey intestines?" In the future, the slaves and maids will always give you it. ”

"Hehe......" Long Qing was quite moved, but after thinking about it, he shook his head again and said: "Forget it, donkey meat is not eaten in the palace, and it is really a waste to kill a donkey for a single dish." ”

"The emperor's frugality is the blessing of all the people." Meng Chong said with a smile: "But a donkey is not worth a few dollars." As he spoke, he wiped away his tears and said: "People say that the emperor is rich all over the world, but the master, you even have to weigh and weigh the donkey intestines, which makes people know a hundred years later, and they must say that the slaves and maids did not serve well, so that you were wronged." ”

Seeing that the emperor put down his chopsticks, Shen Mo had already sat there with his hands down, and at first he didn't hear what was going on, but when Meng Chong said the word 'grievance', he cried, and he immediately understood that the co-authorship was to give the emperor a grievance. He was still silent, so he listened to Meng Chong chatter: "If you want to say that the emperor is really sad, the inner library is empty, and if you want to reward the ladies and girls for jewelry, you have to ask the household department for money." Shen Butang, it's not that our family is too talkative, the emperor is such a thrifty master, and there is nowhere to find it with a lantern, what do you foreign officials want? Do you still let the master be a man? ”

"Meng Chong, don't say it." Long Qing also said with a gloomy face: "There are difficulties in the imperial court, I know it, Jiangnan don't go to my heart." ”

Silent said in his heart, what did you call me to do? Isn't it just complaining? Can I not go to my heart? So he also said with a sad face: "Your Majesty has indeed been wronged, this bit of silver is really not much......"

"Well, then bother Lord Shen to talk to them," Meng Chong immediately answered: "Hurry up and admit your mistake to the master and transfer the money." ”

"If I go and say it's not appropriate, then everyone else is a wicked person, and I'm a good person." Shen Mo shook his head and smiled: "Actually, the emperor blames Xu Ge for being old, and after this while, he must transfer the money." "The emperor let the officials scold like that, Xu Jie's side has long regretted it, and he must be comforted, of course, he will talk about it after the limelight.

"That, that ......" Seeing that he was so sure, Meng Chong stammered a little: "What about next time?" As long as the household has been tightening the monetary base, does the emperor want to eat the closed door last time? ”

What's more than trouble? It's torture. Long Qing nodded and said, "I really don't want to, is there any good way in Jiangnan?" ”

"What does Gonggong Meng mean......" Shen Mo kicked the ball back, obviously the emperor and the eunuch had planned in advance, just waiting for him to come and sit on the wax.

"Our family thinks that the money in our pockets is still comfortable to spend." Meng Chong was wearing Xiao Er's clothes, and his fat face was full of greedy light: "Only by making the inner money rich, can the emperor spend money at will." ”

"How?" Shen Mo said lightly.

"I'll have to ask Lord Shen for this." Meng Chong finally said the purpose of finding him: "I heard that you turned stones into gold in the southeast, and you made a fortune by something, known as the 'God of Wealth', why don't you also help us think of a way to make a fortune in the palace...... Oh no, earn some money for the emperor so that the emperor can live comfortably? ”

Shen Mo looked at Long Qing and saw that he was also looking at himself expectantly. couldn't help but say with a bitter face: "If it spreads, I don't know how many people will impeach me." ”

"Those who serve here are trustworthy." Long Qing patted his chest and said, "No one dares to say it." ”

"Okay, okay." Shen Mo smiled bitterly: "This matter has to be discussed in the long run, let Weichen think about it, and then return to the emperor after thinking about it." ”

"Hurry up." The emperor faintly advised: "In addition, Xu Ge Lao still has to urge, otherwise who knows when the money will be allocated?" ”

"Obey." Silent and helpless.

At this time, Emperor Longqing was full of food and sleepy, so he wanted to sleep in the back, and Shen Mo wanted to retire, but was left by the emperor and said: "There is also the matter of the crown prince's canonization, you can sum it up with them, and you don't have to run a second time." ”

Shen Mo was depressed at that time-

Partition -

It's completely fine, it's completely back to normal, and I'll have another chapter tonight......