Recently, Zhu Youzhen's life has been quite comfortable, and the recovery of Taiwan can be regarded as a wish of his.

After all, everyone is a little paranoid about this place.

Although we have been fighting in the past few years, we have never lost a war.

Even the person who barked when the dog barked and said that he had the posture of a heroic sect is now shutting his mouth.

The changes in the past few years are obvious to all.

Although His Majesty the Emperor is a bit arbitrary, he is actually very tolerant of everyone. I haven't cut anyone's head again in these years. And never dictate the work of various departments.

Although the east and west factories and Jinyiwei are vicious, they are not a little alive and leave no way for everyone.

Slowly, everyone felt His Majesty's temper.

Those who have the ability and can do practical things, Your Majesty will be more patient.

Those who have no ability and talk about it are all dismissed by His Majesty.

Headed by five scholars in the cabinet and supplemented by six scholars, the old machine of the Ming Dynasty continued to run smoothly.

The eighth day of the lunar month

early morning

Zhu Youzhen drank a bowl of Laba porridge cooked by Zhou Yufeng as usual and came to the Qianqing Palace.

summoned Fan Jingwen and others.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is no war in Liaodong at the moment, and I plan to cancel Liao's salary! What do you think? ”

"Your Majesty is wise, since there is no war in Liaodong at this time, there is no need to levy Liao's salary. The Liao salary has been increased for more than ten years, and the people have suffered for a long time. The abolition of the levy can give the people a little respite. ”

As soon as Zhu Youzhen's voice fell, Fan Jingwen echoed aloud. His Majesty had already discussed this matter with him yesterday, and as His Majesty's ironclad, of course, he had to be the first to speak out in support.

But the cabinet is not alone, and some people support it, and some people disagree.

For example, Bi Ziyan, who is also the secretary of the household department, is not happy.

"Your Majesty is merciful and cares for your people, and the ministers should have no objections. But if the Liaoning salary is canceled, where will the food and salary of the Liaoning soldiers come from? ”

"You're still asking me about this? Out of your household! ”

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter is inappropriate!"

"What's wrong?"

"My Ming household department is already poor, and there are too many places to use money. I'm afraid I can't afford such a big burden! ”

"Can't afford it? The salaries of the Beijing camp and the Yongwei camp are all paid by me. The cost of disaster relief and river control also comes from internal funds. Jinyiwei, East Factory, and West Factory are also from the inside! Bi Ziyan, you shouted that you have no money in your household for three days! What about money? Don't think I don't know. The imperial court's income last year was not spent at all! Where did you get the money? Buried in your yard? ”

"It's not spent, but last year, a total of 27 million stone of grain and 5.5 million taels of silver were entered, and now there are only 854,320 taels left. The minister has not embezzled a penny, if Your Majesty does not believe it, he will cut me down! Anyway, the household can't bear the heavy burden of Liaoyu! ”

"You!"

Zhu Youzhen pointed at Bi Ziyan, who was holding his neck, and his nose was about to be crooked. It's all surnamed Bi, why don't you have Bi Maokang's cuteness at all!?

Seeing this, Fan Jingwen hurriedly said:

"Lao Bi, Your Majesty just said that, what are you excited about?"

"The minister is guilty, please punish your majesty." Bi Ziyan knelt down and pleaded guilty on the ground.

"That's it, you and I have known each other for so long. But you must know that the army of the Ming Dynasty cannot always be supported by internal funds. How to formulate an effective policy and increase the revenue of the national treasury is the top priority. ”

But the only way to increase the revenue of the national treasury is to increase the salary! It was Ma Shiying who spoke this time.

"Not necessarily."

"Fan Shoufu has a good plan?"

"If there is no good policy, it's just a rehash of the old thing."

"Tell me about it?" Zhu Youzhen looked at Fan Jingwen and Ma Shiying, who were discussing, and interjected.

"Business tax!"

"No!" Ma Shiying immediately objected, her tone was hurried, but she quickly reacted and closed her mouth.

Zhu Youzhen's eyes narrowed slightly, and then asked Ma Shiying with a smile.

It seems that Ma Qing has a different view on this matter, but it doesn't hurt to say it. If you are deliberating, you should speak freely. ”

"Your Majesty, the minister just thinks that the merchants are also His Majesty's people, and isn't it unfair to these merchants to cancel the Liao salary and send it to the merchants?"

"What Ma Qing said also makes sense, what do you think?"

"It is not that the commercial tax cannot be collected, but it depends on how to collect it, not only to ensure the interests of the people at the bottom, but also to make those rich businessmen pay taxes willingly, which is very difficult." Lu Zhenfei, who had not spoken, spoke.

"Why should you be willing to pay your taxes? Shouldn't it be a matter of course for a merchant to pay taxes? Fan Jingwen asked rhetorically, now he is unconditionally on His Majesty's side. His Majesty is inconvenient to end up, he is convenient. He is the first assistant, who he wants to tear and tear whom!

Lu Zhenfei sighed and didn't speak.

He understands the truth, but it's easier said than done.

Several people had a heated discussion on this matter, but there was never a unified voice.

"Put this in advance. I have one more matter to discuss with a few of my ministers. ”

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

"I am ready to raise the salaries of my Ming officials, and raise my salaries and salaries!" Zhu Youzhen threw a bombshell. Shocked, several people opened their mouths and didn't speak for a long time.

Your Majesty, which play is this?

Well, why do you suddenly want to improve our income? For more than 200 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, I have heard of those who have been stripped of their skin and filled with grass because of corruption, and I have never heard of any emperor asking for a salary increase.

The Ming Dynasty's Yulu was set by Emperor Taizu, and it has not changed for more than 200 years now.

The main product is 87 stone rice.

From the first product is 72 stone rice.

The second product is 61 stone rice.

If you look at it literally, one stone of rice is more than 100 catties, and the monthly salary of Zhengyipin is 87 stones, which looks like a lot. But the problem is, this is a good product, the highest-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. The salaries of officials at the lower levels are decreasing gradually.

Take the county order as an example, we often say that the prefect who destroys the door and the county order that breaks the house. is the highest administrator of a county, but how much is his monthly salary?

7.5 stone meters.

If the county order is a family of five, eating and dressing, although it is not very rich, it can be regarded as a well-off family. But the problem is that the 7.5 stone rice can't be distributed in full, and it has to be replaced by treasure money.

In the orthodox years, only two percent of the rice was issued above the fifth grade, and the rest was converted into treasure money, and three percent of the rice was issued for six products and below, and seven percent of the treasure banknotes.

In the early stage, it was slightly better, but in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the treasure banknote depreciated sharply, and the treasure banknote was always exchanged for about 3 yuan. It is equivalent to one stone of rice for officials, and the imperial court gave 10 treasure bills, but in fact, only more than 30 copper coins were given.

This price is dozens of times lower than the price on the market. In other words, the part of the salary that is converted into treasure money is almost the same.

A person who is a county magistrate can only earn a few hundred catties of grain every month if he wants to support his family in Hukou. But the county order also has to live, ushering in the send-off, the errand at the door, and the concubine. There are more places to spend money.

After reading half a lifetime, I finally survived the position of a county magistrate and lived such a life? Isn't that a joke?

What is the purpose of being an official?

Of course, there are also those who are not corrupt, such as Hai Rui Haiqingtian, who can't even afford a coffin until he dies.

Who wants to live such a day?

I don't want to do it anyway.

Poor and afraid!

Human nature is the most untested.

said that I spent money on concubines, but if you look at the successful people of the Ming Dynasty, isn't it standard to take concubines?

Haiqing is struggling to live like that, and there are two concubines!

"Ministers, let's talk about it, how much is the most appropriate increase."

Including Fan Jingwen, several people were silent. The boss asked the employee, I want to give you a salary increase, and let the employee himself say how much.

How so?

"Your Majesty is in charge!"

Zhu Youzhen smiled, and was embarrassed.

"You don't have to worry about it, the increase is not only related to you, but also to the vital interests of all my officials. Well, when you get back, you will each present a fold and write your thoughts on it. ”

"My Iceberg Beauty Wife"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After a few people left, Zhu Youzhen sighed.

It seems that it has been discussed for a long time, but in fact, in addition to canceling the salary, there is no result of the discussion.

The fact that he asked Fan Jingwen to mention business taxes was just a temptation.

Today's events will inevitably spread all over the government and the opposition soon, and see who dances the most!

These demons will be cured ruthlessly. He already had a preliminary plan in mind.

As for the salary increase, it's not that the officials of Daming really can't survive, his idea is very simple. Corrupt officials should still be greedy, but honest officials must always have the foundation to live and live.

Isn't there anyone up and down in the Ming Dynasty who is not greedy?

He only hopes that these people can maintain relative integrity after becoming officials. If you can think a little more about the people under the condition of good living conditions, even a little bit, the people's life will be better.

Even if there are not many such officials.