Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 125 The People's Gratitude
Seeing that Zhu Gaoshuo didn't stop them and meant he wanted to continue listening, the accountants continued speaking.

"This is the visible account. The hidden expenses, such as official socializing, bribes to superiors, and holiday gifts, are bottomless pits! Relying solely on one's salary, let alone maintaining integrity, it is extremely difficult to even become an honest official who doesn't starve! This is truly a system that forces good people into prostitution!"

Accountant Chen was in tears, clearly recalling the countless tragedies he had witnessed of honest officials turning into corrupt ones.

“If the salary is raised to 150 shi of rice, which is equivalent to about 75 taels of silver, although there will still be a shortfall, it will be greatly alleviated. If Your Highness can at the same time strictly investigate corrupt practices, reduce unnecessary official socializing, and supplement it with strict supervision, then honest officials may be able to make ends meet.”

“As for the treasury…” another accountant interjected.

"Xunzhou now benefits from pearls, maritime trade, and Eucommia gum, resulting in a significant increase in annual revenue. Even just considering the increase in the salary of a seventh-rank official, the annual expenditure would only amount to a few thousand taels of silver, less than the profit from a single season's pearl exports! It's perfectly feasible!"

Accountant Chen was resolute.

"If this salary can truly stabilize the hearts of officials and prevent them from easily exploiting them, and if Your Highness uses swift and decisive measures to eliminate the bad apples, then the evil policies such as 'fire tax' and 'excessive tax collection' will surely be reduced! We estimate that the actual burden on the people can be reduced by at least 30%! This is a move that benefits both officials and the people, Your Highness!"

The abacus beads don't lie, and the seasoned eyes of the old accountants see things more clearly. A series of clear data and conclusions were presented to Zhu Gaoshuo like sharp swords, piercing the illusory veil of low salaries for honesty and integrity, and illuminating a difficult but potentially bright path of reform for him.

Looking at the shocking numbers on the wooden board and the earnest eyes of the old accountants, Zhu Gaoshuo had already made up his mind. He slowly stood up, his gaze piercing.

"Very well! Thank you, gentlemen! This matter has been clearly calculated! I, the King, have decided to reform this system of salaries! Let's begin with my Xunzhou! Your Majesty Ao!"

"My subordinate is here!"

"Immediately draft an edict: Effective immediately, the salaries of all registered officials within Xunzhou shall be increased by 50% on the basis of the regulations established by Emperor Taizu! The annual salary of a seventh-rank official shall be increased to 135 shi! At the same time, the 'Xunzhou Official Conduct Prohibition' shall be promulgated, strictly prohibiting all forms of exploitation such as 'fire loss' and 'excessive tax collection'! Violators shall be severely punished! An 'Information Envoy' shall be appointed to accept anonymous accusations of corruption from the people! I want to see who dares to reach out now that salaries have been increased and regulations have been tightened!"

He walked to the window, gazing towards the capital, his eyes deep and resolute: "This is not merely a matter of governance in Xunzhou. This account, this determination, I will personally petition my father, the Emperor! Ancestral systems are outdated and must be changed! Officials must be honest and upright, and the people must have their burdens reduced! This new system will be ignited in Xunzhou!"

A quiet yet powerful storm of salary reform, capable of shaking the entire Ming Dynasty officialdom, was suddenly unleashed in Xunzhou, the "experimental field" of the vassal king.

Sweet potato vines spread, protecting the mountains and forests; the newly made firewood directly addresses the deep-seated problems. Every step Zhu Gaoshuo took challenged the boundaries of the old order, and he could already imagine how furious Zhu Di would be when he received this news.

The documents of the Xunzhou New Policies exploded in the officialdom like thunderclaps, raising salaries by 50%, strictly prohibiting all forms of exploitation such as fire loss and embezzlement, and even establishing the position of "Information Envoy" to accept anonymous accusations.

In particular, the explicit stipulation that "superiors and subordinates shall not entertain each other or give gifts, and subordinates shall not give money to superiors in any form. If such a thing happens, no matter why it was given, as long as it is found that the person knowingly and voluntarily gave it, both the superior and subordinate shall be immediately thrown into prison for trial" is like an invisible shackle that instantly locks up countless hidden channels for the transfer of benefits.

The entire officialdom of Xunzhou was like a deep pool tossed with a boulder; the surface was calm, but beneath the surface, turbulent currents flowed, and the reactions were quite different. For those honest and upright officials who were already diligent and selfless, and had no surplus wealth, this new policy was like a long-awaited rain after a drought.

"Your Highness is wise!" A poor official who had spent half his life as a county magistrate, living a life of integrity, held the newly issued, heavy salary in silver and rice, his hands trembling and his eyes reddening.

"Now I can finally get medicine for my mother and buy new clothes for the child without worrying about my meager salary, and I don't have to cheat people out of their conscience anymore!"

"Indeed! Your Highness's actions are truly getting to the root of the problem!" another respected academic official exclaimed.

"With sufficient salary, one can focus on scholarship and serve the people with peace of mind. The prohibition against banquets and gifts cuts off any path to scheming and underhanded dealings! From now on, we can focus solely on public service and let our abilities and achievements speak for themselves! How wonderful!"

These officials stood taller, their efficiency improved significantly, and they wholeheartedly supported the policies of Prince Qi's government. The refreshing breeze brought by the new policies first swept away this group of people who were already inclined towards the light.

However, for those officials who have long been accustomed to "living off the land and water," who take it for granted to exploit the people and accept bribes, and who even rely on "tribute" to their superiors to maintain their networks and seek promotions, this new policy is simply a death sentence for them.

"The salary has increased a bit, but what can that little bit of silver do?!" In the back hall of the government office, a greasy-faced clerk complained to his colleague in a low voice, his face ashen.

“In the past, a simple holiday gift would bring in far more than this amount! Now, it’s terrible. We can’t have banquets, we can’t give gifts, and even sending a little money in private is considered ‘jail and trial’! Isn’t this driving us to the brink of despair?”

“Exactly! Without tributes, how will we bribe our superiors? Without exploitation, how will we maintain our dignity? With those wives and concubines at home, and all those expenses for welcoming and sending off guests, is the Prince planning to let us starve?” Another granary official said with a worried expression.

“The most hateful one is that ‘rumor envoy’!” A sinister glint flashed in the eyes of an official in charge of criminal matters.

"Who knows who stabbed us in the back? Anonymous report? How are we supposed to get things done now? If we're not careful, someone might falsely accuse us, and we'll be left speechless. We thought Xunzhou was far from the emperor's reach and that we could live a carefree life without the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but we never expected Prince Qi to pull this stunt. We can't live like this anymore."

Behind the scenes, curses and complaints rose and fell in the shadows. The ironclad rules of the new policy were like a sword hanging over their heads, making them restless and unable to eat or sleep. Their previous ways of making money were completely blocked, and they were forced to act as officials with their hands tied, feeling extremely frustrated.

A cornered dog will jump over a wall; a desperate patient will try anything.

Several officials who boasted of having "connections to the highest levels" and had colluded with Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Han, in the capital saw this as their last lifeline. They bypassed the Prince's palace and used the most secretive channels to secretly send letters to the Prince of Han's palace in the capital. These letters were earnest in word but were actually full of complaints and provocations, implying that the new policies "mistreated officials and shook the foundation of the country," and pleading with His Highness the Prince of Han to "speak out for justice" and "set things right."

(End of this chapter)