How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 89 Qian Qianyi, your "loyalty" is a bit lacking; you need to work harder! (Ninth update)

Inside Yihai Hall, Emperor Chongzhen carefully read through the eight essays entitled "On Offering Loyalty" by the light of a bright oil lamp.

He read very slowly, and every now and then he would pick up a red brush and write a few words on the Xuan paper next to him.

The eight ministers standing below held their breath, their hearts pounding with anxiety. This was even more agonizing than waiting for the imperial examination results back in the day.

Emperor Chongzhen was actually satisfied.

"They've all made great progress!" he thought to himself. These eight high-ranking officials, from Grand Secretaries to Vice Ministers, had clearly grasped the essence of "dedication to loyalty." Their writings were devoid of empty rhetoric about benevolence and morality; they were all diligently dedicating themselves to loyalty.

However, "loyalty offering" and "loyalty offering that is fast, efficient, and economical" are two different things.

He picked up Huang Liji's exam paper first.

"Good heavens!" Chongzhen thought to himself, "Is Grand Secretary Huang trying to overturn the table? Pack up all fourteen princes, along with a whole bunch of dukes and generals, and send them all to Jiangnan to eat idle food? That's a ruthless move!"

He gently tapped the lid of the rosewood thermos with his fingers.

"If a dozen or so princes, dozens of dukes, and thousands of starving imperial family members were suddenly blocked at the door of those wealthy gentry and powerful families in Jiangnan, along with burly guards from the royal palaces... tsk tsk, just thinking about it makes me excited!"

A cold smile crept across Chongzhen's lips as he thought to himself, "This is the 'ultimate killing move'! A knife hanging over the heads of the scholars of Jiangnan! It's heavy enough! Grand Secretary Huang... is loyal enough! He can continue to serve as Grand Secretary!"

He put down Huang Liji's exam paper and picked up Sun Chengzong's.

“Old Sun…” Chongzhen frowned slightly as he looked at Sun Chengzong’s idea of ​​“summoning him to the capital for a life of luxury,” “His loyalty is commendable! But he doesn’t know how to do the math!”

"Bringing all these hot potatoes like princes and dukes to Beijing? Keeping them under my nose? Yes, the land has been cleared and the properties confiscated, but how am I supposed to support them in Beijing? Building a dozen or so mansions near the Forbidden City? That expense would be greater than the damage they caused in their fiefdoms! Isn't this the court taking the blame for the Northwest and causing me trouble? Luckily you're from Beizhili; if you were from Nanzhili..."

He gently placed Sun Chengzong's exam paper next to Huang Liji's—Old Sun's method was certainly usable, but the question was who would bear the cost! If those wealthy people in Jiangnan were willing to spend an extra two million each year, then let all those princes come to Beijing; it would be quite nice for everyone to have some fun.

Finally, he picked up Qian Qianyi's exam paper.

“Qian Muzhai…” Chongzhen’s gaze swept over the memorials proposing “allowing lower-ranking members of the imperial family to fend for themselves” and “reopening the Maritime Trade Office, with an annual revenue of 500,000 taels of silver,” his fingers unconsciously flicking the scroll. He knew how to be “loyal.” But…
"Five hundred thousand taels?" He sneered inwardly. "Are you trying to fob me off like this? The annual turnover of Jiangnan Maritime Trade is at least several million, and possibly tens of millions! Moreover, it has five major products: silk, porcelain, tea, sugar, and ironware. You think you can get rid of me with five hundred thousand taels a year? Is this little bit of silver even enough to fill a corner of Shaanxi's hole?"

He glanced up at Qian Qianyi, who was standing with his hands hanging down.

"That old Qian, he's cunning! He did offer his 'loyalty,' but the 'loyalty'... it's a bit lacking! It's not sincere enough!"

Emperor Chongzhen put down the examination paper, already having made his decision.

He coughed softly.

The eight people in the hall perked up, knowing that the outcome was about to be revealed.

"I have carefully read all your proposals," Chongzhen said in a calm voice, revealing no emotion. "They are all loyal suggestions for the country's benefit, and I am very pleased."

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Qian Qianyi.

“Qian Qianyi, Right Vice Minister of Rites”

"Your subject is here," Qian Qianyi quickly stepped forward and bowed in response.

"Your articles are mature and insightful, demonstrating the most comprehensive consideration of the state," Chongzhen said calmly. "You will be appointed as the chief examiner for this provincial examination. You will also be appointed as a lecturer at the Imperial Lectures, serving at his side to provide consultation."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people in the hall changed slightly.

Qian Qianyi was overjoyed and almost lost his balance. Being the chief examiner of the spring imperial examinations meant that all the successful candidates in that year would be his students! Being appointed as a lecturer at the Imperial Lectures meant he would be a close advisor to the emperor, constantly by his side—the true treatment of an "Imperial Tutor"!
The position of Vice Minister of Rites, concurrently serving as a Reader-in-Waiting and Lecturer at the Imperial Lectures... entering the cabinet, and even challenging for the position of Grand Secretary, is a foregone conclusion!
He suppressed his excitement and bowed deeply: "Your subject Qian Qianyi thanks Your Majesty for your grace! I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

As Chongzhen watched him express his gratitude, he thought to himself: Giving you the position of chief examiner is a sign of respect. But this 500,000 taels… isn't enough! It seems I still need to get Zhou Yingqiu on his way to sell official positions! I need to squeeze as much profit as possible out of that pirate leader Zheng Yiguan! And while I'm at it, I'll give you a little kicking!

He pulled himself out of his thoughts and raised his voice: "The essay topic for this year's imperial examination is 'Given the vast number of official positions, the impoverished people of Qin and Jin, and the exhaustion of resources in the Central Plains, what is the best course of action?'"

His gaze swept over the slightly bewildered crowd.

"It doesn't matter if this question is leaked." A barely perceptible sneer appeared on Chongzhen's lips. "Because the essay itself isn't difficult to write; what's difficult is being willing to genuinely 'dedicate oneself' to me!"

"Anyone who enters officialdom based on this strategy has signed a pledge to participate in this extremely difficult task! If they can serve diligently and share my burdens in the future, I will certainly not hesitate to give them important positions!"

As he spoke, his gaze fell meaningfully on Qian Qianyi.

Qian Qianyi, being astute as he was, immediately understood. His Majesty was subtly instructing him! He was being urged to continue his efforts to "show loyalty"—500,000 taels of "loyalty" was too little; His Majesty was not satisfied!
"Five hundred thousand taels of 'loyalty' isn't enough, how much 'loyalty' would be enough..." Qian Qianyi lamented inwardly, "'Offering loyalty' is not easy!"

Emperor Chongzhen didn't look at him again, and changed the subject, picking up a memorial from his desk.

"This is a report from the newly appointed Fujian Governor, Xiong Wencan." He waved the memorial, "It says there's a notorious pirate in the southeastern seas named Zheng Yiguan. This man... really wants to be an official, a high-ranking one. Just by looking at his name, Yiguan, a first-rank official, he's definitely a power-hungry geek!"

Those below the hall were puzzled by this, wondering why the Emperor would suddenly bring up a pirate.

“Xiong Wencan said that this man is very powerful and very rich,” Chongzhen continued, his tone as casual as if he were talking about everyday matters. “He has thousands of ships under his command and tens of thousands of soldiers. The southeastern coast is almost his private property.”

He paused, looking over the crowd.

"Tomorrow at the court meeting, you should all discuss this. I think we should establish a 'Maritime Patrol Censor'? The rank doesn't need to be high, but the power should be significant, with the sole responsibility of pacifying Zheng Yiguan and those pirates and merchants who are close to him."

He seemed to suddenly remember something and added another sentence.

"I think Zhou Yingqiu, the former Minister of Personnel, is very suitable. You should all think about it carefully."

Those standing below were all shrewd individuals; upon hearing this, they immediately understood the situation perfectly.

His Majesty is going to sell official positions! He's going to put a price tag on the power of the southeastern coastal defense and "sell" it to that pirate leader named Zheng Yiguan!

Grand Secretary Huang Liji kept his head down, but a slight, barely suppressed smile played on his lips. Zhou Yingqiu was an old comrade of his; they had served under Wei Zhongxian together and shared a close relationship. He had thought Zhou was beyond saving, but unexpectedly, the Emperor had proven his discerning eye by sending him to sell official positions!

This Zhou Hezhou (Zhou Yingqiu's courtesy name) is the most shrewd and ruthless. Sending him to negotiate a deal with that pirate leader will surely bring back a lot of profits for His Majesty and for them! This is a good thing!
Sun Chengzong, standing to the side, felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

The Emperor had just promoted Qian Qianyi, but then immediately reinstated Zhou Yingqiu, a former member of the eunuch faction. Add to that Wei Zhongxian, who had rendered meritorious service in Xuanfu… the situation in the court was still one of chaotic infighting between the eunuch faction (the Emperor's faction) and the Donglin faction.

The emperor even openly sells official positions and titles, albeit to pirates. Once this door is opened...

Qian Qianyi knew perfectly well that 500,000 taels of silver was not enough! Moreover, the Donglin Party wasn't the only one who could represent the southeast in "loyalty"! Zheng Yiguan could also negotiate and offer his loyalty!
If the Donglin Party were to be even slightly disloyal, dozens of princes would come down to the south of the Yangtze River with their guards, and then they would take away Zheng Yiguan's "loyalty" at sea. How would the Donglin Party survive then?
Emperor Chongzhen took in everyone's expressions but said nothing more.

He waved his hand: "That's enough for today. Xu Guangqi, stay. The rest of you, leave."

"I'm waiting to retire."

Huang Lijie led everyone out of Yihaitang with a bow.

Stepping outside into the cold wind, Huang Lijie felt refreshed. Sun Chengzong's expression was solemn, while Qian Qianyi was filled with mixed feelings of joy and worry, calculating his next move.

Only Xu Guangqi remained in that warm and spring-like hall. It was unknown why the emperor had kept this old minister, who was well-versed in Western learning, alone.

(End of this chapter)