First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Li Shanchang only dared to sit on half of his buttocks, that is, slightly draped over it, and he had to lean forward with his upper body in a listening posture.His body was barely able to hold on, as expected of the left prime minister of Ming Dynasty, this kung fu is really amazing.

"Mr. Lee."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked suddenly, Li Shanchang subconsciously wanted to stand up, but Lao Zhu reached out and pressed his shoulder, "There is no need to get up. Let me ask you, how much gold and silver is under the butt?"

"Almost, yes, one or two thousand taels."

Old Zhu nodded, "So there are so many! How much can ordinary people harvest in a year?"

Li Shanchang has been in charge of the logistics of money and food, how could he not know!

"After the superiors implement the equalization of land, the left and right fields of a family of five will not exceed one hundred mu. After deducting the rations and the land tax, there will be twenty or thirty shi of surplus grain left over to prepare for the famine. It is already considered luck. According to the current situation At the market price, I’m afraid that even five taels of silver can’t be exchanged... After all, we still mostly use precious banknotes.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and said again: "So, under your buttocks, there are hundreds of households with a year's balance?"

"Yes!" Lao Li whispered.

"Then here is 18 taels. I'm afraid there are tens of thousands of ordinary households?"

"Yes!" Li Shanchang replied again, his heart was beating wildly, and it had already reached his throat.

Old Zhu suddenly sneered and said, "According to Mr. Li, if things go on like this, will these tens of thousands of households rebel?"

Li Shanchang was stunned. It was obvious that this place was only for floating money, not food rations. As long as ordinary people have a stutter, who would rebel?

But then again, if the matter is not dealt with this time, and the day is over, God knows when the common people can't bear it anymore and revolt.

"Mr. Li, we still want to ask you, this big ink corruption case, Zheng Shiyuan's money is not too much, right?"

Li Shanchang grinned and said: "My lord, this case has implicated the entire Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of War, and so many local yamen. All of them cannot escape the responsibility. In terms of the amount of corruption, I'm afraid it will be ten times a hundred times more."

Lao Zhu nodded slightly, and finally said with a smile: "Mr. Li, please get up!"

Li Shanchang seemed to be pardoned, but Ma Buza's legs were numb and he couldn't move.

At this moment, someone suddenly reached out and helped Li Shanchang to stand up. It was Zhang Ximeng who helped.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang." Li Shanchang thanked in a low voice, Zhang Ximeng just nodded, but didn't say much.

Old Zhu turned his head again and looked at the others, "Let's let Xiang Li sit here and try it out. If you want to, you can also come over and try it out. See what it's like to sit on a mountain of gold and silver?"

Among the ministers present, who has such courage, Li Shanchang's butt can't hold up, let alone them.

"I dare not wait!"

Old Zhu snorted lightly: "Don't you dare, I hope this word comes from your heart. This is ill-gotten wealth! Ill-gotten wealth, if you take it, you will be murdered! You have taken the people's fat and the people's anointing, harming the public and private interests. Filling your pockets. You may not be able to spend the money when it is in your hands, and there are still people who want to leave it to future generations so that they can enjoy the glory and wealth. This is what many people think."

"You think so. We just can't let you get what you want! Corrupt officials will be killed! Relatives will be imprisoned... This is to tell you that if you are corrupt and violate the law, your relatives will not enjoy anything, but will be unlucky with you. Corrupt officials will harm your family! "

Zhu Yuanzhang swept over everyone majestically, and said coldly, "Is there anything you are not convinced about what we did?"

How could the officials dare to say more, only Nuonuo agreed.

As the head of all the officials, Li Shanchang could only muster up his courage and say: "The superior enforces the law strictly, with justifications and evidence, and the ministers and others surrender to the ground. These corrupt officials are asking for their own humiliation, and they deserve to die!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "Mr. Li, we still like to hear what you say, but have you ever thought about whether someone will say that we killed cruelly? Will anyone believe the nonsense and think that the blank document is just It’s an old habit in the past, and it’s not appropriate for us to kill wantonly?” Whoever owns you owns the whole world

Li Shanchang hurriedly said: "Superior, absolutely no one would think so, unless they are corrupt officials and are insane!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was noncommittal, but said to Zhang Ximeng: "Sir, tell me, is this blank official document a bad habit or a greedy ink?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled coldly, "My lord, if these silver coins are just a bad habit, how can there be so many benefits? There is just an example here. Let them face it. The so-called empty seal is clear at a glance!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Bring it up!"

Not long after, the Arch Guard Division brought Fang Keqin up.Valley Monk

This promising Fang Zhifu is already unkempt and haggard at the moment.

Since being taken down, Fang Keqin has been dissatisfied.

He is conscientious, promotes land equalization at the local level, and has made great political achievements. This is well known to everyone, but now he is taken down because of an inconspicuous incident. It is really unconvincing in people's hearts.

"I see your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang just glanced at it and was too lazy to say anything.

Zhang Ximeng reached out suddenly, took out two official documents, and asked someone to pass them to Fang Keqin.

Fang Keqin took it in his hand, only glanced at it twice, and his color suddenly changed... These two official documents were all purchased from his rule, and one of them was [-] shi, which was approved normally.

But besides the [-] shi, there were [-] shi, which Fang Keqin didn't know about.

"This is also an additional purchase by the procurement officials of the Ministry of Households using blank official documents to cover the cost of the road."

Fang Keqin was startled, and subconsciously said: "They, why are they buying two copies?"

It was like asking a question.

Zhang Ximeng said coldly: "As a local official, don't you know that buying for the imperial court is at least [-]% lower than the market price! What's more, the thirteen thousand stones don't need to be returned to the Ministry of Households! What a profit this is? "

In an instant, Fang Keqin's face turned pale.

He finally realized how big a problem this so-called bad habit of the former dynasty was!

In fact, the normal procurement of materials would logically result in more supplies. For some important projects, almost [-]% more supplies would be needed... not only considering the consumption on the road, but also considering the loss of construction.

Let's put it this way, if only [-]% of the funds for river control are used in real terms, you can almost get a high-level evaluation. If you spend [-]% of it, then it is basically Bao Qingtian.

Under such circumstances, it is just for the convenience of writing off the account by issuing a blank official document in the name of consumption on the road and not matching the account, and letting people fill in the number at will?

Take the situation Fang Keqin encountered as an example. The household department went to buy a batch of grain to pay for the construction of Yingtian City Wall.

There is an official document from the household department, and the magistrate's yamen also issued the document and handed it over to the household department.

And the person doing the work, took the official document stamped with the magistrate's seal, ran downstairs, and went to buy an additional batch, only saying that it would meet the consumption on the road.The officials below will still do things honestly, and are even willing to hide it from the magistrate. After all, he is from the Ministry of Households. If he can sell well, he will benefit endlessly in the future.

In this way, the people from the household department easily obtained two grains, and when they returned to the household department to hand in business, they just sent an official document. If someone like Zheng Shiyuan was willing to help them write it off, he would naturally be able to get away with it.

The extra food has become their benefit!

This is just the most basic operation.

The household department also took the donated money and food, and temporarily topped it up, and the things that should be purchased were changed into money and filled their own pockets.

You think they are crazy, they dare to earn any money, they just work hard... But this group of people don't think so, anyway, there are ministers of household affairs at the top, and the local yamen below don't dare to do anything to them.

And the enthronement ceremony is finished, and the superior is happy, who dares to hold on to this matter?

Maybe they can even blame them, saying that they are unwilling to work for the superiors and have evil intentions.

Zhu Yuanzhang put all the actions of the household department in front of the officials.

"At this point, we have to kill! Ruan Hongdao, and his three sons, all executed!"

"Zheng Shiyuan, together with his family, a total of seven people, beheaded!"

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, Zhang Ximeng said in a low voice, "Master, Zheng Shiyuan's youngest son is only three years old."

Old Zhu paused, "Zheng Shiyuan will be cut in half, and the youngest son will be pardoned!"

Zheng Shiyuan prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed, "Thank you sir, thank you Zhang Xiang! Long live the superior, Zhang Xiang will live a hundred years!"

"Take it down!" Old Zhu said bluntly.

In this way, Zhu Yuanzhang dispatched them one by one, the minister of the household department, two ministers, seven principals, as well as the minister of the Ministry of Industry, the minister of the Ministry of War, the Shaoqing of Honglu Temple... dozens of officials, not only were killed, but even their family members were killed. None of them escaped, but some young children were pardoned and sent to the juvenile camp to be raised in the future.

All the way down, all the officials trembled, and no one dared to refute.

Later, when he came to Fang Keqin, Lao Zhu was furious, "It stands to reason that you just stamped your seal, so you shouldn't die, but you take the bad habits of the Yuan court for granted. Based on this, we should cut you in half!"

Fang Keqin's face was pale, only trembling.

Zhu Yuanzhang took another breath, "For your meritorious service in equalizing the land, you will be responsible for eighty sticks, and the whole family will be distributed to Lingnan!"

Fang Keqin was dazed for a moment, then suddenly kowtowed vigorously, weeping with gratitude, "I thank the superior for your kindness!"

Chapter 419 Zhang Ximeng

Without killing Fang Keqin, Old Zhu Gaoxuan's butcher's knife can be regarded as put down.

Just looking at the officials, everyone present was all shocked. During this period of time, dozens of officials had been killed. Counting their family members, the number must have been three to five hundred.

And this is only in Beijing. There are still many people in the local area who are cooperating with greedy ink, and they have to be investigated... Roughly estimated, with a knife, hundreds of officials will be killed.

Zhu Yuanzhang's new king ascended the throne, Hongwu's year title is really appropriate, and he deserves his name!

The officials present, with their heads down, were flustered, trembling, and didn't even have the courage to raise their heads.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, sighed helplessly, and then said: "We don't want to kill people, but we just settled with Li Xiang. Our foundation is not so solid, and we can't stand so many ants and moths... It's the same sentence , the national law is ruthless, whoever violates the king's law, we will not be polite... Don't rush back, stay in this yard first, take a good look at the gold and silver in this place, think about it, how will you be this place in the future? official!"

After Lao Zhu finished speaking, he got up directly and returned to the palace. Before leaving, he paused again and said, "Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Li, follow me."

Without saying a word, Zhang Ximeng hurriedly followed him, and he gave Jiang Nan a look, don't let your eyes roll, and come with me.

Li Shanchang's mood is much more complicated.

Although the Ming Dynasty has repeatedly declared that it is different from Yuan Ting, but the people who came from Yuan Ting can really make a clean break, can't they change their brains?

Li Shanchang was a high-ranking prime minister, so he couldn't help but compare with those predecessors in the Yuan Dynasty, saying that he weighed two pounds.

The Yuan court was a typical dynasty in which power and fortune moved downwards, with powerful ministers coming out in large numbers, power ministers one after another, Dong Zhuo per capita was small, and everyone was better than Cao Cao.

There are many emperors who are ostracized by prime ministers.

Lao Zhu said that the Yuan court lost the world because of "lenient benevolence".

Although Li Shanchang did not dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with the seniors of the Yuan court, he always wanted to make small moves to maintain his own power, which was also the reason why Lao Li repeatedly tried to die.

But today, Li Shanchang's heart turned cold.

Zhu Yuanzhang directly executed hundreds of family members of officials. He, the prime minister, could do nothing but applaud and say that His Majesty killed well.

Since your words don't work, who will respect you?

From now on, the gold content of the position of prime minister will be greatly reduced. After all, he, Li Shanchang, will also become an ordinary official under Zhu Yuanzhang's rule, with nothing special about him.

Moreover, almost all of these executed officials were his subordinates. If he was held accountable for improper employment, he would not be able to escape.

Counting today, although Lao Li was not punished or implicated, he was a loser with a lot of losses.

So much so that when he arrived in the palace, Li Shanchang lowered his head, remained silent, respectful and humble, and dared not say a single unnecessary word.

After Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, he looked at the two important ministers under him, and said coldly: "Let's say, if there is a choice, we don't like to kill people. The most urgent thing is that you should discuss it. The mess of the household department, what to do?" Pack it up!"

Li Shanchang's mind sank more and more, his mind was disturbed, and he had no idea for a while, so he could only say: "Mr. Zhang, what do you think we should do with this matter?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, I think you should leave it to the merchant to buy this piece in the future!"

"Businessmen? How are they responsible?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "The Zhongshu province, or the Ministry of Household Affairs, proposes the quantity to be purchased, and it follows the example of the Song Dynasty's buying and selling. The quality and quantity are guaranteed, and the price is right... If it can be delivered smoothly, everything will be fine. Joshua, hold the crime accountable."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Is this going to work?"

Zhang Ximeng didn't answer, but turned to look at Jiang Nan behind him.

Jiang Nan seemed to be aware of his gaze, and immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, a few years ago, the minister's family took over a business of making chairs and benches for the school. As long as the standard can be set, then a fair bidding will be adopted, and strict acceptance... Almost [-]% of things can be used in this way.”

Old Zhu said: "Sounds good, so why not [-]%?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, the [-]% involves salt, iron, weapons, military rations, and glue paint, etc., but it is not something ordinary merchants can do. In addition, there are nanmu pillars in Fengtian Temple, which are too large for ordinary merchants to cut down. For transportation, the imperial court has to come forward, regardless of the cost."

When Lao Zhu heard this, he nodded, "Then what do you think of the many disadvantages this time, if you use this method, can you avoid it?"

"I'm afraid not." Jiang Nan said honestly: "My lord, the Ministry of Industry is responsible for the construction of Yingtian and the palace this time, and the Ministry of Households is the one who bought it... If you let businessmen do business with the Ministry of Industry and Households, no matter what, you will lose money It's all them, actually..."

Jiang Nan stopped talking when she reached this point, and she couldn't talk any further.

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "My lord, Jiang Tiju means that those who are in charge and those who handle affairs should be separated. It seems that the Ministry of Industry can just formulate standards and propose plans, and then the merchants will be responsible for the implementation... Then the merchants will buy materials with the merchants, and the Ministry of Households only need Supervise the expenditure." Gu Xiao

Lao Zhu's face was solemn... To be honest, he also realized the problem. This time, the household department used all kinds of outrageous methods to fill the hole.

In the final analysis, it is land tax, business tax, purchase, expenditure, settlement...everything related to money is their responsibility.They have the final say on access and exit, if there is no problem, then there is no ghost!

In particular, officials should not be regarded as saints.

Zhu Yuanzhang faintly realized that the six parts must be split.

Fortunately, the tax department has been created earlier, so that Lao Zhu is mentally prepared, and it seems that it is not a problem to create a few more.

"Mr. Zhang, why don't you just talk about it carefully, what should we do?"

Zhang Ximeng bowed and said, "My lord, let's talk about the household tax first. There is a big difference between land tax and commercial tax...so we need to split up a special tax department to be responsible for commercial tax. Next, the household department is also in charge of land tax. It seems that there is no need to separate the two, but the Ministry of Household Affairs still has a power, that is, fiscal expenditures, money collection and spending, and it is always inappropriate to put them together."

Old Zhu said in a deep voice: "So, the Ministry of Households has to split up a yamen?"