First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 419: Zhang Ximeng, who pit brothers is not so

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Without killing Fang Keqin, Old Zhu Gaoxuan's butcher's knife could be considered to be put down.

Just looking at the officials again, everyone present was also shocked. During this period of time, dozens of officials have been killed, including family members and relatives, there are definitely three to five hundred people.

And this is only in Beijing. In the local area, there are many cooperating people who are greedy for ink, and they must also be tracked down... Roughly estimated, with one knife, hundreds of officials will fall to the ground.

Zhu Yuanzhang's new emperor ascended the throne, and the Hongwu era name is really appropriate and well deserved!

The ministers present lowered their heads, flustered, trembling, and did not 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 silverfish... Still that sentence, The laws of the state are ruthless. We will not be polite to anyone who violates the laws of the king... Don't be in a hurry to go back, stay in this yard first, take a good look at the gold and silver in this place, and think carefully about how you will become this official in the future! "

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

Zhang Ximeng didn't say a word, he hurried over, he gave Jiang Nan a look, don't keep your eyes open for enjoyment, come with me.

Li Shanchang's mood was much more complicated.

Although the Ming Dynasty has repeatedly claimed that it is different from the Yuan court, but in the end it is a person who came from the Yuan court, can they really cut it cleanly and change their brains?

Li Shanchang was a high-ranking prime minister, and he could not help but compare himself with those of his predecessors in the Yuan Dynasty.

The Yuan court was a typical dynasty with a downward trend of power and wealth. Powerful ministers came forth in large numbers, and power ministers followed one after another. The average per capita was small Dong Zhuo, and everyone competed with Cao Cao.

There are many emperors who have been overridden by the prime minister.

Lao Zhu said that the Yuan court lost the world because of its "generous benevolence". That's what he said, not that the rulers and ministers of the Yuan Dynasty were benevolent and kind-hearted.

Although Li Shanchang didn't dare to compete with the seniors of Yuan Ting, he always wanted to make small moves to maintain his own power, which was the reason why Old Li repeatedly killed himself.

But today, Li Shanchang's heart is half cold.

Zhu Yuanzhang directly executed hundreds of officials and family members. Apart from applauding and applauding His Majesty, he could do nothing else.

Since your words are useless, who will respect you?

From now on, the gold content of the prime minister's position will be greatly reduced. In the final analysis, Li Shanchang will also become an ordinary official under Zhu Yuanzhang's rule, and there is nothing special about it.

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

After all, although Lao Li today 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, silent, respectful and humble, not daring to say a single extra sentence.

After Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, he looked at the two important ministers under him, and he said coldly: "Let's say, if there is a choice, we don't like killing people. The top priority, you should discuss it, what should I do with the mess of the Ministry of Households Pack it up!"

Li Shanchang's mind became more and more down, his mind was disturbed, and he had no idea for a while, so he could only say: "Zhang Xiang, what should I do about this matter?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, I think I should leave the merchants responsible for purchasing this piece in the future!"

"Businessmen? How are they responsible?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "The Ministry of Commerce, or the Ministry of Households, proposes the quantity to be purchased, and follows the Song Dynasty's purchase, guaranteeing quality and quantity, and whoever has the right price... If it can be delivered smoothly, everything will be fine, if not, follow the contract. book, and be held accountable."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Does this work?"

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

Jiang Nan seemed to notice his gaze, and immediately bowed, "Your Majesty, a few years ago, the minister's family has undertaken a business of building chairs and chairs for the school. As long as the standards can be set, a fair price will be adopted, and the acceptance will be strictly accepted...about the same. Seventy percent of things can be used this way."

Lao Zhu said: "It sounds good, then why is there 30% not enough?"

"Your Majesty, these 30% involve salt, iron, weapons, military rations, and glue paint, etc., but they are not what 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 court has to come forward, regardless of the cost."

When Lao Zhu heard this, he nodded, "Then what do you think of the many drawbacks of this time? If this method is used, can it be avoided?"

"I'm afraid not." Jiang Nan said honestly, "My lord, it is the Ministry of Industry who will build the Yingtian and the palace this time, and the Ministry of Households who buys it... If the merchants do business with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households, no matter what, they will lose money. It's them, actually..."

Jiang Nan stopped talking when she got here, and if she went on, it wasn't something she could talk about.

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "My lord, Jiang Tiju means that those who manage affairs should be separated from those who handle affairs. It seems that the Ministry of Industry can just formulate standards and propose plans, and then the merchants are responsible for implementing them... Then the merchants and merchants buy materials, and the Ministry of Household only needs to supervise Expenses are." Gu Jia

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

In the final analysis, it is still the land tax, business tax, purchase, expenditure, settlement... everything related to money is their responsibility. They have the final say in going in and out. If there is no problem, then there will be ghosts!

In particular, officials cannot be regarded as saints.

Zhu Yuanzhang faintly realized that the six divisions had to be split.

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

"Mr. Zhang, just tell me carefully, what should I do?"

Zhang Ximeng bowed and said: "My lord, let's talk about the Ministry of Household first, the difference between the land tax and the commercial tax is too great... So we need to split up a special tax department to be responsible for the commercial tax, and then the household department also manages the land tax. It seems that there is no need to separate the two, but the Ministry of Household still has a power, that is, financial expenditure, collecting money and spending money together, it is always inappropriate."

Old Zhu said solemnly: "So, the Ministry of Household has to split up a yamen?"

At this moment, Li Shanchang seems to have also slowed down.

Although he was seriously injured just now, it seems that he has the opportunity to show his ability at this moment.

"High-ranking, the minister thinks what Zhang Xiang said is reasonable, and the minister is thinking about whether it is possible to dispose of the tax household registration, including treasure banknotes, customs duties, and salt tax, so as to prevent malpractices."

Li Shanchang's voice was very low, and after speaking, he observed his words and expressions, and found that not only Lao Zhu, but even Zhang Ximeng was thinking.

"My lord, Li Xiang's proposal is very good... Tariffs, salt tax, and other resale, it is better to transfer them to the tax department. The household department is only in charge of land, land and household administration. It is better to set up a new budget department. The Baochao Department and the Du Branch Bureau are all under the jurisdiction of the Budget Department. In this way, the agricultural business, income and expenditure are all separated. One household department has become three departments, with separate powers and clear responsibilities and rights, which is indeed conducive to implementation. Government affairs. Prevention of malpractice.”

Zhu Yuanzhang listened silently, and suddenly said: "Sir, according to what you said, many more positions will be created all of a sudden. As a result, I am afraid that the number of officials will be greatly increased, and the salary expenditure will not be a small sum of money!"

Zhang Ximeng naturally knew that, but Li Shanchang was the first to say when he was about to explain: "Supervisor, in fact, some time ago, adjustments have been made to the salaries of hundreds of officials, and the minister has carefully calculated them. Our salary expenses are less than Zhao Song's expenses. A lot. If fraud can be avoided, and the tax department can charge some more, I think it’s worth it. After all, you can’t give up food because of choking!”

Li Shanchang actually stood on Zhang Ximeng's side neatly, which was really surprising.

Old Zhu pondered for a while, then smiled and said, "So, does that have to be the case?"

Zhang Ximeng paused, "Master, if you want to prevent favoritism and fraud, you must have a clear division of labor and strengthen supervision... But this will inevitably increase the number of manpower, and it will become more water and more noodles, and more noodles and more water. In the end, it became a confused account. Whether the income was more than the consumption, or the consumption was more than the income, the minister could not say for a while."

Zhang Ximeng said: "I thought that I might as well find a place to try it first. If it works, I will promote it. If it doesn't work, I will find another way."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a while, and suddenly smiled: "Mr. Zhang, UU reading www.uukanshu.com The place you are talking about is not Lingnan, right?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "My lord is wise, you can guess it right!"

Old Zhu said: "We still know your thoughts. Zhu Ying's child is really good. But can he bear it?"

Zhang Ximeng said sternly: "It's the same sentence, test... He's the best if he does, but if he doesn't, spank!"

Old Zhu was slightly stunned, and then laughed loudly: "Alright, that's it! Let our son go, just right!"

The two rulers and ministers quickly settled on this matter... Li Shanchang sighed secretly beside him, thinking that it was Zhu Ying, and if someone else went to Lingnan, he would lose his head if he didn't do well.

After a busy day, Zhang Ximeng and Li Shanchang bid farewell to Zhu Yuanzhang and withdrew from the palace.

Turning around, Li Shanchang came to invite Zhang Ximeng again, went to his duty room, Li Shanchang cut to the chase, "Zhang Xiang, I thought about it for a long time last night, Zhu Ying went to Lingnan, the burden on my shoulders is too heavy... I thought, this time I will undertake Corrupt officials, check the household department, they can get one hundred thousand taels, and there is so much food. Give it to Zhu Ying if you need it, so that he can make a good start!"

Li Shanchang is all for Zhu Ying, but he doesn't mean to favor his son at all.

When Zhang Ximeng heard this, he couldn't help shaking his head, "Brother Li, if you do this, the lord will use troops next, where will the cost come from?"

Li Shanchang was stunned, "This...the ceremony for the enthronement of a high-ranking person, the expenditure is not small, and the use of soldiers is indeed a little nervous. But, this matter can't be the best of both worlds!"

Zhang Ximeng laughed suddenly, "Brother Li, I actually thought about it. It seems that Zhu Ying doesn't need money when he goes here."

"Not money? That is?"

"It's enough to make people think he's rich!"

Li Shanchang was stunned for a while, he really couldn't understand, Zhang Ximeng, what did you say? You won't even cheat on your own brother, will you?