Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Nine: The Department of Accountability
Since Shen Yi's answer was given after careful consideration, he naturally expected that the Emperor would dig into this issue to delve deeper into it.
After straightening his clothes, Chen Yi changed his relaxed attitude, bowed for a long time, and said solemnly.
"Although I am not good at military affairs, thanks to this period of time, I cooperated with Shangshu and was responsible for the logistics mobilization of the army. I also have some experience in the border situation."
"In this battle, we suffered heavy losses first. Although Tuo Tuo Bu Hua still has strength, the two will inevitably fight each other. Therefore, in a short period of time, it may be difficult for a large army to disturb the border."
"Although the Duoma Pass is important, it is one of the three inner passes after all. It is located within the border defense line. There will be no danger for a while. Therefore, rebuilding the Duoma Pass is not urgent, although it is a serious matter!"
Zhu Qiyu nodded imperceptibly, but showed nothing on his face, and asked instead.
"According to what is said, there will be a battle with Tuotuo Buhua first. Then during the civil strife in the grassland, there will be no more large armies harassing the border. Then why did Mr. Sir say that strengthening the defenses at various passes is the most important thing?"
Shen Yi lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said.
"Of course, if there is civil strife in the grassland, there will be a battle, but this does not mean that our Ming border will be safe."
"The grassland tribes often live in scattered places. Unlike the Ming Dynasty, which attacked me, even if the war begins with Tuotuo Buhua, it will still be a war between Oara and Tatar. It will never call up all the troops of the Mongolian tribes, and these tribes may not send troops. .”
"Previously, in order to harass, our frontier army also invaded the grassland tribes in turn, taking advantage of the fact that their youth was gone. Now, we have also returned to the grassland with our army. These tribes will inevitably come back to plunder, not only for revenge, but also for the sake of being able to Have a smooth winter.”
"Therefore, it is not only important to strengthen city defenses everywhere, especially the border passes, but also to do so quickly."
Seeing the emperor's expression becoming more and more warm, Shen Yi gradually relaxed his courage, took a sip of tea, and continued.
"In addition, although our army won this battle, the losses were not light. In order to give the border army more confidence to continue to defend the border, the army's pensions and rewards must not be delayed. Not only must they be generous, but they must also be as fast as possible. It was sent to the hands of the border troops."
"As for the restructuring of the craftsmen's household, this cannot be done overnight. It needs to be planned over time before it can be accomplished. This is my humble opinion. Please consider it."
Zhu Qiyu nodded.
On the grassland, each tribe has its own affairs. Now that the war is over, they will inevitably return to their original nature, cross the border, and come in small groups to plunder.
And with the Ming army plundering tribes before, this situation will inevitably get worse.
Therefore, at this time, the defense of the border and the morale of the border troops are also very important.
Zhu Qiyu was a little surprised that Shen Yi, as the Minister of Household Affairs, could realize this.
As for the final restructuring of craftsmen households, Zhu Qiyu certainly did not expect it to be completed immediately. The size of the Ministry of Works was one of the six ministries. This matter would actually weaken the power of the Ministry of Works and was not so easy to handle.
Fortunately, there is no rush for this matter. It just depends on Zhang Min's ability to see if it can be done.
After thinking about Chen Yi's words over and over, Zhu Qiyu suddenly flashed his eyes and spoke.
"Mr. Shen, our officers and soldiers went to plunder the tribes last time, and the morale of the officers and soldiers at each pass was very good. So, can this matter be continued?"
this……
Shen Yi was immediately stuck.
It is not easy to express your stance on this issue. If you are not careful, you will offend a large number of people in the court.
After thinking for a while, Shen Yi replied.
"Your Majesty, the plundering of the grassland tribes was originally done because Ye Xian's army pressed down on the territory to prevent them from recovering their strength. However, the ministers in the court also complained. Now that the war is over, if we want to continue, we may need court approval. This military department Everything should be done by the Minister."
When it arrived, Shen Yi didn't give a clear answer, but passed the blame to Yu Qian.
But Zhu Qiyu didn't care. He just asked casually and didn't expect to settle the matter.
As Shen Yi said, this matter involves the strategic direction of the grassland tribes. This kind of military and national affairs must be discussed by the court.
So Zhu Qiyu said.
"I already understand the priorities that Mr. Cai said. Mr. Cai also said just now that recuperating and replenishing the national treasury is both urgent and important. I deeply agree. I wonder what you think, sir?"
Yes, this is another big problem.
The first one is difficult to answer, and this one cannot be answered directly.
Enriching the national treasury is, to put it bluntly, how to make money.
If Old Shen had his way, would he still cry so bitterly about poverty?
But since the emperor asked a question, he naturally had to answer it.
Shen Yi started as a Langguan in the Ministry of Household Affairs and rose all the way to Shangshu. It was not that he had no experience. After thinking about it, he spoke.
"Your Majesty, if you want to enrich the national treasury, there are only two ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. If there is no war, the annual income of our court will actually be more than the expenditure. Therefore, as long as there is enough time, the court will be able to recover within five years."
"I don't have any ideas about how to increase revenue, but if I want to reduce expenditures, I was in a hurry. Although I didn't think carefully about it, I did have some ideas."
Seeing Shen Yi's unnatural expression, Zhu Qiyu became interested. So far, he was satisfied with today's performance.
Shen Yi's performance exceeded his expectations. The treasury was empty and it was not an easy task to make it rich.
However, what he didn't expect was that Shen Yi actually had a way.
"In that case, Mr. Shen might as well come and listen."
Shen Yi hesitated for a moment, then resolutely spoke with the spirit of a dead Taoist friend but not a poor Taoist.
"Your Majesty, the largest expenditure of our court is the salary of officials at all levels. Although the two meters of silver and grain in the treasury are not enough, there is peppercorns. Therefore, if we can reduce the salary of the civil and military officials in the two capitals and give them money in the first half of the year, By providing Sumu pepper in the second half of the year, the pressure on the state treasury can be greatly reduced."
After hearing Shen Yi's idea, Zhu Qiyu couldn't help but have a wry smile on his face.
This Minister of the Ministry of Finance was really forced into a panic.
Otherwise, we can’t bring up such a damaging move...
The use of peppercorns to reduce salary is nothing new.
Pepper is a precious seasoning, and sappan wood is a Chinese medicinal material. These two things are rarely produced in the Ming Dynasty.
There are many in the treasury, firstly because Zheng He brought back a large number from his voyages to the West, and secondly because the small southeastern countries have paid tribute every year in recent years. One of the tributes is peppercorns. The palace cannot use so much, so it is all buried under Inside the treasury.
Because Ming Dynasty did not produce these two things, they are actually in very short supply among the people.
Earlier, during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns, peppermint wood was often used as a reward. During the Xuande period, at the suggestion of Huang Fu, the then Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the peppermint wood bonus was briefly implemented for a period of time.
It should be said that the effect was pretty good at the time.
Due to the scarcity of output, the prices of these two items among the private sector were still very high. They were used to reduce salaries, which was actually a disguised salary increase.
As for why Zhang Juzheng was scolded for using this method later.
That's entirely because Huang Fu used this method for only one year, while Zhang Juzheng used it for several years, and even almost wanted to turn it into a system.
Things are valuable when they are rare. No matter how precious something is, it will naturally become worthless as long as there are more of it.
Although peppermint wood is precious, it is not a necessity. Only dignitaries or wealthy businessmen would be willing to buy some.
A large amount flowing into the market will inevitably lead to a large backlog just like in the treasury.
The officials couldn't eat, drink or sell these things, so they couldn't fight Zhang Juzheng.
However, it is a good idea to use it now.
Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly and said.
"The reduced salary of peppercorns can temporarily support it for a period of time, but it cannot last long, and it cannot solve the root cause. Does Mr. Shen have any better ideas?"
