Shen Yi's earnest voice echoed in the not-so-empty Qianqing Palace.
Anyway, since the words have been discussed for this purpose, Shen Shangshu does not care so much.
Facing Yu Qian’s meticulous face, Shen Yi sighed and said.
“In addition to what I just said, Yu Shaobao should know that in recent years, the imperial court’s military expenditures on the border have been increasing almost year by year.”
"Even excluding the expenses of the Northern Expedition and last year's War of Oara, the imperial court's military expenditure on the border each year exceeds one million taels of silver alone. This does not include all kinds of silver discounts, silver rewards, and salt-induced silver. "
“And this is just cash. The court has to allocate additional supplies for the grain, fodder, bean feed, winter clothes, weapons, armor, and equipment for the border officers and soldiers.”
“Together, these are equivalent to nearly half of the imperial court’s annual income, all of which are spent on the border.”
“For several years, some ministers in the imperial court have believed that border military expenditures are too high and have advocated reduction. Especially after the Battle of Oara, the national treasury was almost empty, which made both the government and the public very dissatisfied with the expenditure of border troops.”
"Don't talk about building new towns on the nine sides. If this continues, I don't know whether next year's military expenditures can be fully allocated."
Yu Qian opened his mouth, but found it difficult to refute.
Because Shen Yi was right, after Yongle, the imperial court's military expenditures remained high. Even when there was no war, military expenditures exceeded one-third of the imperial court's annual revenue.
After Orthodoxy, it increased year by year, reaching nearly half of the national treasury expenditure.
In this context, it is not difficult to persuade the imperial court to continue to increase investment in border military expenditures.
This is not just a problem for one yamen in the Ministry of Revenue, but it infringes on the interests of all yamen.
What’s more, the completion of the Nine Borders will not be a matter of one or two years. It will take at least three to five years before it can initially take shape.
Before this, the imperial court’s annual investment would only be more, not less.
Of course the courtiers know the importance of border defense, but, as Shen Yi said, it is impossible to abandon all other government affairs just because of border defense.
Money and food are all invested in Jiubian. What will happen to the officials' salaries, what to do with the projects in various places, what to do if the people are affected by disasters, what to do if there is a civil uprising that needs to be suppressed?
Furthermore, although Shen Yi said it euphemistically.
However, Yu Qian also had experience in officialdom, and he quickly heard that there was something more to Shen Yi's words.
That is, once the construction of the Nine Borders really starts, in the next few years, the government's focus will be on border affairs and military affairs.
This situation is obviously not something most civil servants who are better at civil affairs would like to see.
Pressure from all parties has piled up, and it seems that the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development is opposing it, but in fact, the proposal to build nine borders at this time has touched people from all walks of life.
Yu Qian said nothing, but Zhu Qiyu shook his head slightly and said.
“I just said, let’s not mention the Jiubian issue, why are you arguing again? But now that it has been brought up, let me ask, how much money will the Ministry of Revenue allocate to the Border Army next year?”
Shen Yi was stunned for a moment, feeling a little bit dumbfounded.
You have cleared yourself up with just one sentence, as if the two of them are willing to quarrel.
However, the Holy Emperor has privileges.
Shang Shu Shen pondered for a moment and could only speak cautiously.
“Your Majesty, it’s just summer now. The Ministry of Household Affairs formulates the budget for the second year at the end of each year, so...”
“So it’s just not decided yet?”
Shen Yi nodded. Although he felt that the emperor's question was disturbing, he made up his mind and covered his money bag. No one could do anything about it.
Zhu Qiyu on the throne couldn't help but smile when he saw this and said.
"The end of the year is the end of the year. However, since the orthodoxy, the imperial court has been constantly quarreling with each other. After the Battle of Oara, the losses of the frontier troops were very serious. It is not appropriate to reduce the official silver at this time."
"I don't ask for anything else. The border army's regular silver next year will be no less than the 13th year of Zhengtong. Isn't this excessive?"
Wow, the emperor really didn’t mention Jiubian?
Shen Shangshu looked at Yu Qian suspiciously, and saw that he was ignoring him again with a dark face, and felt a little confused.
Could it be said that this time Yu Qian's nine-sided strategy was not discussed with the emperor in advance?
Out of the instinct of the Minister of Household Affairs to make a cut when money is offered, Shen Shangshu felt that the emperor’s request could still be negotiated.
But when he looked up at the emperor's half-smiling face, he suddenly felt that it was better not to push the envelope too far.
So, Shen Shangshu hesitated for a moment and said.
“Since Your Majesty has a decree, I must do my best to ensure that the regular funds of the border army will not be reduced next year.”
Out of caution, Shen Yi did not give a guarantee in the end.
But what surprised him was that the emperor did not embarrass him, but nodded slightly and said.
"That's good. In that case, Mr. Shen, please step aside first. Mr. Yu and I still have something to say."
Until he stepped out of the gate of Qianqing Palace, Shen Yi was still a little confused.
What is the purpose of the emperor calling him here this time?
Could it be that just to see him quarrel with Yu Qian?
Shaking his head, Shen Shangshu decided not to think too much. Anyway, once the money bag is protected, everything will be fine.
Other things have nothing to do with him.
Thereupon, Shen Shangshu, who was very happy, walked out of the palace while humming a little tune.
There are some who are happy and some who are unhappy.
The Minister of Hubu, who had no money to spend, left happily, but the Minister of War, who had no money to spend, was still in the palace dejectedly.
After Shen Yi left, apart from the maids and chamberlains, only Zhu Qiyu and Yu Qian were left in the Qianqing Palace.
Obviously, Yu Qian was a little unhappy.
I don’t know whether it was simply because his proposal was frustrated, or because of Shen Yi’s words just now, which made him feel that it would be much more difficult for the Nine Sides to pass the court meeting than he had imagined.
Looking at the slightly frustrated Yu Qian, Zhu Qiyu still had a gentle smile and said: "Sir, do you know why I didn't speak for you when Mr. Shen was here just now?"
Yu Qian cupped his hands and said: "As the emperor, your majesty should consider everything. The military department has difficulties, and the household department also has difficulties. Your majesty has to have a bowl of water to keep it level. I naturally understand this."
This is said in a decent but polite way.
Zhu Qiyu shook his head, and the look on his face became serious, and said.
“Not only because of this, sir’s nine-sided strategy will be beneficial to the country in the long run.”
“However, what I want to tell you, sir, is that not everything that is beneficial to the country and the imperial court can be done or accomplished.”
“What’s more, once Mr.’s idea is implemented, it will almost require the power of the imperial court to implement it. It is not easy to pass the imperial deliberation.”
Yu Qian was silent for a moment, of course he understood the truth.
However, he still felt very sorry in his heart. Jiubian's strategy was for the long-term peace of the border.
So Yu Qian has always believed that as long as a complete border defense line can be built, let alone a few years, even if the court has to live another ten years of hard life, it will be worth it.
But it is obvious that among the imperial court, there are only a few who think like him.
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Qian decided to try again.
In his view, perhaps his own strength was not enough, but with the emperor's full support, there was still hope that the imperial meeting could be passed.
However, before he opened his mouth, the emperor seemed to see through his thoughts and shook his head directly and said.
"This matter involves too much. Even I cannot be the enemy of all civil and military officials at the same time. Therefore, if you really want to put the nine-sided strategy into practice, you still have to rely on yourself in the end..."
This chapter has been completed!