Chapter 419 Zhang Ximeng, who is not soft-hearted by brothers
Without killing Fang Keqin, Lao Zhu Gaoxuan's butcher knife was finally put down.
Just looking at the officials, everyone present was horrified. During this period of time, dozens of officials had been killed. Counting their family members, the number was definitely three to five hundred.
And this is just in Beijing. There are many people who cooperate with others in the local area and need to be traced... A rough estimate is that hundreds of officials will be killed with one blow.
The new emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, and the title of Hongwu is really appropriate and well-deserved!
All the officials present lowered their heads, were flustered, trembling and uneasy, 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 anyone, but we just settled the matter with Prime Minister Li. Our foundation is not that solid and cannot withstand so many ants and moths... That's the same sentence
, The national law is ruthless, and we will not be polite to anyone who violates the king's law... Don't rush back, stay in this courtyard first, take a good look at the gold and silver here, and think carefully about how you will act like this in the future.
official!"
After Lao Zhu finished speaking, he stood up and returned to the palace. Before leaving, he paused and said, "Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Li, follow me."
Zhang Ximeng hurriedly followed him without saying a word. He also gave Jiang Nan a look that said, "Don't hold back and just roll your eyes. 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 Ting, but after all, people who came from the Yuan Ting can really cut it off with a clean break, can't they just change their brains?
As Li Shanchang occupied the position of prime minister, he could not help but compare himself with his predecessors in the Yuan Dynasty.
The Yuan Dynasty was a typical dynasty with declining power and power. There were numerous powerful ministers and powerful ministers one after another. The average person in the Yuan Dynasty was smaller than Dong Zhuo, and all of them were better than Cao Cao.
There are many emperors who are ignored by their prime ministers.
Lao Zhu said that the Yuan Dynasty lost the world because of its "tolerance". This is what he said, but he did not mean that the monarchs and ministers of the Yuan Dynasty were benevolent and kind-hearted.
Although Li Shanchang did not dare to compete with his predecessors at Yuanting, he always wanted to make some small moves to maintain his own power. This was also the reason why Lao Li repeatedly sought death.
But today, Li Shanchang's heart felt cold.
Zhu Yuanzhang directly executed hundreds of officials and their family members. As a prime minister, he could do nothing but applaud and praise, saying that your majesty killed them well.
Since your words don’t work, who will respect you?
From now on, the value of the prime minister's position will be greatly reduced. In the final analysis, Li Shanchang will become an ordinary official under Zhu Yuanzhang's rule, with nothing special about him.
Moreover, almost all of the officials who were executed were his subordinates. If he was held accountable for improper employment, he would not be able to escape.
After all, although Lao Li was not punished or implicated today, he was a huge loser.
So when he arrived at the palace, Li Shanchang lowered his head, remained silent, respectful and humble, and did not dare to say a single unnecessary word.
After Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, he looked at his two important ministers and said coldly: "Let me tell you, if we have the choice, we don't like killing people. The most urgent thing is to discuss what to do about the mess in the Ministry of Revenue.
Clean it up!"
Li Shanchang's mind became more and more depressed, his mind was confused, and he had no idea for a moment. He could only say: "Prime Minister Zhang, what should I do about this matter?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "My lord, I think we should leave it to the merchants for future purchases!"
"Businessmen? How can they be responsible?"
Zhang Ximeng said: "When the Zhongshu Province or the Ministry of Revenue proposes the quantity to be purchased, we will follow the Song Dynasty's buying strategy, ensuring quality and quantity, and the one with the right price will get it... If it can be delivered smoothly, everything will be fine. If not, just follow the instructions
Make an appointment to hold the guilty accountable."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said, "Is this feasible?"
Zhang Ximeng did not answer, but turned to look at Jiang Nan behind him.
Jiang Nan seemed to be aware of the gaze, and immediately bowed and said: "Your Majesty, a few years ago, my family took over a business of making seats and benches for the school. As long as the standards can be set, fair bidding and strict acceptance...
This method can be used for almost 70% of things.”
Lao Zhu said: "It sounds good, but why can't it still be 30%?"
"Back to Your Majesty, these 30% involve salt, iron, weapons, military rations, glue and paint, etc., but ordinary merchants cannot do it. In addition, the nanmu pillars of Fengtian Temple are too large and ordinary merchants cannot cut them down.
Transportation must be done with the help of the imperial court, regardless of cost."
When Lao Zhu heard this, he actually nodded, "Then what do you think of the many disadvantages this time? Can they be avoided if this method is used?"
"I'm afraid not." Jiang Nan said honestly: "My lord, the people who built Yingtian Palace this time are all from the Ministry of Industry, and the ones who purchase it are the Ministry of Household Affairs... If merchants are allowed to do business with the Ministry of Industry and Household Department, no matter what, they will lose money.
It's all them, actually..."
Jiang Nan stopped talking when she reached this point. She couldn't go on further.
Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "My lord, Jiang Tiju means that those who manage things and those who do things should be separated. It seems that the Ministry of Industry can just set standards and propose plans, and then the merchants will be responsible for implementing them... Then the merchants will purchase materials with the merchants, and the Ministry of Household Affairs will only need to
Supervise expenditures." Gu He
Lao Zhu looked solemn... To be honest, he also realized the problem. This time, the Ministry of Household Affairs used all kinds of outrageous methods to fill the hole.
In the final analysis, they are still responsible for land taxes, business taxes, purchases, expenses, settlements... everything related to money. They have the final say on the comings and goings. If there is no problem, then there is something wrong!
In particular, officials should not be regarded as saints.
Zhu Yuanzhang vaguely realized that he had to split it into six parts.
Fortunately, the tax department had been created earlier, which gave Lao Zhu a mental preparation. It seemed that it would not be a problem to create a few more.
"Mr. Zhang, please tell me carefully, what should we do?"
Zhang Ximeng bowed and said: "My lord, let's talk about the Ministry of Revenue first. There is a big difference between land tax and commercial tax... so we need to separate a special tax department to be responsible for commercial tax. Next, the Ministry of Revenue is also in charge of land tax.
It seems that there is no need to separate these two things, but the Ministry of Accounts also has another power, which is financial expenditure, collecting money and spending money. It is always inappropriate to put them together."
Lao Zhu said in a deep voice: "So, the Ministry of Revenue needs to be split into a Yamen?"
At this moment, Li Shanchang seemed to have recovered.
Although he was seriously injured just now, he seems to have another chance to show his ability now.
"Your Majesty, I think what Prime Minister Zhang said is reasonable. I'm wondering if we can deal with the fiscal and tax household registration, including treasure banknotes, customs duties, and salt taxes at the same time, so as to prevent disadvantages."
Li Shanchang's voice was very low. After he finished speaking, he looked at his words and found that not only Lao Zhu, but also Zhang Ximeng was thinking.
"My lord, Prime Minister Li's proposal is excellent...Customs, salt taxes, and other resale matters should be transferred to the Department of Taxation. The Department of Household Affairs is only in charge of land, land tax, and household administration. It is best to set up a new budget department.
, the Baochao Department and the Du Branch are all under the jurisdiction of the Budget Department. In this way, agriculture and commerce, revenue and expenditure are all separated. One household department has become three departments, with separated powers and clear responsibilities, which is indeed beneficial.
Implement government affairs and prevent corruption for private purposes."
Zhu Yuanzhang listened silently and suddenly said: "Sir, according to what you said, many more positions will be created at once. As a result, the number of officials will be greatly increased, and the salary expenditure will not be a small amount of money!"
Zhang Ximeng naturally knew that, and when he was about to explain, Li Shanchang rushed to the position and said: "In fact, some time ago, we have made adjustments to the salaries of hundreds of officials. I have calculated carefully. Our salary expenditures are less than those of Zhao Song."
A lot. If fraud can indeed be avoided and the tax department can collect more, I think it is still a good deal. After all, you can’t give up eating because of choking!”
Li Shanchang actually sided with Zhang Ximeng neatly, which is really surprising.
Lao Zhu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "So, this is what it must be like?"
Zhang Ximeng paused and said, "My lord, if you want to prevent favoritism and fraud, you must have a clear division of labor and strengthen supervision... But in this way, you will inevitably increase the number of manpower, and you will have to do it here and there. It will be like adding more water and noodles, and more noodles."
Adding water turned out to be a confusing matter in the end. Whether the income was more than the consumption, or the consumption was more than the income, I couldn't tell for a while."
Zhang Ximeng said: "I think we might as well find a place to try it first. If it works, we can promote it. If it doesn't, we can find another way."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang, this place you are talking about is not Lingnan, right?"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "My lord is wise and you will hit the mark with one guess!"
Lao Zhu chuckled: "We still know what you are thinking. Zhu Ying is indeed a good kid. But can he afford it?"
Zhang Ximeng said sternly: "As I said, test... it's best if he does well, and spank him if he doesn't!"
Lao Zhu was slightly stunned, then laughed and said: "Okay, that's it! Let our son go, it's just right!"
The monarch and his ministers quickly finalized the matter... Li Shanchang sighed secretly beside him, thinking that if it were Zhu Ying who went to Lingnan if it were anyone else, he would lose his head if he didn't do it well.
After a busy day, Zhang Ximeng and Li Shanchang said goodbye to Zhu Yuanzhang and exited the palace.
Turning around, Li Shanchang came to invite Zhang Ximeng again and went to his check-in room. Li Shanchang got straight to the point, "Prime Minister Zhang, I thought about it for a long time last night. Zhu Ying went to Lingnan. The burden on his shoulders was too heavy... I thought about it, this time
If you deal with corrupt officials and raid the household department, you can get one hundred thousand taels, and there is also so much food. Give Zhu Ying whatever he needs, so that he can make a good start!"
Li Shanchang did this all for Zhu Ying, and he had no intention of favoring his son.
Zhang Ximeng couldn't help but shake his head when he heard this, "Brother Li, if you do this, where will the expenses for the lord's next military campaign come from?"
Li Shanchang was stunned, "This... the enthronement ceremony requires a lot of expenses and requires the use of troops, so I am really nervous. But, you can't have the best of both worlds!"
Zhang Ximeng suddenly laughed and said, "Brother Li, I have actually thought about it. It seems that what Zhu Ying needs here is not money."
"Not money? What is that?"
"It's enough to make people think he is rich!"
Li Shanchang was stunned for a while. He really couldn't understand. Zhang Ximeng, what did you say? You won't even trick your own brother, right?