In the morning of the next day, the old eunuch stood up as usual, waved his whisk, and shouted: "Something has happened!"
Although the officials below are used to such a scene, since the emperor asked the ministers if they have anything to report, even if there is nothing, they must do everything possible to find something to report. Otherwise, given the emperor's character, he will not
Do you think they just get paid and don’t work?
Therefore, since Lao Zhu started, a very strange scene has appeared in the morning court. The morning court, which is supposed to discuss important national affairs, has turned into a vegetable market. Most of the discussions are trivial things, and there is very little time to discuss important matters.
.
But the attitude shown by the emperor is that the more things he reports, the more he will pay more attention to him. No matter whether these things are important or trivial, they all get the emperor's approval.
When all the officials saw this, they all took a deep breath. The emperor's move was something they had never expected, but it did not prevent them from immediately realizing that the purpose of serving as an official was certainly not to benefit one party.
The first thought of people who are officials is always to climb up. Even they themselves don't know why they have to climb up at all costs, it seems like their instinct is like this.
And if you want to be promoted, the best shortcut is to win the heart of the emperor. Now that there is such an easy way to please the emperor and leave a good impression in the emperor's heart, who would be willing to fall behind others? ???
As a result, the early dynasty of the Ming Dynasty began to become involution. Today you report one thing, and tomorrow I will report two, or even three. No matter what, I have to compare everyone else, and I will report this matter.
It is better for you to take the lead. And other officials are not fools. They will naturally do more things next time in order to take the lead.
But although the Ming Dynasty was great, how could there be so many important things that needed to be reported to the emperor in the morning?
As a result, the importance of the things reported by the officials became less and less. In the end, even the things heard in the vegetable market were written down in the memorial and reported to the emperor.
According to normal people's thinking, Lao Zhu should deeply hate such things. But the fact is exactly the opposite. Not only did he not get angry because of it, but he actually listened attentively and even continued to encourage him every time.
Officials who report these trivial matters. So much so that everyone in the early morning is scrambling to report them, but there are very few really important matters.
Therefore, the moment the old eunuch finished speaking, there were several officials holding memorials who wanted to stand up and use their trivial matters to continue to increase their presence in front of the emperor.
Lao Zhu waved his hand to stop a few people, then sat on the throne and solemnly announced.
> "Today, I have a decree to make."
The few officials who took the first two steps looked at each other awkwardly and had to stand back in their respective positions, quietly waiting for the emperor's instructions.
The expressions of the six ministers and other senior officials standing at the front suddenly became solemn. The emperor rarely announced his decree in the morning, but every time it was a major event that shocked the court. In addition, the prince's memorial to increase the number of hundred people a few days ago
They have already made some guesses about the official salary.
Several ministers glanced at each other subconsciously, and they all understood that whether they would be happy or sad would depend on the emperor's decision at the next moment.
Lao Zhu sat at the top and naturally saw the little moves of the six ministers clearly. However, he ignored them and recalled: "In the early years of Hongwu, when the Ming Dynasty was just established, the world was in ruins, and countless people were in urgent need of recuperation. Therefore,
In order to rest with the people, I often issue decrees to reduce or reduce taxes in various places, so that the national treasury is not rich."
"The Emperor is kind and the people will forever be grateful for His kindness~"
The emperor is so boastful. If all the officials don't rush to compliment him and congratulate him, wouldn't it be too indifferent?
However, Lao Zhu did not take the officials' flattery to heart. He continued: "The national treasury is not rich, so I can only give you a small salary. In order to allow the officials to support their families, I allow the officials and gentry to
Not paying for food."
When the officials heard what the emperor said, their hearts skipped a beat, and they all looked at the emperor in surprise. "Aren't you talking about increasing their salaries? Why are you talking about the officials and gentry not paying their bills?"
The expressions of all the officials became worse one after another. Although the benefits of not receiving food were not of great benefit to them, when the salary was not much, mosquito legs were still meat no matter how small they were. Moreover, the more the salary was not much, the more the officials were
The officials valued this benefit more and more.
What is the emperor's intention now when he mentions that the officials and gentry refuse to pay for their food? Could it be that this matter has angered the emperor and he wants to take back even this benefit?
Lao Zhu paused for a moment, his eyes constantly scanning back and forth among the officials.
All the officials who met the eyes of the hands could not help but lower their heads to avoid the emperor's gaze. No one dared to look at the emperor at all.
"Take it back, take it back, it's better than losing your life."
However, all the officials couldn't help but complain about the prince. What's the point of reporting an increase in salary? Now it's fine. Not only has the salary not been increased, but he has not even been paid.
All the benefits are gone. I really lost my wife and lost my troops.
Lao Zhu continued: "Today, the Ming Dynasty has achieved peace and prosperity, and the national treasury has begun to gradually become abundant. Therefore, I have decided to withdraw the rule that the officials and gentry do not pay food. From today on, the officials, gentry and the common people will pay food as one."
The officials in the Fengtian Hall suddenly felt bitter in their hearts. They were really afraid that something would come to them. The emperor really took back the food that was not paid. He didn't even let go of this benefit. It was really
But no matter how dissatisfied they were, no official dared to raise objections in front of Lao Zhu. ??
In the eyes of later generations, the extremely difficult situation for officials and gentry to pay for their food was solved in one sentence by Lao Zhu, in an understatement.
Lao Zhu waited for a moment and saw that all the officials were silent, and his expression turned gloomy.
When Du Ze, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, saw this, he immediately screamed inwardly. Thunder, rain, and dew are all a favor from the king, and responding with silence is also opposition. This is seeking death!
So he quickly said: "Your Majesty, the Holy Ming."
When the others heard Du Ze's words, they immediately reacted and hurriedly worshiped in unison: "My Holy Emperor~"
Lao Zhu's face became a little better and he continued: "However, the prince reported that the current salary of all officials is so low that some officials have difficulty even supporting their families. Is this really the case?"
Damn it, who dares to answer this? All the officials looked at each other.
Finally, Du Ze spoke up and said honestly: "It is true that as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, I have a monthly salary of sixty-one dollars, which is enough to support my whole family. Those who only have five dollars and six dollars a month
Officials of the eighth or ninth grade can really only take care of themselves."
Lao Zhu's calm eyes immediately glanced at Du Ze, and after staying for a moment, Lao Zhu looked away. The reason why he let Du Ze go was because Lao Zhu saw what he was interested in just now. In addition, Lao Zhu
I was planning to announce an increase in salary.
Du Ze lowered his head and became nervous. After a while, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Father, I think it is urgent to increase the salary and salary." Zhu Biao saw that all the officials did not dare to breathe in front of his father. He was afraid that things that had been discussed with his father would go wrong again, so he immediately respected him.
said.
A smile gradually appeared on Lao Zhu's face, he nodded, and said: "In view of the fact that the officials and gentry have lost part of their income from paying the salary. In addition, because the salary reported by the prince is too low, I have decided to increase the salary of all officials by twice as much from now on."
The surprise came too suddenly. All the officials looked at the emperor sitting high on the dragon throne.
They couldn't believe their ears.
An increase in salary is enough to make all officials happy. Even if it is only an increase of 10% or 20%, all officials are very happy. But they never expected that it would be doubled.
How much is double? Du Ze ignored the sweat on his forehead and his eyes were bright. With his current monthly salary of 61 guan, if it were doubled, it would be 183 guan. In other words, starting from next month
He can get a monthly salary of 183 yuan?
This is much more than the little income you would get if you didn’t pay for the food!
"The emperor's holiness is unparalleled. Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!" Yu Xin, the Minister of Household Affairs, immediately knelt down in joy.
Immediately afterwards, uniform voices shouting "Long live forever" came from the Fengtian Palace.
"His Royal Highness, you are a thousand years old~"
All the officials thought that this was Zhu Biao's contribution. After paying homage to the emperor, they all knelt down and worshiped Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao's prestige among the officials increased to a higher level. No one dared to disrespect or disobey. No matter who he is in the future,
Being able to get twice as much salary as now is all thanks to Zhu Biao's kindness.
Lao Zhu was also happy that all the officials transferred their gratitude to Zhu Biao. He quietly waited for all the officials to pay their respects to Zhu Biao before he gestured to the old eunuch.
The old eunuch immediately came forward with an imperial edict, opened it in front of everyone, and read:
"The emperor is destined to be transported by heaven, the edict says"
The content of the imperial edict, as it should be, is to increase the salary of all officials.
Just when the officials thought that was the end, as the old eunuch continued to read, everyone discovered that the content of the imperial edict was not just an increase in salary.
"I think about the suffering of hundreds of officials who have to rent a house, and the human feelings of being far away from their parents, wives and children."
After the old eunuch read out the imperial edict, all the officials discovered that the emperor not only increased his salary, but also built a house in the capital to reward the honest and upright officials among them. He even broke the previous rule that officials could not bring their families with them.
It is stipulated that they are allowed to bring their parents, wives and children to live with them to avoid the pain of missing their relatives.
With such great kindness from the emperor, what else can the officials say?
Just kneel down and that’s it!
"I would like to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your kindness. Long live my Emperor!" Most of the officials in the Fengtian Palace burst into tears of gratitude and couldn't help but burst into tears of emotion.
Even a minister like Du Ze, who has a palace in the capital as a reward from the emperor, and his salary is enough to support his family. But when he saw the emperor making this decree, he couldn't help but be moved.