() As soon as Zhong Jinwei returned to the palace, Emperor Chongzhen asked: "Master Zhong, is this currency memorial divided into two because there are too many words in one? I remember saying that there is no word limit for Master Zhong's memorial."
Emperor Chongzhen required other ministers to control the number of words in the memorials they sent. But Zhong Jinwei was an exception because he could only speak plain English so far.
When Zhong Jinwei heard about this, he would have eaten the food before handing it over: "Ah, I have a purpose for this."
"Oh?" Emperor Chongzhen was a little confused when he heard this.
"Your Majesty, I believe that one of the memorials that discusses the importance of currency and finance is best known within a limited scope. If it is spread, it will not be able to deceive other countries for as long as possible."
Having said this, Zhong Jinwei remembered that some things had been omitted, so he continued: "Your Majesty, the sooner the court handles this matter of banknotes, the better. But the style and name of the banknotes should be different from the previous Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes. Yes.
Yes, you can refer to the banknotes I brought. However, those banknotes may reveal my identity from future generations, so they cannot be seen by people who are not supposed to know."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded: "If Master Zhong doesn't tell me, it would be easy for me to overlook these key details. Master Zhong, is there anything else I need to add?"
Zhong Jinwei thought about it and found that there were indeed more, so he said: "Your Majesty, after you mentioned it, I really remembered that I missed two things."
Haha, I know that Master Zhong has a little problem with forgetting things.
"Your Majesty, the first thing is about disaster relief. It would be best to formulate a charter that can be extended to the whole country. There are many disaster-stricken places in the country now, and the national treasury is empty, so private participation is needed."
Yes, there are disasters in the southeast, northwest, and in every direction. I really don’t have money to provide disaster relief. If the people can help, they will definitely show something when the court calms down. Emperor Chongzhen sighed in his heart, and he faced
Zhong Jinwei said: "What Master Zhong said is true, but I feel deeply ashamed to let the people take over the responsibilities of the imperial court."
"Your Majesty, the treasury is empty now and it is not something that happened after you ascended the throne. As long as you benefit the people well in the future, there seems to be a word, oh, by the way, you are an inner sage and an outer king. If you can do this, you are the sage of the people of our Ming Dynasty.
The common people will be grateful to you and be proud of the people of Ming Dynasty."
"Inner Saint and Outer King, I will definitely do it." Emperor Chongzhen showed a determined expression and said to Zhong Jinwei with certainty. Then he asked: "Master Zhong, what is the other thing?"
"Media guide."
Emperor Chongzhen still knew about the guidance of public opinion, but the control of public opinion in the Ming Dynasty was very small.
For example, if you post big-character posters on the walls of the Forbidden City, you will generally not be punished, as long as the big-character posters are not anonymous. If you dare to speak out and do not dare to expose it, the Ming Dynasty will also punish you severely. Shoots of bamboo shoots are sprouting out of the ground one after another.
The imperial court generally did not interfere, even if there were opinions that endangered the imperial power. At most, it would just arrest the person involved and seal the academy, and would not engage in any literary inquisition.
During the two hundred and seventy years of the Ming Dynasty, very few people were punished for their speeches. The famous Hai Rui scolded Jiajing, but in the end he was okay and was promoted.
Zhong Jinwei specifically mentioned the matter of public opinion guidance, which must have his own intention. Emperor Chongzhen said: "Master Zhong, can you elaborate on it?"
"Your Majesty, the guidance of public opinion that I mentioned mainly means that it must have a guiding role in the words and deeds of the people and the atmosphere of society. It is best to have specialized people and specialized departments to do this."
In ancient times, chastity archways and the like were also a way to guide public opinion, but this was basically initiated by local squires or officials. It was relatively arbitrary and had a limited influence.
In addition, the supervision system of the Ming Dynasty was the most stringent in Chinese history. The Supervisory Yuan, various departments, governors, governors, Dongchang, Jinyiwei, etc. are all responsible for supervision. But they all have a common problem.
, that is, supervision is basically targeted at officials and local leaders. There is no supervision or guidance for social atmosphere.
"For example, this time, the behavior of those prisons is actually a good example." Zhong Jinwei liked the metaphor.
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he asked the court to learn from the Imperial Academy?
Zhong Jinwei knew that Emperor Chongzhen might be disgusted with this, so he quickly continued to explain: "Your Majesty, why do you say this? The reason is very simple. The propaganda effect of the Imperial Court is very good, letting many people know about their donation. And the imperial court
The notices are posted in a fixed place. If the people don't go out, they won't know. If they go out and read the notices, they may not be able to sympathize with the plight of the refugees and have no urge to donate. The effect of the notices is far less than beating gongs and drums in a hospital.
, it’s better to attract people to watch and achieve its own effect.”
"Master Zhong, you said that the imperial court is worse than the imperial court?" Emperor Chongzhen couldn't accept it.
"Your Majesty, I am just discussing the matter. But as far as what I just said is concerned, because the implementation methods are different, the effects are different, and the difference can be distinguished."
"Then what should we do?"
"The court must take the initiative, publicize, and let the greatest number of people know the court's purpose in the shortest possible time."
In fact, the imperial court also had this kind of propaganda. When there was a major event, it was communicated at all levels and door-to-door at the local level. But if you do this often, you will be impeached by the censor and disturb the people.
Emperor Chongzhen expressed his concerns.
Zhong Jinwei thought for a while and said: "Then we can set up a propaganda team, which is to perform performances in some fixed places, such as singing and acting to convey the message. The people will like to see it, and it is vivid and vivid, which will be better than just using notices.
The method is easier for people to accept and understand.”
"Is it necessary for the imperial court to spend such mental and material resources to do such things?" Emperor Chongzhen was a little confused.
"Your Majesty, the suffering in Liaodong is unimaginable to the people in the wealthy areas south of the Yangtze River. If the suffering in Liaodong is conveyed through singing and acting to inspire the sympathy of the people in the south of the Yangtze River, will the imperial court's tax collection and disaster relief be more effective?
Is it easy for the people to accept it?" Zhong Jinwei asked rhetorically.
Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen was silent, he asked again: "Your Majesty, there is a newspaper at this time, oh, it's the Di newspaper."
"Yes." Emperor Chongzhen nodded now.
"This Di Bao is also useful. You can publish some good people and good deeds in it and spread it to the world. However, the Di Bao is for scholars. If the people want to know the content, they have to rely on the scholars to tell them. If the scholars distort the meaning,
The people will also be misled, but the music and opera can be directly understood and understood by the people."
Zhong Jinwei paused and then said: "Your Majesty, do you still remember what I said before about the power of the grassroots people? In this way, the power of the grassroots people can be used by your majesty, and will not be read, and the officials will be isolated from the relationship between your majesty and the grassroots people.
connect."
After listening to what Zhong Jinwei said, Emperor Chongzhen thought it was reasonable, but he didn't attach much importance to it. Based on his consistent trust in Zhong Jinwei, he said: "Okay, then follow what Master Zhong did, and I will ask Wen Qing to follow up.
This matter."
Zhong Jinwei didn't even notice that he was hungry. After spending so much water, Emperor Chongzhen didn't really care. Now that Emperor Chongzhen agreed, he wanted to say goodbye and go back to eat.
At this time, Wang Chengen reported to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, the news gathered by Dongchang said that Sun Chengzong, the Minister of the Ministry of War and the Grand Scholar of Zhongji Palace, is not going well in reorganizing the army to eliminate the weak and retain the strong."
When Emperor Chongzhen heard that such an important thing had not been implemented smoothly, he became a little anxious and asked, "Why is that so?"
"It is said that the general soldiers are arriving. The details are not known yet."
"Quick, Master Sun is here to see you." Emperor Chongzhen said hurriedly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Chengen bowed and replied, and then prepared to exit to arrange the matter.
Emperor Chongzhen was anxious and worried. From the corner of his eye, he saw Zhong Jinwei preparing to leave the palace. An idea flashed in his mind, and he hurriedly said to Wang Chengen: "Wait a minute."
Then he turned to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Zhong, I have something to say to you, please wait."