"Just now, the two ministers said that the imperial court has no money to build the Martyrs' Shrine?"
Zhu Qizhen knew very well that this was not a question of money at all. The main reason why these people opposed the construction of the Martyrs' Shrine was that the Martyrs' Shrine had almost zero benefit to them, and the so-called lack of money was just an excuse.
.
Because they basically have no chance, or very few chances to enjoy it.
Moreover, they have to watch Qiu Ba, who they usually despise, enjoy the glory that they can never enjoy.
"If the court really has no money, let's do this. I can let the generals raise their own funds. What do you think, Duke Yingying, Marquis Taining, and Uncle Xiangcheng?"
Zhang Fu had just finished arguing with others and said with a bit of resentment: "As long as the court decides to build the Martyrs' Shrine, the old minister is willing to spend all his family wealth!"
Chen Ying and Li Zhen also expressed their willingness to pay the money.
"Oh, that's right!" Zhu Qizhen seemed to have thought of something and continued, "The families of those soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country should also be willing to contribute the money. Hu Shangshu, Wang Shangshu, what do you think?"
Hu Xi paid it back, but Wang Zuo's face became nervous, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Because he had personally been on the battlefield, and had personally experienced how to break out of a tight siege from the earthen fortress. The scene of the bloody battles of the soldiers was vivid in his mind. Do we really want the soldiers who fought for the country to bleed and shed tears...<
/p>
"I think...it's inappropriate!"
"Oh?" Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and asked, "What's wrong?"
"This..." Wang Zuo said hesitantly, "I feel that the family members of meritorious people cannot be allowed to... contribute money..."
"You still know?" Zhu Qizhen unconsciously emphasized his tone, "I thought you had ruined your brains by studying!"
Wang Zuo noticed that something was wrong and hurriedly said: "I am scared!"
However, Hu Hu still looked like a dead pig who was not afraid of boiling water, and said: "Your Majesty, I am not against the construction of the Martyrs' Shrine, but the Ministry of Revenue really has no money. This year's treasury expenditure has been completely used up in the first half of the year. If
Building the Martyrs' Shrine at this time will only overdraw next year's annual revenue."
It’s no wonder that Hu Hu dared to confront the emperor, because it was also true that the treasury couldn’t come up with the money.
I have no money, what can you do to me?
Zhu Qizhen said: "One of the two ministers is in charge of the Ministry of Rites and the other is in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs. Why don't we calculate on the spot how much it will cost to build the Martyrs' Shrine? By the way, there is also the Ministry of Works, let's calculate it together!"
At that moment, Wang Yonghe, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, also came over. The three of them gathered together to discuss for a while, and quickly reached an agreement on the approximate figures.
Hu Xi said: "I would like to inform you, Your Majesty, that the construction of the Martyrs' Shrine will require at least 1.8 million taels of silver. In addition, there will be a large number of people on this expedition, and the rewards and death compensation for the soldiers will cost approximately 1.5 million taels."
."
In the early Ming Dynasty, it was stipulated to use treasure banknotes. Until the Zhengtong period, the value of treasure banknotes depreciated and no one wanted them anymore. As a last resort, they simply opened up the silver trade. However, the Ming Dynasty's silver production was not high in the first place. At this time, there were no overseas
With the large inflow of silver, the price of silver is still relatively high. The three ministers must have put in a lot of effort to come up with such a budget.
However, Zhu Qizhen was still not satisfied with this figure and asked: "How much money can the Ministry of Household Affairs spend?"
"At most...two million taels!"
Zhu Qizhen said immediately: "Whether it is the Martyrs' Shrine or the pension rewards, the specifications will be increased. The budget of the Martyrs' Shrine will be raised to three million, and the pensions and rewards for the soldiers will be raised to two million."
"Your Majesty, I really have no money!"
Wang Zuo is really anxious. Where can I steal five million taels for you?
"I will come up with a solution for the money matter. After we come down, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and the Cabinet will draft regulations as soon as possible and come up with the construction drawings of the Martyrs' Shrine as soon as possible."
Wang Zuo was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed, as long as you don't ask for money from yourself, you can do whatever you like, not to mention adjusting the budget to three million, even if it is thirty million, I can do it for you!
"I obey the decree!"
"Let's end the discussion today. King Tan and Yu Qian will stay!"
The ministers dispersed, but King Tan and Yu Qian stayed in the palace.
Fortunately for King Tan, he had been in charge of the country for such a long time, and there were many things that needed to be reported to the emperor. However, Yu Qian couldn't figure it out. He vaguely felt that he was being targeted by the emperor, and it seemed that everything was inseparable from him.
But after thinking about it, I didn’t do anything. Wasn’t it just that I said a few words when I was on the expedition? It’s been so long, and I’m still holding on to it...
Seeing the two people looking slightly embarrassed, Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "Don't be nervous, Jin Ban, watch your seat!"
Standing next to Zhu Qizhen is the eunuch Jin Ying. This man was brought back by Zhang Fu from the Annan Kingdom thousands of miles away when Emperor Taizong conquered Annan. He was smart, loyal and diligent since he was a child. In the seventh year of Xuande, he was promoted to eunuch.
The Chief of Ceremonies was in charge of the eunuchs, but later Wang Zhen gained power and gradually squeezed Jin Ying out. Now that Wang Zhen has been executed, this position naturally belongs to him.
Jin Ying immediately moved two Jin Duns in person, and then stood back to Zhu Qizhen obediently.
Zhu Qizhen asked curiously: "Yu Qian, why are you looking so sad?"
Yu Qian stood up immediately and said: "I am thinking about the case. Whether it is Shi Heng commanding Datong, Kang Neng commanding Huailai, or Huangyaguan commanding, so many things have happened in the Ministry of War, and I feel deeply responsible!"
"If you have any ideas, tell me!"
"I believe that the Ministry of War needs to conduct a thorough investigation to identify these bad apples, and then formulate a complete assessment system to prevent such incidents from happening again."
"You can handle these things yourself, I just want results."
After Zhu Qizhen finished speaking, he turned to Zhu Qiyu and asked: "What does King Xie think of the Zhonglie Shrine?"
Zhu Qiyu immediately replied: "The emperor proposed to build the Martyrs' Shrine. The original intention was to reward those who had devoted their duties to the Ming Dynasty. However, the Ministry of Revenue really cannot come up with extra money and food. The budget of three million taels is a bit high, isn't it?" p>
Zhu Qizhen smiled but did not answer, then looked at Yu Qian: "Yu Qian, tell me!"
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Yu Qian replied: "I deeply agree."
"What's the point of just agreeing? Didn't King Tan just say that the Ministry of Revenue has no money!"
"The emperor must have his own plan regarding the silver."
Zhu Qizhen suddenly became interested and asked: "Tell me, what are my plans? If you can't tell me, you can pay for it!"
Yu Qian was stunned and thought to himself: Why is it being blamed on me again?
"The emperor made fun of me again. It's only five million taels, which must be no problem at all."
Zhu Qiyu on the side was confused when he heard it, and asked: "Master Yu, what is the mystery behind this? Please stop selling it."
Yu Qian said: "The emperor has issued an order to investigate Wang Zhenji's accomplices. After the Jin Yiwei raids the house, the proceeds will probably be more than five million taels, and this does not include the case of the Ministry of War."
Zhu Qiyu suddenly realized that no wonder the emperor was not panic at all, it turned out that someone had provided the money!
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "Well, you don't need to worry about the money. I mainly want to talk to you about the official dispatch. Luo Tong has gone to Huailai now, and Juyong Pass is temporarily guarded by Kuang Ye, the Minister of War.
Send someone over quickly to replace Kuang Shangshu."
"I obey the decree!"
"Also, the post of Datong Guardsman is vacant, and we need to find a suitable person to take over as soon as possible. The defense of border towns is very important, and I will leave all these matters to you."
Yu Qian thought for a while and said: "Although Wala Yexian withdrew his troops, he may come back at any time. Why don't Sui'an Bo Chen Xun and Xiu Wu Bo Shen Rong be responsible for guarding Datong and Juyongguan respectively? What does the emperor think?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded. Among the meritorious deeds he had made with him in fighting out of the Tumu Fort, the British Duke Zhang Fu commanded the Beijing camp and must not be moved. Chen Ying, the Marquis of Taining, was in charge of the Shenji camp. Next, he would attack the Shenji camp.
Even if they are being renovated and upgraded, they cannot be touched. Li Zhen, the Bo of Xiangcheng, is in charge of the 3,000 battalions. He personally brought the troops and horses, and cannot be touched.
From this point of view, Sui'an Bo Chen Xun and Xiu Wu Bo Shen Rong are the most suitable.
"This is a good proposal. The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel and the Cabinet will prepare a charter for specific matters and submit it to the Supervisor of Ceremonies for approval."
"I obey the decree!"
After Yu Qian finished speaking, he looked at Zhu Qizhen, then at Zhu Qiyu, and said cautiously: "Is that minister...resigning first?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said: "Go ahead, remember, the case of the Ministry of War must be investigated strictly, and no matter who is found, he will be severely punished!"