Chapter eight hundred and seventy seventh resignation
Humph! So what if Li Wei’s legitimate daughter is Princess Jing? Does Li Wei still expect that Prince Jing can make things happen?
A prince in a remote fiefdom has been delaying the payment of taxes every year. For such a person, Li Wei is still counting on the merit of following the dragon? It is simply ridiculous.
"Shen Aiqing, the number of people affected by the disaster in Changtian Mansion has been reported once before. The Ministry of Household Affairs will temporarily allocate silver according to this number. After Gu Aiqing has verified the specific number of people, the missing silver will be made up."
The emperor frowned. This matter had actually been discussed during the court meeting two days ago.
But Shen Shikang insisted that the Ministry of Revenue did not have so much money. The emperor and Shen Shikang argued over the matter for several days, but still could not reach a conclusion.
The emperor originally wanted to think of another way, but Gu Chengyu Feige sent a letter and described the situation in Jiangnan in detail. The emperor felt that it was imminent to issue relief funds.
The imperial court has been resting and recuperating for so many years, but now there is a flood in just one city, and the imperial court cannot provide money. What will the people think?
They will think that the imperial court does nothing, regardless of whether they live or die. Such a huge dynasty cannot even provide such a small amount of money for disaster relief.
The emperor felt as if a huge stone had blocked his heart, weighing him down so much that he couldn't breathe.
Gu Chengyu is right, water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. If the court ignores the victims, it will force the victims to rebel!
No matter what this time, the imperial court must issue disaster relief funds. Otherwise, a catastrophe will usher in.
Shen Shikang sighed deeply. He walked out of the queue and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, the Emperor must know better than Wei Chen whether there is money in the Ministry of Household Affairs. Last time Wei Chen suggested that the court pay back the money slowly, but Your Majesty, you are determined to pay it off immediately. At the beginning of the year, you also allocated money to repair and strengthen the dams in the major state capitals. Together with other expenses, the amount of silver in the treasury now does not exceed one hundred thousand taels."
Shen Shikang no longer cares about his superiority and inferiority. The emperor always forces his household department to take money, but where does his household department have money now? Can he change it?
"How much is the annual expenditure of the imperial court? If part of the one hundred thousand taels of silver is allocated for disaster relief, how will the imperial court's monthly salary be distributed? How will other expenses of the imperial court be balanced? Your Majesty, it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. I really can't change my money!"
Shen Shikang felt that he, the Minister of Household Affairs, was really aggrieved. The court was always short of money, and every year the east wall was demolished to make up for the west wall.
The tea tax was implemented in the past two years, and finally the finances improved. However, the emperor felt that it was inappropriate to always owe the soldiers' wages to the border officers, and he had to pay off the soldiers' wages as soon as possible.
In addition, the imperial court's expenses in the past two years were not small, and money was needed everywhere. It really made him worry so much that his hair turned mostly gray.
The emperor was a little angry. He slapped the armrest of the dragon chair with his palm and said, "No money, no money. Are you the mouth of a sheep? You are in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs. If you tell me that you have no money, then I want you to be the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs." What’s the use?”
When all the ministers suddenly heard the emperor shouting violently, they were all frightened. Their heads, which had been drowsy just a moment ago, now became extraordinarily sober.
Shen Shikang suppressed his blush and gasped for breath for a long time. Then he made a move that surprised everyone.
I saw him taking off the black gauze hat on his head and placing it on the cold marble floor tiles.
"Your Majesty! I have been an official for decades. I am loyal to the Emperor and care deeply about the court. However, I am already old and I am unable to provide disaster relief. I hope the Emperor will allow me to resign. Officials, choose other talented people, and find those who are capable!"
There was a sudden silence in the main hall, and even Xia Qing looked over in surprise.
Will this old man resign one day? This is like the sun rising in the west. He has been scolded by the emperor for so many years, but he has never seen him become angry!
I didn't expect that when I get older, I still have to show my dignity.
Shen Shikang lowered his head and fell to the ground. In fact, this time he really had the idea of resigning.
The imperial treasury was empty, and it was really difficult for him to be the Minister of Household Affairs. He racked his brains for money every year, but he could only maintain a balance of revenue and expenditure.
How can it be so easy to increase revenue and reduce expenditure? The imperial court is in urgent need of young talents to enrich them. They, the old ministers, have been restrained in doing things and have long been accustomed to being comfortable. How can they take risks?
The emperor was clouded. He did not expect that Shen Shikang would resign. Is this because he wanted to give up his position?
Who should he find to be the Minister of Household Affairs at this moment? Besides, Shen Shikang has been the Minister of Household Affairs for many years and has not made much achievements. However, Shen Shikang still puts a lot of thought into balancing the revenue and expenditure of the imperial court every year.
The emperor could not find fault with Shen Shikang when it came to managing his money bag. In fact, Shen Shikang had suffered a lot of grievances over the years.
After all, every time the Ministry of Finance ran out of money, the emperor would get angry at the Ministry of Finance, and Shen Shikang suffered a lot for this.
However, the taxes in the Dayan Dynasty were not high. In order to recuperate and recuperate, the court only raised taxes twice.
Where did the imperial court's expenses come from? Those commercial taxes were not reformed and were not enough to support the imperial court's huge annual expenses.
It seems that when Gu Chengyu returns to the capital, he must find a way to increase business taxes.
"Hmph! Even if you want to resign, you still have to collect the money for disaster relief for me, otherwise I will take it from you."
The emperor will never allow Shen Shikang to resign now, so this can be regarded as giving Shen Shikang a step down.
Shen Shikang was about to speak but stopped, he couldn't help but feel relieved, and then he felt a sense of powerlessness.
In fact, he would be reluctant to resign if he really wanted to.
But over the years, he has been really exhausted mentally and physically for the sake of money.
"Your Majesty! I have something to say, please forgive me!"
Xia Qing suddenly came out of the queue. He first glanced at Shen Shikang, and then spoke slowly.
When Shen Shikang saw that Xia Qing was about to speak, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. This old guy must be trying to persuade the emperor to allow him to resign.
I just had a meal of Pai Tou, and the other party was not satisfied yet, and wanted to embarrass him.
The Emperor Long Yan calmed down a little and said, "Xia Aiqing, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly!"
"Your Majesty, Shen Shangshu is a veteran minister of the court. The lack of money in the treasury cannot be improved in a day or two. The tax money increased due to the tea tax has already solved the court's urgent needs. However, time is still short. In order to fill the treasury, the imperial court must find other ways to bring in money."
Xia Qing's old voice sounded in the hall, causing all the officials to look at him.
All the officials in the palace knew that Xia Qing and Shen Shikang were not easy to deal with on weekdays. They did not expect that Xia Qing could intercede for Shen Shikang today. This is really incredible.
Could it be that Xia Shoufu and Shen Shangshu, who were used to bickering every day, actually felt sympathy for each other?
Even Shen Shikang himself was very surprised. What kind of medicine did Xia Qing, an old fox, sell in his gourd?
Logically speaking, if he wants to resign, Xia Qing should be the first to agree.