"My alchemist, I would like to pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
Chu Ge waved his hand: "Get up."
According to the regulations of the Dasheng Dynasty, many official etiquettes were originally followed from the previous dynasty. However, later Sheng Taizu believed that there were too many kneeling rituals in daily activities such as banquets and drinking, so he re-ordered the ritual of kneeling and praying, only for some more formal occasions.
Only then do you need to kneel down and worship.
Of course, it is a relatively formal occasion for ministers to meet the emperor to perform business.
Chu Ge looked at this Confucian scholar named Alchemist Yong.
He looks to be in his forties, has a few long beards, and piercing eyes. He looks like a distinguished gentleman.
Of course, Chu Ge also knew something about Alchemist Yong.
Judging from historical records, he was indeed a great Confucian and was considered a famous scholar at that time. As for whether he was corrupt or not while serving as an official, this is an unsolved case and there is no concrete evidence.
But judging from this person's behavior, even if he is greedy, he should not be too greedy, and he is not a treacherous person.
In terms of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, a traditional virtue in ancient society, there should be no big problem.
But that doesn't mean what he said is right.
In fact, at the beginning of the establishment of the Great Sheng Dynasty, Taizu Sheng also reused many famous people. However, among these famous people, there were some famous ministers who could do things, but there were also many who could only talk but couldn't do things.
And this alchemist obviously prefers the latter.
Therefore, when the Kongyin case broke out, no other officials dared to dissuade him, but he was the only one who expressed his opposition to it.
He thinks that others are timid and he is brave, but in fact, the reason is more because he does not understand politics.
In the words of the alchemist in his own words: "The emperor was angry and made empty seals, thinking that he was deceiving others. The prime minister and officials all know that those who make empty seals are not guilty of any other crime. They can be forgiven and no one dares to remonstrate. Sigh, if you are sincere, I would rather have nothing to do with it."
Enlightenment?"
This means that the emperor thought that the Kongyin case was a deception and an unforgivable crime. However, all the officials knew that the Kongyin case was not a big crime and could be forgiven, but they did not dare to dissuade him.
But if someone can really explain this clearly, how could His Majesty, who is so wise, not understand?
Therefore, he came to advise and remonstrate.
"I have already read your memorial. Regarding the Kongyin case, I now allow you to give it to you face to face. Please tell me the reasons in the memorial again." Chu Ge said calmly.
This situation reminded him of the previous performance of the scribe's copy of Yang Yan's duel with Emperor Zhao of Wei.
But now, the relationship between monarch and minister has been reversed.
The alchemist's face clearly showed an expression of joy.
In his opinion, His Majesty's attitude did not seem that angry. Did he listen to his suggestions?
Thinking of this, he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the Kongyin case is undoubtedly an unjust case. I have three complaints:
"First, the review of money and grain records is very demanding, and it must be finalized by going to the Ministry of Household Affairs. With such constant travel, the distance to the Ministry of Household Affairs is six to seven thousand miles, and the nearest trip is three to four thousand miles. It is difficult to go back and forth every year.
Therefore, the empty seal is really a temporary measure and a last resort."
Chu Ge nodded.
Sure enough, it's still the same old rhetoric.
He was silent for a moment and then asked: "I heard that you are well-read in poetry and books, and you are full of knowledge. Well, let me ask you a question.
"During the Liang Dynasty, I traveled from Shangdu to Guangdong and Guangxi. If I had documents, I took them to the official post office. How long did it take to get there?"
Shangdu was an important town in the north at that time. The distance from Shangdu to Guangdong and Guangxi was basically twice the distance from Guangdong and Guangxi to the capital during the Great Sheng Dynasty. And this distance can basically be regarded as similar to the distance from the northernmost major town to the southernmost town.
Distances from major towns.
Alchemist Yong was stunned: "This...I don't know.
"But if you want to travel all over the world, you have to wait and see for years."
Chu Ge chuckled and shook his head: "Then let me tell you, in the Liang Dynasty, if there were documents sent to the official post, it only took more than a month to travel from Shangdu to Guangdong and Guangxi! If the post station rode a fast horse, it would only take twenty-four
sky!
“Today’s capital is located in the middle of the world, and most states and counties can travel back and forth to the capital within a month!
"Even if you escort the tax supplies and travel much slower, two months will be enough for the round trip.
"Why do you say it's necessary to stay in the new year? Is it possible that when officials from all over the world come to Beijing, they all come crawling?"
Alchemist Yong couldn't help but his face turned dark, obviously he was confused by the first question.
The so-called "it must be done every year" obviously means that these officials have not really tried to enter the capital from these remote states and counties, or they consider it at the speed of sightseeing.
After Chu Ge threw out the data, he was immediately at a loss for words.
The alchemist paused for a moment and then said: "But Your Majesty, what if it is my guard post on the border of Dasheng Dynasty?"
Chu Ge sneered: "Wei Suo? Wei Suo doesn't need to go to Beijing to file taxes!
"Okay, if you have no concept of time, then I will ask you two more questions.
"First, the Jining Prefecture where you are located only takes ten and a half days to get to the capital. Is this called a must?
"Taxation is a major matter for the country. It takes ten and a half days, but what will happen if we have to do it a few times?
"What's more, it's not you officials who are running the accounts, but your subordinates. The job of these petty officials is to report the accounts and earn the country's salary. Isn't it natural to run errands for the country?
"Then let me ask you again, there are hundreds of chief seal officials involved in the empty seal case this time. How many counties are there in our Dasheng Dynasty?"
The alchemist's voice gradually became lower: "Your Majesty... there are more than 1,400..."
Chu Ge nodded: "Then why don't the other half of the states and counties use empty seals? How do they get their accounts right?
"What's more, most of the people involved in the Kongyin case are concentrated near the capital. Why do you prefer to use Kongyin even though you are closer?"
The alchemist could not help but be speechless: "This..."
He was speechless for a moment.
If it were another emperor, his words might be able to deceive him a little bit.
For example, some emperors who "why not eat minced meat", or some emperors who don't even know how many taels of silver an egg costs. These emperors have no concept of many basic basic data, so it is very easy to fool them.
But Taizu Sheng was different.
He started from the grassroots level step by step, and was very sensitive to all kinds of data. Not to mention the time it took for each state and government to arrive in the capital, he even knew a series of contents of accounting at the grassroots level, and it was impossible to make such low-level mistakes.
If you don't even know how to keep accounts, how can you supply food and grass to the front during war? How can you conquer the world?
Therefore, the alchemist used a scholar to refute Sheng Taizu in this aspect, which was indeed overthinking.
Chu Ge sneered: "Go on to your second point."
A slight cold sweat broke out on the alchemist's forehead.
He began to realize that convincing Sheng Taizu was not as simple as he thought.
But now that the matter has come to this, I have no choice but to continue: "I think that the empty seal is a common practice, and it has a long history. Your Majesty does not know it, because it is to deceive the emperor and ignore the superiors. In fact, it is custom-made..."
Chu Ge nodded: "Customized?
“Okay, then let me ask you, which dynasty and generation of customization is this made from?
"Is it Yan? Chu? Wei? Or Liang Qi? Which dynasty?"
The alchemist could not help but be stunned for a moment: "Yes...yes..."
After stumbling for a long time, I still couldn't tell an accurate dynasty.
Chu Ge chuckled: "It's hard to say? I'll tell you for you, this is customized by Beiman!
"Taxes in kind have been around since ancient times. Is it possible that Liang and Qi also used empty seals?
"This empty seal is a bad habit left over from the Northern Barbarians!
"The Northern Barbarians ruled the world, and the customs and customs changed for more than ninety years! People with no ambitions tried to steal the results. I have exhausted my words and tried my best, but I can't change it for the rest of my life!
“Officials, it’s not good to learn from the customization of any dynasty, you must learn from the customization of the Northern Barbarians!
"Does this also mean that the world will be in chaos within ninety years of the Great Sheng Dynasty?!"
