Chapter 12 Wei Zhongxian

In fact, the commodity economy had reached its peak in the late Ming Dynasty, especially in the Jiangnan region, where trade was even more prosperous. However, like any other dynasty, when the economy developed to the end, the most profitable industries were monopolized by landlords, gentry and scholar-officials, and a large amount of silver was shelved by capital.

This resulted in the fact that the people were not without money, but were generally extremely poor, and could not survive. They responded to the bandits, resulting in an increasing number of bandits being suppressed in the late Chongzhen period.

Wang An first analyzed the economic situation of the Ming Dynasty, and then concluded: "Although the people are very rich, you will find that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty is very strange. He never took action against the truly wealthy people, but always targeted the life-saving food in the mouths of the peasants. Why is that?"

Chongzhen didn't expect Wang An to ask him suddenly, and was speechless for a moment.

Wang An did not wait for Chongzhen to answer, and sighed to himself: "In fact, the emperor is not unaware that these people are rich, but every time the emperor wants to take money from them, there will always be ministers who jump out and say: "You are competing with the people for profit, which is not what a benevolent monarch does!"

Chongzhen nodded with empathy and almost couldn't help but agree!
As soon as he ascended the throne, memorials advising him to abolish commercial taxes piled up on his desk like raindrops, and all kinds of reasons occupied all the moral high ground.

It seemed that if Chongzhen did not order the abolition, he would be a tyrant like King Zhou of Shang.

Wang An continued, "But if imposing additional taxes on the lower-class people is not competing with the people for profit, then imposing commercial taxes on the truly wealthy gentry and wealthy families is competing with the people for profit? This is simply ridiculous!"

"What's more, the court is in trouble now, and every citizen is responsible for the fate of the country. They keep claiming to be the backbone of the Ming Dynasty, so shouldn't they set an example and contribute money?"

"Well said!" Chongzhen could not help but stand up and cheer: "What a great saying! Every man is responsible for the fate of his country! How could it be so, how could it be so!"

Seeing Chongzhen's excited face sweating, Wang An couldn't help but chuckle and said, "It's easier said than done. This is just a slogan."

"Think about it, how many of the high officials in the court came from humble backgrounds? Even if there were a few, their families would naturally rise in wealth after becoming officials. Not only did the court exempt them from corvée and taxes, but their families also used their official positions to annex land and do business. As long as they were not too stupid, they would become new landlords and gentry."

"That is to say, the local government has long been integrated with businessmen. If the imperial court wants to collect taxes from the landlords, it is equivalent to taking money from the pockets of the ministers. It would be strange if they don't fight to the death!"

"I'm not saying that our Emperor Chongzhen is very concerned about his reputation. How could he have the nerve to argue with officials over money? Even if everyone spits on him, the Emperor will be drowned!"

"Only a eunuch like Wei Zhongxian, who has no scruples, can control those civil officials who are so good at talking."

After the last two sentences came out, Wang An was surprised to find that his cousin and the housekeeper both looked unhappy, as if they wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.

After holding it in for a long time, Chongzhen said dully: "How can we reuse a traitor like Wei Yan? I'm afraid he will bring disaster to the government again."

Wang An smiled and said, "It all depends on the emperor's ability. Moreover, for eunuchs to cause trouble in the government, there must be a prerequisite, that is, the emperor is incompetent. This will lead to the loss of power and give the eunuchs the opportunity to bully others!"

"My cousin, remember this. Eunuchs are staunch supporters of the emperor's power, because all their rights come from the emperor. Without the emperor, they are nothing!"

"Wei Zhongxian is very powerful, with great power and many followers. But if the emperor really wants him dead, it would only take an imperial decree."

Chongzhen felt as if his cottage had been blown away when he heard this. He felt that the process of eradicating the eunuch party since he ascended the throne had been too smooth, and it could be said that he had not encountered any resistance.

He was originally somewhat complacent, but now that he had figured out the interdependent relationship between the emperor and the eunuchs, he suddenly understood the truth.

"Hey, why are you talking about this?" Wang An burped and muttered to himself, "According to the time, Wei Zhongxian's end is coming."

After saying that, he fell on the table in a daze and passed out drunk.

Looking at Wang An who had started snoring, Chongzhen said solemnly: "My dear friend, do you think Wei Zhongxian can be used by me?" Wang Chengen was shocked and looked at Chongzhen in disbelief.

The young emperor had been thinking all along how to make a big deal when he first ascended the throne, so as to prove that the Ming Dynasty would be revived in his hands.

This is also why, after Emperor Tianqi spoke well of Wei Zhongxian on his deathbed, saying that he was "loyal and faithful, and capable of planning major events", he still had to deal with Wei Zhongxian as soon as he came to power, despite being accused of being ruthless and targeting old ministers as soon as his brother died.

Seeing that Wang Chengen did not answer for a long time, Chongzhen turned his head and looked at Wang Chengen.

Wang Chengen shuddered and quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise. If you want Wei Zhongxian to serve you, I believe he will do his best!"

Chongzhen nodded, a smile appeared on his face, and he ordered: "Come here, help my good brother back to his room, don't let him catch a cold."

After saying that, he strode out of the herbal medicine shop with a smile on his face.

…………

That day, in a luxury house on Dong'anmen Street.

Wei Zhongxian sent away the eunuch who came to summon him, returned to the study, picked up his wine glass and clinked glasses with Li Yongzhen in front of the table.

Wei Zhongxian drank the whole cup and sighed, "The Emperor summoned me to see him suddenly. I'm afraid he's really going to show his true intentions! Old brother, I'm afraid we won't have a chance to drink again in the future."

Li Yongzhen also said sadly: "Master, you go first, I will follow you soon!"

After saying that, the two of them hugged each other and cried bitterly.

After a long time, the two wiped their tears and Wei Zhongxian left resolutely.

…………

Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.

Wei Zhongxian knelt on the ground with his head down, completely unaware of why Chongzhen had summoned him, but he just kept kneeling and didn't say anything.

Is it possible that he wants to be humiliated before dying?
Just as he was feeling sad, a piece of paper suddenly fell in front of him.

The paper was filled with tiny handwriting. Looking closely, each line and sentence was listing the crimes he had committed against the country.

Wei Zhongxian's body softened, knowing that his death was near.

However, Emperor Chongzhen, who was sitting on the imperial desk, said in a cold voice: "I originally planned to publicly list your crimes in the court meeting and punish you according to the law."

Wei Zhongxian's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately sensed a chance to survive.

Because Chongzhen said "originally", if it was originally, does that mean the emperor changed his mind?
Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian did not dare to look up and took the opportunity to play the victim to show his loyalty. He lay on the ground and cried, "I am guilty. Your Majesty, you can kill me or chop me up. I deserve it!"

(End of this chapter)