Chapter 270: The teacher-student relationship between Xu and Zhang is severed

"Just ask!"

"As long as I know everything, I will tell you everything!"

Inside the palace.

Jiajing waved his hand.

No one would complain about having more money.

Even if this person is the emperor.

What's more, how can the money in the imperial treasury and the money in the Ministry of Revenue be the same thing?
No way.

Yan Shaoting nodded and said, "I dare to ask Your Majesty what the people are."

What is the people?
As soon as the question came out.

Jiajing started laughing.

Every emperor would be taught the answer to this question on his first day in office.

Jiajing smiled and said, "From me on, all the scholars, farmers, merchants and industrialists in the world are the people."

Yan Shaoting was not in a hurry and asked again: "I dare to ask Your Majesty again, which people should be taxed?"

This issue suddenly became acute.

Under the emperor, all people in the world are naturally people.

But among these people, who are required to pay taxes?

Jiajing also put away the smile on his face and said, "Except for the royal family, royal relatives, royal relatives, meritorious officials, civil and military officials, and those with meritorious service, all are subject to taxation."

These are the people mentioned by the emperor.

In fact, they are the privileged class of the Ming Dynasty.

They are the privileged class that enjoys support from the people of the world.

They don't have to work and don't need to take any responsibilities, and they can live a life without worries about food and clothing.

Yan Shaoting finally spoke, "I dare to ask Your Majesty again, if there are people who rely on the royal family, royal relatives, royal relatives, meritorious officials, civil and military officials, and people with meritorious service, such as the Hanlin Academy scholars and the Zhanshi Dong Fen, who were oppressed, exploited, and occupied by the people whose land and households are registered, should they also be taxed?"

This.

That was the question he really wanted to ask.

Zhang Juzheng's eyes suddenly flashed.

On the surface, his face looked tense, but in his heart he was extremely happy.

I didn’t misjudge him!
Yan Shaoting has a sincere and innocent heart, and he never deceives me!
He is an indispensable key figure in the reform faction!

For a while.

The look in Zhang Juzheng's eyes when he looked at Yan Shaoting became ambiguous.

However, Xu Jie immediately spoke in a deep voice, scolding: "Student Yan, what you are saying is nonsense! How can there be people like Dong Fen all over the court! How can the people of the world be exploited and occupied? The royal family is the blood of Emperor Taizu Gao, and their meritorious service and the country are in the same fate. Does Secretary Yan want to investigate them too?"

Yan Shaoting was not to be outdone and said, "Officials and policemen are ignoring the law and are rampant in the city! They arrest civilians and kill farmers and tenants, causing chaos everywhere! They bring reports to officials and enter prefectures and counties without permission, humiliating and beating people, and they are used to it!
"When a beautiful woman passed by his house, he abducted her and raped her. The girl was too young to dare to meet him, so he became furious and threw her to a tiger! He arranged wine and music, called prostitutes to sing and dance, and indulged himself in all kinds of lewdness. He would illegally torture and abduct anyone who tried to dissuade him, or if they angered him!
"Since Emperor Taizu Gao, there have been royal family members who broke the law and were reprimanded and punished by Emperor Taizu Gao. During the reigns of previous emperors, there were also frequent cases of princes breaking the law, who were reprimanded and severely punished by previous emperors.

“I have never said that I would investigate the royal family. I have only said that if there are people who should be registered and subject to tax, and if they make tributes or other tributes to the princes, how should they be measured and discussed?

Lord Xu has accused me of something, and he always says that I want to investigate the princes and relatives. This is really a false accusation!"

Among the princes and dukes of the Ming Dynasty, few were good people.

Since the reigns of Taizu and Taizong, these groups in the Ming Dynasty have been raised like pigs.

Without political power, this group of people naturally began to commit crimes in the local area.

In order to maintain the imperial ruling status, the emperor in power could often only issue an imperial decree to reprimand the emperor but not impose any other punishment.

But this matter can be told.

Just make it clear that you are not investigating this group of people, but are asking about the people's affairs.

At this moment.

Zhang Juzheng's eyes dimmed a little.

He thought Yan Shaoting would be a fearless and brave man.

However, it was unexpected that Yan Shaoting still chose to give in when facing the issue of the royal family.

But just a quick thought.

Zhang Juzheng felt relieved.

Even I wouldn't bring up this matter now, let alone Yan Shaoting?
And Xu Jie was refuted.

He opened his mouth to defend himself, "I am just afraid that Yan Shidu will investigate our royal family and relatives, which will shake the foundation of the country."

After saying this, Xu Laogou stopped talking.

Jiajing was in a dilemma.

What kind of people are my relatives?

How could he not know?

But.

These relatives cannot be moved.

Even if the punishment was just a little excessive, these people would run all the way to Nanjing City crying and go to the front of the Xiaoling Mausoleum to complain about how their emperor was unkind and unjust and had no regard for royal affection.

Difficult to handle!

After a while.

Jiajing then said: "For such people, we should ask them whether they are willing to do so and then decide whether they should be taxed."

This means no matter what.

Yan Shaoting understood and nodded, saying, "If it is as Your Majesty said, I think if we check the population that should be registered and taxed in all provinces across the country, compared with the 65 million people during the Chenghua period, the population may increase to between 80 and 90 million."

Nearly a hundred years.

Increase the population by 20 to 30 million.

Probably it can be done.

It is feasible to increase the tax-paying population by more than 10 million if we remove the population occupied by various royal palaces and princes and ministers.

That's the number.

According to the calculations based on Yan Shaoting's memory, these are all conservative figures.

After all, the practice of hiding households has been going on since the time of Emperor Taizu Gao.

Two hundred years have passed.

Why were there 65 million people subject to taxation at the beginning of the country, and why are there still so many people today?
This is a question worth considering.

Where have all the extra people in the past two hundred years gone?
This is also an issue that needs to be considered.

An increase between 15 million and 25 million?
Jiajing once again quickly counted the accounts in his mind.

soon.

He finished the calculation.

Even if we can just find out that there are only 10 million people who are registered and subject to tax in all provinces of the country, it will be fine.

All 10 million people pay various taxes.

The imperial court and the treasury can generate a large amount of financial and tax revenue.

"sufficient!"

at last.

The two words "enough" came out of Jiajing's mouth.

Just, the same as always.

Jiajing still looked at Yan Song and others.

He smiled and asked, "Lord Yan, do you think the population of the world has increased in recent years?"

Yan Song raised his head, his eyes blurry as he squinted at the emperor who was asking questions behind the pearl curtain.

Then he slowly turned his head and looked at Gao Gong.

"If Your Majesty wants to ask about the population of the country, you should ask Elder Gao, who is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue."

Jiajing immediately looked over there.

Gao Gong could only say, "Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty has been established for two hundred years. At the beginning of the country, the population was 65 million. The same was true during the Chenghua period. However, it has been more than a hundred years since then. I believe that the population of the world must have increased." After Gao Gong finished speaking.

Yan Song then spoke up, "It seems that it is just as what Mr. Gao said. The population of the world has probably increased. However, we still need to investigate it carefully to know how much it has increased."

The Prime Minister is as understanding of the Holy Heart as ever.

Just opening your mouth casually would give the emperor a way out.

Jiajing waved his sleeves and said, "Then let's check it thoroughly. Let the Ministry of Revenue check it thoroughly. Once it's clear, all taxes will be handed down according to the established practice."

The emperor opened his mouth.

The first person to jump out was the Minister of Revenue Gao Yao.

Gao Yao was delighted. He bowed and clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The Ministry of Revenue should do its job well and find out the current population of the world!"

If you don’t become a householder, you don’t know that firewood, rice, oil and salt are expensive.

These people are fighting for power and profit all day long, and they don't even consider whether there is any surplus grain in the purse of the Ministry of Revenue.

But now.

Gao Yao felt that he could work in the Ministry of Revenue for a few more years.

After all, the imperial court will be able to receive the final payment of 7 million taels from overseas silk business this year.

Now we can check the population of every province in the world.

By then, even if the population only increases by a few thousand, we just need to let these people start paying various taxes.

The Ministry of Revenue will then be able to collect more tax silver.

More money.

Only then can I, as the Minister of Revenue, stand taller.

In the past?

The dignified Minister of Revenue can only be a grandson!
Just don’t mention it!

Seeing Gao Yao so enthusiastic.

Jiajing smiled and stood up slowly. "Then go to work. Today, everything will be done according to your agreement and decree. It is especially important to check the population of each prefecture. No mistakes can be made and the officials of each department cannot interfere."

After saying that.

Jiajing then remembered why he had to conduct a census of the population in every province in the country.

He then said, "Once the population of each prefecture is ascertained and the Ministry of Revenue hands over the accounts, the Ministry of Rites will work with the Cabinet to finalize the quota number of scholars to be recruited from the two capitals and thirteen provinces."

Zhang Juzheng bowed immediately.

"I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."

At this time, Jiajing glanced sideways at Lu Fang.

Lu Fang immediately said: "Everyone, please go back to your office and do your work."

Upon hearing the sound, Yan Shaoting stepped forward and helped Old Yan up.

Led by Yan Song, everyone bowed and saluted.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell."

Jiajing disappeared from everyone's sight.

When he entered the inner hall, he couldn't help waving his hands with joy.

And in front of the temple.

Everyone came out one after another with different thoughts and feelings.

suddenly.

Inside the gate of Wanshou Palace.

Xu Jie's expression suddenly changed.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng who was already outside the palace gate.

"Have all the people in Shuntian Prefecture forgotten the rules?"

"The ministers are still behind you, but you have already left the palace?"

Suddenly.

The atmosphere inside and outside the palace suddenly became stagnant.

Zhang Juzheng, who had already walked out of the palace, had a tense expression on his face and turned to look at Xu Jie who was standing behind the palace gate.

This gentleman from the past.

Yan Shaoting, who was walking at the back supporting Old Yan, immediately looked up ahead.

A change of expression flashed across his face.

Yan Song tightened his hand on his eldest grandson's arm and gave him a look.

Zhang Juzheng stood in front of the palace gate, looking at Xu Jie who was scolding him in public for leaving the Wanshou Palace before the cabinet.

His face was calm and expressionless.

But in my heart, there was already an uproar.

There is never love or hate without reason.

This gentleman of mine in the past could today scold me in public for such a ridiculous reason as leaving the palace first.

That's enough to explain a lot of things.

He immediately waved his robe and bowed, then stood sideways at a corner of the palace gate.

"Your subordinate, the prefect of Shuntian, admits his guilt."

"Respectfully invite Lord Xu to return to the pavilion first."

After saying this, Zhang Juzheng retreated again and again, almost sticking to the wall under the palace gate.

Xu Jie was under the gaze of everyone.

His expression remained unchanged as he walked up the steps step by step, stepped over the wooden threshold of the palace gate, walked out of the Wanshou Palace, and glanced sideways at Zhang Juzheng who was bowing beside him.

Xu Jie said in a cold voice: "The people's livelihood in Shuntian Prefecture is uncertain, and the people's sentiment is raging. The officials should think about how to govern the people instead of stirring up trouble and causing unrest in the court. I am an assistant minister of the cabinet. If I see that there is unrest in the capital, I will ask the emperor to punish me severely. If there is a serious offense, I will remove him!"

After saying this, Xu Jie waved his robe and rolled up his sleeves in public and walked out of the Wanshou Palace.

Yan Shaoting was stunned.

He couldn't help but glance sideways at Old Yan who was supporting him.

Is Xu Jie severing his teacher-student relationship with Zhang Juzheng?
Otherwise, Xu Jie would not have been able to say these words in public.

It seemed like a businesslike affair, rather than the private instruction between teacher and student in the past.

No matter what he thought.

Everyone had already walked out of the palace, ignoring Zhang Juzheng who was bowing and saluting.

Until Yan Song was supported by Yan Shaoting and walked out of the palace.

Old Yan patted his eldest grandson's hand and stopped.

He looked at Zhang Juzheng and smiled: "Taiyue is the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, so you should pay more attention to people's livelihood. However, the ups and downs of officialdom cannot be revealed to the world. If you have any confusion, I am willing to help you solve it."

Zhang Juzheng, however, remained bent over, without saying a word.

The people in front were guessing something.

Was this the intention of Yan Song to recruit Xu Jie immediately after Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng severed their teacher-student relationship?

The first and second assistants are really interesting.

Seeing that Zhang Juzheng didn't say anything, Old Yan just smiled slightly.

Then, with the help of Yan Shaoting, he walked down the stairs.

just.

The teacher-student relationship between Xu Jie, the second assistant of the Ming Dynasty Cabinet, and Zhang Juzheng, his former student who had high hopes for him.

But it was severed in front of everyone.

this matter.

I think it won’t be long before it spreads to all the places it should go.

…………

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
(End of this chapter)