Chapter 572 Ask for advice

Although it has just entered November, the weather is already very cold. In just one night, it is already cold outside, so the palace where the matters are discussed in the palace are filled with warm braziers. Even so, the hearts of the monarchs and ministers here are still as cold as the cold weather outside.

"Ministry of Revenue, how much more than silver is there in the treasury now?" Chongzhen sighed and asked again. Just now, officials from the Ministry of War reported that because of the cold, the Jin people in Liaodong were ready to move again. Although they had learned enough lessons two years ago, no one could guarantee that they would not come to search for trouble again this year. Perhaps they no longer visited the Central Plains, but snatching food and other daily necessities from the people on the border was also unbearable by the Ming Dynasty.

However, the continuous disasters in the country have not been counted for three months, which has caused the morale of the military there to be unstable. Now the Liaodong garrison Man Gui even asked for the salary several times, so Chongzhen asked for the Ministry of Revenue. All the officials of the Ministry of Revenue showed helplessness, and finally the Shangshu Hou Xun came forward and said: "I have heard from Your Majesty that this year, due to disasters in various places, it was not until September that I received taxes from all over the country, totaling 567,300 taels. However, in order to provide relief to the victims in various places, the treasury allocated 509,000 taels of silver, plus some other expenses, the deposit of the bank in the Curry is now less than 30,000."

"What?" Chongzhen locked his eyebrows tightly when he heard this. In fact, he knew that the treasury had invested less and less money in the past few years, but he had gone out more. However, he didn't expect that it was already so tight. "I still want to allocate some silver to help the people of various counties in Shaanxi that are causing famine. This amount of money is far from enough military expenditure in Liaodong. What should I do?"

All the ministers in the palace kept silent from the cabinet officials. They knew better than the emperor that the financial difficulties encountered by the Ming Dynasty now, and even their salary this year might not be as good as possible. Seeing that everyone was suffering, Chongzhen felt even more unhappy: "Why, can't you all share my worries?"

"Please forgive me for your crime. I have ordered people to go to those places that have not been affected by the disaster to collect grain and silver, but those places cannot pay too much silver. I am afraid that the military expenses will be this year..." At this point, Hou Xun stopped talking again because he found that the emperor's face was even more ugly.

At this time, an official in the prison ranks came out and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial."

"Huh?" Chongzhen didn't have much impression of this Liu Mao. He only knew that he was a practical person. Could it be that he had any questions to raise? Thinking of asking for money again, Chongzhen felt nervous again, but he still said: "Authentication."

"Your Majesty, my Ming Dynasty has encountered a disaster that is rare in a century. Both the right time and the right place are very disadvantageous to me. The only thing we can do is to rely on people and reconcile it." Unexpectedly, Liu Mao was not here to ask questions, but to find a way to solve the problem. This boosted Chongzhen's spirit and listened carefully to him to continue saying it: "Now what our Ming Dynasty lacks the most is silver, but the taxes that can be paid in various places are not enough, and there are a lot of things to use. In this case, we can only find ways to spend less money. I think there are many officials in my Ming Dynasty, so it is time to reduce some of them appropriately."

As soon as this was said, the ministers in the palace changed color. Although this was said in a general way, everyone felt the threat. Should they move the people here or even the head? When everyone looked at them, Liu Mao couldn't help but feel nervous. However, this was the solution he had finally thought of, and he was still counting on using it to gain the trust of the emperor. Of course, he would not retreat: "For example, the number of postmen in the post stations in various places was too large, which not only occupied a lot of money and food from our court, but also a hidden danger in the local area. In the opinion of the minister, we should cut these people first."

"Dear brothers, what do you think?" The emperor had limited knowledge of this, so he asked.

Seeing that the things he mentioned had no conflict of interest with him, the officials were relieved. When the emperor asked, they all said, "What Liu Mao said was also reasonable. The way of finance is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Since the taxes in the Ming Dynasty can no longer be increased, it is okay to start on the reduction. And as he said, there are indeed too many postmen in the post station now, and reducing some can save a lot of money."

"Okay, since that's the case, I'll approve this report. Now I'll order the staff at the stations in various places to be reduced by half. Also, only 30% of the postmen in Shaanxi will be left in 30%. As long as you have enough daily official duties, you can hand over the money saved to the local government to help the suffering people."

"The emperor is not be kind, it is really a blessing for all people!" Liu Mao knelt down and said. The other officials also reacted and knelt down and praised. It was not until this time that the emperor's face showed a little smile.

Although many things were not dealt with, it was finally a good start. In addition, it was almost noon, Chongzhen announced that the court would be dispersed. When he returned to the harem, an eunuch had prepared lunch. Chongzhen was fond of simple nature and did not waste food. He only had three or five dishes and a bowl of rice was given. After the meal, just as the emperor wanted news for a moment and then reviewed the memorial, an eunuch rushed in: "Your Majesty, there is a quick comment from Shaanxi!"

"Come on it quickly." When he heard that it was an urgent comment from Shaanxi, which he had been concerned about, Chongzhen certainly did not dare to neglect and stopped making any news. After taking the memorial, he started to read it. After reading the previous lines, it turned out that the joy of having just solved a little of the matter disappeared from Chongzhen's heart. Some people in Shaanxi actually killed officials and rebelled, and there was an intensification. The thing that was most worried about happened, which made Chongzhen's brows, which had just been stretched, frown deeply again: "What should I do?"

After throwing a secret letter on the table, Tang Feng sighed and got up and walked around. Now he is over thirty years old and has a stubborn beard. After two years, he has become more calm and noble, which is much different from his previous sharpness. However, after seeing this secret letter, there is still a hint of murderous intent in his eyes: "It's really time to kill. These stolen officials are still thinking about making money at this time. No wonder the local people are rebelling. However, this matter

Haven't I ordered the local Jinyiwei to stare? Once officials embezzled disaster relief silver, they would be afraid to report it. Why did the urgent letter be sent until the situation reached this point?" After looking at the last signature of the secret letter, Tang Feng nodded clearly, and the corners of his mouth raised. It turned out that although the letter was sent by the Beizhen Fushi, he remembered it very clearly that the person named Jia Bing was one of Lu An's confidants. Tang Feng immediately said to the outside: "Come on, call Lord Lu for me."

Of course, Lord Lu An was mentioned by him. In the past two years, he has made some contributions. Now he has been promoted from the commander of the Jinyiwei to the commander of the Nanzhen Fushi Department, and can almost be on par with Luo Yangxing, the Beizhen. Of course, many of them were Tang Feng who helped behind his back. He knew that if he wanted to control the power of the Jinyiwei, he could not let anyone monopolize the power, so that he could get their allegiance from it.

After asking Lu An to invite him, Tang Feng finally calmed himself down and then looked at the secret letter. It said that the current situation of the riots in Shaanxi is now. Shortly after Wang Er and others rebelled and killed officials in Chengcheng County, King Jiayin of Fugu and King Zuogu of Yichuan also responded one after another. However, Tang Feng could not take these three seriously. What shocked him was the name of the person behind him. Ansai Gao Yingxiang also revolted and called himself the King of Chuang.

Although it has been many years since this era, and the memories of the previous life have almost disappeared, Tang Feng still remembers this name and title. Gao Yingxiang, the King of Chuang, although he was not the one who really subverted the Ming Dynasty, his reputation in the peasant army in the late Ming Dynasty was also very famous. After his death, another King of Chuang attacked Beijing, Chongzhen hung himself on Coal Mountain, and then the Ming Dynasty was destroyed.

I thought I had changed everything and history would no longer behave as usual, but I didn't expect that I could not avoid it in the end. Even the rebel man did not change his name. "Gao Yingxiang... King of Chuang... Will all my efforts over the years be in vain? Just because of natural disasters, the Ming Dynasty, which may have a hope of revival, will be destroyed? No, I cannot let such a thing happen in front of me. Since I still remember some history, let me do my best to stop it from happening!" After living at home for two years, Tang Feng once again had the wish to do something big. He had decided that after meeting Lu An and asking some things, he would go to the palace to meet the emperor.

At this moment, a servant came to the door of the study and reported: "Master, someone outside asked for a visit, and he said he was from the palace."

"Oh?" Tang Feng was stunned. Could it be that the emperor felt a little uncomfortable after learning about this, so he came to let himself go to the palace to discuss? He immediately did not dare to neglect and stood up and said, "Let's go, take me to see him."

In the outer hall, a man stood with his hands behind his back. Looking at the hall arrangement that had not changed much, he nodded slightly, and the trace of worry in his heart seemed to have been less. At this moment, Tang Feng quickly walked out: "But did the emperor order you to announce me to the palace? Your Majesty..." When he asked this, Tang Feng was surprised to see clearly the appearance of the person he thought was coming to deliver oral instructions. He was the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Chongzhen himself!

"I am Tang Feng, please see Your Majesty. I am late to welcome you. Please forgive me." Soon, Tang Feng reacted and knelt down and bowed.

"Get up quickly, I came suddenly and didn't show my identity. What's your fault?" Chongzhen smiled and helped him.

"I wonder what the emperor is coming?" Tang Feng asked strangely after asking the emperor to take the seat. Indeed, as the king of a country, Chongzhen was busy with all kinds of things and would not run out to play, let alone this is still the case now.

The smile on Chongzhen's face slowly faded away because of Tang Feng's problem. After a while, he said, "I remember when I was still believing in the king, I always like to walk around the back garden of this mansion. I wonder if *** is willing to accompany me to walk there?"

"This is my great blessing!" Tang Feng said without hesitation. He could see that the emperor was full of worries and did not want to be listened to by others, so he thought of this method: "After I received the gift from the emperor and moved into the mansion, everything has not changed. I believe that Your Majesty can still find the shadow of the past from here."

"It's so good." Chongzhen nodded slightly, then stood up and headed to the back garden familiarly. Tang Feng and some of the emperor's attendants followed closely. Tang Feng even shook his eyes at the servants outside and ordered them to go back and prepare quickly. If his family was there, they would let them avoid it quickly.

During these two years of free time, Tang Feng and his two wives Liu Hui and Da Yu'er spent significantly more time together, which made them have children. In addition to Chuo'er, Tang Feng now has two sons and one daughter, one son and one daughter, and the other son was born to Da Yu'er. His eldest son is the flesh and blood that was born in Liu Hui'er. He is now two years old and has a tiger-headed and brainy appearance, and is very cute. He named his nickname Hu'er, but his daimyo is Tang Keqing. The other daughter is in her infancy and named Tang Huan'er, and the son born to Da Yu'er is named Tang Keman. The meaning of the two sons is not only commemorated by herself in her previous life, but also with the intention of protecting the Ming and resisting the Qing Dynasty.

When there was nothing wrong in the past, Liu Hui and his two women would bring their children to the garden to play. Although the weather is cold now, Tang Feng did not dare to neglect and relax. After all, the emperor came. Fortunately, Liu Hui and the others did not come to the back garden today, and it was very quiet, which made Tang Feng feel at ease.

Behind Chongzhen, Tang Feng found that he was full of nostalgia when he looked at the surrounding scenery, and felt a little moved. Five years have passed. Five years ago, he must have thought that he would have such a day, right? Chongzhen suddenly stopped in front of a pine tree, reached out and touched it and said, "I remember that this tree was planted by me personally, and now it is so strong."

"Your Majesty... In fact, under your governance, my Ming Dynasty can also thrive like this tree."

"Is that so? When did you, Tang Yizhi, learn to treat me perfunctorily?" Chongzhen looked at him with a smile, then turned around and said to the attendant following behind, "You retreat to the side, I want to talk to Marquis Anping."

When only the two of them were left in a radius of several feet, Chongzhen said, "Although you are not in the court, you are just a free and easy marquis, if you really know nothing about what happened in my Ming Dynasty, I am afraid I will not believe it. Moreover, the disasters in various places are known to the court, and the matter in Shaanxi is even more serious."

"The emperor forgives his crimes, I dare not hide them from them. I have heard of all this." Seeing Chongzhen looking at him, Tang Feng did not dare to rude him anymore and said that he didn't know, so he honestly replied: "I am also worried about the current predicament of my Ming Dynasty, but I am powerless. I am just a leisurely marquis."

"This is not what you think," Chongzhen looked at Tang Feng for a long time before shook his head and said, "You were just a magistrate of the Jinyiwei, and there were commanders and assistants above. Haven't you done such a big thing? Why don't you have any ideas about this now? I came to see you today just to ask you if you have any way to solve the current difficulties. Don't shirk it anymore. I know you still have some insights and means."

The emperor said this, so Tang Feng couldn't pretend to be stupid anymore. He sighed and smiled bitterly: "Nothing can be hidden from the emperor. Yes, I'm also paying attention to the affairs inside and outside the court. I believe that the continuous natural disasters in recent years have caused the emperor a headache, right?"

"Yes, the continuous disasters have already made the treasury of the Ming Dynasty empty. This year, not only local governments need money to provide disaster relief, but also Liaodong also requires a lot of military expenditure, but I really have no money. This time, a great famine occurred in Shaanxi, and I even took out all the money from the treasury. Now even the cost of the palace is too short. In the morning court today, some people proposed to abolish local postmen to save some silver for the court, but I know that this is just a drop in the bucket."

When Tang Feng heard the emperor say this, he was also a little moved. As the king of a country, he could deduct money from his own expenses. Only the emperor who was sincere in serving the country could do it. Think about the old lady Cixi of the Qing Dynasty, who embezzled the military expenses of the Navy for one of her birthdays and building the Summer Palace. This is a sharp contrast. This made Tang Feng more determined to keep the Ming Dynasty's belief. However, when he heard the emperor talk about the decision of the morning court, Tang Feng still smiled helplessly. How much money could the postmen spend? Those adults would come up with such a distorted idea.

But this finally saved a little money, and he couldn't say anything, so he sighed softly: "Your Majesty is very worried. This is indeed a drop in the bucket and it can't help much. In fact, when I saw the disasters in my country in the Ming Dynasty for years, I was thinking about how to share the burden for Your Majesty. Now I have come up with two plans."

"Oh? Come and listen." When he heard that Tang Feng had a solution, Chongzhen asked hurriedly, but he felt a little dissatisfied. Why did he tell him until now?

Tang Feng's words made him understand the reason: "These two plans are contrary to the system of our ancestors, so I would not dare to say them out loud if your Majesty asked me for advice. Please don't blame me after listening."

"It's done, I'll forgive you for being innocent. Just say whatever you want."

"I follow the order. I thought that if you want to fill the treasury, you can only start with two aspects: opening up the source and reducing expenditure. My idea is these two aspects. In fact, a few years ago, I proposed to the precepts of your superiors, that is, to open up the sea ban!" Tang Feng said while observing the emperor's reaction.
Chapter completed!