strictlysupreme Chapter 929: The End of the Old Minister
Chapter 929: The End of the Old Minister
Chapter 929: The End of the Old Minister
The so-called golden October means that the whole mountains and fields are golden.
The warm autumn breeze spreads across the country and the Central Plains.
Taking advantage of the great progress in currency reform, the emperor issued an edict to the whole country to hold a grand court meeting in the spring of the 22nd year of Zhengde to discuss major issues concerning the country!
This system, which has been maintained since the early years of the Zhengde period, has undergone changes but has never been abandoned by the emperor.
The benefits brought by more than 20 years of persistence are actually reflected in all aspects.
For example, in the early years of the Ming Dynasty, even during the Hongwu and Yongle periods, the annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty's treasury was only 2900 million dan, and it was almost impossible to break through.
But this number rose rapidly during the Zhengde period, reaching a peak of 4000 million shi.
The contribution of sweet potatoes is indispensable, but more importantly, there is continuous investment in water conservancy construction. As a major agricultural country, water conservancy projects have always been the focus of the annual court assembly.
Zhu Houzhao had a clear understanding of this point.
Now that the national treasury is abundant, the Ming Dynasty can station 60,000 cavalry in Yili, 3,000 miles away, garrison Shitang Port in the turbulent Nanyang, and host tribal alliance meetings for the Mongols in the depths of the desert.
At the same time, it gave a group of generals such as Zhou Shangwen, Ma Rong, Zhu Feng, and Han Shierlang a place to display their talents.
It is foreseeable that agriculture will still be given a prominent position in this grand court meeting.
However, the rise of the plantation economy represented by cotton also received attention from the court.
This is a new business model.
In addition, the initial success of the currency reform was just the beginning and far from the end in Zhu Houzhao's mind. Next, he would try to carry out a series of economic regulation in a pre-modern, super-large country.
The right to issue currency is in our hands. This is a good power, but it also comes with a responsibility.
If we cannot ensure the effective operation of the country's overall economy,
Then I'm sorry, even the most successful currency reform will fail quickly.
If you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight.
Therefore, Zhu Houzhao wanted to explore the establishment of an economic monitoring system, whose content would include some characteristics of modern economic data, such as the consumer price index, unemployment rate, industry prosperity and decline index, etc.
These objective data can provide a basis for currency issuance and, to some extent, curb the impulse of future monarchs to issue currency indiscriminately. After all, numbers are just numbers and they will not lie. Can't you see that the country is getting worse and worse because of your excessive issuance of currency?
These are the real daily lives of the emperor.
The success of reform is the end of a good story, but the beginning of a boring reality.
Another reason why Zhu Houzhao considered holding another grand court meeting was the signing of the Ming Treaty, the establishment of military regions, the conquest of Japan and the convening of the Mongolian tribal alliance meeting.
In the next few years, the Ming Dynasty will expand rapidly in the four directions of southeast, northwest, northeast and southwest.
It can be said that after his unremitting efforts over the years, the underlying logic of the Ming Dynasty's wars has been completely changed by him. Any war launched by the Ming Dynasty today is not just for the emperor's personal vanity, but is driven by real interests.
In the north, it was to disintegrate the Mongols and ensure the stability of the border.
In the west, it is to open up the western market.
In the south, it is to control the Nanyang market.
Japan was after gold and silver.
War is a means of protecting one's own development interests, and it has also become a "money-making" activity. Only in this way can the central finances not be dragged down by the war.
At this point of expansion, Zhu Houzhao needed to hold a grand court meeting to rally people's hearts and set a clear direction, just as if it were a steering exercise for a long voyage.
In order to hold this grand court meeting well, he issued an edict in early October. There were still 10 to 5 months until March of the following year, so he gave more than half a year in advance so that more people could arrive in the capital on time.
Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood.
Although the country is big and the journey is long, the king and his subjects still have to meet when necessary.
After issuing this decree, Zhu Houzhao stretched his body and issued a special decree to You Zhi, "Go and call Xia Yan, the military secretary."
"Yes."
He is meeting someone special today.
Even the cabinet didn't know that this person had returned to the capital.
He flipped through the memorials on the imperial desk and approved the important ones. There were only a dozen or so left, and none of them were marked as urgent. So he rubbed his face, walked out of the Qianqing Palace, and went to the Western Garden.
Not long after coming out, the young official Xia Yan was brought out.
The emperor waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite, just follow me."
"Yes."
You Zhi didn't understand why.
Only when he arrived at the pavilion by the lake in Xiyuan did he feel slightly relieved.
There was a white-haired old man in the pavilion. He was wearing a gray robe, and his body was slightly thin and hunched. He had deep bags under his eyes and was obviously an old man.
Standing next to him was a young eunuch serving him, and there was no one else.
After seeing the emperor, he stood up tremblingly, went out of the pavilion to greet him, and said, "I am here to see the emperor."
Although he is old,
But Zhu Houzhao stood still and waited for him to finish his kneeling ceremony.
This is to fulfill his wish and is also a requirement of etiquette.
It's not like you'll die from kowtow.
After bowing, the emperor raised his arm and said, "Stand up. Your Excellency?"
When Xia Yan heard someone calling him, he immediately stepped forward to help the man up, "Lord Yingning, the emperor asked you to get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Yes,
This person is the former Governor of Xinjiang Yang Yiqing, Yang Yingning.
The decree to remove him from his post was issued in the first half of the year. Originally, he was required to return to Beijing to meet the emperor as soon as possible, but he felt unwell on the way, so he rested for a few more days, and it was delayed until today.
"You have been my Prime Minister for ten years. It is more appropriate for you to call yourself my subject from now on."
"How dare I? I am a commoner, I cannot be your vassal."
Zhu Houzhao crossed his hands behind his back, bent forward slightly, and said: "I recognize you as my subject."
These words touched Yang Yiqing a little.
At his age, he should have been calm, but seeing the emperor whom he hadn't seen for several years was different. He could only tremble his lips and call out softly, "Your Majesty..."
Zhu Houzhao was not used to two old men engaging in sentimental drama here, so he immediately walked away and changed the subject, "Yang Qing, you have been the governor of Xinjiang for ten years. How is it? Is the scenery in the Western Region beautiful?"
As he spoke, he gestured to Xia Yan to help the old man sit down.
Yang Yiqing spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, Xinjiang is indeed a beautiful place in the Western Regions. For example, in Turpan, the summer is as hot as fire, with grape vines hanging down and green everywhere. The Huoyan Mountain shines in the sun, and the Grape Valley has clear springs and green shades. It is indeed a cool paradise in the hot summer. In winter, white snow covers the gravel, and the ice and fire blend together, which is a unique spectacle.
Another example is Yili, which is considered the pearl of the Western Regions. It connects the north and south of Tianshan Mountain, and its scenery is very different. The northern foothills are vast, with vast grasslands and sheep roaming leisurely, like pearls inlaid on a green carpet; the southern foothills are high mountains and dense pine and fir trees. In spring and summer, flowers bloom and the fragrance is everywhere. In autumn, the forests are dyed red and yellow, which is magnificent! "
After all, Yang Yiqing was a university scholar, so he had a lot of knowledge.
A few simple sentences sketched out a beautiful picture, which made Zhu Houzhao eager to act.
He tapped his thigh and said with regret: "If I were not the emperor, I would definitely go there!"
People around dare not listen to this.
Even if you heard it, you pretended not to hear it.
Zhu Houzhao knew that he was talking nonsense again, but he didn't care. He continued, "Mr. Yang, I am dismissing you from the post of governor not because I am dissatisfied with you, but because I suddenly remembered that you are already over 70 years old. It is rare for a person to live to 70. You have worked hard for me and the court all your life. Even if we have quarreled before, how can I bear to abandon an old man like you in the northwest and not allow you to come back?"
Everything the emperor said today was heartwarming.
Although Yang Yiqing had anticipated this, he had never thought it would reach this extent.
Xia Yan, who was standing beside him, also watched this scene silently.
Watching the final scene of the old minister in front of Emperor Zhengde after a big drama,
He himself had never thought about it, but in fact this was a very rare scene.
"Your Majesty's words are too serious for me to accept. I just think about it day and night, and feel grateful for your great grace, which is like the spring breeze and rain that moistens everything silently."
"Let's not talk about these words of praise. You will soon return to your hometown in Guangdong. I don't want you to go to the capital again at your age. Today may be the last time we see each other, so..."
Yang Yiqing's eyes were slightly red, "I, your old minister, only wish that the heaven and earth will protect you, and that the emperor will be healthy and eternally young."
"Is there anything you want? If there are any descendants of your Yang family who can be used, please report them to me. I will eventually train them and ensure that your Yang family is rich and prosperous."
"Your Majesty, how can an old minister accept such a favor from the Emperor?"
Zhu Houzhao said quietly, "That's not what I meant. I love the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world with all my heart. I love the people as well as the people under them. I should also love a loyal minister like you.
It's just that sometimes... You say I am the Son of Heaven, the Son of God, like a god. But those are all lies. I will grow old and die. After all, I am still a human being. As long as I am a human being, I will make mistakes. It is impossible for 100 decisions to be absolutely correct. But the starting point is always good.
Moreover, the current Ming Dynasty is like a young man who has recovered from an illness, full of energy and in good condition. Now that the momentum has been established, it cannot be stopped. It cannot be stopped just because I want to protect my so-called reputation of benevolence and righteousness. Hey, tell me the truth, Ming Dynasty, am I not governing well?"
The emperor's question was teasing and proud.
Yang Yiqing was also a little stunned. The emperor actually asked such a direct question, which made him feel mixed emotions. Then he nodded, "Good! Your Majesty governs the Ming Dynasty well, and the country is full of vitality and strength, like an eagle spreading its wings and crossing thousands of miles."
"You are doing a good job as the Prime Minister."
Zhu Houzhao patted his arm and led the laughter.
With such a smile, all the past was wiped out.
Being the Prime Minister was the most important political experience in his life. Now that he had the emperor's approval, there was no need to say more about everything else.
After laughing, Yang Yiqing said, "Your Majesty, I feel that I have read a lot of history books, but there has never been a monarch as sincere and kind as your Majesty in the history books. I am so lucky to have been able to assist Your Majesty for ten years."
Zhu Houzhao was in a good mood, and he raised his eyebrows and said jokingly: "I have issued an order to hold another grand court meeting next year. You will see how the Ming Dynasty will change after the 22nd year of Zhengde. My request to you is to go back and take good care of yourself, and wait until the day when the royal army reports victory. You can't come by then, but I want to ask you for a poem. You have to spend your mind, spend your mind well, to flatter me and praise this magnificent and prosperous Ming Dynasty!!"
"This old minister will never disobey the emperor's order!"
Even an old man like Yang Yiqing felt a little excited when he spoke. He could only lament in his heart, wondering why he couldn't be made twenty years younger!
(End of this chapter)